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Briscoe has discussed the racism and stereotypes he faced, and in some ways, history appears to be repeating itself in the NFL. Many current and former quarterbacks still say Black QBs must work twice as hard proving themselves, despite continued success on the field with players like Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson and others.
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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“The Black quarterback has had to battle to be in this position that we are to have this many guys in the league playing,'' Mahomes said last week. "Every day, we're proving that we should have been playing the whole time. We've got guys that can think just as well as they can use their athleticism.
"It's always weird when you see guys like me, Lamar (Jackson) and Kyler (Murray) kind of get that on them when other guys don't. But at the same time, we're going out there to prove ourselves every day to show we can be some of the best quarterbacks in the league.''
Mahomes’ comments came after an anonymous defensive coordinator told The Athletic’s Mike Sando that Mahomes plays "streetball." Black quarterbacks have faced the stereotype for decades that they aren't capable of the same mental strengths as their white counterparts and can only use their athleticism, thus the racist term "streetball" to describe them.
Jackson’s had to deal with NFL scouts and pundits calling for him to convert to a running back ever since he entered the league. Hall of Fame team executive Bill Polian, who guided the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowls, once infamously said that Jackson should convert to the wide receiver position.
Murray’s independent study clause was perceived by several former Black quarterbacks as another slight to Black players at the position.
“That’s stereotypical with how some people think,” former NFL quarterback and team executive Doug Williams told USA TODAY Sports. “Kyler Murray has some talent that a lot of other people don’t have, and a lot of people can’t deal with that. Patrick Mahomes, there’s been some things said about him. There’s been some things said about Lamar Jackson. You’re talking about three guys who are fortunate enough to have the ability that they do have.”
Mahomes is a Super Bowl LIV champion and was the game's MVP. Jackson won the MVP in 2019, and Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler.
Williams, as a player for Washington, became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He believes stereotypes were more prevalent when he was playing but said they still exist.
“That myth is going to be there for years to come,” said Williams, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII. “It’s not gonna' ever go anywhere. We got too many people in America that think a little different than most of Americans do.”
The quarterback position has evolved exponentially since Briscoe took his first snaps decades ago. There are 10 Black projected starting quarterbacks among the NFL's 32 teams this season.
Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon, like Williams, heard the stereotypes for years.
“From an African American quarterback standpoint, we’ve all heard the stereotypes about what the thoughts were on African American quarterbacks in general,” Moon told USA TODAY Sports. “The stereotypes were we weren’t very smart, we were lazy and we rely on our athleticism and didn’t really study the game.
"All those different things were always criticisms of ours way back in the day when they weren’t giving us a chance to play the position. I think a lot of that has been erased because of guys like myself, like Doug Williams, and I can go on and on through the years.”
However, Moon was disappointed by the independent study clause, hearing "streetball" comments and pleas to switch positions.
“To hear something like that come back out again, it really kind of set us back,” Moon said. "...It was there in black and white.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyler Murray's study clause highlights slights have set back Black QBs | 2022-08-03T11:02:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Black NFL quarterbacks say recent slights, like Kyler Murray's study clause, 'set us back' | https://sports.yahoo.com/black-nfl-quarterbacks-recent-slights-101231233.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/black-nfl-quarterbacks-recent-slights-101231233.html?src=rss |
Letters to the Editor: A teacher's appreciation of Julian Nava, trailblazing educator and politician
A reader who was mentored by Julian Nava says the revered educator and ambassador faced threats early in his political career.
See highlights from the main event of Ric Flair's Last Match, billed as the final pro wrestling match for industry legend Ric Flair. | 2022-08-03T11:02:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Breaking down the significance – and timing – of the Dolphins' tampering punishment | https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-down-significance-timing-dolphins-102139163.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-down-significance-timing-dolphins-102139163.html?src=rss |
The Broncos will continue summer practice on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the team’s UCHealth Training Center. Gates to the practice field will open to fans at 9 a.m. and parking will be available at 13403 Broncos Parkway beginning at 8 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Art McNally, the former official who helped modernize the practice when he oversaw the operation from the league office, on Saturday night will become the first on-field official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “It was a long time coming,” said Dean Blandino, one of McNally's successors as the NFL's head of officiating. ... When you think about impacting a game and making decisions that are going to help decide the game, it's players, coaches and officials. | 2022-08-03T11:02:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos schedule for Day 7 of training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-schedule-day-7-training-090022489.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-schedule-day-7-training-090022489.html?src=rss |
The world didn't just lose its greatest sports champion and a civil rights leader on Sunday, when Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell died at age 88. We lost a touchstone to our history that can never be replaced.
The NBA is different from most institutions in how it embraces the greats who built it. Only Pete Maravich had passed when the league honored its 50th Anniversary Team in 1997, and 47 attended the ceremony. Forty-five of the 61 living members were present for the 75th Anniversary Team celebration in February, two years into a global pandemic. These giants are among us, and we don't appreciate them nearly enough.
Russell was singular. He entered the NBA in 1956 and won 11 of the next 13 championships. He was the league's first Black superstar and the first Black head coach of any professional team in North America. He was a childhood friend of Johnny Mathis, a guest of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington and a pallbearer at Jackie Robinson's funeral. He attended the Cleveland Summit in support of Muhammad Ali's 1967 Vietnam War protest and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2011.
And he was here just yesterday, living long enough to see his life's work come full circle. The same city that rained racism upon him during his playing career showered him with standing ovations some 50 years later.
"Today, we lost a giant," Obama wrote in a Twitter tribute on Sunday. The nation's first Black president added, "For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but never let it stop him from speaking up for what’s right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached, and the way he lived his life."
A statue of Russell now sits outside Boston City Hall, steps from where civil rights attorney Ted Landsmark was nearly killed by a group of white teenagers protesting the city's first attempt to desegregate its schools. He only accepted the honor when the Celtics agreed to fund an annual grant for local mentoring programs.
"There are no other people's children in the United States," the statue's inscription reads, echoing words of mentorship wisdom he wrote for the Harvard Business Review. "There are only next-generation Americans."
His relationships extended to 2022 recipient Stephen Curry, among the privileged few who Russell roasted and reminded, "I only give the guys I really like a hard time." When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal presented him with the NBA's inaugural lifetime achievement award in 2017, Russell pointed to each of the five centers whose careers spanned the first 42 years from his retirement and told them through that unforgettable cackling laugh, "I would kick your ass."
Russell once gave Charles Barkley the middle finger on live television and warned Michael Jordan during a round of golf, "I don’t think you will live long enough" to break his records of 11 titles and eight straight.
"Let me tell you, anybody who says it isn’t nice to be remembered is lying," Pettit, still a New Orleans Pelicans season-ticket holder, told NBA.com's Steve Aschburner. "It is very nice. So I am very pleased to be one of the 75, as I was pleased to be one of the 25 and one of the 50. I may not be around for 100."
Kevin Garnett, who Russell once told, "I couldn't be more proud of you than I am of my own kids," says "everyone has a vet" — someone who takes you under his wing until you're ready to fly on your own. Sam Mitchell was his. He was Rajon Rondo's. Rondo is Darius Garland's. Four players, 33 years and counting. The league is now working on a ninth decade of mentorship, and Russell was the greatest of them all.
That Russell was in our lives until Sunday is a reminder of how relatively young the NBA is and how fresh some of the scars of its past still are. Russell led a walkout when, in 1961, a Kentucky restaurant told his Celtics teammates Sam Jones and Satch Sanders, "We really can’t serve you people." Half a century later, Russell was kneeling in support of one-time Super Bowl starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick when the nation's sitting president was still imploring NFL owners to "get that son of a bitch off the field right now."
You could not see Cy Young sit down with Clayton Kershaw or Georges Vezina hobnob with Marc-Andre Fleury, but Bill Russell befriended every superstar who followed, and they embraced him back. As the NFL, MLB and NHL engage in tumultuous public relationships with legends Tom Brady, Barry Bonds and Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan is on the NBA's board of governors, and LeBron James will join him in retirement.
This is why Kobe Bryant's death hit the basketball world so hard two years ago. The Los Angeles Lakers link that connected Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, O'Neal, Bryant and James over five decades of fandom was broken, and we could never get it back. There will be no 84-year-old Bryant cheering the 2062-63 Lakers on from the sidelines, as Russell did at that age for his Celtics in the 2018 Eastern Conference finals.
"There is a whole lot more truth and love and respect in my 60-year relationship with Bill Russell that I want to share so the world can know him, not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as a man who taught me how to be bigger — as a player and as a man," Abdul-Jabbar wrote on Monday, adding, "He had continued to call me kid since our first meeting when I was 14. I think that was his good-natured way of reminding me that he was there first and I would always be following in his giant steps."
The start of this NBA chain is leaving us now. Until Tommy Heinsohn's death in November 2020, you could still find him before games in TD Garden's media dining area, where he would explain how Russell would have dominated today's NBA. Gone, too, are Sam and K.C. Jones and Havlicek. Only Sanders and Bob Cousy remain among the Hall of Famers who built the Celtics into a dynasty and the NBA into a behemoth.
"Satch always says, 'Don’t look over your shoulder. You’ll see them gaining on you,'" the 93-year-old Cousy old The Boston Globe upon learning of Russell's death. "So I’m more and more aware of that every time the phone rings and I get news like this. But I’m a realist. I’m ready for the big basketball court in the sky."
It's only going to get bigger in the years to come, as we continue to lose these giants among us. Only more reason to appreciate Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and the NBA's touchstones to our history while we can.
Bill Russell taught so many about winning -- including a young Brad Stevens, who used the Celtics legend's lessons about leadership to help build a winning program at Butler. | 2022-08-03T11:12:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bill Russell and the chain that links the NBA with our own history | https://sports.yahoo.com/in-appreciation-of-bill-russell-and-the-chain-that-links-the-nba-with-our-own-history-193917599.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/in-appreciation-of-bill-russell-and-the-chain-that-links-the-nba-with-our-own-history-193917599.html?src=rss |
Over a decade ago, when I was working in another industry, it happened to me. In a crowded room, an older man came up behind me, said hello, and as I turned around in those close quarters, he snatched my hand and placed it on his crotch. It wasn't the first time something like that had happened to me (I'd had my behind pinched more than once), and it wouldn't be the last, but at that moment I froze. I didn't tell anyone at work about it, because there was no evidence it happened, and I was afraid of being called a liar and a troublemaker who was just trying to get attention.
Every single woman I know has a story like that. On the subway, at a concert, in an elevator, with a customer, at school, in an empty office at work, it has happened to us everywhere and anywhere. Many of us don't raise our voices for the very reason I didn't all those years ago: We're afraid we won't be taken seriously.
On Monday, we all got confirmation that we were right. Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled that Deshaun Watson should serve only a six-game suspension after 24 women (though the NFL presented the case of four) credibly accused him of sexual misconduct and assault, the same kind of unwanted touching and advances so many women stay silent about.
Hearing about the light punishment was awful, but it paled in comparison to reading Robinson's justification for her ruling. In a 16-page decision, Robinson came to the conclusion that while Watson's behavior was "egregious," six games was already the most that any player had ever been suspended for what she called "non-violent sexual assault."
She accused the NFL of trying to put violent sexual assault and "non-violent sexual assault" on the same level, essentially saying that the "non-violent sexual assault" of multiple women was not as bad as other kinds of sexual assault. Robinson also took into account Watson's status as a "first-time offender," and determined that the NFL wants to punish him severely without precedent and without warning other players of a "dramatic shift in its culture" — that shift presumably being that the "non-violent sexual assault" of numerous women deserves serious punishment.
Robinson, a retired judge who served on the bench for many years, based her ruling partially on the precedents the NFL had set, but also partially on her definition of "non-violent sexual assault."
But there is more than one kind of violence, and it's not limited to what is visible.
Yahoo Sports' Liz Roscher dared to hope this NFL punishment would finally be different, that the voices of so many women would lead to more than just a slap on the wrist for Deshaun Watson. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
For several years after the incidents at work, I felt nervous going into crowds. I had trouble doing parts of my job that put me in situations similar to my assault experience. I never shared that with anyone — not even my husband, who found out about my history with assault when I told him I was writing this article. Leaving that old job and coming to work at Yahoo Sports allowed me to completely move on, but I know I'm lucky. Not everyone has that luxury, and not every situation can be gotten over in that way — or in any way.
Going through any kind of sexual assault or misconduct can leave a mark that is not easily erased. It's imprinted on your soul and your brain, and the memories can surface at any time. Those feelings of violation, embarrassment, powerlessness and hurt can come flooding back, leaving you feeling isolated or trapped or even dirty. It can affect your everyday life, from the moment you wake up to the moment you shut your eyes to sleep, and then your dreams could contain even more horrors.
I can speak for only myself, and not the millions of women who have also been forced into an unwanted sexual situation. But hearing unwanted sexual touching called "non-violent sexual assault" that is not serious enough to warrant a significant punishment released the floodgates of memories and feelings I thought I'd gotten over long ago.
"No one will believe me."
"No one will care because I wasn't physically hurt."
"I'll be called a liar and a troublemaker, and saying something will probably amount to nothing."
It feels silly to be angry at an NFL suspension. It's almost impossible to think of one that hasn't been a slap in the face in one way or another. But this one doesn't feel the same, at least to me, primarily because I dared to hope this time it would be different. So many women bravely came forward to share their story, willing to weather the bile and insults hurled at them for daring to stand up for themselves. So many women came forward that they couldn't be ignored, and that gave me hope that a rich and powerful man who was allegedly enabled by his employers, would be punished.
The men who groped me or forced me to touch them never had to pay for what they did to me. They never had to reckon with it and accept the possibility that their behavior might cost them. The same is true of many of the women out there who have been groped, assaulted and propositioned without their consent.
Watson is paying for what he did, but suspending him six games for "non-violent sexual assault" feels more like an insult than any kind of serious discipline. He's being suspended roughly one quarter of a football game for each of his accusers. Due to the structure of his contract, he will lose around $333,000. He will still receive $230 million over five years, the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history. He is being disciplined, but not in a way that will seriously hurt him. Barring injury, he'll still start more than half of the Browns' games this season.
The ball is now in the NFL's court. Commissioner Roger Goodell has just a few days to decide if he wants to appeal the disciplinary recommendation or let it stand. He will have to come to terms with the fact that the NFL's reactionary and inconsistent disciplinary measures are partially to blame for this situation. It's possible he could impose his own punishment and overrule the judge, a decision that carries a lot of consequence.
If he does, it will still feel meaningless to me. The voices of 24 women were not enough to make a real difference. In the end, they were still ignored, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that. | 2022-08-03T11:12:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why Deshaun Watson's preposterous punishment hits this victim of sexual misconduct harder | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-deshaun-watsons-punishment-hits-this-victim-of-sexual-misconduct-harder-180903945.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-deshaun-watsons-punishment-hits-this-victim-of-sexual-misconduct-harder-180903945.html?src=rss |
Cleveland Guardians' catcher Sandy Leon congratulates Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase for preserving a win over the New York Yankees at the end of the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Sunday, July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Christian Walker hit a three-run homer, Alek Thomas had a two-run double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on Tuesday night to stop a four-game losing streak. Carson Kelly hit a solo homer, had three hits and scored two runs for Arizona, which never trailed in winning at Progressive Field for the first time since Aug. 13, 2014.
Christian Walker's three-run homer in first inning powers Diamondbacks to victory over Guardians | 2022-08-03T12:44:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Guardians trade catcher Sandy Leon to Twins for pitcher Ian Hamilton | https://sports.yahoo.com/guardians-trade-catcher-sandy-leon-230836231.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/guardians-trade-catcher-sandy-leon-230836231.html?src=rss |
It was what Williams didn't say with an extended pause and deep inhale before answering questions from reporters that said it all.
“A lot of things that don't really make sense,” Williams said when asked about the deal that sent Milwaukee's all-star closer to the San Diego Padres on Monday. “I don't know. I want to win. That's the biggest thing to me. I don't really have much to say about it.”
“We're a first-place team; we want to win the World Series,” said starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff, a teammate of Hader’s since his MLB debut in 2017. “That's why when I saw it, I didn't believe it at first but as I sat down and thought about it some more, sometimes that stuff's just hard.
"Those decisions in the front office, sometimes they're hard things to do. You may not understand it but it's just part of it.”
Make no mistake -- the Brewers did not punt at this year’s deadline.
They got major-league bullpen help back in the deal in the form of Taylor Rogers and Dinelson Lamet, then traded for Matt Bush from the Texas Rangers to close out Monday. On Tuesday, they traded for Trevor Rosenthal as well.
And for the man in charge of the inner workings of the Brewers clubhouse, that isn’t a problem.
The Brewers bullpen may very well not take a significant step back – if at all – but there still remains the lingering feeling, as evidenced by Williams, that any push to win now is hampered by getting rid of Hader.
Woodruff, now the team’s second-longest tenured player, shared how he thought the team would handle any simmering frustration in that regard.
Christian Yelich, another elder statesman of the Brewers in terms of tenure with the team, was also initially taken by surprise. From the visitors' clubhouse in Pittsburgh, though, Yelich took on the perspective of the organization’s grand scheme. | 2022-08-03T12:44:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Inside Brewers clubhouse, players grapple with trade that sent away four-time all-star closer Josh Hader | https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-brewers-clubhouse-players-grapple-001507018.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-brewers-clubhouse-players-grapple-001507018.html?src=rss |
Playing great golf is only half the battle when trying to make it to the PGA Tour. Every tournament comes with a steep entry fee, airfare, rental cars, food, hotels, equipment and more.
If you don’t have a steady sponsor or some type of financial aid, it is very difficult to pay your way to the Tour on your own.
Michael Sweeney, an aspiring PGA Tour player, has been fighting to live out his dream. Sweeney doesn’t have a traditional background of collegiate golf, but hasn’t let that stop him from grinding to the top.
To save up for tournaments and travel expenses, the 26-year-old decided to not rent an apartment but live out of his car.
“I was originally parking in a little rest stop off of 95 and then I got the boot from one of the security guards,” said Sweeney. “So, I ended up sleeping in the Walmart parking lot most nights… which you know is a classy spot to be.”
Michael Sweeney swinging.
Michael Sweeney is living out of his car to be able to chase his dream of playing on the PGA Tour. (Photo: Michael Sweeney)
Sweeney attempted to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open and lost his spot in a playoff in Purchase, New York.
“I ended up shooting back-to-back rounds of 69 in the 36 holes and that got me into an eight-way playoff for three spots,” said Sweeney. “Unfortunately, I went par-par in the playoff, but it was an awesome day.”
Sweeney only used this day to fuel his fire and has kept on practicing in hopes to secure his Korn Ferry Tour card for the 2023 season at the end of August.
In addition to his love for golf, Sweeney raps in his free time. He doesn’t advertise it, but his beats and rap lines are almost as impressive as his golf game. You can find him on Spotify here.
Listen to the full interview with Averee Dovsek on the, “WHY YOU SUCK AT GOLF!” podcast.
The Music Event of the summer is back. CMA Fest returns with 30 must-see performances from country music's hottest artists tomorrow night. First-time hosts Dierks Bentley and Elle King lead three jam-packed hours of epic collaborations and stellar performances featuring Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Russell Dickerson, Wynonna Judd, Elle King, Lady A, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, MacKenzie Porter, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. Tune in Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8|7c on ABC. | 2022-08-03T12:45:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Road to the PGA Tour: Living out of his car in a Walmart parking lot and rapping on Spotify | https://sports.yahoo.com/road-pga-tour-living-car-171309501.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/road-pga-tour-living-car-171309501.html?src=rss |
Nik Needham, who parlayed a rookie free agent contract with the Dolphins into a key job in Miami’s secondary and $4 million salary this season, has become something of an inspiration to Williams, the second-year cornerback who has had an impressive start to camp.
Williams, Noah Igbinoghene, Xavien Howard at times and the other corners haven’t been able to stop Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (not that anybody can). But Williams has made several big plays in camp, including two interceptions. On Monday, he made a one-handed grab of a Tua Tagovailoa pass in the end zone.
In the process, Williams is making a case to be the Dolphins’ No. 4 cornerback behind Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Needham. Jones remains on the physically unable to perform list after March leg surgery but hopes to return by the regular season opener.
“It’s meaningful because practice translates to the games,” Williams said of his interception on Monday. “If I can make these plays now in front of the coaches they’ll have confidence to put me into the game to make those same plays.”
New defensive backs coach Sam Madison describes Williams as a “big, physical corner. I’m glad he came back. He has his weight down so he’s moving a lot better. He’s going to have to continue to get better. We have a lot of cornerbacks that he’s going to have to contend with. So every day is going to be like his Super Bowl. And I told him there can be no letdowns on certain plays. So he’s been doing some really good things, but it’s still a long way to go. And we still have a lot of time to get there.”
Some draft analysts projected Williams as a fifth-round pick before he played in only five games in his junior season at Syracuse in 2020, opting not to play on a torn ligament in his ankle.
He signed with the Saints after going undrafted in April 2021 but was cut three days later after failing a physical. The Saints planned to re-sign him days later, but the Dolphins thwarted that by claiming him off waivers.
He played only four defensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps last season.
Madison has told him “to be more physical. If I put my hands on the wide receiver, I can take away their scheme.”
Williams wants the Dolphins to “have faith to put me in games. The goal is to get on the field and start.”
Williams, 6-1, played a lot of slot corner and some safety at Syracuse and said he has worked at both slot and in the boundary for the Dolphins. He said he learned how to play cornerback by studying Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey when he played at Florida State.
BUTLER RELEASED
The Dolphins on Tuesday released Adam Butler, who had a significant role in the team’s defensive line last season. Butler, who missed the first six days of camp with an undisclosed injury, was released with a failed physical designation. Mike McDaniel indicated last week that the injury wasn’t serious.
Butler had 17 tackles, two sacks and three passes defended in 17 games and one start in his one season with Miami. He played 53 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps.
None of Butler’s $3.4 million salary this season was guaranteed. He would have had a $4.1 million cap hit if he had been on the team this season; instead, the Dolphins will carry no cap hit on Butler because he has no dead money.
Speaking about Michael Deiter’s foot injury that has sidelined him for all but the first practice, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that he has no concern about “the regular season” regarding his availability. “We’ll see how the week plays out.”
Deiter missed nine games last season with a foot injury.
Deiter and inexperienced second-year center Cole Banwart are the only natural centers on the roster. Connor Williams, a left tackle for the Cowboys, moved to center for the Dolphins in the spring and remains at that position.
Meanwhile, McDaniel was asked his reaction to Preston Williams’ on Monday evening tweet that “just want opportunity. #smh” — which means shaking my head. He suggested he wasn’t bothered by that and doesn’t “prioritize” what players do in social media.
After practice, Williams reiterated he is not getting the opportunities he deserves. He said he hasn’t requested a trade but plans to.
Williams has not received a lot of targets through five days of training camp but did make an impressive catch on Saturday. Williams, receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. and tight ends Mike Gesicki and Adam Shaheen haven’t been targeted much early in camp.
Williams is competing with several others for the fifth and possibly sixth roster spots at receiver.
McDaniel, in response to the question about Williams’ tweet, said “one thing [that receivers coach] Wes Welker and I strongly connect on is we hold with a lot of responsibility preparing people and giving them opportunities.... People want to do good. I don’t hold much weight” to that tweet.
▪ Madison said he’s “very happy” with Igbinoghene “and the things that he’s doing.”
What could Igbinoghene have done differently — if anything — on Tua Tagovailoa’s 65-yard pass TD pass to Tyreek Hill on Saturday, a play that has been viewed more than three million times on social media?
“Noah is very fast, But Tyreek is as fast as well,” Madison said. “When you have those type of guys, you want to try to throw his timing off. Because when he comes off, and you give him those one, two, three steps, after that 5 yards, you can’t really touch him.”
McDaniel, on that 65-yard completion, said: “The exciting part to me was Tua did it at the appropriate time. He read the defense. That’s not the first time [they connected deep]. It won’t be the last.”
▪ Defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said “everyone talks about Tyreek [Hill] and Jaylen [Waddle], their speed, them getting down the field, but those guys are doing an outstanding job blocking. They’re making it really hard for us defensively to tell whether it is run or pass.”
▪ McDaniel announces (to his team) the fastest player in the previous practice every day and said “every time Tyreek isn’t the fastest guy on the team, I build it up with the team. I say... congratulations, Tyreek, you’re third!” on the fastest time.
He said Hill topped 23 mph at practice this week. “All this speed [talk] makes him go faster.”
Jeff Potrykus discusses UW's specialists for the upcoming season
UW beat writer Jeff Potrykus discusses UW's specialists for the upcoming season as part of his position-by-position series. | 2022-08-03T12:45:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | A young defensive back who’s making a strong case at Dolphins camp. And Butler released | https://sports.yahoo.com/young-defensive-back-making-strong-200308068.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/young-defensive-back-making-strong-200308068.html?src=rss |
13 seconds. The phrase will live in infamy around Buffalo. It will become unbearable if this Bills group never wins a Super Bowl.
If you aren't a Bills fan, you remember that divisional round game as perhaps the greatest game in NFL history. You can celebrate Josh Allen for an incredible performance in a loss. Maybe you can see it as the start of a great feel-good narrative for the Bills, which ends with a long-awaited Super Bowl win.
Bills fans probably don't remember it that way. Losing one of the great all-time NFL games is just a loss. You should never lose a game in which you score the go-ahead touchdown with 13 seconds left. The sequence of the Chiefs getting in position for a game-tying field goal (after the Bills didn't squib the kickoff to burn time), Buffalo losing the coin toss and Patrick Mahomes guiding a game-winning overtime drive will be haunting. It hurts even more because of the missed opportunity.
If this is a movie, the Bills raise the Lombardi Trophy next February in Glendale, Arizona, burying all of the playoff heartbreaks of the past and delivering a great fanbase their first Super Bowl title. In a perfect world "13 seconds" becomes motivation, not a curse.
“You can say it’s going to be better, we’re going to learn from this and it’s very cliché and nobody wants to hear that," Allen said after the Chiefs loss, via the Buffalo News. "But I truly believe that this unit will learn from this. We’ve got a pretty young squad. A lot of guys coming back next year. We’ve just got to use this as fuel for the fire.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) has become one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
There's no reason the Bills can't win a Super Bowl, other than it takes a good run of luck on top of championship talent. The Bills have the talent part down. Buffalo didn't lose much in the offseason but added future Hall-of-Fame pass rusher Von Miller. As Allen said, it was a pretty young team. The roster should have some growth potential, in theory. On paper, there is no reason the Bills can't take a big step from last season, be the unquestioned best team in the NFL and win a championship. It's all in place.
However, it doesn't always work that way. Bills fans who lived through the early 1990s know all too well that a supremely talented team could still miss winning a Super Bowl. Still, if you give yourself a chance — and when you have what could be the best defense and the best offense in the NFL, you have a chance — random variance should eventually go your way.
The table is set for the Bills. They have a great chance to make something other than "13 seconds" their legacy.
It's hard to keep a good team together. Yet, the only real loss for Buffalo in the offseason was defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, and they replaced him with DaQuan Jones. That should be a lateral move. They also added Tim Settle and Jordan Phillips to add to the defensive line depth. Cole Beasley is gone, but between holdover Isaiah McKenzie and addition Jamison Crowder the slot receiver position should be better. The Bills also found a way to make a big signing, adding pass rusher Von Miller on a six-year, $120 million deal. That's the kind of aggressive move that can push a team over the top. The addition of guard Rodger Saffold can help an offensive line that is only average. The draft was solid. On another team, top-100 picks like CB Kaiir Elam, RB James Cook and LB Terrel Bernard would probably start right away. On a deep Bills team, they'll be battling to carve out roles. Cook in particular could be a big factor in the offense right away.
The big loss of the offseason was actually offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who was hired to be the New York Giants' next head coach. Daboll has been given a lot of credit for Josh Allen's development, and we'll find out how important he was to Allen. It's just as likely that Allen turned Daboll into a star, not vice versa. Daboll will be replaced by Ken Dorsey, who was Buffalo's quarterbacks coach last season. Dorsey has never been an offensive coordinator but there should be continuity from that promotion, which should help Allen. There's not much more to say about Allen as a player. The story of how he honed his immense physical skills to become a great quarterback will be the template for all toolsy prospects going forward. Perhaps the Bills should cut back his running, because it's putting a franchise quarterback in harm's way too often. Allen can still cut down on his turnovers. But everyone should realize that Allen is a top-five NFL quarterback, more than capable of winning NFL MVP this season and taking his team to the Super Bowl.
The Bills are the Super Bowl favorites at BetMGM with +600 odds. Josh Allen is the favorite to win NFL MVP at +700. The Bills are a strong -225 favorite to win the AFC East and their win total of 11.5 is tied for the highest in the NFL. Perhaps the most telling odds, in regards to the Bills, is they're a 1-point favorite at the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. You may like the Bills this season, but everyone else does too and the betting market reflects that. Even at those odds I would sign off on bets for the Bills to win the Super Bowl and Allen to win MVP. Just don't expect a huge payout.
From Yahoo's Scott Pianowski: "It's seldom mentioned, but Gabriel Davis treaded water in his second season. His yards per catch dropped 1.4 yards, and his yards per target fell by a full yard. His counting stats were roughly the same. But all everyone wants to focus on is the four-touchdown explosion he threw at Kansas City in the playoffs, conveniently coming in the NFL's best game of the year.
"So the summer price is creeping up on Davis, a buzzy breakout candidate. Although his NFFC ADP is 60 for the balance of draft season, it has risen to 52.55 since July 1 — the arrow is pointing upward. Cognizant that the Bills still have an avalanche of skill talent, starting with Stefon Diggs, I'm reluctant to pay an expectant price for Davis at the draft table. Unless you can land Davis outside the Top 70, and in some Yahoo pools you might be able to, I'm not going to pay for the breakout like it's already happened."
The Buffalo Bills' passer rating allowed last season was 65.3. Among all regular NFL starting quarterbacks last season, Zach Wilson of the New York Jets had the worst rating at 69.7. The 2021 Bills defense turned the quarterbacks they faced, on average, into a worse version of Wilson. One issue with the Bills repeating that is cornerback Tre'Davious White is coming off a torn ACL he suffered last Thanksgiving. White, an elite corner at his best, started training camp on the PUP list. White could be ready for the start of the season or shortly after, but we'll see if he regains his old form. The Bills are elite at safety and have made multiple investments in the pass rush and front seven as a whole, so perhaps cornerback won't be a problem even if White doesn't rebound quickly. First-round pick Kaiir Elam could also help right away.
How does Josh Allen's supporting cast look?
Stefon Diggs didn't repeat his ridiculous 2020 season, but he was still one of the best receivers in the NFL. Gabriel Davis went off in the playoffs against the Chiefs for 201 yards and four touchdowns, and should have a big third season. Isaiah McKenzie had an eye-opening 11-125-1 line in a game at New England when pressed into duty, and should be a productive slot receiver. If he falters, Jamison Crowder has had a good career in that role. Dawson Knox scored nine touchdowns last season and is a little overrated as a result, but he's still a fine tight end in a stacked offense.
The big question is running back, and it's possible second-round pick James Cook adds a new element to the offense. The Bills tried to sign free-agent pass-catching back J.D. McKissic, but he backed out of a deal to stay with the Washington Commanders. They clearly want a pass-catching back to go with holdover starter Devin Singletary, and Cook was very good in that role at Georgia. Allen lagged well behind other top quarterbacks in his receivers' yards after catch last season, and Cook can help fix that. There are plenty of targets for Allen to work with.
No reasonable superlative seems too outlandish for the Bills. Josh Allen could lead the NFL in passing yards and win an MVP. Stefon Diggs could lead the NFL in receiving yards. James Cook could be the NFL's offensive rookie of the year. The defense could be ranked first in the NFL. The offense could be ranked first in the NFL. Buffalo could win 15 games or ... more? And yes, Buffalo, the Bills can win a Super Bowl.
The expectations for a team that has made one conference championship game since the 1993 season — and lost that AFC title game by two touchdowns — are enormous. Buffalo is a great football city, but that can be a burden at times. The Los Angeles Rams can blend in. Every day this season, the Bills will hear about what a Super Bowl would mean to Buffalo. There's unmistakable pressure as the Super Bowl favorite in a football-mad city like that. While it's hard to see a way in which the Bills aren't a contender, perhaps the offense takes a step back without Brian Daboll calling plays and the defense slips due to some normal regression. It's also worth noting an AFC East title last season was far from assured after the New England Patriots won a Week 13 game at Buffalo in extreme weather conditions. I don't think the Patriots or Miami Dolphins can beat the Bills for a division title, but one of those teams could test Buffalo. Even if the Bills win the division with a great record, the expectation is to make a Super Bowl. At least. There's an incredible amount of weight on the franchise's shoulders heading into the season.
It will be boring to pick the Bills to win the Super Bowl, because they're the obvious pick. But it's an obvious pick for a reason. The Bills were a step short of great last season, going 11-6 in the regular season, but an 0-6 record (including playoffs) in one-possession games speaks to the upside this group has. The Bills could win 14 or 15 games with reasonable injury luck and a positive regression in close games. There are other teams with Super Bowl potential in the NFL, but no team matches Buffalo's upside. They're the best team, on paper, in the NFL and a rightful Super Bowl favorite. Bills fans deserve to celebrate a Super Bowl championship. It should happen this season.
Researchers have identified the sea creatures that were found on the coast of North Carolina in July. | 2022-08-03T13:12:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 NFL Preview: Bills' only way to erase '13 seconds' is by winning a Super Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-bills-only-way-to-erase-13-seconds-is-by-winning-a-super-bowl-125136946.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-bills-only-way-to-erase-13-seconds-is-by-winning-a-super-bowl-125136946.html?src=rss |
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick wasn’t the only player who suffered a season-ending injury at Tuesday’s practice.
Just like Patrick, running back Damarea Crockett suffered a non-contract knee injury on Tuesday. Crockett is also expected to miss the entire 2022 season, the team announced Tuesday evening.
Crockett went into training camp as the team’s fourth-string running back behind Mevin Gordon, Javonte Williams and Mike Boone. Crockett was a key special teams player for the Broncos in 2021.
With Crockett now sidelined, Tyreik McAllister will be promoted to RB4 duties, at least for the moment.
One free agent running back who might be a candidate to replace Crockett is Max Borghi, who tried out for the Broncos in June.
“I thought he did some really nice things,” offensive coordinator Justin Outten said of Borghi on June 14. “He’s got good twitch, he’s patient, he waits for that lane to open and then he pops it. He did a couple of good things in protection as well.”
Borghi joined the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State in April, but he was waived in May and he’s remained a free agent since then.
The Viking Polaris will join the Viking Octantis in sailing the Great Lakes next year, including a two-month cruise to Antarctica. | 2022-08-03T13:13:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos RB Damarea Crockett suffers season-ending knee injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-rb-damarea-crockett-suffers-120055976.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-rb-damarea-crockett-suffers-120055976.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts have high hopes for second-round wide receiver Alec Pierce, and there has been no shortage of tests during his first training camp.
As if it almost seems to be on purpose, the rookie wideout has been seeing the majority of his reps against the former Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
That’s a challenge tough enough for even the saltiest of veterans, let alone a rookie going through his first training camp.
Head coach Frank Reich told reporters following Tuesday’s practice that it isn’t by design, but that the challenge should make Pierce a better player.
“No, actually it’s just the way it’s come up. You know just formationally and the way the defense has been lining up. So, obviously when you’re in training camp running more plays – it is a good observation because that has happened,” Reich said Tuesday. “You’re right. I mean they’ve lined up across a lot from each other, which is what you want, right?”
A product of Cincinnati, Pierce has had a few strong moments at his first training camp. One included a beautiful vertical route against third-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, which ended in a spectacular back shoulder catch during a 1v1 drill.
But Pierce has been no stranger to lining up across from talented cornerbacks. Even during his time at Cincinnati, the 6-foot-3 wideout typically lined up across from Sauce Gardner, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
“That’s a great way for him to develop, to go up against a guy who’s been the Defensive Player of the Year,” Reich said of Pierce. “(He) went up against that corner that he had as a teammate in college all those years, now he goes up against one of the best NFL players. So, that’s really good for Alec (Pierce).”
Pierce is currently competing for the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Michael Pittman Jr., and his competition has been having a strong camp himself. While Parris Campbell has been through the wringer when it comes to injuries, his talent has put him right in the thick of the battle for that role.
The Colts have high expectations for Pierce during his rookie season and going up against Gilmore every day in practice should only benefit him so long as he responds to the challenge.
The late and great Young Dolph’s hometown legacy is being kept alive through a back-to-school drive in Memphis, Tennessee. | 2022-08-03T13:13:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts’ Alec Pierce getting trial by fire at training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-alec-pierce-getting-trial-121856927.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-alec-pierce-getting-trial-121856927.html?src=rss |
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Dennis Kelly is expected to miss some time during training camp due to a knee injury, head coach Frank Reich told reporters Tuesday.
Kelly has been working as a depth piece along the offensive line and while it doesn’t seem like this injury is serious on the surface, Reich expects to be without the versatile veteran for some time.
There was no timetable for return placed on the injury.
“Dennis (Kelly) has a knee that we’re evaluating. So that’s going to have him out for a little bit,” Reich said Tuesday.
Kelly was signed following the 2022 NFL draft. His versatility and experience were expected to be appealing traits for the Colts, but missing time during his first training camp with the team isn’t ideal.
As Matt Pryor leads the way at the left tackle competition and rookie Bernhard Raimann works with the second-team offense, Kelly was expected to be right behind them.
Hopefully, this injury doesn’t keep him off the field too much longer after missing Tuesday’s practice. | 2022-08-03T13:13:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts’ Dennis Kelly to miss time with knee injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-dennis-kelly-miss-time-122720603.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-dennis-kelly-miss-time-122720603.html?src=rss |
I found myself in beautiful Green Bay, Wisconsin, for Packers training camp on Tuesday morning. I had but one mission: to see how former Sooners kicker Gabe Brkic was doing in his new surroundings.
I barely noticed a difference besides the new colors he was wearing. Brkic is off to a very good start in Green Bay, with none of the consistency issues that he had earlier this year in Minnesota. I didn’t see Brkic miss a single kick while I was at Ray Nitschke Field.
He also had a very solid day on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
Gabe Brkic 3/3 on FGs from 45, 47 and 49 just now. Last year’s Lou Groza Award finalist from Oklahoma continuing to get work with Mason Crosby (knee) sidelined.
There’s another interesting nugget in this situation: Packers legend Mason Crosby had surgery on his right knee–his kicking knee–during the offseason and isn’t practicing. Brkic has had all the kicking reps to himself.
Crosby will be 38 in September and is currently on the physically unable to perform list.
Here’s what our friends at Packers Wire had to say on the situation:
The injury is a concerning issue for an aging kicker – especially a right-legged kicker – coming off one of the worst seasons of his professional career. In 2021, Crosby missed nine field goals and finished with a field goal percentage of just 73.5, the second worst of his career.
Crosby is also going into the final year of his deal in 2022. He’ll make a base salary of $2.25 million, with a cap hit of $4.75 million. The Packers could save almost $2.4 million by moving on but would risk entering the 2022 season without an established kicker. – Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
The Packers had the worst special teams unit in the NFL last year and brought in former Raiders head coach Rich Bisaccia to clean it up. Crosby was a big part of that.
Green Bay will no doubt do right by their best kicker in team history, but if Brkic continues to impress during training camp and has a good preseason, Crosby could be out of a job. | 2022-08-03T13:13:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Oklahoma Sooners kicker Gabe Brkic off to great start in Green Bay | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-oklahoma-sooners-kicker-gabe-125111870.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-oklahoma-sooners-kicker-gabe-125111870.html?src=rss |
Penn State has been sending receivers to the NFL like clockwork for several years now. One of the players to get sent in recent times is K.J. Hamler.
Hamler was selected in the second round by the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL draft. After a breakout junior season and a draft process that was interrupted by COVID-19, Hamler still found himself in a good spot. The Broncos had a deep and talented receiver room when he arrived, including former Nittany Lion Daesean Hamilton. As a rookie, he saw a limited role but was set for a breakout second season in the league.
In week three, however, he tore his ACL for the second time in his football career. After a year of rehab, he is now set for the breakout campaign he was destined for.
Hamler discussed the other day at Broncos camp how he has overcome not just physical issues but mental ones as well. He talked about being in a very “dark place” after the injury. Despite all that he says he found his way out of it.
“God gave me the strength to get out of this hole…He knew I was strong enough to get through it,” Hamler said this week as he returned to Brocnos training camp. “I didn’t feel like I was at the time… I’m proud of myself, and I know my grandmother is proud.”
The Denver Broncos receiving room is still crowded but Hamler is working his way up the depth chart now and has a good quarterback behind him. The Broncos notably updated the quarterback position by acquiring star passer Russell Wilson. Follow that up with his teammate Tim Patrick who was competing him for a spot on the depth chart going down and now Hamler sits for his breakout to happen.
Winning a spot by injury is never how you want to get things but in the NFL it is next man up. For Russell Wilson, he loves to include all his receivers who have snaps in the passing attack. Hamler has a skillset that no one else on the team does and new head coach Nathaniel Hackett can use that to gameplan around him.
No matter what, Hamler making his way back is going to be a win for him and the Broncos. Going back to his Penn State days, he has always put others first. Now it seems he has put himself first and he is finally in a good place and ready to succeed.
F1's Lewis Hamilton says he's "excited to join an incredible group of owners and become a part of the #Broncos story!"
Sea-Doo Switch, a new kind of pontoon boat, comes from Wisconsin. Sales of the boat are very strong. | 2022-08-03T13:14:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | K.J. Hamler back with a purpose at Broncos camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/k-j-hamler-back-purpose-120048008.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/k-j-hamler-back-purpose-120048008.html?src=rss |
The Arizona Cardinals put on pads for the first time in training camp on Tuesday, which elevated the physicality of practice. That also brought some increased intensity that boiled over into a couple of minor skirmishes.
According to media members in attendance, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and linebacker Isaiah Simmons got into it a bit after cornerback Marco Wilson broke up a pass. Near the end of practice, defensive lineman J.J. Watt and offensive lineman Will Hernandez got into a bit of a shoving match.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury wasn’t thrilled.
“Anytime you put the pads on, you expect some aggressiveness,” he said, “but we can’t waste time like that at the end and waste reps. We’ve got to be better tomorrow.”
He indicated he is “not a fan” of fighting, considering it an immature way to compete.
“At times it’s hard to avoid. I don’t like wasting the time or the reps,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to call off practice and then the young guys there at the end don’t get their two-minute reps. We’ve just got to be more mature and handle the competition.”
Practice time in the NFL is limited and coaches know how valuable reps are, especially for young guys in camp.
Kingsbury is not as heavy-handed about fighting as former head coach Bruce Arians was. He had a no-tolerance policy. He would kick players out of practice and even, one year, had the entire team run as a consequence for it, considering it selfish.
The Cardinals will be back on the field for practice Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Arizona time.
Who will fill voids at linebacker and offensive line for Oklahoma State? Who are the backups at running back and quarterback? Camp opens Wednesday. | 2022-08-03T13:14:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kliff Kingsbury ‘not a fan’ of training camp fights | https://sports.yahoo.com/kliff-kingsbury-not-fan-training-121714988.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kliff-kingsbury-not-fan-training-121714988.html?src=rss |
There is a new name on the Detroit Lions wide receiver depth chart. The team has signed WR Maurice Alexander to the roster.
Alexander, 25, recently played in the USFL for the Philadelphia Stars. The 5-11 Florida International product caught 20 passes for 234 yards and two TDs in the rebooted USFL’s inaugural season. He also was the Stars’ primary kick and punt returner.
The Lions needed reinforcements after undrafted rookie Corey Sutton retired and Quintez Cephus suffered a knee injury in the second week of training camp.
To make room on the roster, the Lions waived rookie RB Greg Bell with injury designation. Bell suffered an injury in the first week of camp and has been unavailable for several days. | 2022-08-03T13:14:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lions sign WR Maurice Alexander from the USFL | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-sign-wr-maurice-alexander-123323293.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-sign-wr-maurice-alexander-123323293.html?src=rss |
A Los Angeles legend left us on Tuesday night. Vin Scully, the iconic voice of the Dodgers, passed away at the age of 94. He was the announcer of the Dodgers for 67 years before retiring in 2016.
In addition to calling Dodgers games for nearly seven decades, he was also in the booth for NFL games for several years. He called NFL games for CBS Sports in the 1970s and 1980s, with his most famous call coming in the 1981 NFC Championship Game when Dwight Clark made “The Catch” against the Dallas Cowboys, propelling the San Francisco 49ers to victory.
The Rams shared the following tweet after learning of Scully’s passing, sending their condolences to the Scully family.
Cooper Kupp also paid tribute to Scully, calling him “The voice of LA.” on Twitter.
The voice of LA. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/e9BeG2gvZS
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) August 3, 2022
The Fever hold the worst record in the WNBA at 5-27. Different players have different ways of handling failure. | 2022-08-03T13:14:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Los Angeles legend Vin Scully dies at 94 | https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-legend-vin-scully-121325463.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-legend-vin-scully-121325463.html?src=rss |
A majority of the players you see on Sundays in the NFL are undrafted free agents. These are players to have won jobs in training camp and have fought to keep their spot on the 53-man roster.
So who could be the next undrafted free agent to make the roster for the Raiders? In a recent article by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, he named one undrafted free agent that could make every team’s 53-man roster. For the Raiders, that was none other than former Arizona State star Darien Butler.
Here is what Moton had to say about the possibility of Butler making the roster at the linebacker position this year:
“Before his 2021 term at Arizona State, Butler shed 15 pounds and had his most productive year, registering 68 tackles, 8.5 for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and three pass breakups.
This summer, he’ll play under linebackers coach Antonio Pierce, who served as his defensive coordinator last year, which bodes well for the rookie’s early development.
In the Raiders’ first padded practice, Butler took reps with the starters and made his presence felt with a big hit.”
The Raiders lost two veteran linebackers to injury this week including Micah Kiser and Kyler Fackrell. Both were near-locks to make the 53-man roster. That now gives Butler an opening to a job and he’s taken advantage of every practice rep so far.
Butler should see the field a ton during the Hall of Fame game on Thursday. With a big performance, he can cement his spot on the 53-man roster for the Raiders. | 2022-08-03T13:15:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders UDFA LB Darien Butler could crack 53-man roster | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-udfa-lb-darien-butler-125649623.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-udfa-lb-darien-butler-125649623.html?src=rss |
There was a moment in time, not too long ago, when New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder was labeled “Mr. Irrelevant.”
That will happen when you are the last player selected in the NFL draft, as Crowder was back in 2020. He’s quickly put those days are behind him and now he’s considered a veteran player, one who is seen a a leader on the Giants’ defense.
Crowder stepped in for the injured Blake Martinez last season after Martinez blew out his knee in late September and not only called the defensive signals for the rest of the season, but led the Giants in total tackles with 130.
Martinez is back this summer, fully recovered, but that hasn’t diminished Crowder’s place in the Giants’ lineup.
“He looks good,” Crowder said of Martinez on Tuesday at training camp. “The whole linebacker core is looking good. We are pushing each other. Everybody is coming to work each day, so I feel like that’s the important thing.”
New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is bringing a legacy of success to the Giants. The players are embracing him.
“I just feel like he was an aggressive kind of play-caller. I knew it was going to be fun just having him as a coordinator,” said Crowder, who will line up inside again this year.
One of the nuances Martindale brings is that the safeties, not the linebackers, will be calling the signals. Crowder and the rest of the defense are still acclimating to that change.
“It’s a little different just because last year, obviously, I was calling it. Just having to get the communication from somebody else that’s the only difference,” he said. “We still are communicating as a defense, and everyone is still talking so, it’s cool.”
Communication will be the key, as it always is, for this defense to succeed. Competition is also a driver and Crowder has seen that early on at training camp.
“The competition level is actually at a high level. Everybody is coming to work every day. It feels like everybody wants to get better every day. So, I think that’s the biggest difference of this group, just coming each day and wanting to actually be better than yesterday,” Crowder said.
A giant sinkhole, almost 105 feet in diameter, appeared near Lundin Mining Corporation's Alcaparrosa copper mine in Chile over the weekend. | 2022-08-03T13:15:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tae Crowder: Giants linebackers are motivated, competitive | https://sports.yahoo.com/tae-crowder-giants-linebackers-motivated-125504283.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tae-crowder-giants-linebackers-motivated-125504283.html?src=rss |
Two of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time passed away in the last 9 months. John Madden died at the age of 85 last December, and on Tuesday night, Vin Scully passed away at 94 years old.
They were two iconic announcers during their time, with Scully calling Dodgers games for 67 years and Madden working NFL broadcasts from 1979 to 2008. Their paths crossed for a brief time in 1981 when they called four games together.
In Week 3, Madden and Scully were on the call for Rams vs. Packers, a legendary pairing in the booth for a game between two storied franchises.
You can rewatch that game in its entirety below. The game was broken into two halves.
The Rams won that game, 35-23, at Anaheim Stadium. The Rams did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns, with quarterback Jeff Rutledge throwing for only 70 yards and one score with one interception.
That year, the Rams finished 6-10, their first year missing the playoffs since 1972. | 2022-08-03T13:15:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watch: Vin Scully and John Madden called Rams-Packers together in 1981 | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-vin-scully-john-madden-123138041.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-vin-scully-john-madden-123138041.html?src=rss |
It’s 10:30 a.m. and Kyle Busch has already been up for five-plus hours, a few empty cans of Rowdy Energy no doubt already having hit the recycling bin at the Busch household.
Two-month-old Lennix is finally sleeping eight hours through the night, but those 5 a.m. newborn wake-up calls can still sting — especially with the frenzy of last-minute prep and packing before setting off on a midwest swing of 14 days of racing over the next 17 for 7-year-old Brexton’s burgeoning career.
Not to mention squeezing in media responsibilities before hitting the road to talk about his day job of being one of the top NASCAR Cup Series drivers the sport’s ever seen.
It’s a small window into the daily, ever-growing chaos of the Busch family, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“So, pre-being a dad was pre-2015. Fortunately for me when I had 2015 happen, that was the injury and then it was also Brexton, right? So I had kind of two things twofold there where I was like, ‘man, OK, I need to really have a different perspective on what all I do,’ ” Busch told NASCAR.com on Tuesday. “Because then it was literally just me and (wife) Samantha and we were literally tackling all of our work. It was literally work, work, work, work all the time, work all the time, and you would feel drained. Like you would literally feel like you would get to September, October and you’re like jeez, when is this season over? Like, can we be done already? And that’s when you’re getting into the prime of the season with the playoffs and stuff like that, you know, so I feel like now as you get older too, right? Like days fly by faster. Now, like I look at the calendar just yesterday, it’s August 1, and it’s like, when did that happen? So you know, it’s good that you can be having fun and living through your days and things like that. And not dreading you know, coming up to the end of the season or whatever you’re actually really like, wow, it’s almost here like, holy cow, it already happened that fast.”
RELATED: Timeline of Busch injury, recovery
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 27: Kyle Busch, driver of the #51 Safelite Toyota, wife Samantha and son Brexton embrace on the grid prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of NASCAR’s most mercurial, polarizing figures, Busch has often found himself surrounded by a maelstrom of turmoil — this season no different — but it’s evident that he’s found a way to bring calm to the swirling winds around him, and the Las Vegas native is exactly right that things changed in 2015.
From that year on, the two-time Cup champion has picked up both titles and taken 31 of his 60 total premier series trips to Victory Lane. A championship favorite again this year — he’s got the fourth-best odds at 8-1, per BetMGM — Busch also averaged a points finish of 4.0 (i.e. essentially averaging an annual Championship 4 appearance) from 2015-2021.
His first 10 full-time seasons before that saw plenty of success — even seeing an eight-win campaign in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 — but the standings results left some to be desired, averaging a finish outside the top 10 (10.5) in his first decade in Cup.
Part of that, of course, was the experience that came with age and added time behind the wheel and getting enough laps under his belt. The bigger factors seem to have come off the track, however, and adjusting effectively to the growing demands of both the “dad” and “driver” life.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously just diet, nutrition. That’s a big part of it,” Busch said. “Of course, working out, being able to do those sorts of things staying hydrated, all that sort of stuff. That’s just all your preparation for getting into the weekend. So how do you keep going through, week to week to week through the grind? You know, I think some of it relies on being able to open up your mind to other things. All I do is live, breathe, drink, eat sleep racing, right, like even now with my son, it’s all about racing with him. So you have to be able to give your mind a break, though, and have a chance of having an outlet of being able to think about something else. And so when you’re able to do that, you know, that doesn’t tire you out as easy or as quickly as it might be if you are just ingrained in the trenches all the time, every day.
“I think to me, it’s taking your mind off things with your wife, going to dinners or hanging out with friends. Being able to just relax on the couch, watch TV programs that have nothing to do with the stuff that we do, you know, just living a normal life, if you will. I feel like giving yourself more of a balance, more of a perspective to then being able to come back and when you come back, you have a fresh mind, you’re able to go back to your work and attack your work. And, really, take it all in better.”
From the sounds of it, he’ll have plenty of work to attack over the coming weeks between Brexton’s midwest foray, four extremely different tracks to close out the regular season between now and Labor Day and, oh yeah, that whole other thing about negotiating his current expiring contract with JGR and his potential status as the hottest free agent to hit the NASCAR market in perhaps decades.
MORE: Busch: ‘A lot of sleepless nights‘ as contract negotiations stall | Harvick would welcome Busch as teammate
Kyle Busch takes a selfie with a fan
The first of those tracks comes Sunday at Michigan International Speedway (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, MRN, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio) — a track Busch surprisingly has just one win at that came more than a decade ago. He’s been no slouch there in recent years, though, with nine straight top 10s and laps led in seven of those races.
There are no guarantees, of course, but sharing 6-1 odds to win with co-race favorite Chase Elliot would indicate it marks a good weekend for his first win in the Irish Hills since 2011 and first this year since April’s triumph on dirt nearly four months ago.
“I would like to think so. I mean, we’ve been good there over the last little bit, you know,” said the 37-year-old. “I won there in ’11 and then the track went through the repave. I was terrible on the repave like, I’m just not very good with repaves. But it’s been getting more age on it and it’s been getting a little bit better; widening out is definitely good. And with these cars, they’re gonna like to venture out from being behind somebody else in front of you and getting out of their wake.
” … I feel like for us, Joe Gibbs Racing, our mile-and-a-half-programs have been really strong, the Vegas, the Kansas, the Atlantas, the Charlottes, and I feel like that kind of goes right with Michigan. And so I think we can be good there.”
As with just about every team this year, Busch has seen some ups and downs throughout 2022 as teams scramble to find a firmer grip than their competitors on the handle of the Next Gen car, which debuted in February.
He’s had remarkable stints — averaging a 7.44 finish across the nine-race Richmond to Gateway run — and some … less-than-remarkable ones, with no top 10s and an average finish of 22.7 across the last seven. Given he’s adjusting to the broken sleep inextricably tied to having a newborn in the house while also being deep into the assuredly intense negotiation of his future, his recent results could theoretically be excused for said reasons.
But he’s Kyle Busch, and Kyle Busch doesn’t make excuses.
“Well, so, I feel like if nothing goes wrong in a race, and we can just run a normal race, we’re top seven every single week, you know, besides the road courses, the Sonomas, the Road Americas, they are not on our radar as being very good,” he said. “The Indy Road Course, though, this past weekend, honestly, like I passed Austin Cindric, before that second-to-last yellow and got myself into 10th place. And then he made it through the last two green-white-checkers and got a second-place finish, and I got spun out through the grass, so it’s just, do you have the luck on your side? Yes or no?
“But, you know, we’ve messed up a little bit with some strategy calls, and I’ve messed up spinning out in a couple of races and things like that, just trying hard to get positions. And so, you know, we should have better results than what we do. The optics don’t quite look as good because the results don’t say it. But the performance has been there on our side. So we just need to have some more good results.”
At this point, Busch’s playoff standing is relatively safe despite his recent downturn on the results sheet. We’re at 14 winners with four races remaining — two of which are at another road course and Daytona, which could both produce wild-card winners — but he’s still racking up enough points to sleep well at night (when Lennix allows it, of course).
Gone are the late-2010s days of the “Big Three” of he, Kevin Harvick and teammate Martin Truex Jr., hoarding trophies among the trio while the rest of the field struggles to even make it competitive. But there’s still a sense that Busch has continued to evolve since, meticulously crafting his skills as a race car driver while dialing in things in his personal life to become a more complete — and more formidable — person overall.
MORE: Kyle Busch through the years | All of Busch’s Cup Series wins
Even if he admittedly wouldn’t mind a return to such stretches of dominance, he knows the parity brought forth by the Next Gen makes that scenario unlikely … but a situation he can still capitalize in.
“I look back on what was it 2017, 2018, where you had the ‘Big Three’ right? You had Martin Truex Jr. and you had Kevin Harvick. It was us every weekend, it seemed. And then, you know, Denny (Hamlin) would pop in there, (Joey) Logano would pop in there, a couple other guys maybe. But I love that theme. I want to go back to those days. Can we bring that back?
Kyle Busch talks with Chase Elliott
“You know, but you look at this year, and I think the theme of this year is just the Next Gen,” he said. “It’s just the unknowns of everything around this car. And we’re all trying to wrap our arms around it and figure it out and be competitive of understanding what this car likes and what it takes. And there’s a lot of things on this thing that you would think like, ‘OK, well, this is what worked with the old car.’ Throw that out the window, though. That notebook is gone. So I think that’s kind of the perspective that everybody’s kind of getting with seeing so many different winners in this car and seeing how each … like, look at everybody’s schedule. Man, besides Trackhouse guys maybe, you can see the damn roller coaster ride everybody goes on every single week with finishes. Good finish, bad finish, good finish, bad finish, whatever. Like you can’t get on a roll except, Chase Elliott, I guess, the last six weeks. You can’t get even a top five, top five, top five, top five every week. It’s tough. And we all are trying to get to that point. And you know, there’s only one guy doing that. … Hopefully, they’re peaking too soon.”
So where does that leave Busch and the No. 18 team — did they peak too soon in the middle of the regular season? Probably not, and with how focused he is off the track at the moment, it’s only reasonable to think that Busch’s best days could still be ahead of him, both in the remaining 14 races of 2022 and his, at this moment, very unclear future about where he’ll be racing beyond the season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November.
It’s entirely possible that Busch’s final race for Joe Gibbs could be that one, and it could end with two of NASCAR’s most prominent figures hoisting the Bill France Cup on the world stage before shaking hands and parting ways.
Busch became a father for the first time just months before his first Cup title, and 2022 could be shaping up to be just as decorated of a campaign on both a personal and professional level. In some ways, it just makes sense.
“I don’t think (having a baby mid-season is) the secret weapon. I don’t think that’s the secret sauce, but I like where your head’s at,” he said. “So, I’m hoping that 2022 we can be rewarded with another championship. That would certainly be nice. And with everything kind of happening and going on right now, obviously, being able to win and be successful and have the success on the track.
“Everything else will take care of itself.” | 2022-08-03T13:43:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kyle Busch opens up on family, frenzy and why the days of the 'Big Three' are over | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-busch-opens-family-frenzy-091116178.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-busch-opens-family-frenzy-091116178.html?src=rss |
There is not a lot of continuity between the 2021 Oregon Ducks and the 2022 version, which features a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators, a new quarterback, mostly new running backs and wide receivers, and multiple new starters in the secondary.
One constant is the man in the middle of the offensive line, center Alex Forsyth, who was once again named to the watchlist for the 2022 Rimington Trophy Award, given annually to the nation’s top center.
Forsyth was on the watchlist last season as he led Oregon’s offensive line unit, although the award was eventually given to Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum.
7⃣8⃣ enters the season as one of the nation's top centers for the second year in a row 👊@alexforsyth75 🤝 @rimingtontrophy #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/DKSAPESv5e
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 1, 2022
Forsyth is one of five Pac-12 centers to make the watchlist, alongside Brett Neilon from USC, Drake Nugent from Stanford, Jake Levengood from Oregon State, and Matthew Cindric from Cal.
Oregon has had their ups and downs on the front five in the past few seasons, but Forsyth remains a steady presence on a team filled with uncertainty (and excitement) as the 2022 season approaches. | 2022-08-03T13:47:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alex Forsyth on Rimington Trophy Award watchlist for second year in a row | https://sports.yahoo.com/alex-forsyth-rimington-trophy-award-132735114.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alex-forsyth-rimington-trophy-award-132735114.html?src=rss |
It’s not every day Webb Simpson looks down at his phone to see a call from Tiger Woods.
But that’s what happened last Tuesday at Trolley Stop, a local hot dog joint in Wilmington, North Carolina, while Simpson was out with his family. When Simpson was trying to order, his phone rang.
Woods was referencing the Presidents Cup, which is set for next month at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. Quail Hollow is Simpson’s home course, so the Presidents Cup has been on his mind for some time.
Yet Tiger’s call came at a time when rumors were swirling on whether Simpson may be selected as an assistant captain.
“(The call) meant a lot, but honestly, I got done with the phone call and I’m like, ‘I don’t know if that was official or not,'” Simpson said. “I don’t know if he meant like he’s rooting for me to be assistant or if I am assistant. So I just waited, and I saw Zach (Johnson) on Wednesday, or I guess yeah, the next day in Detroit and Zach and I had a laugh about it. I said, Davis (Love III) still hasn’t called me, so I don’t know. And then Davis gave me a shout I guess maybe the next night.”
On Tuesday, Love, the U.S. Captain for the Presidents Cup, announced Simpson and Steve Stricker, the 2021 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, would serve as assistant captains at Quail Hollow. Johnson and Fred Couples are the other two assistants.
For Simpson, who has played in three Presidents Cups (2011, 2013 and 2019), the selection is special.
“Not that I feared not being a part of it, but there was a part of me that’s like, ‘If I don’t make the team and Davis goes a different direction, that’s fine, but it’s going to be hard to see the Presidents Cup happen there and not be a part of it in some way,'” Simpson said. “So I was really, really relieved to get a chance to be a part of it.”
Simpson is in the field at this week’s Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has five straight top-10 finishes there.
Wyndham Championship: Best bets | Tee times | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+
He acknowledges there’s still time to qualify as a player, but being selected in this role is something he has dreamed about.
“I’d give anything to be a part of it because as Jim Furyk told me in 2011 in Melbourne, when you’re done with your golf career, you’re going to really look back and remember your wins and your team events,” Simpson said.
“That’s a big dream and goal of mine. There’s still quite a few things I want to accomplish as a player, but just seeing these captains in the last few years take that role, and you can tell it means so much to them to represent the players, our country. So I definitely want to do that.” | 2022-08-03T14:16:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘I don’t know if that was official or not’: How Tiger Woods spilled the beans on Webb Simpson being a Presidents Cup assistant captain | https://sports.yahoo.com/don-t-know-official-not-220923479.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/don-t-know-official-not-220923479.html?src=rss |
All-American college football player, professional football player, defensive lineman, defensive end
When the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars made their first draft pick in team history, it wasn't one to sell jerseys. They drafted an offensive lineman.
With the second overall pick in 1995 they took offensive tackle Tony Boselli out of USC. And it turns out, the Jaguars are still selling his jersey.
Boselli went from the first pick in Jaguars history to the first Pro Football Hall of Famer in team history. His candidacy was debated for years, mostly because his health failed him. He played just 91 career games over seven seasons. A shoulder injury finally forced him into retirement.
On his sixth time as a Hall of Fame finalist, Boselli finally got the call. The Jaguars get one of their own in Canton.
Tony Boselli had a fantastic peak
Boselli's Hall of Fame case wasn't an easy one. One key argument in his favor ended up adding to the controversy.
Those who wanted Boselli in the Hall of Fame would point at a 1996 wild-card playoff game between the Jaguars and Buffalo Bills. Boselli, then in his second season and coming off his first of five straight Pro Bowls, was matched up against NFL defensive player of the year Bruce Smith. Smith had a quiet day with no sacks and the Jaguars beat the Bills. They'd go on to the AFC championship game in just their second year.
This year Smith questioned why Boselli would make the Hall of Fame based on a performance against him and said it "sets a horrible precedent." Smith said Boselli was "a formidable opponent during his brief career, but I find it difficult to compare the totality of his body of work with those of the NFL’s greatest left tackles." Smith argued that Boselli mostly blocked for left-handed quarterback Mark Brunell, so he wasn't protecting Brunell's blind side. Smith backpedaled later and told the Associated Press he and Boselli weren't at odds, that he merely disliked Boselli's campaign pitting a Hall of Famer against a HOF hopeful.
But the Smith ordeal was illuminating in a couple ways. Boselli did have a complicated Hall of Fame resume. But at his peak, he was good enough to shut down Smith, the only player in NFL history with 200 official sacks.
Short-term dominance won out.
Tony Boselli of the Jacksonville Jaguars got into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his sixth time as a finalist. (Otto Greule/Allsport)
Boselli's career cut short
Boselli was a prototype left tackle. He was 6-7, 324 pounds and light on his feet. He was a great player. The Jaguars say he allowed just 15.5 sacks in seven seasons.
Had Boselli played longer, his Hall of Fame debate would have been shorter. He was clearly on that path when the shoulder injury ended his career. He played in just three games for the Jaguars in 2001, then was the first pick of the Houston Texans in their expansion draft. Boselli never played for the Texans due to the shoulder.
The length of his career is why he was a six-time finalist, and not inducted sooner.
"I knew the big elephant in the room was the length of my career," Boselli told the Jaguars' site. "That was the thing being debated back and forth. That was hard because it was something I couldn't control. I also knew I had played more games than other Hall of Famers. I get the debate, but that was always hard."
The debate doesn't matter anymore. Boselli will be immortalized in the Hall of Fame. It's a big moment for the Jaguars too and Boselli understands that responsibility, just like he grasped the importance of being the first pick in team history.
"It's a big deal to me. I'm honored to be the first representative of the Jaguars in the Hall of Fame," Boselli said, according to Jaguars.com. "It's humbling. I will do my best to represent the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville every day." | 2022-08-03T15:15:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 Hall of Fame: Tony Boselli had a dominant, but short, career for Jaguars | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-hall-of-fame-tony-boselli-had-a-dominant-but-short-career-for-jaguars-150147003.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-hall-of-fame-tony-boselli-had-a-dominant-but-short-career-for-jaguars-150147003.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver D.J. Montgomery, the team announced Wednesday.
Montgomery was part of the eight-player tryout the Colts held on Monday during one of their off days and is likely a replacement for John Hurst, who was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday.
Montgomery entered the league as an undrafted free agent rookie, signing with the Cleveland Browns following the 2019 NFL draft. He spent his rookie season on the injured reserve list and the 2020 season on the New York Jets’ practice squad.
In 2021, Montgomery appeared in three games, recording three receptions for 36 yards.
Many USMNT players changed clubs this summer including several center forwards and center backs jockeying for a place in Gregg Berhalter's World Cup squad. | 2022-08-03T15:16:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts sign WR D.J. Montgomery | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-sign-wr-d-j-131819816.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-sign-wr-d-j-131819816.html?src=rss |
Entering 2022, all eyes were already on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. With a new offensive-minded head coach in Mike McDaniel that brings a quarterback-friendly system, a number of new weapons and an improved offensive line in front of him, could he play up to the level expected of a top-five draft pick?
Through 21 starts, Tagovailoa has led the Dolphins to a 13-8 record, but his statistics (4,467 yards, 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions) haven’t been overly impressive. On top of that, he’s dealt with some injuries that have kept him off the field.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier had stockpiled draft picks for the 2023 draft, putting Miami in position to make two first-round selections. This gave the team options if Tagovailoa didn’t take a step forward in 2022. They could use those picks to move up in the draft and take a quarterback prospect, or they could trade those picks for a proven veteran to lead their team.
Now, after Tuesday’s penalties from the NFL, stemming from former head coach Brian Flores’ accusations of tampering, the Dolphins have lost their own first-round pick next year as well as a third-round pick in 2024.
In most cases of teams having multiple picks in the same round that they’re set to lose one from, they’re only allowed to keep the lower of the picks. However, here, Miami will lose theirs no matter what. So, if San Francisco’s pick ends up being a better pick, the Dolphins will still get that one.
Without that extra draft capital, Grier has lost an asset that he said he made a concerted effort to keep when trading for Tyreek Hill this offseason.
“I’m not going to lie, it was important for us to keep those two picks because we had done so much to acquire those before,” he said back in April.
Now, Tagovailoa has more pressure on him than before to prove that he’s the quarterback that Miami should want running that team in 2023 and beyond. If he can’t, it’s going to be harder to find a potential franchise quarterback than previously thought. | 2022-08-03T15:16:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dolphins’ loss of picks puts even more pressure on Tua Tagovailoa | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-loss-picks-puts-even-133121795.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-loss-picks-puts-even-133121795.html?src=rss |
Aaron Donald has already built a resume that’s guaranteed to get him into the Hall of Fame, assuredly as a first-ballot selection. After winning a Super Bowl, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and making seven All-Pro teams, there isn’t much left for Donald to accomplish.
What should be next on his list is becoming the greatest defensive tackle of all time.
According to most NFL experts and analysts, however, he’s already earned that title, too.
ESPN polled reporters, analysts and experts to find the greatest player of all time, or the GOAT, at each position. At defensive tackle, Donald received 39 of the 50 votes to be considered the best in NFL history.
The next-closest player was Mean Joe Greene, who received just five votes. And Rams legend Deacon Jones came in third with three votes.
Donald gets even the most remember-when people in the league to acknowledge his place in NFL history. He has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and been a first-team All-Pro selection in seven of his eight seasons. And even though he is constantly swarmed with blockers, Donald unravels offensive game plans. His first Super Bowl win earlier this year only adds to an already Canton-worthy résumé. — Legwold
In his career, Donald has 98 sacks, 441 tackles and 23 forced fumbles, recording a whopping 150 tackles for a loss. He led the league in sacks and tackles for a loss in 2018 when he had 20.5 and 25, respectively.
The only time Donald didn’t finish in the top five of Defensive Player of the Year voting was in 2014 when he was a rookie and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. | 2022-08-03T15:17:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL experts vote Aaron Donald the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-experts-vote-aaron-donald-132446410.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-experts-vote-aaron-donald-132446410.html?src=rss |
The Patriots added a pair of defensive backs to their 90-man roster on Tuesday. The team announced the signings of Jalen Elliott and Brad Hawkins. They had space for both players, so they did not announce any corresponding roster moves. Elliott signed with the Lions after going undrafted in 2020, failed to make the cut [more] | 2022-08-03T15:17:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots CB Marcus Jones emerging as early favorite for punt returner | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-cb-marcus-jones-emerging-135540248.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-cb-marcus-jones-emerging-135540248.html?src=rss |
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made headlines early this week for making an appearance at training camp on a golf cart.
Now he’s making a few more for not being out there for the next practice.
Burrow wasn’t out there for the team’s practice on Tuesday, though Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Burrow had still been in the building at one point or another.
In other words, there’s zero reason to believe Burrow’s sudden absence was a sign of an issue. He’s still very much on the expected timetable for a return.
When Burrow was out there to start the week, he was tuned into every playcall from the sidelines. But clearly, that appearance wasn’t a sign he would make it out to the field for every single practice while he recovers. | 2022-08-03T15:18:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Zac Taylor explains why Joe Burrow wasn’t at Bengals practice | https://sports.yahoo.com/zac-taylor-explains-why-joe-132620144.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/zac-taylor-explains-why-joe-132620144.html?src=rss |
Wiseman sitting behind Loon a 'healthy growth situation' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
James Wiseman occupied the Warriors' spotlight in the summer, playing four games in Las Vegas and showing signs of why he was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
"In doing so, he’s really a good mentor for James.”
At age 24, Looney played in 61 of the Warriors’ 72 regular-season games in 2020-21 and then achieved one of his biggest goals -- playing in all 82 contests this past season (and all 22 playoff games) and rising as the Warriors’ unforeseen iron man.
"He's showed me a lot of compassion in terms of what I need to work on," Wiseman said of Looney to NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson in July. "But he's also given me a lot of constructive criticism, and me being willing to learn and observe -- I take it as OK, I need to just do better the next day and just develop my game. I don't look at as an arrogant perspective in terms of I'm the No. 2 pick and I don't gotta listen. I don't do that.
"I really just want to listen and try to be the best that I can be, and he's given me a lot of information right now and he's most definitely developing my game."
In Wiseman’s rookie season, his only taste of NBA regular-season basketball, the Warriors were far from the championship contenders. Of the 39 games he played before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, the Warriors won 18. He missed all but six minutes of the Warriors' 15-5 hot stretch to end the regular season.
Kerr expects Wiseman to contribute to the Warriors' championship repeat effort, but he won't be asked to do as much.
“James I actually think had some really good moments his rookie year," Kerr said to Slater. "It gets lost in the shuffle because overall it was a struggle for our team and James had ups and downs. But you remember he had some really big games for us.
"As he continues to build momentum and gain confidence in his body and skills, I think he’ll help us.”
Gabe Brown has his NBA home | 2022-08-03T15:48:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | James Wiseman sitting behind Warriors' Kevon Looney 'healthy growth situation' | https://sports.yahoo.com/james-wiseman-sitting-behind-warriors-141433136.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/james-wiseman-sitting-behind-warriors-141433136.html?src=rss |
Auburn Football is among the nation's best in this recruiting category
A shooting was reported at a gas station in Auburn early Tuesday morning, and investigation is underway.
Pearl impressed with selflessness in Auburn’s win over Israel U-20
13 players saw the court on Tuesday, and six players reached double-figures in Auburn's win over Israel U-20. | 2022-08-03T15:49:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Can Auburn flip one of Georgia’s top recruits before December? | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-flip-one-georgia-top-140031957.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-flip-one-georgia-top-140031957.html?src=rss |
Michigan State is in pursuit of one of the top tight ends in the 2023 recruiting class. The Spartans offered Ethan Davis, the No. 4 tight end in the 2023 class, who is currently committed to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Davis is a native of Suwanee, Georgia, and attends Collins Hill High School. According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, he ranks as a 4-star prospect and the No. 84 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.
Look for the Spartans coaching staff to try and get Davis on campus to potentially flip the standout tight end’s commitment.
blessed to receive an offer from Michigan State. Go Spartans 💚🤍 @coachTWoff pic.twitter.com/CuJBpDbtA3
— ethan davis (@davis1ethan) August 2, 2022
Liver cancer is a life-threatening disease that's newly diagnosed in over 41,000 Americans each year. While this number may pale in comparison to more prevalent cancer types, the American Cancer Society (ACS) warns that liver cancer rates have tripled since 1980. To make matters worse, death rates associated with this cancer type have increased by a shocking 43 percent in the U.S. between 2000 and 2016, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most cancer types are becoming a l
From memes on social media to blurbs about his blazing speed, Tennessee football's Squirrel White has fans' attention. Will he play much this season? | 2022-08-03T15:50:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan State football offers Tennessee football TE commit | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-offers-tennessee-143918348.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-offers-tennessee-143918348.html?src=rss |
Bill Belichick says he is focused on training camp in the wake of an NFL investigation that found multiple examples of tampering between the Miami Dolphins and Tom Brady going back to the 2019 season when the quarterback was with the New England Patriots.
The NFL suspended Dolphins owner Stephen Ross on Tuesday. The league found that Miami spoke to the quarterback while he was with New England — and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Dolphins also lost a first-round pick in 2023 and a third-round selection in 2024.
Bill Belichick is not worried about this news and is focused on training camp, as these allegations have dominated the NFL news cycle. He kept in his opinion short, as he spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
Did Bill Belichick have any idea that the Dolphins were tampering?
Belichick: “Focused on training camp right now. That’s all in the past.”
The Patriots have a little more than a week before their preseason opener against the New York Giants on August 11. Kickoff time is set for 7:00 PM.
How were the Arizona Diamondbacks' trades at the 2022 MLB trade deadline received by MLB writers? They share their grades for the team's moves. | 2022-08-03T17:08:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bill Belichick dodges questions on Tom Brady, Dolphins’ tampering scandal | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-dodges-questions-tom-162607260.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-dodges-questions-tom-162607260.html?src=rss |
The report, released on Tuesday, revealed that the Dolphins had "impermissible communications" with quarterback Tom Brady during his final year with the Patriots in 2019 and again in 2021 when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The success of "Running Up That Hill” could help propel 'Stranger Things: Music from the Netflix Original Series, Season 4' to a Grammy nomination for best compilation soundtrack for visual media.
Find out what’s happening this week in Hollywood, New York and beyond. Aug. 3, Wednesday Mike Birbiglia opens “The Old Man and the Pool,” his solo show about middle age, mortality and swimming at the YMCA. Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles Aug. 4, Thursday Patton Oswalt, Claudia Sulewski and James Morosini attend the premiere of […] | 2022-08-03T17:08:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bill Belichick reacts to Tom Brady, Dolphins tampering questions | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-reacts-tom-brady-163000792.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-reacts-tom-brady-163000792.html?src=rss |
In his first season as the 49ers' starting quarterback, Trey Lance is expected to go through some growing pains.
"It comes out with a different pace," Aiyuk said of Lance's passes in training camp during an interview with NFL Network on Tuesday. "At first, it was a little bit heavier. This year it has pace, but it’s a lot softer and a lot tighter so it’s easier for us to catch. I don’t know too much about throwing the football at the quarterback position, but I know as a receiver his balls are a little bit lighter coming into camp this year."
Lighter throws and tighter spirals makes the jobs of Lance's wide receivers easier. Easier catches means bigger, more exciting plays like deep passes -- a part of the 49ers' offense that has been evident in the early days of training camp.
"I think it will look different," Aiyuk said of the 49ers' offense. "As you guys have seen the past couple of days, we’ve been taking a lot more shots down the field, trying to open it up a little bit more. And we do have the underneath stuff as well that we love to do. I think it’s going to be a little bit more explosive and a lot more bigger plays."
Aiyuk will likely have more opportunities to be on the receiving end of a deep ball from Lance as San Francisco's offense benefits from the quarterback's legs extending plays.
"We got extra time. It’s hard for those [defensive backs] to cover for seven, eight, 10 seconds," Aiyuk said. "He keeps plays alive. We’ve got to be just be able to be on the same page and roll with it when he does that."
"DBs and defensive players, they move so fast," Aiyuk said. "Not every ball can be a speed ball through guys. To learn, to touch those ball over zone defenders and get the ball up and down." | 2022-08-03T17:08:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brandon Aiyuk reveals key Trey Lance difference leading to explosive plays | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-aiyuk-reveals-key-trey-162537437.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-aiyuk-reveals-key-trey-162537437.html?src=rss |
In Roob's Observations: What kind of camp is Jalen Hurts really having? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The truth about Jalen Hurts, one position that still concerns me and revised expectations of Jordan Davis.
Here’s my 10 random Eagles observations from the first week of training camp:
1. There’s been so much nonsense written and said about Jalen Hurts since the start of training camp — much of it by people who haven’t been to a single practice — so let me be very clear about this: Jalen Hurts has had three very good days, one shaky day and one average day, and the sum total of these first five practices is somewhere around a solid B performance for the 23-year-old quarterback. Tuesday — the first day in full pads — was his best day yet. He spun it down the field beautifully, hit A.J. Brown in stride on slants, made good decisions in the pocket and did much of it against the first defense. No quarterback is perfect in every practice. Donovan had bad days. Randall had bad days. Carson had bad days. This is a process. It’s a long preseason and this goes for everybody … you can’t isolate one good or bad play and start drawing conclusions. You look for consistency, steady improvement and stacking together a string of positive days. Hurts had a poor practice Friday, but he’s been much better since. We’ve still got 5 1/2 weeks until opening day. Overall, I’m encouraged.
2. It’s also important to note that this upgraded defense is giving Hurts and the offense much better work than last year. Hurts noted how much more the corners and linebackers have challenged him and the receivers this year and how much he likes it because that’s how you improve. And it’s really true. The linebackers and defensive backs are so much more active and around the ball than last year, and it’s really raised the level of practice. And you want that. You don’t want one side of the ball dominating every practice. You want high-level competition and both sides taking turns making plays, because that’s how everybody gets better.
3. When the Eagles signed Kyzir White and drafted Nakobe Dean, I thought that meant T.J. Edwards would go back to his old role as a situational linebacker and a core special teamer. But Edwards so far has been — by far — the Eagles’ best linebacker in camp. He’s always been physical, but he’s just so smart and his recognition and processing have been truly impressive and allowed him to become even more of a playmaker. Edwards doesn’t have great speed, but he’s so instinctive and has the ability to process plays as they happen, and that enables him to get into position to make plays. I also think in their second year together, Jonathan Gannon has a much better idea what Edwards’ strengths and weaknesses are, and that should enable him to use him in situations he’s best suited to. Strong camp so far for T.J.
4. I often wonder what a full season of Miles Sanders would look like. He’s running the ball so well right now and just looks explosive. He seems more motivated than ever as he goes into a contract year. It’s crazy that with his talent — and that 5.1 career rushing average, eighth-highest in NFL history by a running back with 500 carries — he’s never rushed for more than 867 yards in a season, thanks to injuries and two coaches who at various times tended to forget he was on the roster. I don’t know how much the Eagles are going to run the ball this year, but let’s say Sanders gets 13 ½ carries per game at 5.1 yards per carry over 17 games; that’s nearly 1,200 yards. Every conversation about Sanders invariably begins with “If he stays healthy.” I’ll even go this far: If Sanders plays 15 games this year, he’s a Pro Bowler.
5. Jordan Davis is wayyyyyy more advanced than I expected. I thought he might be a 20-to-25-snap guy this year. Figured the Eagles would bring him along slowly since they have so much depth on the interior of the defensive line and there were questions about his conditioning. But I’ll tell you what, he looks fit and athletic on that 6-6 frame and has clearly spent the last few months really focused on his conditioning. After seeing him in action these first five practices, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t make a significant contribution this year. He doesn’t seem like a project to me. He's ready to go.
6. Zech McPhearson might be the most improved player on the team.
7. It’s been three years now, and Jalen Reagor still doesn’t get it. Every minute he spends trying to pick fights on social media is a minute he’s not focused on trying to make the football team. His first two years, he had the luxury of being a first-round pick and didn’t have to worry about a roster spot. Now, his margin for error is zero. If he’s not completely focused on football, he’s not going to be in the league very long. Everything my colleague John Clark tweeted from practice the other day was accurate — nobody is fairer than Clarkie — and for Reagor to lash out at John after a poor series of plays immediately after practice shows he hasn’t learned a thing since he got here. He should be catching balls from the JUGS machine after practice or throwing with his teammates or meeting with his coaches — or doing anything to give himself a better chance to make the roster than engaging in the same juvenile Twitter nonsense he’s been doing for three years. Time to grow up.
8. Hopefully Andre Dillard is OK after leaving practice early Tuesday. Now in Year 4, Dillard has been really good this first week of camp. He’s looked solid both in team and 1-on-1. Definitely significantly improved. What that means for his future I don’t know. If he goes out in the preseason games and plays well, I could definitely see him having some trade value. But unless they can get serious assets back – maybe a third-round pick – the Eagles might prefer keeping him around. Either way, give him credit. He’s been through a lot — gotten benched, gotten hurt, dealt with the bust tag, lost his job to a rugby player. And he never stopped grinding. I’m convinced Dillard can play in this league and at some point he’ll get that chance.
9. I’m still concerned about safety. Marcus Epps has been terrific so far, but none of the other safeties have jumped out. Jaquiski Tartt has been OK and is still learning a new system so that takes time, but I haven’t seen anything out of Anthony Harris or K’Von Wallace that inspires confidence. It’s early, but after a week of practices, I just haven’t seen enough.
10. The early returns on Quez Watkins in Year 3 have been impressive. It’s important to remember this is a sixth-round pick who was very raw coming out of Southern Mississippi, and it was always going to take time for him to find his way. But he made enough plays last year to solidify that WR3 spot and certainly made the most of his opportunities. Watkins last year averaged 10 yards per target, sixth-highest in the NFL (minimum 50 targets) and fifth-highest by an Eagle since 1992, when they started tracking this stuff. I don’t know how many teams have the corners to cover Brown, DeVonta Smith and Watkins. Somebody is going to be open, Hurts just has to find that guy and get him the ball. The Eagles have never had three receivers with 700 yards in a season, but I could see it happening this year.
Get ready to go back to the beginning. Prequel movies offering backstories for some of Hollywood’s biggest film franchises remain red hot, with the “Predator” origin story “Prey” roaring onto Hulu this Friday. Here are some of the other fan-favorite movies that got worthy prequels years later. ‘Star Wars’ A galaxy far, far away expanded in a massive way with three prequel flicks between 1999 ... | 2022-08-03T17:08:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles Observations: What kind of training camp is Jalen Hurts really having? | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-kind-training-camp-154600432.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-kind-training-camp-154600432.html?src=rss |
The sports world lost a legend this week. All-time great play-by-play man Vin Scully passed away at the age of 94.
Most known for his baseball calls, especially with the Dodgers, Scully actually had a versatile resume. He was on numerous NFL and football broadcasts during his career.
And yes, he crossed paths with the Bills.
On one specific occasion, Scully’s harmonious voice was in Orchard Park for a game-winning overtime field goal for the Bills against the Rams. It was during Week 14 of the 1980 NFL season, a 10-7 victory. | 2022-08-03T17:10:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘Lights out in Buffalo’: Legendary Vin Sully called this Bills overtime win | https://sports.yahoo.com/lights-buffalo-legendary-vin-sully-151503645.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lights-buffalo-legendary-vin-sully-151503645.html?src=rss |
Mack Wilson Sr: I can see why Patriots organization has been 'so successful over the years'
Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr discusses the differences he's seen during his first training camp with the New England Patriots. This game is streaming live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app, or on NFL Network | 2022-08-03T17:10:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mack Wilson Sr: I can see why Patriots organization has been 'so successful over the years' | https://sports.yahoo.com/mack-wilson-sr-see-why-161928888.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mack-wilson-sr-see-why-161928888.html?src=rss |
Oscar and Tony-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal is officially set to star in “Road House,” a reimagined take on the classic movie starring Patrick Swayze, for Amazon’s Prime Video. Doug Liman will direct the new movie, from a script written by Anthony Bagarozzi & Charles Mondry. After producing the original film for MGM in 1989, Joel […] | 2022-08-03T17:10:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers need a new JUGS machine after ‘ridiculous’ day of simulated punts | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-jugs-machine-ridiculous-day-155647242.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-jugs-machine-ridiculous-day-155647242.html?src=rss |
Ja’Wuan James back at practice, but quite a few new absences in addition to PUP list guys. Several likely vet days. Don’t see Duvernay (thigh), Boyle, Kolar (hernia), Mekari, Zeitler, Moses, Queen, Stephens.
Full disclosure: I don’t believe in luck, but I do believe that “Luck” — the first feature-length toon from David Ellison-backed Skydance Animation — represents a force for good in the world. It’s not easy developing both a pipeline and a project that could compete with the Disneys and DreamWorks out there. (And yet, this […] | 2022-08-03T17:11:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens have multiple new absences during practice on Tuesday | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-multiple-absences-during-practice-160210994.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-multiple-absences-during-practice-160210994.html?src=rss |
It’s easy to forget that the New England Patriots were the first team to use Cordarelle Patterson as a running back in 2018. Patterson had an extremely impressive start to 2021 and took the league by surprise when the Atlanta Falcons unveiled him as a do-everything threat. His production made him into a fantasy football monster — at least for the first 13 weeks.
But perhaps the Falcons wouldn’t have considered using him in the ways that they did if not for the reps Patterson got at running back with New England. And now, something similar is happening with Patriots do-everything threat Ty Montgomery, who played multiple different positions with the Saints, Jets, Ravens and Packers. The versatile weapon is beginning to clear a path to make New England’s deep roster as a skill player.
“Ty’s another player that had a real good offseason for us,” Bill Belichick said during a pre-practice press conference on Wednesday. “Again, this is a player that we’re getting to know, trying to get familiar with what his skill set is. He’s pretty versatile. Looks like he can do a lot. … He’s a smart kid, learns well. We’ll see how he does in the kicking game and some different roles offensively just go from there.”
Montgomery spent most of his time as a slot receiver during minicamp and OTAs, but is now spending most of his time as a running back during training camp. He reminded me, however, that he is still taking reps in the slot for New England.
With running back James White on the physically unable to perform list, the Patriots have looked to Montgomery to take a significant role as a pass-catching running back. He and Rhamondre Stevenson have split up reps in third-down situations. Quarterback Mac Jones has not been shy about targeting Montgomery, who has looked explosive in generating yards after the catch. He has also looked quick to hit holes as a ball-carrier, and — though it’s always hard to tell the yardage for carries when there is no tackling — Montgomery seems to be generating solid production as a runner.
How has it been acclimating to the new system?
“It’s good. Just clocking in the work every day,” Montgomery told Patriots Wire on Wednesday. “Trying to do whatever’s asked. I’m having a lot of fun doing it. I love playing ball.”
He added: “(I) love special teams.”
Clearly, Montgomery understands New England’s culture. He was a man of few words in our interview and didn’t seem interested in sharing much information about his usage or the possibility of him making the roster. He did, however, offer some information about how he decided to join the Patriots this offseason during free agency.
“Was just trying to find a good fit. Came here on a visit and talked with the coaches. It seemed like the right fit,” Montgomery said. “Spoke with a good number of coaches and I just knew this was where I want to be.”
On occasion, the Patriots will meet with a free agent and the relationship won’t meet expectations. But Montgomery seems to be delivering. | 2022-08-03T17:12:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ty Montgomery is clearing his own path to making the Patriots roster | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-montgomery-clearing-own-path-165455844.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-montgomery-clearing-own-path-165455844.html?src=rss |
American football player and executive (1957-2018)
There are a handful of people through time who can claim to be the greatest sports broadcaster we’ve ever seen and heard. Whoever those people may be, they will nearly all take a back seat to Vin Scully — and they’d probably all willingly admit it. Scully, who passed away at age 94 on Tuesday, got his start on the main stage calling Brooklyn Dodgers games with the great Red Barber in 1950 (that is not a typo), and he did that job for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles iterations of the franchise through 2016.
But that’s not all Scully was able to do at the very highest level. He called NFL games for a very long time, and added his poetic voice to the PGA Tour, including The Masters.
For our purposes as a football site, let’s talk about Scully’s brilliance as a commentator for that sport. As was always the case, Scully was eminently prepared, and that allowed him to riff perfectly as the action happened. Scully’s most famous football game was the 1981 NFC Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and the “upstart” San Francisco 49ers.
As you may remember, that game went in the 49ers’ favor with one of the most iconic plays — and calls — in pro football history: Joe Montana’s lofted pass to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone.
We know it, of course, as “The Catch.”
You may have forgotten but in addition to all the baseball history on his resume, Vin Scully was also in the booth for “The Catch.” pic.twitter.com/cNbvlUxxcB
If you’d enjoy a master class in broadcasting that lasts over two hours, the NFL’s YouTube account has you covered: Here’s Scully and Hank Stram calling the entire game. This is Mozart as it should be played.
And here, just because we’re sports fans in general, is an excellent reel of Scully’s finest baseball calls.
With that, we bid a fond, tearful adieu to a true legend — Vincent Edward Scully. | 2022-08-03T17:12:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watch: Vin Scully calling the 1981 NFC Championship game and “The Catch” | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-vin-scully-calling-1981-162140173.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-vin-scully-calling-1981-162140173.html?src=rss |
'WHERE THE HECK ARE THE WOMEN?': Why women's sports could see financial boon in future TV deals
Saskia Webber, right, a member of the 1999 World Cup team, said the decision to invest in Angel City FC as part owner was a "no-brainer."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Female athletes making impact on ownership in professional sports | 2022-08-03T17:42:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | 'Invest in women': Female athletes changing landscape on ownership in professional sports | https://sports.yahoo.com/invest-women-female-athletes-changing-163156047.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/invest-women-female-athletes-changing-163156047.html?src=rss |
In her third WNBA season, Sabrina Ionescu continues to have a historic year.
She becomes just the second player in league history to rack up 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season. The only other player to achieve the feat is Candace Parker.
Ionescu earlier set WNBA triple-double records and now those stats are adding up. But to no one surprise, it’s all about winning for her. Thankfully for the New York Liberty’s case, that’s exactly what is happening in te Big Apple.
Although the record isn’t impressive on face value, 12-18, the Liberty got off to a slow start, losing seven of their first eight games. From that point on, New York is 11-11, mostly because of the former Duck standout.
.@sabrina_i20 joined @Candace_Parker (2016) as the only players with 500 points, 200 rebounds and 150 assists in a season in WNBA history 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZtbjJJQE4I | 2022-08-03T17:43:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sabrina Ionescu continues her historic WNBA season in New York | https://sports.yahoo.com/sabrina-ionescu-continues-her-historic-150940895.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sabrina-ionescu-continues-her-historic-150940895.html?src=rss |
The quarterback position is something to keep an eye on in the Pac-12 moving into fall camp as roughly half of the conference's teams could be starting a transfer and several teams are still in the midst of ongoing competition between passers.
USC's Caleb Williams is obviously the biggest name in the conference with the potential to come off the board quickly in April of 2024, but he's not the only signal-caller in this group who could go in the first round within the next two years.
Here's a look at how each of the projected starting quarterbacks in the Pac-12 rank with fall coming up:
1. Caleb Williams, USC.
No surprises here. Williams is projected to be one of the first players -- if not the first player -- to come off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. He enters the season as one of the top-three quarterbacks in the nation and should only expand upon what he showed at Oklahoma moving into a new season. USC is in a good position to make a big run with the fact Williams already has experience in head coach Lincoln Riley's system and has one of the most talented groups of wide receivers in the nation around him.
Williams has shown solid pocket presence, has plenty of arm strength and has the mobility and athleticism to both extend plays and make plays on his own. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 1,912 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2021. Expect to see the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder throw the ball more and continue to progress as a passer in 2022.
2. Tanner McKee, Stanford.
McKee has landed all over the place in the early mocks that have come out for the 2023 NFL Draft, with some pinning him as early as the middle of the first round.
3. Cameron Rising, Utah.
4. Bo Nix, Oregon.
Nix had some ups and downs at Auburn, but he isn't being given enough credit for the step he took last year despite being sidelined by an ankle injury after the loss to Mississippi State. He took a big step on the decision-making front -- something he had struggled with in the preceding seasons. Nix has been something of a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seemingly since he began his career, but looked to have found more consistency last season that he can build upon in 2022.
Nix still needs to improve on the accuracy front (something that stems from inconsistent lower-body mechanics), but his ability to improvise and use his athleticism to convert have served him well. In 2021, Nix completed 61% of his passes for 2,294 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. If the former five-star recruit can take another step this year, he'll be a player who is receiving a lot more pre-draft buzz. He's set up well at Oregon with a reliable supporting cast and a good defense.
5. Cameron Ward, Washington State.
Ward is an under-the-radar player who is considered by some to be a dark horse first-round pick after transferring from Incarnate Word. He checks a lot of boxes in terms of what NFL teams at the next level look for between his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame, movement within and outside of the pocket and arm talent. The ball comes out of his hand quick and he throws with velocity and touch, though he could stand to fine-tune his mechanics some.
Ward completed 65.1% of his passes for 4,648 yards with 47 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2021. Those are big numbers, it's just a matter of how well he can perform and meet the expectations moving on from the FCS to the Pac-12.
6. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA.
Thompson-Robinson is outstanding when it comes to using his athleticism to the highest degree and he's found success as a scrambler and on designed quarterback runs. But he still has a lot of room for improvement through the air, often faltering under pressure and with an accuracy rate on the deep ball that leaves something to be desired. His ball placement into tight windows must also get better moving forward. But if he can take the next step as a passer, between that, his arm strength and his athleticism, the UCLA signal-caller could become a more renowned draft prospect.
Thompson-Robinson completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,409 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2021.
7. Jayden de Laura, Arizona.
De Laura has a transition to make to the Arizona offense after coming over from the Run And Shoot offense at Wazzu and there are question marks surrounding his supporting cast this upcoming season. Looking at conference-only games from last season, he led all Pac-12 quarterbacks in quarterback rating (149.89), yards per attempt (8.0), and completions of 40 yards or more with a total of eight.
De Laura completed 63.2% of his passes for 2,798 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. Coming over to a team that went 1-11 in 2021, de Laura instantly elevates what's been a subpar quarterback room and is expected to help propel the offense to a higher level.
8. Chance Nolan, Oregon State.
Nolan missed the last three games of the 2020 season, but saw the field for all 13 contests with 12 starts in 2021, completing 64.2% of his passes for 2,677 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While Nolan needs to improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio, he's been mostly accurate and consistent. The element of mobility he brings to the table also helps the Beavers offense.
Nolan carried the ball 70 times for 286 yards with three rushing touchdowns last season. He told me earlier this offseason that he wants to more than double that rushing total in 2022 and really bring his athleticism to light in a bigger way. While still developmental in many aspects, Nolan has shown good foundational traits, goes through his progressions well and has good pocket presence.
In addition to focusing on making his already satisfactory completion percentage higher, Nolan wants to bring a higher level of explosiveness to Oregon State offensively.
“I'm improving on my deep ball, putting some more air on it,” said Nolan. “I think at times, I was trying to be too perfect with the line in flight, so working on that with my guys. Hopefully that will translate into us getting more big plays this year – we missed a lot last year that I wish I could have had back.”
9. Jack Plummer, Cal.
Plummer is expected to be Cal's starting quarterback to assume departed quarterback Chase Garbers' spot after the performance he put up over the spring. The Purdue transfer played in seven games last season, completing 68.5% of his passes for 864 yards with seven touchdowns. He enters an interesting situation on offense after the Golden Bears lost much of their receiving corps, offensive linemen and their lead running back.
Plummer has, to a degree, developed the identity of a game-manager. He protects the football well, has a strong level of mental processing and seems to pick up new information quickly. Plummer told me earlier this year that he can see the comparison to quarterbacks like Jack Can that he's drawn, and that he doesn't consider himself a dual-threat player by any means. But he's still confident in his ability to make plays with his legs when needed. Moving forward, his primary goal is consistent play.
“I'd say putting four quarters of solid play together and establishing consistency,” Plummer said. “I've had stretches of my career where I explode and I'm in a groove and the ball isn't touching the ground, and then I've had other quarters where we can't get any yards and the ball isn't moving. So, being able to be consistently accurate and making the right reads and getting yards, first downs, point for a team on a game in and game out basis.”
10. Emory Jones, Arizona State.
Jones has wowed with his athleticism and mobility, but has struggled as a passer and with his decision-making. He's got a chance to improve now and fill a gap at quarterback with the transfer of Jayden Daniels to LSU this offseason. Jones has all of the physical traits a team could want in a quarterback and is almost guaranteed to win with his legs every time, but his ball placement and accuracy even on easy throws has been questionable. How he evolves as a quarterback and if he can go on to the next level is entirely dependent on how he improves as a passer -- this is a quarterback with a potentially high ceiling but an incredibly low floor.
Jones completed 64.7% of his passes for 2,734 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2021 for the Florida Gators.
11. Michael Penix Jr., Washington.
There was a time when Penix Jr. was more highly-touted than he is now, but he's been plagued by injury issues and inconsistent play. He completed 53.7% of his passes for 939 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions over five games in his final season at Indiana. Coming over to Washington with a new change of scenery, Penix Jr. reunites with former Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who now serves as the Washington head coach.
There's a lot for Penix Jr. to clean up, especially in terms of lower-body mechanics and improving poor footwork. On top of this, he's going to have to stay healthy, but there's a chance he could be in for one of the most positive seasons of his career.
12. Brendon Lewis, Colorado.
Lewis projects as a dual-threat quarterback who still has a good amount of room for development. He can be used to make plays on the ground and throws with solid velocity but needs to improve mechanically, specifically where footwork and quickness of release are concerned.
Lewis played in 12 games last season, completing 58% of his passes for 1,540 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
The 2022 University of Utah defensive tackles will be overseen by the greatest defensive lineman and greatest defensiv… | 2022-08-03T17:43:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 Pac-12 Quarterback Rankings | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-pac-12-quarterback-rankings-154113947.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-pac-12-quarterback-rankings-154113947.html?src=rss |
Florida’s first-year head coach Billy Napier has been garnering a lot of attention this offseason, coming in at No. 14 on Sports Illustrated’s list of the most intriguing coaches of 2022.
The former Louisiana head coach is taking over a Florida team that finished the 2021 season 6-7 after a 4-2 start. Napier’s predecessor, Dan Mullen, was criticized for his lack of results on the recruiting trail, prompting Napier to place a priority on acquiring top-level talent in his first off-season as Gators head coach.
Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde believes that Napier has a lot of work ahead of him, both on and off the field. Here is what he had to say about Napier heading into the 2022 season.
He’s the next man up as the Gators continue their efforts to rekindle the Spurrier-Meyer glory days. There is a lot to like: Napier won at a phenomenal clip at Louisiana (34–5 the last three seasons) and comes with a Saban coaching pedigree. But some patience will be required, with Napier inheriting a less-than-flush roster and a few early recruiting setbacks eliciting some panic from the fans. That Utah-Florida opener isn’t just big for Whittingham; it’s a fascinating first-impression game for Napier, too. Last Florida coach to lose his debut game at the school: Charley Pell, in 1979. No pressure, Billy.
Napier is one of seven coaches taking over new programs on Forde’s list and is ranked one spot behind Utah’s Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham and Napier’s teams will face each other to open the season in Gainesville on September 3 at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Blue-chip defensive lineman close to making his decision
BILLY NAPIER: Before we get going here, I just want to thank our student body for their support. Without question, I think if you talk to opponents, our student section is a factor, and they can impact the game, and we're certainly excited about what they're going to bring, the energy, and how they can influence the game to certainly help our team. Today is day 1 of a 22-day training camp.
Billy Napier will aim to unearth some diamonds in the rough of this Florida roster, while Lane Kiffin must unify transfer-laden Ole Miss. | 2022-08-03T17:43:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Billy Napier one of college football’s ‘most intriguing coaches’ in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-one-college-football-163924967.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-one-college-football-163924967.html?src=rss |
Wide receiver Jordan Addison runs with the ball during the second half against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., on Nov. 27, 2021. (Adrian Kraus / Associated Press)
USC defensive lineman Korey Foreman lines up for a play during the second half against Washington State on Sept. 18, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (Young Kwak / Associated Press)
Offensive tackle Bobby Haskins (70) gestures toward a coach in the second half against BYU on Oct. 30, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (George Frey / Associated Press) | 2022-08-03T17:43:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Five questions ahead of USC's first fall football camp under Lincoln Riley | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-questions-ahead-uscs-first-160452456.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-questions-ahead-uscs-first-160452456.html?src=rss |
Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom worked his way up the ladder to become Missouri’s head football coach in 2016 and managed to win 25 games as the leader of the Tigers’ football program.
But, following the 2019 season, Missouri elected to go in another direction. Missouri’s decision to fire Odom worked out well for Arkansas, as new head coach Sam Pittman called upon Odom to serve as defensive coordinator for the Razorbacks.
Since taking over the defensive duties at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have seen improvement both on the field and in recruiting.
Because of Arkansas’ recent success, 247Sports believes that Odom could be in the running to take another head coaching job in the near future.
Riley Gates of 247Sports recently listed his picks of College football assistants who will soon be head coaches, with Odom checking in at No. 10 on the list. Gates believes that Odom will receive redemption sooner rather than later.
Odom impressed during his first year with the Razorbacks in 2020 and then decided to remain at Arkansas as coordinator for 2021, despite having interest from other schools. But it’s probably just a matter of time before Odom lands another head-coaching job, as he coached the 39th-ranked scoring defense, giving up just 22.9 points per game last year in the SEC. Odom was 25-25 in four seasons as Mizzou’s head coach and he coached the first top-10 defense in Mizzou history in 2015, his first season as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Odom will likely get a second chance soon.
Odom went 25-25 in three season’s as head coach at Missouri. During his tenure, Missouri won six or more games in three of those four seasons, and he led the Tigers to a bowl game twice.
ESPN's Football Power Index disrespects Arkansas | 2022-08-03T17:43:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | New list suggests Barry Odom could be a head coach again soon | https://sports.yahoo.com/list-suggests-barry-odom-could-114516733.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/list-suggests-barry-odom-could-114516733.html?src=rss |
Football teams are looking for depth at every position, especially at the quarterback position. It’s one thing to have depth, but the key is to have quality depth.
When it comes to the quarterbacks, Oregon Ducks head football coach Dan Lanning can tout he has quality depth at the most important spot on the field.
We’re going to keep chopping. … You can’t just have one QB going into the season. We’re going to compete at quarterback like we do at every position.
Lanning addressed the press at the annual Oregon football media day this morning as the first practice of fall camp looms on Friday. From then on, he’ll have to figure out who will be taking snaps when the Ducks open with the defending national champions and his former team, the Georgia Bulldogs.
It’s assumed if everything goes according to plan, that it will be senior transfer Bo Nix taking that first snap in Atlanta. But something plans change on the fly and Lanning can sleep well knowing he has a former five-star recruit waiting in the wings in Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield, who might have the strongest arm of the three.
Whoever is the quarterback against the Bulldogs, Oregon knows they will have a guy who gives them a fighting chance to win.
The global polyimide film market was valued at USD 1.68 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 3.0 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.9% from 2022 to 2030. The Asia-Pacific region currently holds market share due to the presence of prospective end-user industries.New York, United States, Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polyimide Films are synthetic films that are frequently employed in applications subject to hostile conditions due to their operational dependability and longevity. | 2022-08-03T17:44:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Quarterback depth will be an advantage for the 2022 Ducks | https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterback-depth-advantage-2022-ducks-165416609.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterback-depth-advantage-2022-ducks-165416609.html?src=rss |
ELI GOLD: Eli Gold, voice of Alabama football, will not be on air to start 2022 season
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Here's why Nick Saban said Alabama football had a rebuilding year in 2021
Because of health issues, radio voice Eli Gold will miss the start of the 2022 Alabama football season. He has been in that role since 1988. | 2022-08-03T17:44:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why coach Nick Saban says 2021 was 'a rebuilding year' for Alabama football | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-coach-nick-saban-says-151936521.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-coach-nick-saban-says-151936521.html?src=rss |
Peter Power/AP
When the Royals traded second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield on Tuesday to the Toronto Blue Jays, it raised eyebrows around baseball.
Many wondered if this move would force Merrifield to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Merrifield was among 10 Royals players who couldn’t join the team last month for a four-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto because they had not received the vaccine.
At the time, Merrifield said he would consider being vaccinated if it meant he could play in the postseason. After fans took that to mean Merrifield wanted to leave the Royals, he sought to clarify that he loved Kansas City.
But the Royals traded Merrifield to Toronto, which is leading the American League Wild Card standings, meaning he would have to receive the vaccine to be allowed to travel to Canada.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Wednesday that the team won’t force Merrifield to be vaccinated.
“Obviously we know he wasn’t there in Toronto, but totally up to him,” Schneider told SportsNet’s Shi Davidi. “And I’m sure that he’s had conversations with his family and other people. So, you know, we’re leaving that decision up to him.”
Toronto is in St. Petersburg, Florida on Wednesday for the finale of a two-game series with the Rays. The Blue Jays don’t return home until Aug. 12, meaning Merrifield will be able to join the Blue Jays and have time to decide if he’ll get the vaccine.
The Blue Jays travel next to Minnesota to face the Twins in a four-game series. Merrifield is expected to join the team there on Thursday, Davidi reported. | 2022-08-03T18:52:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Blue Jays won’t require Whit Merrifield to be vaccinated after trade with KC Royals | https://sports.yahoo.com/blue-jays-won-t-require-165914170.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/blue-jays-won-t-require-165914170.html?src=rss |
Tough news today for former Notre Dame linebacker and captain Drew White who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Commanders this past spring. White is participating in his first NFL training camp this summer and on Tuesday saw his season already come to an end as he tore his ACL.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera confirmed the news on Wednesday as he met the media.
White spent five seasons at Notre Dame from 2017-2021, serving as a captain during his final year. He recorded 199 tackles during his time with the Fighting Irish including 21.5 that came for a loss.
All the best to White in his recovery.
Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date of January 1, 2023YAVNE, Israel, Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediWound Ltd. (Nasdaq: MDWD) (“MediWound”), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on next-generation biotherapeutic solutions for tissue repair and regeneration, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review its recently re-submitted Biologics License Application (BLA) for NexoBrid® for eschar removal (debridement) in adu | 2022-08-03T18:52:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Notre Dame captain tears ACL in training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-notre-dame-captain-tears-171410752.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-notre-dame-captain-tears-171410752.html?src=rss |
It’s August 3rd, which means there will be college football played at the end of this month, and Michigan started its fall camp on Wednesday.
There will be plenty of college football content being put out over the next several weeks before football officially begins, and outlets will be putting out their preseason rankings — like CBS Sports did on Wednesday. CBS Sports released their exclusive top 131 rankings. The outlet ranked all 131 teams in college football, but where did they see Michigan coming in?
The Wolverines finished 2021 on a high note, even with a loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff, the maize and blue defeated Ohio State and won the Big Ten Championship against Iowa — in a dominating fashion. The Wolverines ended up finishing No. 3 in the final AP poll.
While CBS Sports has Michigan inside the top 10, the outlet may not be as high on the Wolverines as some may be. CBS Sports ranks the maize and blue No. 8 in the preseason poll. Here’s what was said about Michigan.
The preseason stock price on Michigan this fall is much higher than it was at this time a year ago following the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance and Big Ten Championship under Jim Harbaugh, but there’s still room to buy if you’re a believer in a revamped coaching staff and several new faces on defense. The quarterback dynamic between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy is also a fascinating competition over the next few weeks in fall camp with the incumbent McNamara having the obvious edge. Jim Harbaugh mentioned at Big Ten Media Days that his program got a taste of the elites after beating Ohio State and Iowa to end the 2021 season and the plan is to get back to the promised land.
Michigan has a very favorable schedule to start the season, and it also has both Michigan State and Penn State at home. The biggest challenges facing the Wolverines are away games against Iowa and of course, Ohio State. But the Wolverines will have plenty of time to figure out their quarterback situation, and they have time to get the ‘new look’ defense ready to go against Big Ten competition.
Here is the CBS Sports preseason top 25:
Michigan football 2022 game-by-game predictions per ESPN FPI | 2022-08-03T18:52:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Where CBS Sports ranks Michigan football in preseason top 25 | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-cbs-sports-ranks-michigan-150046735.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-cbs-sports-ranks-michigan-150046735.html?src=rss |
Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray advanced Tuesday to the fall election in her quest for a sixth term after the longtime incumbent highlighted her support for abortion rights in the run up to Washington’s primary election. Murray will face Republican Tiffany Smiley, who is trying to become the first person from her party to win a U.S. Senate seat in Washington in nearly 30 years. Both Murray and Smiley prevailed in Washington’s top-two primary system in which the two candidates with the most votes in the election move on to the November ballot, regardless of party. | 2022-08-03T18:57:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears starters will play in preseason opener vs. Chiefs | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-starters-play-preseason-opener-175619735.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-starters-play-preseason-opener-175619735.html?src=rss |
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Welcome to the Yahoo Sportsbook. Alongside Minty Bets and Jared Quay, I'm Ariel Epstein. We're going to start looking at the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The odds are on BET MGM. Let's find some value. Jared, you go first this time. Who's your Defensive Rookie of the Year?
JARED QUAY: It's almost always a defensive lineman or outside linebacker, but I'm not choosing that because I'm a fan of the Ravens. And I think Kyle Hamilton, who slipped in the draft to us is going to win Rookie of the Year. Let's just be honest, all right. This kid is going to go into a great defense already starting.
He has the instincts, not that I have any inside information, though I do. He looks great in practice, there's obviously a video of him getting toasted, but don't overthink that. I think Kyle Hamilton is going to be on one of the better teams. He's going to be one of the better statistic getters. And with that being the case, I think, if they went on his accolades, he's going to be in a Pro Bowl, and probably Rookie of the Year.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: I love the homer pick, go Ravens. Minty, who do you like for Defensive Rookie of the Year?
MINTY BETS: All right, I'm going to be a little square here and go with the favorite, Aidan Hutchinson. Dan Campbell is going to make sure that Hutchinson is put in a good spot to succeed, as their defense ranked 29th in the league overall and recorded the fewest sacks. Aidan is a big guy with speed and power, and as long as the Lions have some sort of improvement defensively, then I like him to take credit and win this award.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Minty, I'm also going with a team that needs to improve on defense. That's the New York Jets. I really like, at 9 to 1, for the Jets defensive end, Jermaine Johnson, to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. His head coach is Robert Saleh, who really did a great job in San Francisco with young defensive linemen and edge rushers.
Just look at Nick Bosa in San Francisco, who won Rookie of the Year. Bosa had nine sacks when he won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Chase Young from Washington had 7 and 1/2 sacks when he won Defensive Rookie of the Year. I'm looking at a defensive player that can get those sacks. Looks like it could be Jermaine Johnson, led by his head coach, Robert Saleh. Give me the 9 to 1 value.
JARED QUAY: No, he went to Florida State. I hope he don't win, it's all about the U.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Here's a recap of our picks for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Minty is going with Aidan Hutchinson, Jared's going with Kyle Hamilton, I've got Jermaine Johnson. Bet $10 and win $200 in free bets by signing up at BetMGM.com/YahooVIP. New customers only, must be 21 or older. Terms apply.
The 2022 CrossFit Games are underway in Madison, Wisconsin with athletes competing in Husafell and Jerry bag carries, among other events. Watch live.
Matt Manning gave up three runs on five hits and four walks through five innings in his first start since April as the Detroit Tigers won, 5-3. | 2022-08-03T18:57:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | Betting: Should Aidan Hutchinson be the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year? | https://sports.yahoo.com/betting-aidan-hutchinson-favorite-defensive-165950748.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/betting-aidan-hutchinson-favorite-defensive-165950748.html?src=rss |
Things fell apart quickly for the New York Giants last season. They opened the season with three straight losses and were 3-6 at the midway point. Things got even worse in the second half of the season. They lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to injury. By the end of the season, they were running quarterback sneaks on third down up against their own end zone to give their punter some extra room. They were quickly becoming one of the bigger jokes in the NFL.
That late season display by Joe Judge cost him his job. General manager Dave Gettleman retired, so the Giants fully cleaned house ahead of the offseason. They bought in Joe Schoen as the new general manager and Brian Daboll as their new head coach. Over the past few seasons, those two have played a large part in the Buffalo Bills becoming what they are.
Daboll in particular has received a lot of praise around the NFL the past few seasons for his role in overseeing the development of Josh Allen. With Daboll as the offensive coordinator, Allen went from a risky, often mocked draft pick in 2018 to now being the current MVP favorite entering 2022. Giants fans hope that he can work similar magic with Jones, a young quarterback who has seen his development stalled over the past few seasons.
However, Daboll certainly has his work cut out for him. Quietly, the Giants have been one of the most incompetent franchises in the sport the past five years. Since 2017, the Giants have 59 losses. That ties them with the Jets, their MetLife Stadium co-tenants, for most losses over that span. Yahoo's Frank Schwab has the Giants ranked 30th in his preseason power rankings. The betting market is a little higher than that on the Giants, but not by much.
Improvement expected under Daboll
Last season, the New York Giants went 4-13. It was the fifth straight season they won six games or less. They've been the worst team in football from a winning perspective over the last five seasons. Despite that, their win total for the upcoming season is set at over/under 7.5 wins. The expected improvement of 3.5 wins is tied for the largest increase in the league with the Broncos, Lions and Jaguars. Action on the win total is pretty evenly split, with 51% of the betting action coming in on the Giants to go over 7.5 wins.
The Giants are +200 to make the playoffs in the NFC, odds that suggest they make the playoffs just 33% of the time. The most likely path for the Giants making the playoffs would be a wildcard spot. They are +350 to be one of the three wild card teams in the NFC. The last time the Giants made the playoffs was 2016, when they qualified as a wild card.
New York is +700 to win the NFC East. Those are the worst odds in the division. New York is a -105 favorite to finish in fourth place. However, if you want to look at it from a positive perspective, of projected fourth place teams across the league, the Giants have the second best odds to win their division behind the Raiders. The betting odds suggest a competitive and relatively wide open NFC East this coming season. The Giants are +220 to finish top-2 in the division.
If we're looking at the extremes, the Giants 40-to-1 to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Those are the 11th best odds. However, if you think the struggles will continue for the Giants this upcoming season, you can get 14-to-1 odds on them to finish with the fewest wins in the league. The Giants are also 14-to-1 to score the fewest points in football. They finished second-to-last in 2021.
Understandably, the New York Giants have some of the worst odds to win the Super Bowl in 2022. The Giants are 100-to-1 to win the Super Bowl, tying them for the 24th best odds with the Chicago Bears. Only seven teams have worse odds than the Giants. However, if money is burning a hole in your pocket and you think a repeat of 2008 or 2012 is in the cards, it doesn't get much more appetizing than 100-to-1 odds.
The Giants are 40-to-1 to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Those are the 11th best odds in the conference, once again tied with the Bears.
Giants awards and player props
What does the betting market think about some of the key players on the Giants?
The first three years of Daniel Jones' career have been rocky and inconsistent, to say the least. He's shown flashes of the talent that made the Giants use the sixth overall pick on him in the 2019 draft. However, more often than not, he's validated the pundits that questioned the pick at the time. On top of that, he's had issues staying on the field as he's yet to eclipse 14 games played in a single season.
Jones is 100-to-1 to win the NFL MVP. Those odds are about as high as it gets for a starting quarterback in the NFL. Jones has the same odds as Zach Wilson, Ryan Tannehill and Jimmy Garoppolo. While there's hope that Daboll can work some magic with Jones, an MVP-level season certainly feels like a fantasy.
One award where oddsmakers are giving Jones a shot is the comeback player of the year award. Jones is 10-to-1 to win the award, odds that are tied for fourth best with Saints' wide receiver Michael Thomas. Only Derrick Henry, Jameis Winston and Christian McCaffery have better odds. After missing the second half of last season, Jones could make a case if he has a good season under a new coach. However, I'm not sure the 10-to-1 price is enough here to justify a bet.
Jones is 100-to-1 to lead the league in passing yards, 50-to-1 to lead the league in passing touchdowns and 22-to-1 to lead the league in interceptions. Jones' over/under for passing yards is set at 3699.5 yards. He hasn't gone over 3,027 in his career, so oddsmakers are projecting health and a significant improvement. His passing touchdowns number is set at 21.5 scores. He had just ten last year in eleven games and hasn't gone over 22 since his rookie season. If you're not a fan of Jones' arm, he is also quite mobile. His rushing prop is set at 349.5 yards. He had 424 rushing yards in 2020 and has 1000 yards on the ground over his three NFL seasons.
The Giants drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth overall pick. For a lot of the 2021 season, he was expected to go first overall. The talent is certainly there, and the betting market seems to agree. Thibodeaux is +550 to win defensive rookie of the year, the second best odds behind only Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions. Thibodeaux has received the third most betting action behind Hutchinson and Ahmad Gardner. Thibodeaux's over/under for sacks this upcoming season is set at 7.5 sacks. He's 80-to-1 to lead the NFL in sacks.
It's certainly been a rough few seasons for Saquon Barkley. The former standout at Penn State was the second overall pick in 2018, and he showed why for his first season and a half. Then, the injuries hit. Last season, he was healthier, but still missed some games. When he did play, the results weren't there. However, we've seen the talent. Barkley is 50-to-1 to lead the NFL in rushing yards, tied for the 23rd best odds with the likes of Breece Hall, A.J. Dillon and Travis Etienne. He's 28-to-1 to lead the league in rushing scores, tied for the 14th best odds with J.K. Dobbins and James Conner.
Barkley's over/under for rushing yards this upcoming season is set at 900.5 rushing yards. He eclipsed 1000 yards his first two seasons. His third year was lost due to injury. Last year, he had just 593 rushing yards in 13 games. Barkley's rushing touchdown number is set at 7.5 scores. He had just two touchdowns last year and has just eight over his last three seasons. He hasn't gone over this number since his rookie year.
Brian Daboll enters his first season as the head coach of the Giants. He's the current co-favorite to win NFL coach of the year at 12-to-1. He shares the favorite role with Dan Campbell of the Lions. Daboll is only the 11th most popular bet in terms of number of tickets written, but he's received the second most money wagered behind only Campbell. This suggests that some bigger money bets are backing Daboll. If Daboll can turn Daniel Jones into a legitimate NFL quarterback and the Giants compete for the playoffs, Daboll certainly will get some love for coach of the year.
Brian Daboll enters his first season as an NFL head coach. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Giants are an underdog in Week 1
The New York Giants open their 2022 season with a trip to Nashville to go head-to-head with the Tennessee Titans. The Giants are 6.5-point road underdogs against last year's No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Titans' flaws were exposed in their playoff loss to the Bengals. Derrick Henry is another year older, and A.J. Brown is now in Philadelphia. If the Giants are going to be improved and competitive this season, this is a number they should cover. It's a lot of points they're getting against a team that doesn't light it up through the air.
I'd lean towards taking the 6.5-points with New York here. That might be more of an indictment on the Titans than an endorsement of the Giants. If you think New York can pull off the outright upset, the Giants are +240 on the moneyline. | 2022-08-03T18:59:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL futures, odds: Can Brian Daboll make the Giants competitive? | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-can-brian-daboll-make-the-new-york-giants-competitive-in-2022-174632187.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-can-brian-daboll-make-the-new-york-giants-competitive-in-2022-174632187.html?src=rss |
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers isn’t going anywhere. Despite a disappointing rookie season, general manager Brian Gutekunst still has big plans for last year’s third-round pick.
“We’re very, very bullish on Amari Rodgers and what he can do for this football team,” said Gutekunst on Wednesday.
So much for not having Rodgers on your 53-man roster prediction. Gutekunst commended Rodgers for getting in great shape this offseason and mentioned how players vary in how it takes to get comfortable in the offense. According to Gutekunst, some players are able to catch on pretty fast, but for most others, it might not happen until into their second or even third seasons.
It was always a long shot for Green Bay to give up a draft pick after one year, but many were down on Rodgers following last season’s performance. However, he didn’t get much of a chance behind veteran Randall Cobb.
In a lot of ways, Rodgers is considered Cobb’s heir apparent, but it’s still tough to gauge what he can do after playing only 10 percent of the snaps on offense. Rodgers showed very little in limited action, catching only four passes for 45 yards. It’s possible the Packers could just be grooming him for 31-year-old Cobb’s eventual departure.
Rodgers had a larger role on special teams. He served as the team’s primary returner on kicks and punts but also failed to show much in that area. Rodgers logged an uninspiring average of 18.1 yards per kick return and struggled on punts with knowing when to fair catch and muffs.
Speaking of muffs, Rodgers did muff a punt during Tuesday’s practice, and it prompted an unfavorable reaction from special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. After practice, Rodgers talked about how he responds well to hard coaching.
In his defense, there was apparently something wrong with the JUGS machine used in the drill.
“We’re in the market for a new JUGS machine,” head coach Matt LaFleur said jokingly.
“It was awful. You couldn’t get the ball to turn over. It was damn near impossible to catch. That was not the finest hour for our equipment staff.”
JUGS jokes aside, Rodgers is having a much better camp than last year, to the delight of Gutekunst.
Green Bay hopes for a second-year jump from Rodgers, but even if he starts to struggle in the preseason, his spot on the 53-man roster appears to be secure. | 2022-08-03T18:59:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers remain ‘very bullish’ on potential of WR Amari Rodgers | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-remain-very-bullish-potential-172511366.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-remain-very-bullish-potential-172511366.html?src=rss |
As general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters before the Green Bay Packers’ seventh training camp practice on Wednesday, rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs is off to a “great start.”
But the thing about Doubs’ fast start that has Gutekunst particularly excited is that he is showcasing what the Packers saw on film during his time at Nevada, which is that he can win in a variety of ways.
Whether he’s been lined up out wide or on the boundary, Doubs has spent the last week making plays and doing so in all parts of the field.
Doubs came out of Nevada as, what Gutekunst would call, one of the more “polished players coming out of college” in this year’s draft.
Over four seasons with the Wolfpack, Doubs was targeted 339 times while totaling 3,324 yards and 26 touchdowns. Doubs would run a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at his pro-day and was a very effective downfield target, finishing third among all collegiate receivers in deep receiving yards – or yards accumulated on passes that travel at least 20 yards. He also averaged nearly 18 yards per catch.
While that is certainly impressive, it’s also not as if that’s all Doubs could do either. In fact, he was utilized all over the field, with his most recent season being a prime example of that.
According to PFF, of Doubs 110 targets, 14 came behind the line of scrimmage. Another 40 came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, 31 were in the 10 to 19-yard range, and 25 that were considered deep – which overall is a fairly equal distribution.
Doubs would dominate over the middle of the field with 832 yards on 51 receptions, but roughly a third of this total yardage came outside the hash marks, illustrating that he can win on the perimeter as well, where he was efficient with his opportunities catching 22 of his 28 targets.
Doubs would also play a career-high 21% of his snaps in 2021 lined up in the slot, a position where Drae Harris of The Draft Network believes he can carve out a role in the NFL with his larger frame.
As you can see, the numbers showcase a player who has won at all levels of the field, as well as inside and out, which in large part comes from his ability to create separation and then pick up yards after the catch (YAC) – Doubs would rank 12th in total YAC in 2020 and 15th in YAC per catch.
“His very good and sudden speed immediately threatens a cornerback’s cushion in coverage, which affords him good separation in the intermediate areas of the field,” wrote Harris. “He easily takes hitches, smokes, and bubble screens for good yardage due to his ability as a strong runner with the football.”
As Gutekunst said, and as we all know, Doubs is off to a hot start in Packers training camp. As always, there is a lot that goes into the results, but his ability to win in all parts of the field as well as from the slot and the boundary – which we saw from him often at Nevada – are big reasons behind that early success. | 2022-08-03T18:59:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers rookie Romeo Doubs showcasing his ability to win in multiple ways | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-rookie-romeo-doubs-showcasing-182805568.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-rookie-romeo-doubs-showcasing-182805568.html?src=rss |
After one of the first training camp practices of the year, quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke to the media about many different topics. One of the things he discussed was his leadership style, and talked about how he’s going to try to engage more, something he said he wasn’t really doing in previous years.
.@Lj_era8 on his leadership style changing: pic.twitter.com/EwFm8OSHXK
“A little bit. You guys are going to see me trying to engage more. Like, I [try] to. After I mess up or a guy messes up [or] we’re not on the same page, I try to engage more with them. I wasn’t really doing that in previous years.” | 2022-08-03T18:59:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson discusses new leadership style | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-discusses-183404467.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-discusses-183404467.html?src=rss |
Tom Brady’s four-year run of being tampered with is a bad look for the GOAT originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Dakota Johnson and Maude have your weekly date nights set for the next month through a weekly film series they’re putting on at the Ace Hotel in downtown L.A. Johnson’s TeaTime Pictures has partnered with the intimacy brand for what they’re calling “Cinemaude”: a month-long program of films that center around love and sex, ranging […] | 2022-08-03T19:00:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tom Brady’s four-year run of being tampered with is a bad look for the GOAT | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-four-run-being-171850408.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-four-run-being-171850408.html?src=rss |
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field for their first preseason game this year, quarterback Tom Brady won’t be dressed for the occasion.
The GOAT won’t play in the Bucs’ preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Todd Bowles told the media Wednesday.
Bowles also said that many of his other starters are unlikely to play in the team’s only home game on this year’s preseason slate. The Dolphins are set to come to Tampa for joint practices with the Bucs leading up to the game.
The Bucs won’t have another home game after that until Week 3 of the regular season, when they host the Green Bay Packers.
It’s #BamaRush season 2 on TikTok — here’s what that means
Bama Rush is back for 2022 — and the gossip this year is even wilder. The post It’s #BamaRush season 2 on TikTok — here’s what that means appeared first on In The Know. | 2022-08-03T19:00:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tom Brady won’t play in Bucs’ preseason opener vs. Dolphins | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-won-t-play-171830575.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-won-t-play-171830575.html?src=rss |
Saints head coach Dennis Allen threw them both out of practice, saying afterwards, “We don’t have time for that.” Allen did praise the energy and competitive nature both players bring to the table, but emphasized the importance of reigning it in, adding: “We’ve got to learn as a team how to compete and how to play, and how to practice and push ourselves to the limit, but yet not take it over that edge.”
It’s the third day in a row Penning gotten caught up with an opponent in practice, and his fourth fight of camp so far (he previously exchanged blows with Payton Turner). There’s a difference between playing with aggression and taking things too far, interrupting practice and risking injury to his teammates. That’s part of the learning curve he’s experiencing after jumping to the NFL from Northern Iowa.
Still, he’s got several good coaches working with him. Former NFL head coach Doug Marrone is his position coach. Longtime Saints starting right tackle Zach Strief is Marrone’s assistant, and his old teammate Jahri Evans is working in camp as a coaching intern. They all know what won’t slide in front of referees and what is detrimental in practice. Hopefully they can get with Penning and nip this in the bud before it becomes a persistent problem. | 2022-08-03T19:00:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trevor Penning, Malcolm Roach thrown out of Saints practice for fighting | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-penning-malcolm-roach-thrown-172419832.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-penning-malcolm-roach-thrown-172419832.html?src=rss |
When the Houston Texans spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., they likely envisioned plenty of interceptions in clutch situations.
Stingley provided a glimpse of that potential during Wednesday’s training camp practice, snatching an interception in the end zone during 1-on-1 drills, showing off the instincts and ball skills that made him a dominant force at the college level.
Despite missing most of the 2021 season due to injury, Stingley’s lofty potential was still enough to convince the Texans to make him a top-five selection, and the first cornerback off the board.
So far, the early returns are looking good. | 2022-08-03T19:00:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Derek Stingley Jr. grabs end-zone INT at Texans practice | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-derek-stingley-jr-grabs-184348187.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-derek-stingley-jr-grabs-184348187.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants went into the 2022 NFL draft with a pair of top-10 selections, and they landed perhaps the two best players in the entire class.
After grabbing Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall, the Giants scored Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the 7th overall pick, giving them elite prospects at two of the most important positions in the game.
Watch the video above to see these two future stars facing off against one another during Wednesday’s training camp practice. | 2022-08-03T19:01:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal face off at Giants training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-kayvon-thibodeaux-evan-neal-172744750.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-kayvon-thibodeaux-evan-neal-172744750.html?src=rss |
Florida football is coming off its hottest stretch on the 2023 recruiting trail and there is still some headroom for more heat to build. After roping in a few commits and handing out several offers at the end of July, the Gators still remain vigilant when it comes to wooing the top prep prospects in the country.
Among those still pondering the potential of a future in the Swamp is four-star defensive lineman Will Norman out of the prominent IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The 6-foot-5-inch, 290-pound trench warrior had the Orange and Blue in his top five targeted programs heading into summer. However, he has subsequently added some schools into the mix — including Deion Sanders’ Jackson State Tigers — which has complicated things for the top contenders.
“I still have four OVs to use,” he told 247Sports. “I’m definitely trying to go to the Tennessee–Alabama game. I have that set up right now. [IMG] doesn’t have a game for that weekend right now, but our schedule can get mixed around. So, as of right now, I’ll be at Tennesee-Alabama. I’m definitely trying to make a Jackson State game, too.
“Kentucky is also now on my list. I definitely want to go see what they are talking about.”
Before opening things up, Norman had the Texas A&M Aggies, Penn State Nittany Lions, LSU Tigers and Michigan Wolverines also in his top five in addition to the Gators. Along with Jackson State, the Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers also appear to be contenders for the rising senior’s talents as well.
As far as what Gainesville has to offer the big defensive lineman, he expressed his comfort with the familiarity that an in-state destination has to offer.
“It’s a comfortable place for me. I go to IMG. So, with us being in their backyard, it’s always good to keep guys like me home. That’s their big message. They got my brother [Kamari Wilson] last year. They want to keep guys like us home. They are always recruiting me hard.”
Norman is ranked No. 143 overall and No. 21 at his position in his class nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 156 and 18, respectively. He currently holds one crystal ball prediction from 247Sports for Florida and On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Gators a 63.3% chance of signing him. | 2022-08-03T19:31:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | 4-star DL recruit still favoring Florida despite opening other options | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-star-dl-recruit-still-191949636.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-star-dl-recruit-still-191949636.html?src=rss |
AT&T Stadium and the Big 12 have agreed to extend on a contract extension that will keep the conference title game in Arlington, Texas, through the 2025 season.
The home of the Dallas Cowboys has been the host of the Big 12 championship game for each of the last seven title games dating back to 2009 and 2010 before conference realignment eliminated the need for a conference championship game, or so the Big 12 thought at the time.
Reinstated back in 2017, the Oklahoma Sooners were staples of the Big 12 championship from 2017 to 2020, where they won four straight games in AT&T Stadium to stretch their run of conference championships to six.
AT&T Stadium has become an important landmark in neutral site games since its opening in 2009, regularly hosting big nonconference matchups, Big 12 title games, the Cotton Bowl, and College Football Playoff national championship games. In 2021, the Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies played their SEC matchup in AT&T stadium as part of the Southwest Classic, a throwback to the two teams’ days in the old Southwest Conference.
We’re getting closer and closer. We’ve reached August, and Oklahoma is about to hit the practice field to begin | 2022-08-03T19:32:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Big 12, AT&T Stadium agree to 2-year extension to host conference title game | https://sports.yahoo.com/big-12-t-stadium-agree-182632562.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/big-12-t-stadium-agree-182632562.html?src=rss |
Benedict Umeh offered by Rutgers football this week.
Once the Arizona Coyotes signed a multi-year deal with ASU, it was up to the architects and contractors to make the smaller venue a fit for the NHL.
Simple Ways to Avoid High Blood Pressure, Say Doctors
Is your blood pressure too high? High blood pressure—known as hypertension—is connected to dangerous health conditions such as blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. "Blood pressure management is 70% lifestyle and 30% medications," says preventive cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD. "If you don't make lifestyle changes, don't bother taking blood pressure medications, because they won't work effectively." Here are five ways to prevent high blood pressure, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure you | 2022-08-03T19:32:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s where Florida ranks in SI’s 2023 recruiting rankings debut | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-florida-ranks-si-2023-175442768.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-florida-ranks-si-2023-175442768.html?src=rss |
For the third consecutive week, Kurt Busch was not medically cleared to race, meaning he will miss Sunday‘s NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Busch released the following statement via social media: “While I am continuing to make improvements every day and can‘t wait to get back in the No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD, I have yet to be cleared to return to competition and will not be participating in the NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. I know Ty (Gibbs) will continue to do a great job representing 23XI and the No. 45 Monster Energy team this weekend in Michigan. I am working hard to get back to 100% and it‘s my hope to be back in the car at Richmond Raceway. Thanks to everyone for the continued support and I look forward to being back on track soon.”
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Busch suffered concussion-like symptoms after a qualifying crash on July 23 at Pocono Raceway, resulting in Ty Gibbs filling his role for the 23XI Racing team‘s No. 45 entry at Pocono and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
Beginning with Saturday‘s practice and qualifying sessions, Gibbs is on tap to drive the No. 45 Toyota again this weekend, looking to build off a pair of top-17 finishes in his first career premier series starts. Sunday‘s test at Michigan (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, NBC Sports APP, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) will be his first on a traditional oval.
MORE: Full weekend schedule
Though Busch will now miss his third race of 2022, he has been granted a waiver to compete for the championship if he qualifies for the 16-driver playoff field. In current playoff standing, he is locked in by virtue of his win in May at Kansas Speedway.
Busch will be evaluated further to determine if he is fit to race in next Sunday‘s action at Richmond Raceway. | 2022-08-03T20:02:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kurt Busch not cleared to race at Michigan | https://sports.yahoo.com/kurt-busch-not-cleared-race-153538304.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kurt-busch-not-cleared-race-153538304.html?src=rss |
Points leader Chase Elliott enters Sunday’s race as the BetMGM favorite to win despite not having any wins at Michigan in his career. He has been a top-10 machine at the track, however. Elliott has made 11 starts in his career at the two-mile oval and has 10 top-10 finishes. He’s the only active driver to have an average finish inside the top 10 at the track.
Here’s what you need to know to make any bets on the winner of the race.
Chase Elliott's top-two streak broke at Indianapolis but he's the favorite to win Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Larson has three wins in 13 starts and has six top fives. He only has one other top-10 finish that wasn’t a top five. It’s boom or bust for him. Busch has one win in 33 Michigan starts and has finished in the top 10 less than half the time. Hamlin has two wins and 16 top 10s in 31 starts, while Chastain finished 35th a year ago because of mechanical problems. That’s been his only Michigan start in decent equipment. | 2022-08-03T20:02:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | NASCAR betting preview: Chase Elliott is favored to get his first Michigan win | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-preview-chase-elliott-is-favored-to-get-his-first-michigan-win-104506608.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-preview-chase-elliott-is-favored-to-get-his-first-michigan-win-104506608.html?src=rss |
With four races to go before the NASCAR Cup Series postseason begins at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 4), only two spots remain up for grabs in the playoff standings. Ryan Blaney (+121) and Martin Truex Jr. (+96) occupy those last two spots, but can they find a way to secure their position — or will drivers outside the playoffs currently find Victory Lane to take the spots?
Let’s take a look at the remaining tracks on the Cup regular-season schedule and evaluate which winless drivers have the best chance to win on each.
MORE: Playoffs — who’s in, out?
Kevin Harvick checks the monitors at Road America
Michigan: Kevin Harvick
Analysis: Sure, the Next Gen car has shaken up the hierarchy of the Cup Series but a constant in NASCAR’s premier series has been Harvick’s success at Michigan International Speedway. Entering Sunday’s race (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM), he’s won four of the last six races on the 2-mile oval and had a stretch of four-consecutive runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2014. If any winless driver is grabbing the checkered flag at Michigan, it will be Harvick.
Richmond: Martin Truex Jr.
Analysis: There was a time when you wouldn’t consider Truex as a race-winning contender on a short track, but since a runner-up finish at Martinsville Speedway in the fall race of 2017, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has mastered the art of short-track racing in the state of Virginia. At Richmond, Truex is currently on a streak of seven consecutive top fives with three wins in the last six races at the 0.75-mile oval. With the playoff picture as tight as ever, this is going to be the race Truex needs to circle as a must-win.
Watkins Glen: Ryan Blaney
Analysis: While the numbers at Watkins Glen don’t point to Blaney being a favorite, his stretch on road courses this year has surely been an eye-opener. You can dump the 26th-place result at the Indianapolis Road Course last Sunday as Blaney was one of many casualties in Turn 1 and was spun on the overtime restart while running in the top five. He was also able to manage his tires and stayed out front for a big chunk of the race, leading 17 laps. Outside of Indy, Blaney won the pole and finished sixth at Circuit of The Americas, scored a sixth-place finish at Sonoma Raceway and tallied an 11th-place result at Road America, picking up a stage win in the process. Blaney has been one of the most consistent drivers on road courses this season, and Watkins Glen is the place for the Team Penske driver to make sure that all three Penske teams compete for a title.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Justin Haley, driver of the #31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, looks prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Daytona: Justin Haley
Analysis: Hear me out. As crazy as it would be, are we really going to be surprised if the one-time Cup winner is able to score another stunning victory at Daytona International Speedway? Superspeedways are about surviving until the final lap and that’s what Haley does at the Cup level on these types of tracks. Haley showed his competence and ability to get to the front at superspeedways with all four of his Xfinity Series wins coming at either Daytona or Talladega. With 11 career Cup starts on superspeedways (Atlanta’s reconfiguration included), Haley has only DNF’d once and it came at his first Cup superspeedway race at Talladega in the spring of 2019. He’s also flown under the radar this season with an average finish of 18.5 — better than Chris Buescher (18.8), Brad Keselowski (19.2), Bubba Wallace (19.4) and Denny Hamlin (20.0). With most of the field going “checkers or wreckers” to get into the playoffs, Haley’s likely to be one of the drivers left standing when the checkered flag flies.
Who wins regular season finale at Daytona? - Powered By PickUp
Zack MacEwen and the Flyers avoided arbitration with a new one-year contract Tuesday. By Jordan Hall
Austin Hill scheduled to make Cup Series debut at Michigan International Speedway this weekend.
Former Indiana Pacer Duane Washington Jr. signs two-way deal with Phoenix Suns
He played 48 games with Indiana last season and averaged 9.9 points per game.
Commonwealth Games 2022 live: Johnson-Thompson on the verge of gold after lifetime best in javelin
Johnson-Thompson throws lifetime best in javelin to lead heptathlon Scotland's McColgan storms back to win 10,000m gold Campbell wins weightlifting gold for England Northern Ireland win first Commonwealth gold in swimming | 2022-08-03T20:02:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Playoff analysis: Which winless drivers can win the final four races? | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-analysis-winless-drivers-win-094425640.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-analysis-winless-drivers-win-094425640.html?src=rss |
Tom Brady won six Super Bowls and 17 AFC East titles for the New England Patriots during his two-decade career with the franchise. Not bad for a sixth-round draft pick.
That said, you can’t blame former teammates, coaches, fans or anyone with the franchise if they wonder where Brady’s head and heart were during the 2019 season. It was his final with the Pats and a time when he was also engaging in repeated conversations with the Miami Dolphins.
During the second half of the season, Brady’s play slipped — seven of his 10 lowest-graded games by ProFootballFocus came after Week 11. He completed 64.8 percent of his passes in the first nine games of the season, but 55.3 after that.
Now, however, following a NFL disciplinary report released Tuesday involving the systematic tampering of the Dolphins, we know that during the 2019 season, Brady was engaged in “numerous and detailed conversations” with Miami executive Bruce Beal.
The league has suspended Beal and team owner Stephen Ross, who had “knowledge” and was supportive of the tampering, as well as stripped the club of two future draft picks.
A federal lawsuit filed by former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores includes a scene where Ross entertains a “prominent quarterback” who was not yet a free agent on the billionaire’s yacht. Multiple reports say that QB was Brady.
Tom Brady doesn't owe New England anything. That said, it's hard not to wonder where his head was during a 2019 season that was rough by his lofty standards — and during which we now know he was being actively recruited by the Miami Dolphins. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)
So did the fact Brady was having conversations about his future with a different team impact his play while still with the Patriots? There is no way to know, of course. However, two of his worst games of the season came in a Week 17 loss to (coincidentally) Miami, which cost New England a first-round bye, and then in the wild-card loss to Tennessee.
“I’m focused on training camp,” Belichick told reporters Wednesday when asked about the tampering. “That’s all in the past.”
Again, New England got more than it ever could have asked for out of Tom Brady. The fact he was winning 12 regular-season games and a division title at age 42 was beyond anyone’s reasonable expectations.
Still, in that final season, Brady was, at the very least, willing to be tampered with.
The Dolphins are now without a 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2024 third-rounder. That means an AFC East rival will be less able (at least a little bit) to stock future rosters with talent that will take New England on twice a year.
Brady may not have orchestrated a deep playoff run the season he was chatting up Miami, but in the end, he delivered one more loss to the Dolphins and one more advantage to the Patriots. | 2022-08-03T20:24:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Where was Tom Brady's head in the 2019 season? It's fair to wonder amid Dolphins revelations | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-was-tom-bradys-head-in-the-2019-season-its-fair-to-wonder-amid-dolphins-revelations-173715548.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-was-tom-bradys-head-in-the-2019-season-its-fair-to-wonder-amid-dolphins-revelations-173715548.html?src=rss |
The New York Jets announced a pair of roster moves, adding two players to the active roster.
The Jets have activated RB Tevin Coleman (illness) and rookie TE Jeremy Ruckert (foot) from the active/Non-Football Injury list.
Coleman was New York’s second-leading rusher in 2021 with 356 rushing yards (Michael Carter led with 639) and also added 11 catches for 49 yards in 11 games in his first season with the Jets after spending time with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. Coleman re-signed with the Jets as a free agent in March.
Ruckert caught 26 passes for 309 yards last season with Ohio State and was taken with the No. 101 pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, which excited his whole family, including his father, who were all Jets fans from Lindenhurst, NY. | 2022-08-03T20:47:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets activate RB Tevin Coleman, TE Jeremy Ruckert | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-activate-rb-tevin-coleman-203115353.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-activate-rb-tevin-coleman-203115353.html?src=rss |
The NFL has decided to appeal the six-game suspension handed down by retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson in the Deshaun Watson matter.
With the three-day deadline set to expire on Thursday, the NFL announced the decision in a brief statement. In the statement, the NFL stated as follows:
…the factual findings of the Disciplinary Officer are binding and may not be appealed. Judge Robinson found that Mr. Watson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy on multiple occasions and suspended him for six games. The CBA affords the NFL or NFLPA the right to appeal the discipline imposed by the Disciplinary Officer.
The NFL notified the NFLPA that it will appeal Judge Robinson’s disciplinary decision and filed its brief this afternoon.
As noted in the statement, under the CBA Commissioner Roger Goodell can decide the appeal himself, or he can designate someone to do so:
As the statement indicates, Judge Robinson agreed with the NFL’s factual assertions, but found for a six-game suspension due in part to the NFL’s past discipline decisions, and the fact that such an “unprecedented” punishment would fail to satisfy “notice” requirements. It is also worth noting that a day later, the league imposed a suspension on Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross that goes beyond Watson’s suspension, perhaps paving the way for this appeal. | 2022-08-03T20:47:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL to appeal Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-appeal-deshaun-watson-six-200345823.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-appeal-deshaun-watson-six-200345823.html?src=rss |
The NFL announced on Wednesday that it will appeal disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s decision to suspend Deshaun Watson six games. By appealing the ruling, the NFL will seek to increase the punishment for Watson after he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women in Texas.
Here is part of the statement issued by the league on Wednesday.
“On Monday, Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent Disciplinary Officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association, issued her ruling in the Personal Conduct Policy matter regarding Deshaun Watson,” the NFL said in a statement. “Under the 2020 NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement (‘CBA’), the factual findings of the Disciplinary Officer are binding and may not be appealed. Judge Robinson found that Mr. Watson violated the NFL’s personal-conduct policy on multiple occasions and suspended him for six games. The CBA affords the NFL or NFLPA the right to appeal the discipline imposed by the Disciplinary Officer. Such an appeal must be filed within three days and would be heard by the Commissioner or his designee.”
The NFL originally argued that Watson should be suspended for the entire 2022 season, but Robinson – who was jointly hired by the NFL and the NFLPA, ruled that he be banned for the first six games of the year.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will now determine who will hear the appeal. | 2022-08-03T20:47:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL is appealing Deshaun Watson’s 6-game suspension | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-appealing-deshaun-watson-6-201328365.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-appealing-deshaun-watson-6-201328365.html?src=rss |
BEREA, Ohio — The NFL has moved to appeal the six-game suspension handed down to Deshaun Watson after deliberating over Monday's personal conduct judgement by arbitrator Sue L. Robinson, the league announced Wednesday.
This effectively extends the league’s personal conduct case against Watson into next week, and puts the final determination into the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell or any designee he appoints to hear the appeal.
“Under the 2020 NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement, the factual findings of the disciplinary officer are binding and may not be appealed,” the league said in a statement. “Judge Robinson found that Mr. Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy on multiple occasions and suspended him for six games. The CBA affords the NFL or NFLPA the right to appeal the discipline imposed by the disciplinary officer. Such an appeal must be filed within three days and would be heard by the commissioner or his designee.
The NFL Players Association has two business days to respond to the league’s appeal of Robinson’s decision, after which Goodell or his designee would respond with a final written decision.
That decision could unfold in multiple ways, including the league revisiting the indefinite one-year suspension it initially offered Watson in June and then later suggested to Robinson during her disciplinary hearing. That suspension would have required Watson to apply for reinstatement to the league before he could continue his career. Watson and the union refused that offer prior to the disciplinary hearing, then Robinson rejected it in her decision as well, stating that the NFL was “attempting to impose a more dramatic shift in its culture without the benefit of fair notice” to players about a new standard of punishment.
The NFL has chosen to appeal Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension, putting the final determination in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee. (AP/David Dermer)
Goodell or his designee could also split the difference between the one-year suspension and Robinson’s six-game suspension. That compromise would land Watson’s punishment closer to a more recent settlement offer from the league, which had proposed a 12-game suspension and significant fine during talks with Watson and the union in July. Watson and the union also rejected that offer.
Whatever the decision by the league in this appeal, the collective bargaining agreement states that it will “constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute.” In simplified terms, the word of Goodell or his designee will be the final one. It would also effectively paint over Robinson’s arbitration decision, likely raising protests from the players union about the fairness of this new judicial process, which only recently installed Robinson as an impartial arbitrator.
While the collective bargaining agreement states that an appeal to Goodell or his designee would be the last stop in the process, there remains the potential of a federal lawsuit. Two sources familiar with talks between the NFL and Watson’s legal camp previously told Yahoo Sports that Watson's team and the union have already decided to challenge the NFL in court, should the league appeal Robinson’s decision and then suspend Watson for one year. | 2022-08-03T20:47:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL to appeal arbitrator’s Deshaun Watson 6-game suspension, putting punishment back into league’s hands | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-to-appeal-deshaun-watsons-6-game-suspension-putting-punishment-back-into-leagues-hands-195824243.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-to-appeal-deshaun-watsons-6-game-suspension-putting-punishment-back-into-leagues-hands-195824243.html?src=rss |
While typically overlooked by some people, one of the most important positions on a football roster is the backup quarterback position. We’ve seen teams get derailed because their starter went down with an injury and the backup could not keep the ship afloat.
Ask Jets head coach Robert Saleh and he’ll tell you he feels very good about his backup quarterback. In fact, he’ll tell you he should be a starter in the league.
Of course, the backup to starter Zach Wilson is Super Bowl XLVII champion Joe Flacco, who is in his second stint and third season overall with the Jets.
“He should be, in my opinion, he could start in this league. I believe that,” Saleh told reporters Wednesday. “Joe Flacco is a starting quarterback in this league. He’s really, really talented.”
Flacco started one game in 2021, going 24/39 for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 loss in Week 11 to the Miami Dolphins.
In total, he has started five games for the Jets, going 96/171 for 1,139 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Despite some of the thoughts among football heads across the landscape, the Jets do have one of the better backups in the league, something quite a few teams can’t really feel too comfortable saying themselves. Flacco still has the size, but certainly his arm strength has gone down, which is to be expected for a quarterback that is 37 years old (unless you’re Tom Brady or Drew Brees).
Still, the veteran presence and smarts at least gives the Jets’ coaching staff some confidence should anything happen to Wilson, though they’d obviously prefer that not to happen.
"He should be, in my opinion, he could start in this league. I believe that. … Joe Flacco is a starting quarterback in this league. He's really, really talented." pic.twitter.com/96p62iybcK
Watch: Mekhi Becton accidentally knocked a coach to the ground in this camp drill
Mekhi Becton is one powerful human being, and sometimes he may not realize his own strength | 2022-08-03T20:48:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Robert Saleh believes Joe Flacco should be a starter | https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-saleh-believes-joe-flacco-190932039.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-saleh-believes-joe-flacco-190932039.html?src=rss |
Zanders has had three surgeries to repair and rehab a torn labrum. He was cleared to compete at the Tigers’ fall camp. However, Zanders said on social media he felt he was not “physically able” to be the player he had been and made the choice to step away from the game.
Clemson starting safety Lannden Zanders giving up football originally appeared on NBCSports.com | 2022-08-03T21:16:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Clemson starting safety Lannden Zanders giving up football | https://sports.yahoo.com/clemson-starting-safety-lannden-zanders-201523981.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/clemson-starting-safety-lannden-zanders-201523981.html?src=rss |
Things appear a bit rosier for Florida football ahead of the 2022 season in comparison to the end of the 2021 season, at least according to CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson.
Patterson revealed his college football rankings this week for the upcoming campaign, with the Gators coming in at No. 30, a 40-spot increase from their No. 70 ranking at the end of the 2021 slate. The Gators are also listed as the second “Biggest Movers” in the rankings, only behind USC‘s 73-spot leap into the No. 12 spot. Here is what Patterson had to say about the Gators.
Patterson’s justification makes sense. You can’t really put a team that collapsed in the second half of the season with a first-time Power Five head coach inside the top 25. It is a testament to the new staff’s revamp of the Florida program, however, that Patterson put the Orange and Blue at No. 30. In fact, Napier’s former program, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, was at the bottom of the “Biggest Movers” list, dropping 41 spots from last years No. 20 position to the No. 61 position.
The new crew will look to vault the Gators into the top 25 as the season progresses. Their first test will come on September 3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN. | 2022-08-03T21:16:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida a ‘biggest mover’ in CBS Sports’ preseason 2022 college football rankings | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-spot-cbs-sports-preseason-201742746.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-spot-cbs-sports-preseason-201742746.html?src=rss |
Few teams in college football have been as successful as the Oklahoma Sooners. They’re fifth all-time in wins and fifth all-time in win percentage among teams with at least 100 games played at the Division I or FBS level.
But not all wins are created equal. Teams like Alabama certainly have the best program reputation over the last decade because of their success in the College Football Playoff, as does Clemson. Ohio State is another program that is considered among the best in the nation over the last decade.
Though the Sooners haven’t had as much success in the College Football Playoff, they’ve been one of the best teams in the country since the turn of the millennium. According to Fox College Football, the Oklahoma Sooners are among the top teams in the country in wins against Power Five teams since the year 2000. Let’s see where they rank!
10. Florida Gators - 155
Jan 8, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Florida Gators quarterback (15) Tim Tebow runs with the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker James Laurinaitis (33) in the second half of the BCS National Championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Florida won the game 41-14. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
9. Texas Longhorns - 146
Jan 4, 2006; Pasadena, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young (10) in action against the Southern California Trojans during the 2006 Rose Bowl at the Rose Bowl. The Longhorns defeated the Trojans 41-38. Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Network
8. LSU Tigers - 153
Dec 7, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates his fourth passing touchdown in the third quarter against Georgia Bulldogs in the 2019 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
T6. USC Trojans - 161
Dec 4, 2004; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC running back #5 Reggie Bush outraces the UCLA defense on his way to an 81 yard touchdown run during the Trojans’ 29-24 win over the Bruins on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Photo by Joe Robbins-USA TODAY Sports.
6. Oregon Ducks - 161
Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff
5. Alabama Crimson Tide - 170
4. Clemson Tigers - 171
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up prior to the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
3. Georgia Bulldogs - 172
2. Ohio State Buckeyes - 182
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs into the end zone for a second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. Oklahoma Sooners - 190
HOUSTON – DECEMBER 7: (Left to Right) Tight end Trent Smith #88, running back Quentin Griffin #22, and head coach Bob Stoops of the University of Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after winning the Big 12 Conference Championship against the University of Colorado Buffaloes at Reliant Stadium on December 7, 2002 in Houston, Texas. The Sooners won 29-7. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
--Second quarter 2022 revenue growth of 30.3% – or 22.4% organically – driven by continued broad based demand coupled with solid operational execution --Higher than expected second quarter 2022 revenues, stronger gross margin performance due to on-going payment monetization and cost leverage drive lower-than-expected net loss --Raising full-year 2022 business outlook for a second consecutive period based on stronger financial results CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AvidXchange
SEATTLE, Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (“Adaptive Biotechnologies”) (Nasdaq: ADPT), a commercial stage biotechnology company that aims to translate the genetics of the adaptive immune system into clinical products to diagnose and treat disease, today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. “We are pleased to deliver another strong quarter across both the MRD and Immune Medicine businesses,” said Chad Robins, chief executive officer | 2022-08-03T21:17:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Where do the Oklahoma Sooners rank in Power Five wins since 2000? | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-oklahoma-sooners-rank-power-200526154.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-oklahoma-sooners-rank-power-200526154.html?src=rss |
Bill Burt, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
Aug. 3—The Boston Celtics will open preseason action at TD Garden against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, October 2, as part of the team's four-game exhibition slate for the 2022-23 NBA season.
Boston's preseason schedule continues at TD Garden when the Celtics face the Toronto Raptors on Wed., Oct. 5.
The Celtics will then travel to North Carolina's Greensboro Coliseum for the team's second matchup with the Hornets (Fri., Oct. 7), before concluding the preseason in Montreal against the Raptors as part of the NBA's Canada Series (Fri., Oct. 14).
All four of the Celtics' preseason games will be televised live on NBC Sports Boston and streamed on the MyTeams app. The Network will additionally provide pregame and postgame coverage throughout the preseason.
vs Charlotte — Oct. 2 — 1 PM
vs Toronto — Oct. 5 — 7:30 PM
at Charlotte — Oct. 7 — 7:30 PM
at Toronto (in Montreal) — Oct. 14 — 7 PM
Research shows that over the long term, the returns of actively traded mutual and exchange-traded funds rarely beat passive index funds. For 20 categories of funds tracked by Morningstar, the returns from only two of the actively managed funds matched or beat their passive counterparts in the 10 years through 2021. For the past 20 years, none of the actively managed funds in 11 categories tracked by Morningstar beat their passive counterparts. | 2022-08-03T21:29:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | C's preseason schedule includes game in Montreal | https://sports.yahoo.com/cs-preseason-schedule-includes-game-151800433.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cs-preseason-schedule-includes-game-151800433.html?src=rss |
Samantha Dorisca
We have witnessed high-profile celebrities toss their names in the basket to become sports owners. However, landing the title requires billions of dollars. Even some of the wealthiest Black celebrities would not qualify at the moment, despite their net worths.
Forbes reports that 50 of the most valuable teams are worth $3.4 billion, up 9.9 percent between 2020 to 2021 and a 55 percent increase from the previous six years. Michael Jordan purchased the Charlotte Hornets for $275 million in 2010, ESPN reports, and the team is valued at $1.58 billion today.
Since purchasing a team is often around the billion dollar mark, we have seen several high-profile names explore minority ownership, more so within the last two decades. Plus, this route affords various benefits. Usher (Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005 for $9 million), Jay-Z( Brooklyn Nets in 2004 for $1 million), and Shaquille O’Neal (secured five percent stake in Sacramento Kings in 2013) are just some heavy hitters who secured minority ownerships in teams within the last two decades.
As more Black stars strengthen their business portfolios, we could potentially see a team owned by a player in the Hip-Hop community or another athlete. Or perhaps, they could consider combining their hard-earned cash to form a sports ownership group.
Here’s a list of Black celebrities who have expressed hopes of one day becoming a team owner at some point.
Photo Credit: John Shearer
Kanye West, who has an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion, previously made headlines for his interest to purchase the Denver Broncos earlier this year alongside Antonio Brown.
“When we got the free agent receiver out in Los Angeles just days ago, he told us the goal is still on their minds, and it’s a legitimate one, explaining he and Ye are “extremely serious” about making it all happen,” Brown told TMZ Sports. “Tell Roger [Goodell] to call me. “We’re working on it … We’re working towards getting it done.”
West also hinted at potentially buying the Chicago Bulls in the single, “City of Gods,” by Fivio Foreign featuring himself and Alicia Keys.
“After I buy the Chicago Bulls I’ma go link with Mike,” Ye claimed.
Photo Credit: Dominik Bindl
As AfroTech previously told you, Ross is worth an estimated $45 million.
Rick Ross previously had his eyes on the Miami Heat and the Miami Dolphins.
Should @MiamiDolphins sell me 5% stake in the organization? If so,what would the upside be for both sides or vice versa??
— Yung Rénzél 👑 (@RickRoss) June 6, 2022
Ross is not simply chasing a title. He also looks forward to the community work he can bring to the city.
“I would love to buy five percent of the Miami Dolphins and the big asset I think I’ma bring to the team is financial literacy for the youngstas,” Ross said in a video.
He also said he wanted to purchase a stake in the Philadelphia 76ers after it became public knowledge that Michael Rubin was looking to sell his minority stake in the Sixers.
Photo Credit: Dia Dipasupil
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Sean “Diddy” Combs is worth an estimated $900 million.
In 2014, Diddy said he wanted to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, which has not happened. However, four years later, Diddy was considered for the ownership of the Panthers. Billboard reports the winning bid went to David Tepper for an estimated $2.2. billion back in May 2018.
“I’m more of an owner type of guy,” Diddy said back in 2013, according to Complex. “So I have aspirations to become—it will happen—to become the first African-American majority owner. Not having a small stake but actually owning an NFL team. I think it’s time for that. A majority of the players in the NFL are African-American but there are no African-American owners. So that’s one of my dreams.”
It’s unclear at the moment whether or not Diddy still wants ownership of a team.
Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer
Forbes estimates LeBron James to have a net worth of $1.2 billion.
Already, LeBron is part-owner of several teams. As AfroTech reported, James has a partnership with Fenway Sports Group that has placed the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League under his belt.
Now, he has his eyes set on owning an NBA franchise.
“My goal is to own an NBA franchise,” LeBron said, according to Yahoo! Sports. “And it’ll be sooner than later.”
What would a Juan Soto-like trade look like in the NBA, NFL or NHL?
The Nats' trade of Juan Soto would be even more surprising if the equivalent happened in another sport. | 2022-08-03T21:29:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | LeBron James Has A Goal To Own An NBA Franchise 'Sooner Than Later' — Here Are More Black Stars With Similar Aspirations | https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-goal-own-nba-175900861.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-goal-own-nba-175900861.html?src=rss |
Steve Virgen, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Aug. 3—SANTA ANA PUEBLO — Whether Notah Begay III is waiting for a flight, or in line at a burger joint, or at the checkout counter at a shoe store or even after the TV camera lights go out, he'll get asked about LIV Golf.
People want to know Begay's take, as he is an analyst for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports, as well as a four-time PGA Tour winner who was once a top-20 player in the world.
"I get asked about LIV Golf virtually every day," Begay, the Albuquerque Academy legend and Duke City native, said Tuesday at Twin Warriors Golf Club, where the New Mexico Regional for his junior golf national tournament concluded. "It's on people's minds because it's really fractured professional golf. Hopefully what the game stands for will rise above it all. That's my hope."
Begay, a member of the winning 2000 U.S. Presidents Cup Team and Stanford's 1994 national championship team, turns 50 on Sept. 14 and is contemplating a dedicated comeback on the PGA Champions Tour.
For now, he's set to make his PGA Tour Champions debut at the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS at Timuquana Country Club, Oct. 3-9, in Jacksonville, Florida.
He will try to fit in practice time amid his efforts as captain of the U.S. Junior Presidents Cup Team at Myers Park C.C. in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 19-20. Even when he's practicing, he'll get asked about LIV Golf.
The deadline for the first of 12 picks among the nation's top junior golfers will be Aug. 19. Ten of the spots will be determined by an overall points list provided by the American Junior Golf Association, and Begay will make one pick.
Begay answered questions from the Journal pertaining to the controversial LIV Golf and about his close friend and former Stanford teammate Tiger Woods, who turned down an offer estimating $700 millon to $800 million from LIV Golf, according to Greg Norman. Begay said that estimate is "fairly accurate."
JOURNAL: Did you think that the PGA Tour increasing prize money was bound to happen because of LIV Golf's presence?
BEGAY: The increase in purses is going to be one of a number of changes you're going to see the PGA Tour make moving forward. LIV Golf, and the approach that they're taking, and the platform they have provided for their players ... that is forcing the Tour to sort of reassess its model. Every company has to modify or change its model as it moves forward into different generations, different eras. Since there really wasn't anybody knocking on the door since its inception, the PGA Tour has had the benefit of making those changes on its own. But now having another organization set up a different type of standard has really allowed the Tour to make changes that I think are going to benefit the players. Everybody is going to benefit from bigger purses. We'll just see how this whole thing plays out over the next six months. I think there will be a few more changes as we get toward the end of the year.
NB: "I don't know if there will ever be a true compromise simply because the PGA Tour has all of the best players. That may change. But right now if you're a great player in the game, you play on the PGA Tour. If you're an aspiring player that wants to be great, you want to play on the PGA Tour. That's where the best players are and the best tournaments, currently, and access to the majors.
AJ: Will Tiger talk about Norman's recent reveal of LIV Golf's offer to him?
NB: Tiger may talk about it down the road. I don't think Tiger feels compelled to talk about it. His position is very clear. He's in support of the PGA Tour. He supports the legacy and the history that has been established by the PGA Tour. He's very much in support of what the PGA Tour has done for him. Tiger wasn't always a multi-billion dollar superstar. He had to start somewhere. And the PGA Tour is what gave him the opportunity to make his name, establish his brand.
NB: It really allows people to see a side of Tiger that is related to his principles. We all know that he's a great father. He loves his family. He's dedicated to that. But in this day and age where it's very easy for athletes across all sports, celebrities and entertainers, to take a quick buck. Nobody would've faulted him for it. But for him to turn down that kind of money just kind of tells you how much he believes in what the PGA Tour stands for. | 2022-08-03T21:54:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Begay hears LIV questions -- here's how he answers | https://sports.yahoo.com/begay-hears-liv-questions-heres-161200598.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/begay-hears-liv-questions-heres-161200598.html?src=rss |
Tom Gannam/AP
Baseball General Manager
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include remarks from St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.
The St. Louis Cardinals approached Tuesday’s trade deadline with a shockwave, trading center fielder Harrison Bader to the New York Yankees in exchange for left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery.
In pivoting away from a deal for superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who was traded from Washington to the San Diego Padres, the Cardinals instead set out to drastically remake their rotation. Montgomery is the second lefty added to that group in the last two days, joining José Quintana, who was acquired from Pittsburgh.
“We went into this trying to be eyes wide open, understanding that there are lots of things that could possibly happen,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “I don’t think you want to hear what we’re potentially close to or what we explored, but it was a really busy few days for us.”
Montgomery, 29, has made an American League-leading 21 starts for the Yankees this season, posting a 3.69 ERA in his third full Major League season, each of which has seen him post an ERA under 4.
Bader, 28, is a New York native who is the defending National League Gold Glove winner in center field. Sidelined since the last week of June with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Bader is hitting .256 with a .673 OPS.
“First off, I know he’s a really good guy,” Mozeliak said of Montgomery. “For us, it’s about a guy that can move the ball, spin the ball, get ground balls. We just feel like at the end of the day, he fits perfectly into what we’re trying to accomplish.”
“Pretty shocked,” an emotional Montgomery told reporters in New York, still clad in Yankees workout gear. “Still setting in, I guess.”
He added, “This is my family. This is all I know. I’ve been playing with the same guys for years.”
Out for Sosa, reaffirmation for Carlson
The Cardinals received word late Monday night they were out of the bidding for Soto, Mozeliak confirmed. He disputed media reports Dylan Carlson, now cemented in the team’s plans in centerfield, represented a hangup in a potential trade with the Nationals, saying instead that there were multiple variables which precluded St. Louis’s acquisition of Soto.
“There were many names that were potentially a part of this,” Mozeliak said. “I don’t think we should focus on him, because that was by no means why we didn’t get this deal done.”
Indeed, Mozeliak met with Carlson while the club was in Washington this weekend to reaffirm their commitment to him and to reassure him there were no plans for Carlson to be traded.
Now, with Bader a Yankee, Carlson won’t have to move even as far as right field. Mozeliak did say there’s some concern any time a player suffers an injury in their lower extremities, but that he’s confident Bader will recover fully and return to form.
Other St. Louis moves
The Cardinals also completed two other minor trades, sending catcher Austin Romine, who had been designated for assignment, to the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations. Minor league catcher Austin Allen, a St. Louis native, was acquired from Oakland in exchange for minor league pitcher Carlos Guarate.
“I think we improved our chances of winning the division,” Mozeliak said. “More consistency with our rotation, obviously we’ve got two months to play. Having starters that we can definitely trust to take us deeper, it’s also going to allow someone to slip back into the bullpen.”
He declined to comment on whether Andre Pallante would be that pitcher, saying he hadn’t yet discussed the possibility with manager Oli Marmol. Pallante, who started the year in a relief role, would slide seamlessly into that position. Dakota Hudson, who has had uneven results sandwiched around a short start on the injured list, would also be a candidate to return to the relief role in which he first broke into the majors.
Potential World Series club?
Asked if he was confident the club had acquired two starters they would be comfortable starting in a postseason game, Mozeliak did not hesitate to say yes. Without being comfortably able to send shockwaves through their lineup, the club made a pivot to rebuild their rotation on the fly, and, in doing so, set expectations higher than last summer’s additions which were designed merely to get through the season.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to claim they built a World Series club today,” he said when asked if the Cardinals had done everything they could to build a championship team. “If we get hot, we can play with anybody.” | 2022-08-03T21:54:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | St. Louis Cardinals trade outfielder Harrison Bader, receive pitching help in return | https://sports.yahoo.com/st-louis-cardinals-trade-outfielder-222617774.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/st-louis-cardinals-trade-outfielder-222617774.html?src=rss |
STORY: Hammon: "The time that she served over there, enough's enough.”
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Becky Hammon, current head coach for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, and a six-time league all-star player who once represented Russia at the Olympics has made a plea for Russian President Vladimir Putin to "do the right thing" and quickly release American star player Brittney Griner.
Hammon: “...you know, so many players have gone over to Russia, including myself. Russia's been very good to us as athletes. So to see, you know, Britney being detained, like I said, it's upsetting…I just ask the Russian government to do the right thing. It's never too late to do the right thing. And I think at this point, like I said, whether she did or didn't, it's time to send her home."
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and center for WNBA team Phoenix Mercury, was detained in Moscow when agents found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage on Feb. 17.
Her arrest came days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thrusting Griner into the center of a geopolitical tussle.
Hammon played during the off-season for several Russian teams, a common move for WNBA players seeking to supplement incomes that are lower than their male counterparts'.
Hammon: "It's hard to imagine, though, that if this was, you know, LeBron James, that he'd still be sitting over there in a jail cell. Maybe he could be. Maybe not. I don't know. But it's hard not to let your mind go there."
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States made a "substantial offer" to Russia to release Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, whom the United States also considers to be wrongfully detained in Russia.
A source said that Washington was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death.”
Moscow has said no deal has yet been done.
Griner - who pled guilty to all charges- is expected to return to a Russian court on Thursday for closing arguments in her trial. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
Hammon: "There's worry anyways when people are overseas, you know, when you're separated from your family. Now you add in everything that's going on politically. You factor in the war that's going on. It just heightens all the anxieties and all the fears."
Jason Momoa and Eiza González are dating again, apparently
Actor Jason Momoa is reportedly dating Eiza Gonzáles after a report suggested the pair had been getting close amid their busy schedules. | 2022-08-03T22:25:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Coach Hammon urges Putin to free Brittney Griner | https://sports.yahoo.com/coach-hammon-urges-putin-free-201206201.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/coach-hammon-urges-putin-free-201206201.html?src=rss |
Eagles activate veteran tight end Richard Rodgers from PUP list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles activated veteran tight end Richard Rodgers from the Active/Physically Unable to Play reserve list on Thursday, which will allow him to begin practicing on Friday.
Rodgers hasn’t participated in any training camp practices yet, although he’s been working out with a trainer on a side field along with tight end Tyree Jackson, who is rehabbing a knee injury.
The Eagles have never announced the nature of Rodgers’ injury.
Rodgers, 30, has spent much of the last four years with the Eagles, although he’s been signed and released numerous times and was briefly in camp with Washington during 2020 preseason.
He’s played 25 games with the Eagles since 2018, catching 27 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Most of that production came in four starts in 2020, when he was 24-for-345 with both TDs.
His 33-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ loss to the Seahawks in November of 2020 was Carson Wentz’s final TD pass in an Eagles uniform. His next TD pass was as a Colt to Zach Pascal.
Rodgers was originally a third-round pick of the Packers in 2014. He had 120 catches for 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns in four years in Green Bay, including 58-for-510-8 in 2015.
Rodgers joins Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Noah Togiai, Grant Calcaterra and Jackson in the Eagles’ tight end room. Jackson remains on PUP.
Jackson and offensive lineman Brett Toth are the only remaining players on the PUP list.
There is no corresponding roster move because players on the PUP list during the preseason count against the 90-man roster. | 2022-08-03T22:30:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles training camp 2022: Eagles activate Richard Rodgers from PUP list | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-training-camp-2022-eagles-220700283.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-training-camp-2022-eagles-220700283.html?src=rss |
Former Ohio State running back, Master Teague has been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move coming after Jeremy McNichols was placed on injured reserve.
Teague came to Ohio State as a four-star prospect out of Tennessee. After redshirting his freshman season, Teague would play in the Buckeye backfield for the next three years. In that time, he played in 31 games, started six, and rushed for over 1,700 yards with 17 touchdowns.
The young man went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft but was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears. However, after a three-day rookie camp, the Bears decided to part ways and waived the former Ohio State tailback.
Teague who has a nice combination of power and speed now has a second chance to prove he belongs in the league. It also appears that he’ll be wearing No. 33, the same number he wore in Columbus.
Here’s to hoping Teague can stay healthy and find his footing in the Steel City. | 2022-08-03T22:31:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Master Teague gets second chance, signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers | https://sports.yahoo.com/master-teague-gets-second-chance-205816333.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/master-teague-gets-second-chance-205816333.html?src=rss |
WATSON SUSPENSION: How does it compare to other penalties under Roger Goodell?
During disciplinary hearings at the end of June at an undisclosed location, the NFL, Watson and the NFL Players Association made their cases to Robinson, who now serves as the NFL’s disciplinary officer. According to terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Robinson reviewed the findings of the investigation that the NFL conducted for the better part of the last year and heard arguments from both sides before making her decision on Watson's punishment.
In her conclusion, Robinson explained her decision not to impose a longer suspension by saying the NFL was "attempting to impose a more dramatic shift in its culture without the benefit of fair notice" to players. The league had sought an indefinite ban of at least a year. Watson's case was "unprecedented," the NFL said, largely because of the number of accusers. Two Texas grand juries also opted not to indict the quarterback.
Before Monday's ruling, Watson settled with three additional women who had filed lawsuits, leaving only one outstanding case.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL appeals six-game suspension of Browns QB Deshaun Watson | 2022-08-03T22:31:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL files appeal over six-game suspension of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-files-appeal-over-six-203935816.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-files-appeal-over-six-203935816.html?src=rss |
“Right now, we’re just trying to run our base plays and see it on film. That’s the biggest part,” Jones said Tuesday. “Every offense has a system where they can change the play and we do, too. When we get there, we get there, but right now it’s more about the fundamentals. ... Some of the plays that we’re running, we’re going out there and seeing what it looks like first, and then trying to figure it out. So that’s the biggest thing, is just getting the plays on the screen and watching them, ‘Alright here’s the problem, this guy’s unblocked, how do we block him?’ It’s really not rocket science but our job is to execute what they tell us to.”
“I've had the privilege of coaching in this league for a long time against a lot of great people, especially offensively...I have to put Mike right up there with any I've ever coached against...,” Belichick once said.
Belichick’s been tethered to the Erhardt/Perkins offense since the 1980s. Charlie Weis came up in it so when he and Belichick came to New England to coach Drew Bledsoe – who’d played in a Super Bowl running the scheme – the offense followed. Brady replaced Bledsoe and was adept at it, so they kept going with it. There were tweaks and adjustments as Brady and McDaniels molded it more and more. | 2022-08-03T22:32:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why the heck did the Patriots have to change the offense anyway? | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-heck-did-patriots-change-220000923.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-heck-did-patriots-change-220000923.html?src=rss |
Emma Raducanu starts American hard-court swing in style with straight-sets win - AP
The British No 1 made an ideal start to her preparations to defend her US Open title by sweeping past Louisa Chirico at the Citi Open in Washington.
Her mother Renee was in the stands to watch as she bounced back from her disappointing second-round exit at Wimbledon in impressive fashion, beating the American qualifier 6-4, 6-2.
Raducanu, who is trialing Russian coach Dmitry Tursunov this week, showed no signs of the physical issues which have plagued her 2022 season and was particularly dominant on serve against Chirico. She won 76 per cent of points on her first and second serves and broke her opponent’s serve four times.
“It definitely feels really good to get a win here in DC,” Raducanu said. “After not playing for quite a bit after Wimbledon, or many matches at all this year, it’s a really nice feeling just to get on the board.
Republican U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed Wednesday in a car crash in her northern Indiana district along with two members of her congressional staff and another person, police said. The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. when a car crossed the center line on state highway and collided head-on with the SUV Walorski was riding in, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office said. Walorski, who served on the House Ways and Means Committee, was first elected to represent Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012. | 2022-08-03T22:43:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Emma Raducanu feels benefit of mother’s touch as she starts American hard-court swing in style | https://sports.yahoo.com/emma-raducanu-starts-american-hard-055440861.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/emma-raducanu-starts-american-hard-055440861.html?src=rss |
Right now, he has an idea of four of the five official visits he will take during the fall and Florida isn’t in the mix just yet, according to 247Sports. The Gators are one of the seven schools M’Pemba named to his top seven at the beginning of July though, so there’s a chance he does stop by the Swamp again.
“I haven’t really locked in any yet,” M’Pemba said. “But I should be at Notre Dame vs. Clemson, Georgia vs. Auburn and Oregon vs. Stanford. Miami, I haven’t figured that out yet. Same with the last one.”
The Gators recently hosted M’Pemba for a meeting on Friday, the same day as Florida’s Friday Night Lights camp. He said that he was there to see the new staff again after the dead period was lifted but didn’t hint at a potential visit.
If he were to pencil in an OV, the highest-profile home game Florida has on its schedule is against LSU on October 15. It also fits nicely into the schedule he mentioned, assuming those dates hold.
M’Pemba is ranked No. 25 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 2 among edge rushers. He’s also an in-state kid ranked No. 7 among recruits in the Sunshine State.
during the Gators' game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Hannah White Jeremy Crawshaw Press Conference Q. | 2022-08-03T23:00:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5-star Florida EDGE target planning official visits for fall | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-star-florida-edge-target-220118171.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-star-florida-edge-target-220118171.html?src=rss |
England's women's soccer team is continuing to generate unprecedented fan interest following its European Championship victory, with its planned game against the United States at Wembley Stadium in October selling out in less than a day. The game pitting the European champion against the reigning world champion was announced on Tuesday by England's Football Association and will be played Oct. 7, subject to England having secured World Cup qualification in September. | 2022-08-03T23:24:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chloe Kelly proved it’s not just male footballers who love to rip off their shirts | https://sports.yahoo.com/chloe-kelly-proved-not-just-064933327.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chloe-kelly-proved-not-just-064933327.html?src=rss |
49ers' Drake Jackson is a top rookie to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” is expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (knocking out Bad Bunny’s seven-week stint with “Un Verano Sin Ti”), marking one of the biggest opening weeks of the year. Should it enter atop the chart, “Renaissance” will be the first album recorded by a woman in 2022 to […] | 2022-08-04T00:10:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 NFL preseason: 49ers' Drake Jackson is a top rookie to watch | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preseason-49ers-drake-233000688.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preseason-49ers-drake-233000688.html?src=rss |
The 49ers on Wednesday got some bad injury news. Tight end Jordan Matthews tore his ACL in a non-contact drill and will go on injured reserve according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.
Going on IR now will end Matthews’ season and his bid to make the active roster as a tight end for the first time. The former wide receiver changed positions last offseason and spent most of the year on the practice squad.
His path to the roster was going to be an uphill battle against more experienced TEs, but his pass-catching skill set would’ve certainly given him a shot.
Matthews is the second player in camp to go down with a season-ending injury. Defensive lineman Maurice Hurst suffered a torn biceps that landed him on IR.
The 49ers re-signed Matthews to a one-year deal this offseason. He was a second-round pick of the Eagles in the 2014 draft. Matthews spent time in Philadelphia and Buffalo before making his way to San Francisco in 2019. In three years in the Bay Area he played in just four games, including one game where he played four special teams snaps last year. | 2022-08-04T00:11:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers TE Jordan Matthews tears ACL, will go on season-ending IR | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-te-jordan-matthews-tears-223947626.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-te-jordan-matthews-tears-223947626.html?src=rss |
49ers tight end Matthews out for season with torn ACL originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Veteran Jordan Matthews, who was continuing his quest to remain in the NFL as a tight end with the 49ers, sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice on Tuesday.
An MRI examination revealed Matthews sustained a torn ACL, the 49ers announced on Wednesday.
He left practice before team drills began on Tuesday. A day later, he was seen leaving the team’s Santa Clara facility on crutches with a brace on his left knee.
Matthews, 30, spent seven seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver. He caught 274 passes for 3,288 and 22 touchdowns with the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
After appearing in only the first two games of the 2020 season with the 49ers, he was released. He came back last season as a tight end. He spent most of the season on the practice squad and appeared in just one game.
RELATED: Lance, 49ers' top receivers not on same page on back-to-back plays
Matthews got off to a good start in training camp and appeared to have a legitimate chance to win a roster spot as one of the team’s backups behind Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle.
Charlie Woerner, the team's top backup last season, continues to go through physical therapy after undergoing core muscle surgery in the offseason. Woerner is on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
The other tight ends on the roster are Ross Dwelley, Tanner Hudson, Tylor Kroft and Troy Fumagalli. | 2022-08-04T00:11:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers tight end Jordan Matthews out for NFL season with torn ACL | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-tight-end-jordan-matthews-223652110.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-tight-end-jordan-matthews-223652110.html?src=rss |
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their preparations for the 2022 NFL season, one of the biggest stories in the league this week involved another team trying to lure away their quarterback during the 2021 campaign.
The NFL hit the Miami Dolphins with a long list of penalties for tampering with Bucs quarterback Tom Brady multiple times over the last few years, both during his time in Tampa Bay and during his final season with the New England Patriots.
After Wednesday’s training camp practice, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked about the situation, and it doesn’t look like the revelations earned a blip on his radar.
When asked specifically how he felt about another team talking to his quarterback in the middle of the season, Bowles seemed equally unmoved.
Brady and the Bucs will host the Dolphins for joint practices next week leading up to their preseason opener.
The league also fined Ross and took away draft picks from the Dolphins after an NFL-led investigation found the team held talks with Brady while he was under contract with other teams.
Thanks to the power of TikTok, social media, and film syncs, classic songs are getting reintroduced to a new generation of fans. | 2022-08-04T00:11:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bucs HC Todd Bowles reacts to Dolphins tampering with Tom Brady | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-hc-todd-bowles-reacts-225941400.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-hc-todd-bowles-reacts-225941400.html?src=rss |
Damien Wilson continues to practice for Panthers despite criminal charge originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
In 2021, the U.S. virtual visits market was valued at over $5 billion. Around $250 billion in healthcare spending could be saved by using virtual care, which in turn, lead to high adoption of virtual visit across U.S.Chicago, Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Arizton’s latest research report, U.S. virtual visits market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 27% during 2022-2027. An increase in the growth rate of virtual visits can be observed in the US. The introduction of virtual vi | 2022-08-04T00:11:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Damien Wilson continues to practice for Panthers despite criminal charge | https://sports.yahoo.com/damien-wilson-continues-practice-panthers-222719684.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/damien-wilson-continues-practice-panthers-222719684.html?src=rss |
Former Tar Heel Mitchell Trubisky is looking to bounce back into a starting role with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As training camps across the NFL continue, early reports have it that UNC fan favorite Mitchell Trubisky has the early edge in becoming the starting quarterback for the Steelers.
The Steelers, for the first time since 2004, are looking for their next franchise quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger retired this past season. Despite spending a first round draft pick on Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, all signs point to Trubisky leading the huddle this upcoming season with the starting job reportedly being “his to lose.”
Many were shocked when Trubisky went second overall to the Chicago Bears in 2017, and despite the inconsistent play, some believe the lack luster play calling and systems deserve the blame. Trubisky ended up playing four seasons in Chicago, starting 50 out of 51 games, including 12 starts his rookie season.
During Trubisky’s second season in the league he made the pro bowl after leading the Bears to a 12-4 record.
Despite heading into the playoffs as one of the favorite teams, Trubisky and the Bears fell just short 16-15 to the 10-6 Philadelphia Eagles. Regardless of the loss, Trubisky still played decent enough for a win in that game, completing 26 out of 43 passes for 303 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions.
The next two seasons were followed by mediocrity, with fans pointing blame at both Trubisky and former Bears coach Matt Nagy. The Bears and Trubisky split following the 2020 season with the former UNC QB finding a new home in Buffalo, playing back up to Josh Allen.
After one season with the Bills, Trubisky signed a two-year contract with the Steelers looking for a fresh start in an open competition spot for QB. More than likely Pittsburgh will sit Pickett for at least a season, leaving the competition coming down to Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Despite Rudolph’s three years on the team, the time he did see action he was average at best, tossing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 games.
As it stands, Trubisky has been winning the QB battle in training camp so far, taking first team snaps. This is the Tar Heel’s opportunity to prove he was worth the second overall pick after all. | 2022-08-04T00:12:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on pace to start for Pittsburgh Steelers | https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterback-mitchell-trubisky-pace-start-230410668.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterback-mitchell-trubisky-pace-start-230410668.html?src=rss |
Following a day of off-field distractions, the Miami Dolphins hit the training camp field Wednesday with fans in attendance.
While Tuesday brought the NFL bombshell of a ruling, costing the Dolphins a pair of draft picks, social media was also atwitter with the Preston Williams drama.
The fourth-year undrafted free agent wide receiver tweeted his frustration earlier in the week with simply wanting opportunities and seemed to double-down on this notion when speaking with Miami media following practice.
Not only has Williams been limited and deep down the depth chart, but a 2022 undrafted free agent is also making early waves in camp and challenging veterans in the room. Braylon Sanders, out of Ole Miss, was signed by Miami following April’s draft, and so far, the receiver is impressing in camp. When speaking with the media, Sanders stated that it was soft tissue issues that hindered his playing time while in college.
Wide receiver coach, and former Dolphin Wes Welker, praised Sanders following Wednesday’s session.
“He has great body control, he has great hands,” said Welker. “He’s got speed. You know, he’s doing a lot of great things out there.”
That’s high praise considering the talent in the wide receiver room as well as the presence of another rookie receiver, Erik Ezukanma, who’s performing well thus far.
Both rookies have caught the attention and eye of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The third-year signal caller told reporters on Wednesday he considers both rookies “dark horses” for the Dolphins’ offense.
“I’ve been very impressed with them,” he said. “They have very good ball tracking skills. They’re long, and they’re fast… The hardest thing for them is just transitioning with hearing the play-calls in the huddle and where to be. But, other than that, they’re very impressive throughout OTAs and throughout the first couple of days of training camp.”
While these young targets are making waves, not to be forgotten is Lynn Bowden Jr. Originally drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 draft, he was acquired by Miami and showed some signs of potential in limited action. An injury last preseason cost Bowden the 2021 season, but even Welker is aware the multi-faceted player needs more reps.
When mentioned, Welker agreed with a reporter who stated Bowden wasn’t getting many touches. The coach was also aware of Williams’ situation and provided his thoughts on the matter to the media.
“It is a very tough deal, there are limited reps,” he said. “I understand his frustrations. Preston has shown he’s a good player in this league. He’s doing some good things out there and he will get [opportunities]. He’s had a few. He’s done well in 1-on-1 drills.”
Back to Sanders.
He had a chance to speak with the media and support his own cause. When asked about not being drafted, and if it caused disappointment Sanders said, “No, not at all. It just added to the chip that’s on my shoulder now.” He then added confidently, “I’ve just got to come out here and keep competing and making plays.”
Which NFL receiver does he watch tape of?
“I like watching Davante Adams.”
While a lofty comparison, a follow-up question was asked in terms of body type.
“I think we’re about the same height, same weight, but I just like his releases and how he maneuvers – manipulates a defender on a route – and he’s going to catch the ball when the rock is thrown to him,” he said.
Sanders was asked several questions ranging from his pro-ready college offense, choosing Miami when weighing his options following the draft, and of coach Welker.
It seems Welker was instrumental in helping secure Sanders as a free agent.
“I met Coach Wes at the combine so just talking with him then and he was the first person to hit me up after the draft, so I just felt like this was the place for me to be,” Sanders told reporters.
There’s a similarity between coach and player, as Sanders described about Welker.
“He was undrafted as well, so just looking at his background and all the things he’s been doing coaching-wise and his career, I just thought that was the perfect person for me to learn from,” he said.
Sanders has reeled in a number of impressive highlight-reel catches and could continue to cause an excellent problem to have in Miami’s wide receiver room. A room that was once limited in depth now seems to have the welcomed issue of excessive talent and where not all will make this roster.
The undrafted rookie is proving to make life a bit more difficult for guys like Williams and Bowden, and that’s something everyone should continue to track leading into preseason games. | 2022-08-04T00:13:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | UDFA WR Braylon Sanders impressing early in Dolphins’ camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/udfa-wr-braylon-sanders-impressing-222305294.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/udfa-wr-braylon-sanders-impressing-222305294.html?src=rss |
Matt Hymowitz
With the start of the college football season weeks away, there are still plenty of options to get to Penn State’s biggest games this fall.
University Park Airport has added flights during the weekends of the Michigan and Ohio State games for fans who want to see the Nittany Lions in person (or just get out of town).
“Prior to each college football season the airlines look at opportunities to add flights to accommodate the demand of fans who want to travel to high-profile games,” Bryan Rodgers, University Park director, said in an email. “University Park Airport is then able to provide college football fans with a quick and easy way to travel to cheer on their team.”
Flights have also been added from Philadelphia for fans traveling to the Nittany Lions’ Sept. 17 game against Auburn.
Bound for Michigan
Fans have more ways to get to the Oct. 15 game at Michigan.
United has added direct flights between State College and Detroit on Oct. 14 and 16 as well as additional flights between State College and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The airline will also fly larger planes between its Chicago hub and Detroit on those days, an airline representative said.
The Oct. 14 direct flight departs State College at 5:01 p.m. and arrives in Detroit at 6:26 p.m., United’s website shows. The airline also has seats available that day on two other routes from University Park Airport to Detroit: one leaves State College at 6 a.m. and connects in Newark, and the other leaves State College at 12:15 p.m. and connects in Chicago.
The Oct. 16 return flight departs Detroit at 1 p.m. and arrives in State College at 2:27 p.m. Two other flights are available from Detroit to State College with a connection in Chicago: they are scheduled to leave at 5:49 a.m and 11:30 a.m., respectively.
United says it will add about 120 flights to its schedule for college football fans across the country.
Delta regularly flies nonstop between University Park Airport and its Detroit hub once a day, and the weekend of the Michigan game will be no different. The Oct. 14 flight departs State College at 3:45 p.m. and arrives at 5:10 p.m. The Oct. 16 flight leaves Detroit at 1:45 p.m. and arrives in State College at 3:01 p.m.
The Nittany Lions most recently played in Ann Arbor during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Penn State took the victory 27-17 to start a season-ending four-game win streak. The Nittany Lions lost last season’s home matchup to the Wolverines, 21-17.
Michigan defenders reach for Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson during the game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Away to Auburn
Penn State’s other high-profile road game is also getting special treatment from the airlines. American is adding direct flights from Philadelphia to Montgomery, Alabama, for the Sept. 17 game at Auburn.
A nonstop flight Sept. 16 leaves Philadelphia at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Montgomery about 2 1/2 hours later, American’s website shows. A return flight leaves Montgomery at 6 a.m. the next day.
One round-trip flight is scheduled Sept. 18. The plane is scheduled to depart Philadelphia at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Montgomery at 10:05 a.m. The return trip is scheduled to depart Montgomery at 11 a.m.
American offers two daily flights between State College to Philadelphia, offering fans the opportunity to connect with the Montgomery flights. The airline also lists several itineraries with multiple stops.
In all, American is adding about 70 nonstop flights for college football games this fall, the airline said.
The Penn State-Auburn game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. in Pennsylvania). The schools met last season at Beaver Stadium, and the Nittany Lions won the White Out game 28-20.
Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. stop Auburn’s ball carrier during the game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.
Ohio State on the way
United will add several direct flights for Penn State’s Oct. 29 home game against Ohio State, including nonstop service between Columbus and State College. The Oct. 28 flight departs Columbus at 11:55 a.m. and arrives in State College at 1:18 p.m. Four other flights are available between Columbus and State College: three connect in Chicago and the other connects in Newark.
The airline also plans additional flights between Chicago/State College and Newark/State College.
Other Oct. 28 departures:
Chicago to State College: 7:34 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 3:35 p.m., 6:43 p.m.
State College to Chicago: 7 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 1:55 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m.
Newark to State College: 3:35 p.m, 6:05 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
State College to Newark: 6 a.m., 5:25 p.m., 7:50 p.m.
The nonstop flight Oct. 30 leaves State College at 12:10 p.m. and arrives in Columbus at 1:45 p.m. United’s website shows two other itineraries to Columbus: one leaves State College at 3:15 p.m. and connects in Chicago, and the other departs State College at 5:48 p.m. and connects in Newark.
State College to Chicago: 6:45 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:42 p.m.
Newark to State College: 3:50 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 10 p.m.
Penn State fell to Ohio State last season in Columbus, 33-24. The teams’ most recent game at Beaver Stadium was in 2020. The Buckeyes won on Halloween night, 38-25.
Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields stops Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson during the game on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Ohio Stadium. | 2022-08-04T00:18:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Direct flights are available for Penn State football’s biggest games. Here’s what to know | https://sports.yahoo.com/direct-flights-available-penn-state-153903376.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/direct-flights-available-penn-state-153903376.html?src=rss |
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