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The start of New Orleans Saints training camp is here, so it makes sense for the team to fly in a handful of free agents for tryouts now that they’re getting a better grasp on their roster. Putting players through their paces in practice each day and checking in on various injury situations helps inform the Saints on where they still need help, and that’s reflected in their latest tryouts.
We know running back is a priority for them, so it’s good to see WWLTV’s Brooke Kirchhofer report that former Philadelphia Eagles backup Jordan Howard will be trying out soon. New Orleans could use an upgrade in the backfield behind Alvin Kamara regardless of his status, and Howard brings some value as a runner who has averaged 50-plus rushing yards per game in three of the last four seasons. He’ll be a good comparison for the Saints to work out alongside Darius Victor, the USFL’s Offensive Player of the Year who will be trying out soon.
Additionally, NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints will work out defensive end Chris Odom — a playmaking pass rusher who just won recognition as USFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Houston Gamblers. Odom bagged 12.5 sacks (leading the spring league), 8 tackles for loss, and 6 forced fumbles while blocking 4 kicks. The Saints run deep at defensive end but it’s still worth giving him a look, especially with Marcus Davenport starting camp on the PUP list. You can never have enough pass rushers.
It’s likely that the Saints are hosting other free agents, too, but we won’t know for sure until it’s reported or declared by the team to the NFL daily transactions wire. We’ll be keeping an eye out to see if any of this activity results in a contract or two.
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2022-07-26T17:22:08Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Eagles RB Jordan Howard among latest Saints free agent tryouts
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-eagles-rb-jordan-howard-165318940.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-eagles-rb-jordan-howard-165318940.html?src=rss
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The Minnesota Vikings are one day away from the entire team taking the field to kick-start training camp. So of course, it’s important to see where some of the key players dealing with offseason injuries have progressed heading into the 2022 season.
Injuries have been a major issue for the Vikings over the last couple of years, especially when it pertains to key players on both sides of the ball.
All teams deal with injuries, but it would be nice to see the injury gods smile on the Vikings for a change instead of pulling the typical Miley Cyrus wrecking ball routine.
Here’s where things stand right now with some of the key players dealing with previous ailments.
WR, Ihmir-Smith Marsette
Vikings second-year receiver Ihmir-Smith Marsette had his spring cut short after suffering a lower-leg injury during practice. He spent some time in a walking boot, but there was always hope that he’d be able to return at some point during the summer.
So you can imagine the excitement when he came walking through the door without a boot on Sunday, when rookies were reporting to training camp.
Marsette appears to be fired up and ready to go.
He should be a favorite to work in as the fourth receiver on a crowded depth chart featuring Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. If the Vikings really do morph into a pass-heavy offense, we could potentially see more of Marsette than we saw in his rookie season.
OLB, Danielle Hunter
Injury setbacks are becoming a common theme for Danielle Hunter, who is easily one of the best pass-rushers in the league when healthy.
He missed all of 2020 with a neck injury, and he got knocked out once again for most of the 2021 season with a torn pectoral muscle. The hope is that he can stay healthy and form a terrifying one-two punch with former Green Bay Packer Za’Darius Smith, along the defensive front.
Both Pro Bowl pass-rushers have been on the field and competing in the spring practices. So everything looks to be a go for the Vikings’ new pass-rushing tandem.
It’s good news for Minnesota and potentially bad news for everyone else.
CB, Andrew Booth Jr.
Rookie cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. wasn’t able to compete during the spring practice due to a sports hernia surgery he underwent back in March.
However, the expectation has always been that he’d be ready by the time training camp rolled around. He signed his rookie contract on Sunday, and the hope is that he’ll be set to go for Wednesday’s practice.
But it’ll be interesting to see if he’s limited in any way.
It might be wiser to err on the side of caution with his recovery considering the Vikings already have Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler at the top of the depth chart. So there’s no immediate need to rush Booth onto the field.
But considering all of the reps he’s already missed during the spring, he could certainly use the work.
TE, Irv Smith Jr.
Things start to get interesting at the tight end position for the Vikings.
Irv Smith Jr. was on fire at last year’s training camp before going down with a season-ending knee injury. His mere presence on the field in Kevin O’Connell’s offense gives the team a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
But his absence just leaves the team with more problems. He’s the only proven receiving tight end on a roster full of blocking tight ends.
The good news is that all indications from the outside appear to be the former second-round draft pick is ready to hit the ground running.
But KSTP’s Darren Wolfson did bring up an interesting question when the team was reportedly listening to pitches from Kyle Rudolph’s camp about a potential return to Minnesota, before he signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I do find it interesting that the Vikings haven’t hung up the phone,” said Wolfson, during an appearance on The Scoop with Doogie. “It makes me wonder, and I need to dig more on this. …I may not be able to dig more until next week. But what exactly is going on with Irv Smith Jr.? Is the knee still an issue?”
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2022-07-26T17:22:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Key injury updates heading into Vikings training camp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/key-injury-updates-heading-vikings-160109699.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/key-injury-updates-heading-vikings-160109699.html?src=rss
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With all 32 teams officially reporting to training camp on Tuesday, the NFL is officially back. Preseason football is just around the corner and the Raiders will put on the pads for the first time on Wednesday.
In a recent article by Nate Davis of USA Today, he predicted every team’s record going into the 2022 season. He predicted the Raiders would finish the season at 9-8, narrowly missing the playoffs. Here is a snippet of what Davis had to say about the new-look Raiders going into the year:
“QB Derek Carr and new WR Davante Adams reunite with latent rapport from their time together at Fresno State – but what’s the half life of chemistry when you haven’t played together in nearly a decade? So while this organization appears headed in the right direction – even as defensive and blocking issues linger – maybe let’s give it a year to coalesce?
The entire post by Davis is available on USA Today, but it is available to subscribers only. But he has the Raiders finishing behind teams like the Chargers, Patriots and Bengals in the AFC Wild Card race.
The Raiders are going to be competitive during the 2022 season. That much is for sure. But can they make it back to the playoffs in the first season under Josh McDaniels? That is going to be a tall task.
Here are more images for anticipated cannibal love story Bones And All, which has just been confirmed for a Venice Film Festival Competition bow. Starring are Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, André Holland, Chloë Sevigny, David Gordon-Green, Jessica Harper, Jake Horowitz and Mark Rylance. MGM has domestic and international distribution rights while Vision Distribution will […]
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2022-07-26T17:22:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Nate Davis of USA Today predicts Raiders to go 9-8, miss playoffs
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nate-davis-usa-today-predicts-161612776.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nate-davis-usa-today-predicts-161612776.html?src=rss
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Entering the final week of the 2021 NFL regular season, all the Indianapolis Colts needed to do was defeat the 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars. It would have gotten the Colts to 10-7 and clinched them a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs.
Instead, Carson Wentz was held under 200 passing yards and turned the ball over twice. Jonathan Taylor was held in check on the ground, rushing for just 77 yards. Jacksonville won the game and the Colts' season was over, with no playoffs to follow.
It was a failure of epic proportions, but to the Colts' credit, they reacted swiftly. The vote of confidence was never given to Wentz at the end-of-season media sessions. Instead, they traded him to Washington. A few weeks later, they acquired former NFL MVP Matt Ryan to be their new starting quarterback.
Ryan joins a growing list of quarterbacks the Colts have used in an attempt to fill the hole left by the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck in 2019. That list includes Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Wentz and now Ryan. While Ryan isn't a long-term solution due to his age, he might just be the best name on that list.
Indianapolis doesn't need elite quarterback play, they just need good quarterback play. There's a decent chance Ryan could provide that, and as a result, there's optimism surrounding the Colts entering training camp. Yahoo's Frank Schwab ranked the Colts 14th in his preseason power rankings. You can find an in-depth breakdown of the Colts from a football perspective in his article. In this one, we'll be focusing on the betting market's perception surrounding the Colts and their players.
Colts expected to make playoffs and win AFC South
Last season, the Colts won nine games. It wasn't enough to get them into the playoffs and it was three wins less than the Tennessee Titans, who ended up winning the AFC South. It certainly appears oddsmakers are expecting a better Colts team this year.
Indianapolis is currently a sizable -160 favorite to go over 9.5 wins in 2022. While the actual win total hasn't moved, the odds have moved in favor of the Colts during the offseason. Indianapolis opened at -125 to go over 9.5 wins. It certainly appears that bettors believe that Matt Ryan is worth at least a win over Carson Wentz. As of last week at BetMGM, 93% of bets and 98% of the money was backing the Colts to go over 9.5 wins.
Entering last season, the Colts were slight underdogs behind the Titans to win the AFC South. Those roles have reversed this season. Currently, Indianapolis is a -120 favorite to win the division. Tennessee faltered in the playoffs and traded away A.J. Brown in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Colts upgraded at the most important position on the field. Public perception has shifted in Indianapolis' favor.
Obviously, winning the division would come with an automatic playoff berth for the Colts. However, even if Indianapolis gets beat out for the division, the oddsmakers like its chances to clinch a wild card spot. The Colts are -190 favorites to make the playoffs in the loaded AFC. If we convert those odds to probability, Indianapolis makes the playoffs over 65.5% of the time in the eyes of the bookmakers.
Indianapolis isn't among Super Bowl favorites
Being projected as the favorite to win the AFC South and make the playoffs does not automatically translate into being a Super Bowl contender. While the oddsmakers expect a good regular season from the Colts, they're a lot less bullish on their chances to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Indianapolis is currently 25-to-1 to win the Super Bowl. To compare those odds to teams around the league, Indianapolis has the same odds as the Philadelphia Eagles. They are behind teams like the Chargers, Ravens and Bengals. They're just ahead of Cleveland, Arizona and Tennessee. Overall, at 25-to-1, Indianapolis is tied for the 12th-best odds in the league.
In terms of making a run to the Super Bowl, odds aren't great for the Colts to win the AFC either. Indianapolis is currently 12-to-1 to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. Those are the seventh-best odds, behind the Bills, Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Ravens and Bengals. When all is said and done, this is a quarterback league. While Matt Ryan is an upgrade compared to what the Colts had, at this point of his career it's hard to match him up against the quarterbacks those six teams have.
Colts awards and props
There are certainly some players on the Colts who have won awards in the past or have a chance to win awards this upcoming season. Matt Ryan won NFL MVP in 2016 along with the AP Offensive Player of the Year. Darius "Shaquille" Leonard won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. Jonathan Taylor won the rushing title last season and finished second in voting for Offensive Player of the Year. What do the odds say for this upcoming season?
Last season, Jonathan Taylor broke out in a big way. He finished with 332 carries, 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. He led the NFL in all three categories. As a result, he finished second in voting for the AP Offensive Player of the Year, losing out to Cooper Kupp. Entering just his third season, oddsmakers are expecting Taylor to be among the league's best this upcoming season.
Taylor is the current betting favorite to lead the league in rushing touchdowns at +550. He's the co-favorite alongside Derrick Henry to lead the league in rushing yards at +500. Taylor is the current betting favorite to win offensive player of the year at +900. The Colts running back is 50-to-1 to win NFL MVP. Those are tied for the best odds amongst non-quarterbacks with Derrick Henry.
From a statistical point of view, you can bet on whether Taylor will go over or under 1449.5 rushing yards and over or under 13.5 rushing touchdowns. He blew past both these numbers last season.
Acquiring Matt Ryan has made the Colts the favorites to win the AFC South. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While Matt Ryan's MVP days are likely in the rear-view mirror, his odds are currently posted at 50-to-1. That puts him at the same odds as teammate Jonathan Taylor and other quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa. In terms of passing stats, the over/under for Ryan is set at 3899.5 passing yards and 25.5 passing touchdowns. He's gone over that passing yards number in every season since 2010.
Formerly known as Darius, Shaquille Leonard has been a first-team All-Pro three times in his four year career. He won defensive rookie of the year in 2018 when he led the league in tackles. Last season, he led the league in forced fumbles. Leonard is a bit of a long shot to win Defensive Player of the Year at 30-to-1, but he's received the second-most bets of any player for the award. Only Micah Parsons has received more betting action.
Other Colts awards odds
Frank Reich is 20-to-1 to win the coach of the year award. Those are the 11th-best odds.
Alec Pierce is 35-to-1 to win offensive rookie of the year. Those are the 18th-best odds.
Michael Pittman Jr. is 50-to-1 to lead the league in receiving, tied for the 23rd-best odds.
Colts massive favorites in Week 1
The biggest betting favorite for Week 1 of the NFL season? The Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts are currently 7.5-point road favorites against the Houston Texans. Indianapolis is the only team in the league laying more than a touchdown in the opening week of the season. The fact they're laying these many points on the road says a lot.
Obviously, there is hype surrounding the Colts entering the season. The opposite is true for the Texans, who are projected to be one of the worst teams in the league. With that being said, I have a hard time laying over a touchdown with a road favorite in a divisional game early in the season.
The Colts will certainly be a popular leg for teasers and moneyline parlays, but eating those points doesn't sound overly appetizing on first glance.
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2022-07-26T17:22:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL futures odds: Matt Ryan propels Colts to favorites in AFC South
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-matt-ryan-propels-colts-to-favorites-in-afc-south-170020172.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-matt-ryan-propels-colts-to-favorites-in-afc-south-170020172.html?src=rss
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The Green Bay Packers will sign another member of the group that worked out for the team on Monday. According to agent Brett Tessler, offensive lineman Ty Clary will sign a one-year deal with the Packers.
Clary joins wide receiver Osirus Mitchell, who is also expected to sign with the Packers on Tuesday. The team officially signed Dallin Leavitt on Monday.
Clary, an undrafted free agent from Arkansas, signed with the Miami Dolphins but was waived with a failed physical due to his recovery from shoulder surgery, per Tessler.
Clary played in 47 games and made 39 starts for the Razorbacks. He started games at left guard, center and right guard, giving him the type of multi-position versatility that the Packers typically covet along the offensive line. Clary also has experience at right tackle, but he is likely a guard or center at the next level.
General manager Brian Gutekunst must see a need for interior depth, or the team is swapping interior offensive linemen on the roster before the start of training camp.
With Clary and Mitchell coming, the Packers will need to release two players or clear two roster spots to make room on the 90-man roster. The first practice of training camp is Wednesday.
The game had already been over for close to 20 minutes, and Trevor Rogers merely sat at his locker, staring inward.
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2022-07-26T17:22:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Packers to sign offensive lineman Ty Clary
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https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-sign-offensive-lineman-ty-162802482.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-sign-offensive-lineman-ty-162802482.html?src=rss
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The Seattle Seahawks inked pass-rusher and 2022 second-round pick Boye Mafe to his rookie contract on Tuesday, according to Mafe’s agent Mike McCartney. The 24-year-old will make roughly $9.4 million over four years on his first deal with the team.
Seattle drafted Mafe at 40th overall this offseason after he posted seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 12 games last season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The 6-foot-4, 261-pound prospect also ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Mafe will compete with a stout group of outside linebackers to earn snaps. He joins a rookie class that included offensive tackle Charles Cross (ninth overall), running back Kenneth Walker (41st overall) and tackle Abraham Lucas (72nd overall), among others.
The Seahawks signed Mafe on the same day the entire team is set to report for training camp.
Ryan Reynolds — not the actor, but the editor of Evansville's Courier & Press — appeared in a recent ad for A&W Restaurants in celebration.
Stock Market Worsens At Midday As Retailers Sink; Health Care Stock Breaks Out
The major stock market indexes are all in the red, with indexes worsening in the last hour and at the lows of the day. The Nasdaq composite was down 1.7% while the S&P slid 1.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.
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2022-07-26T17:23:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks EDGE Boye Mafe signs rookie contract
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-edge-boye-mafe-signs-154002554.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-edge-boye-mafe-signs-154002554.html?src=rss
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On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had signed free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols. To make move on the 90-man roster, the Steelers have released running back Trey Edmunds.
McNichols was originally a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2017. He has spent time on multiple NFL rosters including the 49ers, Colts, Titans, Bears, Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.
In two seasons with the Titans, McNichols rushed the ball 88 times for 360 rushing yards. McNichols also caught 40 passes for 295 receiving yards.
The Steelers backup running back situation is pretty thin so I won’t be shocked if McNichols is in the fold to be the primary backup to Najee Harris.
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2022-07-26T17:23:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Steelers sign RB Jeremy McNichols
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https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-sign-rb-jeremy-mcnichols-160040597.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-sign-rb-jeremy-mcnichols-160040597.html?src=rss
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Tennessee Titans cornerback Buster Skrine has decided to retire from the NFL after 12 seasons.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed the news during his first press conference of training camp, saying Skrine notified the team of his plans, although no reason was given as to why the veteran is hanging up his cleats.
This is certainly surprising news, as Skrine was one of the players we pegged as a top candidate to secure a backup role at cornerback. His retirement leaves Tennessee a bit thinner in the depth department.
The Titans have seen a rash of abrupt retirements since 2021. Last season alone, cornerback Kevin Johnson, offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo and defensive lineman Abry Jones all unexpectedly retired.
Mike Vrabel says Buster Skrine is retiring
Skrine joined the Titans in 2021 and played well in a reserve role over the course of six games. He has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers during his career.
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2022-07-26T17:24:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tennessee Titans CB Buster Skrine retires from NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-titans-cb-buster-skrine-163651201.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-titans-cb-buster-skrine-163651201.html?src=rss
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The Houston Texans have posted four wins the past two seasons. That tends to happen when a team doesn’t have a first-round pick the past two drafts and didn’t get to make their initial selection until Round 3 in 2021. Throw in the customary attrition and inadequate depth replacement by the previous regime, and it is easy to understand why Houston is stuck at four wins.
However, the Texans are expected to do worse in 2022 — even with a new coach, two first-round picks, and a second-year quarterback who was responsible for two of their wins last season through 11 starts with a worse roster.
According to Nate Davis from USA TODAY (subscriber only), Houston will finish 3-14 and end up picking No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
Mills will have his chance to show Caserio he can be the solution at quarterback. In doing so, it may end up Houston has to find a different answer under center, but they will have the draft capital to do so.
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2022-07-26T17:24:08Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Texans expected to do worse in 2022 than the previous two seasons
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https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-expected-worse-2022-previous-170258837.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-expected-worse-2022-previous-170258837.html?src=rss
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We love our fellow USA TODAY writers, but we don’t like the record one is predicting for the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 season.
According to USA TODAY’s Nate Davis, the Titans will finish with an 8-9 record and miss the playoffs. He also has the Indianapolis Colts finishing with a 9-8 mark and winning the division. Here’s Davis’ take:
Tennessee Titans (8-9): Over the past two seasons, they’re 23-10 with a couple of division crowns … yet that doesn’t include a pair of ugly one-and-done playoff losses in Nashville. All-galaxy RB Derrick Henry is back to full steam, but what’s he supposed to do against defenses that likely won’t have to pay much mind to an unrecognizable receiving corps or QB Ryan Tannehill, who seems a few more shaky performances away from becoming a lame duck?
While it’s certainly fair to assume the Titans will take a step back after a 12-5 season thanks to the uncertainty surrounding their offensive line, quarterback and receiving corps., we don’t see it being that drastic.
The Titans are set to have an elite defense in 2022, and they’ll hopefully have Derrick Henry, who is the heart and soul of the offense, for an entire season this time around after he missed nine games in 2021.
It's time. Let the debating begin.
See how @ByNateDavis envisions the entire 2022 NFL season playing out — and why it will happen that way. 👉 https://t.co/3cJWB1mq8I pic.twitter.com/seDKv3lRXG
While Tennessee’s schedule overall will be tough, especially thanks to their having to play the vastly-improved AFC West, the situation in the division remains favorable.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans should be a little better, but both will still be bad overall.
And, the Titans’ biggest competition for the division, the Colts, have similar issues to Tennessee and are trying to transition to yet another new signal-caller.
Adding to that, the Titans have owned the Colts recently, winning four of the last five contests between the two, including both matchups in 2021.
Make no mistake about it, the Titans will have a tough road to the playoffs and the divisional race will be neck-and-neck, but we believe Tennessee will ultimately come out on top in the AFC South with a 10-7 record.
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2022-07-26T17:24:14Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Titans will finish with losing record in 2022, says USA TODAY’s Nate Davis
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https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-finish-losing-record-2022-155816529.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-finish-losing-record-2022-155816529.html?src=rss
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(4) Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): One wouldn’t normally regard Philly as South Beach North (North Beach?), but the parallels with the Dolphins are evident. There’s an impressive nucleus coming off a strong kick to 2021 – the Iggles’ fast finish landed them in the wild-card round – yet questions remain about the long-term viability of a former Alabama quarterback, Jalen Hurts, in this case. But he spearheaded the league’s No. 1 ground game in 2021 and now has WR A.J. Brown to anchor the receiving corps, is fronted by a standout offensive line, and backed by a solid defense … not to mention the benefit of playing in what seems a relatively weaker conference than Tagovailoa’s. Even if Hurts falters, this group might be good enough to cover for him. But if he thrives? Then the Eagles, who open against four 2021 non-playoff teams and face just one 2021 postseason outfit in the final five weeks, could go a long way.
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2022-07-26T17:24:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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USA TODAY predicts Eagles wins NFC East, lose to 49ers in Wild Card round
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https://sports.yahoo.com/usa-today-predicts-eagles-wins-162227670.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/usa-today-predicts-eagles-wins-162227670.html?src=rss
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The latest take comes from USA Today’s Nate Davis (subscriber only), who predicts the Saints will finish 2022 with the same record that they found in 2021 — but this time it’ll be enough to get them into the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 7 seed. Here’s what Davis had to say about his prediction for what he sees as a 9-8 Saints team:
“The tiebreaking formula relegated last season’s 9-8 team a non-playoff qualifier. It 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 of weapons given the arrival of WRs Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave, a first-round pick, to say nothing of Michael Thomas’ return. And remember this: New Orleans has seven straight regular-season wins against the Bucs.”
Honestly, that’s a fair take. We don’t know exactly how tough life without Payton will be; he basically willed the team into a winning record last year with so many things falling apart for his offense. Things will obviously be different without Payton at the helm, especially on offense, and it’s very possible that the Saints stall out rather than improve over last season’s disappointing performance.
But personally, I’ve got higher expectations for this Saints team, and they’re likely hoping for better than nine wins themselves. They’ve made enough upgrades and retained enough talent to where they should notch double-digit wins and push the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South title, and a home playoff game. If they’re running hot by December and Winston is putting up points with his new receiving trio, the Saints will surprise some people. Let’s just not get ahead of ourselves. Any success they’ll hope to find in the fall starts with long afternoons at training camp practice this summer.
Which questions really need answers for the Panthers and their defense during training camp?
Louisiana Ragin' Cajun's defense is expected to power them in 2022. How do they stack up inside the new look Sun Belt Conference?
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2022-07-26T17:24:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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USA Today predicts the Saints will return to the playoffs in 2022
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https://sports.yahoo.com/usa-today-predicts-saints-return-161717266.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/usa-today-predicts-saints-return-161717266.html?src=rss
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It wasn’t that long ago, however, that this happened. The 2018 New England Patriots won Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams after losing Super Bowl LII to Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles. You also, of course, have the Buffalo Bills losing four straight Super Bowls from 1990-1993.
The Cincinnati Bengals certainly have a hill to climb with not only overcoming the stigma, but also bucking a recent trend in regards to respect and results from Vegas odds.
The Bengals currently have a win over/under of 10, the lowest for the previous season’s runner-up since the 2017 Atlanta Falcons had an over/under of 9.5. They’re also the last runner-up to hit the over as they won ten games and reached the playoffs, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.
So, yes, history is strongly against the Cincinnati Bengals. But this is a team that feels ready to buck that trend. Why? Because this team is still growing.
Is the disrespect because they’re the Bengals? Yes, this team was very bad in recent memory. But they now have as much talent, especially on offense, as just about any other team in the league. A near-elite quarterback, a freakish athlete at wide receiver, a powerful running back and a much-improved offensive line.
Cincinnati had three players reach 1,000 yards, including two wide receivers (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins) along with Joe Mixon having a career year. And Boyd also had 828 yards, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Bengals to have three 1,000-yard receivers. And a quick reminder that Mixon is 26 years old, while Higgins is only 23 and Chase is just 22.
Even Boyd is 27, so the core of the Bengals offense is still very young and either in their prime or set to enter their prime. Having that type of group is key for any NFL team.
As is continuity on the sidelines. Head coach Zac Taylor is entering his fourth year with the Bengals. He has had the same three top coordinators (OC Brian Callahan, DC Lou Anarumo, STC Darrin Simmons) all four years, something that is almost unheard of in today’s NFL. Per Jay Morrison of The Athletic, the only other team in such a position is the Kansas City Chiefs (Year 10 for HC Andy Reid, Year 5 for OC Eric Bieniemy, Year 4 for DC Steve Spagnuolo, Year 20 for STC Dave Toub).
So you have continuity and strength on offense, you have continuity and strength on the sidelines and you have a defense that can attack you in a number of different ways with how flexible Anuramo is. Look no further than Cincinnati’s first-round pick in April, Michigan safety Dax Hill. The guy can play corner, he can play nickel, he can play safety. He is going to be a major chess piece for the Bengals defense.
And maybe the best part for the Bengals? They relish the underdog role. It was their fuel throughout their playoff run. They were the Cinderella story of 2021 and can be the Cinderella story of 2022, as everyone is all-in on the Buffalo Bills, Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, even the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders to an extent.
Heck, even in their own division, a lot of talk surrounds the Baltimore Ravens coming off all their injuries. But the Bengals have the confidence after sweeping the Ravens in 2021, including Burrow’s historic 525-yard performance.
Add it all up and the Bengals could be the surprise team again in 2022 and break the curse of the Super Bowl hangover. The spotlight certainly is on them, but not as bright as other teams. And Cincinnati likes it that way.
"We are being made aware that the hours of operation are being ignored with playing outside of the hours of that are posted at the court locations."
Former New England Patriot Danny Amendola is calling it a career.
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2022-07-26T17:24:52Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why the Bengals can overcome the Super Bowl hangover curse
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https://sports.yahoo.com/why-bengals-overcome-super-bowl-153010407.html?src=rss
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Tyler Greenawalt and Cassandra Negley
Liz Cambage's time with the Los Angeles Sparks is over.
The team announced Tuesday they've agreed to a "contract divorce" with the 30-year-old center, just 25 games into her Sparks tenure. The WNBA uses "contract divorce" for what is essentially a buyout.
This comes just five months after Cambage said “it was L.A. or out for me. There was nowhere else I wanted to be," after signing with the Sparks following two years with the Las Vegas Aces. She averaged 13 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game this season.
The Sparks (12-15) are sixth in the WNBA standings, but will have to fight to keep hold of their playoff spot over their final nine games. The Sparks, Wings (12-15), Dream (12-16) and Liberty (10-17) are all within two games of each other. The Lynx (10-19) are also in the race.
Cambage reportedly 'quit', experienced chemistry issues
"Chemistry issues" reportedly arose between Cambage, a 6-foot-8 center, and the Sparks as early as late May, according to Girls Talk Sports TV's Kristina Williams. Williams reported that Cambage "quit" and had "made verbal comments about her intentions to leave the Sparks to multiple people within the organization."
The timing is relevant because the Sparks fired head coach and general manager Derek Fisher on June 9.
Fisher's time with the organization became rather tumultuous after the team hired him in 2018 without ever looking at other candidates. He's most known in town for benching Candace Parker in a playoff game, and both Parker and point guard Chelsea Gray exited the team in 2021 free agency. Cambage was his big free 2022 agency signing after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
And the admiration seemed mutual as Cambage had long talked about wanting to be in Los Angeles. But things reportedly quickly soured, and video posted by John W. Davis of the Long Beach Post-Telegram began making the rounds. Fans noted the body language of her teammates sitting next to her.
Interim head coach Fred Williams also said Cambage struggled with conditioning and facing double- and triple-team matchups, according to the Los Angeles Times. She recently missed games after a bout with COVID-19 and was listed as out for "return to competition conditioning."
Cambage's Nigeria remarks made waves
Reported discord dating back to May would also line up with when video of Cambage calling Nigerian national team players racial slurs last summer first went public.
Cambage left the Australian national team before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 for mental health reasons. However, it came out after her departure that Cambage used racially insensitive remarks toward players on the Nigerian team during a practice season and even physically assaulted a few players, according to Australian news outlets. Cambage denied these claims.
The video and more detailed reports came out in late May, weeks after the WNBA season started. The video shows her hitting a post player hard with an elbow. She allegedly called the Nigerian team "monkeys" and told them "go back to your third-world country" during the incident in a private scrimmage. She denied the allegations in an Instagram post that has since been deleted. In it she said she was "physically assaulted" by a Nigerian player after an unintentional foul.
It drew eyes because both Nneka Ogwumike, who is having a MVP-worthy season, and Chiney Ogwumike are Nigerian Americans. Their parents were born in Nigeria and the four Ogwumike daughters hold dual citizenship. Nneka, Chiney and Erica Ogwumike, who was drafted in 2020, were all listed on the Nigeria provisional Olympic squad though Nneka's petition to play was denied.
Is Cambage's WNBA career over?
The contract divorce may extend to the WNBA as a whole. She's having her worst scoring and rebounding since she was a rookie and has at times looked uninterested in using her height advantage and physicality at 100%.
Cambage, who was drafted in 2011 at the age of 19, returned to the WNBA in 2018 after a five-year hiatus where she played professionally in China and Australia. She set the WNBA record for most points scored in a game with 53 against the New York Liberty when she played for the Dallas Wings in 2018.
Cambage was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in 2019, where she played for two seasons until signing with the Sparks in 2022. She sat out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liz Cambage's tenure in Los Angeles appears to have ended this week. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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2022-07-26T17:28:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Liz Cambage opts to terminate contract with Sparks amid playoff race
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STORY: U.S. women's basketball star Brittney Griner appeared in a Russian court again on Tuesday (July 26), over the drugs case that's underlined Washington's fraught relationship with Moscow.
"During the time we were in the courtroom, as usual, we were able to spend time with Miss Griner, talk to her, ask her about her welfare, and she confirms that she is doing okay and as well as can be expected under these circumstances."
That was Elizabeth Rood from the American embassy in Russia outside the court.
U.S. officials say Griner has been wrongfully detained.
She was arrested in February at a Russian airport while carrying hashish oil.
Medical marijuana is illegal in Russia, but her lawyers maintain that the oil was medical cannabis that she simply forgot to remove from her luggage.
A narcology expert summoned by the defense argued that medical cannabis was widely used to treat athletes where it was legal, and that it often had fewer side effects than other pain killers.
She's already pled guilty, but says she had no intention of breaking Russian law and is asking for leniency.
She faces a possible jail sentence of up to 10 years.
Russian authorities have dismissed American criticism of the case, and the Kremlin says the issue has nothing to do with politics.
Griner appeared in court wearing a sweatshirt that read "Black Lives for Peace" on the back. She also held up photos of her friends, a team mate, and her wife.
In this archival clip from 1991, actor Paul Sorvino talks about his character in “Law & Order” and why he decided to take on the role.
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2022-07-26T17:28:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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It's medical cannabis: WNBA star to Russian court
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Taurasi and Bird held a joint press conference after the game. "In any profession, when you get to do something with your best friend for 20 years, life's good," Taurasi said.
Is 'Nope' Available For Streaming Yet?
Jordan Peele's third directorial effort, Nope, is now in theaters. Here's when it will be available to stream at home.
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2022-07-26T17:28:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WNBA Commissioner’s Cup: How to watch
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Michigan State basketball will battle the Crimson Tide on Thanksgiving night.
The Phil Knight Invitational first round pairings were released on Monday, and Michigan State has drawn Alabama in the opening round. They’ll be taking on the Crimson Tide on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 24) at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Should the Spartans beat Alabama, they would then play the winner of UConn and Oregon. The event is a three-game tournament taking place in Portland, Ore.
The complete bracket / schedule for the event can be seen in the tweet from CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander below:
ESPN just released/confirmed these matchups. Here are the tip times, dates, venues for the men's and women's brackets. A lot of really good teams and potential semifinal and title-game matchups here. pic.twitter.com/eivHbbsEnw
Matchups set for PK85 Phil Knight Legacy and Invitational tournaments
We've known the teams competing in the PK85 for quite a while. Now we know the first-round matchups. The Ducks are in for a big game to kick things off.
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2022-07-26T17:45:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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MSU basketball draws Alabama in first round of Phil Knight Invitational
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It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers have made strides in regards to a contract extension with wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
General manager John Lynch said the team has had “productive talks” with Samuel in regards to his extension. And it’s certainly encouraging that Samuel has reported to training camp.
“We’ve had productive and substantive talks,” Lynch said. “I don’t want to get everyone excited that something’s imminent because we’re not there yet. But we’re really hopeful, in the near future, we’ll be able to announce something that’s exciting for everyone involved.”
Samuel requested a trade earlier this offseason, which NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted has to do with his usage on offense. But it seems like the dust is finally settling as the two sides continue to work on a deal to keep Samuel in San Francisco.
On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wasn’t concerned about a long-term deal getting done.
Deebo Samuel has reported to training camp. GM John Lynch said the 49ers have had productive talks with Samuel regarding a contract extension.
Samuel had a breakout season with the 49ers in 2021, where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors. Samuel had 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. He added 59 rushes for 365 yards and eight scores.
Samuel is entering the final year of his rookie deal, where he’s expected to cash in on a huge payday. We’ll see how quickly the 49ers are able to get it done.
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2022-07-26T19:12:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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49ers have had ‘productive’ talks with Deebo Samuel regarding contract extension
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Bears will still tinker with O-line, despite new adds originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
“We have a lot of spots on the roster that are in flux right now and we're just trying to find the best combination of players,” said Matt Eberflus. “You know offensive line moving guys from outside to inside and if it's defensive line, moving a guy around for pass rush purposes, inside or outside, we're going to do that all across the roster. Moving a corner from outside to inside, moving a receiver from outside to inside, we're going to do all those different things to find out the best combination for the Chicago Bears going forward.”
Eberflus’ examples at other position groups are relevant, but still the spotlight shines brightest on the OL. Not only will they be tasked with protecting Justin Fields, but they’re also the position group that’s undergone the most recent tinkering. Ryan Poles has signed veterans Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff in back-to-back days. During OTAs, the team moved Larry Borom from left tackle to right tackle, and gave fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones some reps with the starters at left tackle. Last year’s second-round pick Teven Jenkins was relegated to the second unit.
Previously, the Bears have stated that they view Jenkins purely as a tackle, and that’s how they’d focus on developing him. That may change given Eberflus’ comment about moving O-linemen inside. Or maybe that comment was in reference to Borom? Or Lachavious Simmons? At this point we don’t know who Flus was talking about, and he declined to offer any hints about how the OL will line up when practices begin on Wednesday.
“You’ll see tomorrow,” Eberflus said.
What is clear is that the Bears still aren’t content with any group of five just yet. They’ll continue to tinker until they’re confident they’ve got the right group, and Eberflus says there’s no deadline to figure it out.
“But like I said in the spring, the sooner the better,” Eberflus said. “We just added a couple of pieces, so that’s gonna be two more pieces to the puzzle, which is a great thing, like I said with the position flex and guys moving in and out, moving to guard, center, inside, outside, from guard to tackle, so we’ll figure it out.”
While the continued adjustments are focused on finding the best starting unit up front, Eberflus noted some added benefits to having guys play in various spots throughout the summer.
“Obviously seeing guys' skill sets, that's an important part. But also the flexibility when injuries happen. We're going to have injuries during the course of the year, we're going to have to flex guys, move guys in and out and we have to be able to see that as coaches and as personnel guys we've got to make sure we see that, where can a guy operate and what can he do? So that's an important piece as well.”
From a players’ perspective the competition is appreciated.
“I think it's a great message that in the NFL, nothing is guaranteed,” said Lucas Patrick. “Competition is the greatest barometer for a team. If we could have 100 guys in here who are all NFL veterans and make everyone better I think it makes the team better which then helps us win games. That's how I see it. I've been on both sides of the coin and it's definitely a benefit. You just have to approach it with the right mentality that you have to bring your best every day. That's why it's the National Football League and why we are professionals.”
Patrick also said that it’s hard to truly judge who will make up the starting five until the pads come on in practice.
“We have to block people,” Patrick said. “We have to run into each other. So when the pads get on, that's a really good test to see where guys fit and how you fit everything.”
In Patrick’s opinion, there’s no magic amount of time it takes for an offensive line to come together. It’s not two weeks. It’s not two months. They just have to play football and see how well they mesh. One thing Patrick does know is that adding veterans like Reiff and Schofield can only help matters.
So for now, the offensive line remains a mystery. It’s hard to say how many combinations the Bears will try, and how many players they’ll try in new positions. With so many variables still at play, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.
The last two years have proven there’s nothing quite like The Basketball Tournament experience at Koch Arena.
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2022-07-26T19:12:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears offensive line changes will continue through training camp
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New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones will be active for training camp as he continues to recover from injury, Bill Belichick said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The Patriots drafted Jones in the third round at 85th overall this April. Since joining the team, he has worn a red jersey, which meant he was limited due to injury during minicamp and OTAs.
Jones comes to New England from Houston, ending a college career that had success. He was named to the 2021 ESPN All-America First Team as a kick returner, and was a 2021 CBS Sports First-Team All-American as an all-purpose player.
Bill Belichick says rookie DB Marcus Jones (third round, Houston) is active after being limited in the spring as he worked his way back from shoulder injuries sustained in college.
Jones is a top punt-return candidate, and projects as an inside CB/safety flex player.
Jones is thought to be a piece of what is a rebuilding Patriots secondary. The Patriots may have a youth movement in the secondary, with fellow rookie Jack Jones making a good impression as well. A healthy Marcus Jones could be crucial for the team in the slot — while also potentially contributing as a returner on special teams.
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2022-07-26T19:13:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bill Belichick gives promising health update on CB Marcus Jones
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The Miami Dolphins have added a number of talented offensive pieces this offseason, and they apparently aren’t done yet.
Miami is signing veteran wideout Mohamed Sanu, according to his agent Mike McCartney.
Sanu was originally drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft out of Rutgers by the Cincinnati Bengals. After four seasons in Cincinnati, he spent another four in Atlanta before bouncing between the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers over the last three.
In his 10 seasons, Sanu has recorded 435 receptions for 4,871 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also has shown the ability to throw a bit, completing seven of his eight career attempts for 233 yards and four touchdowns.
Between his two stints in San Francisco and time in Atlanta, Sanu should have a pretty good grasp of the Mike McDaniel-Kyle Shanahan offense that the Dolphins will run this season.
The former Scarlett Knight will have to compete for one of the final wide receiver spots with former 49ers Trent Sherfield and River Cracraft as well as Lynn Bowden Jr., Preston Williams, Cody Core, DeVonte Dedmon and undrafted free agent Braylon Sanders.
This will be one of the most intriguing battles to watch over the next month.
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2022-07-26T19:13:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Dolphins signing veteran WR Mohamed Sanu
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How will the Atlanta Falcons fare in 2022? If you listen to most football analysts, the answers aren’t pretty. Despite fighting for a wild-card playoff spot for much of the 2021 season, the Falcons had more flaws than their 7-10 record would indicate.
And as encouraging as last year’s record was, the Falcons traded away the steady arm of veteran QB Matt Ryan over the offseason, and most seem to think it will be too much for the team to overcome this year.
“Coach Arthur Smith and his staff squeezed seven wins out of a club that was outscored by 146 points in 2021,” writes Davis. “Hard to envision anything close to a repeat performance sans steady Ryan.”
As for the rest of the NFL, USA TODAY has the Green Bay Packers defeating the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl 57.
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2022-07-26T19:13:51Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Falcons predicted to win just two games this season
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The Miami Dolphins went into the offseason with a bunch of players that were set to hit the market, but they were active, re-signing a fair amount of them back for 2022.
After not being re-signed, former Dolphins wide receiver Isaiah Ford has agreed to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced on social media on Tuesday.
Ford was originally selected as a seventh-round pick in the 2017 draft out of Virginia Tech, but he missed the entirety of his rookie season on injured reserve.
The former Hokie spent parts of five seasons with the Dolphins, with a stop in New England in the middle, recording 63 receptions for 681 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were scored last season.
With how often Ford has been brought back to Miami, it would be dumb to say this is the last time we see him in aqua and orange.
The Houston Texans are expected to do worse in 2022 than they have played in the past two seasons.
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2022-07-26T19:13:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Dolphins WR Isaiah Ford signing with Colts
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'Something to prove:' Fields, Bears excited about 'playmaker' Harry originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST – There's a theme in the Bears' wide receiver room: Hungry.
From Darnell Mooney to Kevin Shaa, every member of the much-maligned receiving corps is fighting for something. Fighting to take their game to the next level, to resurrect their career, to stay or make it in the NFL.
The fight is constant.
N'Keal Harry will fit right in.
"I am excited about him," general manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday during his training camp press conference at Halas Hall. "I think he has a really good skill set, great physical traits and I think he has something to prove, for sure. And I think he has the chance to improve this football team."
The Bears acquired Harry from the New England Patriots for a 2024 seventh-round pick. The Patriots drafted Harry in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but the Arizona State product never caught on in Foxboro.
Harry's rookie season was Tom Brady's last dance in New England. Brady is famous for freezing our receivers he doesn't trust, and he and Harry never clicked during the 2019 campaign. Harry dealt with injuries and a banged-up Cam Newton in 2020.
The 2021 season, with Mac Jones at the helm, was supposed to be the year Harry finally found his feet in Foxboro. That didn't happen. Harry would sandwich impressive practices with disappearing acts. His inability to separate consistently saw his snap count and days dwindle in New England.
Harry arrives in Chicago with a new lease on NFL life and has believers in the man who brought him to the shores of Lake Michigan and the man he hopes to connect with on Sundays.
"Yeah, there's a lot of factors — I wasn't in that building or anything," Poles said when asked why Harry failed in New England. "I just know what he's capable of. And I want to give him the opportunity to come here and show that he can do that and get things on the right path."
Fields texted Harry the day the Bears acquired the big-body receiver. Like many, Fields remembers the Harry that torched PAC-12 defenses in Tempe. The hope is that Harry is wearing blue and orange this fall.
"I'm excited for what he can do," Fields said Tuesday. "We all saw what he did at Arizona State in college, and just his frame, what he can do as a playmaker, I'm very excited to see what he can do on the field."
Harry's superb run-blocking – he was PFF's second highest-graded run-blocking receiver in 2021 – makes him a good fit for Luke Getsy's wide-zone attack. That and his big frame should give him a leg up on making the Bears' 53-man roster.
However, he'll face fierce competition from everyone else in the Bears' desperate wide-receiver room.
"I think all of them, it's just at different levels," Poles said when asked if everyone in the receiver room had something to prove like Harry. "If it's to prove they can play, proving they can sustain success over multiple years. I think everyone has a chip on their shoulder to prove that they are that guy. We'll see."
The Bears expect a motivated and hungry N'Keal Harry to arrive at training camp. One who can help fill the big-body receiver void left by Allen Robinson's departure.
Harry has been given a second chance on a team in desperate need of playmakers. It's up to him to prove he can still be the N'Keal Harry he was supposed to be.
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2022-07-26T19:14:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Hungry N'Keal Harry has Justin Fields, Bears excited about what could be
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Bill Belichick turned 70 this spring, and this week he begins his 48th season in the NFL and 23rd as the head coach of the New England Patriots.
So maybe he’s just bored. Or just trolling the media again. Or just enjoying some harmless fun while exploiting a loophole or two even if there is minimal gain.
What is known is that Belichick has refused to name either an offensive or defensive coordinator for the Patriots this year and apparently won’t do so. On Tuesday, at the start of training camp, he would only confirm his job.
“I’m the head coach,” Belichick said. “Ultimately I’m responsible for everything. So just leave it at that.”
Ah, this is the NFL. No one leaves anything “at that.” Everything must be analyzed and reanalyzed ad nauseam. That’s why Belichick’s particular brand of humor always plays well, a welcome, mid-summer sign that the season is fast approaching.
No OC or DC? Of course.
Belichick isn’t just the head coach in New England, either. He’s also the team’s general manager, although not officially because the franchise doesn’t list such a job. During the 2020 NFL Quarantine Draft, Belichick’s dog, Nike, sat in front of a computer inside his Nantucket home during a televised look-in, so maybe that’s a clue.
Whatever it is, Belichick is already in full Belichick mode, leaving fans and media wondering what was the purpose of all of this?
Someone is going to be calling plays come Week 1, correct?
“We won't be calling any for a while,” Belichick said last week. “Don't have any games for a while.”
Right, of course.
Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator last year, but he left to become the head coach in Las Vegas.
One prime candidate to replace him was Joe Judge, who is listed as an “offensive assistant/quarterbacks” after returning from a two-year stint as the head coach of the New York Giants. Prior to that, he was a special teams coordinator in New England.
The other was Matt Patricia, who is listed as a “senior football advisor/offensive line.” Patricia came back to Foxborough last season after spending three years as the head coach in Detroit. Before that, he was the Patriots defensive coordinator — when they had such a thing.
So is Patricia or Judge the offensive coordinator/play-caller? It’s probably going to be Patricia, but then again, Belichick won’t say.
“I've said many times, I think Matt and Joe are two outstanding coaches in every sense of the word whatever those duties entail,” Belichick said on Tuesday. “They're very good, exceptional at the entire gamut. I'm glad we have both of them. They do a good job.”
But what job will that be?
“We're not really big on titles and all that, so I think it's important that we all work together and create a good final product, so that's what we're going to try to do,” Belichick said. “That's what we've always done.”
If you have to ask why Belichick would not name an offensive and defensive coordinator when nearly every other team at every other level of football — including the Patriots in the past — have an offensive and defensive coordinator, then you don’t know much about Belichick.
Bill Belichick hasn't named an offensive or defensive coordinator. Maybe there's a good reason, beyond the fact he's just being Bill Belichick. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Why? Because he can, and because it doesn’t really matter anyway.
There are actually a couple tangible explanations, and maybe they are the motivation. One is that by not having any coordinators, neither Patricia nor Judge (nor anyone else) has to participate in the weekly press sessions the NFL mandates of coordinators.
And it’s possible that Patricia, who was under contract in Detroit through the 2022 season before being fired in 2020, continues to be paid mostly by the Lions because he isn’t officially a coordinator. So the Pats save a few bucks?
This is all semantics, of course. Eventually New England will play a game and everyone will try to figure out who is actually talking in the ear of quarterback Mac Jones. Or not.
In the past, there have been questions about whether Belichick has spread himself too thin, essentially serving as both the head coach and the defensive coordinator — plus general manager. He’s always bristled at that suggestion or downplayed his role in calling plays and formations.
As always, no one really knows how, let alone why, things go on as they do in New England. That’s how Belichick wants it.
All that really matters is the results. The Patriots, by Patriots standards at least, are in a bit of a drought, going 17-16 since Tom Brady left following the 2020 season. As owner Robert Kraft noted in the spring, the team last won a playoff game three years ago … of course, that was the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl title.
If anything is going to turn that around, it’s the continued development of Jones, now in his second year out of Alabama.
On that, Belichick was effusive.
“Mac's done a great job,” Belichick said. “He's worked extremely hard. He's got a tremendous work ethic in all areas. I think there's a dramatic improvement … 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.”
Maybe it was all the time he spent with the non-existent offensive coordinator.
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2022-07-26T19:14:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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If you have to ask why the Patriots haven't named coordinators, you don't know Bill Belichick
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Several former Tigers crack CBS Sports '25 under 25' NFL rankings
Searching for wildlife as fire rages in Greece
STORY: Conservationists and animal protection groups arrived in the area to search for and rescue animals.According to the semi-official Athens News Agency at least 6,000 acres (2428 hectares) of forest in the park so far, estimated to span some 103,000 acres (41,683 hectares), have been damaged.The Dadia Forest National Park in the Evros prefecture is an important protected area in Europe, home to a variety of flora and fauna including various birds of prey, particularly the protected black vulture. Hundreds of plant species, as well as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies inhabit the area."We have found reptiles, turtles, three or four lizards. The picture is still unclear, there are still several fire fronts, so it's too early to make an estimate," said veterinarian Grigoris Markakis.Drone views showed large swathes of forest consumed by smoke, and a large sheep corral on the edge of the forest gutted by fire.
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2022-07-26T19:14:48Z
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Joe Burrow reportedly undergoes surgery to remove appendix, will miss some practice time
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WATCH LIVE: DE/OLB Josh Allen meets with the media https://t.co/9jZLj9HB4T
On Tuesday after Day 2 of camp, Jaguars team captain Josh Allen spoke to the media about how things have been under Pederson so far as the team is in the process of getting to know him more.
“Man, it feels great to be a part of a professional locker room,” Allen said. “Not only in the locker room, but when you talk to the coaches it’s a professional setting. You got to hone on to the details. If you’re not listening to the details [Pederson and the staff aren’t] getting on you, they’re telling us what’s right and what’s wrong.
It was no secret that Meyer didn’t do well with the transition from the NCAA to the NFL. After spending most of his coaching career coaching collegiate players, he failed big-time when it came to adjusting his communication skills with professional players and some of his assistants.
However, Jags ownership learned from their mistake and brought in Pederson, who not only has coached on the NFL level, but has been a player himself, too. Pederson also put together a staff that’s full of former players as well, which seems to have helped things even more at the Jags’ facility.
The Jags’ decision to make a coaching change alone should drastically help their chances to win more games in 2022. With training camp just in the early stages, fans should expect the team’s bond to get even stronger as Pederson has already shown he’s willing to put in the work towards the healing process the team needs.
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2022-07-26T19:14:54Z
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Josh Allen excited to be a part of a professional setting after Jags HC change
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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media at the opening of training camp, and provided a definitive statement on the quarterback situation, declaring “[w]e have moved on to Trey [Lance].”
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says he, John Lynch and Jimmy Garoppolo spoke this morning and everyone is one the same page: "We have moved on to Trey."
All signs were in place for such a move. While Jimmy Garoppolo saw the majority of action for San Francisco last season, helping the 49ers to the NFC Championship game, the team has been looking to move the veteran quarterback this off-season as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
In limited snaps last year, including a pair of starts, Lance completed 57.7% of his passes for 603 yards and five touchdowns, along with seven interceptions. During his first NFL start, which came against the Arizona Cardinals, Lance showed flashes of his potential on plays like this one, as he extends the play before finding Deebo Samuel on the over route:
As for Garoppolo, the off-season game of “quarterback musical chairs” is drawing to a close. The veteran passer has been linked to a few teams this off-season, including the Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns. In recent weeks, the 49ers gave his agents permission to try and seek a trade.
Perhaps we see movement on that in the coming days.
The consumer confidence index came in at 95.7, down from 98.4 in June, a sign that households are likely to be more hesitant about spending.
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2022-07-26T19:15:07Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kyle Shanahan: “We have moved on to Trey”
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Matthew Slater is confident in Mac Jones: 'This is going to be his team' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Mac Jones is the star of the first official day of Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium, and the players haven't even been on the field for practice drills yet.
Jones has been the recipient of tremendous praise, both from head coach Bill Belichick and several of his teammates.
One of those teammates is Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater.
"I’m extremely biased, but I think the young man is fantastic," Slater told reporters in a video press conference Tuesday. "I think he’s demonstrated great leadership from the day he walked in this building, and I think he’ll continue to do so. We’re all excited about what he’s going to be and what he’s going to provide, not just as a player but as a leader for this organization. He continues to grow in that role."
Despite entering just his second pro season, Jones has emerged as an important leader for the entire team. Sure, it comes with the territory of being a starting quarterback, but if you followed Jones throughout the offseason, he made a real effort to connect with teammates for workouts and continue to build those relationships.
"Ultimately, this is going to be his team," Slater said of Jones. "In a lot of ways, we’re going to take on the personality of our quarterback, but he’s just got to be himself. He doesn’t need to try to be anybody from the past, the present or the future.
"He’s just got to be the best version of Mac Jones, and we’ll certainly respond to it and rally around him. That goes for not only him, but a lot of our other players who are in positions to lead on this team."
Expectations are high for Jones after his excellent rookie season in which he outplayed the other four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while helping New England return to the AFC playoffs as a wild card team.
The Patriots need Jones to take a step further in his development to earn a second consecutive postseason berth in a loaded AFC. And based on the progress, both on and off the field, that Jones made during the offseason, he seems more than ready to overcome this challenge.
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2022-07-26T19:15:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Matthew Slater confident in Patriots QB Mac Jones: 'This is going to be his team'
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It is safe to say Kolton Miller has developed into the caliber of left tackle any NFL team would love to have. The former 15th overall pick has been the one steady presence on the Raiders offensive line of late.
Where does he land when compared to his peers, however?
Well, respected offensive line analyst Brandon Thorne put together his list of the league’s top tackles and Miller made the list…just.
“Kolton Miller – Miller has appeared to level off as a solid starting tackle after dramatically improving his body and game over his first few seasons in the league. Considering how raw he was coming out of UCLA and how skeptical many analysts were of his selection in the first-round (including me), the Raiders ultimately made a sound decision by selecting him and deserve credit for how much development has occurred since acquiring him.
Miller still tends to overset rushers, open up too early against speed off the edge (making him vulnerable to adept counter moves) and gets knocked off balance too often, but he is a solid overall pass-protector with good athletic ability to recover and stay attached to blocks. He also has the strength to hold up well against the bull-rush.
Miller is a plus run-blocker with the ability to create instant displacement in the run game and locate second-level targets on the move. He’s also just 26-years old and has only missed two games over his first four seasons.”
Miller’s extension he signed prior to last season currently puts him as the eighth highest paid tackle in the league and sixth among left tackles. It also keeps him under contract until 2025. That’s about right for a young player who has been as dependable as Miller.
As Thorne noted, Miller has missed just two games in his career, both in 2020. Aside from those two games, he has not missed a single snap since his rookie season, when he was battling a knee injury all season.
We can also nitpick his issues, but left tackles as talented as he aren’t easy to find. So, the Raiders are good with the 14th-ranked tackle in the league.
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2022-07-26T19:15:39Z
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Raiders LT Kolton Miller makes top list of top 15 NFL tackles
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Robert Quinn has not requested a trade, present at training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
In an interesting twist, not only did Roquan Smith show up at Halas Hall for Bears training camp, but so did Robert Quinn.
Quinn, 32, was expected to create a holdout and request a trade from the team in light of the Bears rebuilding and the jettison of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and others names.
However, Ryan Poles admitted in his opening press conference on the first day of training camp he and Quinn have not had any discussion involving a trade.
The move to keep Quinn on the roster seems contradictory to the theme Ryan Poles and the Bears' front office put in place for the team. They exiled aging players from the team with large contracts, as they did with Mack, Hicks and Robinson.
Quinn seems like the perfect trade asset to dangle in front of a contender. He just had a career-year with three more years left on his deal. He is on the wrong side of 30 (32 years old) which risks his value once the Bears clean up their rebuild.
The Bears either see Quinn as a part of their long-term plan or respect him enough to keep him around before they inevitably trade him. His presence, while key for younger players, will not have a large effect on the team's record this season and their likely losing record.
Last season, Quinn broke Richard Dent's franchise record with 18.5 sacks, second-most in the NFL last year behind T.J Watt. He also piled on 49 tackles and four forced fumbles, giving him a second-team All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nod.
Quinn is due $12.8 million this upcoming season from the Bears with a $17 million cap hit to his name. He still has three more years left on his contract.
Nevertheless, it's enjoyable to see No. 94 back on the field after an Earth-shattering season.
"So, on my way down here, I was told they’re here (Smith and Quinn). I haven’t seen them myself. But I was told that they’re here.”
Kutcher will be reprising his "That 70s Show" role as Michael Kelso. His costar and wife Mila Kunis will also be returning in the new series.
Shoppers say they'll 'never go back' to buying other beach towels ever again
This fast-drying, sand-resistant Turkish beach towel will be your new fave wherever you go this summer.
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2022-07-26T19:16:17Z
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Robert Quinn has not requested a trade, present at training camp
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Rod Marinelli visits the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
A special guest paid a a visit to Halas Hall to speak with the next Bears team.
Former Bears defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli spoke to the team at Halas Hall, as seen in the YouTube series "1920 Football Drive" created by the team.
Marinelli served as the head coach for the Lions from 2006-08 and then as the Bears' defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach from 2009-12. He most recently served as a defensive line and interim defensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Raiders.
A mentor and friend of current Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, he brought in Marinelli to strike the hard-working, disciplined culture the organization is looking for in its players.
"This is a hard building," Marinelli said. "With hard players. Hard men. Your tradition is hard. Monsters of the midway, when you say it, you don't know what it means yet. We took that thing to another level. Offense, defense, special teams. That is your history."
Marinelli spoke of preparing the "armor" it takes to compete in different elements. He also spoke of competing for your dreams and continuing that every day. He spoke many words of wisdom to the team in hopes they will instigate a culture predicated upon them.
Eberflus mentioned in the video to Ryan Poles that they have to be the ones to set the tone on the field and the expectations. If they show up early to practice (an example Eberflus used), then the other coaches will and then the players will start doing the same.
The Bears' head coach seems to have a system in place for developing the culture to the organization and Marinelli became a piece of the puzzle by speaking to the team.
"No excuses. No explanation," Marinelli said.
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2022-07-26T19:16:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Rod Marinelli visits the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall
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The two-time 1,000-yard rusher is hanging up his cleats due to a neck injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Seahawks are reportedly releasing him with a failed physical designation, which will allow Carson to collect millions in injury protection benefits.
Carson has been dealing with serious neck issues since last year, when he was sidelined in Week 4. That injury eventually required cervical surgery to address "chronic" neck pain, ending Carson's season after four games.
It was hoped that Carson would return for this season after getting an offseason to recover, but that now clearly isn't happening.
Alongside Penny on the running back depth chart is second-round rookie Kenneth Walker III, who won the Doak Walker Award for college football's best running back with 1,636 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns at Michigan State.
Carson Kelly's two-run double
Carson Kelly drills a two-run double to deep center to extend the D-backs' lead and his hitting streak to 13 games
Who Will Make It Out of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Alive?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will end the intergalactic team's run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here's everything we know about the film so far.
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2022-07-26T19:16:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks RB Chris Carson retires at 27 due to neck injury
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According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Seahawks running back Chris Carson is retiring due to his neck injury. The team will release him with a failed physical designation.
Carson was a seventh-round draft pick in 2017 and proved to be one of the team’s best Day 3 picks of the last 10 years. All together, he appeared in 49 games, posting 3,502 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in his career. It’s unfortunate that it will be cut short due to the injury – but it’s much better to play it safe rather than indulge the risks of playing pro football in his condition.
Seattle has prepared for this possibility. In addition to re-signing Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal they picked Ken Walker in the second round of the NFL draft. The team’s run game should be in good hands with those two going forward.
Hats off to Carson on an exceptional career.
Looking out the open-air veranda off the back of a recycled corrugated metal workshop, I see lush and leafy banana, macadamia and coffee trees—and I know the Pacific Ocean is not far behind this wall of greenery, down below from my mountainside perch. A sudden clanging brings me back to the task at hand: forging […]
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2022-07-26T19:16:48Z
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Seahawks RB Chris Carson retiring from NFL due to neck injury
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Leonard enters his fifth NFL season in 2022. He was a second-round selection out of South Carolina, and led the league in tackles in his rookie season for Indianapolis. Shedding the Darius label won't be easy for a player that accomplished so much with that name, but fans would be wise to respect his wishes.
Paris Jackson, Bella Poarch, and Madison Bailey Star in New SKIMS Swim Campaign
Earlier this year, SKIMS co-founder Kim Kardashian wore swimwear pieces from the brand in photos for the 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit issue.
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2022-07-26T19:17:01Z
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Who is Shaquille Leonard? Colts All-Pro LB asks for name change
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The biggest question for the Pittsburgh Steelers to answer this offseason has to do with who the starting quarterback will be. It is a three-man race between veterans Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky along with rookie Kenny Pickett.
Steelers players arrived at Latrobe on Tuesday and Pickett was asked about what he needs to do in order to win the starting quarterback job. During the conversation, Pickett noted he isn’t sure where he is on the quarterback depth chart as of now.
In all likelihood, Pickett is going to start workouts as the team’s third quarterabck. Head coach Mike Tomlin is going to be respectful of Trubisky and Rudolph, understanding both guys have far more experience. Nevertheless, with a first-round pick invested in Pickett, I’m sure he was have ample opportunity to show what he can do during training camp and the preseason.
Asked what can help him win the starting QB job in training camp, Kenny Pickett pointed to consistency as the biggest factor. He doesn’t know where he ranks on the depth chart ahead of first workout tomorrow.
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2022-07-26T19:17:07Z
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Steelers training camp: QB Kenny Pickett says he doesn’t know where he is on the depth chart
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The New England Patriots have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and plenty of uncertainty with no coordinator on offense (or defense) in Mac Jones’ second season. But USA TODAY’s Nate Davis thinks New England can sneak into the postseason. He ranked the Patriots as the seventh-best team in the AFC and projected them to finish with a 10-7 record, just good enough for a second consecutive postseason berth under Jones.
There should be some question about the end of New England’s schedule, with a handful of extremely tough matchups, including two against the Buffalo Bills. But Davis was actually concerned about how the Patriots might start. Here’s a look at what Davis wrote in his subscriber-only article:
“(7) New England Patriots (10-7): Could be an ugly start with trips to Miami, Pittsburgh and Green Bay occurring in the first four weeks with the lone date at Foxborough against the always nasty Ravens. But the Pats aren’t strangers to slow starts and might also struggle to find their early footing while adapting to the absence of longtime OC Josh McDaniels. But expect second-year QB Mac Jones and mastermind coach Bill Belichick, who’s only missed the playoffs twice in a three-year span once since arriving in New England, to recover.”
The games in Miami and Pittsburgh aren’t all that worrisome. The Dolphins are acclimating to their new head coach, Mike McDaniel, and a new roster of offensive talent. The Steelers are working with new quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky. I remain convinced the difficult part of the schedule comes at the end — and that might be where the Patriots falter and, ultimately, come to miss the playoffs.
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2022-07-26T19:17:26Z
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USA TODAY projects Patriots to sneak into postseason with 10-7 record
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Panda Express gives $1 million grant to help TAAF change the narrative of AAPI representation
Restaurant chain Panda Express gave a $1 million grant to The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), a nonprofit organization committed to “accelerating opportunity and prosperity for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.” TAAF announced in a press release today that the substantial donation would support the group’s efforts in changing the narrative of AAPI representation and experiences by investing in AAPI storytelling across the arts, media and film. According to the nonprofit, such an initiative is not only crucial to “promoting positive and diverse AAPI narratives,” but also in “dispelling misguided myths about AAPI communities.”
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2022-07-26T19:30:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2022 Big Ten Preview: Champion, Dark Horse & Most Intriguing | College Football Enquirer
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After Florida missed out on four-star offensive tackle Payton Kirkland on July 23, Billy Napier and his recruiting staff shifted to another blue-chip target on the offensive line, four-star tackle Zalance Heard out of Neville High in Monroe, Louisiana.
Of course, Napier’s ties to the state of Louisiana are well known. He just left ULL after four years at the helm for the Ragin’ Cajuns, and local prep players are bound to have a favorable opinion of him. Mix in the fact that Napier has brought some of his former staffers along with him, and Florida is more than a reasonable threat to poach a kid out of the Bayou State.
Heard is the perfect candidate for Florida to go after. So far, LSU, Texas and Nebraska are viewed as the major players in the race for his services. Blake Alderman of 247Sports confirmed that Heard will make his way to Florida on Wednesday, July 27, for his first-ever trip to the Swamp. FSU will also get him this week, so he’s clearly opening the door for the Florida teams to join the fray.
On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Tigers as 97.7% favorites to land Heard when all is said and done. A decision is expected ahead of his senior year, so Napier and Co. will have to move fast to pull it off.
Heard is ranked at No. 13 overall by On3’s individual rankings and is a five-star recruit according to the service. The On3 consensus, which weights all four major services’ individual rankings evenly, has him at No. 52 overall and No. 5 among offensive tackles. The 247Sports composite has him at No. 60 nationally and No. 7 at his position.
Preseason poll: Clemson football still projected to win the ACC, but the gap is closing.
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2022-07-26T19:30:31Z
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Florida football to host top-100 OL on first recruiting visit
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The Big 12 performed well in the 2021 bowl season, going 5-2, including a 4-2 record against the Power Five. The postseason was capped off with wins by Oklahoma over Oregon, Oklahoma State over Notre Dame, Baylor over Ole Miss, and Texas Tech over Mississippi State.
A little over a month out from the start of the 2022 college football season, College Football News tried its hand at projecting this year’s postseason. Based on their projections, eight of the 10 Big 12 teams will play in postseason bowl games. The only two left out are Texas Tech and Kansas.
Let’s take a look at where College Football News is sending the eight Big 12 representatives.
TCU vs. Purdue: Servpro First Responder Bowl
Sep 14, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Kai Higgins (98) attempts to drag TCU Horned Frogs running back Darius Anderson (6) to the ground during the second half the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the against the Purdue Boilermakers 34 to 13. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
TCU is one of three teams to not reach a bowl game from the Big 12 last season. Many are predicting an improved season from the Horned Frogs, and if College Football News is correct, TCU will be heading to play Purdue. The two sides have met just three times. Purdue picked up wins in 1969 and 1970 and TCU got the win in 2019.
Kansas State vs. Mississippi State: Ticket Smarter Birmingham Bowl
Sep 14, 2019; Starkville, MS, USA;Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) makes a pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
The Big 12 fared well against the SEC in 2021 with a 2-0 record. Kansas State beat Louisiana Tech in the Texas Bowl last season, but Mississippi State would be a significant step up in competition. The two sides have played four times, most recently a home-and-home in 2018 and 2019, with the road team taking the matchup.
Iowa State vs. Nebraska: Guaranteed Rate Bowl
November 6, 2010; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jake Williams (83) catches a touchdown pass in the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Jack Trice Stadium. Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
This is one of those games that just makes sense to play regularly, but since Nebraska left for the Big Ten a decade ago, a game that spanned 1896 to 2010 has yet to resume.
West Virginia vs. Tennessee: Auto Zone Liberty Bowl
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bank of America Stadium. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
This would be a fun one. The battle of Appalachia in the postseason. A little over 400 miles separates the two schools. Despite their relative proximity, they’ve only played once, a 2018 win by West Virginia.
Texas vs. Miami: Cheez-It Bowl
Jan 1, 1991; Dallas, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Hurricanes tight end Randy Bethel (93) scores a touchdown over the Texas Longhorns during the 1991 Cotton Bowl with a 46-3 win over Texas. RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Texas in the Cheez-It Bowl would be an improvement from their 5-7 season in 2021. However, it would be an underwhelming finish for one of the most overhyped teams in college football. A showdown with another NIL powerbroker at the end of the year would make for an intriguing matchup. Texas and Miami have only faced each other four times and the last time was a 46-3 win by the Hurricanes in 1991.
Baylor vs. Arkansas: TaxAct Texas Bowl
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears running back Abram Smith (7) runs the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
An old Southwest Conference rivalry renewed with Baylor and Arkansas facing off. With high expectations for both schools heading into 2022, a Texas Bowl berth would be disappointing. Baylor is the favorite to win the Big 12 while Arkansas is hoping to build of a strong 2021 season. Arkansas improved from 3-7 in Sam Pittman’s first year to 9-4, a top 25 finish, and an Outback Bowl win. The Bears and the Razorbacks haven’t played since a 9-5 win by Baylor in 1991.
Oklahoma State vs. Utah: Valero Alamo Bowl
OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) runs the ball during Saturday’s spring finale at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Nathan J Fish/The Oklahoman / USA TODAY NETWORK
This game feels like the Spider-Man meme where the two characters point at each other. Both are solid offensively, but Oklahoma State and Utah make their living on the defensive side of the football. The Cowboys and the Utes have played just once, back in 1945. The Cowboys won that game 46-6 in Salt Lake City.
USC vs. Houston: Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Mar 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC football head coach Lincoln Riley attends the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball game at Galen Center. The Wildcats won 91-71. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma fans may not be interested in watching, but they’ll certainly be tuned into the outcome. Houston, a future Big 12 member, could provide Sooners fans with a gift on their entrance into the conference if they can knock off Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans.
Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M: All State Sugar Bowl
Nov 11, 2005; Norman, OK USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety (1) Reggie Smith reacts after making a play the during the 1st quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Tim Heitman
Based on the projections, College Football News believes the Sooners will win the Big 12 but, with two losses, will miss out on the College Football Playoff. Facing the Texas A&M Aggies in the Sugar Bowl would be a nice consolation prize. The Sooners lead the all-time series 19-12, but the Aggies picked up the last win, a 41-13 throttling at the hands of Johnny Manziel. On that day, “Johnny Football” threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 229 yards and two touchdowns for one of the all-time great Cotton Bowl performances.
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) catches a touchdown pass against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) in the third quarter in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium. Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Familiar faces reach the College Football Playoff in College Football News bowl projections. Alabama will take on Georgia in one semifinal and Ohio State will face Clemson. CFN predicts that Alabama will advance to face Ohio State, in a matchup of the two best quarterbacks in the country.
The Iowa State Cyclones football team opens the 2022 season against Southeast Missouri State in Ames.
Beginning the countdown of Iowa State's critical pieces in a big year.
2022 Oklahoma Sooners Football Schedule: Downloadable Wallpaper
Never miss a game this season with our downloadable 2022 Oklahoma Sooners football schedule for your smartphone.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will open the ESPN invitational against the Oklahoma Sooners.
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2022-07-26T19:30:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Latest bowl projections for Oklahoma and Big 12 programs from College Football News
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Jacob Slade has been one of the sneaky best defensive tackles in the Big Ten for a few years now, and the rest of the country is starting to take notice. On Tuesday, the Michigan State football standout lineman was named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist.
The Outland Trophy is given annually to the top interior defensive lineman in college football.
Slade is quickly emerging as a star for the Spartans and someone who very well could be playing on Sundays very soon.
The guy to watch @jacobslade_ 🏆👀 pic.twitter.com/m0ZU30PKOq
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2022-07-26T19:30:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Michigan State football DT Jacob Slade named to Outland Trophy preseason watchlist
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Yesterday, it was announced that Xavier Henderson was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watchlist, which is given to the best defensive back in the country. On Tuesday, he made another watchlist, this time for the Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the top defensive player in college football.
Xavier Henderson came back to school for one more year, and now he’ll have the chance to show that he is one of the best players in the country.
The Chicago carrier has added 120 new flights to its schedule this fall, increasing service to destinations such as South Bend, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio; and Madison, Wisconsin.
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2022-07-26T19:31:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Michigan State football safety Xavier Henderson named to Nagurski Trophy watchlist
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On July 26, Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost stated that he supports College Football Playoff expansion.
“Personally, I would love to see it expand a little bit,” Frost said. “Really the biggest reason is if there’s a team that might not be the highest-ranked team in a conference championship, and they win the conference championship. I think they probably earn the right to have a seat at the table. Having more teams have an opportunity can only help the game.”
Frost was not the only advocate of playoff expansion at Big Ten Media Days. Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren expressed his support for expansion, as well.
“I’m 100 percent supportive of College Football Playoff expansion,” Warren said.
With the season right around the corner, the Iowa Hawkeyes have released their first official depth chart. Let's look at the defense.
Browse through the Des Moines Register's photo galleries from the Hy-Vee's IndyCar Race Weekend July 23-24, 2022, at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
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2022-07-26T19:31:13Z
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Nebraska HC Scott Frost Supports CFB Playoff Expansion
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Why Antoine Walker is firmly against Celtics trading for Kevin Durant originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
On Monday, former Boston Celtics star Antoine Walker expressed his strong opinion about the possibility of the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Kevin Durant.
"I'm so disappointed this morning, because I think this is a terrible decision," Walker said on FS1's "First Things First." "I know people will say, 'This is Kevin Durant, arguably a Top 3 player in the league and of course you make a trade for that!'
"But, you don't tear up what you've worked so hard to build. We are talking about a team that is young. There core is young."
Brown is 25 years old. Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams III are both 24. In comparison, KD is 33 years old. By the end of his contract, Durant will be 37. While Durant is an incredibly talented player, the Celtics have to consider whether adding a player in his mid-30s is worth trading Brown, a young player with immense potential.
"You just lost in the sixth game of the Finals. Everything is in place. You have an identity. I was just giving them praise for having the best summer out of any team in the league. You added a point guard in Malcolm Brogdon. [Danilo] Gallinari gotta come off the bench and score. So your team is set," Walker continued.
"So you are coming into training camp ready to go, ready to chase a title. Your two star players should be very hungry after losing in the finals. They should be ready to go."
Walker also called Durant's mentality into question.
"Is Kevin Durant committed to winning titles? We don't know that. He didn't say he wanted to go win a title. He said he just wanted to be traded out of Brooklyn... If he was so concerned with winning titles he would still be there [the Golden State Warriors]."
The former Celtics forward went beyond warning the Celtics against doing the trade, claiming that they never should have discussed a Durant trade with the Nets that involved Brown.
"They never should have entertained this," Walker said. "They don't need it. They are already built. They are already set for three, four years to contend for a title."
Celtics fans will be watching the Celtics closely to see if the organization takes Walker's words into consideration.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother, Janie Combs, does not play any games when it comes to her son.
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2022-07-26T20:06:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Antoine Walker shares strong take on Celtics' reported Kevin Durant trade offer
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Four games into Damon Arnette’s second season with the Raiders, the team cut ties with him. To grow tired of a first-round pick and cut him that quickly is usually a sign he had used up all his chances.
Since then, things have only gotten worse for Arnette.
Last January, he was arrested on charges of pulling a gun on a valet. And on the same day those charges by the Clark County DA, Arnette was again arrested in Florida on drug charges.
According to the TMZ report, Arnette was pulled over twice within a few hours of each other. The first time he was cited for driving with a suspended license.
The officers gave another person in the car permission to drive the car, but a few hours later, Arnette was again spotted driving the car and was thus pulled over again.
This time they searched Arnette and the police claim to have found a small bag of what was believed to be cocaine. At which point he was arrested for drug possession.
Arnette hasn’t been able to go long between incidents, either involving weapons or vehicles.
The incident that ended his short tenure in Las Vegas was a video he posted on Instagram in which he was wielding several firearms and threatening to kill someone.
And when he was released, it was revealed that during Arnette’s rookie season, he had crashed four rental cars in a month’s time.
When the Raiders drafted Arnette, he came with some red flags for incidents that occurred during his time at Ohio State. But the team was convinced enough that he had grown up and put his troubles behind him. Or perhaps Jon Gruden was convinced.
I asked GM Mike Mayock shortly after Arnette’s release if there were signs of this type of behavior and Mayock admitted he had “significant concern” with Arnette’s character.
As someone who covered Arnette as a Raiders player, he was a bit of a strange guy, albeit a fun person to speak with. Hopefully, he can get the help he needs to clean up his act.
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2022-07-26T20:06:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Raiders 1st-round pick Damon Arnette arrested on drug charges
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Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports just released his forecast for the entire league, and he expects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to coast to another NFC South title, despite what could be a much tougher schedule than last year’s (subscription required):
Assuming QB Tom Brady is healthy, it’s safe to pencil the Bucs in for at least 12 victories based on his track record over the past dozen years – and that includes a 24-9 regular-season mark since coming to Tampa in 2020. TB12 has 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.
To check out Davis’ full projection for the upcoming NFL season, click here.
The majority of Bruce Springsteen fans in the U.S. who purchased concert tickets last week bought them at face value, according to Ticketmaster.
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2022-07-26T21:05:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2022 NFL record projections: Will Bucs fall short of Super Bowl again?
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49ers general manager John Lynch on Tuesday announced the team will sign former first-round pick DL Robert Nkemdiche following a workout Monday. The team later made the signing official.
Nkemdiche was a first-round pick by the Cardinals out of Ole Miss in the 2016 draft. The talented defensive tackle has struggled to put it together in six seasons as a pro. He spent three years with Arizona and notched only 4.5 sacks, all of which came in the 2018 season. He also joined the Dolphins for the 2019 campaign and the Seahawks last year.
In five seasons with the team he’s played in just 38 games with six starts. Since 2019 he’s only played in 11 games, and was suspended in 2019 for two weeks.
The 49ers will hope Nkemdiche can harness some of the talent that made him a Round 1 selection and work his way onto a roster that could use some depth at defensive tackle. They also had DL TJ Carter and DL Tomasi Laulile in for workouts Tuesday.
49ers have had 'productive' talks with Deebo Samuel regarding contract extension
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2022-07-26T21:05:36Z
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49ers sign former 1st-round DL Robert Nkemdiche
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Bears happy with talent, but always looking for more originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
“I said it from the beginning, our front office is not going to stop just chipping away and bringing good football players on this team to compete and make the whole team better,” said Poles.
The declaration came on the heels of yet another free agent signing, announced minutes before Poles and Eberflus’ press conference to kick off training camp. In back-to-back days, the Bears signed veteran offensive linemen Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff. That’s given coaches more tools to work with as they try to find the best starting five among a group of players filled with question marks. Another area filled with more questions than answers are the pass-catching playmakers. So could they be the next unit to receive a boost this summer?
“I don’t think you ever have enough (playmakers), but I’m happy with the guys that are in the building,” Poles said. “We’re gonna stay active, trying to find playmakers and continue to make it competitive. Again, it’s on paper right now, so we’ve got to see what these guys do. We’ve got to see what they do in pads. And we’ve got to see what they do in preseason. So there’s a bunch of steps along the way, and yeah, you feel great about it now. But we’ve got to actually see it happen against opponents.”
Adding the pads in practice will be a huge step in the Bears’ evaluations of their roster. Watching guys run around in shorts is great and all, but you can’t really judge a player until the hitting starts. Until then, the team will test their mental capacities.
“They've gotta know the playbook and be where they're supposed to be,” said Poles.
But bottom line, the NFL is a production-based league, and Poles knows that too.
They've gotta make plays,” Poles said. “I'll lean on Tyke and Luke to coach those guys up and we'll see where the room goes.”
Dylan Cease threw six innings, Leury Garcia and AJ Pollock homered, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on Sunday.
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2022-07-26T21:05:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears GM Ryan Poles could add more playmakers to offfense
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No bad blood between Bears, Roquan Smith originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
There is no bad blood between the Bears and Roquan Smith, despite the star linebacker’s decision to hold out, or hold in, or whatever you want to call his decision to come to Halas Hall, but reportedly not participate in practice.
“My feelings for Roquan don’t change at all,” said Ryan Poles. “I love the player and the person and that won’t change… I’m just not gonna talk about contracts and all that. I want to just make sure we addressed it though in terms of my feelings for him, nothing changes.”
The last time we spoke to Roquan Smith, he made it clear that he wanted to remain a Chicago Bear, too. He was confident he would reach a long term agreement with the team. But for now, the two sides have still not been able to come together on a contract extension.
Smith was spotted at Halas Hall on report day. But one day after Ian Rapoport reported that Smith wouldn’t participate in practice, Poles said the team still doesn’t know how much, or how little he will do at training camp.
“I know he checked in and we’re gonna take it from there and gather information and take it one step at a time,” said Poles. “That’s all I can do.”
The problem, according to Rapoport, is that Smith has yet to receive a contract extension that he would “remotely consider.” Poles made it clear he wouldn’t discuss the ongoing contract negotiations, but when asked whether or not Smith represents himself, without using the help of an agent, there was a long pause and some sideways glances before he answered.
“You’ll have to 一 yeah, I’m not gonna talk about that.”
Nor would he say whether Smith potentially representing himself complicates negotiations.
“If a player didn’t have an agent, it would be a different situation than if they did.”
Meanwhile on the football field, Matt Eberflus now needs to prepare for the possibility that his defense will have to practice without its best player.
“I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but really, you want to just get the max out of them,” said Eberflus. “Whatever they can do, they can do. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
“It’s going to be a situation where we are going to make the best of it, and if it’s opportunity for other people– in this league, you’ve got to adjust, adapt and overcome. That’s what we are going to do.”
The optimism isn’t surprising from a first-year head coach still in the middle of installing a new program, and a new defense. It’s true that other players will get the opportunity to show what they can do without Smith participating, and that will help in some respects. But Jaylon Johnson was a little more emphatic when relaying what the Bears would miss without Smith out at practice.
“S***, our leader. I mean we all know who Roquan is and what he means to this team. But at the end of the day somebody has to fill that gap. It's not different to me if he was injured or if he was missing a few weeks. During the game somebody has to step up, somebody has to fill that leadership role, somebody has to call the defense, somebody has to do it. I mean at the end of the day it's an early preparation of what could happen during the season. Somebody has to step up.”
Regardless of how the Bears and Smith feel about each other, and what opportunity his absence could open up for other players, everyone would benefit from an expeditious resolution to the hold out (or hold in, or whatever). Each year, average values on the top contracts in the league go up, so the Bears will likely save money by extending Smith now, rather than waiting. Obviously Smith benefits by getting financial security, but getting a deal done and getting back on the field to continue building a rapport with Nick Morrow and his other new teammates. If both sides truly want to get a deal done as much as they say they do, then they’ll need to find a way to come together.
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2022-07-26T21:05:48Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears, Roquan Smith still on good terms despite reported holdout
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There’s two sides to every argument. Sometimes both can be right.
That’s the case with Von Miller and the new role he’s set to take on with the Buffalo Bills.
Miller is a future Hall of Fame sack artist. That’s as good of a point one can make in terms of getting playing time.
Miller said at the start of training camp he wants to feature in Buffalo as much as possible.
“Yeah, I like to be on the field. I like to be on the field–You can’t make plays if you’re not on the field,” Miller said via video conference.
But the team has a bit of a different idea.
After signing him to such a massive contract, Miller will have an important job.
However, the Bills have consistently run a heavy rotation along their defensive front since head coach Sean McDermott’s tenure began in 2017.
That was not because of a lack of talent, the idea is keeping players on the D-line fresh. When it pertains to a 33-year-old Miller, that’s a pretty smart idea.
“That’s a really good question,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said from training camp.
It sure is and negotiations are underway.
“We had some discussion with Von about that, I think he understands our philosophy and we’ll come to a happy medium of what’s best,” Frazier added.
A positive sign: Miller has good reviews from those talks.
“I’m going to try and be on the field as much as possible, but of course I’m going to listen to my coaches and the GM. They got a plan,” Miller said.
More importantly, the proof is in the pudding.
Miller would not have signed in Buffalo without knowing the snap count situation. Because of that, there’s no reason to fret that there will be any sort of disagreement.
Considering his resume, Miller won’t exactly be a plug-and-play replacement for former longtime Bill Jerry Hughes. More will be expected out of Miller than that.
However, Hughes was a starter in Buffalo, including the entire time McDermott has been in town. In all but one season under McDermott, Hughes played between 64 and 66 percent of snaps each year on the Bills defense.
Miller will see a dip compared to recent memory, but not all that much.
Last season, Miller played in 79 percent of defensive snaps in eight games with his last team, the Los Angeles Rams. The three years prior to that, Miller played in 76%, 84% and 78% of snaps with the Denver Broncos, respectively.
Truthfully, that’s not all that far off.
Perhaps Miller even gets a slight boost from Hughes–But if he doesn’t that’s still a nice chunk of snaps for Miller to do some damage.
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2022-07-26T21:06:07Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bills, Von Miller hopeful they will find snap count balancing act
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The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receivers Isaiah Ford and John Hurst, and they waived wide receiver Kekoa Crawford and defensive tackle Caeveon Patton, the team announced Tuesday.
With training camp slated to start Wednesday, the Colts added some depth to the wide receiver room. Both Ford and Hurst were among the four wide receivers to work out for the Colts on Monday.
The depth was needed somewhat after second-year wideout Mike Strachan was placed on the PUP list to open training camp.
Ford, 26, was a seventh-round pick with the Miami Dolphins in the 2017 NFL draft. He has appeared in 32 games (three starts), recording 63 receptions for 681 receiving yards and two touchdowns throughout his career with the Dolphins (2017-2020, 2021) and New England Patriots (2020).
Hurst, 25, has yet to appear in an NFL game but has spent time on the practice squads of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers since signing with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft.
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2022-07-26T21:06:51Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Colts sign WRs Isaiah Ford, John Hurst
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With players arriving at the NovaCare Complex for the start of training camp, the Eagles have announced the following coaching staff changes on the first day.
Defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson added the defensive pass game coordinator title to his role, while Jeremiah Washburn was promoted to DEs/OLBs coach.
Alex Tanney was promoted to assistant quarterback coach, while Tyler Scudder was hired as a defensive assistant along with Eric Dickerson, who was hired as the offensive quality control personnel.
A former NFL Defensive back, Wilson added the title and responsibilities of defensive passing game coordinator during the 2022 offseason after initially joining the Eagles as the defensive backs coach in 2021. In his first season with the Eagles, Philadelphia allowed the fifth-fewest explosive plays (117), eighth-fewest passing yards per attempt (6.8), and 10th-fewest total yards per game (328.8) in the NFL.
A familiar name in the organization, Washburn has more than two decades of experience as an NFL coach and scout.
He enters his fourth overall year with Philadelphia and first as the team’s defensive ends/outside linebackers coach. He previously served as a senior defensive assistant from 2020-21. In 2021, Washburn helped prepare an Eagles defense that allowed the NFL’s ninth-fewest rushing yards per game (107.9) and 10th-fewest total yards per game (328.8).
Giants Vs Redskins
Tanney was named the Eagles’ assistant quarterbacks coach/offensive assistant during the 2022 offseason. A former NFL quarterback, Tanney initially joined the team as an offensive quality control coach in 2021 after returning from his nine-year playing career (2012-20).
Initially hired by the team as a coach’s assistant during the 2021 offseason, Scudder has now been promoted to a defensive assistant coach.
Before his stop in Philadelphia, Scudder served as a senior defensive quality control coach at Iowa State (2018-20). Before his stint with the Cyclones, Scudder coached the linebackers at Duquesne from 2014-17 and added responsibilities as a co-defensive coordinator beginning in 2015.
A former college football player at South Carolina State, Dickerson was named an offensive quality control coach during the 2022 offseason after joining the team as a defensive assistant in 2021.
Kaniecki was named the Eagles’ administrative assistant to the head coach during the 2022 offseason. Kaniecki, who enters his eighth year working in the NFL, came to Philadelphia after spending seven seasons (2015-21) with the Cleveland Browns.
During his time in Cleveland, Kaniecki worked in the personnel department in different roles (2015, ’19-21) and as a scouting assistant (2016-17).
Jaquan Brisker arrived Tuesday at Halas Hall. With the rookie safety signed and delivered, the secondary can get start their journey to become the bedrock of the "next great Bears defense."
EXCLUSIVE: Six finalists were announced today for the richest prize in documentary film—the 4th Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. A grant of $200,000 will go to the winning film to support final production, distribution and marketing of the documentary. In addition, a runner-up will receive $50,000, and up to four finalists […]
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2022-07-26T21:07:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Eagles announce promotions and changes to coaching staff
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Ex-Patriots receiver Mohamed Sanu returns to AFC East originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
On Tuesday, the agent of former New England Patriot Mohamed Sanu announced that the wide receiver signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Sanu was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, before signing a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. In his fourth year with the Falcons, Sanu was traded to the Patriots a week ahead of the 2019 trade deadline. In the trade, the Falcons gained the Patriots' second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ex-Pats WR Danny Amendola retires after 13 NFL seasons
The 32-year-old played in eight games with the Patriots, tallying 26 receptions in six starts for a total of 207 receiving yards and one touchdown reception.
On September 3, 2020, Sanu was released by the Patriots. Most recently, Sanu has played for the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, Sanu played in eight games in the 2021 season.
Sanu has a connection with Dolphins' head coach Mike McDaniel. Previously, McDaniel was the offensive coordinator for San Francisco when Sanu was on the team. They also crossed paths in Atlanta when McDaniel served as an offensive assistant in 2016.
Sanu joins a crowded Dolphins wide receiver group that includes Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill and 2021 first-round pick Jaylen Waddle.
Details about the signing and the contract have not be released.
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2022-07-26T21:07:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ex-Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu signs with the Miami Dolphins
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Buster Skrine announces retirement from the NFL originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Buster Skrine, former Bears cornerback, is retiring from the NFL, according to Dov Kleiman.
Skrine, 33, played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Browns, Jets, Bears, Titans and 49ers. He was originally drafted by the Browns in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL draft.
The corner came to Chicago in 2019 and played two seasons with the team. He played in 28 games (started seven) and defended eight passes, forced three fumbles and made 114 tackles. While he didn't record an interception with the Bears, he had 10 in his career.
His season in 2019 was by far his best with Chicago in terms of pass coverage. He allowed just 59.3 percent of passes to his assignments based on 81 targets. Contributing to that, he allowed a passer rating of 91.8, which exceptionally is low.
The plaintiffs of the lawsuit includes a coalition of Georgia doctors and advocates who argue that a change in federal law can’t revive the 2019 law.
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2022-07-26T21:07:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Bear Buster Skrine announces retirement from the NFL
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With Brisker signed, secondary now must meet high expectations originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST – A few days of drama evaporated in an instant Tuesday at Halas Hall as Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker arrived for training camp with the ink still drying on his four-year deal finalized late Monday night.
"I'm excited to get Jaquan Brisker signed up and here," general manager Ryan Poles told the media during his opening address. "I gave him a big hug when I saw him, and I am excited for him and the direction he is going just like all the other rookies that came in in the offseason. He's headed in the right direction and I am excited to see what he does this training camp and during the season."
With Brisker present and ready to get to work Wednesday, the Bears should have their expected starting secondary on the field. That includes Brisker and fellow second-round pick Kyler Gordon, who should already be penciled in opposite budding star cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
The expectations are sky high for the first two picks of the Poles-Eberflus regime. But that doesn't necessarily mean they need to start Week 1 against the 49ers. Well, that's the company line.
"I would say that we are going to develop those guys, those young players, and we have no problem playing young players a lot," Eberflus said Tuesday when asked if it would be a disappointment if the rookies don't start Week 1. "That's been in our past we've done that. If they show they're ready to go and play 65 plays, the whole game, that's what they'll do. If they show they can play part of that game, they'll play part of the game. It's all going to be based on performance."
Gordon and Brisker popped during the offseason program, both showcasing the rare abilities that had the Bears racing to the phone to bring them to Chicago. Gordon's unique short-area quickness, a product of his childhood days as a dancer, and his ball-hawking nature make him the ideal cornerback for Eberflus' turnover-focused defense.
"I would just say his ball-hawking ability, the ability to find the ball, track the ball, and he's an athlete," Johnson said Tuesday about what has impressed him about Gordon. "He's definitely going to be able to make some plays solely off his athleticism, him being physical, him being able to find the ball. Those are some good qualities to have as a young corner."
While Gordon made plays on balls in the air, Brisker was adept at getting the ball on the ground via the peanut punch.
Eberflus and Poles rebuilt the Bears' leaky secondary with the first two picks of their tenure.
Gordon, a projected first-round pick, slid to them early in the second round. Nine picks later, everyone in the building gave Brisker, a hard-hitting box safety, the vote of confidence to be the Bears' second pick of Round 2.
Eberflus and Poles revamped the Bears' secondary with two draft-day phone calls. It may very well be the 2022 Bears' best unit. But there will be no proclamations from a talented but unproven group. At least, not yet.
"I'd be lying to you if I gave you an answer right now," Johnson said. "We've gotta come up with that as a unit. I can have my answer, but I'm not the only one in the unit, so we'll definitely have to figure that out throughout camp, figure out where we are, what we want to do and that's that."
With Gordon and Brisker signed, sealed, and delivered to training camp, Eberflus can get to work building the "next great Bears defense," with two rookies and a talented secondary at the center of his grand vision.
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2022-07-26T21:07:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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With Jaquan Brisker signed, Bears' secondary now must meet high expectations
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Coming soon to the NFC South: A new receiver for Tom Brady. Veteran wide receiver Julio Jones is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the seven-time Pro Bowl wideout is signing a one-year deal with the Buccaneers to catch passes from Brady:
Jones appeared in ten games for the Tennessee Titans last season, catching 31 passes for 434 yards and a touchdown. That was after Jones spent ten seasons in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons, during which he caught 848 passes for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Jones has dealt with hamstring injuries the past two seasons, which has limited his effectiveness. During this past year, he showed glimpses of his previous self, on plays like this one against the Seattle Seahawks:
Jones runs a deep post route and Ryan Tannehill, working off of play-action, finds him behind the coverage.
Here against the Indianapolis Colts, Jones finds a soft spot in the zone coverage and makes a tough adjustment to the throw for the reception:
With Chris Godwin returning from season-ending knee surgery, there is a chance that Jones can help the Buccaneers’ passing game in the short-term. Whether he can avoid the lower-body injuries that have hampered him the past two seasons is perhaps the biggest question.
But the chance to catch passes from Brady was likely too good to pass up for Jones. Who, for my money, had the best catch of Super Bowl LI…
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2022-07-26T21:07:50Z
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Julio Jones signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Aaron Donald is 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds, yet he moves around the field like a 220-pound running back. His footwork is so smooth and his agility is off the charts, which only begins to tell the story of what makes Donald one of the best defensive players in NFL history.
It’s a combination of many things, but without his quick feet, he wouldn’t be as dominant as he is year in and year out. It’s something he works at tirelessly, whether the Rams are in season or it’s the middle of summer during the offseason.
This video from training camp shows his hard work pays off, making a footwork drill look so easy. It’s almost as if he’s gliding – but maybe that’s just the awesome camera angle.
9️⃣9️⃣ @AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/f1H2owjTib
You’ve probably seen Donald’s footwork a million times before, but it really never does get old.
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2022-07-26T21:08:14Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Look: Aaron Donald’s footwork is so smooth in this camp drill
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Plenty of NFL MVPs have come out of nowhere, relatively speaking. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson were really young when they took the league by storm and won MVP.
It's time to bet Trey Lance to win MVP this season before the odds shift.
The San Francisco 49ers said on Tuesday that they're moving on with Lance as their starter, which shouldn't surprise anyone who has been paying attention this offseason. Jimmy Garoppolo is on the 49ers' roster, but only because they haven't been able to trade him. There has never been any indication this offseason that Garoppolo would have the opportunity to start over Lance.
But still, it gives those who believe in Lance some extra security. And Lance is set up pretty well to have a very good season.
There's a pattern for NFL MVP betting
Let's reset the NFL MVP betting market. It's worth a reminder if you're thinking of straying from a very predictable voting pattern.
NFL MVP has been a quarterback award for a while. Dating back to Emmitt Smith winning in 1993, there have been 30 MVP winners (with two co-MVPs). Quarterbacks account for 24 of those awards, and the others are all running backs who either rushed for 2,000 yards or set an NFL single-season touchdown record. Perhaps this is the year a non-quarterback wins, but don't waste your money chasing that dream.
The MVP will come from a playoff team. Only twice has NFL MVP come from a non-playoff team, and the last time was 1973.
So we're looking for a QB from a playoff team. That cuts the list way down. It's not easy to pick every playoff team, but the 49ers are -225, a pretty heavy favorite, to make the playoffs at BetMGM. They were in the NFC championship game a year ago. There's no guarantee, but the NFC isn't too tough. The 49ers should be a playoff team and the odds reflect that.
That doesn't mean Lance is winning an MVP. But his odds are really good.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is 50-to-1 to win NFL MVP. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Trey Lance's chances for MVP
Lance started the offseason at 66-to-1 to win MVP. He's 40-to-1 at BetMGM now. That number might move again as the season gets closer.
Lance wasn't bad last season. He threw just 71 passes but had a 97.3 passer rating. He has the ability to put up some good rushing numbers too. He has a very good offense around him and a fantastic offensive coach in Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan called the offense when Matt Ryan won MVP for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. And the same talent that made Lance the third pick of the draft is still there.
And it's not like we haven't seen a story like this unfold before. Heading into the 2018 season, Mahomes had 35 career passes. He had a monster season and won MVP. Before the 2019 season, Jackson had eight career starts. He won MVP unanimously. Neither was on the MVP radar before the season. But they both had big second seasons and voters couldn't ignore them.
Is a Mahomes/Jackson-level second season likely for Lance? No. If that was a likely outcome, he wouldn't be 40-to-1 to win MVP. But there are plenty of reasons to believe he can find himself in contention.
There's nothing wrong with betting Josh Allen or Tom Brady to win MVP. They're favorites for a reason. But you can tell yourself a reasonable story in which Lance has an enormous breakout and wins it. That's all you can ask for a long shot.
Former Trump White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin will replace Meghan McCain as a permanent host of ABC’s “The View,” according to multiple reports. Griffin has periodically served as a co-host on the show since leaving Trump’s White House. She also has served as a contributor to CNN and has written a book about her experience…
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2022-07-26T21:08:20Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL odds: Now that it's Trey Lance season, bet on him to win MVP before it's too late
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Report: Julio Jones joins Tom Brady's Buccaneers on one-year deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added another veteran wide receiver to their offense led by legendary quarterback Tom Brady.
Julio Jones is joining the Buccaneers on a one-year contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, who also reported Tuesday that the 33-year-old wideout drew interest from the Green Bay Packers, among other teams.
Jones tallied 31 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown in 10 games for the Tennessee Titans last season. He spent the previous nine years with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him No. 6 overall in 2011.
Jones was once one of the top five wide receivers in the league. You could make a strong case that his career resume is Hall of Fame caliber. He is no longer an elite player, but he won't have to be the No. 1 or No. 2 option in the Bucs passing attack. Mike Evans is the top target, followed by Chris Godwin, who was activated for training camp Tuesday.
The Buccaneers' wide receiver depth chart now includes Evans, Godwin, Jones, Russell Gage, Jalen Dardon, Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson.
Central Oklahoma’s Adam Dorrel, who led Northwest Missouri to three NCAA titles, is back in the MIAA and will coach against a former teammate: New Central Missouri coach Josh Lamberson
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2022-07-26T21:08:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL rumors: Julio Jones joins Tom Brady's Buccaneers on one-year contract
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49ers' Lynch: Bosa extension likely won't come until next year originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
It’s a decision that comes down to a bit of team philosophy, general manager John Lynch explained to reporters on Tuesday from the first day of training camp. The star defensive end still has two years left on his rookie contract after the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option.
“I think the thing I’d tell you there is, if you look at our history, our cadence, most of our deals are done with one year left on the contract,” Lynch said. “Nick’s got two years left, and so that doesn’t make it impossible, but it makes it more likely that it’s something that will be addressed next year.”
Although teams can begin negotiating contract extensions with draft picks after three seasons, Lynch’s timeline echoed 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s comments in June indicating there was no rush to extend Bosa.
That’s likely because the 49ers’ front office is currently knee deep in negotiations with Samuel, who is entering the final season of his four-year, $10.1 million rookie contract. There’s more urgency to extend the star wide receiver, whose current deal is far below market value for an All-Pro that requested a trade in April.
Bosa’s original contract, on the other hand, was a four-year, $33.55 million contract with an up-front signing bonus of nearly $22.5 million. His fifth-year option for the 2023 season came at a fully guaranteed price of $17.859 million.
Bosa has been well-compensated during his time on the 49ers, and Lynch promised on Tuesday that trend will continue into the future -- it will just require a little bit of patience.
RELATED: 49ers camp battles: How will D-line rotation look opposite Bosa?
“No absolutes, never say never, but here’s what I do know,” Lynch continued. “As long as we’re here, Nick Bosa’s going to be a part of the Niners and he’s going to get paid handsomely to do so.
“His time’s coming, and when it does, he’ll get what he deserves because, man, what a special player.”
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2022-07-26T21:08:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Nick Bosa 49ers contract extension likely to come next year, John Lynch says
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USA TODAY’s Nate Davis (subscriber only) still sees Los Angeles winning a bunch of games and making the playoffs, predicting the Rams to go 12-5 and reach the divisional round. Davis has them finishing as the No. 2 seed but losing to the Packers in the second round after beating the Saints in the wild-card game.
(2) Los Angeles Rams (12-5): No champ has pulled off a Super Bowl repeat in 18 years. The Rams should at least be prohibitive divisional favorites given the varying degrees of upheaval the other three teams are coping with. But LA walked quite a tightrope in last season’s playoffs, winning each of the last three games by three points – and that was with the likes of Miller and still-unsigned WR Odell Beckham Jr. The Rams also must survive the league’s toughest schedule based on opponents’ 2021 winning percentage (.567).
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2022-07-26T21:09:00Z
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Rams predicted to go 12-5, lose to Packers in divisional round
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Report: Former Bills WR Cole Beasley drawing ‘significant interest’
There is one former Buffalo Bills player who previously played a big role in the team’s successes that is still currently a free agent: receiver Cole Beasley.
However, that could soon change.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Tuesday, there is said to be “significant interest” in the 33-year-old from teams around the league.
The reason why he Beasley remains unsigned resides with the player himself. That is split into two parts.
Reportedly Beasley wants to find the right “fit.” Beyond that, he also wants to get paid as he allegedly will not sign for the veteran minimum.
The Bills released Beasley back in March. While the team did express interest in keeping him, Beasley ended up becoming a bit of a lightning rod for attention once the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. He started to heavily express his opinions relating to it and eventually a breakup appeared inevitable.
With the Bills, Beasley recorded 231 catches for 2,438 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons. He was named a second-team All-Pro selection in 2020.
With the New York Giants hiring Brian Daboll and Joe Scheon, former Bills staffers now with the Giants, Big Blue was named a potential suitor for Beasley. Nothing concrete was said to be there just yet.
For more on the latest regarding Beasley, check out the NFL Network clip below:
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2022-07-26T21:09:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Former Bills WR Cole Beasley drawing ‘significant interest’
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Tyrann Mathieu won’t be participating in the start of New Orleans Saints training camp, the team announced Tuesday, having excused him while he attends to a personal family matter. The New Orleans native should return to work soon once this is handled, whatever it is — we aren’t going to speculate.
Mathieu’s absence isn’t that big of a deal. He was full-go throughout the summer and immediately asserted himself as a team leader in the secondary. Sure, more time spent with his new coaches and teammates would be nice, but missing a few days of classroom work and conditioning drills isn’t the end of the world. He’s experienced plenty of that through his first nine years in the NFL.
So fans have nothing to worry with as long as Mathieu is back in the saddle once the team dials up the intensity later in training camp. Players often miss a day or two here and there to tend to their families, and we’ll be looking for Mathieu to return to the practice field soon enough. In the meantime, this is an opportunity for backups like Bryce Thompson, Justin Evans, and Smoke Monday to get more work in his place.
Titans’ Jon Robinson, Mike Vrabel talk Treylon Burks’ conditioning
Titans GM Jon Robinson revealed Treylon Burks did well in his conditioning test.
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2022-07-26T21:09:56Z
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Tyrann Mathieu excused from the start of Saints training camp
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It’s that time of the year when NFL record predictions are published all over the web, and USA TODAY’s Nate Davis (subscribers view here) added his to the mix on Tuesday.
In his predictions, Davis had the Jags doubling their win total from 2021 and registering a 6-11 record. That’s a total that placed third in the AFC South in his predictions, putting them only ahead of the Houston Texans, who were predicted to earn a 3-14 record.
Here is what Davis specifically had to say about the Jags.
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-11): The Urban Meyer experience proved a huge waste for the organization at large in 2021 and then-rookie QB Trevor Lawrence specifically. But the arrival of proven coach Doug Pederson, who will establish a professional atmosphere here, and a slew of free agent pick-ups – even if the Jags overpaid for them – should make doubling last year’s win total (3) an eminently attainable goal.
Davis is right about the positive change in the atmosphere under Doug Pederson, as that was something Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen spoke about today. In a nutshell, Allen said that he was pleased with how Pederson communicated with his players, and many other players have come out to say the same.
Pederson is a coach who can especially help the franchise’s most important piece in Trevor Lawrence. The veteran coach was once an NFL quarterback himself and has coached other first-round quarterbacks in the past like Alex Smith and Carson Wentz.
Missing Indigenous Person Alert issued for woman last seen in Ferndale
In Washington, more than four times as many Indigenous women disappear than white women, according to research conducted by the Urban Indian Health Institute in Seattle.
On Tuesday, former New England Patriots wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, Sr. signed with the Miami Dolphins.
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2022-07-26T21:10:12Z
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USA TODAY predicts Jags to double win total from 2021
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Former American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers
USA Today’s Nate Davis took on the daunting task of predicting the final record of all 32 NFL teams. You can check out his full predictions here (subscriber only) but I kno you area all here to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Davis has the Steelers preserving its non-losing season streak under head coach Mike Tomlin and barely missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. Davis cites outside linebacker T.J. Watt and running back Najee Harris is the key reasons the team will remain relevant.
Not sure I’m quite ready to anoint Harris a franchise running back yet and if the offensive line isn’t improved it wouldn’t matter if Jerome Bettis was back there. Harris was a workhorse last season with 1,200 rushing yards on 307 carries. I’m not sure how much more he can run the ball even though he has already said he’s good with 500 touches if it helps the team win. But if I’m making a list of guys who are the real difference maker this season in keeping the Steelers in the mix in a talented AFC North, Harris isn’t in my top five.
But one area where Davis hits it on the head is just how tough the team’s first half of the schedule is.
The first half could be rough as Big Ben’s replacement – free agent Mitchell Trubisky? rookie Kenny Pickett? – tries to settle in against five 2021 playoff teams before Halloween.
This is why I don’t see any way Kenny Pickett starts until after the bye week if at all in 2022.
Join the community and let us know what you think of Davis’ prediction and breakdown of the Steelers. Also, let us know if you think Pittsburgh keeps Tomlin’s streak alive and how do you define relevant.
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2022-07-26T21:10:18Z
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USA Today says Steelers RB Najee Harris will ‘keep the Steelers relevant’ in 2022
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Why are the Bears moving to Arlington Heights? originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
There's a lot of moving parts between the city of Chicago and the Chicago Bears about where the team will play in the future.
Let's break down the perspectives, criticisms and statements surrounding the premise that the Bears are planning to move to Arlington Heights and leave Soldier Field.
Are the Bears moving to Arlington Heights?
As far as we know, the Bears are going to move to Arlington Heights, specifically Arlington Park.
Back in the fall, the Bears signed a purchase agreement for the Arlington International Racecourse property. The Bears are buying the 326-acre property for $197.2 million.
The team said in a statement they have the full intention to dismiss the proposals the city made to renovate Soldier Field because of their agreement to purchase the land in Arlington.
Here's what the Bears say
Here's what Bears president Ted Phillips said back when they submitted a bid to buy the land: "We recently submitted a bid to purchase Arlington International Racecourse property. It’s our obligation to explore every possible option to ensure we’re doing what’s best for our organization and its future. If selected, this step allows us to further evaluate the property and its potential."
Since this statement, the Bears signed a purchase agreement to buy the land for their stadium. Upon doing so, the city of Chicago drafted a roughly 50-page proposal plan to renovate Soldier Field in an attempt to keep the team in downtown Chicago and not move to Arlington Heights.
However, the Bears have made it perfectly clear they are motivated to move out of Soldier Field to pursue the construction of a new stadium.
Here's the statement from the team regarding its dismissal of the city's proposals: "The only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park. As part of our mutual agreement with the seller of that property, we are not pursuing alternative stadium deals or sites, including renovations to Soldier Field, while we are under contract."
Criticisms of Soldier Field
Why are the Bears moving out of Soldier Field?
Without knowing the full answer from the organization, there's plenty of speculation as to the reasons they want to cease from calling Soldier Field their home stadium.
Soldier Field is the oldest standing stadium in the NFL. It currently seats around 61,500, making it smallest stadium in the NFL despite Chicago being one of the largest markets. Because of that, Soldier Field needs a major renovation to increase capacity.
The iconic columns and the desire to preserve them make expansion of the stadium a unique architectural challenge.
From the Bears' perspective, there's nothing proprietary about the stadium. The Bears do not own the stadium. It's owned by the Chicago Park District. That means they cannot inherit all the revenues the stadium generates. A new stadium would fully guarantee the profits to the organization.
More on the economic standpoint, the Bears do not own the restaurants/businesses around Soldier Field. In Arlington Heights, the team has ample land to build around a stadium like other NFL teams have to create a lucrative cash cow.
While the location of Soldier Field is exquisite, providing breathtaking views of the city, Grant Park and the lake, it's ironically painful to travel to. City residents that take the train must incur a long walk from the nearest train stops, which are far west of the stadium. Parking is also miniscule around the stadium, evidential from the city's offer to make "floating devices" upon Burnham Harbor to create more parking.
Amidst the costs of the new stadium, the land (~$197 million) and breaking the lease (~$84 million) are cents on the dollar to new stadium costs. The Las Vegas Raiders' new stadium (Allegiant) cost $2 billion and the Los Angeles Rams' stadium (SoFi) cost $5 billion. It's unknown what the Bears are willing to pay to make the new stadium.
Amongst an abundance of other reasons for the Bears to leave Soldier Field, these are some of the main speculated reasons the Bears want to go to Arlington Heights.
Here's what Chicago and Mayor Lightfoot say
The city of Chicago has made valiant, outside-the-box attempts at keeping the Bears from moving out of Soldier Field. Initially, Mayor Lightfoot scoffed at the idea of the Bears winning the purchasing bid to buy the land in Arlington Heights.
"The Bears are locked into a lease at Soldier Field until 2033," Lightfoot said in a statement. "In addition, this announcement from the Bears comes in the midst of negotiations for improvements at Soldier Field. This is clearly a negotiating tactic that the Bears have used before," Lightfoot’s statement read.
She didn't hold back from taking jabs at the team either.
"Like most Bears fans, we want the organization to focus on putting a winning football team on the field, beating the Packers finally and being relevant past October," Lightfoot said. "Everything else is noise."
Since the Bears announced their intentions to Arlington Park, the city drafted an elongated plan of renovations to persuade the Bears into staying at Soldier Field. The draft was over 50 pages long, including plans of a dome, a monorail, extended parking, etc.
The Bears rejected the ideas two days after the city released them.
On Monday, however, Mayor Lightfoot and her team announced a new plan involving three options they could take the stadium. Depending on the main tenant of the stadium, the renovations surround either building a dome, constructing an open-air "dome ready" stadium or renovating the stadium into a "multi-purpose" stadium used for soccer (Chicago Fire) and better hosting events.
Lightfoot mentioned her and Bears chairman George McCaskey have spoken about the plans she has in place for the Bears. She did not mention the details of the conversation, yet said the Bears would be "foolish" not to consider the plan.
The mayor also mentioned the idea of hosting a second NFL team with the stadium in which the city could host at Soldier Field, assuming the Bears will pass on staying. New York (Giants and Jets) and Los Angeles (Chargers and Rams) each have two football teams and the Bears are the third-largest city in America.
Whether or not the Bears move to Arlington Heights, the city has made a compelling case to keep them in downtown Chicago. Despite the Bears likely passing on the renovations, if the city were able to finance and build the enhancements, they could compete with hosting other events that might be more attracted to playing in downtown Chicago as opposed to Arlington Heights.
We'll know more once the team closes on the land in Arlington and provides updates on their future plans.
2022 MLB UDFA Tracker: White Sox sign 7 undrafted free agents
Following the completion of the 2022 MLB Draft, the White Sox have signed 7 undrafted college free agents to contracts.
Stratford reloading fresh off 2A D-II state title, move up to D-I
The Stratford Elks are reloading their talented roster coming off of a Class 2A Division II state title last fall and move up to Class 2A Division I
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2022-07-26T21:10:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why are the Bears moving to Arlington Heights? Here's what we know
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With UCLA and USC joining the Big Ten conference earlier this month, the questions turn to where the league goes from here.
Signs in college football are pointing toward a slow buildup of massive conferences, and the Big Ten may be only just beginning their additions.
With the Bruins and Trojans joining in, it’s clear that geography is no longer an obstacle. The bottom line will surpass all in terms of what the conference looks like in a few years.
So, who are the most likely candidates for the Big Ten to add if the conference chooses to go even bigger? In no particular order, here is a look at the best options from across the college sports landscape:
Miami checks a number of boxes for a potential Big Ten school. The money is there, the tradition of success in football is there, and new head coach Mario Cristobal is looking to bring the Hurricanes back to the top of the sport. The ‘Canes have a strong alumni network and group of loyal fans that could make them an attractive option for the conference.
The Oregon move makes a ton of sense after the departure of USC and UCLA from the Pac-12. The Ducks have a national brand that has seen extended, consistent success in football and basketball. They could pod with USC and UCLA, along with another west coast school or two, to create easier scheduling for the conference.
Dec 1, 2018; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) rounds the corner for extra yards on a rushing play against the California Golden Bears in the second quarter of the 121st Big Game, at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
The Stanford fit feels like a tougher sell than a school like Oregon. While being one of the strongest academic institutions in the world, the Cardinal have been up and down on the field/court. Their rivalry with Notre Dame could be a selling point, but would the conference take both the Cardinal and their crosstown rival Cal given the struggles they’ve had in major sports?
Cal brings similar issues to Stanford, but you would think the two schools would want to move together. The Golden Bears have had their struggles in both major sports over recent years, but still provide a strong west coast brand in the Bay Area.
Washington would be an excellent addition to the USC/UCLA pod if the Big Ten wants to add in the west coast. The Seattle market is one that the Huskies dominate, and they have had their share of recent success in football. They pair well with Oregon as a west coast addition to the conference.
Utah has enjoyed a ton of recent success on the football field, most recently taking Ohio State down to the wire in the 2021 Rose Bowl game. Can that success spur them into a major step up?
Well, the Kansas debate is an easy one to frame. One of the best basketball programs in the history of the sport and a football program that, well, yeah. The 2022 national champions have a massive base of hardcore fans that make Phog Allen Fieldhouse one of the best venues in college basketball.
While the football program isn’t in the depths of Kansas’, Duke provides a similar combination of blue blood basketball and mediocre football history. If the ACC begins to lose members, the Duke-North Carolina combo should be as attractive as any rivalry to a super conference.
Mar 11, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love (2) runs the offense against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
The reigning national runner-up squad would be a package deal with Duke. If the Clemson domino falls, the ACC could be in scramble mode.
Football brings in the money, and therefore will always be at the top of the list when a conference is considering expansion. Clemson has been one of the best programs in the nation in recent history, and the Tigers have made noise about a move out of the ACC before.
Arizona brings another attractive name out of the west coast. While the Wildcats have struggled on the football field, the basketball program sells out game after game and has been a consistent, ranked squad over the past few decades.
Oklahoma State would be an excellent grab if the Big 12 begins to lose pieces. The Cowboys have had a solid amount of success on the football field and have a notable fan base in a market that the Big Ten has yet to tap into.
Speaking of untapped markets, the Big Ten finding their way into Florida would be a massive win. Florida State provides a football program that has proven their ability to win at the highest level despite recent struggles.
The 2021 national champions on the hardwood have also shown their ability to succeed on the turf. Baylor would be one of the best gets if the Big 12 starts to drop teams as the Bears provide a recent tradition of winning in both major revenue sports.
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) scores a touchdown on s 16-yard reception during there fourth quarter of their game Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13.
Notre Dame makes way too much sense. No brand on this list is bigger than the Fighting Irish, proved by their ability to stay independent and negotiate contracts with NBC. The Fighting Irish’s weekly average TV audience was 3.61 million during the 2015-19 seasons, which led all schools not in the Big Ten or SEC.
Russell Wilson reacts to FAU spoofing his viral ‘Let’s Ride’ video
Russell Wilson's a good sport 😅
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2022-07-26T21:41:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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15 schools the Big Ten should consider adding
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England v Sweden: When is the Euro 2022 semi-final, and how can I watch it?
The Lionesses take on Sweden in the semi-final of Euro 2022 at Bramall Lane.
French defender Wendie Renard believes there is no reason for her side to have an inferiority complex when they face eight-time winners Germany in Wednesday's Euro 2022 semi-final.
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2022-07-26T21:41:52Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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England women reach EURO final in blowout with audacious goal (video)
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https://sports.yahoo.com/england-women-reach-euro-final-205034639.html?src=rss
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Tanner Banks
José Quintana's name is attached to the White Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
José Quintana's name has swirled the rumor mill as the White Sox near close to the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline.
He's having an excellent year on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has started in 19 games holding a 3.70 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He's struck out 85 batters to the 29 he's walked.
Quintana pitched for the White Sox from 2012-17. He recorded a 50-52 starting pitching record with the club in 169 starts. In 2016, he was named an AL All-Star after recording a 3.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 181 batters to 50 he walked.
The left-hander was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2017, famously or infamously, for Bryant Flete (minors), Matt Rose (minors), Dylan Cease and Eloy Jiménez.
The trade worked extremely well for the White Sox as Dylan Cease leads the league in strikeouts this season and contends for an AL Cy Young award. Jiménez is a reliable power bat too.
The reunion talks come at a time when the Sox need help in the bullpen. Because of lefty Aaron Bummer's injury -- that will keep him out until at least September -- the Sox could use a left-hander out of the bullpen. They have one lefty currently in Tanner Banks.
Due to Quintana's reputable year, he could find some longer relief stints with the club if traded.
Michael Kopech's struggles as a starter are noteworthy to the potential transaction. Kopech's had a troublesome July, giving up 10 earned runs combined in his last three starts. He holds a 3.36 ERA and a 3-6 pitching record on the season.
Rick Hahn said this in terms of the Sox' deadline approach: “No GM in baseball, whether they are in it or not, ever feel they have enough pitching. We are certainly not immune to that. Primarily, (we have needs) because Aaron Bummer has been absent for a while. And we hope he returns at some point, but it's not a guarantee. I think bullpen is our most obvious need.”
Whether or not the Sox go for Quintana, it's obvious they need help in the bullpen. Their pen ranks 19th in ERA (4.05) and WHIP (1.31) this season.
The Sox take on the Colorado Rockies on the road for the first time since 2017 on Tuesday night. Speak of the devil, Kopech is expected to start.
BATON ROUGE, La., July 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFST) (Business First), parent company of b1BANK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, including net income of $13.8 million or $0.61 per diluted share, increases of $5.0 million and $0.20, respectively, from the quarter ended March 31, 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, which excludes certain incom
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2022-07-26T21:41:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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José Quintana's name is attached to the White Sox
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jos-quintanas-name-attached-white-185101637.html?src=rss
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Defensive lineman Gervon Dexter and offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence were both named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list, an award issued annually to the nation’s best interior lineman, regardless if they play on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. The Football Writers Association of America has presented the trophy since 1946 and will announce this year’s winner on December 8.
This is one of the many preseason recognitions that Torrence has received this offseason. The Louisiana transfer was named to the preseason All-SEC First Team at SEC media days last week. He was also named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets including Phil Steele, Sporting News, Walter Camp and ESPN. Along with his on-field impact, Torrence has been a major help in implementing first-year head coach Billy Napier’s system, even being referred to as “Coach O’Cyrus” by fellow offensive lineman Richard Gouraige.
Not to be overshadowed by his offensive counterpart, Dexter has earned early recognition of his own. The junior defensive lineman was named a preseason All-American by Walter Camp and Sporting News and was named to the preseason All-SEC list by Athlon and Phil Steele. He is expected to follow up a breakout 2021 season where he started nine games and appeared in all 13 games for the Gators.
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2022-07-26T22:16:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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These 2 Gators named to Outland Trophy preseason watch list
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2-gators-named-outland-trophy-203537969.html?src=rss
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Trevor Mbakwe
The Alabama coaching staff has certainly been on a hot streak when it comes to the recruiting trail. In July, Alabama landed eight commitments between both the 2023 and the 2024 recruiting classes.
On Tuesday, 2024 defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe announced that he was committed to the Crimson Tide via his Twitter account. He is the third recruit to commit to Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class.
Mbakwe attends at Clay-Chalkville in Pinson, Alabama. Last season, he played on both sides of the ball for the Cougars. However, many expect him to focus solely on the defensive side of the ball when he arrives in Tuscaloosa. That could change in the future, but he appears to be recruited as a cornerback.
During his junior season, Mbakwe played a key role in the Cougars being able to win the Class 6A Alabama state title. Mbakwe recorded 11 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback. On the offensive side of the ball, he reeled in 36 receptions for 677 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Alabama may not be finished recruiting his high school as the Tide are firmly in the mix to land his teammate, wide receiver Mario Craver. The two of them play football and run track at Clay-Chalkville.
Pinson, Alabama
Landed an offer from Alabama on January 22, 2022
Made unofficial visit to Alabama on January 22, 2022
Congressman Al Green presents Jose Grinan with flag flown over U.S. Capitol
FOX 26 Anchor Jose Grinan recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Congressman Al Green presented him with an American flag that was flown over the United States Capitol.
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2022-07-26T22:16:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Alabama lands commitment from 2024 in-state DB Jaylen Mbakwe
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https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-lands-commitment-2024-state-195720403.html?src=rss
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Big Ten Media Days kicked off on Tuesday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and College Football Playoff expansion was among a long list of topics covered with conference commissioner Kevin Warren.
Where does the conference stand on expanding the current four-team structure? Warren’s answer was as clear as day: “I’m 100 percent supportive of College Football Playoff expansion,” Warren told the media in Indianapolis.
“We need to take a holistic view. We need to make sure we protect some of the critical bowl relationships. 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.”
2025 is the soonest the College Football Playoff could implement any changes as the current contract runs until then.
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2022-07-26T22:16:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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The Big Ten’s stance on College Football Playoff expansion
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https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-stance-college-football-203156550.html?src=rss
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The Tigers were the preseason pick to win the league for the seventh time in eight seasons, according to voting results released following last week’s ACC media days. Media members picked the Tigers on 103 of 164 votes cast as the favorite.
Dabo Swinney‘s Tigers had won six straight titles before Wake Forest dethroned Clemson as the league’s Atlantic Division champion last year for a spot in the ACC title game. The Tigers still recorded their 11th consecutive double-digit win season with a 10-3 finish in 2021.
North Carolina State was the second-leading vote-getter for ACC champion with 38 votes, though Dave Doeren‘s Wolfpack would need to beat Clemson in the Atlantic Division race to play for the title in the final year of the league’s two-division format.
Clemson returns to familiar perch as preseason ACC favorite originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Blue Devils picked to finish in last place in ACC's Coastal Division in Mike Elko's first season
The preseason list of college football's best interior linemen includes a half-dozen players from the Mountain West.
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2022-07-26T22:16:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Clemson returns to familiar perch as preseason ACC favorite
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The No. 1 recruit in the state of Alabama is staying home, but he won’t be coming to Auburn.
Cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, who was the No. 1 ranked recruit in Alabama and the No. 36 recruit in the nation according to 247Sports, chose the Alabama Crimson Tide over the Auburn Tigers on Tuesday.
Mbakwe’s recruiting process was not particularly open. He never had a Crystal Ball prediction before he locked on to the Tide, and he also never narrowed down his recruitment beyond a top-10 schools graphic he posted on June 19. Auburn was one of the schools listed on that graphic, and it formally offered Mbakwe on June 24 about a week after he released his top-10 schools.
It has not been a great class for the Tigers as far as cornerbacks go. Auburn has offered 19 different cornerbacks in the 2023 and 10 cornerbacks from Mbakwe’s 2024 class, but none of them have made a commitment to play for Auburn as of yet. The 2023 recruiting class has been a point of contention for coach Bryan Harsin thus far, and he may need to land a few more higher-profile recruits if he wants to win the favor of Auburn fans and staff as he heads into this upcoming season hoping to be the coach into 2024.
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2022-07-26T22:17:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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No. 1 2024 recruit from state of Alabama spurns Tigers
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The Chicago Bears reported to training camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday, which included the arrivals of linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive end Robert Quinn and newly-signed rookie safety Jaquan Brisker.
General manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and several players, including quarterback Justin Fields, met with the media to field questions ahead of the start of camp.
There was plenty to digest from those press conferences, including discussion about Smith’s contract holdout, an improved offensive line and Poles’ evaluation of Fields heading into the summer.
As the Bears report to training camp, here’s what we learned before they hit the practice field on Wednesday.
Poles believe the team has made strides
It’s been an offseason of change for the Bears, which included a roster overhaul that includes a multitude of new faces. (So much so that, for the first time, Bears players will wear their last names on the back of their practice jerseys.)
Poles has been pleased with the direction of his team so far during his first season as general manager. It was evident during the offseason program, where the team put together a solid OTAs and minicamp. Now, they have a chance to keep that momentum up as they kick off training camp.
“I am really pleased in the direction we’re headed,” Poles said. “I thought this offseason we made a lot of strides forward. I thought the standards were lifted from Day 1 until we broke and I am excited to see us build off of that and continue to get better.”
Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn reported to training camp
There were questions about whether two of Chicago’s defensive stars, Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn, would report for training camp on Tuesday — for different reasons. Both were present and accounted for at Halas Hall on Tuesday.
While Poles didn’t address a question about whether or not Quinn had requested a trade this offseason, Poles did note the importance of having Quinn back on the field after missing the entire offseason program.
While Quinn is expected to hit the practice field on Wednesday, Smith isn’t as he continues to deal with a contract dispute.
Poles not sure of Smith's intentions amid contract holdout
While the Bears and safety Jaquan Brisker were finally able to agree to terms on his rookie deal, there’s another contract situation that’s emerged as a situation to monitor. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Roquan Smith isn’t expected to participate in practice due to his contract situation.
Poles addressed the elephant in the room with Smith’s contract holdout — or holdin — during his opening statement to the press.
“My feelings for Roquan don’t change at all. I love the player and the person and that won’t change,” Poles said. “I know I am going to get a lot of questions and I get it; I’m just not going to talk about contracts and all that. I want to just make sure we addressed it, though. In terms of my feelings for him, nothing changes.”
Smith did report to camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday, but it’s unclear whether or not Smith will participate in practice, which kicks off Wednesday morning.
“I don’t know what his intentions are,” Poles said. “I know he checked in and we’re going to take it from there and gather information and take it one step at a time. That’s all I can do.”
The Bears got better along the offensive line in the last two days
The offensive line was one of the biggest concerns heading into training camp, and it’s a position that improved drastically over the course of two days.
The Bears signed veteran Michael Schofield, who figures to start at right guard, on Monday. Poles also announced the signing of veteran tackle Riley Reiff, who should be the immediate favorite to start at left tackle.
That would leave the likes of Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom and fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones competing for the starting right tackle job.
Eberflus said there’s no timeline for the starting offensive line combination, although they’d prefer to have it locked down as soon as possible.
Poles believes Justin Fields is “doing everything he’s supposed to do”
All eyes will be on quarterback Justin Fields this summer. The expectation is the former first-round pick takes a significant step forward in his second season.
Following the team’s offseason program, Poles says Fields is “doing everything he’s supposed to do” at this point, and the expectation is he’s going to to make more strides during training camp.
Fields is heading into his first training camp as the starting quarterback, and he said it’s a different feeling.
No shortage of roster spots and starting jobs up for grabs
Competition has been the name of the game for the Bears this offseason, which is why there are a bevy of roster spots and starting jobs up for grabs heading into training camp.
“We want to see guys compete,” Eberflus said. “We have a lot of spots on the roster that are in flux right now and we’re just trying to find the best combination of players.”
The offseason program served as an opportunity to experiment with different starting combinations, the most notable being the offensive line. It sounds like we can expect more of that experimentation during training camp — at multiple positions.
“Offensive line moving guys from outside to inside, and if it’s defensive line, moving a guy around for pass rush purposes, inside or outside, we’re going to do that all across the roster,” Eberflus said. “Moving a corner from outside to inside, moving a receiver from outside to inside, we’re going to do all those different things to find out the best combination for the Chicago Bears going forward.”
Poles believes N'Keal Harry can help improve this team
The Bears receiving corp has been the subject of criticism this offseason given Darnell Mooney is the only proven commodity. Someone who has an opportunity to take advantage of that situation is newcomer N’Keal Harry.
Chicago sent a 2024 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Harry, who will be looking to earn a roster spot. Poles believes that Harry has a chance to be a playmaker for this offense.
“I am excited about him,” Poles said. “I think he has a really good skill set, great physical traits and I think he has something to prove, for sure. And I think he has the chance to improve this football team.”
Poles wouldn’t speculate about Harry’s failures in New England. Instead, he’s giving Harry a fresh start in Chicago after seeing what he brings to the table.
“I wasn’t in that building or anything. I just know what he’s capable of,” Poles said. “And I want to give him the opportunity to come here and show what he can do and get things on the right path.”
Jaylon Johnson says someone needs to step up in Smith's absence
When the Bears hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday, the expectation is Roquan Smith won’t be among those participating as he deals with his contract situation.
Not only does that leave Chicago without its best player, but it leaves the defense without its top leader. So what will the Bears be missing if Smith isn’t practicing?
“S***, our leader,” said cornerback Jaylon Johnson. “We all know who Roquan is, what he means to this team.”
Johnson said someone needs to step up in Smith’s absence, assuming he doesn’t practice.
“Somebody has to fill that leadership role,” Johnson said.
Fields embraces chance to learn from failures
Fields isn’t accustomed to failure during his football career, especially at the collegiate level. But he experienced his absolute worst season last year as a rookie, where he had a 2-8 record as the Bears’ starter.
Fields didn’t get a chance to compete for the starting job last summer, and he admits he was “kind of thrown into there” as a rookie after Andy Dalton’s injury. It was a difficult rookie year for Fields, who experienced his share of failures. Now, Fields is using that as motivation heading into his second year.
Fields has learned to embrace the failures he experiences as a means to improve, but also because he accepts that it comes with the territory.
Poles explained reasoning behind Lamar "Soup" Campbell's dismissal
Lamar “Soup” Campbell was one of five members of the Bears’ search committee to hire new general manager Ryan Poles this offseason. So it was a bit of a surprise when Campbell was fired earlier this month.
Poles explained the reasoning behind Campbell’s dismissal and the hiring of Mike Wiley Jr., who replaced him 12 days later.
“With the pressures this game puts on you, there’s a mental piece to this that’s absolutely critical,” Poles said. “And I wanted someone who could come in and be educated — through their education, through school — on how to work with players to get their mind set the right way. How do you clear your mind? How do you go to the next step and push away a bad game, a bad practice or things that are wearing on you mentally? How can you overcome that? So I just wanted to go a different direction on the support we’re giving our players.”
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2022-07-26T22:46:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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10 takeaways from report day at Bears training camp
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing veteran wide receiver Julio Jones to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and longtime nemesis of the Bucs, Jones put up huge numbers during his 10-year tenure with the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, and was one of the NFL’s most dominant receivers across that entire span.
Injuries have slowed him in recent years, including his 2021 campaign with the Tennessee Titans. Even so, his track record of success brings yet another proven commodity to an already loaded passing game in Tampa Bay, where Tom Brady will get yet another superstar pass-catcher.
Jones, 33, ranks 17th all-time in receiving yards in NFL history, and 25th in receptions.
UFC 279, headlined by Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev, continues to build.
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2022-07-26T22:47:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bucs to sign WR Julio Jones to 1-year deal
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Julio Jones is headed to Tampa Bay to join Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, but the Green Bay Packers were one of the teams interested in the veteran wide receiver, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
It’s unclear when the interest occurred and how aggressive the Packers were in acquiring Jones, who is 33 years old and coming off an injury-plagued season with the Tennessee Titans. The Packers signed Sammy Watkins in April and then drafted three receivers, including Christian Watson in an aggressive trade-up in the second round.
After signing Osirus Mitchell on Tuesday, the Packers now have 11 receivers on the 90-man roster entering training camp.
Despite a down year in 2021, Jones still averaged 9.0 yards per target, 1.84 yards per route run and caught almost 65 percent of his targets.
Injuries have become a big issue. Jones missed seven games with Atlanta in 2020 and seven more last season in Tennessee. Like Watkins, who knows his career revival in Green Bay must include staying healthy, Jones needs to prove capable of being available for the Bucs in 2022.
If nothing else, the production of Watkins in Green Bay and Jones in Tampa Bay will be worth watching this season.
Instead of joining forces with Aaron Rodgers and reuniting with Matt LaFleur, Jones is headed to Tampa Bay to play for the Bucs – one of the likely roadblocks for the Packers in the NFC.
The Cleveland Browns still don’t know how many games they’ll be without Deshaun Watson, who is still waiting for retired judge Sue L. Robinson to issue a ruling following his disciplinary hearing that concluded nearly four weeks ago. The league and the NFL Players’ Association requested a decision by the start of training camp, according to a person familiar with the process who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. Watson was accused of sexual misconduct by 24 women and has settled 20 of the civil lawsuits.
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2022-07-26T22:48:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Julio Jones signs with Buccaneers after interest from Packers
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Juice's great story of when he knew Lance was ready to be QB1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The 49ers have moved on from Jimmy Garoppolo and will have Trey Lance as their starting quarterback this season, Kyle Shanahan confirmed as the 49ers reported to training camp on Tuesday.
While it became official on the opening day of camp, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk recalled the exact moment he knew Lance was QB1 material.
“It was during last season against Houston,” Juszczyk told reporters on Tuesday. “He scored his first touchdown, he had either thrown it or ran it in, I think he had thrown it. And we’re all celebrating in the end zone. And I remember Trey kind of talking to himself, and kind of talking to us, and he said something like ‘I just needed to get that first one off my back, now I’m good, I’m ready to roll.’
“And you could feel it, too. You can feel the nerves when someone’s going out there for one of their first starts in the NFL and being a quarterback, I understand, there’s a lot on your plate. But it was in that moment that you can feel the weight come off of his shoulders. And that gave me an extreme amount of confidence that he was ready then, and that that’s just going to carry into this season, and once it was his time to be the No. 1, that he was going to be ready for it.”
In six games and two starts last season, Lance threw just 71 passes but had a 97.3 passer rating. He completed 57.7 percent of his passes for 603 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
While there were reports of Lance's "arm fatigue", Shanahan isn't a bit concerned.
RELATED: 49ers' Lynch: Bosa extension likely won't come until next year
With what's expected to be a very good offense around him, along with an offensive mastermind in Shanahan, Lance's true potential is still to come.
Florida, national gas prices continue to drastically decrease
The state's average gas price dropped 2.4% last week. Currently, gas prices are 70 cents away from the annual high of $6.27 in California.
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2022-07-26T22:48:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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When Kyle Juszczyk knew Trey Lance was ready to be 49ers' starting QB
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All 32 training camps across the NFL are now officially open for business. It's officially time to start preparing for the upcoming season. The Hall Of Fame preseason game is next week. It's go time.
The opening of training camp gives us the opportunity to see how new players are adjusting to their new teams. Plenty of stars have changed teams over the offseason, including Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Matt Ryan, Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Amari Cooper, Von Miller, Khalil Mack and a litany of other big names that dominate our fall Sundays.
However, there's one player suiting up for a new team this season that bettors at BetMGM are particularly interested in. The most popular bet to win NFL MVP so far this offseason has been the new quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson.
Bettors love Russell Wilson
In early March, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks consummated a trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. In exchange, the Seahawks received three players and five draft picks. It was one of the bigger trades in NFL history. Immediately, NFL fans took notice.
Over the past few seasons, the Broncos have been considered a team that was "a quarterback away." They had a solid defense and an intriguing group of weapons headlined by Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon. It was clearly a team with potential that was being held back by the likes of Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater over the past few seasons.
After acquiring Wilson, the Broncos' odds for the upcoming season moved swiftly. They are currently 16-to-1 to win the Super Bowl, which ranks seventh amongst all teams. They are +850 to win the AFC, which are the third-best odds. Not bad for a team that didn't even make the playoffs last season. The last two Super Bowl champions won with a quarterback in his first year on the team. Broncos fans hope Russell Wilson can do what Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady accomplished.
With Wilson expected to be the main impetus behind a sizable turnaround for the Broncos, it should be no surprise that he's a popular bet to win the NFL MVP. Currently, Wilson is 14-to-1 to win the MVP award. Those odds are tied with Stafford for the eighth best. Up until this point, nobody has received more MVP bets than the Broncos' quarterback. As of Tuesday morning at BetMGM, Wilson has received almost 19% of MVP bets and nearly 18% of the total money wagered for the market.
Russell Wilson is the most popular bet to win NFL MVP. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The logic is certainly there to make this an appealing bet. However, despite winning a Super Bowl and accomplishing great things with Seattle, Wilson has famously never received a single MVP vote in his entire career. Bettors are certainly hoping that will change this upcoming season.
Other popular MVP bets
What other players are popular bets to win MVP this upcoming season? Let's check out the rest of the top five.
Josh Allen (+700): Josh Allen enters the 2022 NFL season as the betting favorite to win MVP, as his Buffalo Bills enter are the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl. Detractors will say that he's without Brian Daboll now, who played a large part in developing him. He also wasn't consistently as good last season as he was in 2020. However, he's shown time and time again over the past few years that he's certainly one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Allen is the second-most popular bet to win NFL MVP, receiving just over 14% of the bets.
Tom Brady (+800): Tom Brady looked like he was going to win the MVP last season, but Aaron Rodgers overtook him in the final few weeks of the season. After retiring for a few weeks, Brady decided to return. The Buccaneers just added Julio Jones. They'll be one of the top teams in the league again, it appears. At this point, if you haven't learned, Tom Brady is always a good bet. Almost 8% of bettors are living life with that motto.
Justin Herbert (+900): Justin Herbert is my preseason NFL MVP pick, and it appears 7.6% of the betting public agrees with me, making him the fourth-most popular bet in terms of number of bets. Notably, Herbert is receiving 17.2% of the betting handle, which means he's getting some of the larger bets. Only Wilson has received more money backing them than Herbert.
Jalen Hurts (25-to-1): Jalen Hurts is currently the fifth-most popular MVP bet at BetMGM, and a lot of that probably has to do with the odds that were available earlier in the winter. Hurts was 50-to-1 and 40-to-1 to win MVP earlier this offseason, and a lot of bettors snatched up that number. The Eagles are improved and look dangerous, and those were some pretty appealing odds for a mobile quarterback with good talent around him.
Other notable names include:
Aaron Rodgers has won back-to-back NFL MVP awards, but bettors aren't feeling a three-peat. At +900, Rodgers is tied with Herbert for the fourth-best odds. However, just 2.1% of bets are backing Rodgers which makes him the 14th-most popular bet. He trails the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Trey Lance (who is an intriguing name) and Deshaun Watson.
Another surprising name getting little love is Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback is tied with Brady for the second-best odds at +800, but he too is getting less than 3% of the betting action. He enters a season without Tyreek Hill for the first time, but I would have expected him to be a more popular bet.
In terms of non-quarterbacks, the three most popular bets are Derrick Henry (50-to-1), Jonathan Taylor (50-to-1) and Christian McCaffrey (150-to-1).
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2022-07-26T22:48:50Z
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NFL betting: Russell Wilson is the most popular MVP bet so far
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TAMPA — Tom Brady said he had “unfinished business” when he ended his retirement after only 40 days and announced his return to the NFL for a 23rd season. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has won seven Super Bowls, while owning five Super Bowl MVPs, three league MVPs and the most career passing yards (84,520), completions (7,263) and touchdowns (624). As for business? He owns one in ...
Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard surprised reporters Tuesday when he asked to go by his middle name, Shaquille.
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2022-07-26T22:48:56Z
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Packers announce 6 roster moves before start of training camp
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"I don't know, it was odd," Perry said. "You and I have covered enough of this team and this coach, especially this time of year, to know that he generally doesn't like going that deeply into praise of any player. It's usually 'Yeah, you know, Mac's done a great job. I think we have a lot of players who are doing great work.' ... That might be Bill even on a good day.
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2022-07-26T22:49:16Z
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Patriots Talk: What to make of Bill Belichick's praise of Mac Jones
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The Seahawks are signing former Giants tight end Jake Hausmann, according to a report by Doug Kyed at Pro Football Focus.
Hausmann (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) played his last two years of college football at Ohio State. After going undrafted as a rookie, he signed with the Giants and was on and off their practice squad during the 2021 campaign. He did not appear in a game during the regular season.
Hausmann has an uphill battle ahead of him to make Seattle’s initial 53-man roster. Barring injury, Noah Fant and Will Dissly are guaranteed to get the top two spots on the depth chart at this position. That leaves Tyler Mabry, Colby Parkinson, undrafted rookie Cade Brewer and Hausmann competing for what may only be one or at most two more tight end spots.
The Seahawks still have room for a couple more players on the 90-man offseason roster, so expect another signing or two by tomorrow afternoon.
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2022-07-26T22:49:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks signing former Ohio State TE Jake Hausmann
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones (2) waves to fans as he leaves the field after losing to the Bengals in the AFC divisional playoff game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tenn.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julio Jones joins Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Beavis and Butthead return in a reboot of the beloved '90s classic
The Cardinals won’t have their biggest offseason acquisition when they begin practice Wednesday. The team announced Tuesday it has added receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the active/non-football injury list with a hamstring injury. He is eligible to come off the list whenever he is ready to practice. The Cardinals lost Christian Kirk in free agency [more]
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2022-07-26T22:49:53Z
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Seven-time Pro Bowl WR Julio Jones to sign one-year deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per report
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The Athletic's ranking of NHL's top 50 prospects has zero Bruins players originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The team's prospect pool ranks among the worst in the NHL. The Athletic last updated its prospect pool rankings in February of this year, and the Bruins came in at No. 27 out of 32 teams.
Not a single one. Fabian Lysell and Mason Lohrei couldn't even crack the top 50.
The Bruins haven't developed young players well enough for much of Don Sweeney's tenure as general manager, which began in 2015.
Another issue for the Bruins is they've drafted the wrong player time and time again. The 2015 draft, where the Bruins held the No. 13, 14 and 15 picks in the first round, stands out as a colossal failure. Plenty of stars were selected in that draft, and Boston failed to select a single one. But many of the Bruins' other first-rounders such as Trent Frederic (2016), Urho Vaakanainen (2017) and John Beecher (2019) have also contributed very little to the franchise's success at the NHL level. Vaakanainen isn't even with the team anymore.
It also doesn't help that the Bruins have traded so many picks in recent years. That's a pretty common thing for contending teams to do at the trade deadline, but one of the reasons why the B's have had to constantly move picks for roster upgrades in-season is because they haven't drafted well. Boston has been without a first-rounder in three of the last five drafts. The Bruins haven't picked in both the first and second rounds of the same draft since 2017.
When you take into account all of these points, it's not really surprising the Bruins are without a single prospect on The Athletic's latest top 50 ranking.
However, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Lysell's potential.
Bruins' top prospect draws lofty comparison from his WHL coach
The 19-year-old right winger tallied 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 games for the WHL's Vancouver Giants last season. He also played fantastic in the WHL playoffs, leading the Giants to a historic first-round upset of the Everett Silvertips.
It was Lysell's first year playing in North America and the Swedish forward impressed. He'll attend Bruins training camp this fall and it'll be interesting to see him compete for a spot on the NHL roster.
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2022-07-26T23:11:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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The Athletic's ranking of NHL's top 50 prospects has zero Bruins players
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NASCAR officials issued an L2-level penalty to the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team on Tuesday, penalizing the team 100 driver points and 100 owner points following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
The penalty comes under Sections 14.1 C, D and Q as well as Sections 14.5 A and B in the NASCAR Rule Book. Those rules apply to the body and overall vehicle assembly rules surrounding modification of a single source supplied part.
Crew chief Blake Harris has additionally been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. If driver Michael McDowell and the team win one of the five remaining races in the regular season and/or qualifies for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, the team will also be docked 10 playoff points.
McDowell was credited with a sixth-place finish at Pocono Raceway following the Sunday disqualifications of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, who initially took the checkered flag first and second, respectively, before failing post-race technical inspection. McDowell‘s car and the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet piloted by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were randomly selected by the sanctioning body to be taken back to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection.
NASCAR officials released a more stringent penalty structure for the 2022 Cup Series season in January, introducing a list of deterrence options on a three-tiered system — from L1 to L3.
Following the March race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the No. 6 RFK Racing team was handed a near-identical L2 penalty for modifications made to the rear fascia of Brad Keselowski‘s Ford.
Penalty options for an L2 infraction include:
Points deductions: 75-120points
“To make sure that all of those things stay above board, there‘s going to have to be a culture shift from the way that the teams and NASCAR, for that matter, have done business,” NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller said in January when announcing the new penalty structure. “So this deterrence model has more meat in it, more meaningful penalties, but I think we all thought that it was time for this with the introduction of the new car.”
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2022-07-26T23:11:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Front Row Motorsports No. 34 team penalized 100 points, fined $100,000
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Toews on rebuild: 'Doesn’t sound appealing to me at all' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
For the first time in his career, Jonathan Toews does not know what the future looks like. But, he knows one thing for sure -- he is not interested in the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild.
In an interview with The Athletic, Toews said this about the rebuild, "At the end of the day, we’re talking about a five-plus-year process, according to Kyle. So that part of it doesn’t sound appealing to me at all. I can’t speak for Kaner, but I definitely feel that the amount of turnover our team has gone through every single year these last three or four years, that’s where it gets really, really draining. And exhausting. You have a guy like Alex DeBrincat who was under Kaner’s wing. And I like to think that Kirby and I had that bond in some ways, too. And out they go, out the door. Over and over, we’ve seen that turnover. I’m learning to be more patient, but there’s no doubt that timeline is pretty daunting, and pretty exhausting to think about. So I’m not going to sit here and say what I’m going to do or what the future holds for me, because I really don’t know.”
General manager Kyle Davidson has made it clear to Toews and Patrick Kane that he's instilling a full-scale rebuild, but he's reaching out with open arms to both of them being a part of it.
The two stars each have no-movement clauses, meaning they cannot be traded without their permission. Davidson has not been adamant about either of them lifting it to force them out. Instead, he's offering the two to choose their own destiny.
It's all but likely Kane will request a trade down the line, likely at next season's trade deadline. He's still in his prime with a lot left to prove. It's only logical he'll want to compete for a contender and keep his career in the conversation of being the best American player ever.
The only thing he knows is that he's not a fan of the rebuild.
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2022-07-26T23:12:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Toews on rebuild: 'Doesn’t sound appealing to me at all'
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Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders once said, “if you think I’m talking about you, then I’m talking about you.”
Jones said availability or lack thereof was the main reason the team let them go following the 2021 season, and caused them to be unreliable in the team’s quest to win a title.
“When you have that kind of responsibility, which you do when you have that much of the financial pie. What I’m trying to say is those decisions were made more about the availability than ability and they were made as to how you arrive at not being available at times.”
Much of the talk around the team’s decision to trade Cooper to the Browns for a fifth-round pick surrounded his $20 million base salary and not realizing the production of a No. 1 receiver.
Cooper missed two games during the season after testing positive for COVID-19, and the Cowboys lost games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders.
Cooper was then fined $14,650 by the NFL in December for violating the COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players by attending a Dallas Mavericks game and not wearing a mask.
The suspension had been whittled to two games because Collins decided to appeal and it was reinstated to five games.
Collins was cut by the Cowboys in March, freeing up $10 million in salary cap space. He missed the start of Bengals training camp on the non-football injury list.
He was suspended for 14 games in 2016 for violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was suspended the entire 2017 season, two games in 2018 and the entire 2019 season for multiple violations. He was then suspended the first six games of 2020.
Gregory opened training camp with the Denver Broncos on the physically unable to perform list.
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2022-07-27T00:04:53Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jerry Jones takes dead aim at 3 former Dallas Cowboys players for being unavailable
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Linebackers will be one of many strengths of the 2022 Oregon Ducks football team. But the depth at that position took a hit today with Adrian Jackson deciding to leave the program.
The four-year junior from Denver was set to be a big part of the outside linebacker rotation after having 16 tackles, 2.5 for loss. For his career, that began in 2018, Jackson acccumilated 33 tackles, 23 solo, and 4.5 for loss and one sack.
Jackson made an impact as a true freshman where he played in 12 games and made two starts. In 2018, he managed to have 13 tackles, including 10 solo and had a tackle in each of the final six games.
But his career was derailed somewhat just before the 2019 year where Jackson suffered a season-ending injury forcing him to redshirt. Then the pandemic hit and the Ducks played just seven games.
Four-star Tosin Babalade is set to announce his college decision.
Oregon's linebacker duo of Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell are on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award.
College Wire downloadable 2022 Tennessee Volunteers football schedule. Use as wallpaper for your lock screen on your smartphone.
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2022-07-27T00:05:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Linebacker Adrian Jackson leaves the Oregon football program
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Dennis Allen says he had a great conversation with #Saints WR Michael Thomas today. "We all feel like it won't be very long before we see him back out on the practice field."
It has been a long road since New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas sustained an ankle injury in the first game of the 2020 season. Since then, he’s undergone two surgeries, missed the 2021 season, and heads into training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. However, the feeling within the Saints facility on Tuesday evening was one of palpable optimism.
“I had a great conversation with (Thomas) today,” said head coach Dennis Allen. “We all feel like it won’t be very long before we see him back out on the practice field.” Allen’s optimism echoed that of general manager Mickey Loomis who noted “soon” as the timeline for the All-Pro receiver’s return.
Allen also said that the timeline for Thomas’s return would be “soon” and that they feel good about his progress, further supporting Loomis’s comments. Last year, without Thomas available, the Saints failed to produce an 800-yard receiver and fell to the bottom of the league in passing yardage. This accompanied a season where the team started four different quarterbacks and threw the third fewest passes in the NFL.
The last time Thomas was healthy and played a full season for the Saints, he broke Marvin Harrison’s long-standing single-season receptions record. Thomas reeled in 149 catches for 1,725 receiving yards and 9 touchdown catches. While getting that level of production back in 2022 is both unlikely and to a point unnecessary following the additions of wideouts Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave, getting Thomas back to even his 2016 level of production would be a massive win for the Saints.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said on Monday that he thinks having a quarterback competition at training camp this summer will be “really good for our team” because it will emphasize the need to compete for your spot on the roster. Rhule’s opinion appears to have some support inside the team’s locker room. Wide receiver [more]
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2022-07-27T00:26:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Dennis Allen echoes Saints’ optimism on Michael Thomas’ progress
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One of Alabama’s greatest wide receivers of all time, Julio Jones signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday. NFL insider Adam Schefter was the first to report the news via his Twitter account. It will be the third team that Jones has played for since entering the league in 2011.
Jones is heavily considered one of the best wide receivers to step foot in Bryant-Denny Stadium. In his career at Alabama, he hauled in 179 receptions for 2,653 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. He was named a First-Team All-SEC selection in 2010. He would finish his career with the second-most receptions in Alabama history with 179. Jones also finished his career with the second most 100-yard receiving games with eight.
In 2011, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Jones with the No. 6 overall pick. He would spend ten seasons with the organization before being traded to the Tennessee Titans in February of 2021.
When Jones was traded to the Titans, he stayed injured for the majority of the season. However, he still managed to have 31 receptions for 434 receiving yards. Nonetheless, it wasn’t enough as he was released in March.
Since then a couple of months have passed and the seven-time pro-bowler is now headed to south Florida to catch passes from the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady. Jones will have to earn playing time as the Bucs already have a stellar receiving core with Chris Godwin, Tyler Johnson, and Mike Evans.
Jones will go down as one of the greatest wide receivers to play in the NFL. In his eleven-year career, he has had seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He has reeled in 61 passing touchdowns in his career. The only thing he has left to prove is a Super Bowl ring. If Jones can win a ring, there is no doubt that he should be a first-ballot hall-of-famer.
It will be interesting to see how Jones performs in a new venue.
The Jacksonville State football offense has experienced some big changes in the early days of Rich Rodriguez.
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2022-07-27T00:27:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Alabama WR Julio Jones signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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A former Auburn tight end has officially been activated to his new team’s active roster.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah, who had previously been with the Cincinnati Bengals and was part of their playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl loss, was officially named to the active roster of the team he signed with as a free agent over the offseason — the New York Jets. He was activated to the main roster with tackle Mekhi Becton and defensive end Carl Lawson.
Uzomah was previously on the Jets’ PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list due to a minor injury that the team did not disclose, but it looks as if he is all ready now as NFL teams begin training camp in the coming days.
While at Auburn, Uzomah played for four years and caught just 29 passes for 435 yards and seven touchdowns across his career. He struggled to catch on with the Bengals sometimes, but last year, he caught 49 passes for 493 yards and 5 touchdowns during the Bengals’ AFC Championship-winning campaign.
Uzomah signed with the Jets in March to a three-year, 24 million-dollar deal.
The top former Auburn Tigers looking for new contracts in free agency
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2022-07-27T00:27:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Auburn tight end added to NFL active roster
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Ramsey has seen Wagner and Jones work together in the early portions of training camp, as well as some OTA sessions this spring, and he expects big things out of this pairing.
On Tuesday, Ramsey tweeted that Wagner and Jones are “about to have a special year.”
Knowing how weak the Rams’ inside linebacker group has been for several years, it’s exciting to see Wagner and Jones lining up on the second level of the defense together.
Though they play the same position and may not always be on the field at the same time, the Rams will find creative ways to deploy these two players in 2022.
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2022-07-27T00:27:16Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jalen Ramsey: Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones are ‘about to have a special year’
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As NFL training camps prepare to get going, former Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker has finally put pen to paper on his rookie contract. The Chicago Bears announced the franchise has officially signed Brisker, a second-round pick of the NFC North team in the 2022 NFL draft last spring.
By signing his contract on Tuesday, Brisker is now eligible to attend training camp on Wednesday, a few days after the rest of Chicago’s rookies and quarterbacks got started with camp. Brisker was the final draft pick of the Bears to sign his rookie contract.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Brisker’s contract is a four-year deal, a standard time length for NFL rookie deals. Brisker’s contract is reportedly valued at $7.9 million with a base salary in 2022 of $705,000.
With Briskwr signing his rookie contract, every player form Penn State that was selected in the 2022 NFL draft has officially been signed for the upcoming season.
Jaquan Brisker already one of Chicago's best players in 2022
Arnold Ebiketie's and Jaquan Brisker's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Jaquan Brisker says Chicago Bears got steal of the draft
2022 NFL Draft: Jaquan Brisker drafted by Chicago Bears in Round 2
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2022-07-27T00:27:22Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jaquan Brisker signs rookie contract with Chicago Bears
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Where 49ers fall on Barnwell's skill position group ranking originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The 49ers' offense is riddled with talent and has the potential to be one of the more explosive units in the league.
With wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, tight end George Kittle and running back Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco has four playmakers who have the potential to surpass 1,000 yards either on the ground or through the air this season.
Their success hinges on the development of second-year quarterback Trey Lance, who will take over as the starter under center this season. ESPN's Bill Barnwell, however, already is high on the 49ers' skill position players, ranking the unit as the third-best in the NFL heading into training camp.
"Deebo Samuel just finished one of the most unique seasons in NFL history, leading the league in yards per catch (18.2), racking up 1,405 receiving yards and scoring 14 touchdowns, including eight on the ground," Barnwell writes.
"He isn't the only option for new quarterback Trey Lance. George Kittle has been limited by injury from approaching the 1,377-yard season he posted in 2019, but the star tight end remains devastating on a per-snap basis. Kittle ranked third in yards per route run and second in target rate among tight ends a year ago, but injuries and blocking responsibilities limited him to 366 routes, about two-thirds of Mark Andrews' 544."
"A rookie back also emerged as a valuable contributor, but it wasn't the one most expected. Third-round pick Trey Sermon quickly landed in Kyle Shanahan's doghouse and was used only in case of emergency, while sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell eventually took over the primary role. The 49ers added more rookie playmakers again in 2022, using third-round selections on halfback Tyrion Davis-Price and wide receiver Danny Gray. They can be anything from superstars to utterly unplayable, given Shanahan's history with rookies."
"Brandon Aiyuk already knows how fickle Shanahan can be with his offensive talent. Tipped to break out in 2021, the wideout was shockingly on the bench as a part-time player for most of September before working his way back into a starting role. Prorate Aiyuk's performance from Week 8 on over an entire season, and you get the sort of year most expected, with 73 catches for 1,128 receiving yards and six scores. Samuel went from promising wideout to superstar in Year 3. Can Aiyuk follow in his footsteps?"
Fortunately for the 49ers, Lance already has a rapport with each of his skill position players. He played in six total games last season, started two of them, and continued to develop relationships with each of his teammates throughout the offseason as he embraced the QB1 role and established himself as a leader on the team.
Whether or not that translates to on-field success remains to be seen, but San Francisco should feel good about the offense's potential heading into training camp.
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2022-07-27T00:28:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Where Bill Barnwell ranks 49ers' skill position group among 32 NFL teams
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One of the hallmark signs that the college football season is just around the corner got underway on Tuesday. On the first day of the 2022 Big Ten Media Days, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was flanked by linebacker Jack Campbell, defensive back Kaevon Merriweather and tight end Sam LaPorta to preview the Hawkeyes’ upcoming season.
After being introduced by Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, Ferentz opened up with the following statement before taking several questions from the media. Here’s everything Ferentz had to say on Tuesday.
“Good afternoon to everybody, or good morning I should say. Appreciate everyone’s interest in our program, certainly the Big Ten and college football overall. I feel really fortunate and thankful to be starting my 33rd year at Iowa. I was a nine-year assistant back in the ’80s, and then starting my 24th year as the head coach now.
“I’ve long considered Iowa one of the best places to coach, and really it’s pretty much the majority of what I know during my time in coaching. I think the one commonality, whether it’s the ’80s or certainly the last 20-plus years, just the quality of the people. And that’s coaches that I’ve worked with, also the players, most importantly the players. Just outstanding people and outstanding leaders. So I feel very, very fortunate about that.
“I think probably like most everybody that stood up here thus far and will continue to come up here, there’s a real love of the game that I think all of us possess and certainly a love of coaching.
“That being said, I think probably I would not be the only person to say I’m really concerned about the path that college football is on right now and eager to see where it heads and what direction we end up taking, but it’s a great game. It was a big thing in 1980 when I went to the University of Pittsburgh as a grad assistant. It was big when I went to Iowa in ’81. If anything, it’s just grown bigger certainly. It’s always been big, and it’s bigger now.
“But with that, I think you just have to think about our players, think about the voices that they hear, the things that they have to deal with, the hands that are on them, the noise that they’re listening to, and most of all, I think the pressure and that’s certainly a concern I have as I think about our football team and long have felt that way.
“I think sometimes we lose sight about just how young our players are and just how recently they were maybe in the backyard catching a pass or out playing in the street playing touch football. It goes quickly for those guys. Everybody that plays in the Big Ten typically is probably the best player on their high school team or certainly one of their best, but all of that being said, it’s still a big jump going into college football just like it is if they play beyond.
“All of that being said, I think our focus at Iowa, or at least in my 33 years, has been on development of our players and trying to help them grow and prepare for lives after their college experience. A small percentage will get an opportunity to play in the NFL, a much smaller percentage will have a career in the NFL. But for the most part, the reality is most players, their careers end when their eligibility expires.
“That’s really kind of the reality of what we do and I think that’s why it’s so important when they’re in college, they’re doing more than just learning their plays or developing their skill set. To me, the best part about football in college football is just learning to be part of a team and what that really means and just having respect for other people and realizing there’s a lot of other things that are bigger than you. To me, that carries our players well as they move into their adult lives.
“Our message this year for our team in 2022 is the same as it’s ever been. Just wanted our guys to focus on the love of the game, love of the work that’s involved, which is significant, and most importantly, the love of the people you’re with. To me, that’s the best part about sports and certainly the best part about football. If you do that, my experience is the player ends up being a better player, but more importantly, a better person and is better prepared to move on into adult life. That’s the ultimate reality for most of our players.
“A couple words about our team. It’s pretty much like every year, we have a really good group of veteran players back. We had a good football team as commissioner Warren cited last year. So we’ve lost some good players, too, and have voids to fill. We’ve had a chance as coaches to watch the guys who we anticipate to move into those positions working behind the scenes if you will, or on the practice field an awful lot. Just excited to see where they all go, how they grow, how they develop, how they meet the challenges.
“Certainly, a lot of excitement for everybody this time of year, fans and coaches as well, but also some anxiety in that you’re never quite sure how a player is going to react when they come out of the tunnel and the Swarm, 70,000 people there to cheer them on. You’re just never quite sure how they’re going to go, but we’ve seen growth and just excited to see what it looks like here as it unfolds starting next week.
“Defensively real quickly, we lost three really quality players on the back end, Matt Hankins, Jack Koerner, and Dane Belton. Three outstanding players. Up front, Zach VanValkenburg. So, we’ve got some work to do in the back end certainly and then up front I think collectively we’ve got a good group of guys that really grew last year, and hopefully they’ll continue to grow and fill in those voids.
“We’ve got some veteran players certainly coming back at the linebacker position. Jack Campbell is here. Kaevon Merriweather in the back end. Riley Moss is one of our better players. Those are some of the guys that we’ll be leaning on to help the younger guys move forward.
“Then offensively, unlike the defense, or not unlike the defensive line, we were young last year. We had one of the best players in college football in Tyler Linderbaum, but overall we were a pretty young group. We lose Tyler, but I think collectively we feel good about the group and anxious to see how they develop.
“We’ve got two quarterbacks that have won games for us and played well on the field. We expect both of them, anticipate they’re both going to play better this year in Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla.
“And then the running back, receiver room, both of those groups are young. We’ve got a lot of young players in both of those outside of Nico Ragaini, who’s a veteran receiver, but the rest of the guys are really young in both positions. The Williamses at the running back position. And then Arland Bruce, Keagan Johnson, just to name a couple of receivers, so it’ll be interesting to see how they develop here in year two for those guys and grow.
“And then the tight end position, we feel good about with Sam LaPorta is here with the group, and Luke Lachey is I think a really good football player as well. Certainly, we’ve got some work to do there and some growing to make and improvement to make, but we’ll see how that goes out.
“Special teams, kind of the tale of two cities. We’ve got Tory Taylor back as our punter for his third season. A really unique young person, a really good football player. But, we lost Caleb Shudak, an outstanding placekicker, so that competition is open right now and can say the same thing about the return game. We’ve got guys auditioning for that.
“We’re excited to start. We’re excited to get back on the field with our players and see what August brings, and we’ll know a little bit more about our team certainly at the end of the month. That being said, I’ll throw it out for questions,” Ferentz said.
Impressions of Brian Ferentz taking over as quarterbacks coach in addition to offensive coordinator
“He’s done a great job. Really, I think we have an outstanding staff right now, and selfishly one of the nice things, we have five former players. Means I’m getting old, I guess. We have five former players on our staff.
“I think he’s made the transition well. He’s worked hard and worked hard at it. Jon Budmayr joined our staff as an analyst, so he’s been a great resource as well as have some other people.
“I think the key component there from my vantage point was to have our play caller be coaching the quarterbacks. I think just trying to minimize some opportunities for confusion or that type of thing and try to get a little bit more clarity in what we’re doing. So, so far, so good,” Ferentz said.
If Iowa's struggles on offense were why Brian Ferentz received the smallest percentage raise in salary among assistant coaches
“Not necessarily. I think he’s been compensated pretty well. Bottom line is, I feel two things, I feel like our staff, the numbers, there’s reasons for everything we do, and we have private conversations regarding that. I feel like the staff salaries reflect levels of experience, contributions to the program.
“The other part about it—and that was important as you probably know—I signed a contract back at the new year and there were two things that were important to me. Most important was just making sure our staff was well compensated. I just got done saying I really feel good about our entire staff. If we end up losing a coach, I want it to be for really good reasons, not because we’re not able to pay them enough.
“As a head coach, it’s important to me that we’re able to keep guys, retain guys, and hopefully it’s an attractive place for them to work. As I said in my earlier comments, it’s been to me one of the greatest places ever to work and I hope our staff feels the same way. But, I think we’re in a good place with everybody on the staff,” Ferentz said.
On linebacker Jack Campbell
“He’s got a skill set that’s unusual, just his height and range. That’s a little bit unusual for us, at least historically. I don’t know the exact numbers, but I’d say he’s probably our tallest linebacker probably in 23 years I’m guessing.
“But, beyond that, he just plays smart and plays with unbelievable desire. I think the first thing I would cite with Jack—and that’s probably true of a lot of the really good players I’ve been around pro, college, or high school, or good coaches I’ve been around—he’s extremely humble. He’s not about taking credit for anything.
“He deserves a lot. He is a leader in his way. But he’s authentic, he’s humble, and really driven to do his best, and he’s doing it for all the right reasons. He’s got great pride in what he does, but he also feels a responsibility to really be at his best for our team. As a coach, you just value that so much and appreciate it,” Ferentz said.
The relationship with SWARM collective CEO Brad Heinrichs
“I just had the good fortune of meeting Brad here in the last two months. I’ll share this, and I say this often, one of my biggest fears about coming back to college football 23-plus years ago was donors. It’s been one of the most, greatest fortunes in my life the donors I’ve got to meet and get involved with. When I say donors, I’m talking about people who just really support our program.
“Brad has just done an unbelievable job. I can’t imagine how much time and energy he’s put into this. As I mentioned, I just met him inside a window of two months. Just an extremely impressive person. I never knew what an actuary does, nor did I really understand how you become an actuary. Everybody I knew in college that was going to become an accountant, they wanted to jump out of windows all the time, and actuary is probably about ten times harder. He’s a pretty smart guy, I think it’s fair to say that.
“Got a great personality, great resilience. He was an athlete. I’m so appreciative. I don’t want to speak for other people, but I think I speak for everybody on our campus’s behalf who is just appreciative of his interest and his willingness to help. I think we’re doing it in a way that fits our program, the values, and the way we see the world. I’m extremely appreciative to Brad’s willingness to get involved and his contributions already,” Ferentz said.
Iowa State men's basketball landed its third commitment in the 2023 class, five-star power forward Omaha Biliew. He joines Milan Momcilovic and Jelani Hamilton.
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2022-07-27T00:39:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2022 Big Ten Media Day: Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kirk Ferentz previews the college football season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-big-ten-media-day-231541396.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-big-ten-media-day-231541396.html?src=rss
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Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren talks to reporters during the conference's media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on Tuesday in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
“I get asked every single day, ‘What's next?’ ” Warren said while standing atop a platform perched above artificial turf. “It may include future expansion, but it will be done for the right reasons at the right time with our student-athletes, academic and athletic empowerment at the center of any and all decisions that we will make regarding any further expansions. We will not expand just to expand.”
“I'm looking forward to building a brand to be fortified and strong from Los Angeles to New Jersey and everywhere in between,” Warren said.
UCLA cornerback Cameron Johnson bats a pass away from USC wide receiver Tahj Washington in the second quarter at the Coliseum on Nov. 20, 2021. Both schools will become full members of the Big Ten on Aug. 2, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
As Warren spoke, a slogan in giant letters glowed on a video board overhead: “Big Life. Big Stage. Big Ten."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a generous gift in the names of their children, Archie and Lilibet, in memory of 9-year-old George Zafjen.
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2022-07-27T00:39:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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After adding USC and UCLA, Big Ten leaves door open to more expansion
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https://sports.yahoo.com/adding-usc-ucla-big-ten-232316947.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/adding-usc-ucla-big-ten-232316947.html?src=rss
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Big Ten media days kicked off on Tuesday, and everyone was anxious to get Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren’s reaction after the news of the league adding UCLA and USC of the Pac-12.
For his part, Warren did not disappoint. In fact, rather than calm anyone’s fears about further expansion, the commish left the door wide open for further expansion if everything lined up to benefit the conference.
“I get asked every single day, what’s next?” Warren remarked during his opening of Big Ten football media days. “It may include future expansion, but it will be done for the right reasons, at the right time, with our student-athletes’ academic and athletic empowerment at the center of any and all decisions that we will make. We will not expand just to expand. It will be strategic, it will add additional value to our conference.”
It’s clear that college football is going through some of the most transformational changes it ever has in its existence. With the news of Texas and Oklahoma SEC last offseason, and now the two main L.A. market teams heading to the Big Ten, in combination with Name, Image, and Likness, the potential of College Football Playoff expansion, and transfer rules, it’s hard to keep up.
Big Ten commish Kevin Warren is '100% supportive' of College Football Playoff expansion https://t.co/TNpY1htSMd
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) July 26, 2022
There’s little doubt that we’ve seen the end of all that’s going on, and that includes further conference expansion. And with the Big Ten leading the way in revenue, and with a new media deal close to coming together, Warren and the conference he’s leading is holding a lot of the high-value cards to lay down when the time comes.
Never miss a game this season with our downloadable 2022 Texas A&M Aggies football schedule for your smartphone.
Tony Dow, Wally Cleaver on “Leave It to Beaver,” is under hospice care in “last hours,” son says. Dow's management team said actor had died in a since-deleted Facebook post
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2022-07-27T00:40:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren open to further expansion
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https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-commissioner-kevin-warren-231018158.html?src=rss
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Playing in the Rose Bowl was the pinnacle of a college football career for those who coached and played in the Big Ten for decades.
''You have to adapt,'' former Wisconsin coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez said Tuesday at Big Ten media days in Lucas Oil Stadium. ''When I got into the league, every kid that played in this league, your vision was play the Rose Bowl and win the Rose Bowl.
''It's not the same now. It's the CFP. It's get into the playoffs.''
''The Rose Bowl will always be an important part of the Big Ten,'' said Alvarez, who now works for the conference as a special advisor to Commissioner Kevin Warren.
''I focus on the Big Ten,'' Alvarez said. ''When we went through expansion (in the early 2010s) I was really happy that we were able to add my alma mater, Nebraska, into our league. I knew Nebraska in the Big Eight. There is no Big Eight. So things change. You have to go with the flow.''
''That's something you're going to have to take a look at,'' Alvarez said.
The elder Ferentz was asked if the offense's lackluster performance - tied for 11th in the Big Ten in yards per play (4.67) -- had anything to do with his son's relatively small bump in pay.
''Not necessarily. I think he's been compensated really well,'' Kirk Ferentz said. ''Bottom line ... I feel like our staff, the numbers, there's reasons for everything we do, and we have private conversations regarding that. I feel like the staff salaries reflect levels of experience, contributions to the program.
''As a head coach, it's important to me that we're able to keep guys, retain guys, and hopefully it's an attractive place for them to work.''
''So I went back and talked to Jesse Minter right when Mike left, and just felt it was the absolute best thing for our team,'' Harbaugh said.
''Cade McNamara is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job,'' Harbaugh said. ''J.J. McCarthy is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job.''
''Really, really impressed with how he's returned,'' Locksley said of Demus. ''We do expect him, barring any setbacks during training camp, which we'll do a good job of trying to protect him and get him to that opening game, but there is the expectation we'll see Dontay Demus playing in the first game.''
Now, after spending last season at West Virginia, the 56-year-old has been reunited with the Golden Gophers - and much of the supporting cast he helped lead to nine wins in 2019.
''Kirk wanted to know how that would affect the kids, and I wanted to know how that would affect the kids,'' Fleck said, calling the rehire an easy decision. ''I said, of course you might have to answer some questions in your first team meeting, but that will be easy after the first five minutes, and he did. I know we're excited to have him. Tanner's really excited to have him.''
Get the lowest price on the internet: This wildly popular Dyson fan and air purifier is $180 off
The Dyson Pure Cool TP02 is a dynamo at air purification — and a great addition to your home.
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2022-07-27T00:40:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Big Ten's expansion further damages Rose Bowl's status
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https://sports.yahoo.com/big-tens-expansion-further-damages-223507832.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/big-tens-expansion-further-damages-223507832.html?src=rss
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There are a lot of things that are mile markers to the start of the college football season. None of those is more noticeable and noteworthy than the various conferences’ media days. We’ve already seen some of the conferences hold their annual event, and the Big Ten got things started on Tuesday.
One of the most anticipated openings of any Big Ten media days event occurred on Tuesday when commissioner Kevin Warren made his first public remarks after the bombshell news of UCLA and USC joining the conference beginning in 2024.
As you would imagine, the interest in what he had to say was at a fever pitch, and boy did he deliver some especially interesting sound bites to make everyone believe that we haven’t seen the last of all the changes currently occurring in the sport.
In case you missed any of his comments, we’ve got them here thanks to video from ESPN.
This is just the first day of Big Ten media days. We’ll get to hear from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and some of the representative players on Wednesday, so we’ll have even more.
For now, though, embrace the change because there’s likely more coming.
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2022-07-27T00:40:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WATCH: Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren’s opening remarks at media days
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https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-big-ten-commissioner-kevin-232921114.html?src=rss
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Former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat will race in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at the Indianapolis road course.
Kvyat will race for Team Hezeberg in his Cup Series debut. The back marker team has run part-time at NASCAR’s top level in 2022 and is adding a second car for Kvyat at Indianapolis. Loris Hezemans will pilot the team’s other entry on Sunday.
With 38 cars entered for 40 available starting spots, Kvyat is guaranteed a starting position in the field. But don’t expect him to be anywhere near the front of the grid in either qualifying or the race. It’ll take him some time to get used to a Cup Series car and he’s driving for a team that hasn’t been competitive and has had reliability issues in its three starts this season.
The team finished three laps down in 22nd at the Daytona 500 with Jacques Villeneuve behind the wheel and was one of over 20 cars involved in a crash at some point during that race. It’s failed to finish its other two starts thanks to mechanical issues, and Hezemans completed just nine of 62 laps at Road America because of a fuel pump problem.
Kvyat raced full-time in F1 from 2014-20. The 28-year-old competed in 110 races across six seasons for what’s now Alpha Tauri Racing and Red Bull Racing. He made his debut for what was then Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2014 and was promoted to Red Bull’s main team ahead of the 2015 season. He scored two podiums for Red Bull before he was replaced four races into the 2016 season and dropped to Toro Rosso, where he spent the remainder of his F1 career.
That swap worked out pretty well for Red Bull. Max Verstappen was promoted to the team in Kvyat’s place and won in his first race for the main team. The 2021 Formula 1 champion has gone on to win 26 more times for Red Bull since he replaced Kvyat at 18 years old and has seven wins in 12 races in 2022.
Daniil Kvyat will make his first NASCAR start on Sunday at the Indianapolis road course. (Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Josef Newgarden will be hospitalized overnight for observation, but Team Penske said initial scans were negative in evaluation of a possible head injury.
Opening in 1920, the Sheridan Bed & Breakfast, 5121 S. Lake Drive, is up for sale.
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2022-07-27T01:05:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NASCAR: Former Formula 1 driver Danil Kvyat to race at Indianapolis
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-former-formula-1-driver-daniil-kvyat-to-race-at-indianapolis-183220651.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-former-formula-1-driver-daniil-kvyat-to-race-at-indianapolis-183220651.html?src=rss
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