text
stringlengths 237
126k
| date_download
stringdate 2022-01-01 00:32:20
2023-01-01 00:02:37
⌀ | source_domain
stringclasses 60
values | title
stringlengths 4
31.5k
⌀ | url
stringlengths 24
617
⌀ | id
stringlengths 24
617
⌀ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cameron and Cayden Boozer just celebrated their 15th birthday two weeks ago, yet they speak with the wisdom well beyond their years of the recruiting crucible they’re about to fully experience.
The twin sons of former Duke and 13-year NBA veteran Carlos Boozer are already among the most highly recruited players in the Class of 2025. The duo just completed their freshman year at Columbus High School in Miami and have emerged in the top 25 of ESPN.com’s rankings.
Cameron, who resembles his mother, Cindy, is a 6-foot-8 forward ranked No. 1. Cayden, who looks more like his dad, is a 6-foot-3 guard and ranked No. 24. They helped lead their Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) team to the 15-and-under title at Peach Jam on Sunday in North Augusta, S.C.
“My mom is really the one who’s really prepared me for (recruiting), talking to me about coaches and people trying to come in contact with me and stuff, and just making sure everything’s legal and eligible and everything,” Cameron said. “I mean, it’s a lot but you’ve just got to try to block it out and try to just stay away from the noise and just play your game.”
The buzz to watch players is generally reserved for the rising seniors at Peach Jam, which is spread out on six basketball courts at the North Augusta (S.C.) Riverview Park Activities Center. And there was no shortage of star power and players with NBA pedigrees including LeBron James’ son, Bronny; and Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan. Along with LeBron and Melo, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant also showed up and created a bit of chaos from adoring fans.
The Boozer twins were not overshadowed. When their Nightrydas squad faced off against Cooper Flagg, who is ranked No. 3 in the class, and Team Maine, their game got moved into the main gym to accommodate the oversized crowd.
“That part’s new for us, because it didn’t really come until this year,” said Cindy, who met Carlos Boozer while attending N.C. State. “They kind of flew under the radar before now, so which is our little team since second grade and nobody really paid attention. It’s been a little bit different, but I think that they’ve been raised the right way, so they stay humble.”
The Boozer twins and their Nightrydas squad are the 15U Peach Jam champs️ @NikeEYB #TheBallEndsHere pic.twitter.com/F7TBpA4mAK
It certainly helps that their father went through everything that they’re going to experience now. But they’ve been encouraged by their parents, who have been divorced since 2014, to forge their own paths and that includes the journey of picking what’s next.
It’s easy to assume the Blue Devils have the upper hand in recruiting given their dad played in Durham. But that would be wrong.
Carlos Boozer’s freshman year at Duke in 1999-2000 he played alongside current assistant coach Chris Carrawell, who was a senior on that squad. Carrawell, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and assistant coach Jai Lucas were all seated together to watch the Boozer twins and Flagg face off at Peach Jam. But the twins said they don’t have some preexisting relationship with the staff.
Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer, left, assistant coach Jai Lucas and associate head coach Chris Carrawell, right, watch potential recruits play during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Peach Jam event in North Augusta, S.C. on Friday, July 22.
“I don’t know them very well,” Cameron said. “But I know that just in general the coaching is amazing and the development they talked about, my father talked about it, my mom talked about it, it’s a real thing. They’re really going to take care of you.”
The twins toured Duke when they were in the fourth grade. Cayden said at that age it was just about seeing where their dad played and meeting some of his former teammates. They haven’t attended a lot of games at Cameron Indoor Stadium and haven’t been indoctrinated into thinking Duke or bust.
“I just want to be at a place where I can trust the coach and he trusts in my ability,” Cayden said. “It’s not a lock for Duke. I’m open to anything.”
So far, every school that has offered a scholarship — including Duke, Michigan, Miami and Florida State — has extended the offer to both players. But the twins aren’t presenting themselves as a package deal.
They both talk about fit at the next level and realize one school may not end up being the best place for both of their games. Cayden said it’s “not likely” that they’ll play together in college.
“I mean, obviously, it’d be amazing to go to the same school as my brother,” Cameron said. “But at the end of day, we’ve got to look at schools that just fit us both. So maybe it’s not going to be the same school for us and maybe we just got to wait until later down the line.”
|
2022-07-27T19:07:45Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Boozer twins, sons of former Duke star, looking to forge own paths in college basketball
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/boozer-twins-sons-former-duke-153033154.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/boozer-twins-sons-former-duke-153033154.html?src=rss
|
Otherwise, the NBA's most important player of this century can become a free agent at the age of 38 next summer, when the Lakers may be working on a third straight season without a series victory in the playoffs. On three previous occasions in his career — in 2009-10, 2013-14 and 2017-18 — James played a season for a team with sub-championship future expectations, and it was never kind to his incumbent organization.
LeBron James' long history with free agency
"I've been a Cav for seven years, and I've never given any indication I was leaving," he said in November 2009, days before declaring, "This free-agent talk is getting old, and I'm going to stop. Tonight will be the last time I answer any more free-agent questions until the offseason. I owe it to myself and my teammates."
"I would love to spend the rest of my career in Miami," he said in September 2013, weeks before clarifying, "I owe it to this organization and I owe it to my teammates to really not get involved and not talk about it."
"That hasn't changed," he said in September 2017, when he was asked if previous pledges to finish his career in Cleveland were still his intention, months before asserting, "It’s a discredit to my teammates and the coaching staff here. My only focus now is trying to figure out how we can become a championship-caliber team in these next few months. It’s been so many stories about me in the last few months, in the last few days, about where I’m going and where I’m at and what place I’m in. I’m here. I’m right here."
So, it was fair to still raise an eyebrow when James said of his future in Los Angeles this past February, "This is a franchise I see myself being with. I’m here. I’m here. I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play." Just as it was fair to raise the other eyebrow when he addressed his impending extension eligibility by telling reporters at his exit interview in April, "When we get to that point, we’ll see."
James cited the collective bargaining agreement as reason for not tipping his hand, and a quiet summer from his camp all but confirms he will maintain that appearance of ambiguity, at least until the negotiating window opens next week. But let's be real: He knows whether or not he intends to sign an extension that would pay him roughly $50 million at the age of 40, and flexibility is more important than financial security when the NBA's first-ever active billionaire player is trying to script the end to his carefully crafted career.
Every hour, every day James does not sign the extension will lead to another question about his future, and it will be the first query posed to him on media day, regardless of whether he broaches the subject on "The Shop" or elsewhere this summer. The questions won't stop, no matter how diplomatically he answers them.
To be fair, James has done well to ignore past distractions. He was the league's MVP in 2010 and the runner-up in both 2014 and 2018. He carried his teams as far as he could in the playoffs, and then they folded once they ran up against a superior opponent, and their shortcomings excused his departure.
LeBron James could have heads spinning in the Los Angeles Lakers' front office. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
'The door's not closed' on Cleveland
James has been through this news cycle enough to know the speculation he would stir when he praised another general manager and told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd at the All-Star break, "The door's not closed" on a return to Cleveland, and, "My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point."
Bronny James is entering his senior year of high school at Sierra Canyon, where he is a four-star recruit. He cannot currently declare for the NBA draft until 2024, and even then it is unclear if he is a surefire prospect. (There is a remote possibility he could become eligible for the 2023 draft, but that would require the NBA or the players' association to opt out of the current CBA in December and renegotiate the age of eligibility.)
The Lakers have only a second-round pick from either the Memphis Grizzlies or Washington Wizards in 2024, and maintaining flexibility may be LeBron's way of influencing who they select with that pick. Other teams may also be willing to draft Bronny, just to recruit his father, but remember: LeBron said, "My last year will be played with my son," which doesn't necessarily mean his last year will be his son's rookie year.
He could sign an extension with the Lakers until 2025 and still play a season with his son in Los Angeles or elsewhere. Rejecting an offer would have more to do with the state of the Lakers than Bronny's career path.
James is openly pressuring the Lakers to trade every available asset to improve the team, but it is unclear if Westbrook's expiring $47 million contract and picks are even enough to land Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets or Buddy Hield and Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers, since both teams rejected initial overtures.
We also don't know if either trade would elevate the Lakers into serious contention. They are currently slated to start at least two replacement-level players. That lack of depth is a real issue for a team reliant on the health of James and Anthony Davis, even if the Lakers find a helpful player or two in a Westbrook deal.
So, James and the Lakers are left awkwardly dancing around their commitment to each other. The Lakers want James to commit before they go all in on trading every last asset, and James wants the Lakers to trade every last asset before he goes all in on them. It is not dissimilar to the Cavaliers' situation in the summer of 2017, when Irving wanted out, and they traded him for a package centered around an eventual top-10 pick rather than ones for Paul George, because both James and George could have left in 2018.
Every season is invaluable to James at this stage, and this coming year is already starting to feel like a lost one, save for his pursuit of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career scoring record. The Lakers can create roughly $20 million in cap space next summer, assuming they retain James, and that may not be enough to alter their title chances in any significant way. The potential is there for a sputtering end to a legendary career.
That might also give the Lakers reason to reconsider their partnership with James. It is not the Lakers' way, given the fact they gave Kobe Bryant a two-year extension at the league's highest salary in the immediate aftermath of his Achilles' rupture at age 35, but trading James for assets and considerable cap space in 2023 is a reasonable pathway to quickly rebuild around Davis and avoid futility for the rest of the decade.
Sound logic will not prevent all of these questions and more. Such is the difficulty of leaving a legend's exit strategy open-ended. There is a storm coming for Los Angeles on Aug. 4, whether the Lakers like it or not.
|
2022-07-27T19:08:23Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Extension raises questions about future of LeBron James, Lakers
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/the-future-of-le-bron-james-and-the-lakers-hangs-in-the-balance-of-an-extension-174222452.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/the-future-of-le-bron-james-and-the-lakers-hangs-in-the-balance-of-an-extension-174222452.html?src=rss
|
It has been an eventful week so far for Florida football as high school prospects continue to stream into Gainesville to visit the campus while others have announced their commitments. Unfortunately, the Gators have been on the short end of the stick when it comes to the latter but there are still plenty of opportunities ahead for Billy Napier and Co. to add on to their debut 2023 recruiting class.
Among those making their intentions known in the coming days is four-star wide receiver Aidan Mizell, an in-state target out of Boone High in Orlando. The highly-sought pass-catcher announced his plans to reveal his school of choice — which also includes the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide — on the 247Sports YouTube channel Friday at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
“I’m really just tired of waiting,” Mizell said Tuesday according to Swamp 247. “I’m really trying to get it over with.”
Here is what 247Sports’ scouting report says about the 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound rising senior.
“One of the fastest wide receivers in the class of 2023 given long speed. Size is unverified, but looks to be over 6-foot-1 and gifted with longer limbs… Is quick to stem and stack defensive backs. Agile enough to create separation as he works his way up the field. Owns a surprisingly large catch radius and has shown that he can win 50-50 balls in some situations, but ability to simply catch the football without breaking stride more times than not might be the most promising attribute. Could probably make a living just running go routes one day, but has shown that he can also produce chunk plays via quick bubble screens, at least at the prep level. Has been utilized primarily as a perimeter player on Friday nights and should continue to line up on the outside for the college of his choice given his size and ability to take a top off a defense.”
Mizell is currently ranked No. 72 overall and No. 13 in his class nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 93 and 15, respectively. The Gators hold three crystal ball predictions from 247Sports while On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine also favors Florida with a 91.3% chance of signing him.
Iowa cornerback Riley Moss was named to the preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list, showcasing he's among the nation's top defensive backs.
|
2022-07-27T19:38:50Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Here’s when this 4-star in-state WR plans on announcing commitment
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/4-star-state-wr-plans-173544026.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/4-star-state-wr-plans-173544026.html?src=rss
|
It seems like every other day, junior star defensive back Antonio Johnson finds himself on another preseason awards list, this time being named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, voted on by The Football Writers Association of America, stating:
The Football Writers Association of America released its 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today, selecting 85 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus independents. The watch list roster includes five returning players from last season’s FWAA All-America team including 2021 winner Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama, five of the top 13 tacklers from last season, the top two sack leaders and six of the top 13, and two players in the secondary who each had five interceptions last year.
This is the second major nomination for Johnson in the last two days, being named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List on Monday. Johnson is going into the 2022 season at the safety position, as the new defensive coordinator for Texas A&M, D.J. Durkin will look to take advantage of Johnson’s exceptional length, athleticism, and wide-ranging coverage ability while most likely still taking snaps at the nickel corner position in crucial defensive situations.
Antonio Johnson is set up to have his best season to date, and will surely be in the running all season to claim this coveted award.
|
2022-07-27T19:39:03Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Another one! Antonio Johnson placed on Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/another-one-antonio-johnson-placed-181449163.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/another-one-antonio-johnson-placed-181449163.html?src=rss
|
Sooner rather than later, Rutgers football will be going through a changing of the guard at quarterback. Whether that happens as early as the season opener remains to be seen.
Noah Vedral is the unquestioned most experienced quarterback on the Rutgers football roster but it is Gavin Wimsatt who is likely to create the most headlines heading into training camp. The former four-star recruit showed flashes last season as a true freshman and has been hailed as the future of the program.
And while Wimsatt wasn’t necessarily polished upon his arrival at Rutgers, his performance in the Gator Bowl was encouraging.
Now with the benefit of a full offseason, Wimsatt is in the midst of a quarterback battle with Vedral and Evan Simon.
Head coach Greg Schiano didn’t tip his hand at all in speaking on Wednesday at the Big Ten’s annual football media day.
“We have a quarterback competition, but you mentioned Noah. Noah is the ultimate competitor. He is an awesome guy to have on our team. He wants to be a coach and is going to be a great coach. So any of you coaches that are listening to this, I would highly recommend getting him on your staff when he’s done playing. We’re going to try,” Schiano told reporters.
“But Noah is competing really hard. He’s a monster in the off-season program. Gavin Wimsatt is another guy that is competing for the job, and then Evan Simon.
“I’d say all three of those guys go into training camp — Noah, as you mentioned, has two years’ worth of starts under his belt. So certainly an advantage for him with experience.”
It is likely a true and open competition for Rutgers. Vedral has the experience but Wimsatt’s upside and athleticism are exciting for an offense that has been a bit pedestrian since 2014.
Ahead of the opener at Boston College in five weeks’ time, it is unclear if Wimsatt or Vedral will get the nod on the road.
“But I think the one thing I’ve learned over the years is, when you have good players, you’ve got to let them compete, and it’s got to sort itself out. If it doesn’t sort itself out by Game 1, then we’ll play more than one guy. If it does, then we’ll play one guy and we’ll have another guy ready to go and a third if he had some issues,” Schiano said.
“I’m not concerned about it. I’m not going to make it happen. I’m going to let it happen and observe it and make the decision based on that.”
|
2022-07-27T19:39:09Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Big Ten football media days: Greg Schiano says there is a Rutgers quarterback competition, won’t tip his hand
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-football-media-days-181007469.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-football-media-days-181007469.html?src=rss
|
The 2022 college football season is getting closer every single day. Just weeks away from the start of fall camp across the country, College Football News released a full slate of bowl projections ahead of the new year.
College Football News predicts Texas will be back to bowl eligibility after not reaching the six win mark to qualify a season ago.
In CFN’s projections, the Longhorns will make the trip to Orlando for the Cheez-It Bowl to take on the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 29. It would be the first time the historic programs match up against one another since the 1991 Cotton Bowl.
Getting back to a bowl game is a must hit milestone for Steve Sarkisian in year two at Texas. The program needs to show some major improvement this season or Sarkisian’s seat may start to get hot.
|
2022-07-27T19:39:15Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
College Football News projects Texas to play in the Cheez-It Bowl
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-news-projects-texas-185546366.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-news-projects-texas-185546366.html?src=rss
|
The Big Ten is adding two West Coast programs in UCLA and USC. Count Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano among those excited about the news and expanding the footprint of the conference.
Now in his third season back with the Scarlet Knights, Schiano didn’t dive into the part of the question asking about UCLA and USC receiving a full revenue share from the Big Ten (something recent entrants to the conference Rutgers and Maryland did not receive). But he did discuss the impact of adding the two Los Angeles programs to the conference.
The move was seen as important swoop from the Big Ten to pull even with SEC.
“I’m really excited about UCLA and USC coming into the league. I think what it does is takes a great league and just made it greater. Like-minded institutions academically, athletically. Our footprint spreads from New York to L.A. It doesn’t get a lot better than that,” Schiano told reporters from the annual Big Ten football media days.
“I know there’s some concerns about travel and those things. You know, you do it. You figure it out. But it’s really super for our league. That other stuff (the revenue sharing), I don’t even concern myself with. That’s not my business. You do what you need to do in the times that you’re in.
“I’m really proud of our conference for doing something that puts us right there. Those two leagues, those are special. As I said earlier, I consider ourselves blessed to be a member.”
UCLA and USC are expected to join the Big Ten in 2024. There is talk and buzz that the Big Ten might be expanding further, including adding other programs from the Pac-12 and potentially Notre Dame.
Big Ten football media days: Greg Schiano says there is a Rutgers quarterback competition, won't tip his hand
Prior to this recent round of expansion, Rutgers and Maryland were the last two additions to the Big Ten. Both programs joined the conference in 2014.
|
2022-07-27T19:39:34Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Rutgers’ Greg Schiano reacts to Big Ten adding UCLA, USC: ‘It’s really super for our league’
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-greg-schiano-reacts-big-191100990.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-greg-schiano-reacts-big-191100990.html?src=rss
|
The college football season is a few weeks away, and now is the time for preseason conference teams to be announced.
While the Colorado Buffaloes aren’t expected to make much noise in the 2022 season, there are a handful of players to keep an eye on and some that might make some noise leading up to the 2023 NFL draft.
The staff at SuperWest Sports (formerly SportsPac12) compiled its preseason All-Pac-12 teams and the Buffs have three players who made the list, with one player on each of the three teams.
Let’s run down one by one and recognize the Buffs players who earned a spot:
Special Teams First Team: Daniel Arias
Arias is a wide receiver and should earn more playing time on offense as well. But, SuperWest Sports loves his ability on special teams, and for good reason. Here’s what they said about Arias in that role:
Pure special teams players are often overlooked, but Arias is one of the best. He has forced 21 career fair catches, which is the second-most in Colorado history. Arias has 10 first-down-the-field interruptions, also the second-highest in CU history.
His numbers garnered him an All Pac-12 Honorable Mention as an AP/ST last season, although his role could primarily be at wide receiver this year.
Special Teams Second Team: Cole Becker
Cole Becker continues to be one of the best kickers in the Pac-12 and he earned second-team honors. Becker was 14-of-20 on field goal attempts and a perfect 25-for-25 on extra points. He also made three kicks from 50 yards or further and hit the game-winner against the Oregon State Beavers.
Third Team Offense: Casey Roddick
Casey Roddick is the lone offensive player on the list. Sure, Arias is a wide receiver, but he made first-team special teams, so it doesn’t count.
The Buffs’ offensive line will look a bit different, but Roddick is one of the anchors that will need to take a step forward if the Buffs want to improve in 2023.
|
2022-07-27T19:39:41Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Three Buffs land on SuperWest Sports’ preseason All-Pac-12 teams
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/three-buffs-land-superwest-sports-180605656.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/three-buffs-land-superwest-sports-180605656.html?src=rss
|
The first day of Kansas City Chiefs training camp is officially in the books. Rookies got a head start on the veterans, but now everyone is out in St. Joseph, Missouri preparing for the upcoming 2022 NFL season.
Practices are still padded as the team goes through the contact integration period leading up to their first padded practices. Even without pads, there are plenty of things to take away from this first practice session. It was the team’s first meaningful action since mandatory minicamp broke in June.
Andy Reid's delivers strong message to team at the start of camp
Chiefs HC Andy Reid has a very similar message to the entire 90-man offseason roster every year when training camp kicks off.
“I told them, don’t count the numbers in the lines,” Reid explained. “Brett (Veach) has done a nice job of bringing a lot of people in here that are good players. Don’t get caught up in that, just go play. Then, we’ll make the decision, but make it as hard as you can on us. If you have an opportunity to make a play or have a rep, take advantage of that. That’s kind of where we’re at today. There might be guys working with the 2’s and 3’s that end up playing for us and making the team.”
Reid wants his guys to control the things they can control and not sweat the things they can’t control. That means taking advantage of the opportunities you get and not stressing about the ones that you don’t get. Every year there are players who start at the bottom of the depth chart and work their way up to a bigger role.
Chiefs' left tackle situation is fluid
The Chiefs are working without franchise-tagged LT Orlando Brown Jr. at training camp. Andy Reid spoke a bit about what he’s missing by not being at camp.
“It’s primarily the new stuff,” Reid said. “I mean, he knows the old stuff. Then it’s the reps, the speed of the game and that. Listen, it’s all part of it. It’s all part of the business.”
On the first day of camp, Roderick Johnson got the nod in his place along the starting lineup.
“He was productive in the offseason, so coming in, we thought he could help out,” Reid said. “We’ll just see how it rolls.”
Reid anticipates the team will rotate different players in at left tackle and along the offensive line to prepare for all future possibilities.
“We’re going to keep rotating,” Reid said. “Keep rotating them in. Nothing is solidified there.”
Reid did dismiss his earlier comments about Joe Thuney having the ability to step in and play left tackle, saying that Thuney probably wouldn’t be making that move right now.
Patrick Mahomes and JuJu Smith-Schuster boast early connection
The play of the day at training camp was a deep pass and a diving reception between Patrick Mahomes and JuJu Smith-Schuster. It drew audible excitement from the crowd in attendance and some celebration from players like Travis Kelce.
Speaking to reporters after practice, Chiefs HC Andy Reid commented on the play and what he’s seen from Smith-Schuster so far.
“Yeah, there’s a trust there,” Reid said. “This isn’t JuJu’s first rodeo. We liked what we saw before. He was banged up just a little bit. He had the pull, in the OTAs, but he’s back now. He’s healthy. It was good work today, we’ll just keep building on it. It’s the first day.”
This is exactly the type of thing that Reid has come to expect from a veteran player like Smith-Schuster, even in his first season with the team.
Joshua Williams must build on his early starting reps
An offseason surgery landed CB Rashad Fenton on the PUP list to start training camp, paving the way for fourth-round rookie CB Joshua Williams to earn some starting reps at outside corner in the team’s nickel defense. Williams had a standout play in 7-on-7 in single coverage against veteran WR Mecole Hardman, knocking the ball out of Hardman’s hands with ease.
Andy Reid was careful to give the rookie an ego in his post-practice comments to the media. While he was pleased with the performance, he wants to see more as training camp goes on.
“I like what I see,” Reid said. “I just want to keep building on it. The more at that position, the better. If we can get quality play out of the guys, that’s what you’re looking at. I just want to see — it’s the first day — I want to see more.”
Overall, Reid was encouraged by the things he saw from the young players in the secondary in Kansas City.
“I thought the young secondary players did a nice job today,” Reid said. “I thought they got in there, they competed. I like that. Then, the catches that were made, were contested. You’ve got bodies close to bodies. I didn’t see the officials throwing a ton of flags. They’re working their fundamentals too out here. They’ve got the freedom to throw the flag if there’s a problem. Once we got to the team part of it, I thought it was pretty clean play.”
Broncos Training Camp rules for fans
Fans are ready to see the new Broncos team in action. Here's what you need to know if you're headed to Dove Valley for training camp.
Quarterback Joe Burrow underwent a successful appendectomy on Tuesday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters in his Wednesday press conference. “He was in there yesterday, he’ll be discharged today,” Taylor said. “The timeline is obviously to be determined. But, again, everything went smoothly.” Whenever Burrow does return to practice, Taylor said the third-year quarterback [more]
Two-time Best Animated Program winner "Rick and Morty" is back for a three-peat, but "Arcane" and "What If...?" are impressive competition.
Ryan Gosling to Star in Netflix's 'The Gray Man' Sequel, Russo Brothers Say ‘Edgy and Experimental’ Spinoff Coming
Just days after the spy thriller's Netflix debut, the streaming giant announced a sequel that will see both Ryan Gosling and the Russo Brothers return.
|
2022-07-27T20:44:29Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
4 takeaways from Day 1 of Chiefs training camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/4-takeaways-day-1-chiefs-195020072.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/4-takeaways-day-1-chiefs-195020072.html?src=rss
|
New England Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan is off to a good start as training camp practices begin. Coach Bill Belichick has given McMillan his seal of approval.
The Patriots activated McMillan off the PUP list on Tuesday, close to a year after suffering a torn ACL in practice. He suffered the injury last August, and signed a one-year contract extension through the 2022 season last September.
McMillan looks to make an impact for the Patriots after most recently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. He recorded 27 tackles that year in addition to a forced fumble.
Now, he is trying to work his way back, as the Patriots look to find an identity in the linebacker room. So far, his work ethic has stood out, as Belichick noted to reporters on Wednesday.
“Raekwon works really hard, really smart player, has experience, understands a lot at the linebacker position,’”Belichick told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. “Obviously there’s a lot going on there, but he handles things well. Signal caller, multiple-position player. It’s good to see him back out there. He looks like he’s recovered very well and based on what we saw in the spring and limited looks here this first week, I’d say he’s doing very well.”
McMillan could be a key contributor to a Patriots linebacker room in search of veteran leadership. His progression and health could be storylines to watch, as New England shifts its identity to a youth movement on defense. Veteran depth could be important at the position, as young players like Ronnie Perkins and Cam McGrone continue to develop.
|
2022-07-27T20:44:55Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Bill Belichick shows love for a LB that’s a dark horse to take a big role in 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-shows-love-lb-200726969.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-shows-love-lb-200726969.html?src=rss
|
Dolphins’ stats to remember as 2022 training camp begins
The Miami Dolphins officially open their training camp, and Wednesday was packed with early action starting with a fun-filled media session that included a group selfie, believe it or not.
#Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel takes a group selfie with the media before the first practice. pic.twitter.com/9mkKFqCtKw
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2022
Coach Mike McDaniel has started his tenure and opened his first camp, and showed the hospitable ways of the Dolphins franchise by participating in a group photo with him and the South Florida press, reminiscent of that Oscar’s selfie from a few years back.
Nevertheless, football is here, and before truly looking ahead to the 2022 season, let’s close the books on some numbers and accomplishments from the Dolphins last season, as well as some historical numbers.
Dating back to the 2020 season, the Dolphins have gone 11-4 in their past 15 games at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami has had consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2002-03.
They finished 9-8 in 2021 following a 10-6 season in 2020.
Jevon Holland finished his first NFL season ninth among NFL rookies in tackles (68) and was the only AFC player to have multiple sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Liam Eichenberg was one of just 10 rookie offensive linemen in the NFL to start at least 16 games last season. Of those 10, he was one of three to start games at multiple positions.
For the 2022 season, just one of Miami’s five opponents coming to Hard Rock Stadium had a winning road record in 2021.
Green Bay Packers: 5-4
Cleveland Browns: 2-6
Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-5
Minnesota Vikings: 3-6
AFC East 2021 road records:
New England Patriots: 6-2
Buffalo Bills: 5-3
New York Jets: 1-7
The Dolphins will enter this season as winners of eight of their last nine games overall and six straight at home. That’s the longest home winning streak for Miami since Dec. 2, 2001, through Oct. 6, 2002.
Mike Gesicki is among the most decorated tight ends in Dolphins history. He ranks third in receptions (199) and yardage (2,255), and he’s tied for eighth in touchdowns (13). Entering 2022, he’s just one reception shy of 200 career catches. His reception and yardage totals have increased in each of his four NFL seasons.
Gesicki finished 2021 as a top two tight end in fourth-quarter production. He was first in fourth-quarter yards for tight ends with 324, ahead of Travis Kelce. Mark Andrews led tight ends with 28 fourth-quarter receptions. Gesicki was second with 26.
Christian Wilkins and Cameron Heyward finished 2021 with the most tackles by a defensive lineman in a season since 2013, as they both had 89.
Heyward is on a five-year Pro Bowl streak and has three All-Pros to his credit. Wilkins is in good company, as the 2019 first-round pick heads into his fourth year.
Wilkins was four tackles away from tying Miami’s defensive lineman record for tackles in a season set by Jeff Cross, who had 93 in 1993.
Miami had 48 sacks in 2021, which was just one short of the team record of 49, a mark set back in 1983 and tied in 2005.
The total was tied for fifth-most in the NFL in 2021, and Miami had 14 different players record at least a half-sack. Six players had at least four, and five of those six were originally drafted by the Dolphins.
The Miami defense returns in its entirety in 2022. In 2021, they led the NFL in passes defensed (88), ranked second in quarterback hits (121) and were fifth in sacks (48).
Coach Arthur Smith wants to see improvement from last year’s 7-10 record even though conventional wisdom says the Atlanta Falcons will backslide in 2022. The Falcons began training camp Wednesday with a roster that has only a few positions settled. The most intriguing battle will be at quarterback, the position Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder are competing for, but the team must decide on three starters on the offensive line along with two starters on the defensive line, two at linebacker and two in the secondary.
|
2022-07-27T20:45:39Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Dolphins’ stats to remember as 2022 training camp begins
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-stats-remember-2022-training-185909526.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-stats-remember-2022-training-185909526.html?src=rss
|
Carl Lawson is set to make his return from an Achilles injury for the New York Jets after being activated from the physically unable to perform list.
The injury caused him to miss the entire first season of his Jets career and his head coach Robert Saleh is excited to have him back.
“Oh, man. It feels awesome to get the d-line working again,” Saleh said. “D-line and o-line competing. Carl – he’s a freak. I’m telling you he was ready to practice at OTAs, it’s just we have to protect Carl from Carl in terms of the amount of work he has to do because he won’t stop unless we tell him to stop. So, were excited to have him back.”
It makes since that the Jets are excited to get him back, they went 4-13 last year in their first season under Saleh.
Lawson was one of their top free-agent signings ahead of that injury. He has made 20 sacks in his first four seasons and he led all defensive lineman with 32 quarterbacks hits in 2020.
Coming of off one of the worst injures in sports it check take time for a player to return to their former level. Saleh was asked about this and believes because Lawson uses his power and strength he may be better off than a player who relies on their speed.
“That’s a really good question,” Salah said. “Carl’s game is actually much more power than anything. He still has all the power and strength and all of that stuff. As he acclimates and gets comfortable and is working through his movements, he’ll return to form. There’s no way I’d be able to tell you one way or another until we get pads on, but he looks good. He looks good.”
Lawson played at Auburn from 2013-16 and played in 33 games, making 24.0 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks.
|
2022-07-27T20:46:10Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Jets head coach Robert Saleh excited to get Carl Lawson back
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-head-coach-robert-saleh-194458475.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-head-coach-robert-saleh-194458475.html?src=rss
|
The #Seahawks have signed LB K.J. Wright to a one-day contract so he can retire as a member of the Seahawks. Wright spent 10 years with Seattle and won Super Bowl XLVIII with them. A terrific career comes to an end.
K.J. Wright is signing a one-day contract with the Seattle Seahawks and will retire with his former team. A fourth-round draft pick in 2011, Wright became an integral if underrated part of their all-time great defensive units.
Wright went on to play 144 games in a Seahawks uniform for the next 10 years, racking up 941 combined tackles, a Pro Bowl appearance and one Super Bowl victory. He spent the 2021 NFL season playing for the Raiders. His former position has been taken by 2020 first-round draft pick Jordyn Brooks.
Wright is the second Seattle legend to retire in as many days. Running back Chris Carson was also forced to retire yesterday due to a neck injury.
|
2022-07-27T20:46:29Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
K.J. Wright signs one-day contract to retire with Seahawks
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/k-j-wright-signs-one-185759527.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/k-j-wright-signs-one-185759527.html?src=rss
|
Khalil Mack on how hungry he is: 'I'll show you' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Khalil Mack has a lot left in the tank.
When asked "how hungry" he is after not having much team success with the Bears and the Raiders, Mack responded, "You said 'how hungry?' You wanna know how hungry I am? I'll show you."
After spending four years each with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Chicago Bears in his eight year career, he's only ever made it as far as the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Never further.
Now, with the Los Angeles Chargers, he has the opportunity to go even further with them. Lining up on the opposite side of Joey Bosa and finally having a bonafide quarterback keeping the defense off the field in Justin Herbert, there's no telling what the Chargers can do.
He's back in his old division of the AFC West competing against some of the toughest teams in the NFL. Led by Patrick Mahomes, the division has the Kansas City Chiefs, they also have the tough defense and now Russell Wilson-led Denver Broncos and his old stomping grounds with the Las Vegas Raiders and newly added Davante Adams.
Nevertheless, it's all shoulda, woulda, coulda, with the Bears from 2018-2021. In Mack's premier year, he helped lead a ruthless defense that ranked first in the league in points against (283), forced turnovers (36), interceptions (27), yards gained/pass (5.3), total rushing yards (1,280), touchdowns allowed (5) and turnover percentage (19.5).
That season, he came second in voting for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and racked up an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nod. He recorded 12.5 sacks, 47 tackles and an interception he returned for a touchdown that season.
The tandem of Mack and Robert Quinn was supposed to be one of the deadliest in the league, along with Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman on the line. Yet, in Quinn's best season last year (recorded franchise record 18.5 sacks) Mack was hurt most of the season, only playing seven games.
After the 2021 season, the Bears and the new regime of Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus traded Mack to the Chargers as part of a complete roster overhaul. In return, the Bears got back a 2022 second-round pick (No. 48 overall, which they used on safety Jaquan Brisker) and a 2023 sixth-round selection.
The Bears are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, while the Chargers are gearing up to compete deep into the AFC playoffs. But, that's how the cookie crumbles.
|
2022-07-27T20:46:35Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Khalil Mack on how hungry he is: 'I'll show you'
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-hungry-ill-show-201126262.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-hungry-ill-show-201126262.html?src=rss
|
Curran: Patricia takes lead role with Patriots offense on Day 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO – Bill Belichick’s not budging. He insists on being the human shield between Offensive Coordinator Doe and the mean media/fanbase who would put too much pressure on the poor guy.
As a result, we’ve got to do our own sleuthing as to who’s running the Patriots offense in 2022. And Wednesday morning during the first practice of 2022 training camp, it looked as we suspected it would. Matt Patricia’s running things.
I said, "as we suspected…" like I knew it all along. But that conclusion was only reached during minicamp after I’d incorrectly overestimated the involvement of Joe Judge in the offense during OTAs and figured he was trending to be the OC. Lotta laughs.
Anyway, you could tell Patricia was running things because when the Patriots broke off into 7-on-7, he was the one radioing in plays to Mac Jones while Belichick and Judge stood apart observing.
It matters. Even if Belichick keeps playing a podium shell game and pretending we’re making something out of nothing.
The Patriots spent 20 years with Tom Brady as quarterback and their last 10 with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. They were really experienced. They were really good. And there will never be a combo like them.
Now, three years post-Brady, the Patriots have a promising quarterback in Jones, and the two coaches in charge of Jones’ care and feeding are men who’ve never called plays or been offensive coordinators. And neither is on a hot streak given how things ended in their last jobs. So it’s a point of interest.
The two most important people in the four-man offensive weave might be Belichick and Jones. Jones is the one who’s got to execute the offense. And Belichick’s the one who has to go forward or pull back on the plan he’s hatched depending on results.
Both men spoke Wednesday about the process.
Belichick defended Patricia’s offensive background by saying he’s been coaching offense the past four years, adding, "It’s not about a one-person transition, it’s about putting together…"
Then he veered.
"Four staff members went to Las Vegas, we had new staff members and new players, quarterback going into his second year, it was a lot of things going on, it’s all got to come together on all the ends, it’s not one person. All right, welcome to camp!"
Matty P has seen so many different defenses along with Coach Belichick, so they combine their knowledge of how to attack the defense.
Mac Jones on the offensive roles of Matt Patricia and Bill Belichick
Jones testified that it's an open process between everyone right now.
"Coach Belichick has done a great job explaining exactly what we want to do as an offense," said Jones. "Matty P has seen so many different defenses along with Coach Belichick, so they combine their knowledge of how to attack the defense and they’re great guys and (Coach Judge).
"They all bring this different energy to the room when they’re presenting. They are trying to get us to work together and that’s important that we’re all on the same page regardless of who’s talking, who’s making a decision on the play. It’s always an open conversation, which I love."
I asked Jones if he felt ownership and whether he thought his input was valued.
"At the end of the day, players play and coaches coach," he said. "You want to listen to the good coaching you can get from three coaches who’ve all been head coaches in the league. They’ve seen a ton of football and that’s what I’m taking with me. What is something each one of them says in a meeting that I can take with me?
"They’re also listening to the players when we say, 'Hey, I wanna try this concept.' They'll say, 'OK, let’s try it.' Or if they want to put in something else, they explain the why, and that’s important for me understanding why we’re doing something."
Let the collaboration begin.
|
2022-07-27T20:46:48Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Matt Patricia takes lead role with Patriots offense at first training camp practice
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-patricia-takes-lead-role-193000490.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-patricia-takes-lead-role-193000490.html?src=rss
|
Mekhi Becton doesn’t care if he plays left or right tackle as long as he’s a starter
Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Wednesday that George Fant will begin training camp as the team’s starting left tackle. It wasn’t the most surprising announcement after Fant was seen lining up at left tackle to open practice, but it does leave Mekhi Becton searching for a new spot.
Becton was expected to be the team’s stud left tackle for years after he was taken in Round 1, but it looks like he’ll now compete at right tackle. He had a great response to Saleh’s decision, saying he doesn’t care where he plays as long as he earns a starting spot.
“I’m not too much focused on that, I’m just trying to get on the field and play a full season. That’s really my mindset. Whether it’s right or left, I don’t really care as long as I’m on the five, on the field.”
Becton played just one game last season due to injury, but he’s off to a good start this summer. He’s on the active roster and practicing, hopefully turning in a full season in 2022.
And even though Becton is working at right tackle, his days as a left tackle aren’t over, according to Saleh. So there’s still time for him to earn back his spot as the starting left tackle.
|
2022-07-27T20:46:54Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Mekhi Becton doesn’t care if he plays left or right tackle as long as he’s a starter
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/mekhi-becton-doesn-t-care-201002965.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/mekhi-becton-doesn-t-care-201002965.html?src=rss
|
NFL betting: Dan Campbell for coach of the year? Bettors think so
Last season, Mike Vrabel won the NFL coach of the year award. While it was certainly well deserved, it was a bit of a deviation from the history of this award. The 2020 Tennessee Titans went 11-5, the 2021 Titans went 12-5. Sure, Vrabel navigated some key injuries to the likes of Derrick Henry and Titans ended up being the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC. I'm not saying that Vrabel didn't deserve the award, but Vrabel's 2021 resume doesn't line up with most previous winners of the award. Usually coaches of previously good teams that stay good don't win the award.
Normally, the award is given to a coach that presides over an impressive year-to-year turnaround. Often, it's a coach in his first season with a new team. But for the most part, if a team goes from bad to good, that coach will be in the mix for the award. Therefore, it shouldn't be shocking to see that the most popular bet to win the award this year coaches a team that had just three wins last season.
Bettors love Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell became a fan favorite immediately when during his introductory press conference, he vowed his team would bite kneecaps off. On the field though, his first season wasn't great. The Lions went 3-13-1. The team fought hard, lost a lot of heartbreakers, but the results weren't there. They finished with the second worst record in the NFL.
Things did improve as the season went on. The Lions went 3-3 in their last six games after opening the season 0-10-1. They should be healthier this season than they were last year. The team added serious talent in the draft with Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. They signed some important free agents like D.J. Chark, Mike Hughes and DeShon Elliott.
After winning just three games last year, the win total for Detroit is set at over/under 6.5 wins in 2022. That's tied for the largest projected improvement in the league, and bettors still absolutely love the over. No team is receiving more over bets on their season win total than the Lions. As of last week at BetMGM, 94% of bets and 95% of the money was backing Detroit to go over 6.5 wins.
Dan Campbell is the most popular bet to win NFL coach of the year. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
If bettors like the Lions to be vastly improved, it makes sense they would like Dan Campbell to win coach of the year. That is certainly the case. Dan Campbell is currently the betting favorite to win the award at 12-to-1. He's tied for the best odds with Brian Daboll of the Giants.
As the favorite, Campbell is receiving the most action by a wide margin. Almost one-third of all bets placed are backing Campbell to win the award. No other coach is getting more than 6% of the action. Campbell is far and away the biggest liability for BetMGM in the market.
Other popular bets
While nobody is getting nearly as much action as Dan Campbell, these are some other coaches getting some love in the betting market:
Nathaniel Hackett (16-to-1): Nathaniel Hackett is entering his first season as the Broncos head coach. He's an appealing bet, because a first year head coach taking a non-playoff team to the playoffs is a good example of who wins this award. Denver is favored to make the playoffs this upcoming season. The only issue I have with the bet is how much credit will Hackett get for a potential turnaround? It seems like Russell Wilson might steal most of that positive press. Nevertheless, Hackett is the second most popular bet at 16-to-1, getting 5.7% of the action.
Sean McDermott (25-to-1): Sean McDermott is already an established coach of a very good team. That's probably why his odds are a little bit higher. Outside of Vrabel last year, this type of coach's best bet to win the award is if they have simply a tremendous season where they only lose 2 or 3 games. That's certainly in the range of outcomes for Buffalo. McDermott is the third most popular bet, getting 5.4% of the action.
Frank Reich (20-to-1): Frank Reich is 21-11 as a head coach when he received average or better quarterback play from Andrew Luck in 2018 and Philip Rivers in 2020. He's only 16-17 when saddled with Jacoby Brissett or Carson Wentz. Matt Ryan should be good enough for Reich to get results. He's the fourth most popular bet.
Mike Tomlin (20-to-1): It seems like the betting market and a lot of football media are convinced it will be a down year for the Steelers. However, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season and he competed for a playoff spot a few years ago with Duck Hodges. If he can get Mitch Trubisky (or Kenny Pickett) to produce wins, Tomlin will get love. He's the fifth most popular bet, getting 4.3% of bets.
It's worth noting that some of the least popular bets are considered some of the very best coaches in the league. Andy Reid (35-to-1), Kyle Shanahan (16-to-1) and Sean McVay (25-to-1) are in the bottom-10 in terms of number of bets they've received. It makes sense when you consider the narrative angle of the award. There's not much more those coaches can do to impress us.
|
2022-07-27T20:47:20Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
NFL betting: Dan Campbell for coach of the year? Bettors think so
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-betting-dan-campbell-for-coach-of-the-year-bettors-think-so-202631213.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-betting-dan-campbell-for-coach-of-the-year-bettors-think-so-202631213.html?src=rss
|
N'Keal Harry reveals his initial reaction to trade from Patriots to Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
N'Keal Harry is hoping to revive his career with the Chicago Bears after three disappointing seasons with the New England Patriots.
"It really is a fresh start," Harry told reporters Wednesday at Bears training camp. "A much needed fresh start for me."
The 24-year-old wide receiver requested a trade last August, but the Patriots held on to him through the 2021 season and he tallied just 12 receptions for 184 yards and zero touchdowns in 12 games.
Harry was dealt to the Bears on July 12 in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.
How did Harry react to the trade?
"I was actually asleep and my manager was at my house and he came downstairs," Harry said. "(He) told me I just got traded. When he told me I got traded to the Bears, I was excited. I jumped out of bed. I was just excited, man."
Harry joins a wide receiver depth chart in Chicago that ranks among the worst in the league.
The group is headlined by Darnell Mooney, who had a strong 2021 season with 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. But after Mooney, the talent level in the Bears receiving corps falls off a cliff. The next-best wideouts in Chicago are Byron Pringle, Dante Pettis, Tajae Sharpe, Equanimeous St. Brown and Harry.
There's not much talent there for young quarterback Justin Fields to work with in the passing attack. Harry turning around his career and enjoying a bounce-back season in 2022 would be a huge benefit for the Bears. They need a pass-catcher besides Mooney to step up and be a reliable target.
|
2022-07-27T20:47:32Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
N'Keal Harry reveals his initial reaction to trade from Patriots to Bears
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nkeal-harry-reveals-initial-reaction-201813081.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nkeal-harry-reveals-initial-reaction-201813081.html?src=rss
|
Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari essentially reiterated what general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday morning about his knee injury. Gutekunst stated the team is “cautiously optimistic” about Bakhtiari’s recovery status.
Bakhtiari offered reaffirmation at his locker following the first day of training camp.
“Concern level: low. Really like where I’m at, especially compared to just where I was overall last year,” said Bakhtiari, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Of course, Bakhtiari did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. He is currently on the physically unable to perform list but could come off at any time. The Packers do not want to rush him back after so many setbacks. Gutekunst mentioned that Bakhtiari underwent an additional procedure during the offseason.
This is the third procedure Bakhtiari has gone through since tearing his ACL in late 2020. After the initial surgery, he continued to deal with fluid buildup and even had a second surgery to clean up his knee during the 2021 season.
Bakhtiari eventually tested his knee in the season finale against the Detroit Lions. He played 27 snaps in the first half, but his knee did not respond well. Bakhtiari was forced to miss the divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers, and now, his status for the regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings is unclear.
The good news is that injury is not career-ending. Gutekunst has no doubt that his five-time All-Pro left tackle will eventually play in the NFL again, and Bakhtiari remains optimistic about his return.
|
2022-07-27T20:47:38Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Packers LT David Bakhtiari says concern level over knee injury is low
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-lt-david-bakhtiari-says-185353734.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-lt-david-bakhtiari-says-185353734.html?src=rss
|
“It’s just being a great teammate everyday,” Trubisky said. “Just having those conversations whether it’s in the meeting room or the locker rooms or wherever we’re at at practice. Helping him if he has any questions and just sharing my experiences with him.”
While this is a noble stand for Trubisky and I can certainly appreciate it, he can’t lose sight of the fact he’s competing for this starting job and this team needs him to be his best. Pittsburgh is hoping to get 2018 Trubisky where he maximized the talent of guys around him. This is going to require focus and dedication to mastering Matt Canada’s offense. Any mentoring of Pickett needs to be done with the big picture in mind.
“At the end of the day, that’s how you want everyone to receive your music,” Kendrick Lamar said of a viral TikTok from the Texas concert.
Shawn Mendes has canceled his tour, which includes a stop in Columbus on October 18.
|
2022-07-27T20:48:10Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky saying all the right things at training camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-qb-mitch-trubisky-saying-190053820.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-qb-mitch-trubisky-saying-190053820.html?src=rss
|
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid NFL edge rushers: The salary for the Top 32 in the league
|
2022-07-27T20:48:17Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
T.J. Watt leads list of highest-paid NFL edge rushers in 2022. Here's what the Top 32 make.
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/t-j-watt-leads-list-195727052.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/t-j-watt-leads-list-195727052.html?src=rss
|
Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has patiently waited for an opportunity to show the rest of the football world just how much he’s improved as a player.
There were definitely glimpses of it in last year’s training camp before he went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Now, after months of rehabilitation, Smith was back in front of the media on Tuesday, all smiles and determined to pick right back up where he left off.
“I got a butterfly right here on my neck, and it’s like a new beginning,” said Smith. “All the things that I’ve done in my past I still reflect on, but I’m excited for the future and what the future holds for myself and for this team—for this offense. And we’re just going to take it one day at a time. But it’s definitely a new beginning for me, I’d say.”
There’s hope Smith can settle into what should be a powerhouse offense featuring one of the most talented skilled groups in the NFL.
He’s a versatile playmaker capable of lining up anywhere on the field. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell should get plenty of enjoyment utilizing Smith in ways that’ll create serious mismatches for opposing defenses.
It could potentially lead to him being the breakout player on the roster.
In the two healthy seasons that he’s played, he’s mustered a total of 66 catches, 676 yards and seven touchdowns. Those stats don’t match the talent, and considering it’s a contract year, Smith will be extra motivated to take his game to another level.
A new beginning sounds about right for a fourth-year player with a lot to prove and coming up on the biggest season of his career.
Kevin O’Connell expects Irv Smith Jr. to be “full-go” at training camp
Irv Smith Jr. expected to be a "full-go" at training camp, per Kevin O'Connell.
The first practice of Vikings training camp on Wednesday will include an unrestricted Irv Smith Jr., according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, who was pleased with what he saw from the fourth-year tight end when Smith reported to camp early with other rehabbing veterans. "To see him moving around [Monday], we got out on the grass with those early-report guys," O'Connell said Tuesday. "You can ...
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference on Wednesday that the war in Ukraine has “weakened Russia profoundly.” Blinken said the last progress that Russian troops have made in the easternmost Donbas region of Ukraine, which Russia has focused on since failing to take the capital Kyiv earlier in the war, has…
Toei and Sony Pictures have shared behind-the-scenes footage for the upcoming live-action Knights...
|
2022-07-27T20:48:35Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. dedicated new neck tattoo to NFL return
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-te-irv-smith-jr-192029918.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-te-irv-smith-jr-192029918.html?src=rss
|
After a shaky start to his career with the Tennessee Titans, 2022 first-round pick and wide receiver Treylon Burks wasted no time righting the ship in Tennessee’s first training camp practice on Wednesday.
Not only did Burks shine on the field, he also participated fully and looked to be in better shape, which is a great sign after he dealt with conditioning issues earlier this offseason.
As far as those conditioning issues are concerned, Burks took accountability for not being fully ready.
“I would say yeah,” Burks said when asked if he could have done more to prepare, per Paul Kuharsky. “That’s just being accountable; I should have taken a better attack on that and now that I am, you can tell a big difference.”
According to Ben Arthur of The Tennessean, Burks had two notable catches during Tennessee’s first training camp practice, one of which was a deep ball down the sideline.
The Titans were nice enough to share a clip of the play, which showed Burks adjusting and extending to make a nice catch.
Burks’ strong showing on Day 1 should put fears about him to bed. Now, he has to focus on learning and improving his chemistry with Ryan Tannehill if he wants a big role out of the gate.
|
2022-07-27T20:48:42Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Watch: Titans’ Treylon Burks makes great catch on deep ball at practice
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-titans-treylon-burks-makes-194332120.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-titans-treylon-burks-makes-194332120.html?src=rss
|
Brittney Griner in court for a hearing in her drug possession case Wednesday outside Moscow. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
American basketball star Brittney Griner testified at her drug possession trial in Russia that an interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said as she was being questioning after her detention at Moscow's airport in February and that officials told her to sign documents without explaining what they said.
Griner has been held since mid-February after police said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She has pleaded guilty to the charges but says she had no criminal intent in bringing them into the country and packed in haste for her return to the U.S. after playing in a Russian basketball league during the WNBA's offseason.
Griner, 31, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Trials in Russia proceed even after a guilty plea, and there has been speculation that her admission was a bid to move the legal process along in hopes of a possible prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.
During her testimony, the Phoenix Mercury standout and two-time Olympic gold medalist described making a grueling 13-hour flight to Moscow from Arizona while recovering from COVID-19. Griner said she still does not know how the cannabis oil ended up in her bag but explained she had a doctor’s recommendation for using it to treat chronic pain.
Some of Griner's supporters contend she is being held as a pawn, possibly for a prisoner swap. American soccer star Megan Rapinoe last week said “she’s being held as a political prisoner, obviously.”
Real disposable incomes in Russia fell 0.8% in the second quarter of 2022, preliminary data showed on Wednesday, with rising prices and restrictions linked to the conflict in Ukraine stifling Russians' purchasing power. Russia's economy is plunging into recession and inflation is still hovering near a 10-year high after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, triggering Western sanctions. Car production shrank 89% in annual terms, one of the industries hardest hit by Western sanctions aimed at punishing Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
|
2022-07-27T21:23:12Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Brittney Griner tells Russian court of poor translation at her arrest
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/brittney-griner-testifies-first-time-143640774.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/brittney-griner-testifies-first-time-143640774.html?src=rss
|
The Biden administration has “put a substantial proposal on the table” aimed at bringing WNBA star Brittney Griner and fellow jailed American Paul Whelan home from Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
Blinken declined to offer details on the proposed deal with Russia, but convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout has for years been atop the Kremlin’s prisoner exchange wish list. Russian state media outlets have previously floated the possibility of an exchange involving Griner and Bout, sparking speculation that the so-called “Merchant of Death” was the Kremlin’s preferred target.
A plan to trade Bout for Whelan and Griner has been under discussion since earlier this year and has recently received the backing of President Biden, CNN reported on Wednesday. Yahoo Sports reached out to Bout’s attorney seeking to confirm the CNN report. Steve Zissou declined comment, citing the sensitivity of the situation at the moment.
In a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the Department of State, Blinken revealed that the U.S. informed Russia of its offer for Griner and Whelan “weeks ago.” Russian officials have publicly said that they will not engage in negotiations with the U.S. involving Griner until after her criminal trial concludes.
Blinken said that he intends to “follow up personally” with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to push for the release of Griner and Whelan. That conversation would be Blinken’s first with his Kremlin counterpart since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, but the Secretary of State argued there is value in “conveying clear, direct messages to the Russians on key priorities” like securing the return of Griner and Whelan.
“My hope would be in speaking with foreign minister Lavrov, I can advance the efforts to bring them home,” Blinken said.
The revelation of a potential prisoner exchange comes on the same day that Griner testified in a Russian court and made her case for a lenient sentence. Griner did not dispute that she brought vape cartridges containing hash oil into Russia, but she insisted it was an unplanned accident caused by her haste in packing for a transatlantic flight to Moscow.
Griner has been in Russian custody since February 17 and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of drug smuggling charges. Whelan, a former Marine, is currently serving 16 years on espionage charges that the United States has described as bogus.
While the State Department has declared both Griner and Whelan to be wrongfully detained and has labeled freeing them a top priority, there is a downside to negotiating a deal to bring them home. As Blinken himself acknowledged, a high-profile prisoner exchange could incentivize the Russians to seize more Americans and could embolden other rogue nations to do the same.
Then there’s the matter of Russia’s apparent lopsided asking price. Bout, the inspiration for the 2005 Nicolas Cage film, “Lord of War,” is currently serving a 25-year sentence in an Illinois federal prison. He is a man who DEA agents had to lure out of Russia to arrest and who the U.S. cannot be eager to set free.
Viktor Bout, center, is led by armed Thai police commandoes as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. The Russian arms dealer who once inspired a Hollywood movie is back in the headlines with speculation around a return to Moscow in a prisoner exchange for U.S. WBNA star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File)
Exactly how bad is Viktor Bout? The answer varies depending on who you ask. Russian state media calls him a “businessman” and an “entrepreneur.” His former website says he’s a “born salesman with undying love for aviation.” A longtime DEA agent once described him as “one of the most dangerous men on the face of the earth.”
Born in the Soviet outpost of Tajikistan to Russian parents, Bout, 55, displayed an early gift for mastering languages. He reportedly is fluent in more than a half-dozen languages, including English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Uzbek.
Bout has acknowledged graduating from the prestigious Military Institute of Foreign Languages, then working in Africa in the late 1980s as a Soviet military translator. The military language school was known as a training ground for the Soviet foreign military intelligence directorate known as the GRU.
When the Soviet Union teetered and collapsed in 1991, Bout, then in his mid-20s, astutely saw opportunity amid the chaos. Piles of weapons and ammunition lay discarded in dusty warehouses. Military planes sat abandoned on Soviet runways because there was no money for maintenance or fuel, and no one was flying them.
Relying on his military and intelligence connections, Bout acquired several Antonov cargo planes known for their heavy airlift capacity and ability to land in treacherous terrain. Those became the starting point for a private fleet of more than 50 Soviet cargo planes and a network of air-freight companies that hauled goods to and from far-flung conflict zones.
Bout’s planes reportedly carried anything from fresh-cut flowers, to frozen food, to U.N. peacekeepers, but authorities say he raked in most of his profit delivering arms and ammunition from old Soviet stockpiles. At Bout’s peak, according to the U.S Department of Treasury, he had “the capacity to transport tanks, helicopters and weapons by the tons to virtually any point in the world.”
The ability to supply that sort of firepower rapidly and with pinpoint accuracy helped Bout build a client list that included some of the world’s most notorious leaders. He made $50 million supplying the Taliban with military equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury. He also allegedly inflamed conflicts in Liberia, Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
Angola was one country where Bout allegedly defied United Nations sanctions prohibiting arms trafficking and U.S. peace-making efforts. A former high-ranking U.S. State Department official told Yahoo Sports that in the mid-to-late 1990s, Bout sold Soviet-era arms to both sides of the Angolan Civil War — the Marxist government and the UNITA rebels seeking to overthrow it.
“He was undermining our efforts to create peace in Angola,” the former State Department source said. “He didn't care what side of the issue he was on. He was in it for profit.”
Bout consistently stayed one step ahead of international investigators by repeatedly registering and re-registering his planes in far-flung countries, enabling him to avoid inspections and oversight. It also helped that Bout’s alleged arms deals often fell into a legal gray area, making him difficult to arrest or prosecute.
In the final years of the Clinton administration, with parts of Africa ravaged by civil war, bloodshed and ethnic strife, the National Security Council authorized the surveillance of government and rebel leaders in war zones like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Congo. NSC officials eventually noticed that each conflict had one common thread: Bout was supplying the weapons.
The NSC’s efforts to apprehend Bout ultimately fell apart when it could neither find an American law to apply to him nor persuade an African ally to issue an arrest warrant. In a 2000 letter to NSC African Affairs Director Gayle Smith, a South African official explained, "It is not clear from the information provided whether [Bout] has committed an act that has been criminalized under South African law and which falls under the jurisdiction of South Africa."
At the same time as other branches of the U.S. government were trying to build a case against Bout, the Pentagon reportedly hired him as a valued contractor. Bout received millions of dollars to deliver goods and equipment to American troops in Iraq, according to Douglas Farah and Stephen Braun, co-authors of the 2007 book “Merchant of Death.”
In the early 2000s, the U.N. also investigated Bout and accused him of supplying arms throughout Africa. One U.N. report said Bout had “at least five passports” and “at least five aliases.” A subsequent U.N. report alleged that Bout provided weapons to Liberian warlord Charles Taylor’s abhorrent regime to “gain illicit access to diamonds.”
While the U.N. reports carried no legal weight, they shined a spotlight on the work Bout had long been doing in the shadows. In 2004, the U.S. Department of Treasury froze what assets of his it could. Arrest warrants, raids and unwanted media attention soon followed.
The mounting pressure uprooted Bout and his wife from their home in the United Arab Emirates and caused him to retreat to Moscow. The protection of the Russian government made him practically untouchable there … unless someone could lure him out.
The sting on Viktor Bout
In the summer of 2007, a counterterrorism adviser to President George W. Bush approached the DEA’s Michael Braun with an audacious question.
Juan Zarate had just seen agents from the DEA arrest Syrian arms trafficker Monzer al-Kassar via an elaborate overseas sting operation. Now Zarate wondered if Braun's special operations division could devise a similar scheme to take down Bout.
"Every other three-letter and four-letter agency has taken a shot at him," Braun remembers Zarate telling him. "Could you guys try to bring him to justice?"
Over the next few months, the DEA crafted its plan to have agents pose as members of the FARC, a violent Colombian rebel faction financed by drug trafficking and other criminal activity. The FARC was a shrewd choice because the U.S. had already classified it as a terrorist group and because the Colombian guerillas were thought to be in the market for the same weapons that Bout had previously supplied other groups.
In November 2007, the DEA initiated Operation Relentless with the help of an informant who was friendly with Bout and associate Andrew Smulian. At the request of the DEA, the informant emailed Smulian and revealed he had a potential deal for Bout. After gauging Bout's interest, Smulian replied to the informant, “It may be that he can get his hands on items which you require."
The sting operation culminated in March 2008 when the DEA successfully baited Bout into leaving his Russian safe haven and flying to Bangkok to finalize the deal. DEA agents chose Bangkok because they had a good relationship with the Thai police and because they felt Bout wouldn't be suspicious traveling to a city so many time zones removed from the U.S. or Western Europe.
After Bout's meeting with undercover operatives ended with him shoved up against a wall with his hands in the air, DEA regional director Tom Pasquarello entered the hotel conference room. What struck the agent was how calm Bout was even with his life in flames and a dozen guns pointed at him.
"Do you have anything to say?" Pasquarello asked Bout.
"The game’s over," the arms trafficker coolly responded.
Bout may have accepted his fate then, but his fighting spirit resurfaced when the U.S. sought to extradite him. Portraying himself as a pawn in an American plot, Bout testified in a Thai criminal court that he ran a legitimate air cargo business and that he had traveled to Bangkok to relax and to try to make a deal to sell cargo planes.
Either eager to protect a citizen arrested abroad or wary of what intelligence secrets Bout might spill if he were extradited, Russia also tried to intervene on his behalf. Not only did the Kremlin publicly denounce the charges against Bout, American officials also became aware of underhanded Russian attempts to block his extradition to the U.S., to bribe key witnesses or to buy his freedom.
"Putin and other high-level government officials really tried to move heaven and earth and get him repatriated to Russia," Braun said.
Added Pasquarello: "Everything was on the table to try to free him. I'm telling you, you can't even imagine."
After a two-and-a-half-year legal tug of war, Thailand finally agreed to hand over Bout to the U.S. To Pasquarello, that meant a few anxious days of making sure Russia neither broke Bout out of his maximum-security Thai prison nor arranged for him to "meet a mysterious death."
On the day that Bout was scheduled to depart Thailand, the DEA still took no chances. A decoy motorcade of police vehicles left the prison and headed to one Bangkok airport. Minutes later, a second convoy drove to a different airport, this time with Bout part of the trip.
When Bout's flight landed at Westchester County Airport in New York, two DEA agents escorted him off the plane. For the first time, the Merchant of Death was on American soil.
Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner?
Viktor Bout’s most unexpected American ally turned out to be the federal judge who presided over his case.
For years, Scheindlin has publicly questioned if Bout is as villainous as his menacing nickname and cartoonish reputation suggest.
After a federal jury convicted Bout of all four charges, including conspiracy to kill Americans, Scheindlin rejected the government’s request that she sentence him to life in prison. Scheindlin instead gave Bout the minimum possible sentence of 25 years and called it “fundamentally unfair to this defendant” that she didn’t have the option to be even more lenient.
When reached by phone by Yahoo Sports, Scheindlin said her stance hasn’t changed. Echoing her arguments from Bout’s 2012 sentencing hearing, Scheindlin pointed out that Bout hadn’t committed a crime chargeable in an American court prior to his arrest and that there is no reason to believe he would have had the DEA not targeted him with its sting operation.
“I think the sentence was too long, but I had no flexibility,” Scheindlin said. “My hands were tied.”
Since his 2012 conviction, Bout has been at the top of the Kremlin’s prisoner exchange wish list. Russia has repeatedly signaled its willingness to do a potential swap for jailed Americans, but so far the U.S. has been unwilling to part with Bout.
Experts who spoke to Yahoo Sports agreed that securing Bout’s release is a priority for Russia because of his high-level government and military intelligence connections. They said that Bout operated with state protection throughout his arms trafficking career and that he often served the government’s foreign policy interests once Vladimir Putin rose to power and reconsolidated Russia’s fractured intelligence services.
To Farah, co-author of the definitive book on Bout, Russia’s efforts to get Bout back are to reward him for supplying its allies with weapons, for staying loyal after his arrest and for never agreeing to serve as a turncoat source.
To Stephen J. Blank, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, Russia’s interest in Bout is driven by fear of the secrets he could expose if coerced into telling U.S. authorities about Russia’s clandestine arms business.
“This is a guy who knows an awful lot about Russian gun-running operations,” Blank said. “He sat at the center of a whole network of Russian arms deals that all trace back to Putin. Once you understand that, you understand why they’re trying so hard to get him back.”
Since a prisoner exchange is Bout’s only potential path back to Russia for the next 11 years, his New York attorney says he had “one directive” when he took over as lead counsel. Steve Zissou openly admits he is trying to “change the narrative” about Bout, to “get away from ‘Merchant of Death’ or ‘notorious arms dealer’” and make a trade more palatable to the American public and the U.S. government.
To spruce up Bout’s reputation, Zissou promptly returns calls from reporters, leaves comments under articles he finds one-sided and writes letters to the editor that frequently go unpublished. Zissou’s message is simple: That Bout “wasn’t committing any crimes that were prosecutable in a U.S. court” until the DEA targeted him.
“He was retired and living in Moscow, minding his own business,” Zissou said. “He had never been to the U.S. before. He had never expressed any ill will toward the U.S. And then the U.S. government spent millions of dollars creating a fictitious crime that didn’t exist.”
One factor working in Bout’s favor is the amount of time that has passed since his 2008 arrest. After 14 years, it would be very difficult for Bout to reintegrate himself in an industry that shifts as rapidly as the arms trade.
“You have to know the actors and the terrain and you have to have access,” Farah said. “He’d have none of that now. As bad a guy as I think he is, I don’t think there would be anything lost sending him back now in terms of strategic value.”
The biggest obstacle for a prisoner exchange for Bout has always been the optics. Could the U.S. stomach trading a notorious arms trafficker for a WNBA player allegedly caught carrying vape cartridges with marijuana oil? For Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage charges that the U.S. says are bogus?
Scheindlin, the federal judge who sentenced Bout, says she doesn’t believe “there would be any great injustice getting rid of this guy and letting him go back where he’s from in exchange for American citizens we really want back.”
“Now given the lack of equivalence between him and Brittney, I do think it would be more equal if the Russians are willing to release two Americans,” Scheindlin said.
Pasquarello, the former DEA agent who helped take down Bout, doesn’t see it the same way. He argued that it’s the government’s responsibility to find another way to bring Griner and Whelan home that doesn’t encourage Russia and other rogue states to keep seizing Americans as trade bait.
“You look into Viktor’s background and how many deaths are attached to his actions, and you want to trade this person?” Pasquarello said. “I don’t think there’s anyone involved in foreign policy and diplomacy who would describe that as a successful strategy. All that does is give governments incentive to hold high-value Americans in the future.”
|
2022-07-27T21:23:25Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
U.S. has offered 'substantial proposal' to Russia in exchange for Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/us-has-offered-substantial-proposal-to-russia-in-exchange-for-brittney-griner-paul-whelan-191716926.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/us-has-offered-substantial-proposal-to-russia-in-exchange-for-brittney-griner-paul-whelan-191716926.html?src=rss
|
The Nagurski Trophy is annually handed out to the best defensive player in college football, and four members of the Crimson Tide appear on the 2022 preseason watchlist. Will Anderson Jr. is the reigning award winner, and joining him on the watch list for this upcoming season are Eli Ricks, Jordan Battle and Henry To’oTo’o.
Ricks will be making his debut for the Tide in 2022, however, he was already a Third-team All-American in 2020 with the LSU Tigers. To’oTo’o will be starting for his fourth season in the SEC and led the Tide in tackles in 2021. To the surprise of many, Battle stuck around for his senior year instead of declaring for the NFL draft and is one of the biggest playmakers in the collegiate game.
While there is a great chance that Anderson goes back to back, it would be interesting to see if a teammate of his contends for the award.
Bama 4x ❌ Watch List@NagurskiTrophy
#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/RhqJBytYTt
|
2022-07-27T21:45:03Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Four Alabama Football players placed on the Nagurski Trophy watch List
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/four-alabama-football-players-placed-205330486.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/four-alabama-football-players-placed-205330486.html?src=rss
|
It is no question that the Crimson Tide will have one of the best linebacking duos in college football this season between Jaylen Moody and Henry To’oTo’o. The two were recently placed on the Butkus Award watch list for the most outstanding linebacker in the country.
To’oTo’o was the leading tackler for the Tide in 2021 and will be entering his fourth season as a starter in the SEC, and the second in Tuscaloosa. This will be Moody’s first season as a full-time starter for Nick Saban.
These two combined with a ferocious defensive line are going to make for one of the scariest front sevens in all of football.
To'oTo'o | Moody ❌ Watch List@butkusaward
#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/vQOVl1seb1
|
2022-07-27T21:45:16Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Moody, To’oTo’o named to Butkus Award Watch List
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/moody-oto-o-named-butkus-204702234.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/moody-oto-o-named-butkus-204702234.html?src=rss
|
It just means more in SEC football. And that’s mostly due to decades-long traditions that makes football in the South more than just something to do on fall Saturdays.
From Death Valley to The Plains to Between the Hedges, here’s our power rankings of SEC football’s best traditions.
Other SEC worst-to-first series: College towns, head coaching jobs, stadiums, helmets, logos, live mascots
"Rocky Top" (Tennessee)
It can get annoying to sit through whether at home on TV or in-person, but it’s catchy.
Checkerboard Neyland (Tennessee)
All traditions have to start somewhere. Tennessee fans checkerboarding Neyland Stadium may be a new one, but it is an incredible sight to see.
Cowbells (Mississippi State)
As annoying as these may be, you have to give it to the fans at Davis-Wade Stadium. They’re dedicated.
Rammer Jammer (Alabama)
“Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer. Give ’em hell, Alabama!”
“Rammer jammer” comes from a defunct student magazine that was published for several decades beginning in the 1920s.
Midnight Yell (Texas A&M)
Held the night before a home game, a midnight Yell Practice at Kyle Stadium is one of the coolest traditions in college football that any fan should want to check off their bucket list.
The Vol Navy (Tennessee)
Syndication: Knoxville
A floating tailgate outside of Neyland Stadium, the Vol Navy should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Uga (Georgia)
This is the greatest mascot in all of college football. No team adores their mascot like the University of Georgia loves Uga.
These English Bulldogs have been treated like royalty since the day Uga I became the official mascot of the university in 1956.
It started when Sonny Seiler brought his and his wife Cecelia’s bulldog to a football game in 1956. Head coach Wally Butts asked Seiler if the school could use the dog as its mascot going forward.
Georgia is the only major college that actually buries its mascots within the confines of the stadium.
Sandstorm (South Carolina)
One of the coolest things you’ll ever see is when “Sandstorm” comes on at Williams-Brice and the whole stadium starts shaking.
'Neck' (LSU)
The band’s version was banned by the university in 2010 after fans modified it with some unfriendly lyrics, but fans at Tiger Stadium will still keep it alive.
Calling The Hogs (Arkansas)
Arkansas fan or not…how can you not enjoy the classic “Woo Pig Sooooie” at Razorback games?
The Grove (Ole Miss)
Chuck Cook – USA TODAY Sports
The pageantry, the atmosphere and the charm of Oxford has led to the Grove at Ole Miss becoming the top spot for southern football tailgating.
The 12th Man (Texas A&M)
“The power of the 12th Man is echoed in the unity, the loyalty, and the willingness of Aggies to serve when called to do so.” – TAMU.edu
War Eagle (Auburn)
We aren’t ones to compliment our neighbors to the east and west often, but we had to give it to the Auburn Tigers here.
Since the first War Eagle, there have been seven other birds throughout Auburn’s history which have served as the school’s symbol and kept alive the legendary battle cry. War Eagle VIII (Aurea) currently entertains fans with her customary flight around Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to each home football game.
Light up Sanford (Georgia)
A new tradition, one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever see is when 92,746 fans light up the Athens night with their cell phones after the third quarter.
Rolling Toomer's Corner (Auburn)
Syndication: Montgomery
One of the greatest traditions there is, Toomer’s Corner is maybe the coolest setting in American sports. You need to check it out after a big Auburn win.
World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (Georgia-Florida)
It’s a scene in college football like none other. The drive to Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field for the annual World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, simply put, is just different, has a unique vibe and is more exciting than an ordinary college football game.
Micah Banuelos grew up an Oregon Ducks fan, spent a lot of time over the years thinking about the potential of playing for that program one day, and yet on Monday the three-star offensive lineman announced his commitment to USC, choosing the Trojans over the Ducks and Texas A&M. "It was hard because growing up I was always an Oregon fan, and just to think of the bigger picture of 'SC going to the Big Ten and, shoot ... I talked to a lot of players that didn't go to 'SC and some of the players that did, and it was basically just all praise for the program," Banuelos told TrojanSports.com about his decision.
Shoppers say it’s “perfect for everyday wear.”
|
2022-07-27T21:45:35Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Ranking the best traditions in SEC football
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-best-traditions-sec-football-205425477.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-best-traditions-sec-football-205425477.html?src=rss
|
The second day of Big Ten media days took place on Wednesday, and with it, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day got his turn at the podium as the last coach to speak during the two-day event in Indianapolis.
As you would expect, Day got peppered with several questions and had quite a bit to say as the flagbearer of the conference these days. In the event that you didn’t get to catch all that the OSU head man had to say, never fear, because it’s our job to bring it to you.
You can watch the entire video at the end, or scroll through each question in a transcript format if that’s more your style. Here is everything Ryan Day had to say inside Lucas Oil Stadium at the 2022 Big Ten media days on Wednesday.
Introductory remarks from Kevin Warren on Ryan Day
Kevin Warren: Our final head coach for our Football Media Days is an absolute leader on and off the field, an incredible football coach, and has made his imprint in a powerful fashion, not only in the Big Ten but across the country.
He and his wife Christina are very involved in On Our Sleeves to increase education, advocacy in regards to childhood mental health initiatives, and they even have started and created their own Ryan and Christina Day Fund at the Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He’s passionate about the mental health and wellness of everyone, but especially young people.
So it’s good to have Coach Day here today. We’re looking forward to a great season. So welcome to the podium the head football coach at The Ohio State University, Ryan Day.
Ryan Day's opening remarks
Ryan Day: Hi, everybody. Thank you, Commissioner Warren.
It’s exciting to be here today. A lot going on right here in Big Ten land, and I want to congratulate Commissioner Warren on a great couple months here and leading this conference into the future.
A lot of people, I’m sure, had a hand in that, and I certainly want to tip my cap to all the presidents and athletic directors and everybody involved with it, but certainly Commissioner Warren being a big part of the expansion here of the conference.
I really want to thank the leadership of President Johnson and Gene Smith, two people who have had a huge impact on my career here in a short period of time, and they’ve done unbelievable things here at Ohio State and continue to do as we move into the future.
I think, as we look into this season, this exciting season for us, we have three guys here today, C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Ronnie Hickman, who really — we could have probably brought 10 or 15 different guys here today, but they really capture what we want as a player.
You start with Ronnie Hickman, this is a guy who’s been through a lot of adversity at Ohio State, had some injuries but then played some really good football the last couple years, had a really good off-season, has had really good leadership. We’re going to need that veteran leadership, especially early in the season as we kick off against Notre Dame here at home.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a tremendous year last year, had a really strong off-season. He’s one of the more competitive men I’ve been around and a really strong off-season. All three of these guys have been named to our leadership committee.
Then C.J. Stroud, who last year really grew. Going into last year, it’s amazing at this time he had not thrown a college football pass, grew as the season went on to a Heisman Trophy finalist.
This off-season, he’s really had an edge to him. He’s done a great job with his leadership. Because of that, we’ve had a really good off-season.
I think it’s great to see a team come together. I think every coach will say they had a great off-season, so I’m not just going to fall in line. But I’m excited about what this team is, and I would kind of describe them as edgy this off-season.
We do start with Notre Dame early in the year. I want to thank Buckeye Nation because there’s so much excitement around our program this year. That game and the last game, the rivalry game at the end of the year is already sold out. Our home schedule, I think there’s only single tickets available right now. There’s been a lot of excitement around that and a lot of excitement around this team.
As we head into the preseason, this will be an important preseason. We’ve got to start off the season well. We’ve got to play well in our first game, and that starts next week. With that, take any questions you guys have.
On C.J. Stroud's growth
Question: Ryan, expound on C.J. Stroud, though, just the way he’s grown as a leader over the last year. Like you said, this time a year ago you hadn’t even named him as a starter. Where has he really stepped up in that regard?
Ryan Day: C.J. has always had very good leadership skills. He’s always had a voice. Once you go on the field and you show credibility that you can do it, you walk a little differently, and guys look at you through a different lens. I think that’s been the case.
I think, when you’re young and you go into a season and you haven’t played, you’re just trying to figure out a way to complete that first pass, get that first win, and you’re so focused on your job and maybe the offense.
This off-season he’s done a great job of taking a bunch of guys on defense over to his house. He’s cooked for them. He’s really approached it like a coach, and that’s what leaders do, and that’s what really good quarterbacks do. For a third year player to take that kind of approach has been great to see.
On preparation for teams like Notre Dame the OSU program doesn't see very often
Question: Your first three opponents this season, Notre Dame, Arkansas State, and Toledo, Ohio State has matched up a combined nine times against in history before this year. How does your preparation change when you look at teams like this versus ones you see all the time?
Ryan Day: You don’t exactly know what you’re going to get, especially with a new staff. You’re not exactly sure what’s going to happen. It’s not like being in the eighth, ninth, tenth game in the year, into November, where you have a whole bunch of games, cut-ups to watch and expectations and tendencies.
So you have to focus on yourself. You have to focus on fundamentals and adjust in-game and try to have contingency plans in place for those games.
On his expectations for the defense in year one under Jim Knowles
Question: In year one of the Jim Knowles era, so to speak, on defense, what are the expectations in year one? I’m sure improving isn’t enough. You guys need to markedly improve. What are your thoughts on your expectations for the defense?
Ryan Day: First we have to play winning football, and that starts with stopping the run. I think that this off-season has been excellent in terms of them installing the defense, in terms of schematics. I think our new staff has done an excellent job, Jim with the linebackers, Perry with the safeties, Tim with the corners, and obviously Larry up front.
They come back with a lot of experience, almost the entire defense back, and really almost the entire Rose Bowl team is back from last year. So that’s exciting. So we have a bit more experience there. So that part’s good.
But new scheme, new coaches, all of those things are new. I think going up against them in the spring and seeing what’s happened this summer and now into the preseason, it’s been exciting to watch. There’s just an aggressiveness about them.
But in terms of expectations, yeah, we expect a top ten defense. That’s what we want. When we’ve played our best football, it’s because we played really good defense, and we’ve been balanced and played complementary football.
We want to obviously stop the run to begin with and then go from there, but we expect a top ten defense.
On what makes Jaxon Smith-Njigba different
Question: Ryan, you said Jaxon’s one of the more competitive guys you’ve seen. These guys are all competitive. What makes him different? Do you have any detail, or can you get into that a little bit?
Ryan Day: Well, he’s not a real talkative guy, just in terms of on the field. He kind of keeps to himself, but when he says something, people listen. When he does speak, he’s got a backbone. He’s strong in what he says and his opinions, and he believes in hard work. He believes in toughness. If you watch the way he plays, he’s tough.
Winning really matters to him. He tries to win every rep when he’s out there. I’ve just been very impressed with the way he’s practiced, the way he plays. He doesn’t want to miss a rep. That’s just the way he is. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy, and he doesn’t stand for people making excuses. He doesn’t stand for people not being accountable.
For somebody who isn’t real talkative or loud, he does in his own way hold guys accountable. I think his competitiveness shows that way, and he leads by playing really, really hard. I think you saw that, especially in the last game, but you saw that in other games as well, just how hard he plays
On bringing the offensive line around
Question: I want to ask about the offensive line. You’ve got a couple of new starters there this year. They did a pretty good job last year keeping C.J. clean in pass protection, but I know there were some concerns maybe with physicality in the run game. What are you going to do to bring that new offensive line around and develop some depth behind the starters as well?
Ryan Day: Those are areas of focus. Justin Frye’s come in and done a really good job of talking about — we’re not changing things, but he does teach things different. He has a different style of coaching, a little bit different technique. So that’s been great.
We have moved some different guys around. We lost Nick. We lost Thayer. But it’s good to have those other guys back.
I’m really excited about the off-season that Dawand Jones has had. He’s lost a bunch of weight. He’s in really good shape. Same thing with Matt Jones. Donovan Jackson stepped up and had a really good off-season as well. Luke has been a leader, and Paris moves to left tackle. So that’s a pretty good group right there.
Like you said, I don’t know if it was the physicality in the run game or maybe the fits weren’t right, but when we needed to at times, we didn’t get it done. Other times we did. When you look at our numbers, they were very, very good, and we did run the ball when we needed to.
That balance is what we want. Certainly when you get to short yardage situations, big games, red zone, you’ve got to be able to run the ball at a high level, and that’s going to be the focus. The offensive line, the tight ends have a big hand in that, the running backs, but also Coach Frye and the run game.
On what he's seen in terms of leadership during the offseason
Question: I know you made a big point of emphasis during the spring on leadership. You just talked about C.J.’s leadership in the summer. Players obviously have to take the initiative. What have you seen in terms of that for your team?
Ryan Day: So we really did an extensive study on how we wanted to handle leadership this year. We had two different periods where we elected a leadership committee, and those were different positions, different position groups, different classes. They were voted on by the team. We went through the spring, and then we revoted as we came back off of the break in May, and we really intermingled the team.
We tried to stay away from the position groups as much as we could, and I think that brought the team together a lot more. That forced guys into leadership positions. I think the thing that was neat was the first round of leadership was not the same round in the summer. So some guys maybe took a step back, some guys took a step up.
Now as we head into the summer, we kind of have an idea who the captains are going to be because we’ve already gone through it once. I think that’s something we’re going to grab onto moving forward, and it’s put guys in position to have a voice, and I’m hoping this pays off for us during the season.
On how opening with Notre Dame has affected the players preparation
Question: To tag along a little bit to your previous question about opening with Notre Dame, probably the most highly anticipated opener in school history, at least by the fans, how has that impacted your players compared to other openers you’ve had both in the NFL and college, if any, or maybe not at all?
Ryan Day: No, it’s been real. I think our guys feel it. I think they feel the excitement. I think they feel the anticipation. I think they just feel the community rally around this team.
Last year we started on the road at Minnesota, and that was a big conference game on the road with a very inexperienced team. So we had to play well in that game. That’s similar this year. Now we’re at home, a little bit more experienced team, but the plan’s going to be the same. We’ve got to play really good football in that first game.
I think, when you look at our season, we have to have competitive stamina. We have to play really good at the beginning of the year, and we’ve got to play really good at the end of the year. That’s the challenge of being Ohio State, you’ve got to win them all. So competitive stamina is one of the things we’ve been talking about as a team.
More on Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman
Question: Kind of to piggy-back off my friend up there, opening up against Notre Dame and that ability that you talk about, what is that doing for your team? Also, in addition to that, with a guy like Marcus Freeman who went to Ohio State and played Ohio State, do you think that a team like Notre Dame should join the Big Ten Conference under the leadership of Freeman and just because of the buildup that you had this season?
Ryan Day: I think it’s an exciting time for our fans, an exciting time for our team. It’s obviously an exciting time for the Big Ten. Obviously the things that have gone on here in the last couple months. So I think it’s a great opportunity to play against a really good opponent.
Marcus Freeman does a very, very good job. He’s got a really good staff. They’re very knowledgeable, very energetic, do a great job recruiting, do a great job schematically. It’s going to be a really big challenge for us. They have a great team coming into Ohio State.
All those things kind of have our guys’ attention. So I think there is a little bit more attention to our guys just knowing what a big game we have to start the season off with.
On processing the loss to Michigan last year and how it has driven the team
Question: Have you had some time to process the loss to the team up north last year? Just talk about how that has really catapulted you guys into the off-season as a motivating factor. And also just how good you feel about this team. It feels like you have something special brewing in Columbus this year.
Ryan Day: Every year the expectations are high, and that doesn’t change based on what happened the year before. The expectation is to win them all. I said that in my opening press conference when I was named the head coach, and that’s just the way it is.
Maybe at some places 11-2 with a Rose Bowl victory is a good year. It isn’t at Ohio State. Our three goals are beat the team up north, win the Big Ten Championship, win the National Championship. That’s our goals, and those things didn’t happen last year.
It doesn’t change next year or the year before. Just a different team with a different group of guys, more experienced. Again, when you think about those first few games last year, we had a lot of young guys, and now we’ve gone through a whole season and off-season together, I think our guys are a little scarred, they’re a little calloused. They know what it’s like to lose a game, and that’s not fun. We remind our guys about that regularly, but we also know we have to move forward and focus on what’s coming next.
Complete Ryan Day 2022 Big Ten media days press conference
Big Ten Media Days Central: All of M's coverage in one place
USA Today INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Maize & Blue Review is live from Lucas Oil Stadium as Michigan is currently participating in Big Ten Media Days, another sign that the football season is right around the corner.
|
2022-07-27T21:45:41Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
What Ryan Day said at Big Ten media days
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ryan-day-said-big-ten-201056590.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ryan-day-said-big-ten-201056590.html?src=rss
|
49ers officially release Ford in long-expected roster move originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers on Wednesday made the long-awaited move to release veteran defensive end Dee Ford, whose time with the organization was marred by injuries.
The 49ers acquired Ford in a 2019 trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round draft pick. In three seasons with the 49ers, Ford appeared in only 18 regular-season games and three postseason games. He registered 10.5 sacks.
General manager John Lynch foreshadowed the release of Ford, 31, in March.
“I think we tried to be as patient as possible, and no fault of Dee, he just ran into a bad situation with his back, where he couldn’t get healthy,” Lynch said.
Ford signed a lucrative contract with the 49ers and was paid more than $40 million during his time with the club. Ford will count for nearly $6 million in dead money against the 49ers’ cap this season but his release creates an immediate cap savings of $1.12 million.
He appeared in just seven games in 2020 and 2021 due to back injuries.
The 49ers acquired Ford when he was coming off his career year in Kansas City, registering career-bests with 13 sacks and 55 tackles.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:24Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
49ers officially release Dee Ford in long-expected roster move
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-officially-release-dee-ford-204433144.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-officially-release-dee-ford-204433144.html?src=rss
|
Former Kansas City Chiefs OLB Dee Ford has been released from his contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
With concerns about the Chiefs’ pass-rushing depth, there will surely be some calls for a reunion, but don’t expect that to happen. There’s the offsides gaffe in the 2018 AFC title game that in part cost Kansas City a trip to the Super Bowl. Also considering Ford’s fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 system, plus the neck and back injuries that have hampered his career since he left Kansas City, this one is probably best left in the past.
Brad Pitt Is 'Dating' & 'Living His Best Life' Nearly 6 Years After Angelina Jolie Split (Report)
Is Brad Pitt single and ready to mingle? The Oscar winner has reportedly been "dating but is not in a serious relationship" nearly six years after ex-wife Angelina Jolie filed for divorce. A source tells People this week that Brad is "living his best life under the circumstances" and pursuing personal passions while staying focused on his family. "Brad has dinner with his younger kids when they are all in L.A. … [He] still has a pretty good relationship with them," the insider said.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:30Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
49ers release former Chiefs OLB Dee Ford
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-release-former-chiefs-olb-205543303.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-release-former-chiefs-olb-205543303.html?src=rss
|
How summer workouts helped Aiyuk feel 'connected' to Lance originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA -- The connection between a quarterback and his wide receiver is incredibly important.
And while wideout Brandon Aiyuk shares a clear bond with second-year QB Trey Lance, who is set to take over the 49ers offense this season, it didn’t start out that way.
“I guess he said I used to never talk to him. I used to give him dirty looks apparently,” Aiyuk told reporters with a smile after the first practice of training camp on Wednesday. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
The pair, Aiyuk heading into his third NFL season and Lance his second, spent a couple of weeks this summer working out together in Southern California. It was the second year they’ve done so and has helped forge a special relationship between them -- one that extends beyond the field.
“... We got to stay in the same house together with a couple other people and just hang out by the fire, talk, really just get to know who he is and him getting to know who I am outside of playing football,” Aiyuk said. “Because that’s really the only time we get to see each other, so being down there a couple weeks and working hard, putting in hours grinding together and then hanging out, just chilling afterwards.
“It’s cool. It’s a great thing. That’s the quarterback. We’ve got to be connected on the field and off.”
From running routes to working on play-action passes, Aiyuk and Lance did everything they could to simulate what training camp would be like and even broke their workouts up into similar three-day blocks.
Lance’s ability to extend the field should keep Aiyuk on his toes this year, he said, as opposed to the offense under Jimmy Garoppolo during the receiver’s first two seasons.
“You just have to be ready on every single play, where in the past where you may not have gotten the ball on certain plays just because you want to get the ball ‘here,’” Aiyuk said. “You have to be ready on any play just because it’s a possibility that you might get the ball, even though we haven’t thrown that ball here or in that spot in years past. He definitely does …
“He makes those safeties back up, get on their pedal fast, and I think that’s great just because it will give us all the underneath stuff that we love to throw as well.”
Lance and Aiyuk showed what they can achieve together on the field last season, although it was just a glimpse. Lance’s second start against the Houston Texans in Week 17 last season saw him connect frequently with Aiyuk, who tallied 94 yards on four catches in the 23-7 win.
Aiyuk said he has seen a more comfortable Lance so far heading into the quarterback’s second season, and noticed a difference after just one day of official practice.
“Every time you get in the huddle and then you go away and work, you get better … Each time, you get more and more comfortable just based off not only the work he put in away, but just having some success in the spring and then coming back,” Aiyuk said. “You definitely could hear it from him, the way he’s calling plays, the way he’s commanding the offense.”
With Lance officially named QB1 for the 2022 season, there figures to be a lot more connecting on the field between himself and Aiyuk.
And based on their off-field connection, 49ers fans have plenty to look forward to.
Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings have been serving as "Jeopardy" guest hosts since October. They were tapped after longtime host Alex Trebek died in November 2020.
The judges on "America's Got Talent" have seen plenty of acts, but this performance has left a permanent impression on Simon Cowell.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:37Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
How 49ers' Trey Lance, Brandon Aiyuk strengthened bond with summer workouts
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-trey-lance-brandon-aiyuk-211314974.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-trey-lance-brandon-aiyuk-211314974.html?src=rss
|
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) forces Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) to throw an incomplete pass during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL: 2022 DL salary rankings
Tee Higgins said recently that he'll switch from No. 85 to No. 5 - which he wore in high school and college - after the upcoming season.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:40Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Aaron Donald is the NFL's highest-paid defensive lineman. See what the Top 32 will earn in 2022.
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-donald-nfls-highest-paid-204311129.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-donald-nfls-highest-paid-204311129.html?src=rss
|
He made an appearance at OTAs earlier this year, and on Wednesday, he dropped by training camp at UC Irvine. He was rocking a Rams T-shirt and still looked as big and strong as ever, absolutely towering over Sean McVay on the field.
McVay has left the door open for Whitworth to work with the team in some capacity, so hopefully that comes to fruition at some point in the future.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:46Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Andrew Whitworth dropped by Rams training camp Wednesday
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/andrew-whitworth-dropped-rams-training-203430567.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/andrew-whitworth-dropped-rams-training-203430567.html?src=rss
|
How far NFL teams actually play from their namesake cities originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
NFL teams playing their home games in suburbs of their namesake cities is nothing new, but the Chicago Bears could soon join that list if they ultimately build a stadium in suburban Arlington Heights.
Currently, there are 10 NFL teams that play their home games in a suburb of the city they represent. The most famous among those teams are the New York Giants and Jets, who play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the Dallas Cowboys, who play their home games in Arlington, Texas.
If the Bears were to move to the Arlington International Racecourse site, which they took a step toward doing by agreeing to purchase the site, they would jump to second on the list of teams in terms of distance from their respective city halls, with the stadium clocking in at a 29-mile journey from Chicago.
Here is a list of NFL teams that play in suburban locations, ranked by how far their stadiums are from their namesake town’s City Hall:
San Francisco 49ers – Santa Clara, California
The 49ers play their home games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, located 43 miles from city hall on the other side of San Francisco Bay.
Dallas Cowboys – Arlington, Texas
The Cowboys’ former stadium was located in Irving, but now they play at AT&T Stadium, which is a 20-mile drive from Dallas City Hall.
Miami Dolphins – Miami Gardens, Florida
The Dolphins play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium, which is approximately 18 miles from city hall in Miami.
Washington Football Team – Landover, Maryland
The Football Team plays its home games at FedEx Field which is 14 miles from the United States Capitol.
Los Angeles Chargers and Rams – Inglewood, California
The Chargers and Rams share the brand-new SoFi Stadium, which is 12 miles from city hall in Los Angeles.
Buffalo Bills – Orchard Park, New York
The Bills, technically the only NFL team in the state of New York, play at Highmark Stadium, which is 11 miles from city hall in Buffalo.
New York Giants and Jets – East Rutherford, New Jersey
The Giants and Jets previously shared a stadium at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, then moved to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The stadium is 11 miles from city hall in New York.
Las Vegas Raiders – Paradise, Nevada
You can see the Raiders’ massive Allegiant Stadium from the Las Vegas Strip, but the stadium is technically located in Paradise, Nevada, just a six-mile jaunt from city hall.
|
2022-07-27T22:28:52Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Arlington Heights Bears: How far NFL teams actually play from their namesake cities
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/arlington-heights-bears-far-nfl-203437382.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/arlington-heights-bears-far-nfl-203437382.html?src=rss
|
Why Riley Reiff impressed by Bears' young tackles originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Reiff has only been a Chicago Bear for two days, but as he works his way into Matt Eberflus’ program he’s had a chance to check out the Bears’ collection of young tackles, including Jones, Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins, and he likes what he’s seen.
“They are athletic. Real athletic,” Reiff said. “They're going to become seasoned. Obviously, it takes time especially nowadays in the NFL with pass rushers. They are good, man. All are very smart, very athletic. They are going to be good players.”
Reiff made it clear he prefers to play left tackle, since that’s where he has the most experience, but he’s open to playing elsewhere on the line, even at guard where he played in college.
“Wherever I can help this team win I'm willing to do it.”
That includes in the classroom, where Borom, Jenkins and Jones can learn from Reiff. The veteran won’t shy away from mentoring the younger players, even if that means he loses his job to one of them later in the year.
“I'm here to help anybody,” Reiff said. “I'm an open book. We're just trying to win games. Whatever it takes, we've got a lot of young, talented guys in the room. Whatever I can do to help them I'm on board with it.”
Best case scenario for the Bears may be for Reiff to take over the starting left tackle job, and hold it for most, if not all, of the season. That would give the younger tackles more time to “season” themselves as Reiff said, so that when they do eventually play, they’ll have a better chance for success. It would also give Fields some reliable protection on the edge as he develops his own game. After all, no one can expect Fields to grow if he’s running for his life on every passing down.
No matter how things shake out, players like Jones, Borom and Jenkins should benefit from having Reiff in the mix.
So much has changed with this UM football program - the quality of the coaching staff, the degree of discipline, the way tackling is taught, the pain-staking attention paid to correcting every single mistake on the practice field.
|
2022-07-27T22:29:06Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Bears' young tackles impress veteran OL Riley Reiff
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-young-tackles-impress-veteran-210119198.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-young-tackles-impress-veteran-210119198.html?src=rss
|
The Chargers used the offseason to load up on talent on defense, but arguably their most significant addition was cornerback J.C. Jackson.
Jackson’s 23 passes defended led all defensive players in 2021. His nose for the football was on display on the first day of training camp Wednesday.
On the first play of team drills, quarterback Justin Herbert’s pass intended for wide receiver Mike Williams was broken up by Jackson.
After spending the first four seasons of his pro career with the Patriots, in which he posted 25 interceptions, Jackson was rewarded by the Chargers with a massive five-year, $82.5 million deal.
Now the No. 1 corner that Brandon Staley needed, the hope is for Jackson to lock down opposing team’s top wideouts and provide a ball-hawk to a secondary that finished with just 11 interceptions in 2021.
|
2022-07-27T22:29:19Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
CB J.C. Jackson makes presence felt on first day of Chargers training camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-j-c-jackson-makes-214321566.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-j-c-jackson-makes-214321566.html?src=rss
|
The Pittsburgh Steelers awarded star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick the most lucrative contract for a safety in NFL history. The five-year contract, struck this offseason, will pay Fitzpatrick an average of more than $18 million a season, setting a new bar for other young star safeties in the league like Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates III and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James, who have or are about to play out their rookie deals.
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on October 28, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid safeties in the NFL: Top 35 salaries in 2022 for position
|
2022-07-27T22:29:46Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Who is the highest-paid NFL safety in 2022? Here's what the Top 35 make.
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/highest-paid-nfl-safety-2022-203940603.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/highest-paid-nfl-safety-2022-203940603.html?src=rss
|
Wherever Tom Brady goes, championships follow.
Such was the case in 2020, when Brady helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team, after winning six Lombardi Trophies in 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Back with the Bucs for a third season, Brady is still attracting some of the top veterans on the free agent market who are still chasing the first ring of their pro careers.
Julio Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who signed a one-year deal with the Bucs on Wednesday, joins Brady after spending 10 of his 11 NFL seasons with the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. One of Brady’s most iconic Super Bowl wins came at the expense of Jones’ Falcons, erasing a 28-3 deficit in the second half on the way to an overtime win.
Now, Jones makes it clear that the opportunity to play for a championship was a driving factor in his decision to join forces with Brady in Tampa Bay.
“Absolutely. It’s not a money play – it’s none of that,” Jones told the media Wednesday. “It’s just for me to come out here knowing my value and knowing what I have to offer. The Buccaneers organization is just giving me the opportunity to come here and showcase my skills and just to be a part of something new, to be a part of this team. They have everything that they need already, right? But they’ve got to put the work in each and every day. Nothing is given to you. You’ve just got to come to work every day. That’s what I bring. I’m going to work every day – that’s just who I am.”
Kyle Rudolph has yet to make it to a Super Bowl, coming closest in 2017 with a loss in the NFC title game to the Philadelphia Eagles team that would beat Brady and the Pats in the Super Bowl that year.
The chance to chase that first ring while catching passes from the GOAT was just as important to Rudolph, who also signed a one-year deal in Tampa Bay this week, and will help fill the void left behind by Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.
“At this point in my career, what I was looking for in terms of a team and an organization everything is about winning,” Rudolph told the media Wednesday. “The only thing I haven’t done to this point is win a championship, and that’s all I want to do. It has been very evident the first two days here, that is the ultimate goal. Everything that we do individually, or collectively as a team or, collectively as an offense, is about reaching that ultimate goal. It has been stressed numerous times. Obviously, they came up just short last year but, you’re retooling the team each year and now we have to start from ground zero and build back up to that. You don’t just get the opportunity to be– back in the divisional round, you have to earn it. So for me coming into a culture like that, to be around that type of vibe– that was what I was looking for. Certainly, the obvious other reason was the quarterback and his play.”
The Bucs are once again among the favorites to take home the Lombardi Trophy this year, and the addition of these two Pro Bowl pass-catchers should make their odds even stronger.
Mike Trout’s back injury could impact his career, Angels trainer says
Mike Trout is dealing with a rare back condition that he will have to manage for the rest of his career, the Angels head athletic trainer said.
|
2022-07-27T22:29:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Julio Jones, Kyle Rudolph chasing elusive championship with Bucs
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/julio-jones-kyle-rudolph-chasing-204305480.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/julio-jones-kyle-rudolph-chasing-204305480.html?src=rss
|
Khalil Mack has achieved numerous statistical goals on the football field. But the numbers don’t matter to Mack as he enters his ninth year in the NFL.
“You want to get to a Super Bowl…and you want to win it,” Mack said when he was asked about his personal goals for the upcoming season. “That’s the only thing on my mind.”
Mack’s quest to help the Chargers hoist the Lombardi Trophy began on Wednesday, as he and the rest of the players and coaches took the field for the first day of training camp.
Mack’s presence was felt early on as he got into the backfield for what would have been a run stop near the line of scrimmage.
In the offseason, Mack was acquired from the Bears to play opposite Joey Bosa and become opposing quarterback’s worst nightmare.
Mack will not only benefit from rushing across from another premier pass rusher but by playing for Brandon Staley, whose system is similar to former head coach Vic Fangio.
The year Staley was the outside linebackers coach in Chicago in 2018, Mack enjoyed a very productive campaign that year, finishing with 68 pressures, 48 hurries, and 12.5 sacks.
“That player that was out there today is the player I’m used to seeing,” Staley said about Mack.
The 31-year-old Mack is returning from a season-ending foot injury. Still, he produced 22 pressures and six sacks in seven games.
While he may not return to his Defensive Player of the Year-caliber of play, Mack will still present a player capable of boosting a group that ranked 25th in pressure rate and 28th in run defense a season ago.
(Reuters) -Spirit Airlines Inc cancelled its $2.7 billion sale to Frontier Group Holdings Inc on Wednesday after Spirit shareholders balked at supporting it, leaving JetBlue Airways Corp with an opening to clinch a deal. The development, first reported by Reuters earlier on Wednesday, came after Spirit pushed back a shareholder vote on the Frontier deal four times, hoping it could muster enough support. Spirit had argued that JetBlue's $3.7 billion bid was unlikely to be cleared by antitrust regulators.
|
2022-07-27T22:30:00Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Khalil Mack has one goal – help lift Chargers to Super Bowl
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-one-goal-help-203921464.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-one-goal-help-203921464.html?src=rss
|
Michael Schofield had a Kyle Orton jersey growing up originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Michael Schofield grew up in the southwest suburb of Orland Park. He went to Carl Sandburg High School, dreaming of playing for this hometown team, the Chicago Bears.
His first jersey as a child was Mary Booker's because he wanted to be a wide receiver. But, he also had former Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton's jersey.
“I mean, I always wanted to land here,” Schofield said. “Definitely growing up, obviously I was a pretty big Bear fan. It's a dream come true for sure to be able to play here.”
Orton played for the Bears in 2005 and 2007. In '05, Orton ironically threw for nearly the exact same stats as Justin Fields did in his rookie year. He threw for exactly one yard less than Fields did in his first season (1,869) and ended with the exact amount of touchdowns Fields had (nine). (Fields had seven passing and two rushing while Orton had nine passing.)
Schofield was signed to a veteran minimum deal with a base salary of $1.2 million. It's assumed he will join Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair on the interior line and a guard spot.
There's nothing like making it to the NFL. But, there's something different about playing for your hometown team.
Bears homecoming a dream come true for OL Michael Schofield
The new Bears offensive lineman is an Orland Park native and said he'll never forget pulling up to Halas Hall for the first time.
|
2022-07-27T22:30:26Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Michael Schofield had a Kyle Orton jersey growing up
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/michael-schofield-had-kyle-orton-205935925.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/michael-schofield-had-kyle-orton-205935925.html?src=rss
|
Report: Patriots sign Davon Godchaux to hefty new contract extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots are keeping Davon Godchaux in Foxboro beyond this season.
The veteran defensive lineman has agreed to a two-year, $20.8 million extension with $17.85 million guaranteed, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.
Godchaux is entering the final year of his two-year, $16.5 million contract signed in free agency last offseason. He is now signed through the 2024 NFL season.
This extension is expected to free up some much-needed salary cap space for the Patriots. They entered Wednesday with just $1.4 in cap room.
Godchaux tallied 65 total tackles, five QB hits, one sack and one forced fumble in 17 games last season. He played in 59 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
|
2022-07-27T22:30:39Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
NFL rumors: Patriots sign Davon Godchaux to hefty new contract extension
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-patriots-sign-davon-211639210.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-patriots-sign-davon-211639210.html?src=rss
|
Brandon Brown’s embrace of the right-wing slogan that involves his first name hasn’t reaped any financial rewards in 2022.
Brown is stepping out of his No. 68 car for Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and may not compete in many more races the rest of the season. Brown's team is looking to field drivers who have sponsorship money after a deal with a now-defunct political cryptocurrency didn’t flourish.
And that lack of sponsorship is why Brown is searching for funding in an attempt to run as many races as he can the rest of the season in his own car. He'll be in a backmarker car for another team in Saturday's race as Cup Series driver Austin Dillon pilots his car.
“I’ll be back in the No. 68 for a handful of races,” Brown told Frontstretch. “Definitely Daytona [International Speedway]. I’ll be in the No. 68 in the post-season at Talladega [Superspeedway].
“Other than that? Nah, not really. The team is working on trying to sell some rides to other drivers to keep the funding, which, as heartbreaking as it is for me, I do understand what they have to do to keep BMS in operation … What it’s going to take to grow the No. 68 is having other drivers coming and finding success in it, too.”
Brown scored the first win of his NASCAR career at Talladega in October. As fans chanted “F*** Joe Biden” as he emerged from his car, an NBC pit reporter mistakenly said they were chanting “Let’s go Brandon.” The latter slogan immediately emerged as a euphemism for the former and third-party merchandise with Brown’s first name is now ubiquitous in conservative circles.
The 28-year-old meekly attempted to stay apolitical in the weeks after his Talladega win and even claimed to the New York Times in a December profile that he didn’t want to be political. Less than two weeks after that profile, Brown and his family team leaned fully into the politicization and said it had a deal with a Let’s Go Brandon-themed cryptocurrency to sponsor his car for the full season despite NASCAR’s public denouncement of the phrase.
NASCAR didn’t approve the sponsorship deal, though Brown did announce a personal services deal with the coin. And even if NASCAR had approved the car sponsorship, Brown and his team would still likely be in the same financial predicament they find themselves in now.
The cryptocurrency had a minuscule value at the time of the premature announcement and quickly cratered. According to CoinBase, the coin is effectively worthless and there’s been no trading of since late March. It's also a central part of an ethics investigation into Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC).
By choosing to align himself with the now worthless coin, Brown made the late decision to associate with the politicization of the phrase involving his name and alienate himself from any potential sponsor deals with companies wanting to distance themselves from the slogan. And even if you don't agree with that decision, you can see on some level why Brown acted. It can be hard to see others making money off your name and success while you're not benefitting from it yourself.
But there's also no going back from the decision to get political no matter if it pays off financially or not. And Brown may not understand that.
“I’m still viewed as a political figure,” he told Frontstretch. “I can be viewed as divisive because of the chant. It’s really hard to convince companies that, ‘Hey, that’s not me. That’s just what the crowd was chanting.’ It does make it hard.”
Brandon Brown may not race much the rest of the 2022 Xfinity Series season thanks to sponsorship issues. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
|
2022-07-27T22:50:10Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
NASCAR driver at the center of 'Let's go Brandon' may have to skip races in 2022 thanks to a lack of sponsorship
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-driver-at-the-center-of-lets-go-brandon-may-have-to-skip-races-in-2022-thanks-to-a-lack-of-sponsorship-173353802.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-driver-at-the-center-of-lets-go-brandon-may-have-to-skip-races-in-2022-thanks-to-a-lack-of-sponsorship-173353802.html?src=rss
|
Alex Mansfield of Jefferson is the Monroe County Region Boys Track and Field Athlete of the year for the second straight year.
(Reuters) -The Democratic Party's congressional campaign arm is airing an ad in Michigan aimed at boosting John Gibbs, a far-right candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, as he challenges one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach the former president. The effort is part of a controversial and risky Democratic strategy in certain races to elevate more extreme Republicans whom Democrats view as easier to beat in November's midterm elections. Democrats have spent millions on candidates who echo Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was rigged, even as party leaders say those very same candidates pose a threat to U.S. democracy.
The Phoenix Police Department and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office are set to hire a retired FBI special agent to criminally investigate city officers who played a role in falsely charging protesters as gang members in 2020.
|
2022-07-27T23:42:37Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Don't blame Saudis for Ryder Cup threat - it's Europe's fault, says Paul Casey
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dont-blame-saudis-ryder-cup-163940238.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dont-blame-saudis-ryder-cup-163940238.html?src=rss
|
Paul Pierce has simple response to Kevin Durant-Celtics trade rumors originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Kevin Durant rumors were reignited earlier this week when The Athletic reported the Boston Celtics made an offer to the Brooklyn Nets for the superstar forward that included, among other parts, young star Jaylen Brown.
The Nets reportedly rejected the offer, and their asking price remains very high.
These reports sparked a debate over whether the Celtics need Durant to win an NBA championship, especially after they came up only two wins shy of accomplishing that goal last season.
At least one Celtics legend isn't taking these rumors very seriously.
"Nah, they’re not gonna do that," Paul Pierce said Tuesday when asked about a potential Durant trade at the premiere of the Showtime documentary "NYC Point Gods". "They’re not gonna do that. That ain’t happening."
Pierce also seems pretty satisfied with how the Celtics' roster is currently constructed, saying "They don’t need to make no moves."
There are a lot of people who agree with Pierce that the Celtics don't require any more moves.
So far this offseason the C's have taken a squad that reached the 2022 NBA Finals and added a quality scorer/playmaker in Malcolm Brogdon via trade and signed free agent forward Danilo Gallinari. Both acquisitions give the Celtics more playable depth and guys who can provide much-needed offense off the bench.
The smartest decision for the Celtics is to enter the 2022-23 season with their current roster and see how the team performs. There's no reason to make a massive roster move when the team was so close to winning a title just last month.
|
2022-07-27T23:42:43Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Paul Pierce has simple response to Kevin Durant-Celtics trade rumors
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/paul-pierce-simple-response-kevin-164034108.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/paul-pierce-simple-response-kevin-164034108.html?src=rss
|
Penn State head coach James Franklin took to the podium on Wednesday, the second day of the Big Ten football media day event in Indianapolis, and stressed how optimistic he is about what the Nittany Lions will look like on offense this fall. The key theme for the offensive side of the ball was depth, and Franklin could not have been more excited about what he feels his program has to offer this upcoming season with the football.
“One of the things that probably stands out about our team right now is I love our overall depth,” Franklin said in his opening remarks at his press conference at Big Ten media day. “I think our overall depth is as good as it’s been in a number of years. I think a couple of the things that have factored into that is obviously we had a very well-regarded recruiting class coming in, a combination of some transfer student-athletes, not a lot, and a junior college player.”
Penn State signed a consensus top 10 recruiting class in the Class of 2022, one of the best in program history to date, for a good mix of some talented freshmen to look forward to. Penn State also plugged some key holes on the roster with additions through the transfer portal, including wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley from Western Kentucky and Hunter Nourzad from Cornell, one of the top offensive linemen in the transfer portal this offseason.
“In this class, what we’ve been able to evaluate since they’ve been on campus, is there’s probably a larger number of those young men that we feel like are going to be able to impact our program and our organization earlier in their careers than probably normal, in our normal recruiting classes,” Franklin said. “So we’re excited about that.”
Franklin notes improved depth at quarterback in 2022
One of the biggest detriments to the Penn State roster was the lack of depth at the quarterback position. The transfer of Will Levis to Kentukcy hurt Penn State on the depth chart and the pursuit of a coveted quarterback transfer ultimately came up empty, leaving Penn State with a lack of experience behind Sean Clifford. That came back to bite Penn State in a big way most notably in the first loss of the season at Iowa.
But this year could be a different story, according to Franklin.
“Kind of going through our roster, you look at the quarterback position, obviously returning an experienced player at the quarterback position, a starter, a guy who’s been a captain for three years,” Franklin said, referring to Clifford coming back for a sixth year of eligibility. “But this year our depth at the quarterback position with four quarterbacks that we feel very, very strong about, we feel great about the competition in that room.”
Backing up Clifford is Christian Veilleux, who got some playing time in last season in place of an injured Clifford late in the year. Penn State also adds one of the top passers in the Class of 2022, Drew Allar. Allar is expected by many to be the next in line to be Penn State’s full-time starter when Clifford leaves the program, but Veilleux is not about to fade away just yet either.
Of course, it may not matter who is playing quarterback if the offensive line still struggles in the fall.
NEXT: Franklin wants the offensive line to prove themselves
What James Frankin said about the offensive line in 2022 at Big Ten media day
In addition to Sean Clifford being banged up behind a struggling offensive line, Penn State’s lack of a running game was a detriment to the team as well. Much of the blame gets placed on the play of the offensive line, and justifiably so. But Franklin is on the record of promising a much better showing up front this fall.
“O-line is the group that we come and talk about every single year, and I tell you this is going to be the year for the next step at that position,” Franklin said during Big Ten media day. “I’m not going to do that this year. I’m going to let them prove that to you on the field, but I’ve been very, very pleased with that unit and the depth that we have created.”
High expectations for year two under Mike Yurcich
Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP
Another reason for optimism with the Penn State offense? Another year under the same offensive cooridnator. Franklin hyped the second year under Mike Yurcich at offensive coordinator while going through the offense in his opening remarks at Big Tne media day.
“Feel very good on the offensive side of the ball with what we’re able to do, with our offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich, being year two for him,” Franklin said.
Penn State ranked 82nd in the nation in total offense and 90th in scoring average in 2021. Penn State’s running game ranked 118th in the nation, with only four other P5 schools having a lower rushing average per game in 2021 (Washington, Stanford, Purdue, and Mississippi State). Penn State did have the nation’s 26th-best passing offense, but it was a rough year for the offense overall.
|
2022-07-27T23:46:48Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Big Ten Media Days: James Franklin excited about offensive depth of Nittany Lions in 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-james-215601906.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-james-215601906.html?src=rss
|
Penn State head coach James Franklin had a lot of ground to cover in a relatively short period of time during his media availability at Big Ten media days in Indianapolis. Aside from hyping up what he hopes will be an improved offensive unit, Franklin took time to show vocal support for one of his own players working to open dialogues at a conference level regarding benefits for student-athletes.
Leading up to Big Ten media days, it was reported Sean Clifford had discussions with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren about exploring ways to improve access to medical benefits and more for student-athletes in a rapidly evolving college landscape. Franklin showed his support for appreciation for having an environment in which Clifford could feel comfortable speaking out on these issues at a higher level.
“One of the things I’m very, very proud of is the relationships that we have with our players at Penn State,” Franklin said when commenting on the recent Clifford-related headlines. “It’s something that I truly believe in, and having these open discussions and dialogue with your players is important.”
“[Penn State athletics director Pat Kraft] has got on campus and has jumped in with both feet and has done a really good job in a very, very short period of time at developing those relationships as well, and to me that’s the nature of college athletics and college football right now, that you’d better be willing and able to have discussions that maybe we haven’t had in the past,” Franklin went on to explain. “There’s been more changes in college football over the last three years than probably the first 25. Those are great discussions and dialogue.”
Franklin went on to say he is proud of seeing Clifford and others use their role as student-athletes to work to improve the lives of student-athletes moving forward, including many who will be in college long after they have moved on.
“At the end of the day, our players and specifically Sean, want what’s best for college athletics, want what’s best for Penn State, want what’s best for the Big Ten,” Franklin said. “So I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
All quotes have been provided by Penn State athletics.
|
2022-07-27T23:46:54Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Big Ten Media Days: James Franklin supports Sean Clifford’s advocacy for improving athlete benefits
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-james-220716008.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-james-220716008.html?src=rss
|
Nebraska Cornhuskers punter Brian Buschini has been named to the Ray Guy Award watch list. The award is presented to the most outstanding punter in college football.
Buschini transferred to the Cornhuskers in December. He played at Montana for two seasons. In 2021, Buschini averaged a blistering 46.0 yards per punt across 13 games. He had 28 punts of 50 yards or more.
As a result, Buschini won the FCS punter of the year.
Buschini also served as Montana’s kickoff specialist. Last season, he recorded 28 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Buschini’s skill-set should easily transfer to Nebraska. He has the ability to be one of the best punters in the nation this season.
Ducks Wire is now in the ranking business... Here's our crack at a preseason top-25.
Summer vacation is almost over — and for some South Texas families, it already is. Consider driving to one of these nearby cities for a quick vacay.
|
2022-07-27T23:47:44Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Nebraska Transfer Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nebraska-transfer-named-ray-guy-214540823.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nebraska-transfer-named-ray-guy-214540823.html?src=rss
|
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The story of Sean Clifford and Tanner Morgan's began on a seventh-grade football field.
In between, the two quarterbacks followed one another's journeys through high school and the recruiting process, the natural ups and downs of college football and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they're embarking on one final destination together - a sixth and final college season.
''To think that both of us, with our old asses, are still playing on the biggest stages, it's very cool because that friendship is so deep,'' Clifford said Wednesday at the Big Ten media day. ''We're still playing at the highest level and now getting to play Tanner this year, it's going to be a lot of fun.''
Clifford begins his fourth season as Penn State's starter at age 24, as the new face of a national movement to help college football players and as the CEO of his own NIL company. But he hasn't led the Nittany Lions to the East Division crown or played in the College Football Playoff - yet.
Morgan, slightly younger at age 23, has two nine-win seasons on his resume and took the Golden Gophers to three of the school's 22 bowl bids. Morgan and three other super seniors - the self-described Encore Four - are chasing their first West Division crown and coach P.J. Fleck believes Morgan's experience can help his team finally pull it off.
''Tanner Morgan has been around the league, it seems like forever,'' Fleck said. ''He's got his bachelor's degree, his master's degree, and now he's kind of a non-major student, just taking classes and going to lead our football team. He got married here a few weeks ago.''
Morgan's not alone in the marriage department - at Minnesota or around the league.
''I think that says a lot about him as a person but when you look at the two losses, I don't think C.J. Stroud was the problem,'' Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. ''But it says a lot about him and I think his best football is ahead of him.''
While the debate rages among their coaches, one thing is clear in the Big Ten - experience matters, especially in the West Division where all four teams with nine or more wins have incumbent quarterback starters.
''His numbers the last half of the year were at a really elite level and he won a lot of big games,'' Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said of O'Connell, the former walk-on. ''He had to earn it the hard way. He was not entitled to anything, he came in knowing he had to start from the bottom and he had to work his tail off and prove beyond a reasonable doubt he could be the guy.''
''Playing in front of 110,000 (fans), I'm not going to downplay that, but when you're in seventh grade those are the best days of playing ball because realistically you don't have a care in the world,'' Clifford said. ''You're just out there you're getting orange slices at halftime, it's the coolest thing. That's what football is all about - having fun and being with your buddies and playing the game you love.''
|
2022-07-27T23:47:51Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Old-guy quarterbacks could give Big Ten different look
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/old-guy-quarterbacks-could-big-213022894.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/old-guy-quarterbacks-could-big-213022894.html?src=rss
|
The Phoenix Suns have officially agreed to a multi-year contract extension for Monty Williams, the NBA's Coach of the Year last season after leading the franchise to a team-record 64 wins in the regular season. The team announced the extension Wednesday. No other contract details were given.
On July 27 National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed the administration’s offer to swap convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange of the release of Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.
|
2022-07-27T23:55:29Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Griner testifies in Russia as U.S. offers deal
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/griner-testifies-russia-u-offers-221627250.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/griner-testifies-russia-u-offers-221627250.html?src=rss
|
The Kansas City Chiefs have waived DT Cortez Broughton from the 90-man offseason roster with a failed physical designation.
Broughton, 25, was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad ahead of the 2021 NFL season. He spent the entire season on the practice squad and was even protected ahead of the team’s Week 15 game against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. He was protected that week due to Chris Jones going on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Broughton was actually featured in Season 1 of “The Franchise” before he was a member of the team. Chiefs GM Brett Veach and his staff spent some time reviewing his college tape during the second episode.
On Tuesday, the team placed Broughton on the active/PUP list, but his stay there was clearly intended to be brief. The failed physical designation simply means Broughton was not healthy or fit enough to pass the team’s physical or conditioning test. This designation is often used so teams can avoid paying out injury settlements.
Broughton’s roster spot was filled by former Cowboys DE Azur Kamara, who was officially signed on July 27th per the league’s personnel notice.
|
2022-07-28T00:08:38Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Chiefs waive DT Cortez Broughton with failed physical designation
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-waive-dt-cortez-broughton-224504133.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-waive-dt-cortez-broughton-224504133.html?src=rss
|
Former Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Darrion Daniels signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons announced the move via their official Twitter account.
Daniels played for the Cornhuskers in 2019, and he was a team captain. He had 27 total tackles in eight games. He was an Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten.
Prior to transferring to Nebraska, Daniels spent four years at Oklahoma State appearing in 33 games.
Daniels was not selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the San Francisco 49ers signed him as an undrafted free agent. He played in four games for the 49ers recording four combined tackles.
Daniels will add some depth to the Falcons’ defensive line.
|
2022-07-28T00:09:10Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Former Nebraska DT Signs With Falcons
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nebraska-dt-signs-falcons-223043268.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nebraska-dt-signs-falcons-223043268.html?src=rss
|
Why Shanahan never had 'moment' telling Lance he would start originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The keys to the 49ers franchise are officially in Trey Lance’s hands nearly 15 months after the young quarterback was drafted by San Francisco.
But there was no fanfare. No heart-to-heart talk, no congratulatory hug from his coach Kyle Shanahan.
“Never really had that moment,” Shanahan said matter-of-factly. “Just thought it was always obvious.”
Since the 49ers took Lance No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, the debates about whether he or Jimmy Garoppolo should start under center seemed never-ending. On Tuesday, Shanahan finally brought those conversations to a screeching halt with four simple words: “This is Trey’s team.”
“Maybe someone tweeted him my press conference yesterday,” Shanahan joked on Wednesday. “Hope it was a good moment for him.”
The 49ers are (still) actively seeking a trade partner for Garoppolo, who has one year remaining on his five-year, $137.5 million contract. Drafting Lance in 2021 signaled the beginning of the end for the team’s veteran quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped some from believing Garoppolo, who has won plenty of games as San Francisco’s starter, should continue to man the offense.
Even after the 49ers announced they would be looking to trade Garoppolo this offseason after their season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, fans and analysts alike wondered if he could once again start for the team as no trade partners came forward.
Shanahan’s comments on Tuesday formally put those theories to bed, as he said Lance has known all along that he would be starting come Week 1.
“But I think he’s known that,” Shanahan continued Wednesday. “He knows how I talk to him. He’s known that for a while. And so I don’t think there has been any crazy offseason for him waiting to find out what’s going to happen … We’re all finding out to wait and see how it settles, but we’ve all known for a while that this is Trey’s team.”
Lance took to the field as QB1 for the first time on Wednesday during the 49ers’ first training camp practice, and he looked the part.
Meanwhile, the 49ers anxiously await any viable trade offer for Garoppolo. While Garoppolo hasn't asked for his release, Shanahan reiterated on Wednesday that it would “surprise” him if he were still on the team by the start of the regular season.
No matter how long Lance has known he now has the reins to the team -- Garoppolo on the roster or not -- the 49ers Faithful certainly are eager to see what he can do with a full season.
|
2022-07-28T00:09:54Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Why 49ers' Kyle Shanahan never had 'moment' telling Trey Lance he would start
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/why-49ers-kyle-shanahan-never-231644816.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/why-49ers-kyle-shanahan-never-231644816.html?src=rss
|
The 49ers cut Ford following an injury-plagued stint that saw him play just 18 games in three seasons and fail to return to the Pro Bowl form that made him one of the NFL's most coveted pass rushers.
The 49ers acquired Ford following a breakout 2018 campaign that saw him tally 13 sacks and an NFL-best seven forced fumbles on a Chiefs team that advanced to the AFC Championship. He's better-remembered that season for an offside penalty that sparked a comeback victory by the New England Patriots in that game.
Back issues limited Ford's availability in San Francisco and ultimately led to his release. (Mark J. Rebilas/Reuters)
“I don’t see a lot of hope in him being a factor for us on the field moving forward,” Lynch said. “I think we’ve tried to be as patient as possible. No fault of Dee’s. He just ran into a bad situation with his back where he couldn’t get healthy."
Now his release is official, and Ford's NFL future as a 31-year-old with back problems is murky.
|
2022-07-28T01:09:24Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
49ers cut Dee Ford 18 games into $85M contract
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49-ers-cut-dee-ford-18-games-into-85-m-contract-222735707.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49-ers-cut-dee-ford-18-games-into-85-m-contract-222735707.html?src=rss
|
We're talking 25-30+ hours a week, most of the year, with tons of racing. Unlike running, they are not limited by impact and rarely limited by overuse injuries. Unlike triathlon, they don't have to balance multiple movement patterns with different demands. Unlike swimming and skiing, form doesn't play a huge role. Hulk smash pedal, multiplied by something approaching infinity.
So at the men's and women's Tours de France, we're seeing the best of the best at the very limits of human physiology's capabilities. You can see why doping is a huge issue, since everyone trains wildly hard (within a few percent), and the talent differences are marginal at the top level (within a few percent). You don't need to be a nihilist or an asshole to become a skeptic, you just need to have a cursory understanding of statistics and history.
If you take any random sample of the best in the world, pushing themselves to the maximum, and assume a few are doping, it's likely that at least some of the champions will be doping unless drug testing catches everyone and/or doping is less powerful than marginal differences in talent/training.
These eight takeaways are lessons that my co-coach/wife Megan and I flagged while watching the 2022 Men's Tour de France (we talk about it more on our podcast). Because we are not bike coaches and we have that nagging fear of doping, we tried to focus less on the stated justifications for riders pushing pants-crappingly high watts per kilogram, and more on patterns across the peloton and performance psychology. Let's do this!
One: You don't need to have a "win at all costs" mentality to be a champion.
Jonas Vingegaard won this year's race with a story made for Disney. In 2018, he worked part-time in a fish-packing plant (a plant where they put adorable backpacks on consenting salmon). On a training trip in Spain with his continental team (the minor leagues of European cycling), he set a Strava record on a 13-minute climb. World Tour team Jumbo Visma got wind of the record, and they did some quick calculations to estimate that Jonas pushed 6.7 watts per kilogram for the segment. That would be like a runner averaging around 4:15 minutes per mile grade-adjusted pace on a similar climb. The team signed him within a few months.
For me, there were two enduring moments from this year's Tour. The first was in stage 19, when race favorite and 2-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar crashed as he was trying to drop Vingegaard on a descent. Vingegaard sat up and waited for Pogacar to get back on his bike and catch up. When they reunited, they grabbed hands. We were just a steady rain and a little tongue away from The Notebook 2.
Some Tour champions of the past were worshipped as bosses who dripped toxic masculinity along with EPO. I think that many assumed that their take-no-prisoners, show-no-love approach was part of the reason for their successes. Vingegaard and Pogacar both showed throughout this Tour that you can be kind and be a champion. Maybe in the future, we shouldn't excuse athletes for being assholes just because they end up on top of a podium.
The conventional wisdom starting this year's Tour was that Pogacar was invincible. If NASA needs to get back to the moon, they could do away with the rockets and just have Tadej time his glute engagement just right. And the first 10 stages confirmed that wisdom–he not only won different styles of stages, he seemed to do it with ease.
The turning point of the Tour was Stage 11, when Vingegaard broke away from Pogacar on the final climb. It was shocking! At the bottom of that final climb, Pogacar flashed that movie star smile and looked ready to make one giant clench for mankind. Over the next few days, he confirmed the speculation on the cycling message boards. It was a "hunger flat," or a bonk, caused by underfueling.
RELATED: 6 Inspirational (Or Not) Quotes From The Tour De France Announcers
According to online estimates, he still pushed 5+ watts per kilogram after he was dropped, but Vingegaard was up in the mid-6s! You can't put out massive power without massive power reserves, and in a moment that determined the outcome of the Tour, Pogacar's fueling was not adequate. All the fitness in the world won't mean much without mid-event fueling to match. Many riders are now taking in 90-120 grams of carbs per hour on intense stages, backed up by scientific studies on cyclists (2011 review in the Journal of Sport Science) and runners (2021 study in Frontiers of Physiology). And let's not even get started with ketone supplementation.
While that Stage 11 drop-heard-round-the-world decided the Tour, the most dramatic part of the race happened earlier on the same day. At the base of the majestic Col du Galibier climb, Vingegaard's teammate Primoz Roglic attacked. Pogacar responded. Then Vingegaard attacked. Pogacar responded. Every time Pogacar got back into the draft, he'd be attacked again. Whoever wasn't attacking sat on Pogacar's wheel, meaning that they were doing significantly less effort.
This offset may have determined the hunger flat on the final climb. Every time Pogacar shot up toward 1000 watts, his body rapidly depleted glycogen from leg muscles, replenishing that from overall stores and whatever calories he could throw into the full-gas incinerator. He was exceeding his critical power (think an effort an athlete can sustain for 30-40 minutes) so often that he needed to do absolutely everything right on the rest of the stage–and be stronger than Vingegaard. Everyone assumed that Vingegaard needed a miracle, when all he needed was 90% science and 10% luck.
Four: Just because you can play through pain doesn't mean you should play through pain.
Roglic played a huge part in Vingegaard's win with those faux attacks. Pogacar respected Roglic as a rival for the overall win, so he responded to each one when it would have been a wiser physiological move to let Roglic tire himself out off the front. It was a two-wheeled version of Muhammad Ali's rope-a-dope. And the whole time, Roglic must have been in excruciating pain.
He dropped out of the race after Stage 14. Commentators ripped him to shreds. "Get to the finish for your team!" some screamed. A few days later, it came out that Roglic had been riding with two fractured vertebrae in his back after a crash on Stage 5. How did he ride up and down those mountains so fast with a broken back? The simple answer is that cyclists are insane in the membrane. The complex answer is that athletes can tell themselves that toughness is a virtue of devotion. But when the mask of race-day toughness is removed, they may find out that what looked like devotion is actually self-destruction.
Yes, what Roglic did showed courage, and that courage should be celebrated. But we should be careful about elevating courage over health. We'll see how his season unfolds from here. Hopefully a couple weeks of courage doesn't contribute to a couple years of health struggles.
What do the world's best runners and world's best cyclists have in common? Fashion! Namely, ice vest chic. Before and after almost every stage, you could spot these stars in ice vests to lower core temperature just like they were at the Foresthill Aid Station of the Western States 100. And during stages, they were never far from ice packs to put on the back of their necks, and water to douse themselves with. I cringed every time they sprayed themselves, worried that their chains would get rusty if they forgot to clean their bikes post-stage. THINK ABOUT YOUR CHAINS, MEN!
Three weeks of the hardest racing in the world can spur physiological supercompensation. But even more than that, three weeks of vulnerability can spur psychological growth that shifts the understanding of what is possible.
My favorite innovation was from Team Ineos, long known as the team that leverages every exercise science study to its advantage. Prior to the final time trial, Geraint Thomas had his hands in "cooling mitts." Some research (e.g., 2018 study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine) shows that one of the most effective ways to lower core temperature is via the hands and lower wrists, so Thomas was keeping his paws nice and frosty.
Coming to an aid station near you: ICE GLOVES. We're going to be like Curley in Of Mice And Men, keeping our hands soft and cold for performance. That reference is for 5 readers at most. To them, I say, knowing wink.
In the final time trial, top contender Stefan Bissegger's bike erroneously went into "crash mode," preventing shifting. That's also what I call it when I run down technical trails. He had to change bikes, and his new bike didn't have a water bottle, leading him to limp to a tough finish.
I am sure crash mode has a number of benefits. But it demonstrates how tech advances also come with sometimes unforeseen, often low-probability risks that need to be considered. For example, in running, I am concerned about how the proliferation of carbon-plated shoes may impact foot, achilles, and ankle injuries given changing impact forces. Yeah, they may be fast. However, it's hard to be fast in a walking boot.
Every year in the mountains, it's a battle for the best slipstream. If Pogacar couldn't ride Vingegaard off his wheel with an attack, he sat up and waited for another opportunity. And they both had American teammates that dictated the pace on some of the steepest climbs (Brandon McNulty for Pogacar, Sepp Kuss for Vingegaard). All cyclists know the value of the draft. But for some reason, we barely think about it in running.
True, running is much slower. But on some of these steep climbs, Pogacar and Vingegaard are going slower than fast runners (you'll often see normal people run right beside them for a bit). So what gives?
In the final time trial, the winner was Van Aert, who may be the star of the entire Tour. Even though he wasn't going for overall place, he won a few stages and was voted the most aggressive rider. 2-3-4 in the ~50-minute time trial were 1-2-3 in the whole race (Vingegaard, Pogacar, Thomas). That makes sense with what we know about physiology–combine a formula for maximal aerobic power with equations for fatigue resistance, and you can get pretty close to predicting who has the most potential in longer events.
RELATED: How Sport Sampling Can Unlock Your Running Potential
Fatigue resistance studies have been pioneered in cycling, showing that what separates the best of the best from the thousands of elite athletes that don't reach that level has to do with how their power curve deteriorates after a few thousand kilojoules of work.
But the prerequisite for fatigue resistance to be the differentiating factor is that the power curve is close-to-optimized on the top end. A runner or cyclist that isn't working on their speed is making an unreasonably heavy bet on their fatigue resistance. And over time, they will lose that bet relative to their genetic potential.
The 2022 Tour de France was one of the best races ever, and I couldn't get enough of it. Reading rider reflections, a persistent theme stood out: doing the Tour changes you. Three weeks of the hardest racing in the world can spur physiological supercompensation. But even more than that, three weeks of vulnerability can spur psychological growth that shifts the understanding of what is possible.
That book I wrote was OK, but not great. I ended up quitting football as a freshman in college. As a runner, I'm finding new limitations every year. But I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything because they shaped me as a person and athlete. My character was forged in discomfort, and that's why I'm resilient.
Every Tour rider goes through that and more. Three weeks of discomfort, of doubts, of vulnerabilities. The rider that finishes (or DNFs) the Tour is different than the rider who started, and always will be. What's your personal Tour de France? What's the big, scary thing that makes your self-doubt scream so loud that you can't hear Bob Roll in the announcer's booth?
Whatever that thing is, attack it like you're Tadej Pogacar. The point isn't whether you win or not. The point is to get vulnerable and find out that your suitcase of courage is actually a warehouse, with so many more aisles to explore.
David Roche partners with runners of all abilities through his coaching service, Some Work, All Play. With Megan Roche, M.D., he hosts the Some Work, All Play podcast on running (and other things), and you can find more of their work (AND PLAY) on their Patreon page starting at $5 a month.
Feeling funky? Don't blame it on Jupiter.
|
2022-07-28T01:09:30Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
8 Performance Science Takeaways From The Men’s Tour de France
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/8-performance-science-takeaways-men-141238363.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/8-performance-science-takeaways-men-141238363.html?src=rss
|
Big Ten media days took place July 26-27 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano took part in Big Ten media days Wednesday.
Schiano was asked about Tennessee’s football program.
He was asked “if you could tell us about Tennessee now.”
“Not quite yet,” Schiano said. “Not quite yet. It’s coming, though.”
Schiano was a candidate for Tennessee’s head coaching position following the 2017 season. John Currie served as Tennessee’s athletics director during the Vols’ head coaching search.
Currie was relieved of his duties and Phillip Fulmer replaced him in the same capacity. Fulmer hired Jeremy Pruitt as the Vols’ head coach.
|
2022-07-28T01:37:04Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Big Ten media days: Greg Schiano says discussion on Tennessee is coming
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-greg-000548021.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-media-days-greg-000548021.html?src=rss
|
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — After Michigan defeated Ohio State last season 42-27, the season seemed just about perfect. The Wolverines defeated their arch-rival in shocking fashion, and the maize and blue were headed to the Big Ten Championship to face Iowa.
But there was just one blemish on the Michigan resume. A loss against Michigan State earlier in the year.
The last time the Wolverines beat both rivals, Ohio State and Michigan State, in the same year was way back in 2003. That was 19 years ago, and the Wolverines are going to do everything they can do to make sure that drought ends this season.
During Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh shared what his four goals were for Michigan in 2022. He wants to beat both the Buckeyes and Spartans in the same year, and he wants to win the Big Ten Championship, and win the College Football Playoff.
“So our goals would be to beat Ohio State and Michigan State in the same year, win the Big Ten Championship, and win the National Championship,” Harbaugh shared. “Those are our four goals”
It may seem like an obvious goal to most fans, but before 2021, it just wasn’t really talked about. Michigan had more of a ‘one game at a time’ approach, but now the Wolverines are really focused on defeating their rivals year in and year out.
Cornerback DJ Turner was asked about beating both the rivals and why it was so important to the team. He shared his views and said that beating both of them would just be a cherry on top of a great season. Turner acknowledged earlier that it eats him every day the way the Wolverines lost to the Spartans.
“I mean, those are our major rivals,” said Turner at Big Ten Media Days. “And so you never want to lose any game. And then Michigan State and Ohio State like, that’s just bigger. That’s the cherry on top of not losing. So we haven’t done it and we will try to do it this year.”
Since the 2020 game was canceled due to COVID-19 within the Michigan program, the Wolverines haven’t played in Columbus since 2018. Most of the players on the Michigan team haven’t been to Columbus, and Jim Harbaugh was asked about that and if he had any advice for those players. The Michigan coach said his team won’t flinch.
“So yeah, I mean, they’re not gonna flinch if that’s what you’re asking,” said Harbaugh. “I mean, there’s nothing really got to teach them or, or show them or tell them. I know our team really well by now. They don’t blink, they don’t flinch at stuff. And you know, just keep attacking and building and that’s definitely our goal — to win the championship again, and fight like hell for Michigan to get that done.”
A big reason that Michigan beat the Buckeyes the way it did was due to the trench play. Hassan Haskins ran for five touchdowns and the Wolverines’ offensive line flat out bullied the Ohio State defensive line. Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara shared that he was even a little surprised by that. He went on to say that the offensive line was very confident last year and he doesn’t see that changing this year.
“In a sense, I was surprised to how kind of out of hand I thought it was, I thought the gap was pretty big during that game,” said McNamara on Tuesday. “And I’m sure Ohio State didn’t feel very good about that. I know that the o-line was very confident in themselves going into that game. That was our identity last season was that we’re going to be physical and I do not see that changing.”
McNamara talked about how finally defeating Ohio State gives the team more confidence and is a weight off of their shoulders. He said that the team will be confident going into Columbus, but it’s on him as a leader to make sure Michigan doesn’t get complacent. McNamara said he is focused on team 143 and what last year’s squad did doesn’t really matter now.
“I think now that we know what that looks like we’re gonna be even more confident going into that game,” said McNamara. “I think a part of being a leader, being a member of this team is to make sure that we don’t come complacent not just myself but as a team. I think we have stressed that mentality pretty strong this offseason that Team 143 is a different team. And what team 142 did last season doesn’t really matter.”
Tight end Erick All said that he expected Ohio State to be like superstars last year, and the team prepared for them that way. He believes if Michigan can view every team as a team full of superstars — and be prepared for that — the outcome will always be good for Michigan. All shared that being in Columbus doesn’t concern him because the Buckeye fans can’t play in the game.
“We went to the game expecting for them to be like NFL superstars,” said All on Tuesday. “I mean, and I feel like if you do that for any opponent, opponent, the outcome will turn out good.”
“It’s not gonna change anything,” All shared about being in the Shoe. “Fans cant come out there and play the game for them. It’s the same team.”
Team 143 appears to be confident and ready, but the theme of Big Ten Media Days was that the Wolverines have zero entitlement. Jim Harbaugh said his team keeps attacking, which is what he loves about them.
|
2022-07-28T01:37:10Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Jim Harbaugh shares Michigan football’s four goals for 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jim-harbaugh-shares-michigan-football-011155054.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jim-harbaugh-shares-michigan-football-011155054.html?src=rss
|
Next Pats: What to watch from rookie OL Cole Strange during camp
Dan Koppen
American football player, offensive lineman, center
Dan Koppen: What to watch from Cole Strange during camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots picking Cole Strange in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft was a shocking move. The Chattanooga offensive lineman was projected to be selected a round -- maybe even two or three rounds -- later.
Nonetheless, Strange was considered one of the best linemen in the 2022 class and will look to bring a boost to New England's o-line next season and beyond. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder will be worth keeping tabs on during Patriots training camp, which officially got underway on Wednesday.
Our Phil Perry was in attendance to watch Strange and the Patriots in action. On a new episode of the Next Pats Podcast, he asked Dan Koppen -- a two-time Super Bowl champion lineman with New England -- how we'll be able to tell whether Strange is NFL-ready.
"Yeah, I think you're going to be able to tell probably more in team drills. Depending on your vantage point for 1-on-1s, I think they're a great indicator where a guy is coming from college physically," Koppen said. "Mentally, you know what's going to happen. You're going to get the mental reps from the team side of it. But physically, those 1-on-1s, the 9-on-7 drills that they're doing, are going to tell you where he is physically.
"Practice isn't easy. When you go in those 1-on-1 reps, those defensive linemen have two minutes to think about what rush move they're going to pull next. They're not thinking about pass, they're not thinking about run, they're not thinking about play-action. They have nothing else to do and they usually have a two-way go on you, so those 1-on-1 reps, you may not win all of them -- you're definitely not going to win all of them -- but if you can hold your own physically and stay in front of them, you've got a good chance."
Also in the new episode: Perry shares his top three observations from day one of Patriots training camp. Koppen explains what it’s like as a rookie during the first days of camp. Will it be an issue for the offensive line if Matt Patricia is splitting his attention? And Perry opens up the mailbag to answer your questions!
Check out the latest episode of the Next Pats Podcast on the NBC Sports Boston Podcast Network, or watch on YouTube below:
|
2022-07-28T01:43:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Next Pats: What to watch from rookie OL Cole Strange during camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/next-pats-watch-rookie-ol-001800763.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/next-pats-watch-rookie-ol-001800763.html?src=rss
|
Kate Winslet has found her latest HBO limited series. The Mare of Easttown star will star in and exec produce The Palace, a series that tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel. The limited drama, which has been ordered to series […]
Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham sit around the dinner table in this first-look image from My Mother’s Wedding, the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas. Principal photographer has now wrapped on the project, focusing on three romantically dysfunctional sisters trying to navigate their mother’s third wedding. Also part of the cast are the already […]
|
2022-07-28T02:41:18Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
14th Annual World MMA Awards voting open; MMA Junkie and Mike Bohn nominated
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/14th-annual-world-mma-awards-180033981.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/14th-annual-world-mma-awards-180033981.html?src=rss
|
SANTA CLARA — Brandon Aiyuk stood out as the top wide receiver in the 49ers' first training camp practice.
The practice overall lasted approximately 90 minutes and several hundred 49ers Faithful were in attendance. While things have been cleared up regarding who will be the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2022, there still are questions about several other positions.
The 49ers' second on-field practice will start at 10:15 PST on July 28th.
|
2022-07-28T02:41:24Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
49ers camp observations: Brandon Aiyuk stands out in first practice
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-camp-observations-brandon-aiyuk-201002573.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-camp-observations-brandon-aiyuk-201002573.html?src=rss
|
Since taking over as the starting quarterback in 2008, Aaron Rodgers has always had an established No. 1 wide receiver. From Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, Rodgers has always had “that guy.”
Now as he prepares for his 18th year in the league, the reigning MVP will do so without that proven No. 1 wide receiver.
“When you walk in the locker room for so many years and you see 87’s locker, that’s Jordy Nelson. You see Davante Adams. It gives you a different feel. You just kind of know that you got that guy. We have some opportunities for some guys to step into that role.”
Allen Lazard is the odds-on favorite to become the next No. 1 wide receiver for Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. During the final five regular season games last season, Lazard hauled in 21 receptions for 290 yards and five touchdowns.
“I think Allen is ready to make a jump and be a No. 1 wide receiver,” Rodgers said. “Excited about the opportunity to work with him.”
With Adams now in Las Vegas, there will be even more opportunities for Lazard to showcase his talents and build off his strong finish to the 2021-2022 season.
“He’s capable of a lot,’ Rodgers said. “Since his first day, he’s turned heads…He’s been working hard. He has a lot to prove to himself…I like a hungry Allen Lazard.”
After trading Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and losing Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency Brian Gutekunst needed to rebuild Green Bay’s wide receiver room.
Gutekunst went out and signed veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal and drafted three wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
A wide receiver depth chart that currently consists of names like Lazard, Cobb, Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, and Samori Toure is not going to turn heads. However, Rodgers likes the makeup of the group.
“Allen sets the standard,” Rodgers said. “Randall sets the standard…the young guys have to pay attention…there is a lot of talent in that room for sure, and a lot of motivation for some of the comments that’s been sent that room’s way. I like what we did on day one.”
Lazard, Cobb, Watkins, Watson, Doubs, and Rodgers all would appear to be roster locks at this point. A player that could force Green Bay to keep seven wide receivers is Juwann Winfree. Winfree has eight career receptions to his name but has earned the trust of the reigning MVP.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if 88 is over there saying ‘I’m a pretty damn good football player, don’t forget about me’…I think he definitely is going to put himself into a position to have an impact,” Rodgers said. “I’m really proud of Juwann. He’s always been a professional for us.”
Cobb is the seasoned veteran among the group and has 591 career receptions to his name. However, he’s nowhere near the player that caught 91 passes for the Packers in 2014.
Watkins has 348 career receptions but hasn’t played a full slate of games since his rookie season in 2014.
Lazard is the clear-cut favorite to become Rodgers’ next go-to guy. Who will step up behind him is unclear. Rodgers noted that the young players have talent, but said it will take time to see who becomes the next great wide receiver for the Packers.
“Obviously 17 as a rookie wasn’t what he was when he left,” Rodgers said. “Jordy Nelson as a rookie was returning kicks and I think he had one or two touchdowns…We need to have patience with them.”
Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell talks about how he feels coming into his 15th NFL season
|
2022-07-28T03:25:05Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Aaron Rodgers: Allen Lazard ready to make jump to No. 1 WR for Packers
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-allen-lazard-ready-015002450.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-allen-lazard-ready-015002450.html?src=rss
|
After opting to let Bobby Massie walk during free agency, the Denver Broncos re-signed Calvin Anderson and brought in veterans Billy Turner and Tom Compton. The trio of tackles were set to compete for the right tackle job at training camp, but Anderson is now the last man standing.
The Broncos placed Turner (knee) on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, then Compton (back) was held out of practice on Wednesday.
“He had a back procedure, so he’s going to be out for a little bit and he’s going to be put on PUP,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said after practice.
Compton did not appear on the NFL’s transaction wire on Wednesday, so he will presumably officially go on the PUP list tomorrow.
“It’s something that has come up in the past and we wanted to make sure we took care of it as soon as we could,” Hackett said of Compton’s injury.
Hackett said Compton will be out “for a little bit,” but he wasn’t willing to give a timeline for when Turner will return.
“We are just playing that whole thing by ear,” the coach said. “We just want to be sure that we work him in the right way. Billy is so great with his body. [He] understands it. We just communicate. We have been together for a while, and I know what he’s all about. We will get him in at the right time.”
With Turner and Compton both sidelined, Denver brought back Cam Fleming on a one-year contract.
“We always try to have 15 healthy bodies at that position,” Hackett said. “That’s why there are always three groups to go, especially with the preseason game. I think that’s just one of those things that because of that, we want to be sure we have good depth there.”
Until Turner and/or Compton return, Anderson will be the front runner at right tackle.
|
2022-07-28T03:25:11Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Broncos lose another offensive lineman to PUP list
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-lose-another-offensive-lineman-013225392.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-lose-another-offensive-lineman-013225392.html?src=rss
|
Harry wants to dominate NFL with Bears after getting fresh start originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST – N'Keal Harry knew he needed a fresh start. His career in New England fizzled before it even got going, and the former first-round pick was staring straight into the NFL abyss.
That's when the Bears came calling, trading a 2024 seventh-round pick for the 24-year-old receiver. Harry told reporters Wednesday at Halas Hall that he jumped when he heard he had finally escaped Bill Belichick's doghouse at 1 Patriot Place. Why would the Bears, a team in a long rebuild, evoke such emotion? To Harry, it's clear he and the Bears, who are short on proven wide receivers, are a perfect match.
"I got a real chip on my shoulder," Harry said. "I'm looking to come in and do anything I can to help this team win. I feel like I fit very well within the offense, so, you know, I'm ready to go, man.
"I've got a fresh start, so this is Day 2 for me," Harry continued later. "So, this is a reset, a much-needed reset. I'm just excited."
Picked in the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft, Harry never lived up to his draft slot in New England. He didn't click with Tom Brady during the legend's final season in Foxboro. His 2020 campaign was a struggle due to various issues, and his inability to consistently create separation kept him from becoming a reliable target for rookie Mac Jones last season.
An idealized version of Harry is something the Bears could very much use. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Harry, at his best, is a contested-catch maven who can help move the chains on third down and be a jump-ball target in the red zone.
That all is, at this point, theoretical. We've never seen that Harry in the NFL.
The receiver who torched PAC-12 defenses at Arizona State never showed up in New England. Harry showed brief flashes of the guy many believed he could be but could never sustain those rare blips and make his way back into Bill Belichick's good graces.
Now, he arrives in Chicago to join an unheralded receiving corps full of guys fighting to keep or earn a place in the NFL.
Darnell Mooney is the Bears' unquestioned No. 1 receiver, but everything after that is up for grabs.
"This is a golden opportunity for all of us. It's just who's going to grab it," Harry said.
Harry claims he's not focused on proving the Patriots wrong. He has blinders on, his attention focused solely on becoming the big-body receiver the Bears are missing with Allen Robinson now in Los Angeles.
It's hard to believe his failed stint in New England won't be in his mind as he tries to resurrect his career in Chicago. It's only human to use those who cast you aside to fuel your attempted comeback elsewhere.
General manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday that the Bears believe Harry has "something to prove."
On that point, Harry agrees.
"Just dominance," Harry said." I just want to show how dominant I could be just as a player in the NFL."
The Bears and Harry need each other. That much is clear.
With a receiving corps among the weakest in the NFL, Harry finding the N'Keal Harry that was a star on Saturday nights in Tempe, Ariz., would be a welcome sight for Justin Fields and the Bears.
A year after requesting a trade from New England, Harry's fresh start arrived via phone call from head coach Matt Eberflus. Second chances are common in the NFL. Third and fourth opportunities less so.
This very well could be N'Keal Harry's last real chance to prove he is who many thought he could be.
The Bears' no-risk bet is that a change of scenery will make all the difference for a receiver who couldn't blossom with one of the NFL's great winning machines.
With his fresh start here, it's time to see if that bet will pay off.
|
2022-07-28T03:25:45Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
N'Keal Harry wants to dominate NFL with Bears after getting fresh start
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nkeal-harry-wants-dominate-nfl-015745822.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nkeal-harry-wants-dominate-nfl-015745822.html?src=rss
|
The Baltimore Ravens saw their veterans report to training camp on Tuesday, with their first full-team practice coming on Wednesday. It’s important for the players to get out on the field and get reps in with their teammates, as it marks the start of a new year with new opportunities.
Ravens defensive tackle Calais Campbell took to the podium and spoke to the media, and was asked how he felt coming into his 15th training camp. Campbell said that he felt pretty good, and is excited to see the hard work that he put in during the offseason pays off.
"I feel ready to go!" @CalaisCampbell pic.twitter.com/7d4i8weNfX
“I feel pretty good. I feel [like] I’m in great shape, ready to go. I’m excited. Honestly, it feels the same. Just that beginning of the year excitement, that potential, knowing all the hard work you put in in the offseason, making sure it pays off, seeing other guys in the building for the first time … It’s like the first day of school. Everyone’s been working hard, looks good. So, I’m excited.”
Having Campbell back on the roster gives the team that veteran presence on and off the field that will definitely help the young players on the team. He re-signed with the team on a two-year deal, and will look to win a Super Bowl before he retires from the game he’s said he loves so much. Baltimore gives him a good shot to do that, and Campbell seems to be ready to suit up for his 15th season.
|
2022-07-28T03:25:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Ravens DL Calais Campbell is ‘ready to go’ for his 15th NFL season
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-dl-calais-campbell-ready-015021836.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-dl-calais-campbell-ready-015021836.html?src=rss
|
Top 12 quotes from Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy’s Day 1 presser
The Dallas Cowboys head coach joined the media in a less entertaining setting than Tuesday’s State of the Union address. That featured pomp and circumstance as he was flanked by owner Jerry Jones and CEO Stephen Jones. Prepared to be back in his element on the field, McCarthy stopped to talk to reporters ahead of the team’s first official practice of 2022.
The third-year head coach touched on a series of topics Wednesday. They ranged from how Micah Parsons will be deployed, comparing players work in the spring to in camp, injury updates on several players (PUP designations were announced earlier in the day) and general preparation routines for the upcoming season. There was even a fun exchange over his offseason weight loss and personal training regimen.
Here are the top quotes from the day.
"I think it’s like anything. When you’re in charge of training the football team, you always have angst of ‘I wish I had a little more time over here’ and you steal from Peter to pay Paul and so forth."
Here McCarthy was espousing on the shortened amount of time that NFL teams are given to practice. He wasn’t complaining, as the NFLPA has worked over the years to limit the amount of time on the field for players as times have changed and there’s so much more conditioning the players are able and willing to do on their own.
But it does impact the littany of things coaches want to accomplish and how they try to squeeze all the teaching in.
"You got one week of ramp up. You got week two, you got four padded practices in five days, and then you get two more padded practices and then we’re off to Denver. So, it’s going to go fast, and everyone has the urgency to stay on top of that."
Continuing the practice limitations conversation, McCarthy crystalized how the Cowboys will proceed through training camp and the first preseason game is right in front of them.
"That’s why I’ve always been a huge proponent of two-minute drill and up-tempo offense, not as much because that’s the way I would prefer to play on offense. It’s really the way it stresses the defense."
McCarthy was explaining how important it is for his team to be mentally sharp and quick witted while in the field of play.
"I think we need to max out the mental and emotional challenges.”
McCarthy brought in mental conditioning coach Chad Boeing, who also works with the New York Yankees among other sports organizations. He says grit goes past the physical, and is about the mental stamina needed to be great.
"You see all the extra work that he puts in pre-practice, post-practice, in here on Tuesday. He’s in the quarterback meetings in the morning. But the physical part of it, he overcame a lot to play."
Asked about Ezekiel Elliott and pushing through the knee injury he suffered early in the year, McCarthy spoke about Elliott’s game intelligence and how much of a student of a game the seventh-year running back is.
"I think he’s clearly over that stage where he’s probably in the fourth quarter of his rehab."
Michael Gallup was placed on the PUP list earlier in the day, but it sounds like the coaching staff feels like he’s very near to being ready. The question is whether or not Gallup makes the initial 53-man roster or has to be placed on Reserve/PUP and misses the first four games of the season (at least).
"All players coming off a major joint injury you don’t want to throw them back out there. He’ll definitely be on a rep count."
Second-year linebacker Jabril Cox wasn’t placed on PUP, but McCarthy isn’t going to rush him back. Cox, like Gallup, suffered an ACL injury that ended his 2021 prematurely.
"The next step is to take it more are we running too much under center and those type of things. That’s really where our focus is just to make sure that we’re conceptually running the things that give us a chance to be successful each and every week to make sure the mannerism, the picture of what it looks in pre-snap that we’re doing our due diligence on making sure we can maybe gain an edge or don’t give the defense the whole picture."
There’s been discussion that with the loss of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson in the offseason, the Cowboys might look to return to the 2016 formula of being a run-centric team. McCarthy didn’t commit to that, but he did want to speak about how they look to attack when they are running the rock.
"In particular on first and second down — the numbers will tell you this — you have to give these guys opportunity to come off the ball. If not, the defense is playing a half-clip faster than you are because they’re in their pass rush stance and they’re getting off on the snap. It puts your linemen on their heels too much.”
Continuing the conversation, McCarthy spoke about how the run is necessary to keep the offensive linemen aggressive and the defensive line from pinning their ears back.
"That’s top secret stuff. We don’t want to give it away here. He’ll go back and forth."
How much defensive end will Micah Parsons play? McCarthy wasn’t giving any opponents the slightest hint. The reigning rookie of the year is chomping at the bit to stack on top of his performance.
"Frankly thank you, number one. That’s the basics. I’m not real comfortable talking about myself, particularly my waist line."
The media commented about McCarthy’s slimmed down physique from 2021, but the head coach doesn’t like being the center of attention. Especially when the attention is on his center.
"There’s about five or six of us that do it. It’s a lot of fun. I enjoy it. I think of you guys a lot actually when I’m doing it. would like what I’m doing. I’m getting good. So I thank you for the motivation.”
A great joke to end the presser, McCarthy talks about what his training routine is like and where he gets inspiration from.
|
2022-07-28T03:26:05Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Top 12 quotes from Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy’s Day 1 presser
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/top-12-quotes-cowboys-hc-013749992.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/top-12-quotes-cowboys-hc-013749992.html?src=rss
|
Steve Sarkisian and his Texas staff are killing it on the recruiting trail for the 2023 cycle. The Longhorns sit inside the top five in the team recruiting ranks, but the Horns are already getting a jump start on the class of 2024.
Texas has sent out an offer to four-star tight end Michael Smith out of Savannah, Georgia.
247Sports composite list Smith as the No. 6 tight end in the nation and the No. 133 overall prospect in his class.
Smith took home first team all-district while hauling in 42 passes for 684 yards and nine scores. He is a two-sport athlete who excels on the basketball court during the offseason.
The junior has picked up nearly 20 offers and is catching the attention of some of the premier programs across the country.
Offered on July 27
Blessed to Receive an Offer from the University of Texas @coachchoice #HookEm pic.twitter.com/WIhFthEpPf
|
2022-07-28T03:26:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Texas offers 2024 tight end Michael Smith out of Georgia
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-offers-2024-tight-end-015707450.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-offers-2024-tight-end-015707450.html?src=rss
|
American television personality
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The LIV Golf Invitational Series at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster has some big names scheduled for Thursday’s pro-am, including the club’s namesake.
Former President of the United States Donald Trump will tee it up alongside Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau in the first group out at 10 a.m. ET. Other celebrities joining the mix will be media personality and former Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner, football Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Brian Urlacher as well as basketball legend Charles Barkley. The rest of the pro-am participants have yet to be announced.
Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star and current TNT analyst, has been flirting with the idea of joining the Greg Norman-led and Saudi Arabia-backed series as a broadcaster over the last few weeks. The fan-favorite with the wonky swing even gave the series an ultimatum for an offer, saying, “When I leave New Jersey Thursday night, when I leave the golf course, if I don’t have an offer in hand, it’s over.”
Last week Barkley met with Norman for dinner in Atlanta to discuss what his role would be with LIV.
The series, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has long been criticized as a way for the Kingdom to sportswash its human rights record. Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.
Golf handicaps: Just how good are your favorite celebrities and athletes?
|
2022-07-28T04:14:45Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Donald Trump to join Caitlyn Jenner, Charles Barkley and a pair of NFL legends in LIV Golf Bedminster pro-am
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/donald-trump-join-caitlyn-jenner-192816514.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/donald-trump-join-caitlyn-jenner-192816514.html?src=rss
|
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey met with the media after practice, and was asked what excites him the most about the first day of training camp. He discussed how he’s ready to grow with his teammates and start a journey of where they want to be.
"We're all excited to be back." @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/RQlcm2HoZy
“Just being back. It feels good to be back with the guys. Some new energy, some new players. A lot of guys just talked with the other guys in the locker room and we’re all just excited to get back. Not too many guys had a great end last year, with just the team in general and individual players, player success. But we’re all just really excited to get back. I’m really excited to grow with these guys, take it day-by-day and start that journey to where we want to be”
The Ravens have a revamped secondary with the additions of safeties Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton, as well as cornerback Kyle Fuller. Cornerback Marcus Peters should be returning from a torn ACL at some point as well, so the back end of the Baltimore defense should be a lot better than in 2021, where they struggled in multiple areas. Health and depth will be key in regards to keeping that unit together, but they have the talent to put together a special season.
|
2022-07-28T05:00:24Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey discusses excitement level of team to be back
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-cb-marlon-humphrey-discusses-035307469.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-cb-marlon-humphrey-discusses-035307469.html?src=rss
|
The answer last season was promising early, until Elliott suffered a partially torn PCL in Week 4, triggering what eventually became a frustrating decline over the remaining three months of the schedule. Elliott remaining on the field through the injury, but he didn't resemble anything close to his best level of play.
Contract will complicate Dallas' decision
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (right) continues to voice support for Ezekiel Elliott even while questions loom over Elliott's future with the team. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
George R.R. Martin, co-creator/executive producer of House of the Dragon and the creative force behind HBO’s Game Of Throne franchise, was not in attendance at the Wednesday night premiere of the Game Of Thrones prequel series in Los Angeles. In his opening remarks before the screening of the drama’s first episode, HBO and HBO Max […]
|
2022-07-28T05:00:30Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
This may be Ezekiel Elliott's last stand with the Cowboys because of his bloated contract
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/this-may-be-ezekiel-elliotts-last-stand-with-the-cowboys-because-of-his-bloated-contract-033915287.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/this-may-be-ezekiel-elliotts-last-stand-with-the-cowboys-because-of-his-bloated-contract-033915287.html?src=rss
|
SAN FRANCISCO -- When Farhan Zaidi took over as president of baseball operations for the Giants, he insisted that the team would try and be competitive as deep into the 2019 season as possible. It seemed like PR spin at the time, but Zaidi stuck to that message, holding Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith at the trade deadline because the Giants were as hot as anybody in late June and through July.
Beyond just their positioning, the Giants simply have not looked like a contender for most of the last three months. They're one of the worst defensive teams in franchise history and supplement that with far too many bullpen meltdowns, a bad combination for October.
The obvious starting point would be Carlos Rodón, who immediately would become the best starting pitcher and possibly the best player available, depending on what the Washington Nationals do with Juan Soto. Rodón has been a Cy Young candidate in orange and black but he also recently triggered the opt-out clause in his two-year deal, so barring an injury, he's going to hit the open market and seek the type of deal that Kevin Gausman ($110 million) got last winter.
The return for an ace at the deadline is always high, but the Giants have plenty of others looking at free agency. Joc Pederson was moved at the deadline last season and helped the Atlanta Braves win a title, and he could help any contender. Wilmer Flores is having a career year, although he's extremely popular in the clubhouse and the Giants surely will try to re-sign him this offseason. Dom Leone and Curt Casali are veterans not signed beyond this season.
RELATED: Rodón apologetic after "stupid," "unacceptable" bat kick
That would leave a hole for 2023, but at the moment, next season isn't looking too appealing either. The only top prospect who is having a good season and is also already in Double-A or Triple-A is lefty Kyle Harrison, so the goal of any deadline sale would be to add more advanced young players who could help make sure the 2023 team has more upside. That shouldn't be too hard to sell to a fan base that has shown little desire to fill Oracle Park this summer.
When he sat down in the home dugout of the ballpark during the second week of July, Zaidi said he didn't intend to sell. He hoped the team would go on a run and give him a reason to add at the deadline.
"There's a lot that can happen in three weeks," he said at the time.
Not much of what has transpired since that day has been promising, with this latest skid dropping the Giants to 8-15 in July. Without the extra playoff spot, selling would be an easy decision. Even with it, that's a path that still could be appealing to the Giants before the Aug. 2 deadline.
Who needs Comic-Con? Just a few days after Marvel’s big showcase in San Diego, at which it announced its next big slate of movies, showed off a trailer for Wakanda Forever, and revealed some Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 footage that we’re not allowed to see, The Hollywood Reporter has landed a big Marvel scoop: Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton will be directing the next Avengers movies, which we learned over the weekend will be called Avengers: The Kang
|
2022-07-28T05:46:43Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
What Giants selling at MLB trade deadline would look like for roster
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-selling-mlb-trade-deadline-193826242.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-selling-mlb-trade-deadline-193826242.html?src=rss
|
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — The last two summers, NBA scouts have been allowed to attend Nike's Peach Jam and get an early eye on the top talent coming up, particularly the incoming high school senior class that could be draft eligible in two short years. In the case of Shaedon Sharpe, the most mysterious player taken in the 2022 NBA draft, Peach Jam was the only place NBA scouts got to see him play in a five-on-five competitive setting because he sat out the entire season at Kentucky.
Last week, multiple NBA teams were represented and stayed the entire event as the top players from Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League were competing in the 15U, 16U and 17U divisions of Peach Jam.
When asking NBA talent evaluators who the best prospects were, it wasn't anyone from the top 17U teams, it was a pair of 15-year-olds brand new to the scene: Cooper Flagg, 6-foot-9 forward out of Maine, and Cameron Boozer, 6-foot-8 forward out of Florida.
"This is the first time I've ever scouted a player with a mouth full of braces," one NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. "They're young and there's a lot of time for both [Flagg and Boozer], but there's a lot to like about their game."
"It was just a good experience to go out and represent our country," Flagg told Yahoo Sports. "This spring and summer has gone by like a blur, pretty much. But I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and focus on staying in the gym and keep working."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was hopeful for a change to the current 19-year-old age limit rule that requires players to be one year removed from high school when he addressed the media earlier this month. During his annual news conference at the conclusion of the league's board of governors meetings, Silver said, "I think there's an opportunity [to change it]."
"It's [based on] larger conversations than just whether we go from 19 to 18, but I'm on record: When I balance all of these various considerations, I think that would be the right thing to do and I am hopeful that that's a change we make in this next collective bargaining cycle, which will happen in the next couple years."
With this information fresh in team's minds, it was a priority to get eyes on the first wave of players that could effectively go straight from high school to the pros, something that hasn't happened since 2005. The group in question is Flagg's and Cooper's 2025 high school class.
This is why, for the first time at Nike's Peach Jam, there were several NBA scouts (some arriving 30 minutes before tipoff) lining the courtside seats for 15U games.
At just 15 years old, it's too early to draw NBA comparisons, but if he continues to develop his perimeter game and tap into his natural feel in the paint, he's going to be a player on a lot of teams' radars if and when the one-and-done rule is eliminated in time for his draft eligibility.
No player blew up on the scene quite like Flagg. Originally from Newport, Maine, the 6-foot-9 wing caught the eye of Power Five coaches during the first session of Nike's EYBL in April. His first high-major offers came from Iowa and Duke. Michigan, UCLA and West Virginia quickly followed.
He's most disruptive on the defensive end, where he recorded 11 blocks in a single game at Peach Jam. His timing in the post and the way he chases down players in transition makes him one of the best rim protectors in high school basketball, regardless of class.
"You can already tell at a young age, the game comes so easy for him," one NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. "He's already an elite rim protector, has good shooting mechanics and, again, it's still early, but this is a solid benchmark for Flagg for all of us seeing him for the first time."
St. Mary's Prep (Michigan), Class of 2025
"I just want to show all the coaches and scouts that I'm versatile and I can play any spot on the floor and impact the game on both sides," McKenney told Yahoo Sports.
Wilcher is one of the best decision-makers on the court with the ball in his hands and is a strong guard whose first step has improved. The five-star point guard committed to North Carolina last October and is looking like the perfect player to step in and fill Caleb Love's shoes once he makes the jump to the league. Wilcher is a 6-foot-4 guard out of New Jersey and completely dominated Peach Jam, averaging 19.2 points (53.8 percent from the field) and 5.2 assists per game.
Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and averaged 15.5 points, 4.7 assists at Peach Jam. He's so strong with the ball in the lane and has great body control around the rim, absorbing contact from opposing forwards. For a player his age, he seamlessly finds the open man if he draws a second defender off a screen, and he throws accurate pocket passes to players collapsing when driving baseline. Scouts were encouraged by his reads off the wing and the way he let the game come to him, not forcing anything.
Jackson recently de-committed from North Carolina and chose to reclassify up a grade and is now headed to South Carolina in a year. Jackson was the No. 1 player in the 2024 high school class before making the jump this summer and looked confident playing alongside older, stronger players in 17U for CP3, Chris Paul's AAU team. Jackson is still a raw 6-foot-9 forward who is a solid rim protector and one of the most exciting players in the open court with the way he runs the wing at his size. Jackson still has a ton of room for growth and was a prospect that intrigued a lot of NBA scouts who watched him play.
Fans of Tom Holland and Charlie Cox will be delighted to learn that there's still plenty in store...
Velma Jackson, former Mississippi State Bulldog and NBA Champion was back in the metro on Wednesday. The Golden State Warriors guard was working out at Ridgeland High School with former JSU head coach Wayne Brent as he works on his game to have an increased role with the Warriors as they try to repeat as NBA Champions.
|
2022-07-28T05:46:56Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
The NBA's one-and-done rule could be ending just in time for a monster draft class
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/the-nb-as-one-and-done-rule-could-be-ending-just-in-time-for-a-monster-draft-class-175206295.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/the-nb-as-one-and-done-rule-could-be-ending-just-in-time-for-a-monster-draft-class-175206295.html?src=rss
|
As Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaches and the baseball world focuses its attention on Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, the St. Louis Cardinals have ratcheted up their attempts to acquire the young slugger.
Gorman, 22, made his major league debut this season and has nine home runs in 53 games. He has, however, slowed at the plate recently, batting just .193 with a .266 on base percentage since June 1.
His vulnerability to high fastballs has resulted in 51 strikeouts in his last 154 plate appearances, but his defense has been steadier than expected at second, where he was moved before the 2021 season, thanks to the Cardinals’ acquisition of third baseman Nolan Arenado.
Though he’s since graduated from the list due to his big league experience, Gorman started the year as the 29th-ranked prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Some adjustments to his swing once he reached the majors were expected, and the Cardinals have been encouraged that his defensive progress hasn’t slowed even as he’s worked through a fallow period at the plate.
Widespread industry speculation had previously described the Cardinals as a leading possibility for a match in a trade for Soto because of their large amount of high-ceiling talent in the system. Indeed, finalizing a deal would certainly require the inclusion of other top prospects, such as 2020 first rounder Jordan Walker.
It’s believed that St. Louis, in a gambit to avoid losing both Walker and shortstop prospect Masyn Winn in the same deal, pivoted to Gorman as their preferred trade piece.
Corbin led MLB in losses in 2021 and is in the lead in the same category this year, posting earned run averages of 5.82 and 6.02 respectively. A double edged sword, given those numbers, is that he also reliably takes the ball every fifth day; he made 31 starts last season and leads all big league pitchers with 20 starts this season.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Cardinals, who will likely be without Steven Matz for most of the remainder of the season and who face Jack Flaherty’s uncertain availability, could benefit from that stability if it provides passable results.
Even as Corbin has struggled to maintain spin and velocity on his slider — this season is the first season since 2016 in which it’s not his most frequently thrown pitch — he has maintained those characteristics on his sinker. That implies strength and health, and could suggest that in the capable hands of Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux and his staff, some corrections could allow Corbin to revert to at least a league-average starter.
League average, of course, is a low bar when it comes to acquiring a player who has approximately $70 million owed to him in the two and a half seasons remaining on his contract.
That the Nationals are seeking to include him in a deal with perhaps the greatest trade chip in modern MLB history suggests either their belief that Corbin can’t be salvaged under his current circumstances or a desire to push the Cardinals to enhance their offer.
Soto’s availability, once viewed skeptically throughout the industry, is now certain. After turning down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer, it’s a fait accompli that he’ll be traded before reaching free agency.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday that there’s a widespread belief in the industry that potential new buyers would prefer that deal happen sooner than later, so as to allow them to take over the team with a clean slate, rather than a looming public relations disaster.
Trading Soto now, when he could assist a team through three potential runs through the postseason, maximizes his value. And, if it allows the team to escape the financial commitment to Corbin, all the better from a financial perspective.
Though pitching is the club’s primary need, the availability of a player of Soto’s caliber changes the equation for the Cardinals. He compares favorably to some of the game’s all-time inner-circle Hall of Famers, and at 23 and playing in a bad situation, is widely expected to improve dramatically over the period under which he would be controlled by a new team.
The Cardinals, too, have an established history of trading for superstars and then convincing them to sign contract extensions once they’ve experienced the organization. Mark McGwire, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Matt Holliday and Paul Goldschmidt all fit that description, and each of the first four will be awaiting Goldschmidt in the club’s Hall of Fame once he reaches his time for induction.
Whether Soto joins them is a question that will likely be answered in the coming days. The Cardinals, for now, are trying.
Six weeks ago, that might have seemed impossible. Six days from now, it may well be a reality.
Nationals won't dilute return in potential Juan Soto trade by adding 'bad contracts'
If the Nationals trade away Juan Soto, don't expect them to try and offload bad contracts in such a deal.
|
2022-07-28T06:37:56Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Gorman would be keystone piece of Cardinals’ bid to trade for Juan Soto, sources say
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/gorman-keystone-piece-cardinals-bid-110000548.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/gorman-keystone-piece-cardinals-bid-110000548.html?src=rss
|
Estonian tennis player
Emma Raducanu risks controversy by 'hiring Russian coach' for US Open title defence - GETTY IMAGES
Moscow-born Tursunov, 39, retired in 2017 but has enjoyed some notable successes with female players, including Estonia's Anett Kontaveit, whom he took into the world's top five before their partnership ended after this year's French Open.
Raducanu has not employed a full-time coach since she split with Torben Beltz in April. Instead, she has opted to work with a range of figures, such as doubles specialist Louis Cayer, Iain Bates and Jane O'Donoghue. She had ditched the coach who took her to her fairytale grand-slam success in New York, Andrew Richardson, shortly after her victory in Flushing Meadows, a decision which was criticised by the likes of John McEnroe.
Raducanu, 19, has struggled to live up to the sky-high standards she set in New York. She has not gone beyond the second round at any of the grand slams she has played since winning the US Open, and while she is still ranked No 10 in the world, that is likely to drop rapidly in the coming weeks. She has also been hampered by a series of niggling injuries - including blisters and a side strain - as she adjusts to the rigours of life on the WTA Tour.
Hiring Tursunov - which The Mail said had been confirmed to them by Raducanu's management - is also likely to lead to questions given the international backlash to Russia following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Dmitry Tursunov of Russia returns a shot during his first round Men's Singles match against Cameron Norrie of the United Kingdom on Day One of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City - GETTY IMAGES
Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon this summer amid pressure from the Government to stop Vladimir Putin’s regime being able to exploit Russian success there, although the sanction was undermined when Moscow-born Elena Rybakina – who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018 – won the ladies' singles title.
Tursunov – who has spent most of his life in the United States – is a respected coach but has admitted that he employs a confrontational style. In an interview with tennismajors.com in January, he said: "With a lot of players is they’re just not willing to hear the truth: they want to hear that the problem is maybe with the racquet or with the grips, or maybe with their mum or their dad and it takes a certain maturity and self-awareness to admit to yourself that there’s a problem."
"So that’s the first step: being honest with the player and telling them, ‘If you hire me as a coach, then you’re asking for my opinion’. So if I’m giving my opinion, it’s then the decision of the player to use it or not. I don’t care, I’m getting paid one way or the other!"
Huddy Seemingly Shades Charli D'Amelio in New Song Amid Her Landon Barker Romance
Huddy teases his latest song, 'All the Things I Hate About You,' on TikTok and fans speculate that the track is about ex-girlfriend, Charli D'Amelio. The pair first started dating in 2019 and now Charli is dating Huddy's friend, Landon Barker, son to Travis Barker.
|
2022-07-28T08:51:30Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Emma Raducanu risks controversy by 'hiring Russian coach' for US Open title defence
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/emma-raducanu-risks-controversy-hiring-071108899.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/emma-raducanu-risks-controversy-hiring-071108899.html?src=rss
|
Khalil Mack: I’ve accomplished my personal goals, Super Bowl is only thing on my mind originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Yves Pons was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior with Tennessee basketball. He played with the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
Co-founder, player and manager of Adrian's Page Fence Giants, Bud Fowler, was recently immortalized at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Dividends over 5%, a high Zacks Rank and growth. What more could you want?
‘Black Panther 2’, ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ & More Upcoming Disney Movies to Expect Between 2022 and 2028
Consummate planners, rejoice! Disney is rolling out a collection of brand-new movies over the next six years and we’re Tigger-level excited—even with...
|
2022-07-28T09:43:54Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Khalil Mack: I’ve accomplished my personal goals, Super Bowl is only thing on my mind
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-ve-accomplished-personal-080046833.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/khalil-mack-ve-accomplished-personal-080046833.html?src=rss
|
“For the first time, the alignment is the way it should be,” Franklin said to ESPN this week. “I mean this in total respect. We’re doing things and making decisions to move past. It’s not all in response, which is what I’ve been living with for eight years. We’re finally at that point, and that’s powerful.”
|
2022-07-28T10:06:43Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
James Franklin says Penn State has right AD, president to achieve great football success
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/james-franklin-says-penn-state-091804651.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/james-franklin-says-penn-state-091804651.html?src=rss
|
Why Brandon Graham is never in a rush to leave the field originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The sun was shining in South Philadelphia on Wednesday morning. The Eagles were back at training camp. And Brandon Graham couldn’t help but plaster a signature grin across his bearded face.
It all felt so right.
And last year felt so wrong.
The Eagles lost Graham to an Achilles tear in Week 2 last season. It was an injury that devastated Graham and his teammates and casted some serious doubt on his NFL future. But Graham attacked his recovery and now at age 34 is back for his 13th NFL season with a new appreciation for all of it.
“I’m excited to be back out here,” Graham said on Wednesday. “I’m not in no rush to leave the field because, as you know, time is flying.
“Once we get started with this season it’s going to be over and I’m going to be going into (Year) 14. I’m just trying to enjoy every day.”
When Graham initially tore his left Achilles tendon last year against the 49ers, he was fearful about his future. After all, in his mind, the Achilles injury was the injury you didn’t want to get. And it’s not like the recovery was easy, but Graham said it wasn’t as difficult as the microfracture knee surgery he overcame earlier in his career.
The hardest part, Graham said, was being stationary for the 2 months after surgery and the work he had to put in to get back in shape after that.
But as he reported to training camp this week, Graham isn’t facing any restrictions in training camp.
“I’m full-go now,” he said.
Graham is the longest tenured professional athlete in the City of Philadelphia and he’s been through pretty much everything during his career. He was a first-round draft pick, then he was a bust, then he was a starter, then he was a Super Bowl hero, then he was a Pro Bowler.
Graham has made it clear that he wants to make it to 15 years in the NFL; he’d need two more to reach that goal. And he’d really like to hoist that Lombardi Trophy again. He did it at the tail end of the 2017 season when his strip-sack on Tom Brady helped clinch the Super Bowl LII win.
But Graham knows this is all fleeting. He’s a guy who many people probably didn’t think would make it past his first contract. When the Eagles lost to the Saints in the playoffs in 2018, he and everyone else thought his Eagles career was over. So he’s already lasted here longer than most people thought he would. But that’s probably why he won’t take any of it for granted anymore.
There’s no one more liked inside the NovaCare Complex than Graham. His longtime teammate Fletcher Cox was noticeably gutted last September when Graham’s 12th NFL season came to a close.
The 2022 season will be the 11th with Graham and Cox on the same line.
“You gotta appreciate having BG there,” Cox said. “I’ve been playing with BG for a long time and you expect him to be there. It feels different when he’s there. He’s happy he’s back. I’m happy he’s back. Everybody’s happy he’s back. Another leader that we get back that we lost last year to injury. We’re all excited about it.”
Though Graham was around the building constantly last year as he rehabbed, things were probably much quieter on the practice field and during games without the never-ending stream of energy from BG.
Even though he’s in Year 13 now, there has been no letup with that energy. If anything, Graham seems refreshed after missing most of last season.
At this point, it’s weird to think about the Philadelphia Eagles without him.
|
2022-07-28T11:16:41Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Eagles training camp 2022: Brandon Graham returns with new appreciation
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-training-camp-2022-brandon-110000812.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-training-camp-2022-brandon-110000812.html?src=rss
|
Go back further and there are tales of the cold shoulder that Aaron Rodgers got from Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packers rookie, reminiscent of the ice that existed a generation ago when Joe Montana shunned understudy Steve Young with the San Francisco 49ers. It can happen in such competitive zones.
NFL RECORD PROJECTIONS: How will Falcons finish in 2022?
BREAKOUT NFL PLAYERS: Here are 10 poised to take a leap forward in 2022
But not here, not now. After the veteran and third-round rookie split reps during the first practice on Wednesday, they could have just as well sang “Kumbaya” to christen the so-called competition.
No, in this case, it’s “Marcus the Mentor,” seeming to be every bit the servant-leader.
"I learned a long time ago,” Mariota, an eighth-year pro, said when I asked about his approach. “I left my ego at the door. I really try to help wherever I can, even if it is Desmond, if it’s Drake (London, first-round receiver), if it’s a younger guy like KP (second-year tight end Kyle Pitts). I just try to do and give all that I can because I’ve been in so many different scenarios in my career.
“I’ve been a starter. I’ve been benched. I’ve been a backup. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been all these different things, so being able to take those experiences and help whenever I can, I think will ultimately make our team better. So, that’s really what I focus on.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes the ball during training camp at IBM Performance Field.
Sure, tough tests loom. Although Falcons coach Arthur Smith maintains that he’s running an “open” competition across the board, there’s no question that it’s Mariota’s job to lose – and also a huge platform for the former Heisman Trophy winner to re-ignite an NFL career that began with so much promise when he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Titans in 2015.
Mariota, 28, signed a two-year deal in March that reunites him with Smith, his former coordinator with the Titans, and gives the Falcons – who were among the teams in pursuit of Deshaun Watson – at least some semblance of a stopgap in transitioning from the 14 seasons that Matt Ryan served as the face of the franchise.
Mariota spent the past two seasons backing up Derek Carr with the Raiders, the landing spot after his five spotty seasons in Tennessee ended when he was supplanted by Tannehill.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to prove, not only to myself, but to those who have believed in me,” he said. “So, I’m excited. The last couple of years have been a great reset. I learned a lot from Derek. I learned a lot being there. But I feel ready to go.”
Given the twists of his career journey, you’d expect nothing less than for Mariota to be gung-ho. Never mind that the salary cap-strapped Falcons are widely projected to be NFL bottom feeders rather than a playoff contender. Forget that he’s lining up behind a suspect O-line that contributed to Ryan suffering 40 sacks in 2021, tied for fifth-most in the league. And you’d hate to think Mariota won’t someday reap the benefits, given the lumps he may take during the rebuilding project.
Nonetheless, it’s the chance that Mariota has been waiting for. It helps that he’s familiar with Smith’s offense, suited for mobile quarterbacks with its read-option calls and moving pockets – which might cover to some degree for that spotty offensive line. And undoubtedly, the Falcons knew they were getting an in-house tutor for whatever young quarterbacks they bring aboard.
“I kind of feel like that’s the older player’s role, to kind of help the younger guys,” Mariota said. “I think that’s the culture being built here. I’ve been places where it’s not necessarily that way.”
Good for them. In this case, the rookie is pretty much embedded with the vet. Better that they are both professing to have legit chemistry.
Someone asked Mariota how much time he anticipates spending with Ridder.
"Damn near 24/7,” Mariota said.
On top of the practices and meetings, they are roommates. Ridder will have ample opportunity to pick Mariota’s brain.
"Like Coach (Smith) said on the field today, he said, ‘iron sharpens iron,’ “ said Ridder, who led the University of Cincinnati to an undefeated regular season (12-0) in 2021 and the school's first College Football Playoff appearance. “That’s all we want to do is make each other better.
“We obviously know that at the end of the day there’s a competition. We want it to be a healthy competition. That doesn’t mean I cheer when he does a bad thing or he celebrates when I do a bad thing…but making sure we’re keeping each other up in good times and bad times. But it’s been great. We’ve got a great camaraderie. Obviously, the same style of play. So, we get in the meeting room and we joke that there’s not as many athletic people in that room as us.”
Mariota is perhaps the perfect mentor for Ridder. And the lean-on-me camaraderie might go a long way in easing tension if this competition gets thicker with time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marcus Mariota is right QB for Atlanta Falcons' challenging job
Tom Brady showed his skills as a recruiter this offseason when he called free agent tight end Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph drew interest from multiple teams, but Tampa Bay checked all the right boxes.
'I know what we have in store', Browns Pro Bowler Myles Garrett says as he and the defense assume the burden of a looming Deshaun Watson suspension
World number four Patrick Cantlay on Wednesday denied he was planning a move to LIV Golf without entirely closing the door on a future move to the rebel circuit rocking the game.
|
2022-07-28T11:16:47Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Every NFL rebuilding project could use someone like Falcons QB Marcus Mariota | Opinion
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/every-nfl-rebuilding-project-could-101053088.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/every-nfl-rebuilding-project-could-101053088.html?src=rss
|
Bubba Watson watches his tee shot on the 15th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship - AP
Russian losses to date exceed 40,000 military personnel General Staff
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2022, 09:35 According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia has lost 40,700 military personnel in the course of its full-scale military invasion in Ukraine.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas as one of the top 25 edge rushers in the country.
|
2022-07-28T11:58:43Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Exclusive: Bubba Watson joins LIV Golf as Saudis land another major champion
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-bubba-watson-joins-liv-173716690.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-bubba-watson-joins-liv-173716690.html?src=rss
|
American college baseball third baseman, born 1999
Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Twins' top prospects may be involved in Castillo or Mahle trade talks
|
2022-07-28T11:59:02Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Minnesota Twins' top prospects may be involved in Castillo or Mahle trade talks with Reds
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/minnesota-twins-top-prospects-may-062130244.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/minnesota-twins-top-prospects-may-062130244.html?src=rss
|
When the Arizona Cardinals selected linebacker Zaven Collins in the first round of the 2021 draft, they anticipated him being the starting “MIKE” inside linebacker, quarterbacking the defense and giving the playcalls and getting the microphone in the helmet.
Thus far, that has not been the case. Collins is slated to be a starting inside linebacker but is not slated to be the defensive playcaller, at least for now.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that they are working through who will ultimately do it, but that there are “four to five guys” he is comfortable with giving that job to.
Who has that job right now? It is safety Jalen Thompson.
“I have the mic in my helmet so I’m calling all the plays,” he told reporters Wednesday after practice.
It is unconventional to have a safety have the mic in the helmet to get the calls from the defensive coordinator. A linebacker is traditionally the one to do it, as he can more easily line up the defensive front.
But, according to Thompson, there are benefits to having a safety do it.
“I feel like if I’m calling it, I can get (the calls) out to the DBs a little bit quicker,” he said.
The experiment started in the offseason.
“We did it a little bit in the spring and it looked pretty good so they just been keeping it in my helmet so far,” he said.
He said that the plan, at least for now, is to have him continue to do it.
He is in his fourth season in the defensive system. It will allow Collins to focus on making plays rather than calling them as he enters Year 2.
Fellow linebacker Isaiah Simmons will have too varied a role — the team plans to use him at linebacker, off the edge and aft safety — to ask him to call plays, while Budda Baker has suggested that as much as he has to run around, it would get difficult for him.
As Thompson enters the final year of his contract, adding this responsibility to his resume could potentially help him secure a long-term deal.
|
2022-07-28T12:51:34Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Jalen Thompson, not Zaven Collins, expected to make defensive playcalls
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jalen-thompson-not-zaven-collins-123045760.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jalen-thompson-not-zaven-collins-123045760.html?src=rss
|
Former Former Jets All-Pro defensive lineman Joe Klecko is among 24 seniors, coaches and contributors selected as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
Specifically, Klecko is selected as one of the 12 finalists to be enshrined in the senior category. The 12-person Seniors Committee will meet Aug. 16, and each committee member will present one finalist.
Klecko made the final cut in 2021, but he missed out in the end to wide receiver Cliff Branch.
The Hall of Fame plans to induct three senior candidates this year.
A noted run stopper, Klecko had 78 career sacks, 20 of them coming in one season in 1981. He finished second for Defensive Player of the Year behind Lawrence Taylor.
Klecko played a decade for the Green & White from 1977 to 1987. He rounded out his career in 1988 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Mekhi Becton doesn't care if he plays left or right tackle as long as he's a starter
|
2022-07-28T12:51:40Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Jets’ Joe Klecko named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-joe-klecko-named-pro-115639757.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-joe-klecko-named-pro-115639757.html?src=rss
|
Lamar Jackson practicing at Ravens’ training camp without a new contract originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Baltimore Ravens players -- brimming with optimism and highly motivated to put the disastrous 2021 season behind them -- arrived in Baltimore to hit the field Wednesday for the first official start of training camp. Everyone has reported for camp except for second-round rookie David Ojabo, who will not be healthy until the second half of the season. The veterans arrived Tuesday morning, including a happy Josh Bynes as he starts a 12th season in the league, which is quite the accomplishment for an undrafted player.
First day of Ravens training camp draws fans to The Castle
There was a very electric atmosphere Wednesday at The Castle as the Baltimore Ravens took the field for training camp in front of a large crowd of fans. Many fans are excited to get their first glimpse of the team since last season, and quarterback Lamar Jackson seems to be on everyone's minds -- especially among the young fans. Wednesday was the first time the Ravens took the field since January, and for the fans, it was certainly a great sight to see. All in all, it was a great day for families to see some football and a look ahead to the regular season.
|
2022-07-28T12:51:47Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Lamar Jackson practicing at Ravens’ training camp without a new contract
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/lamar-jackson-practicing-ravens-training-104813866.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/lamar-jackson-practicing-ravens-training-104813866.html?src=rss
|
There are surprise standouts in training camp every year, whether it’s an undrafted rookie, an overlooked free-agent signing or a late-round pick. This summer, it seems like Derion Kendrick’s turn to make a great first impression.
Through four days of practice, the rookie cornerback has caught the eye of those around him, from media members in attendance to his teammates and coaches. He had a particularly good day on Wednesday, breaking up two passes intended for Allen Robinson in the end zone.
The first one apparently had the entire defense fired up, celebrating the great defensive play made by the sixth-round rookie.
After practice, Sean McVay talked about Kendrick’s competitiveness, which the Rams saw in college when he was at Clemson and Georgia. McVay says Kendrick is getting a lot of passes thrown at him in practice, and he seems to be responding well to the challenge.
Robinson has gone up against a lot of really good cornerbacks throughout his career, whether it was Jalen Ramsey in camp with the Jaguars or guys like Jaire Alexander in the NFC North. It’s obviously early, but like McVay, Robinson loves Kendrick’s competitiveness on the field.
That competition will make everyone better come Week 1, too.
“He’s a competitor. He’s good. He’s been playing hard. He’s a good competitor, and that’s what you want as far as young guys, veterans, whoever,” Robinson said. “You want that competition in training camp. That’s what gets you ready for the season so you can go back and look at different things. He made a couple of good plays today, so I go back and assess things that I could do better. That’s what you want, that you’re constantly putting yourself in that mentality getting ready for the season, seeing different things and what I could’ve done here, what I could’ve done there.
“When you have a good team, you have a step ahead of others when you’re having a good-on-good competition like that.”
The Rams added Kendrick in the sixth round of the draft this year, and the primary reason he slipped so far down the board was his athleticism. There were questions about his speed after he reportedly ran a 4.77 in the 40-yard dash, which is a poor time for a cornerback.
But Kendrick is showing speed isn’t everything, and the way he’s competing against a top-end receiver like Robinson proves he can stick around in this league when put in the right situation.
|
2022-07-28T12:51:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Rams rookie CB Derion Kendrick standing out early in training camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-rookie-cb-derion-kendrick-121709981.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-rookie-cb-derion-kendrick-121709981.html?src=rss
|
Earlier this week we took a look at some teams that we thought would get back to their winning ways in 2022. Now it's time to reveal who we think may underachieve in 2022. Here are 10 college football teams that we think could have worse seasons in 2022 than they did in 2021.
ASU is a program in tumult entering the 2022 season. An NCAA investigation for recruiting violations looms over the program and five coaches have left, including defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce. The Sun Devils return just seven starters from last season’s team that went 3-4 down the stretch. Former Florida QB Emory Jones is set to replace Jayden Daniels and ASU will need to find some receivers for him to throw to.
How do the Bearcats follow up a College Football Playoff berth in 2022? The sequel will need to happen without a lot of key parts from that team that was undefeated until a semifinal loss to Alabama. The biggest replacement comes at quarterback where either Evan Prater or Ben Bryant is in line to take over for Desmond Ridder. Ridder accounted for 36 total touchdowns in 2021. Bryant comes over from Eastern Michigan and Prater served as Ridder’s backup.
The Bearcats also need to replace RB Jerome Ford and his 1,300 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns and leading receiver Alec Pierce. The top three tacklers are also gone from the defense along with cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Sauce Gardner. Cincinnati should be good in 2022, but it’s also easy to see how the Bearcats are underdogs at Arkansas to start the season. If Cincinnati gets a win in Fayetteville, then it'll be very easy to start dreaming about another New Year's Six bowl appearance.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are still the presumptive favorites in the Sun Belt West but look primed to not be as dominant as they were in 2021 after ending the season on a 13-game win streak. Michael Desormeaux takes over as head coach with Billy Napier at Florida and QB Levi Lewis needs to be replaced, too. Chandler Fields is the presumptive starter and the team’s top three receivers from 2021 return. But the defense has to replace its top three tacklers and leading sacker Chauncey Manac.
A Nov. 19 game vs. Florida State is a fascinating late-season non-conference matchup. Louisiana's only loss of 2021 came against Texas. If Louisiana is better than we think they are in 2022, then a win over Florida State isn't going to be much of a surprise.
Mel Tucker's Michigan State was one of the surprise teams of 2021. Will they stay at the top of the Big Ten in 2022? (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Spartans hit a home run last season by adding running back transfer Kenneth Walker III (1.636 yards, 18 TDs) and they will again rely on an array of portal additions on both sides of the ball in 2022. Walker’s big play ability was a huge difference-maker on an otherwise average offense. Will the staff’s portal scouting make a big difference yet again?
Washington Commanders Dan Snyder has begun testifying before a congressional committee investigating the NFL team’s history of workplace misconduct. A spokesperson for the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform confirmed Snyder began giving his deposition Thursday morning virtually and in private. The spokesperson said in a statement on behalf of the committee: “Snyder has committed to providing full and complete testimony, and to answer the Committee’s questions about his knowledge of and contributions to the Commanders’ toxic work environment, as well as his efforts to interfere with the NFL’s internal investigation, without hiding behind non-disclosure or other confidentiality agreements.”
Several challengers ranging across the political spectrum are taking on Rep. Alex Andrade for the District 2 seat in the State House.
Hear from Jordan Karr, a candidate for Florida House District 2 seat, in this Q&A.
|
2022-07-28T13:21:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
10 college football teams who could take a step back in 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/10-college-football-teams-who-could-take-a-step-back-in-2022-114708461.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/10-college-football-teams-who-could-take-a-step-back-in-2022-114708461.html?src=rss
|
American baseball player, coach, manager
Sydney Sweeney Says She's Not Paid Enough To Take A 6-Month Break From Acting
Sydney Sweeney is getting candid about breaking down people's assumptions about her. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the "Euphoria" star shared how she feels about filming nude scenes for the hit HBO series. She said, "People forget that I’m playing a character, they think, 'Oh, she gets naked onscreen, she's a sex symbol. And I can’t get past that." The double Emmy nominee also set the record straight about her finances, saying she doesn’t “have income to cover” a six-month break from acting despite back-to-back projects.
|
2022-07-28T13:29:21Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Pujols hits 3-run HR, Cards overcome absences, beat Jays 6-1
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/pujols-hits-3-run-hr-022055853.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/pujols-hits-3-run-hr-022055853.html?src=rss
|
The Dallas Cowboys were really good last season. You don't remember that part.
An NFL team can play a full season, look like the best team in football at times, then lose in the playoffs and everything else is forgotten. The Cowboys were good enough to be the best team in Football Outsiders' DVOA last season. If you don't trust that metric, go back and watch Dallas' 56-14 win over the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys were very good.
What you recall from the 2021 Cowboys is probably a 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round, or perhaps more specifically a strange quarterback draw call on the final play that killed the clock. It's not fair to judge an entire season of work on one loss to a hot 49ers team, but that's life in the NFL. It was crushing. Dak Prescott said about a month after Dallas' season ended that he still thought about the loss constantly.
“Yeah, I mean, nonstop. Multiple times a day,” Prescott said on "The Rich Eisen Show," via On3.com. “I mean, it was tough. I mean, just expecting to go so much further; to have your season be a lot more than it was and just for it to end so sudden, and especially in the way that it did. It’s a tough one to swallow there. There’s certain moments and games and things that I think will stick with players or people for a long time in their career and I think this this game was one of them."
The problem is the Cowboys haven't had any unexpected postseason runs to balance out the disappointments. They haven't been to the conference championship round since the end of the 1995 season, when they won Super Bowl XXX. Since a Dec. 28, 1996 wild-card round win over the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas is 3-10 in the playoffs. When you have three playoff wins over two and a half decades, bad playoff losses won't be forgiven easily. Especially with that fanbase.
The goal of a deep playoff run is still viable in Dallas, but the offseason didn't help. The Cowboys lost pass rusher Randy Gregory and two starters on the offensive line, guard Connor Williams and tackle La'el Collins, in free agency. Gregory left after the Cowboys thought they'd re-signed him, but the deal fell apart over contract language Gregory's side didn't agree with. Receiver Amari Cooper was practically given away in a trade to the Cleveland Browns. Those were the big departures, and a few others eat away at Dallas' depth. The Cowboys are stuck with some big contracts (Ezekiel Elliott's $18.2 million cap hit is egregious based on his predictable decline) and couldn't add much. Their big free-agent move was a one-year, $3 million prove-it deal to pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Dallas is good and has some young players who will improve, but it's hard to say the roster is better than a year ago.
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys saw a promising season end with a wild-card round playoff loss to the 49ers. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Yet, Dallas fans should have optimism. It's not like the expectations will change. Many of the same ingredients that propelled the Cowboys into contender status are still in place. Dak Prescott came back from injury and played at his typical, productive level. CeeDee Lamb should emerge as a standout No. 1 receiver without Cooper around to share targets, and tight end Dalton Schultz had a big breakout last season. Elliott might be aging faster than the Cowboys want to admit, but he still had 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and forms a good running back duo with Tony Pollard. The defense, led by young stars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, took a massive step forward with coordinator Dan Quinn last season.
The problem for the Cowboys is another good season won't cut it. There have been some good seasons since 1995. There haven't been any great ones. Owner Jerry Jones has to be getting antsy. Coach Mike McCarthy obviously knows that Sean Payton is a free agent after stepping down as New Orleans Saints coach, and Jones' affinity for Payton is well known. McCarthy and Jones already seem tired of answering questions about the coach's future. The players have to be tiring of hearing about the playoff failures.
The Cowboys come into this season knowing that anything short of at least a trip to the NFC championship game won't be good enough. That goal seems a bit further away than it was at the end of last season.
Here's a list of starters or key contributors from a season ago who aren't on the roster anymore: Receivers Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, offensive linemen La'el Collins and Connor Williams, edge rusher Randy Gregory, safeties Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal, and kicker Greg Zuerlein. Cooper, a four-time Pro Bowler who is just 28 years old, was traded to the Browns for the low price of a 2022 fifth-round pick and a swap of 2022 sixth-round picks. That's disheartening. The two biggest signings were edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and receiver James Washington, and both are downgrades over the players they're replacing. Dallas did retain players like defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and tight end Dalton Schultz, the latter on the franchise tag. The draft got a poor grade from most analysts. The top three picks were offensive lineman Tyler Smith, edge defender Sam Williams and receiver Jalen Tolbert. Even the most optimistic Cowboys fan can't look at the comings and goings of the offseason and feel the roster is better.
Dak Prescott had a successful return from a major leg injury that ended his 2020 season early. He was just fine passing the ball, finishing with 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns. One area that didn't bounce back was Prescott's running game. Prescott isn't a frequent runner, but he has added value with his legs. Last season he had 146 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He barely ran, which was by design. Now that Prescott is another year removed from injury, the limitations will be off.
“I think we tried to be smart,” coach Mike McCarthy said about limiting Prescott's running last season, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I think it’s obvious we didn’t call as many quarterback runs than probably prior years. So, there weren’t as many in the game plan. I think we tried to be smart when we used him.”
The Cowboys' win total at BetMGM is 10.5, and the under is one of the most popular plays of the offseason among bettors. I wouldn't be so excited to take the under. Even with a bad offseason, the Cowboys were very good last season and it wasn't a fluke. I don't know that I like the over either, so I'll be passing on Cowboys future bets this offseason. But don't underestimate Dallas' ability to have another fantastic regular season.
From Yahoo's Scott Pianowski: "Ezekiel Elliott has been buoyed by volume, durability, and touchdown deodorant in recent years. He finished as the RB6 last season, despite few splash plays and the worst receiving efficiency of his career. And he's averaged a modest 4.1 yards per carry since 2020.
"Meanwhile, Tony Pollard was a whirlwind last year, in a secondary role. Pollard averaged 6.2 yards per touch in 2021, compared to just 4.5 for Elliott.
"On a normal team, we'd look at this backfield and project a healthy time share. Alas, the Cowboys often play to their name players, and Elliott is still in the middle of a monster contract extension he signed three years ago. The Cowboys don't view him as a sunk cost.
"The fantasy market has cooled to Elliott — he has a Yahoo ADP around 32, and it's outside the Top 40 in July NFFC drafts. Meanwhile, Pollard can be found around Pick 93 in Yahoo, and Pick 84 in July NFFC rooms. Mindful that running back windows often slam shut with little warning, I'll be eschewing Elliott at the draft table, but open-minded to Pollard. Maybe Pollard would need an Elliott injury to really pop as a fantasy play, but I can't ignore the arrows moving in opposite directions."
Here are Ezekiel Elliott's rushing yards per game for each of his NFL seasons, starting with his rookie year: 108.7, 98.3, 95.6, 84.8, 65.3, 58.9. The aging curve of a high-volume running back in the NFL stinks. Elliott isn't finished as a starting NFL running back. His drop last season can be attributed to a partially torn PCL in his right knee that he played through. However, anyone who has watched the Cowboys the past two seasons can see that Tony Pollard is the more explosive of the two backs. Elliott played 65.9 percent of Dallas' offensive snaps last season and Pollard got 30.5. That could be closer to 50-50 this season, though the Cowboys seem beholden to Elliott's contract and his past production when it comes to playing time decisions.
Can Micah Parsons approach 20 sacks?
The Cowboys drafted Parsons in the first round, believing they were getting an off-ball linebacker with some pass rushing skills. When Parsons had to rush the quarterback more due to injuries on defense, there was a revelation. Parsons ended up being one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Parsons finished with 13 sacks, just short of Jevon Kearse's rookie record of 14.5 sacks. Parsons has some high hopes for his second season, and wants to make a run at the single-season record of 22.5 sacks.
"Yeah, 15's like the minimum. 15's what I wanna hit," Parsons said, via CBS Sports. "But definitely 23 is that goal, to break the record.
Only six players had 14 or more sacks last season. Parsons is one of the few edge rushers in the league that can set that as a realistic goal.
The Cowboys could have won a Super Bowl last season. We sometimes make too much of results in a single-elimination tournament. Dallas lost a close playoff game against the 49ers, and that shouldn't have erased every positive thing the Cowboys did last season. And there were a lot of good things. Dallas had a rough offseason but perhaps none of the personnel losses will prove to be a fatal blow. Dak Prescott should be better, not having to rehab a leg injury all offseason. Dallas led the NFL in yards and points scored last season and that shouldn't fall off too much. The Cowboys had an excellent defense too. They might have a top-five offense and a top-five defense this season. They could be right back to the same level they were last season, when they looked like a Super Bowl contender. Then they just need some playoff luck.
The personnel losses over the offseason were worrisome, and that's not the only potential issue. Ezekiel Elliott is in decline. The receiving corps is relying heavily on Michael Gallup's healthy return from a torn ACL, and that's no sure thing. The offensive line lost two starters, and tackle Tyron Smith and guard Zack Martin are both 31 years old. Smith in particular has had a hard time staying healthy. There is no guarantee the defense repeats its surprising performance of last season. The Philadelphia Eagles had a far better offseason and could win the NFC East. Dallas should make the postseason in a watered-down NFC even if Philadelphia wins the division. But would a wild-card spot and an early postseason exit make anyone in Dallas happy? You already know the answer to that.
I'm in a weird place with the Cowboys. I think what they did last season has been forgotten and underestimated, and a lot of it is repeatable. Yet, I'm fully on board with the Eagles' improvement and I'll be picking them to win the NFC East. (Philly isn't ranked higher than Dallas because the Eagles haven't earned a higher spot yet.) Dallas will probably take a step back after losing some good players in the offseason, but they're still good enough to make the playoffs. And unless there's an unexpected playoff run, it will feel like another lost season. Then we get an offseason full of Sean Payton rumors.
|
2022-07-28T14:23:28Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
2022 NFL Preview: Cowboys' playoff jinx struck again at the end of a very good season
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-cowboys-playoff-jinx-struck-again-at-the-end-of-a-very-good-season-122829366.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-cowboys-playoff-jinx-struck-again-at-the-end-of-a-very-good-season-122829366.html?src=rss
|
The Indianapolis Colts are just getting underway at the beginning of training camp this week.
Head coach Frank Reich will be tooling up his offense to utilize the talent on the side of the ball as best as he can this season over the next month. Certain players will have to earn their spot in the starting lineup and for a role in the offense.
But for others, they are counted on to perform at a high level. Here are the most important players on the offensive side of the ball for Indianapolis:
There is no secret that the Colts’ offense runs through their star running back. Jonathan Taylor’s presence on the field causes defenses to put eight men in the box and that is something that Matt Ryan can take advantage of.
In his first two seasons, he has averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, and that ability to put his team in a favorable position in second and third-down situations. He can hit a home run at any point and never wavers in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis can put away a team on the ground. Taylor is the engine of the offense and this team can go as far as he can carry them.
There is a strong argument that Matt Ryan should be the most important player on the Indianapolis offense because he plays the most important position in football. The veteran quarterback is looking to have a late-career resurgence and help put his new team back in the playoffs. As great as Jonathan Taylor is, there are games when the offense needs the passing attack to take over and that cost the team in the 2021 season. Ryan has heard a lot of praise from his teammates this summer.
Nyheim Hines said this about his new quarterback: “Matt’s gonna be a great commander and leader of this offense. We’ve worked with him for eight weeks and I’m already ready to run through a brick wall for him.”
The leadership from Matt Ryan paired along with his style of quarterback play should help put this team over the hump.
LG Quenton Nelson
Jonathan Taylor can create his own yards but it also helps when you have the best guard in the game carving out rushing lanes as well. Quenton Nelson made an immediate impact as a rookie and helped shift the culture within the organization.
Even though he might not say much when it comes to the media, we were able to see the great leadership that he has when the Colts were featured on the first edition of the in-season Hard Knocks last year. He has the respect of Frank Reich where his head coach will listen to anything that Nelson suggests. He will be looking to earn All-Pro honors for the fourth time in five seasons.
The Colts are looking to enhance their passing attack this season with the addition of Matt Ryan and with Michael Pittman Jr. taking the next step in his third season. There has been plenty of chatter that the offense needs another veteran receiver but even if Chris Ballard decides to bring one in, Pittman Jr. will still be the most important player in the passing attack for Ryan. He has spent the spring developing chemistry with his new quarterback and the pair will be looking to build upon it during training camp. Pittman Jr. is set to have a breakout season and become more of a household name by the end of the year.
Matt Ryan has been one of the most durable quarterbacks over the last decade and it is surprising that the last game he missed was during the 2019 season. Since 2019, he was sacked 129 times. Which are the most for a quarterback in the last three seasons. The veteran quarterback should be very happy that he has a one-two punch on the interior of his offensive line with Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly. The seventh-year center does a great job initiating contact and getting a drive to create space for his running back. Kelly’s experience combined with Matt Ryan’s should help improve the pass protection this season.
The love for the Colts’ offensive line continues with Braden Smith. There was a point in NFL history where the right tackle spot was more of an afterthought. But that has shifted with it being more of a pass-friendly league and defenses having an elite edge rusher that they can line up on that side of the ball. Smith has been an anchor on that side of the line and it was noticeable when he missed six games in 2021. With the competition at the left tackle and right guard spots, Frank Reich needs his right tackle to be as healthy as possible throughout the year.
RB Nyheim Hines
The Colts have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL but it doesn’t get talked about often because of the “down” year that Nyheim Hines had in 2022. He had a career-low in receptions and receiving yards. It wasn’t his fault though, it was a mixture of not having a steady gameplan for him and Carson Wentz passing on the layups to Hines. While he is an underrated runner, he can be very deadly as a receiver in open space. Frank Reich understands he needs to be creative with how he can get Hines the ball and plans on it.
Earlier this summer, he mentioned, “If I was a fantasy owner, if I was going to be in a fantasy league, I think I’d pick Nyheim this year. I think I’d consider drafting Nyheim. I think it’s worth to consider drafting him,”.
Between the quotes from Hines on Matt Ryan and from his head coach, he’s set to have a larger role in 2022.
If the passing attack is going to add a different element to the offense in 2022 then it will be the veterans in the skill position groups to deliver. The tight end room is now Mo Alie-Cox’s and he will bear more responsibilities following Jack Doyle’s retirement. His explosive playmaking ability has been on display when he’s gotten the opportunity. Since 2019 he has averaged 12.7 yards per reception, which is tied for the fifth highest in the NFL. With a second-year player and a pair of rookies behind him on the depth chart, Alie-Cox has to make a larger impact during the upcoming season.
|
2022-07-28T14:23:40Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
The 8 most important Colts on offense
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/8-most-important-colts-offense-134244767.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/8-most-important-colts-offense-134244767.html?src=rss
|
Arguably the biggest position battle taking place at Indianapolis Colts training camp comes at the left tackle position where the team is keeping a close eye on who fits best at Matt Ryan’s blindside.
The competition officially got underway Wednesday when training camp started at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield between rookie third-round pick Bernhard Raimann and veteran swing tackle Matt Pryor.
While technique and production in team drills will be vital to the process, general manager Chris Ballard will be focusing on how each player gels with the rest of the offensive line.
“I always go back to the teamwork because one-on-one drills are great from a technique standpoint but they are going to get beat. You’re going to have bad days in one-on-one,” Ballard said Tuesday. “That’s just normal, but the teamwork. That’s when you want to see all five working together. Who fits the best? Who is working the best in the unit? All that plays in, so the teamwork is going to be big.”
As it currently stands, Pryor is getting the first crack at earning the starting job at left tackle. He ran with the first-team offense during the spring and opened up training camp Wednesday doing the same.
Raimann has a shot to take the job, though. He impressed during the spring practices and even though he has more to learn about the position after switching from tight end in 2020, he’s proven to be a quick learner.
The Colts are still searching for their long-term replacement for Anthony Castonzo and at least for the 2022 season, the winner of that role may be the one with the best chemistry.
|
2022-07-28T14:23:59Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Colts’ left tackle competition may come down to chemistry
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-left-tackle-competition-may-125812271.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-left-tackle-competition-may-125812271.html?src=rss
|
On Wednesday, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel announced the six players who were chosen for the team’s annual offseason awards.
According to Vrabel, the criteria for winning the awards are based on “effort, consistency and improvement” during the offseason program.
On offense, the winners were right tackle Dillon Radunz, wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick and fullback Tory Carter. On defense, it was cornerback Caleb Farley, safety Amani Hooker and defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker.
Radunz, Fitzpatrick and Farley are three of the players on the team with the most to prove this year, so this is a good sign for their progress.
Radunz is competing for the right tackle job, but figures to have a leg-up for the role over rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere. Even with that being the case, Radunz still has to prove he’s a worthy starter in this league.
Farley is about to embark on his first season as a full-time starter, but the jury is still very much out on the 2021 first-round pick, especially after suffering a torn ACL last season, which only added to already existing concerns about Farley’s ability to stay healthy.
Fitzpatrick just securing a spot on the 53-man roster would be a win for him after he failed to do so during his rookie campaign. But he also needs to make an impact if he does make the final cut, which he wasn’t able to accomplish in 2021 despite Tennessee having a slew of injuries.
Titans' Dez Fitzpatrick trying to earn 'a big role' in 2022
As for Carter and Hooker, their spots on the roster are already secure. Now, both will be focusing on improving after very good 2021 seasons.
Carter was a game-changer as a lead blocker in Tennessee’s offense, and Hooker emerged as one of the better players at his position, forming an elite duo with fellow safety Kevin Byard.
Meanwhile, Walker is someone to watch along the defensive line. We believe he’ll make the cut and will provide depth upfront, and he can play outside linebacker in a pinch if need be.
|
2022-07-28T14:24:05Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Dez Fitzpatrick, Caleb Farley among Titans’ offseason award winners
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dez-fitzpatrick-caleb-farley-among-135441419.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dez-fitzpatrick-caleb-farley-among-135441419.html?src=rss
|
Following a week of rookies only, the veterans reported to camp Tuesday morning for the Miami Dolphins, and their freshman head coach, Mike McDaniel. On Wednesday, they hit the field.
Predicting Miami’s success this season is no easy task, as there are still many questions and variables for the team, despite a terrific offseason of signings and trades that bolstered the roster with star power.
Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson Jr. were added to a roster that has youthful talent at the position in Jaylen Waddle entering year two. Elite left tackle Terron Armstead, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, was signed to anchor an offensive line of young prospects, four of whom were drafted in the last three seasons by Miami.
While this is the first Dolphins training camp for Armstead, Hill, Wilson and a slew of other new acquisitions for Miami, there are several current players in the last year of their contract or on a newly inked one-year deal. These players will be fighting to make sure this is not their last training camp in aqua and orange.
Preston Williams is perhaps the most notable bubble receiver on the Dolphins’ roster. With the signing of veteran Mohamed Sanu, yet another name is added to the long list of targets vying for the six or seven spots on the 53-man roster. This creates a tougher road for the fourth-year undrafted free agent.
Williams’ main problem in his young career has nothing to do with his ability. The issue has always been availability. The story has been told, and after three seasons and only 24 games played, there’s a make-or-break urgency to 2022’s training camp for the player once dubbed “The Unicorn.”
Glimpses of freakish athletic ability from the 6-foot-5, 220-pound, all-around athlete had been outweighed by numerous injuries to begin his NFL career.
While his rookie year began with promise, he quickly became Miami’s most targeted receiver in 2019. However, an ACL tear midway through the season during a punt return against the New York Jets, a game in which he already scored two receiving touchdowns, halted his start. Williams finished with 32 receptions, 428 yards, and three touchdowns in eight appearances. That’s not too shabby if you project what his full potential could have been statistically if 16 games were played.
In 2020, Williams returned from his ACL injury, and his season started slow until he had his first career 100-yard game in a Week 5 blowout win against the San Francisco 49ers. He added a touchdown in that contest, and across from Miami’s sideline was a 49ers offensive assistant coach who would become the Dolphins’ leading man. Perhaps McDaniel remembers the performance.
Following that game, Williams tallied two more scores in the next three weeks, one of them leading to his other significant injury. In what truly could be called an odd occurrence, Williams dove into the end zone for a touchdown, while being tackled by the foot, and that undoubtedly caused his injury, which could very well have been added to in the moment of celebration.
As silly as that sounds, and regardless of the past injuries and drop issues, Williams was back returning kicks on training camp’s first day.
This means that a new offensive regime is still finding opportunities for him, which could be indicative of the organization’s confidence in his ability, while all hope that he can consistently provide availability.
Williams will get work this summer in two phases of football in order for him to extend his newly signed one-year deal worth around $965,000 in base salary with a $100,000 signing bonus, according to Spotrac.
Joining him on return workouts were Hill, Waddle and CFL import DeVonte Dedmon.
Williams carries a cap hit of just $1.29 million with a $275,000 potential dead cap hit. There’s a nothing-to-lose approach to Miami giving him one last shot at a productive and continual role within their offense, or as it seems, the return game.
|
2022-07-28T14:24:18Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Dolphins WR Preston Williams entering make-or-break year in 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-wr-preston-williams-entering-125820974.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-wr-preston-williams-entering-125820974.html?src=rss
|
All 32 teams have officially started their training camps. A few teams have been pleasantly surprised by strong performances from their rookies, while other teams have had some unexpected returns from injuries, and some teams have even made last minute trades that just flat-out shocked us all.
Jope springs eternal for all teams as the pre-preseason officially begins, let’s dive into some of the surprises from the start of training camp!
Michael Thomas is back!
New Orleans Saints wide receiver and 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas is back! Starting camp, he was on the ‘physically unable to preform (PUP) list, so we assumed that we wouldn’t see him this early into training camp. But today he was getting full reps with the first team.
Having 1,000-yard seasons in his first four years and then only starting five games in 2020, and sitting out 2021, everyone is excited to see what Thomas can bring as he plays along side with rookie Chris Olave and five-time pro bowler Jarvis Landry.
He's baaaaaaaaack. ⚜️@Cantguardmike | @Saints
📺: Back Together Saturday returns July 30 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/GH8jlow0jm
Saquon Barkley impressing early
(Syndication: The Record)
Entering the biggest season of his career, Saquon Barkley makes an impressive one-handed catch in individual drills on the first day of camp.
“I’m excited and it’s going to be a really big year, and I’m just going to go out there and give it my all and try to make everyone proud.” says Barkley.
Barkley has only been healthy for only one season since entering the league in 2018. He’s one of the handful of players to achieve over 2,000 all-purpose yards his rookie NFL season. Starting OTAs, he is the healthiest he has been since his rookie season, and expects to take on a bigger role in the offense this year.
James Robinson not on PUP list
(Syndication: Florida Times-Union)
After James Robinson tore his Achilles tendon in week 16 of the 2021 season, he was expected to make it back on the field around the start of the season. But when the Jacksonville Jaguars started their training camp on Sunday, July 24th, Robinson surprised us all as he came out running sprints and catching passes out of the backfield.
“Says a lot. It’s a good sign,” new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson recently said of Robinson’s health. “I know, and I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to get himself back this spring, this summer. He was here all summer working with the guys… He’s done a great job to put himself into a position where we don’t have to (put him on PUP). But still be cautious with him and make sure he’s ready when he’s ready.”
Robinson is doing more and more each day and is expected to make a full recovery closer to mid-August. Until then, Travis Etienne will line up with the first team and share snaps with Jarod “Snoop” Conner and Ryquell Armstead out of the backfield.
Robinson is not the first running back to return to the field early after a torn Achilles — Cam Akers of the Los Angeles Rams made his recovery in only five months.
Robinson was an undrafted free agent back in 2020 and took the league by storm rushing for 1,070 yards his rookie year and averaging 76.4 yards per game.
Julio Jones is on this list because of the trade to the Buccaneers alone. We were all aware that the Tennessee Titans were listening to trade offers for J,ones but we didn’t expect him to be paired with the greatest quarterback of all time.
New #GoBucs WR Julio Jones working on the jug machine after Tampa Bay’s first full camp day!
Mike Evans made it out to say hello to his new teammate too pic.twitter.com/RPdPXN9TJx
Despite playing only 19 games over the last two seasons, he’s one of the few active receivers with over 10,000 yards. So the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have no problem distributing the ball to him in a rotation with Kyle Rudolph, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Velus Jones Jr. is dominating early
As the oldest rookie drafted in 2022, Velus Jones Jr., is showing that age is just a number. He has come out on fire in the first days of Bears camp, connecting with Justin Fields during one-on-one drills.
As I mentioned back in April, Jones was one of the rising stars of the NFL draft after his dominant performance with the University of Tennessee and then standing out at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
In his final senior season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. He ended the season with 1,722 all-purpose yards, which was third in the SEC conference. The Bears can use all the receiver help they can get right now.
Chiefs activate Clyde Edwards-Helaire
On Tuesday, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on the PUP list and then to our surprise, less than 24-hours later he was participating with the team in their first full practice.
Andy Reid also confirmed that Edwards-Helaire was officially off the list.
“Clyde was put on PUP to finish his testing,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained. “He practiced today, so we just took him off it.”
This was a strange turn of events as Edwards-Helaire enters his third NFL season. He totaled 1,100 yards from scrimmage his rookie year and then battled injuries, starting only 23 out of a possible 33 games over the last two years. With a completely different Kansas City Chiefs offense this year, Edwards-Helaire will be playing in a prove-it or lose-it year, so making sure he stays healthy is critical.
Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe | Hey Y'all | Southern Living
You don’t have to be sick to enjoy homemade chicken noodle soup! In this video, Ivy shows you how to make Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup with a quick recipe that transforms the laborious dish into an easy dinner – all thanks to the help of a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This one-pot recipe combines the "holy trinity" of vegetables – aka carrots, onion, and celery – for a flavorful base that tastes just as delicious and comforting as the traditional version Mom used to make.
|
2022-07-28T14:24:24Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Early surprises as NFL training camps begin
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/early-surprises-nfl-training-camps-130849253.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/early-surprises-nfl-training-camps-130849253.html?src=rss
|
The loss of Von Miller in free agency has loomed large for the Los Angeles Rams throughout the offseason. With Leonard Floyd being the team’s most proven edge rusher, the veteran edge rusher can tell that Terrell Lewis spent time during the offseason to improve his game.
Lewis has dealt with knee injuries throughout his first two seasons, but Floyd sees a healthier and more confident pass rusher this summer.
“He’s been taking care of his body the whole offseason. I can tell when he pass-rushes, he leanin’, he dippin’, and he real fluid right now,” Floyd said. “I’m looking forward to him getting out there.”
When the Rams took Lewis in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Alabama, they knew there were injury concerns surrounding the talented edge rusher. In his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Lewis has been limited to 19 games (four starts) due to knee ailments.
Amid the injuries, Lewis has been able to tally five sacks and a forced fumble in his first two seasons with the Rams. While it was noticeable that Lewis was a bit hesitant with his knee in 2021, Floyd believes he looks much more confident entering the 2022 campaign.
“I can tell he trusting it (his knee) a lot more than he did last year. He’s executed some of his best rushes in training camp. I’m looking forward to him doing it with the pads on,” Floyd said.
Following Miller’s decision to join the Buffalo Bills in free agency, the Rams are going to need guys like Justin Hollins, Lewis and others to step up on the opposite side of Floyd. Even though it’s early in training camp, it’s great to see that Lewis appears to be healthy and ready to take on a larger role this season.
|
2022-07-28T14:25:03Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Leonard Floyd sees a more confident and healthy Terrell Lewis in training camp
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/leonard-floyd-sees-more-confident-131900841.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/leonard-floyd-sees-more-confident-131900841.html?src=rss
|
For the third time in two weeks, the Green Bay Packers are adding another player from the USFL to the 90-man roster.
According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Packers are signing wide receiver and punt returner Ishmael Hyman, who played for the Michigan Panthers of the USFL.
Over just four games, Hyman (6-0, 196) caught 15 passes on 22 targets for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned seven punts for 78 yards (long of 35).
Hyman, 26, went undrafted out of James Madison in 2019. He spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, playing in two regular-season games and catching two passes for the Buccaneers during the 2019 season.
The Packers could use more depth at wide receiver while Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson recover from injuries, and Hyman could compete to be the punt returner.
Hyman joins tight end Sal Cannella (New Orleans Breakers) and receiver Osirus Mitchell (Birmingham Stallions) as former USFL players arriving in Green Bay.
The Packers released linebacker Caliph Brice on Wednesday, clearing a roster spot for Hyman.
Wisconsin U.S. Senate election updates: Sarah Godlewski says she intends to stay in race after Lasry drops out
|
2022-07-28T14:25:17Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Packers signing another USFL wide receiver
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-signing-another-usfl-wide-131027306.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-signing-another-usfl-wide-131027306.html?src=rss
|
When Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons didn’t fully participate in mandatory minicamp last month, there was speculation he might do the same in training camp while waiting for a new contract.
However, that did not happen and instead Simmons was out there practicing on the first day of training camp.
When asked about his contract situation on Wednesday, Simmons said he isn’t worried about that and is just focusing on football.
“That’s the message: I’m here,” Simmons said, per Gentry Estes of The Tennessean. “I’m not worried about [my] contract. I’m just focusing on football.”
Simmons is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal after a career year and will be on the fifth-year option in 2023, but the Titans would be wise to lock him up as soon as possible.
Simmons’ projected price tag is already quite high (Spotrac estimates a deal of $21 million over four years) and will only go up, and getting a deal done will no doubt help keep harmony with one of the team’s best players.
But the Titans aren’t just paying for a great player, they also have a leader in Simmons, who fully understands what his role is on this team.
“I know my role on this team,” Simmons said. “I know that I have to lead from the front.”
As Simmons has ascended to one of the best at his position in the NFL, there will inevitably be comparisons to the best interior defender in the league, Los Angeles Rams superstar, Aaron Donald.
The Mississippi State product isn’t trying to hear that comparison, though.
|
2022-07-28T14:25:37Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Titans’ Jeffery Simmons not worried about contract: ‘I’m just focusing on football’
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-jeffery-simmons-not-worried-125335224.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-jeffery-simmons-not-worried-125335224.html?src=rss
|
Sergey Korsak
Belarusian footballer
Adam Korsak heads into his final season with Rutgers football looking to not just build his NFL resume, but also with a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best football players to ever take the field at ‘The Birthplace.’
Last season, he averaged 45.8 yards per punt on 72 punts. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter.
On Wednesday at the Big Ten’s annual football media days, Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano talked about the impact of his Australian punter. Schiano pointed to Korsak’s background playing Australian Rules Football as helping to mature and develop his game.
“It is a unique skill set these young men have to be able to — so many of them played the Australian rules football where they can move and at a moment’s notice drop it and punt it. What a get out of jail free card that can be when you have to protect against these great athletes in the Big Ten Conference,” Schiano told reporters.
“So I know this. I said it earlier, but I really have so much respect for Adam, the way he approaches his craft and the way that he leads on our football team. That’s not an ordinary thing for a punter on a football team to be respected and looked up to like he is on our team. I’m just grateful we’ve got one more year with him.”
The standout punter was one of three representatives from Rutgers to join Schiano at the media days. He was joined by defensive back Avery Young and tight end Johnny Langan.
Rutgers football: Greg Schiano on where he sees his team's rebuild
Korsak landed 38 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. He also did not have a touchback all season.
He was Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press and the FWAA.
“Adam is the best punter that I’ve ever been around in 35 years. That’s a pretty big statement. I’ve been around a lot of them. He’s also just a tremendous human being. He’s from Australia,” Schiano said.
“Probably those old beer commercials for Dos Equis, probably the most interesting man in the world. He is a lot of fun to talk with, been a lot of places, done a lot of great things, and really a fun guy. So take advantage of that.”
|
2022-07-28T14:57:13Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Greg Schiano has nothing but respect for Adam Korsak: ‘He’s probably the most interesting man in the world’
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/greg-schiano-nothing-respect-adam-141300235.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/greg-schiano-nothing-respect-adam-141300235.html?src=rss
|
Coach Kirk Ferentz better have a rain coat!
Back in June, College Football News projected the bowl game for every Big Ten team in the upcoming season. Of course, the Hawkeyes were bowling, but it wasn’t in the most glamorous of bowl games. Sure, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl has a history of upsets and Ole Miss could be a very good opponent, but, again, it isn’t really the most exciting bowl game.
In CFN’s latest bowl game predictions, they gave Iowa a spot in a game that depending on your own personal opinion, could be the best non New Year’s Six bowl game. Iowa will see ACC contender Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl!
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl has gone through a lot of names and gimmicks since its inception in 2002, starting out as the Queen City Bowl, a working title that was never actually used. The folks in charge of the naming rights apparently preferred their matchups to have a cars theme to them, going by the Continental Tire Bowl from 2002-2004, then the Meineke Car Care Bowl for the rest of that decade.
Thankfully, there was some restraint and we didn’t get the Disney Pixar Cars 2 Bowl in 2011. What we instead got for the next decade was the Belk Bowl, a yearly nominee for the “most forgettable bowl game name” award.
In 2020, a year not known for many good things, the good folks at Duke’s Mayo gave us a little light to end our year taking over the sponsorship from Belk. Many snickered at the name Duke’s Mayo Bowl because of its silly name. It is a silly name, but early on the game has endeared the hearts of even the grinchiest of football fans.
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz broke the internet after he BROKE the glass trophy following the Badgers’ 42-28 victory over Wake Forest. The makeshift trophy with a bottle of Duke’s mayonnaise on top of the trophy stand was glorious. The game really became a cult classic last year, though. Both South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and North Carolina skipper Mack Brown agreed to a post-victory mayo shower, the one thing fans cried for after last contest.
Coach Beamer indeed received a bath in mayonnaise, as well as a knock to the back of the head, in either the best or most disgusting scene of the season. For fans like me, it’s everything we could have imagined it. Kirk Ferentz would have the opportunity to forever cement his name in college football lore as the second coach to receive such an honor.
2022 Big Ten Media Days: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz joins the TV desk, previews the Hawkeyes' hopes
Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, Kaevon Merriweather preview the Iowa Hawkeyes' 2022 season
|
2022-07-28T14:57:14Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Iowa draws the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in College Football News 2022 bowl predictions
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-draws-duke-mayo-bowl-140048543.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-draws-duke-mayo-bowl-140048543.html?src=rss
|
Steve Sarkisian listed under coaches ‘facing the most pressure’ in 2022
Steve Sarkisian is facing tons of pressure entering his second season as the head coach of Texas.
The Longhorns did not fare well in year No. 1 of the Sarkisian era. A 5-7 record is never acceptable at a blue blood program like Texas. Despite the struggles from a year ago, expectations are still through the roof in Austin.
CBS Sports names Sarkisian as one of six coaches “facing defining campaigns in 2022.” Here is what Chip Patterson said about the second year head coach of the Longhorns.
Texas went 5-7 in Sarkisian’s Year 1 and lost six of the last seven games, including letting Kansas walk it off with a game-winning two-point try in overtime in Austin. It wasn’t an issue of competitiveness, as we saw the Longhorns suffer one-score losses to the three best teams in the conference (Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma) but there’s also the built-in frustration of not being able to convert any of those opportunities into quality wins — particularly when flipping any one of the five one-score losses would have made Texas bowl eligible instead of missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2016.
2022 could sway the trajectory of Texas football for years to come. A bounce back season will build huge momentum and show progress in the right direction. Another bad season would create some concern about Sarkisian’s future.
|
2022-07-28T14:57:16Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Steve Sarkisian listed under coaches ‘facing the most pressure’ in 2022
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-sarkisian-listed-under-coaches-132203032.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-sarkisian-listed-under-coaches-132203032.html?src=rss
|
Wyoming Football: Ranking 2022’s Opposing Quarterbacks
Which quarterbacks will be the best that the Wyoming Cowboys face in 2022?
A few challenges, but nothing impossible.
12. Northern Colorado – Dylan McCaffrey or Jacob Sirmon
The Bears were a mess all the way around in 2021 and the quarterback situation was no exception. Three different players had at least 40 pass attempts and, as a team, UNC completed 58.9% of their throws for 1,845 yards (5.1 yards per attempt), ten touchdowns, and eleven interceptions. McCaffrey, the son of head coach Ed McCaffrey, will have to beat out Sirmon, who’s now on his third stop after stints with Washington and Central Michigan.
Somehow, the Lobos have had Wyoming’s number over the past couple years, though their quarterback play didn’t exactly torch the Cowboys defense in either 2020 or 2021: New Mexico has managed a combined 204 passing yards in their two recent victories, though that’s buoyed by a 72.4% completion rate.
Will this year be more of the same? That depends on who claims the job. Chavez led the way in both wins, but the Kansas transfer Kendrick has received a lot of helium as the potential QB1.
10. Hawaii – Brayden Schager or Cammon Cooper
The Cowboys let the Paniolo Trophy slip away last season thanks to a scintillating performance from Chevan Cordeiro, but the task of slowing down this year’s Warriors may be more manageable. Schager helped rally Hawaii in their stunning upset over Fresno State, but he also had a down game against Nevada before rebounding in his third start against New Mexico State.
Whether that will be enough to beat out Cooper, a Washington State transfer, remains to be seen. Either way, the Pokes secondary will want to be prepared for a pass-first attack.
9. Tulsa – Davis Brin
Brin’s first year at the helm of the Golden Hurricane offense was an uneven one. Though he completed 59.4% of his throws, averaged 7.9 yards per attempt and had 18 touchdowns, he also had a 3.9% interception rate that included six different games with multiple picks. If he can clean up the mistakes, Tulsa might be hard to stop, but Wyoming might still be good enough to take advantage of that careless play.
8. Illinois – Tommy DeVito
DeVito is a perfect example of how quickly things can change in college football. After pitching in sparingly for Syracuse’s ten-win season back in 2018, he earned the starting job in 2019 and posted a solid campaign even as the Orange fell back in the win column: A 63.2% completion rate, seven yards per attempt, and 17 touchdowns with a 1.5% interception rate. Injuries erased most of his 2020, though, and he’s thrown just 80 passes over the last two years.
If he’s healthy, there’s a good chance he can give the Illini exactly what they want out of a quarterback.
The young gun in Fort Collins certainly has Rams fans excited for the future, but that enthusiasm could be blunted if he can’t improve upon what other Colorado State quarterbacks have managed against the rival Cowboys in recent years. It’s probably not a coincidence that the only Border War clash they’ve won in the past six years, 2020, was the only year in which the Rams had multiple passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in the game.
Cordeiro’s three games against Wyoming are something of a microcosm for his career to date: His first extended action as Hawaii quarterback came in a victory over the Cowboys back in October 2018, but then he struggled mightly in a 2020 loss before connecting on a number of big plays in a 2021 victory.
Now leading the Spartans, big things will be expected of Cordeiro as San Jose State hopes to rebound from a disappointing campaign.
Daniels hasn’t received the kind of attention that some of his Mountain West peers have, but he’s been pretty good in his own right over the pat two seasons and helped the Falcons earn a win over the Cowboys last year with his arm. He completed 7-of-10 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown as the Air Force ground game met heavy resistance, proving that Mike Thiessen’s offense can win in more than one way if circumstances dictate it.
Stealing a win against the Broncos has proved elusive in recent years and Bachmeier’s play has been a big reason why. He missed Boise State’s three-point win over the Cowboys in 2019, but he’s completed 68.9% of his passes for 406 yards and two touchdowns in their last two wins over Wyoming. If he can stay protected, Bachmeier has the talent to make the Cowboys miserable for a third straight season.
When healthy last year, Hall was one of the best quarterbacks in the Group of 5. He threw for 2,583 yards at 8.7 yards per attempt, added 307 rushing yards on the ground, and accounted for 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. If only replacing first-round NFL Draft picks always looked that easy.
2. Utah State – Logan Bonner
Bonner straight up did not have a good time trying to solve the Cowboys defense last year, putting up one of his worst games of the year (19-of-40, 181 yards, two touchdowns) in a Wyoming rout. For the most part, however, he thrived when the Aggies kept him on his feet and set a single-season program record with 36 passing touchdowns, and he’ll be motivated to set things right in the rematch.
Like Bonner, as good as Haener has been over the past two seasons, Wyoming seems to be the one team that figured out how to slow him down. He completed just 15-of-28 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s defensive fist fight, though it’ll be a tough ask to do it two years in a row.
More Wyoming!
|
2022-07-28T14:57:26Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Wyoming Football: Ranking 2022’s Opposing Quarterbacks
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/wyoming-football-ranking-2022-opposing-120002427.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/wyoming-football-ranking-2022-opposing-120002427.html?src=rss
|
Perspective on Castellanos' struggles from one of the men who knows him best originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
There are few people in baseball more familiar with Nick Castellanos and his game than Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations who was running things in Detroit when the Tigers drafted an 18-year-old Castellanos 44th overall in 2010.
This season, his first with the Phillies after signing a five-year, $100 million contract, has looked more like those early years. Castellanos' batting average is 32 points lower than his career mark entering this season and his OPS is 158 points lower. He's hit one home run in his last 202 plate appearances with a .263 on-base percentage.
Based on WAR, which factors in defense and baserunning, Castellanos has been the worst everyday player in the majors this season. It's been shocking.
Worse yet, there have been few signs he'll be able to snap out of it, at least not much beyond the "water finds its level" cliché. The main hole in his swing/approach has been there all season -- he is routinely attacked on the low-outside corner with breaking balls and has trouble laying off of them. It's a pitch he and most hitters are seldom able to handle and he's swung through nearly half of the low-and-away breaking balls he's seen this season.
He also isn't pounding mistakes. He'll get a 95 mph fastball that catches too much plate and foul it back.
"I wish I really knew the answer because if I knew that I'd be in the middle of trying to correct everything that comes with it," Dombrowski said Monday when asked about Castellanos' struggles.
"I'm part of the group. I know Nick Castellanos. He's not hitting like he's capable of hitting. He's the first one to say that. I don't really know. Maybe he's putting too much pressure on himself. I know he's a hard worker. He's very self-conscious of trying to produce for us and of disappointing people. I don't know if that's leading him to try to do too much.
"He's always expanded the strike zone. He's expanding it more now than I've ever seen him expand it. But he's a guy that hits line drives all over the field usually. It's not like he's old by any means and all of a sudden he's going to lose that ability."
The Phillies need Castellanos' bat badly over these final two months of the regular season. When looking at areas they can upgrade offensively at the trade deadline, the Phils are limited by the commitments they've already made at most positions, including right field.
It's not as if Castellanos has been sapped of his strengths. He hit .300 in April and a .906 OPS through May 10. There are enough plate appearances and meaningful games for him to change the narrative of his first season in Philly.
"I don't really know. I wish I did," Dombrowski said. "If it was lack of work, that would be very easy to say. That's not it. He's working very hard. He's focused on trying to do better. Hopefully we can snap it. My experience is when you sign guys who are talented, they usually end up with the statistics at the back of their bubble gum card. And so that usually means there's a hot streak coming. Hopefully it will happen."
Dow starred in all six seasons of the popular American sitcom. R.I.P. Tony Dow, Who Played Wally Cleaver in Leave It To Beaver, Dead at 77 Alex Young
|
2022-07-28T14:59:53Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Nick Castellanos' struggles with Phillies from Dave Dombrowski's perspective
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-castellanos-struggles-phillies-dave-140000182.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-castellanos-struggles-phillies-dave-140000182.html?src=rss
|
Belichick addresses Davon Godchaux extension with very hot take originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots turned plenty of heads Wednesday by handing a two-year, $20.8 million contract extension to defensive lineman Davon Godchaux.
Bill Belichick turned a few more heads Thursday morning when asked about Godchaux's new deal with New England.
"Well, he's one of the best defensive linemen in the league," Belichick told reporters during his training camp press conference. "Glad we were able to work that out with Davon and (his agent) Drew (Rosenhaus). Obviously both sides are happy."
With all due respect to Belichick and Godchaux, that might be a bit of a stretch.
A fifth-round pick of the Dolphins in the 2017 NFL Draft, Godchaux was a solid but unspectacular defensive tackle in Miami, where he played in 52 games (42 starts) over four seasons without reaching a Pro Bowl. Godchaux played in all 17 games for the Patriots last season while starting 16, but New England's shortcomings against the run -- 123.7 yards allowed per game, 22nd in the NFL -- led one AFC pro personnel member to question the team giving him a $20 million extension.
"That's a lot. Weren't they poor vs. the run last year?" the staffer told NFL Network's Mike Giardi.
Pro Football Focus also ranked Godchaux 61st among NFL interior defensive linemen last season. The Patriots clearly evaluated him differently, however, with a Patriots source telling Giardi, "He's way better than he got credit for."
If Godchaux plays like a $10.4 million-per-year defensive tackle -- 24th among all interior D-linemen in average annual salary -- then New England should be in good shape up front, with the talented Christian Barmore and veteran Lawrence Guy alongside him.
But if the Patriots continue to struggle defending the run, then Belichick will have some questions to answer about Godchaux's contract -- and his lofty praise of the 27-year-old.
|
2022-07-28T15:56:04Z
|
sports.yahoo.com
|
Bill Belichick shares eye-opening praise of Davon Godchaux after contract extension
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-shares-eye-opening-143000001.html?src=rss
|
https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-shares-eye-opening-143000001.html?src=rss
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.