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Few teams in the NFL have shown the type of consistency the Pittsburgh Steelers have under the leadership of head coach Mike Tomlin. Since Tomlin took over for the immortal Bill Cowher in 2007, the team hasn’t had a single sub-.500 season.
This was the point of emphasis sports writer Peter King emphasized when he spoke to Tomlin recently. When King noted that many people are wondering how good this team is and pondered if this would finally be the season that streak was broken, Tomlin took exception.
“You are hoping that we are mediocre,” Tomlin questioned. “Bring it on, bring it on. Quote me.”
Tomlin enters into his first regular season without future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger under center. This alone is enough to raise concerns whether or not the Steelers can keep pace in a very deep and talented AFC.
Will Tomlin’s streak continue this season? Even if the team can stay above .500 again in 2022, it might not be enough to make the playoffs. The Steelers have made the playoffs six times in the last 10 seasons but are in danger of missing them again this season with a new quarterback running the offense. | 2022-08-07T13:49:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers HC Mike Tomlin takes exception to prediction about team | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-hc-mike-tomlin-takes-125725049.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-hc-mike-tomlin-takes-125725049.html?src=rss |
Matthew Stafford has always been one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the NFL, but not for his lack of arm talent. He can make every throw on the field, even the ones where he’s not looking at his intended target.
Rams fans learned all about his no-look throws last year, the best of which came in the Super Bowl on one of the biggest plays of the game. Stafford doesn’t do it to be flashy, either. It’s an effective way for him to manipulate the defense and throw a receiver open.
Allen Robinson got a taste of that in practice Saturday when Stafford threw a beautiful no-look pass for a touchdown.
This angle makes it look so much better, too.
These throws will never get old. | 2022-08-07T13:49:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watch: Matthew Stafford threw a smooth no-look pass to Allen Robinson | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-matthew-stafford-threw-smooth-122151043.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-matthew-stafford-threw-smooth-122151043.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year contract extension this offseason not only for what he does on the field but also because of the impact he has in the locker room.
As general manager Chris Ballard has preached since the day he arrived, the Colts have harped on bringing high-character players into leadership positions on the roster.
As a two-time captain, Franklin has been the epitome of that notion, and he’s quickly earned the respect of his new defensive coordinator in Gus Bradley.
“When I got here, everybody talked about his leadership, his presence amongst the team – not only in the linebacker room, but you feel him,” Bradley said Thursday of Franklin.
A seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Franklin has been a strong force on special teams in each of his four seasons in the league. He’s played sparingly on the defensive side of the ball, totaling 462 snaps in his career.
Compare that to the 1,280 snaps he’s played on defense, and it becomes clear what his role has been since entering the league. But there has been an interesting development at Colts training camp throughout the first two weeks of practices.
As star linebacker Shaquille Leonard recovers from offseason back surgery, Franklin has been the one to step into the middle of the defense next to starter Bobby Okereke.
Considering Franklin was the No. 3 linebacker in snaps played during the 2021 season, it isn’t all that much of a surprise. But that role was sort of niche as the SAM backer when the Colts would have three linebackers on the field, which wasn’t that often.
What’s interesting about the development during the first two weeks of training camp is that Franklin has been lining up at all three linebacker spots.
“His leadership out there – man, he’s playing multiple positions for us. It’s not, hey it’s a new system let’s just get you locked into one, I mean he’s playing all three,” Bradley said. “So, for a guy to come in and handle that kind of workload mentally and on the field, and lead, I’ve got great, great respect for him.”
It still isn’t clear when Leonard will be back—the Colts hope it’s before the Week 1 opener against the Houston Texans.
Regardless of what happens with Leonard, they have faith Franklin can be both a leader in the locker room and on the field in the meantime. | 2022-08-07T13:49:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Zaire Franklin quickly earned ‘great respect’ from Gus Bradley | https://sports.yahoo.com/zaire-franklin-quickly-earned-great-125800816.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/zaire-franklin-quickly-earned-great-125800816.html?src=rss |
Amon-Ra St. Brown capped off an impressive rookie season by lighting up the Green Bay Packers for eight catches, 109 yards and a touchdown reception in the 2021 finale. He did that with his older brother, Equanimeous, playing wide receiver for the Packers.
Now Equanimeous is in Chicago after signing as a free agent with the Bears. For Amon-Ra, it is reason to up the ante in the family trash-talking stakes.
In a recent interview on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, the Lions wideout talked about the competitive rivalry between the NFL brothers.
“There’s definitely some trash talk going on,” Amon-Ra told the Stoney & Jansen with Heather show. “We finished last year 1-1. They beat us, we beat them. Their excuse is, ‘Yeah, but we were going to the playoffs so Aaron Rodgers didn’t play the whole game.’ But I don’t care what it is. That’s the record.”
Amon-Ra declared the brothers, “made a little friendly bet. $1,000 that we’ll have a better season than them.”
That money seems a little easier for Amon-Ra to capture in 2022. The Packers remain the team to beat in the NFC North. Meanwhile, the Bears have a lower projected win total based on season win odds than Detroit does, 5.5 to the Lions’ 6.5.
Jason Driver continues to get to know the community after taking the reins of Kitsap Regional Library after a long stint in Chicago. | 2022-08-07T15:20:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Amon-Ra St. Brown has a friendly bet his Lions best his brother Equanimeous’ Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/amon-ra-st-brown-friendly-133502847.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/amon-ra-st-brown-friendly-133502847.html?src=rss |
The Buffalo Bills and Reggie Gilliam have agreed to a two-year contract extension. The team announced the transaction on Sunday.
Gilliam, 24, offers the Bills some unique position flexibility. Since signing in Buffalo in 2020 as an undrafted rookie free agent, Gilliam has lined up at both fullback and tight end.
Gilliam also contributes on special teams. In 2021, Gilliam played in 77 percent of the team’s special teams snaps.
On offense, Gilliam’s production has been limited. In two seasons, he has five catches for 39 yards. However, Gilliam does have one touchdown grab which was in the first game of his career.
Gilliam signing an extension likely indicates the Bills intend to keep him on their 53-man roster at the end of training camp.
Aydin Laborde lost his father unexpectedly. Since meeting multiple Bills players, his mom says he's finally able to smile again.
Former Eagles, Rams and Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil turns enshrinement speech into 23-minute thank you, and keeps the water works to a minimum. | 2022-08-07T15:20:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bills sign Reggie Gilliam to two-year extension | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-sign-reggie-gilliam-two-141413963.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-sign-reggie-gilliam-two-141413963.html?src=rss |
According to reports out of Cleveland, running back Kareem Hunt has requested a trade. However, the same reports indicate that the Browns have declined the request, telling Hunt that his best move would be to perform well in Cleveland this season and “earn his next contract.”
Hunt signed a two-year deal with the Browns at the start of the 2020 season, and is in the final year of that deal. Under the contract, he is set to earn a base salary of $1.35 million this year, with a roster bonus of $4.9 million as well. As he is looking for a new contract, Hunt was one of the players this off-season who reported to camp but decided to “hold-in,” forgoing practices with the team as he looks to negotiate a new contract.
According to reports out of training camp, the Browns are set to start fining Hunt for not participating in team drills:
Hunt told cleveland.com that he wanted to get paid and win a Super Bowl for his hometown team, but didn’t know what the Browns were thinking.
But that didn’t fly, and now Hunt is participating only in individual drills in camp in hopes of getting paid. The problem is, he’s actually losing money because the Browns will fine him for skipping team drills while also undoubtedly not caving to his contract demands or possible trade request.
Last season, Hunt missed seven games with calf and ankle injuries, and two games with COVID-19. In eight contests, he ran for 386 yards and five touchdowns. During the 2020 season, Hunt had 198 carries for 841 yards and six touchdowns, and added 38 receptions for 304 yards and five more scores.
Sports Seriously: In the wake of Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension, Mackenzie Salmon and Lorenzo Reyes discuss whether the NFL is doing enough when it comes to these situations around the league. | 2022-08-07T15:20:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Browns RB Kareem Hunt requests trade | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-rb-kareem-hunt-requests-140939289.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-rb-kareem-hunt-requests-140939289.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs are saying goodbye to a veteran cornerback on Sunday.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Teicher, the Chiefs have released CB DeAndre Baker from the 90-man offseason roster. The team first signed Baker to the practice squad back in 2020. He was promoted to the 53-man roster via standard elevation twice that year, but he suffered a serious non-contact leg fracture in the final game of the regular season.
After returning from the injury, Baker appeared in eight games last season, including a start in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. In total, he played a combined 238 snaps on defense in the regular season and postseason, recording 16 total tackles and a pass defended.
In early March, the Chiefs extended a qualifying contract offer to Baker, an exclusive rights free agent. He signed that ERFA contract to return to Kansas City for a third season.
The Chiefs added a ton of competition at the cornerback position this year, including rookies Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson. They also traded to acquire Lonnie Johnson from the Texans. It was becoming increasingly clear that Baker was one of the players on the outside looking in with this competitive group.
Releasing him now gives him the chance to catch on with another team before the start of the 2022 NFL season. It also frees valuable repetitions for players who are more likely to make the 53-man roster. This move also creates a roster spot for recently-signed WR Devin Gray. | 2022-08-07T15:20:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs release CB DeAndre Baker from 90-man roster | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-release-cb-deandre-baker-142408636.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-release-cb-deandre-baker-142408636.html?src=rss |
In Roob's Observations: An eye-opening start for James Bradberry originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
A critical throw Jalen Hurts is getting better at, Britain Covey’s roster chances, a Devon Allen update and Greg Ward’s future.
We're in the thick of training camp, and it's time for another Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Observations.
1. James Bradberry is better than I realized. I knew he was an upgrade, and I knew he made a Pro Bowl a couple years ago, and I knew he’s picked off 10 passes over the last three years. But he’s been awfully consistent this camp and one of the true standouts on a vastly improved defense. If he can play at the same level he’s been practicing, the Eagles are going to have a scary-good 1-2 punch at corner — or 1-2-3 punch if you want to include slot Avonte Maddox. Bradberry is just solid. Quiet, steady, business-like. The polar opposite of Darius Slay, who's loud, brash and hilarious. Bradberry has had some great battles with DeVonta Smith, and he’s won more of those than he’s lost. That’s important work for Smith, and it shows just how talented Bradberry is.
2. One throw Hurts has been focusing on in camp is the quick slant to A.J. Brown. It’s a throw that requires anticipation, timing and chemistry, and it’s a throw Hurts did not make consistently last year. But he seems to be making progress with it. Hurts has never had a receiver like Brown, who is plenty fast but is really a tough, physical receiver who has a great feel for inside routes in traffic. Brown is such a weapon with the ball in his hands and so good at moving in space that if the Eagles can find ways to get him the ball quickly and in rhythm in the short game, he can get some big yards after the catch. The value of these routes is that they’re high-percentage plays that can potentially lead to big plays. If Hurts and Brown can connect consistently on these, they're going to be a big part of this offense.
3. I’m starting to like Covey’s chances of making the roster as a returner and sixth receiver. Covey has been sure-handed fielding punts, but he’s also looked surprisingly good with his wide receiver reps. If he shows some zip in the return game in the preseason games, I’m not sure if the Eagles can afford to let him go. They desperately need some firepower in the return game, and Covey can bring it. I’m really impressed with his mentality. A lot of undrafted free agents don’t have the swagger of someone who feels like they belong here. Covey has a ton of it.
4. I still haven’t seen Anthony Harris make a play this summer.
5. If you’ve listened to our Eagle Eye podcast since camp began, you know my favorite camp drill is the 1-on-1 o-line vs. d-line. There’s no hiding in 1-on-1’s. You don’t get any help. You’re out there by yourself with all the other linemen watching your every move. You can learn a ton about guys from watching. Five quickie takeaways from 1-on-1’s so far:
Brandon Graham: B.G. is 34 and coming off a torn Achilles, and if anybody had an excuse to take off a rep or give a little less than 100 percent here or there, it would be B.G. But this dude just brings it every snap, and he’s looked terrific so far this summer. He's giving the young linemen everything they can handle. Inspiring.
Cam Jurgens: I expected a small, smart, athletic interior lineman who knows how to use leverage to win battles at the line of scrimmage. And all that is true. But the thing about Jurgens that really jumps out at you is his power. He’s not just a quick, athletic, leverage guy. He’s powerful. He gets beat here and there, but for a rookie going up against some monster interior linemen, he really holds his own in 1-on-1’s.
Jordan Davis: Nobody wants to go up against this guy. He’s a flat-out beast. His combination of speed and power is frightening. If he can take what he’s shown in 1-on-1’s and apply it in a game, yikes.
Isaac Seumalo: Does not look like a guy at a new position and coming off a severe foot injury. Isaac’s been really solid. Encouraging first week and a half.
Marvin Wilson: The one-time big-time draft prospect is huge — 6-foot-5, 305 pounds — and powerful. An intriguing guy. Wilson spent last year on the Eagles’ practice squad after being released by the Browns in training camp. He’s still not consistent enough, but on the reps where he’s able to combine his power and athleticism, he’s tough to stop.
6. I get asked a lot about Allen, and there’s not much to say. He really doesn’t get many reps on offense. This is a guy who hasn’t played organized football since 2016 and hasn’t played regularly since 2014, and the transition is just really hard, and it was never going to happen overnight. We know Allen has world-class speed, but he hasn’t been able to use that speed to get off the line of scrimmage against seasoned, experienced corners when he does get reps. A positive is that he has been OK fielding kicks. Allen will play a lot in the preseason games, and that will be an opportunity for him to show how much he’s progressed since camp began. But he has a long way to go, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody.
7. I’ve always admired Ward. Undrafted out of Houston, switched from quarterback to wide receiver when the Eagles signed him, released six times from 2017 through 2019, caught a team-high 53 passes in 2020 when nobody else could catch a pass. Steady, smart, tough. Total team guy. Unfailingly unselfish. Natural leader. Will catch a five-yard pass on 3rd-and-3 every time. Has carved out a nice career for himself as a reliable slot and returner. But I just don’t see where he fits in on the 2022 Eagles. Nick Sirianni likes a more vertical presence in the slot than Ward, whose 8.7 career yards-per-catch is eighth-lowest in NFL history by a WR with 50 or more catches. With Brown, Smith, Quez Watkins and Zach Pascal locked into four spots, Jalen Reagor still around and Covey’s roster hopes gaining steam, I don’t see a spot for Ward.
8. At practice Thursday, the Eagles held a blitz pick-up drill between linebackers and running backs, and on a blazing-hot day near the end of practice, the drill was chippy and physical and competitive. It’s easy to imagine that sort of session leading to a couple fights. That’s what’s been happening at training camps forever. But not only did no fights break out, when the drill was over each running back took a moment to high-five or embrace each linebacker, and you could hear them greeting each other with, “Good work” and “Great job.” This team is different. Sirianni has been preaching “connecting” since he got here, and you see it every day. It’s not just some cornball phrase that the players roll their eyes at. They believe it and live it and it really means something to them. Watching those guys after the blitz pick-up drill just shows how seriously they take that message.
9. Watching Le’Raven Clark play left tackle with the first offense while Jordan Mailata and Andre Dillard have been sidelined with concussions makes me think it’s probably a good idea not to trade Dillard. | 2022-08-07T15:20:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles Observations: An eye-opening start for James Bradberry | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-eye-opening-start-142900183.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-eye-opening-start-142900183.html?src=rss |
The best free agent left on the market is also a player who helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI in February. Odell Beckham Jr. remains available, solely because he’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered in that win over the Bengals six months ago.
“Obviously, he has continued to receive interest from several teams – contending teams,” he said. “I know the Bucs had some interest before the signed Julio Jones. I would imagine teams that were interested previously – the Green Bay Packers still need a receiver. I would expect them to be interested. Of course, the Los Angeles Rams, his old team who have the head coach whose wedding he crashed, still have maintained interest.” | 2022-08-07T15:21:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rams still in contact with Odell Beckham Jr. but other contenders also interested | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-still-contact-odell-beckham-132925946.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-still-contact-odell-beckham-132925946.html?src=rss |
After the NFL draft concluded in April, the Philadelphia Eagles officially welcomed five new members to their roster.
The wealth of young talent set to make NFL debuts won’t be reduced to that group of players after Philadelphia announced the signings of 12 undrafted rookies free agents before their first minicamp.
OTAs and the first week of training camp have offered several roster opportunities to under the radar players on the bubble.
With Philadelphia looking to get the best talent on the field, here’s an updated look at the undrafted free agents with the best shot at making the 53-man roster.
A high school quarterback who transitioned to the receiver at Utah, Covey is a 25-year-old return specialist who set the school record for career punt return yards (1,092) and ranks in the top three in program history in career punt returns (92), receptions (184), and all-purpose yards (4,241).
The special team’s aspect was an opportunity to get Covey over the hump, with Philadelphia looking for a significant improvement in that area.
The Eagles only used five draft picks, and Blankenship’s versatility at the safety position could help to fill out the depth chart. With Anthony Harris and Marcus Epps as the only true locks for the roster, Blankenship will compete with K’Von Wallace, Jaquiski Tartt, Jared Mayden, and Andre Chachere for a job.
Jobe lands ahead of Mario Goodrich because of his versatility and familiarity in a scheme that focuses on cornerbacks playing more zone coverage.
Through the first week of camp, Jobe has been around the ball while displaying physicality at the position.
The Eagles agreed to sign Strong to a record-breaking undrafted free agent contract. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Strong received a $300,000 in guaranteed base salary. With Reid Sinnett as his only competition for the No. 3 QB job, Strong was considered the favorite to earn a 53-man roster spot in Philadelphia.
Through the first week, he’s yet to consistently flash the big arm that made him a legend with Nevada.
Ncaa Football Cheez It Bowl Iowa State Vs Clemson
During his final season with the Tigers, Goodrich earned third-team All-America honors from PFF and first-team All-ACC status.
Through one week of camp, Goodrich has been active when playing outside and has shown the versatility to slide down to the slot.
Jonathan Gannon is looking for SAM linebackers who can make an impact, and Fayad fits the bill.
The 22-year-old Fayad was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after recording 13 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 40 total tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as one of the top pass rushers (14th among players who played 50 percent of pass rush snaps) in all of college football last season. Fayad finished his WMU career with 33.5 career sacks, the third most in school history, and he’s been a player to watch this summer.
May 6, 2022; Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Brooks became the fourth player in Oklahoma history to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he could be the Eagles’ power back to watch with Philadelphia only having four ball carriers on the roster.
The Commodores went through half a scrimmage Saturday at Ensworth School because of renovations at Vanderbilt Stadium.
From the first inkling, the first “what if?”, we knew Eugene was the right place for the championships.
Check out all the selections made by the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL draft | 2022-08-07T15:21:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Updated look at Eagles undrafted free agents with the best chance to make 53-man roster | https://sports.yahoo.com/updated-look-eagles-undrafted-free-134517177.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/updated-look-eagles-undrafted-free-134517177.html?src=rss |
Teven Jenkins and the Chicago Bears still wouldn’t reveal what injury kept the second-year offensive tackle out of seven training camp practices, but Jenkins did say he expects to be back to 100% in a couple of days after returning to the field Saturday morning. Jenkins practiced in a limited capacity at a closed session at Halas Hall for the first time since July 27, doing some position-group ... | 2022-08-07T15:47:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lakers may have a ‘soft deadline’ for trading Russell Westbrook | https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-may-soft-deadline-trading-140031462.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-may-soft-deadline-trading-140031462.html?src=rss |
The Buffalo Bills have activated offensive lineman Rodger Saffold from the non-football injury list. The team announced the transaction on Sunday.
Saffold had been on the NFI list for the entirety of the team’s training camp. On the first day of practices on July 24, the Bills put him on the designation due to a ribs injury he suffered in a car accident prior to camp.
Saffold, 34, signed a one-year deal with the Bills this spring. He is expected to start at left guard for Buffalo once the regular season begins and he gets back on the field.
Pro Football Focus graded Saffold a 68.8 overall mark last season while he was with the Tennessee Titans. However, he was carried by a 76.1 run-blocking mark. His 44.8 pass protection grade was considered very low.
The offensive line has been a position group hit hard by injuries at Buffalo’s training camp. Saffold returning will be a welcomed boost for the Bills.
Check out Saffold’s debut on the practice field via WIVB-TV below: | 2022-08-07T16:51:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bills activate Rodger Saffold from NFI list | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-activate-rodger-saffold-nfi-162311383.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-activate-rodger-saffold-nfi-162311383.html?src=rss |
Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie receiver/returner Montrell Washington, No. 12.
Before the Broncos: Washington (5-10, 170 pounds) was a wide receiver at Samford, a small FCS university in Alabama. Washington excelled as a wide receiver and as a kick returner. Washington’s stats as a receiver totaled 148 receptions for 1,883 yards (12.7 avg.) with 17 touchdowns to go along with 101 rushes for 520 yards (5.1 avg.) with eight scores. As a kick returner, he totaled 48 kickoff returns for 1,075 yards (22.4 avg.) with one touchdown and 47 punt returns for 771 yards (16.4 avg.) with four scores.
Washington’s breakout game came against the University of Florida in 2021. Washington had 322 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the game, including a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to go along with two receiving touchdowns.
Broncos tenure: Washington was selected by Denver in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He’ll make his Bronco debut during preseason.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Washington comes into Broncos training camp as one of the most intriguing players this year. As a receiver, Washington is a speedster, reminding Denver fans of a healthy KJ Hamler. As a returner, Washington is reminiscent of electric returner Devin Hester.
“As a punt returner, as a kick returner, [special teams] coach [Dwayne] Stukes thought he would be our guy,” Denver general manager George Paton said in the spring. “He has some dynamic traits that you can’t teach. We feel he will be an upgrade there.”
Washington is projected by Broncos Wire to be a backup receiver, as well as the likely starter at kick returner.
Broncos' projected offensive depth chart before training camp
The extension is actually $66.8 million over four seasons with $51.8 million in new money. Here are all the details of the deal.
Broncos rookie receiver Kaden Davis will aim to impress during preseason. | 2022-08-07T16:51:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos roster series: No. 12, WR Montrell Washington | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-roster-series-no-12-160013797.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-roster-series-no-12-160013797.html?src=rss |
The Arizona Cardinals inked left tackle D.J. Humphries to a contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2025 season. The deal is worth almost $67 million.
We know that it reduces his cap hit for 2022, which was going to be the largest on the team.
The details of the contract have been released by Over the Cap.
Below, we go over the details of the contract.
Contract details
The deal has been reported as a three-year extension worth $66.8 million. That is a little misleading.
Yes, it is a three-year extension and the deal is worth a total of $66.8 million, but that is the total he is making over the next four seasons.
He was due to make $14 million in salary and up to $1 million in per-game roster bonuses. The $66.8 million is not on top of that.
So the truth is that he got a new four-year contract worth $66.8 million. He gets $51.8 million in new money.
That is an average of $16.7 million per year, rather than the $22.3 million number that is being used.
It is very reasonable.
The financial details
Humphries receives a $17 million signing bonus. His base salary in 2022 is now $3.82 million. That amount is fully guaranteed He can earn up to $240,000 in per-game roster bonuses ($14,117 per game).
He was due to make $15 million in cash this year. He now gets nearly $21 million.
He gets an $8 million roster bonus in 2023 and then his salary will be $5.5 million and he can earn another up to $240,000 in per-game roster bonuses.
His salary in 2024 will be $15.74 million and in 2025 it will be $15.75 million.
Salary cap implications
Humphries was going to have a cap hit of more than $19 million this coming season. That number goes down by about $6.7 million.
Here are the cap details for each season. His signing bonus is a prorated cap charge over four seasons.
2022: $12.64 million cap hit (salary, final year of old signing bonus proration, this year’s signing bonus proration, per-game roster bonuses)
2023: $17.99 million cap hit (salary, roster bonus, signing bonus proration, per-game roster bonuses)
2024: $20.23 million cap hit (salary, signing bonus proration, per-game roster bonuses) | 2022-08-07T16:51:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | D.J. Humphries’ salary, contract details, salary cap implications | https://sports.yahoo.com/d-j-humphries-salary-contract-155809719.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/d-j-humphries-salary-contract-155809719.html?src=rss |
The former defensive lineman played the first eight years of his career with the Patriots before playing the final four with the Raiders. Seymour helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl titles (2001, 2003, 2004), he was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and was selected to the HOF's All-Decade team for the 2000s.
"You set forth the vision and earned success the right way...you too, will grace this stage."@BigSey93 thanks Robert Kraft and the Kraft Family pic.twitter.com/Tz32eoPUd5 | 2022-08-07T16:52:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots legend Richard Seymour pokes fun at Tom Brady in Hall of Fame speech | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-legend-richard-seymour-pokes-160200332.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-legend-richard-seymour-pokes-160200332.html?src=rss |
The kid can't catch a break.
"It's not looking good," Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters after the game, indicating the finger may be broken.
Jean Segura had his index finger broken on a bunt attempt on May 31 and did not return until August 4. If Moniak's finger is broken, he could be looking at a similar absence and you wonder if it would end his 2022 season.
Moniak had been productive in his first week with the Angels. He homered in his second game with the team and was their top offensive player in Saturday's doubleheader in Seattle. He drove in the Angels' only run in Game 1 with a well-struck single off of George Kirby, then hit a two-run homer off of Chris Flexen in the nightcap. He already has more home runs in 15 plate appearances with the Angels than he did in 105 with the Phillies across three seasons.
If Moniak is forced to miss time, it would be another gut-punch for 2016's top overall pick. His powerful spring training finally put him in position to make the Phillies' opening day roster and he was in line to start in center field in Game 1. Then he was struck by a pitch in the hand on the final day of spring training and his season debut was delayed until May 30.
Philadelphia Eagles announce that they're placing tight end, Jaeden Graham, on Injured Reserve
Moniak's solo home run (2)
Mickey Moniak slugs a solo home run into the seats in right, his second of the year, extending the Angels' lead to 3-0 in the 4th | 2022-08-07T17:21:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mickey Moniak injures finger on bunt attempt after big first week with Angels | https://sports.yahoo.com/mickey-moniak-injures-finger-bunt-162000736.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mickey-moniak-injures-finger-bunt-162000736.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs held their tenth training camp practice on Sunday at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
After missing the majority of practice on Saturday with a finger injury, WR Daurice Fountain appears to be back participating at training camp. The finger injury required an X-Ray, but it clearly wasn’t serious enough to sideline Fountain for long.
In other injury news, CB Rashad Fenton (shoulder) and OT Lucas Niang (knee), remain on the active/PUP list and out of practice. Reid says Fenton continues to do well in his rehab and recovery, but they remain cautious about bringing him back too soon.
“Yeah, he’s doing well too,” Reid said of Fenton. “I can’t give you a date, but I mean these guys are all making progress. It’s just we’re in that part of camp where it’s going fast and furious so now when we bring them back, they have to be at that level, or something happens. So, we’re trying to get them back to speed here.”
TE Jody Fortson (quad) has now missed his sixth practice session. Andy Reid commented on Fortson’s injury after Saturday’s practice, citing the risk of reinjury as why he’s been out for so long.
“Listen, he’s progressing,” Reid said on Saturday. “So, you never know on these things. That’s where I try not to put a time on them. We’ll see. We’ll see where it goes but it doesn’t seem to be serious but it’s serious enough where we need to keep him out here and not have it happen again.”
WR Gary Jennings (concussion) and DT Taylor Stallworth (knee contusion) are both still absent from practice. This is the third practice that Jennings has missed and the second practice missed by Stallworth.
As for injuries during practice, the Chiefs didn’t have any notable injuries with players leaving the field. There was a collision in team drills between rookie CB Joshua Williams and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster that was wholly unnecessary.
Mahomes to JuJu. And Joshua Williams almost takes JuJu’s head off pic.twitter.com/jNdTFmLUwr
While Smith-Schuster was fine and continued to practice, Williams is likely to get an earful from the coaching staff after that play.
Jaguars training camp takes for Aug. 7, the ninth practice of camp. | 2022-08-07T18:24:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs injury, absence updates from Day 10 of training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-injury-absence-updates-day-170039074.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-injury-absence-updates-day-170039074.html?src=rss |
Agnew’s practice status is great news for the team as he had a gruesome hip injury last November against the San Francisco 49ers. He worked hard throughout the rehab process and fans got to monitor his progress in organized team activities and the early stages of camp. Then last week, coach Doug Pederson told the media that he planned to get Agnew more involved in practice when it came to team settings.
On Day 9, the Jags allowed live tackling in practice, and Agnew was among the players who took a good hit, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press.
Jaguars live tackling and it’s no joke
The Jags getting the former All-Pro returner back is huge for their special teams unit. Not only that, it’s huge for their offense, too, because Agnew was starting to build a good connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence last season. Additionally, there aren’t many players on the roster who are faster than Agnew, so he could help them stretch the field on offense.
Agnew finished last season with 24 receptions for 229 receiving yards and a touchdown. He returned 11 punts for 74 yards and 22 kickoffs for 525 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a kick-six against the Arizona Cardinals, which was named the top play of the whole season by the NFL. | 2022-08-07T18:24:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jags WR Jamal Agnew takes team reps during Day 9 | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-wr-jamal-agnew-takes-181401923.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-wr-jamal-agnew-takes-181401923.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans take on the New Orleans Saints Aug. 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome to kickoff the preseason.
For the Texans, the preseason opener against the Saints represents an opportunity to sustain the positivity and energy that has been surging throughout NRG Stadium since the promotion of Lovie Smith from defensive coordinator to the big role following the firing of coach David Culley.
Smith met with reporters after the eighth day of training camp practice Sunday at Houston Methodist Training Center, and helped outline what he wanted to see from his team in the preseason opener at New Orleans.
vote-houston-texans-win-loss-record-2022-nfl-season
“Any time they keep score, you want to win, but that’s not the total focus,” Smith said. “Live tackling the quarterbacks, running backs, cut blocking, all of that.”
The emphasis will be on the defense to hit ball carriers and find ways into the backfield. The offense also has to demonstrate how they can break tackles with the linemen clearing out running lanes.
Finish the play
texans-dolphins-second-quarter-recap-houston-mistakes-costly-17-6
“So, what I want to see in the game is how guys finish and it’s more about the individual play before we collectively put the team together,” said Smith. “So that’s what I can’t wait to see.”
Not all individuals will be on the same page or have great coordination at this point in August, but the coaches will be able to see who is paying attention to the fundamentals and following their specific assignment.
Evaluate the 90-man roster
houston-texans-2022-schedule-nick-caserio-watch-release
“We are going to try to give as many guys an opportunity to play as possible,” Smith said.
Part of the challenge every NFL team faces throughout the offseason and training camp is essentially halving their roster from 90 players to 53. Then, teams also have to determine who would be a good fit for the practice squad while also comparing that to other potential cuts across the league.
Terrence Brooks is a lock to make the team. Grayland Arnold could still use as many preseason reps as possible to make his case.
Build something bigger
“If we win at the end of the day, that’s fine, but it’s something bigger we are trying to get accomplished,” Smith said.
The Texans kind of needed a win at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers last season as there weren’t going to be many bright points in the 2021 campaign. However, the Texans just need to show they are headed in the right direction and not get distracted by the nostrum of a preseason win. | 2022-08-07T18:25:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lovie Smith outlines goals for Texans vs. Saints preseason opener | https://sports.yahoo.com/lovie-smith-outlines-goals-texans-172235068.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lovie-smith-outlines-goals-texans-172235068.html?src=rss |
Willie McGinest gives heartfelt tribute to Patriots legend Richard Seymour originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Richard Seymour was arguably the most important defensive player on the New England Patriots in the early to mid-2000s.
His combination of elite talent, excellent size and impressive athleticism made him a great pass rusher, an effective run stopper and one of the most versatile players in his position group.
He earned seven Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade team for the 2000s.
Seymour's impact has never been lost on Willie McGinest. They were teammates from 2001 through 2005 and won three Super Bowl titles together.
McGinest reflected on Seymour's place in Patriots history a few days before the former defensive lineman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 class.
"I call Richard my big little brother," McGinest said on NFL Network. "This guy meant so much to the team, our defense. When we drafted him, he played in the Super Bowl his first year and was a big part of what we did and helped shape what we were as a team and our culture. For a guy who's so versatile and can do so much at his position -- pass rush, stop the run and just how smart he was. And what he was off the field, our relationship.
"I was excited -- he had been a finalist for (the Hall of Fame) a few years and I kept telling him, 'You're time is gonna come. Trust me, little bro, you're getting in.' He helped my career. He helped me become a better player."
Seymour and McGinest were two great players on Patriots defenses that were instrumental to championship success. Seymour's HOF induction was well-deserved. McGinest is worthy of the same honor, but it might take some time for that to happen. He did not make the semifinalist list for the 2022 class.
Panthers DE Marquis Haynes Sr., who was carted off from practice on Saturday, has not sustained a significant injury. | 2022-08-07T18:25:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Willie McGinest gives heartfelt tribute to Patriots legend Richard Seymour | https://sports.yahoo.com/willie-mcginest-gives-heartfelt-tribute-165442785.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/willie-mcginest-gives-heartfelt-tribute-165442785.html?src=rss |
Four-star running back Anthony Carrie was recently re-offered by the Florida Gators’ new coaching staff, according to Gators Online.
The Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Florida) recruit impressed coaches during the a July camp, which he partially participated in due to the upcoming season. He and teammate Bredell Richardson, a four-star wide receiver ranked No. 77 overall in the class, performed individual drills for coaches and both picked up offers for the second time.
“I like the new staff,” Carrie said. “I’m still trying to get a feel for them. Before me and Bredell went up there, Florida was not recruiting us as hard as the last staff was, so we are trying to get a feel for them. It was nice getting around them and getting coached by them.”
One of the coaches Carrie got to work with closely is running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. The two shared a moment after a drill went wrong. Carrie, who considers himself an elite running back, decided to delay a route after seeing the other recruits run straight to the position. His rationale was that a linebacker would be able to read it easily and in-game he’d be waiting longer to make his cut.
That threw Juluke off and the two didn’t connect, but Carrie quickly apologized and explained the thought process. Juluke replied with “be you,” and seemed to realize that Carrie has a better understanding of the position than other kids at his level. That’s the kind of moment that makes a coach and player want to work with each other, and Carrie’s confident he proved himself at the camp.
But he’s still taking things slow and not committing a spot in his top 10 to the orange and blue until he’s sure of things. That will take a bit more effort on UF’s side. He plans to visit for one game in the fall, but his schedule is far from finalized.
Blessed to be Re-Offered🐊 @CoachJuluke @Jamar51Chaney @MarshallMcDuf14 @coach_bnapier pic.twitter.com/zGXmoEG9Z6
— Anthony “Scoota” Carrie (@AnthonyCarrie3) July 27, 2022
“I’m not sure yet. I’m kind of just getting a feel for them,” Carrie said. “Before the new staff came, they were definitely top 10, but they have to earn to be top 10 now. I have to see how they do this year on the field; I got to see how the culture is and I want to see them recruit me a little bit more.”
Carrie is ranked No. 100 overall on the On3 consensus and is No. 5 among running backs. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. | 2022-08-07T18:46:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida re-offers this 4-star in-state 2024 running back | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-offers-4-star-state-163243116.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-offers-4-star-state-163243116.html?src=rss |
The summer season is slowly waning as the 2022 college football campaign steadily approaches. The Florida Gators are preparing for their gridiron grind this coming fall but Billy Napier and Co. are also still burning the midnight oil over future recruiting classes. Among the many offers recently handed out by the program, one was given to four-star offensive tackle Michael Uini out of Copperas Cove in Texas.
The massive 6-foot-7-inch, 275-pound rising junior received a scholarship offer last Wednesday after being eyed by the staff for a while. The courtship actually dates back to Napier’s tenure with the Lousiana Ragin’ Cajuns, where the young lineman first caught one coach’s attention.
“One of Florida’s recruiters, he has actually been keeping an eye on me since he was at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette,” Uini told Gators Online. “We spoke a couple of months ago, but after that, I haven’t spoken to him. I guess Florida has been showing interest because ever since I got the Baylor offer, coach Napier followed me on Twitter and then a couple of other coaches followed me as well. That’s how far it has gone as far as showing interest.”
But the Orange and Blue are not the only ones showing interest in the talented Texan. So far, the Alabama Crimson Tide, USC Trojans, LSU Tigers, Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies and Oklahoma Sooners have also offered him, among many others. In fact, the Georgia Bulldogs just recently extended an offer as well.
Uini is ranked No. 63 overall and No. 4 at his position in his class nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 42 and 3, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has the ‘Horns out front with a 27.4% chance of signing him, with the Aggies second at 24% and ‘Bama at 20.6%.
The HR Innovation Award recognizes innovative thinking in higher education HR, especially models that can be adapted for use on other campuses. | 2022-08-07T18:46:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gators extend scholarship offer to this top 2024 offensive tackle | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-extend-scholarship-offer-top-174826118.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-extend-scholarship-offer-top-174826118.html?src=rss |
The Irish Football team is on an absolute recruiting roll. Over the last three days starting on Thursday, Notre Dame gained commitments in the 2023 class from linebacker Jaiden Ausberry, safety Ben Minich and running back Dylan Edwards.
Today, it was the 2024 classes turn for a verbal, as Pennsylvania offensive lineman Peter Jones committed to Marcus Freeman and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. The six-foot-five-inch and 295-pound mauler selected Notre Dame over offers from Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and many others. Jones becomes the sixth commitment in the class and the first offensive lineman. It seems that the visit in April was a success.
This verbal was the biggest surprise of the group, as Jones did not have a set commitment date. Regardless, the Irish once again are off to a very good start with the 2024 class.
Notre Dame’s 2024 recruiting class commitments
Jones is Notre Dame's fourth total commit in four days and sixth overall pledge in the 2024 class. | 2022-08-07T18:46:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Notre Dame’s recruiting run continues, adds 2024 offensive lineman | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-recruiting-run-continues-180032091.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-recruiting-run-continues-180032091.html?src=rss |
The last three national titles have all come out of the Southeastern Conference, and all three were from different universities. So, it is safe to say that the path to the national title likely runs through the SEC yet again.
The Georgia Bulldogs wear the target on their back as the defending national champions and Alabama is the reigning champion of the conference. A few schools like Ole Miss and Arkansas are starting to become legitimate conference contenders, while Texas A&M looks to do the unthinkable and defeat Nick Saban in back-to-back seasons.
Here’s how every SEC team is projected to fare in-conference for the 2022 college football season.
The Commodores are 5-28 over the past three seasons against SEC opponents and there is no reason to see this season going any better.
Bryan Harsin’s tenure has been nothing short of tumultuous with a number of coaches leaving for other positions and an alarming number of players entering the transfer portal. Auburn also gets a tough draw for a schedule, so 2022 could be rough for the Tigers.
Missouri just doesn’t quite have the same talent to keep up with a lot of the SEC opponents on their schedule. But, on the bright side they still have pretty cool uniforms.
Mississippi State (1-7)
This might surprise people, but this has less to do with Mississippi State’s ability than it does how difficult their schedule is. Under Mike Leach, the Bulldogs have been competitive and fun to watch, they just happen to run into LSU on the road, Alabama, Georgia and top-10 Texas A&M.
Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina remains the biggest question mark in the conference under second-year head coach Shane Beamer and now with highly-touted quarterback transfer, Spencer Rattler. The Gamecocks could get hot and surprise some people, but they are likely still rebuilding.
In what will be Brian Kelly’s first season in Baton Rouge, he will be establishing a culture and getting his recruits in, but they might not translate to wins in year one for LSU. Kelly will get the Tigers back to national prominence, just not in his first season.
Despite going 7-6 in 2021, the Volunteers continue to take steps in the right direction. They might be a dark horse team to watch that can pull off an upset or two along the way.
Lane Kiffin has got the Rebels humming headed into his third season. However, replacing Matt Corral won’t be easy. They did land former TCU star running-back, Zach Evans, out of the transfer portal. Like Tennessee, Ole Miss could surprise some people.
The Wildcats head into 2022 with as much optimism for a season as they have ever had in program history. Kentucky returns first-round quarterback talent, Will Levis, and arguably the best running back in the conference in Chris Rodriguez Jr. If they can upset Georgia, the east could be in their grasp.
[Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2022
The Gators will be under first-year head coach Billy Napier in 2022 after firing Mullen at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Florida retains a pretty talented roster and they do have one of the most favorable schedules in the conference.
After taking over a 2-10 Arkansas program, Sam Pittman has his team nationally relevant and competitive again. In 2021, the Razorbacks took Alabama all four quarters before ultimately only coming up a touchdown short of the upset. Arkansas returns quarterback KJ Jefferson and they will remain a dangerous team in the west.
Texas A&M starts the 2022 season with its eyes on winning the west. Their whole season comes down to the Oct. 8 matchup in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide for what will likely be the match to go to Atlanta.
Georgia, Champions of the East (8-0)
At the end of the day, it is hard to imagine anyone knocking off the reigning national champions. Georgia is too talented and too well-coached to slip up against anyone. However, will they be able to beat an Alabama team that is hungry for revenge?
Alabama, Champions of the West (8-0)
The Crimson Tide return arguably the two best players in college football with Bryce Young and Will Anderson, and after coming up just short against Georgia in the 2021 national title game they are out to win it all. The Tide faces a very tough stretch of games in October. They’ll need to survive a brief gauntlet to have a chance to repeat as champions of the SEC.
Tennessee football held a preseason practice Sunday morning in Knoxville. | 2022-08-07T18:46:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | SEC Football: Projecting the conference’s final standings for the 2022 season | https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-football-projecting-conference-final-165335593.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-football-projecting-conference-final-165335593.html?src=rss |
Nick Saban and his run with the Alabama Crimson Tide is among the greatest dynasties in the history of sports. What Coach Saban has done is far more difficult than just winning football games. Not only does he face the difficulties of losing collegiate players every three to four years, but he is constantly having to replace coaches who leave for other coaching opportunities.
Think of all the great coaches who have been assistants to Saban that ultimately left for coaching jobs: Jimbo Fisher, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Mario Cristobal and others.
For only the third time in the last eight years, Alabama will return both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Bill O’Brien remains responsible for the play-calling duties offensively while Pete Golding will continue to have full control over the defense.
The only other times that Alabama has returned its two coordinators was in 2015 and 2020. Alabama won the national title both of those seasons.
Alabama returns both of its coordinators in 2022, which will only be the third time that’s happened in the last eight years. The other two times? 2015 and 2020.
Alabama won national titles in 2015 and 2020.
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) August 4, 2022
Henry To'oTo'o raves about Jahmyr Gibbs and the other Alabama running backs | 2022-08-07T18:47:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wild stat shows why 2022 is likely Alabama’s year to win it all | https://sports.yahoo.com/wild-stat-shows-why-2022-162939782.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wild-stat-shows-why-2022-162939782.html?src=rss |
"It's about the connections we do every day in training. This will come even more so I'm not worried," said Haaland. "It could have been more."
"Erling is a good finisher and he is adapting perfectly," said Guardiola.
"He was good. I can't teach him to score goals and he just needs to be comfortable." | 2022-08-07T18:53:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Haaland warns Premier League much more to come after dream debut | https://sports.yahoo.com/haaland-warns-premier-league-much-181139270.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/haaland-warns-premier-league-much-181139270.html?src=rss |
The dispute between Green and the Grizzlies began in their heated Western Conference semifinal series, with both sides accusing the other of "breaking the code."
But even after the Warriors sent Memphis packing in six games, the back-and-forth continued into the offseason.
In an interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, star guard Ja Morant claimed that Memphis lives "rent free" in the defending champions' heads after Klay Thompson referred to a tweet by Jackson following the Warriors' 2022 NBA Finals win.
Green saw those comments by Morant and responded on his podcast.
"Now, talking s--t to the team that won a championship after they beat you after they win a championship is an entirely different level of oblivion," he said on the Draymond Green Show. "It doesn't get much more oblivious than that. And I think for them, you're now going to be expected to do that. You're now going to be expected to win these games. And it's not as easy when teams are coming for you.
RELATED: Petty Steph has great response to James' 'one-dimensional' take
"And so I think now, they're going to get their reality check. And it's not that they will still be able to win. They may still be able to win, but they're going to realize how much harder it is for them to win. And now because they're talking the way they're talking, they better lose that oblivion, because they better understand these moments now are huge." | 2022-08-07T18:53:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ja Morant, petty Grizzlies plaster Draymond Green quote in weight room | https://sports.yahoo.com/ja-morant-petty-grizzlies-plaster-173040890.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ja-morant-petty-grizzlies-plaster-173040890.html?src=rss |
The Boston Red Sox' moves before last Tuesday's MLB trade deadline didn't make much sense, and left many fans with even more questions about the franchise's future.
The team held on to star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. They now face the possibility of him leaving for nothing. They also traded veteran catcher Christian Vazquez, who's having an excellent season and, by many accounts, was a beloved teammate in the clubhouse. The Red Sox also made a few additions, including Eric Hosmer in a deal with the San Diego Padres, but none of those moves upgraded the roster in a significant way.
"I just don’t see where the path is leading for the Red Sox, to be honest,” Martinez said during TBS' MLB coverage last week. "They have a headache with (Rafael) Devers, have a headache with the most consistent player they have ever had Xander Bogaerts. They just got rid of (Christian) Vázquez, who figured that out in the middle of the field.
"It’s hard for me to figure out what the mentality is. I don’t know how much they know about their health, but their health is not really been impacted by the position players as much as it has been the pitching staff. I think they need help in the bullpen, and I think they need help in the starting rotation.
"And so far I haven’t seen any of those being approached as much as the positioning of the players. And I have a hard time understanding what the thought process is where Chaim (Bloom) is trying to lead the rest of the pack. I don’t have an exact idea, but I can tell you for sure, the biggest areas that they need to improve, is the health of the starting rotation and the end of the bullpen. If they want to get anywhere, they have to do that and continue to play defense and get some of those guys totally healthy."
Martinez is right. Boston's pitching has genuine flaws, especially in the bullpen. And yet the Red Sox didn't acquire a single quality bullpen arm at the trade deadline who could help them the rest of this season. Hosmer does improve the Red Sox at first base, which was one of the team's most glaring positional weaknesses. But pitching was a more pressing need, and it wasn't addressed.
The Red Sox still have a chance to reach the postseason -- 22.1 percent, per FanGraphs -- but it's going to be harder challenge than it needed to be because of the team's inability to make meaningful upgrades at the trade deadline. | 2022-08-07T18:53:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Pedro Martinez gives brutally honest Red Sox take after MLB trade deadline | https://sports.yahoo.com/pedro-martinez-gives-brutally-honest-180000357.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pedro-martinez-gives-brutally-honest-180000357.html?src=rss |
Red Sox fans will love Jeter's reaction to 2004 ALCS in new documentary originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It's hard to be a Boston Red Sox fan right now.
The team sits at the bottom of the American League East division with a 54-55 record after losing two of the first three games in its series against the Kansas City Royals, who own the third-worst record in the AL. The Royals beat the Red Sox on Saturday night with a walk-off home run by Nick Pratto.
In these moments it's often good to think of happier times, and few moments in Red Sox history bring more joy to Boston fans than the 2004 American League Championship Series.
Everyone knows the story: The Red Sox fell behind 0-3 to the rival Yankees but won the series by becoming the first team to overcome an 0-3 hole in a best-of-7 matchup. Boston went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series to end the 86-year title drought.
A lot has been said about that dramatic ALCS, and it was the subject of a recent episode of Derek Jeter's new documentary titled "The Captain".
It's obvious that epic 2004 collapse to the Red Sox remains a great source of pain and frustration for Jeter to this day.
Check out his reaction in the video below:
The 2004 ALCS was absolutely a turning point for both franchises.
The Red Sox have won four World Series championships (2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018) since that triumph over the Yankees. Boston also has a 16-3 record in World Series games since 2004. Only one other team has won more than two titles during that span -- the San Francisco Giants with three (2010, 2012 and 2014). The Yankees have won one World Series (2009) in that time.
Unfortunately, the Red Sox and Yankees did not meet in the playoffs for the rest of Jeter's career. He retired after the 2014 season. | 2022-08-07T18:53:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Red Sox fans will love Derek Jeter's reaction to 2004 ALCS in new documentary | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-fans-love-derek-145450838.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-fans-love-derek-145450838.html?src=rss |
“God, he’s a physical specimen,” quarterback Geno Smith said after the scrimmage. “I mean, he’s amazing. He’s taller than me and a lot faster than I am. So, when you’re trying to throw passes on a guy like that, you really can see his wingspan. He can make a ton of plays and there aren’t many guys who can run step for step with DK Metcalf and Marquise Goodwin, but he’s one of them.”
“Really, I just feel like speed is my greatest asset,” Woolen told reporters. “I ran track my whole life. I played football my whole life. Throughout the whole process of just getting here and getting faster and throughout the whole Combine process, you always train for 40-yard dashes and stuff like that. I just feel like all that speed has carried over throughout the years and now I can show it to the world and show it to my teammates too.
“It’s pretty cool being the fast guy on the team and being able to run with an Olympian like Marquise Goodwin and a stallion like DK Metcalf so it feels good to be able to keep up with those guys.”
The Seahawks have a walk-through Sunday afternoon before an off-day on Monday.
Wide receiver N'Keal Harry‘s bid for a fresh start with the Bears has hit a snag. Harry injured his ankle in Saturday’s practice and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the injury appears to be a severe one. He will be undergoing further evaluation to confirm the initial read. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is [more] | 2022-08-07T19:59:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seahawks rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen: ‘Speed is my greatest asset’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-rookie-cornerback-tariq-woolen-181647370.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-rookie-cornerback-tariq-woolen-181647370.html?src=rss |
West Ham vs Man City: Helllloooo, Haaland Leicester City vs Brentford: Bees buzz back to get nice away point Manchester United vs Brighton: Seagulls glide through Red Devils
10 things we learned in the Premier League: Week 1 originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Ten Hag: Man United must learn from Brighton loss
Erik ten Hag explained what he saw in his first game in charge of Manchester United, which ended in a 2-1 loss against Brighton.
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway has been delayed by inclement weather. The FireKeepers Casino 400 (USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) was scheduled to take the green flag at 3:01 p.m. ET before rain doused the 2-mile, D-shaped oval in Brooklyn, Michigan. NASCAR is targeting 4:05 p.m. ET […] | 2022-08-07T20:24:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | 10 things we learned in the Premier League: Week 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-things-learned-premier-league-190316243.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-things-learned-premier-league-190316243.html?src=rss |
The 2021 Los Angeles Rams were on the ropes multiple times.
In the divisional round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Rams were on the verge of a collapse when Tampa Bay inexplicably called a "Cover 0" blitz in the final seconds. Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp downfield for a big play that set up a game-winning field goal. The Rams were really in trouble in the NFC championship game when Stafford threw a sure interception right at San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt, but Tartt dropped it. The Rams came back from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to win.
In Super Bowl LVI, the Rams trailed again. They needed to convert a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter or they'd have been all but done. They got it. The Rams' title hopes were barely alive after a third-and-goal incompletion, but Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson was called for a questionable holding penalty on the play. Kupp scored after that. The Rams won a championship.
When the story of last season's Rams is told, the highlights will be remembered. The "America's Game" episode will talk about how they overcame adversity. Stafford could end up being in the Hall of Fame because of those close wins. The rings will sparkle forever and the banner will look good in SoFi Stadium.
The NFL, and all of team sports, can be random sometimes. If the Buccaneers didn't let down in the final minute, Tartt catches a wayward pass or an official decides that Wilson's coverage on Kupp didn't deserve a penalty (or even if the Rams have to play an NFC championship game in frigid Green Bay instead of at home), this preview might be much different. The Rams probably are ranked a lot lower. But when the league flipped coins in the playoffs, they landed on the Rams' side more often than not.
That's football. Legacies can change entirely because a safety drops an interception, or a Super Bowl opponent can't put the game away with a first down it needs. If any that talk about good fortune bothers you, just ask Sean McVay.
“So many things have to go right,” McVay said, via the Associated Press. “We could be a better team this year, and I think we’ve got a chance to do that, and it might not mean we win a Super Bowl, because there are a lot of things that take place throughout the course of a game — the bounce of a ball here — certain things that are out of your control.”
The broad view is that the Rams should be really good, and they may never again catch the breaks most teams need to win a Super Bowl.
There is also something to be said about mental toughness and coming up big when it matters most. Stafford and Kupp did connect on that big play to beat the Buccaneers, after the Rams played very well for three quarters of that game. Los Angeles figured out how to put together three scoring drives in the fourth quarter against the 49ers. They ignored the pressure in the Super Bowl for a franchise-defining drive, Stafford no-look pass and all.
Nobody can take that Super Bowl win away from the Rams and their fans. They earned it. Perhaps they can do it again, no matter how challenging that is.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) holds onto the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
While Stafford got hooked up with Sean McVay on the latter half of his career, it's the kind of marriage that can lead to multiple championships (though, after McVay waffled on his return, maybe we should be worried more about the coach leaving before the QB does). Kupp seems destined to be eternally underrated, even though he's coming off one of the greatest seasons in NFL history. That's not "greatest season for a receiver," but for anyone, any position. Counting playoffs Kupp finished with 178 catches, 2,425 yards, 22 touchdowns. Let that sink in. He also caught the game-winning pass in the final seconds against the Bucs, scored both of the Rams' touchdowns in the NFC title game, picked up that fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl and got the game-winning touchdown too. You can't do much more in one season.
Nobody questions Aaron Donald's greatness. He could be the greatest defensive player ever, or he's on a short list. Jalen Ramsey is perhaps the NFL's best cornerback. There are good players around those stars and because the Rams have figured out the salary cap better than anyone, they keep adding more key players.
None of that means the Rams will ever win another championship. Postseason fortune can work both ways. But the Rams have set themselves up to have a chance to be contenders again this season. That's all you can do.
Everyone who follows the NFL wonders how the Rams can consistently massage the salary cap. This offseason the Rams signed receiver Allen Robinson II (three years, $46.5 million) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (five years, $50 million), two coveted free agents. Robinson is a great talent coming off a terrible season with the Chicago Bears, and he should have a big rebound in a better environment. Wagner is a six-time first-team All-Pro and while there should be some concern about him slipping at age 32, he fills a big need in the Rams defense. The Rams weren't able to keep everyone. Outside linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Darious Williams, guard Austin Corbett and punter Johnny Hekker were the big losses in free agency. Odell Beckham Jr. is unsigned as he heals from a torn ACL, though he could be back. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth retired after a remarkable career. He'll be replaced in-house by underrated Joe Noteboom. Receiver Robert Woods was traded to the Tennessee Titans. The Rams didn't have a top-103 pick in the draft, but they're used to that after their years of big trades. The Rams did have some losses but they should still be fine. And if they're not, GM Les Snead will probably pull off a trade or two before the deadline.
You never want to start training camp answering questions about your quarterback's elbow. Matthew Stafford received an injection for an unspecified right elbow injury this offseason. He didn't throw in offseason practices. He is throwing to start training camp but the team will be cautious.
“It’s an interesting thing trying to have a little bit of governor on there, and at the same time, just trying to be as smart as I can,” Stafford said at the start of camp. “It’s a process. Just going to have to sit there and work through it, trust it. We’ll figure it out as we go.”
It shouldn't be an issue for Stafford once the season begins. It's something worth keeping in mind, however, especially with Stafford entering his age-34 season.
The Rams don't have the best odds among NFC teams to win the Super Bowl at BetMGM. That would be the Buccaneers. The Rams have the fourth-best Super Bowl odds in the NFL at +1100. The Rams' win total is 10.5 and their odds to win the NFC West are +120. I don't hate a bet on the Rams' over, though I wouldn't take them to win the division at those odds. The 49ers will be in the race all season and Kyle Shanahan has done well against Sean McVay (except, you know, that whole NFC championship game last season). The Rams will be good again. However, there isn't much value in their future odds.
From Yahoo's Scott Pianowski: "Allen Robinson posted horrible stats in his final year with the Bears, and you should completely ignore them. He was sacked by a horrible supporting cast. To be fair, he’s often overcome this type of thing before — he has WR4, WR12, and WR12 finishes on his pro resume — but the 2021 Bears were capable of sinking anyone.
"Now Robinson has died and gone to fantasy heaven — to the L.A. Rams, where he’ll catch Matthew Stafford passes and work in Sean McVay schemes. Sure, the Rams passing game centers around Cooper Kupp, but the distribution tree is narrow and Robinson should be targeted plenty. Robinson has an excellent chance to make a par, or a profit, on his reasonable Yahoo ADP of 66.2."
Cam Akers' return last season from an Achilles tear was incredible. He was back on the field in less than six months. He was a starter in the Super Bowl. However, by now most dedicated fans know he wasn't the same. He averaged just 2.4 yards on 72 carries after his return.
“I don’t feel like I played the best games throughout that time span, so there wasn’t really a lot of celebrating for me,” Akers said, via the Los Angeles Times. “It was more, ‘How can I get better?’”
The history of running backs coming back from Achilles tears is really bad. Hopefully for Akers, he regains his pre-injury form with an offseason to recover. But the Rams will have to make some difficult decisions if Akers struggles early on. They have a capable backup in Darrell Henderson.
Who on the Rams' defense will step up?
Aaron Donald is the best player in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey is perhaps the best cornerback. Bobby Wagner is a tremendous off-ball linebacker. Does the Rams defense have enough around those three stars? Losing pass rusher Von Miller and cornerback Darious Williams in free agency hurts, though the Rams did get cornerback Troy Hill in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Leonard Floyd has been quite good for the Rams, and he'll be the key to the edge pass rush with Miller gone. Other lesser-known defenders like lineman A'Shawn Robinson, safety Jordan Fuller and linebacker Ernest Jones do their jobs well. It'll probably work out, mostly because Donald ruins offensive plans by himself, but staying healthy is very important for this defense.
The Sean McVay Rams had been knocking on the door for a while. They finally caught some playoff breaks and won a Lombardi Trophy. Now that the Rams know they can do it, their confidence will be high. Matthew Stafford is no longer the QB who put up numbers but never won anything. McVay can put the regrets over the Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots behind him. Sometimes it just takes one run like that to spark another one. Stafford has another offseason in the offense and that helps. The defense still has Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles finished last season in the top 8 of Football Outsiders' DVOA in offense, defense and special teams; the only other team to do that was the Dallas Cowboys. It's a good, balanced, well-coached team. Maybe the Rams are better than a year ago and win another Super Bowl. The pieces are in place for a repeat.
We think the Rams will brush off any personnel and coaching losses because that's what they do. But Andrew Whitworth has a Hall of Fame case, Von Miller seems like a HOF lock, Odell Beckham Jr. was a huge part of the Rams' playoff run and the Minnesota Vikings thought enough of 2021 Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell to make him their new head coach. And those weren't the only losses, just the highest profile ones. There's also the possibility of a Super Bowl hangover. It doesn't just hit the losers. It's hard to maintain an edge when you've been celebrated all offseason. Winning the NFC West isn't a given either; the San Francisco 49ers and maybe even the Arizona Cardinals can give the Rams a challenge. The Rams' floor is pretty high. They're not going anywhere. But the one problem with winning a Super Bowl is nothing else will measure up.
The Rams should pick up where they left off. They didn't lose to a single non-playoff team last season (their losses: Arizona, Green Bay, Tennessee and San Francisco twice). The Rams have thrived with their top-heavy roster-building approach, and there are plenty of blue-chip players still on the roster. The Rams will probably win the NFC West again, though they'll be tested. They also could get right back to a Super Bowl. I don't think I'll be picking the Rams to repeat as NFC champs because it's hard to make that run two years in a row, but it's not like the Rams aren't capable. | 2022-08-07T20:24:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 NFL Preview: Rams had a magical Super Bowl ride, which will be hard to repeat | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-rams-had-a-magical-super-bowl-ride-which-will-be-hard-to-repeat-125116930.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-rams-had-a-magical-super-bowl-ride-which-will-be-hard-to-repeat-125116930.html?src=rss |
The Alabama Crimson Tide has won three out of the eight college football playoff national championships to date, with another two champions coming from fellow SEC schools, LSU and Georgia.
With one of the best quarterbacks and rosters in program history, anything short of a playoff appearance will be a disappointing season in the eyes of the Crimson Tide faithful. Fortunately for them, it’s hard for anyone to imagine the Tide not finishing the season among the top four.
Bill Bender of Sporting News predicted all of the bowl and playoff games for the upcoming 2022 season, including a third consecutive playoff birth for Alabama.
Bender projects that the Crimson Tide will meet up with a familiar foe, the Clemson Tigers, in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. After beating Clemson, Bender thinks that they will face the Ohio State Buckeyes for all of the marbles in the 2022 national title game.
Ohio State would love a chance to get some revenge on Alabama after the smacking the Tide put on them in the 2020 national title game when Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith posted the absurd stat line of 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns all in the first half.
Do you think Nick Saban can capture number eight this season?
Wild stat shows why 2022 is likely Alabama's year to win it all
Alabama keeping in contact with talented 2024 PF Donnie Freeman. | 2022-08-07T21:08:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alabama Football: Sporting News predicts Crimson Tide’s postseason opponents | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-football-sporting-news-predicts-192609000.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-football-sporting-news-predicts-192609000.html?src=rss |
Let’s be very clear at the outset: George Kliavkoff is a public figure and a man who is trying to keep the Pac-12 alive and together. He is fighting for his conference’s survival, which is tied to his own job’s survival. He has a very specific set of interests here.
He obviously isn’t going to let USC and UCLA go to the Big Ten without putting up a fight, or at least, giving the appearance that he’s mad about it. Of course this is the posture he should take.
Kliavkoff did a reasonably good job of trying to accommodate USC when the Trojans were still in the conference and had not made their fateful decision to move to the Big Ten. He wasn’t perfect, but Kliavkoff — in one year — did more than Larry Scott ever did in over a decade as Pac-12 commish.
Now that USC is headed to the Big Ten, Kliavkoff can’t — and frankly, shouldn’t — just shrug if off as though it never happened. He has to play politics and show to the 10 remaining member schools in the Pac that he’s upset. Therefore, he said at Pac-12 media day that USC and UCLA will regret moving to the Big Ten.
Surely Kliavkoff doesn’t inwardly think USC will regret the move. The Trojans are making tons of dollars in this deal. However, the UCLA side is where Kliavkoff could have a point. The Bruins are being pushed by the UC Board of Regents. Their exit is being made very uncomfortable. The Bruins might actually feel pain in this process.
That’s where we get back to Kliavkoff’s remark. Did he include USC just because he wanted UCLA to feel even more pain, or was he really serious in thinking USC might one day regret this move? It seems clear he was playing politics rather than offering a fully candid view of the situation. Anything he can say to make UCLA feel even more unsettled is a way to leverage the situation such that UCLA might have second thoughts about leaving.
USC is gone, but maybe he can persuade UCLA to reconsider. That’s probably what’s going on here. We discussed this with Mark Rogers at The Voice of College Football. | 2022-08-07T21:09:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | George Kliavkoff used strong-arm language which doesn’t apply to USC | https://sports.yahoo.com/george-kliavkoff-used-strong-arm-193413470.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/george-kliavkoff-used-strong-arm-193413470.html?src=rss |
Iowa Hawkeyes head football coach Kirk Ferentz tries not to spend a lot of time asking himself, “What if?” There is one piece of his past that he can’t help but ask that question about, though.
Ferentz joined SiriusXM radio host Rich Eisen on his program, “The Rich Eisen Show.” Ferentz was asked about recently getting to see his son, James Ferentz, at New England Patriots camp. James Ferentz has been a backup center for the New England Patriots since the start of the 2017 season.
Naturally, that led into Kirk Ferentz’s own history with New England head football coach Bill Belichick. Kirk Ferentz served as the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line coach during the 1993-95 seasons under then-head Cleveland Browns coach Bill Belichick.
“I don’t wonder an awful lot, but I always do wonder, I wonder every now and then what my life would have been if coach (Bill) Belichick hadn’t called me back in 1993. I think the truth of the matter is they had like eight or nine line coaches apply for the job. It just didn’t work out, so they truly got to the bottom of the barrel. I ended up in Cleveland. I’m just so appreciative of those three years to have a chance to work coach Belichick,” Kirk Ferentz said.
Of course, from there, Ferentz served as the Baltimore Ravens‘ offensive line coach in 1996 before being elevated to the Ravens’ associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Then, the rest is history. He’s been the head coach at Iowa ever since.
The family ties between Kirk Ferentz and Bill Belichick didn’t stop there, though. Kirk’s oldest son and Iowa’s current offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Brian Ferentz, got his professional start in New England.
Brian Ferentz started out as an offensive quality control coach with the Patriots in 2008 before eventually being named New England’s tight ends coach in 2011.
“My oldest boy has worked with him for five years for him and now to have another son be up there, I just feel very, very appreciative. He’s obviously an outstanding coach, but he’s just a tremendous person on top of it. I’m really appreciative of that part of it,” Ferentz said.
Now, James Ferentz is a longtime member of the Patriots and Kirk discussed what it has meant to watch his career unfold and how James has wound up sticking in New England.
“It certainly wasn’t any ever a thought would happen. Obviously, you hope good things happen all the time. It’s just great. I hate to talk about my kids, but his career is actually pretty amazing. He played here in ’12, that was his last year and couldn’t get any traction in the NFL. Never really put shoulder pads on once for a full calendar year. Bill O’Brien gave him a chance to try to make the team in Houston.
“Bill’s first year down there, so James made the practice squad and then ended up gaining traction in Denver. Unfortunately, Gary Kubiak couldn’t continue coaching. The new coach came in, took one look at James, James isn’t the biggest guy in the world and that was the end of his career in Denver. But, anyway, he’s fortunately been able to gain a little traction in New England, so it was a thrill just to be at practice period and then all of a sudden see James on the field is pretty cool,” Kirk Ferentz said.
Eisen also asked if Ferentz and Belichick ever talk shop when the two get together.
“Yeah, a little bit of schemes. Probably more just people and trends in the game, those types of things. Just maybe a little bigger picture that way, but, you know, pretty much anything he says, I know this: it’s worth listening to. I can tell you that from my three years in Cleveland,” Ferentz said.
2022 Big Ten Media Day: Iowa Hawkeyes' Kirk Ferentz previews the college football season
2022 Big Ten Media Days: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz joins the TV desk, previews the Hawkeyes' hopes | 2022-08-07T21:09:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz ‘very appreciative’ of family ties with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick | https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-kirk-ferentz-very-appreciative-193039217.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-kirk-ferentz-very-appreciative-193039217.html?src=rss |
Time after time in the 2021 football season, KJ Jefferson made something out of nothing. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound was a specialist at shedding would-be sack artists and tacklers.
Heading into 2022, though, Jefferson is down about 10 pounds. The weight drop shouldn’t change his strength though, but instead make him even harder to bring down.
“I’m flying around a lot better,” he said. “I’m a lot more confident in myself, just being able to get out and make plays with my legs. Just being able to knock some of the extra weight off and lean up a little bit.”
Jefferson ran for 664 yards and six touchdowns last year. Only Florida’s Emory Jones had more yards from the quarterback spot in the SEC and only Ole Miss’ Matt Corral had more touchdowns from the same. Neither is in the SEC anymore as Jones transferred to Arizona State and Corral is in the NFL.
Jefferson said the 240 pounds is the weight at which he wants to play, too. It won’t only help him upfield, but he can more easily evade pass rushers, too. Arkansas allowed 30 sacks last year.
“I’m hoping I shed a couple more pounds before the first game. That’s my mindset going into it. So each and every day I’m attacking it,” Jefferson said.
Arkansas football quarterback KJ Jefferson and safety Jalen Catalon recap the Razorbacks' first day of preseason practice. | 2022-08-07T21:09:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Leaner, meaner KJ Jefferson spells trouble for opposing defenses | https://sports.yahoo.com/leaner-meaner-kj-jefferson-spells-180856050.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/leaner-meaner-kj-jefferson-spells-180856050.html?src=rss |
Oklahoma has left the Mike Stoops defensive days behind them. That started with the hiring of Alex Grinch who helped them push forward into a somewhat respectable defense. While they eventually hit a bit of a wall under Grinch’s direction, the days of being lambasted for weeks upon end are long gone.
Enter Brent Venables, college football’s best defensive mind over the last 10 years as the new head coach of Oklahoma, a place he’s won a national championship as their defensive coordinator. He’ll no longer be the coordinator of the defense, that role has been passed down to Ted Roof. As the team gets started with fall camp, Roof’s words about Oklahoma offer encouraging signs that the Sooners are on the precipice of breaking through the proverbial wall they ran into under Grinch.
When speaking with the media ahead of fall camp, defensive coordinator Ted Roof spoke on a myriad of topics including the defense’s football IQ and their willingness to get better on their own.
When asked about the biggest areas of progress from the defense since arriving, Roof had this to say, “Well, I see an improved football IQ. And you can tell that the guys have been working because of that, as far as knowing assignments, understanding the defense, understanding where their help is because playing team defense is a big deal, as far as knowing where your help is and playing opposite your help; where, if you’ve got help outside, you want to make sure you stay inside leverage, things like that, the details of that, that allow you to play fast and allow you not to have to think and process as opposed to reacting.
Roof went on to add, ”And so in addition to that, (it’s) learning offense, too, meaning formation tendencies, motions, shifts, all the receiver splits, all those things that go into the pre-snap process that the more you can understand that and recognize that, the faster you can play because then you can anticipate. And I think that’s what the great players do, they anticipate. They play ahead of the play instead of behind the play….”
Oklahoma’s defenders immersing themselves in the nuances of football, understanding tendencies, knowing route combinations, and even minute details such as receiver splits are something that should be refreshing to the ears of many Sooner faithful.
Details and knowing and understanding things like this are the difference between being a top 60 defense and a top 20 defense.
Brent Venables’ 2014 Clemson defense led the nation in total defense, while his 2018 version led the nation in scoring defense. The Sooners want to level up into an elite defense and this staff’s tutelage could be the thing that gets them there. However, there has to be buy-in and the buy-in comes from the players going the extra mile and immersing themselves in the fine details.
How does this level of commitment happen though? It starts with the players and the players taking ownership. That starts with doing things and coordinating player-led practices and workouts when NCAA rules prohibit coach interaction. Roof spoke on that in detail.
“Well, there are NCAA rules that we have to follow as far as a certain amount of hours that we can require them to be here, but you never regret doing more than what’s required,” Roof said. “And our guys have spent a lot of time on their own this summer, and I think we’ve had a great summer. I think we’re better defensively now than when we started the summer. But we should be. But some places aren’t. So, I’ve been real proud of the way that our guys have worked, and I think we’ve made some strides and looking forward to getting started. But being player-led, that’s a big deal. Coaches can do this and do that, but when your players take ownership and it becomes player led, then you’re moving in a really good direction.”
Oklahoma is less than a month away from unveiling its new defense to the world. With full buy-in from the staff and most importantly the players, Oklahoma can begin to try and push themselves to a level on defense that Norman hasn’t seen in years.
Haaland makes it 2-0 to Man City v. West Ham
Erling Haaland enjoys a double dip on his Manchester City debut, sweeping Kevin de Bruyne's pass into the bottom corner to double the visitors' lead against West Ham. | 2022-08-07T21:09:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Oklahoma’s defense has spent the offseason taking ownership | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-defense-spent-offseason-taking-192347883.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-defense-spent-offseason-taking-192347883.html?src=rss |
Pro Football Focus ranks Texas’ 2022 schedule as the No. 12 most difficult in the country and No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference.
Fans have already set a season ticket record less than one month away from opening kickoff.
The Longhorns nonconference schedule is highlighted by a blue blood matchup against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 2. Texas will also host a UTSA team that won 11 games a year ago the following week.
Texas plays a full nine game Big 12 schedule with difficult road trips to Oklahoma State and Kansas State. The Horns look for revenge against rival Oklahoma in Dallas in the second week of Oct. The defending Big 12 champion Baylor comes to Austin to end the regular season on Nov. 26.
Here is a full look at Pro Football Focus’ schedule rankings ahead of the 2022 college football season. | 2022-08-07T21:09:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | PFF ranks Texas’ 2022 schedule as one of the toughest in the country | https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-ranks-texas-2022-schedule-191921342.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-ranks-texas-2022-schedule-191921342.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football has been under fire for its recruiting efforts in the 2023 cycle, and it’s somewhat deservedly so.
Coming off of a College Football Playoff appearance and Big Ten championship, the Wolverines are lagging, missing out on a lot of high-profile recruits. The biggest being in-state quarterback Dante Moore, a five-star prospect rated by 247Sports as the No. 2 player in the country, regardless of position. Jim Harbaugh offered Moore when he was in seventh grade, and the maize and blue appeared to be the team to beat, but things went sour over the course of the last year, and Moore opted to go to Oregon, a team with a new head coach in Dan Lanning, who’s primarily defensive-minded.
Moore isn’t the only one, of course. The Wolverines have been seeing players they would normally get go elsewhere, presumably due to the new name, image, and likeness landscape. Harbaugh has said that he views NIL in the sense that Michigan will be transformational, not transactional, and that whatever money that would come would arrive after the player has signed and made a name for themselves — not before. There are merits to this line of thinking, but is Michigan being lapped in recruiting as a result?
On Sunday, co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, who also oversees the quarterback position and was the primary recruiter on the aforementioned Moore, discussed his thoughts generally on the matter (that is, not specific to Moore himself). Having come aboard from the Baltimore Ravens, where he oversaw the most prolific rushing attack the NFL has ever seen, Weiss thought recruiting would have more to do with the product you put on the field than the accouterments that could come with signing to a various school. However, things have gone quite differently, and though Weiss is still looking for advantages to other merits, he explains why the current recruiting landscape in college football makes little sense.
“That’s one thing I’m about recruiting — I thought that’s what it would all be about, right?,” Weiss said. “In the NFL, guys want to go where they have — certainly, money is a factor but usually, the money is pretty close. And the teams are deciding between them, they pick between the place that is going to utilize them the best and where they have the most opportunity to win. And that’s where they go.
“And so I certainly thought coming in here, OK, if we can get the offense really good, recruiting will be easy. And then I think, one thing I’ve learned is there is a lot of the relationship element to it, right? If an NFL free agent signed with the team and went to the press conference, and said, ‘You know, I’m just here because I just love this position coach, I mean, this guy, we have a great relationship. We’re up playing like Fortnite every morning, every day at two in the morning, and this guy is just awesome. That’s why I’m here.’ Everybody would be like, ‘Wow, what’s wrong with this guy?’ But, but in college, that’s kind of, that’s kind of what happens and it’s not the only thing that things are based on, but it matters, right?
“And so I’m learning that, figuring out how to do that. Now certainly, I’m not playing Fortnite with anyone at two in the morning, but — just like I tell the recruits that. The guy that’s playing video games with you at 11 o’clock at night or whatever, that’s what he’s going to be doing when he should be trying to help you become a better player and he should be game-planning and figuring out ways to make the offense go — he’s going to be playing Fortnite with some 16-year old.”
Of course, Michigan is a different school than most. The academic component, being one of the top (sometimes ranked the top) public institution of higher learning in the country means that the Wolverines take the student part in ‘student-athlete’ seriously.
On top of the academic portion, Jim Harbaugh has built a program that, while it does have some extracurriculars — such as this summer’s tourism of the state of Michigan, similar to past trips to Rome, Paris, and South Africa — is focused mainly on football. That’s the way it’s mostly been since he arrived, with the head coach famously not allowing players to visit Miami Beach when in the Capital One Orange Bowl back in 2016. Though he’s loosened up a bit since then, he’s trying to build the program into not just a contender, but one that preaches togetherness, and one that sends players to the NFL. During the 2022 fall training camp, Michigan has an astounding 55 players on NFL rosters.
While Michigan has kept up with the times when it’s come to locker room renovations, other programs have added interesting features. From water slides at Clemson, to barbershops across several others, to teams like LSU that have lockers that turn into lay-flat beds, the Wolverines aren’t adding anything particularly fancy that’s not football related.
For Weiss, he sees that as a benefit, not a deterrent. Because those who come to Ann Arbor will have a singular focus, rather than whatever fad is out there.
“Yeah, I think the guys that fit us fit that type of — the guys who are successful here — we have a great culture here, we have great guys on the team. A lot of it is a credit to Jim, obviously, but it self-selects,” Weiss said. “Guys who would want to be here, the guys who do well here are the guys who like football. The guys who are good guys who just want to play football and that’s what they love to do and this is like a football-like cathedral — all the football you can handle and more. And those are the guys this place self-selects for that.
“Guys who are into other stuff, whether it’s a locker that turns into a bed or flat-screen TV in your locker — whatever it is — those guys usually don’t do well here if they come here and they usually don’t come here. So the same thing with the quarterbacks we get. I think our types of guys, they want to come.”
In essence, if you want to be good at football, Jim Harbaugh, Matt Weiss and company are working to make Michigan that destination. If you want creature comforts or to simply bond with your recruiter over video games, then there might be better destinations out there for you.
Riley Greene homered for the third time this season, but the Detroit Tigers issued 13 walks in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. | 2022-08-07T21:09:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Recruiting: Why some players just aren’t right for Michigan football | https://sports.yahoo.com/recruiting-why-players-just-aren-202221340.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/recruiting-why-players-just-aren-202221340.html?src=rss |
On Sunday afternoon, both Michigan football offensive coordinators had a chance to talk to the media. The Wolverines just started fall camp on Wednesday, and both Sherrone Moore and Matt Weiss had plenty of interesting things to say about their offense in Ann Arbor, but what was said about the running game was interesting.
There is no denying what was Michigan’s offensive identity last year — running the football. The Wolverines averaged 214 yards-per-game on the ground in 2021, and the maize and blue had three guys that helped: Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, and Donovan Edwards.
So will Michigan try and replicate last season?
While Sherrone Moore says it’s too soon to tell what the offensive identity will be for Michigan for the 2022 season, Matt Weiss talked a little bit more about running the ball. Weiss talked about how in cold, rainy games that the Big Ten plays in you must be able to run the ball — especially to set up the pass. He also shared that the vision for the offense comes from Jim Harbaugh and the culture that has surrounded the Wolverines since Harbaugh has been here.
“So our vision is directly from Coach Harbaugh,” said Weiss. “If you look at his history of teams, and the culture that’s here at Michigan, that’s the vision for the offense. I think you can see the evolution of that last year with what Sherrone did with the offensive line, and how physical they were last year. And the way he coached, gap schemes, and I think that’s the kind of the calling card of, of Michigan football.”
“It’s an all-weather conference, you have to be able to play and in the cold in the rain, and certainly running the ball is a part of that. And then running the ball sets up the pass game. It’s a lot easier to throw the ball, when you can run the ball; it’s a lot harder to throw the ball when you can’t run the ball. And even you look at the best passing teams in the NFL, which is more of a passing league, they still run the ball, right? Because that’s part of the pass game.”
Of course, Michigan lost its top back from 2021 in Hassan Haskins after he left for the NFL draft. Haskins rushed for 1,333 yards, but he really broke loose once Corum got banged up in the middle of the season. Coach Moore was asked how Michigan can replace his production for 2022. The Wolverines will bring back Blake Corum, who rushed for 962 yards in 2021, and Edwards, but who will be the ‘big’ back for short yardage gains?
“Hassan was an elite player for us in college football,” said Moore. “So it’s hard to replace him but guys like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, obviously, we have those two, and now you have the Tavis (Tavierre Dunlap), the C.J. Stokes, and even Kalel (Mullings) is getting reps like he did in the spring. Those guys have done a great job for us so far. And I’m just watching those guys continue to progress. Just gonna have to see what we’re gonna have to do.”
The Wolverines have been experimenting with Kalel Mullings at running back this spring and fall. Mullings came into Michigan as a four-star linebacker that was highly sought after. But according to Matt Weiss, Mullings is splitting time on both sides of the ball in fall camp. He says that Mullings being a bigger back, it gives Michigan a different option like Haskins gave the Wolverines last year.
“Yeah, he’s splitting his time with both sides of the ball,” Weiss said of Mullings. “He’s a talented guy who could probably do anything that he wanted to. But I think he could be a really, really high-level back if that’s to be committed himself to. And right now he’s doing everything we ask, obviously. It’s hard when you’re splitting time to master both. But he’s finding a way to do that. And we’re spending extra time with him. And we’re excited about what he can potentially add to an already talented backfield.”
“He’s a bigger back,” Weiss went on about the hybrid back. “We have kind of an embarrassment of riches in the backfield with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, both guys who will likely be playing at the next level. But they’re not however man pounds. Kalel is, he’s a really big, physical guy, so he gives you that presence that we had a lot of success with Hassan last year. We’re not saying that Kalel is going to be Hassan, right, that’s not going to be Kalel. But he adds an element that the other two really talented players — is a little bit different.”
While it sounds like there is a battle brewing for the No. 3 running back job, there is a clear-cut top two for Michigan: Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. We all know what Corum is capable of after his performance last season. The former four-star back came out of the gates like a man on fire after rushing for over 200 yards during his first three games of the season.
But the more intriguing factor for Michigan for 2022 is Donovan Edwards. The former five-star back out of West Bloomfield rushed for 178 yards in 2021 running behind both Haskins and Corum. But what makes Edwards so lethal is his ability to catch the ball. He was fifth on the team last year in receiving with 265 yards, and he really broke out against Maryland last year when he caught 10 passes for 170 yards and a score.
During Big Ten Media Days, FOX analyst Joel Klatt said that Edwards was his “dark horse Heisman contender”. Also during Big Ten Media Days, coach Harbaugh said that Edwards was one of his favorite players and was a once-in-a-generation type of talent. So what does his offensive coordinator think? Sherrone Moore says Edwards brings a ton of energy to the team, and that he has the toolset to be an elite player in college football.
“Yeah, the first thing he brings is energy, because if he walked through right now, you’d probably hear him yelling,” said Moore. “Just the energy, the presence that he has, he has an infectious personality. He’s an electric player, and he’s still learning to do things, he’s by no means a finished product. So he continues to strive to get better, and he just wants to be pushed to get better. But he has a great skill set, a great toolset to be an elite player in college football. And we have higher expectations of him and he has high expectations of himself. So I’ll just continue to push him to try to get better.”
The Wolverines will get their season started on September 3rd against Colorado State.
The decision to play JJ McCarthy as a true freshman last season could easily be broken down to one single point: Well, he's a good player. While that is certainly true, it also went beyond his talent level for Michigan to operate with a two-quarterback system last season, which is likely to extend into this season as well. According to co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, who met with the media on Sunday, there was a specific reason why the Wolverines had the plan it did for McCarthy.
Rookie Garrett Hill gave up one run and the Detroit Tigers got to AL All-Star starter Shane McClanahan in a 9-1 rout of Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
Pep: Haaland adapting perfectly to Man City
Pep Guardiola praised every facet of his Manchester City squad after their 2-0 victory over West Ham in East London. | 2022-08-07T21:09:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sherrone Moore says Donovan Edwards has a ‘great toolset to be an elite player’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/sherrone-moore-says-donovan-edwards-201411362.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sherrone-moore-says-donovan-edwards-201411362.html?src=rss |
Kurt Busch’s NASCAR absence will extend to at least three races.
Busch said Wednesday that he would miss Sunday’s Cup Series race at Michigan. Busch suffered an apparent concussion in qualifying at Pocono and has missed races at Pocono and the Indianapolis road course. He’ll be replaced by Ty Gibbs in the No. 45 car for 23XI Racing once again.
“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,” Busch said in a statement.
“I know Ty will continue to do a great job representing 23XI and the No. 45 Monster Energy team 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.”
Gibbs, the grandson of NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs, has filled in for Busch at both Pocono and Indianapolis. He finished 16th at Pocono and 17th at Indianapolis.
Busch’s injury is the first significant injury suffered by a driver in NASCAR’s new Cup Series car. Busch was exiting Turn 3 at Pocono during qualifying when his car spun around and the back end hit the outside wall.
Busch won at Kansas Speedway in May and is currently a part of the Cup Series playoff field because of that win assuming that three winless drivers do not win over the final four races of the regular season. Busch is 18th in the points standings despite missing two races and is likely to fall no lower than 21st in the standings if he returns in a week at Richmond.
Kurt Busch is set to miss a third straight race after his Pocono crash. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
NASCAR at Michigan live updates: Austin Cindric, Kyle Busch done after big wreck
Cape Cod Baseball League playoff highlights and scores from Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. | 2022-08-07T21:20:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | NASCAR: Kurt Busch out for third consecutive race at Michigan | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-kurt-busch-out-for-third-consecutive-race-at-michigan-200216769.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-kurt-busch-out-for-third-consecutive-race-at-michigan-200216769.html?src=rss |
The Denver Broncos brought in four long snappers for tryouts on Friday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.
Kameron Canaday, Joe Fortunato, Ryan Navarro and Matt Overton worked out for the team, but as of the time of this writing, none of them have been signed. All four specialists have spent time in the NFL, with Overton owning the most experience (126 games).
Denver’s current long snapper, Jacob Bobenmoyer, has done a fine job over the last two seasons, so the Broncos are probably just looking for candidates to consider down the road in case of injury.
Bobenmoyer is the only long snapper currently on the roster, but special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes has made it clear that he likes having competition at every position.
“For me personally, I always thought that we should have six specialists in camp, so everybody is competing and nobody says, ‘I have a job, and I’ve made it,'” Stukes said on July 30. “When you put pressure on guys, that’s when you get the best out of guys and that’s what we’re looking for.”
The Broncos’ 90-man offseason roster is full, so if the team makes any signings, they would need to make corresponding roster moves to make room on the roster. | 2022-08-07T21:29:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | 4 long snappers tried out for the Broncos on Friday | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-long-snappers-tried-broncos-211616104.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-long-snappers-tried-broncos-211616104.html?src=rss |
Report: Bears WR N'Keal Harry appears to have severe ankle injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
N'Keal Harry is hoping to revive his career with the Chicago Bears, but an ankle injury might put that goal on pause for a bit.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that the 23-year-old wide receiver has an ankle issue that appears to be severe, although more tests are needed to determine the exact severity.
Harry came into training camp motivated to be an important part of the Bears passing attack.
N'Keal Harry reveals his initial reaction to trade from Patriots to Bears
He was a first-round pick (32nd overall) of the New England Patriots in 2019 but never lived up to expectations in three years under head coach Bill Belichick. The former Arizona State star tallied just 57 receptions for 598 yards and four touchdowns in 33 career games with the Patriots. They traded him to the Bears in May for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.
Given the weakness of the Bears' wide receiver corps, it was possible for Harry to move up the depth chart during camp and the preseason. Chicago needs all the pass-catching help it can get.
Unfortunately for Harry, injuries are not a new problem for him. He missed a bunch of games with the Patriots due to injury, including his rookie campaign when he was sidelined for nine of 16 regular season matchups.
Harry has a good opportunity with the Bears, he just needs to stay healthy and get on the field. Hopefully for Harry, this injury won't keep him off the field for very long. | 2022-08-07T21:29:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL rumors: Bears WR N'Keal Harry appears to have severe ankle injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-bears-wr-nkeal-195504673.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-bears-wr-nkeal-195504673.html?src=rss |
Chicago Bears receiver N’Keal Harry is reportedly undergoing further testing to discover the extent of the damage done by the ankle injury he sustained in Saturday’s training camp practice.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the injury appeared “severe” in initial evaluations.
It’s a tough blow for the 24-year-old receiver, who was looking forward to an opportunity to start over with a new team. The Bears traded a 2024 seventh-round draft pick to the New England Patriots to acquire him back in July.
Things never panned out during Harry’s time with the Patriots, and there was hope that a new environment would bring out the best in the big-bodied receiver that once drew Anquan Boldin comparisons.
The former first-round draft pick has struggled staying on the field with him dealing with at least some sort of a training camp injury in three of the last four preseasons.
Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.
Bryse Wilson pitched effectively into the sixth inning, Ke'Bryan Hayes homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped Baltimore's five-game winning streak Sunday with an 8-1 victory over the Orioles. The Pirates also ended their own nine-game skid at Camden Yards, improving to 2-11 at the ballpark. Wilson (2-6) allowed a run and four hits in five-plus innings, and Pittsburgh broke the game open in the seventh after a replay review changed a call at the plate. | 2022-08-07T21:29:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Former Patriots WR N’Keal Harry ankle injury ‘appears severe’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-former-patriots-wr-n-195751440.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-former-patriots-wr-n-195751440.html?src=rss |
The Cleveland Browns' training camp hasn't lacked for drama because of quarterback Deshaun Watson's NFL disciplinary case over sexual misconduct allegations. Now, there's a new storyline involving running back Kareem Hunt — even if the head coach insists the 27-year-old's fight for an extension is “normal.” The NFL's rushing leader in 2017 demanded a trade after the team denied his request for a long-term contract extension, holding himself out of team drills Friday and Saturday in protest but rejoining on Sunday.
Two of the players that have been on PUP since the start of camp join Jack Conklin as returning to practice this week according to a report: | 2022-08-07T21:56:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cade York hits FG to end practice, gets lifted onto teammates shoulders | https://sports.yahoo.com/cade-york-hits-fg-end-201049401.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cade-york-hits-fg-end-201049401.html?src=rss |
Darick Hall hit two home runs and Nick Maton and Rhys Hoskins each hit two-run homers to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a four-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 13-1 win on Sunday. Maton drove in four runs, Bryson Stott had three RBIs and the Phillies scored five runs in the fourth and eighth innings. Aaron Nola (8-8) struck out five and allowed one run in six innings to put the Phillies (60-48) 12 games over .500 for the first time since August 2018.
The Phillies muscled five home runs to back Kyle Gibson, who took a perfect game into the 7th inning in the 7-2 win over the Nationals | 2022-08-07T21:56:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | MLB Wild Card: Phillies sweep Nationals, closing in on Padres | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-wild-card-phillies-sweep-205700715.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-wild-card-phillies-sweep-205700715.html?src=rss |
DeWanna Bonner with an And One vs. Chicago Sky
DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun) with an And One vs. Chicago Sky, 08/07/2022
Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds has been announced as a contestant for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, saying she’s delighted to be the first contestant with dwarfism to take part in the show. The competition will be returning for its 20th year in September, and Simmonds told the BBC she was embracing the “once in […] | 2022-08-07T22:57:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | DeWanna Bonner with an And One vs. Chicago Sky | https://sports.yahoo.com/dewanna-bonner-one-vs-chicago-192454302.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dewanna-bonner-one-vs-chicago-192454302.html?src=rss |
Seattle showed up for its four-time WNBA champion potentially one last time.
A record 18,100 fans came out to Climate Pledge Arena, many arriving hours before tipoff, to watch Sue Bird play her final regular season game in Seattle on Sunday. It is a franchise record and a record for a sporting event at the arena, which also hosts the NHL's Seattle Kraken and the Seattle University men's basketball team.
Bird, 41, has spent her entire career in Seattle since the franchise drafted her No. 1 overall in 2002. The UConn star has been a part of the franchise for all but two of its 23 seasons. The arena was full of Bird merchandise, but even so the line for more Bird merch was long. She won four WNBA championships, all in different decades, and announced last month she would in fact retire.
Last playoffs the crowd's "one more year" chant helped prompt her return. This time they bellowed "Thank you, Sue" as Bird finished her ESPN post-game interview with sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell officially declared it "Sue Bird Day" in Seattle ahead of the game. The league's all-time leader in assists was honored with a pre-game ceremony and gifted a special GOAT ring while her teammates wore honorary GOAT T-shirts celebrating their leader.
Seattle's pregame ovation for Sue Bird did not disappoint 👏💚pic.twitter.com/4NGGrjokl6
One of the sweetest moments of the day came when a young fan gave her a flower while Bird was preparing to inbound the ball in the first quarter. It quickly made the rounds on social media.
"Can you hold it for me," Bird, who was mic'd up by ESPN, asked her while giving it back.
Everything was heightened in Seattle from the team's walk out to the court to what could be the final time Bird runs out to her name in front of the home crowd.
The top four teams host the opening two games of the best-of-three first-round series. But if the Storm fall below the fourth seed and can't force a Game 3, they won't return home in the postseason.
"A 5'9 guard from UConn. No. 10 ..."
𝐒𝐔𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃! pic.twitter.com/3Go7dPKLwD
There's a chance if the Storm don't play at Climate Pledge again until 2023, it will look a lot different. Breanna Stewart is an unrestricted free agent after she signed a one-year deal last offseason. Only Jewell Loyd and Mercedes Russell, who has not played this year due to injury, are signed to deals.
Back in the now, Bird didn't waste time getting into the scoresheet. She hit a 14-foot pull-up jumper at the elbow less than three minutes into the contest on an assist by Breanna Stewart. Each made shot and assist was met by roars from the packed house.
SUUUUUUUUE 👏👏@S10Bird x #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/RUkd5DHNVn
Bird finished with nine points (4-of-9), six assists, four rebounds and one steal in the 89-81 loss. The Storm did not drop out of the No. 4 seed, which hosts the first two games in the best-of-three first-round series, because the No. 5 Mystics lost at the same time. The Mystics are now one-half game behind Seattle.
She didn't plan out a speech and wasn't going to talk long, according to the ESPN broadcast. But in the end, she gave an endearing and lengthy speech to the sold-out crowd who have watched her for two decades.
She exited by tossing out shoes to fans. And she reminded them she'd see everyone in the playoffs.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm speaks to fans after her last regular season home game of her career against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on August 07, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | 2022-08-07T22:58:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sue Bird's Seattle goodbye: Young fan gifts Bird flower during inbound play and more heartwarming moments | https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-birds-seattle-goodbye-young-fan-gifts-bird-flower-during-inbound-play-and-more-heartwarming-moments-215300899.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-birds-seattle-goodbye-young-fan-gifts-bird-flower-during-inbound-play-and-more-heartwarming-moments-215300899.html?src=rss |
It’s been widely known that Connor Williams is planning to be the starting center for the Miami Dolphins when the regular season starts, but at this point, there’s not much behind him.
Last year’s starting center, Michael Deiter, is dealing with a foot injury that’s kept him out of practice, leaving Cole Banwart and Adam Pankey as the only players taking reps behind Williams in the middle.
On Sunday, the Dolphins worked out three centers – Cohl Cabral, Jake Lacina and Cole Toner, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. This follows a practice in which Pankey had a few poor snaps and while Williams has been struggling that department as well, they can’t have multiple players failing to get the ball to the quarterback.
Cabral was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and has bounced around to the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints since then. He has yet to play in a regular season game.
Lacina spent the spring in the USFL, playing for the New Jersey Generals. He was part of an offensive line that helped gain the most yards on the ground per game (160.6) in the league. In the NFL, Lacina was once on the Vikings, but he’s never played in a game.
Toner may be the most familiar name of the group, considering he was a fifth-round selection back in 2016 out of Harvard. Originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals, Toner spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots during his first two seasons before finding a landing spot with the Los Angeles Chargers for three years. He spent last season with the Houston Texans and has played in 13 NFL games, starting three of them. | 2022-08-07T23:00:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dolphins work out three centers on Sunday | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-three-centers-sunday-213156135.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-three-centers-sunday-213156135.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers didn’t make a transaction at running back after losing Patrick Taylor to a groin injury, and now we might know why. Taylor, who missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday and the Family Night Scrimmage on Friday night, returned to practice on Sunday, suggesting he could be ready to play when the Packers travel to San Francisco to open the preseason on Friday.
LaFleur’s team needs him back in the fold.
Taylor’s brief absence left the Packers with only undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, who won’t play in the preseason opener. LaFleur said he wouldn’t be comfortable going into a preseason game with only two available running backs and left open the possibility of making a roster adjustment, but Taylor’s injury was clearly minor and his return greatly lessens the need for another running back on the roster.
Taylor remains the front runner to make the team as the No. 3 running back. He played in nine games and rushed 23 times for the Packers in 2021. Kylin Hill, who made the team as the third option behind Jones and Dillon to start last season, is still on the PUP list recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Week 8 of last year, opening the door for Taylor to make the 53-man roster to open 2022.
Keep an eye on Taylor’s participation status the rest of the week. If he’s practicing normally, the Packers are probably good to go at running back for the preseason opener. If not, LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst might need to make an addition at some point between now and Friday.
Touchdown Wire's Doug Farrar brings forth one stat that matters for every NFL team coming into the 2022 season.
Matt Guenter swept the podium by winning events Saturday and Sunday at the 2022 USA Triathlon National Championships in Milwaukee.
At the Green Bay Packers Family Night on Friday there were a couple of standouts on the offensive side of the ball and a defense that continues to look impressive. | 2022-08-07T23:01:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | RB Patrick Taylor returns to Packers practice | https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-patrick-taylor-returns-packers-213006662.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-patrick-taylor-returns-packers-213006662.html?src=rss |
Texans defense practicing something they hope to do a lot this season: interception return drill @PFN365 pic.twitter.com/syjtvOTPKA
Lovie Smith is a big believer in takeaways.
The Houston Texans’ coach has made it a fundamental part of his Tampa 2 scheme. On the eighth day of training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center, the defense took part in an interception return drill, according to video from Aaron Wilson from the Pro Football Network.
On June 7 during the final week of organized team activities, cornerback Steven Nelson told reporters that the team was “hungry” and were starting to comprehend the significance of takeaways.
“I think we’re starting to understand that takeaways, when you win that turnover battle, that’s a big swing in the game,” said Nelson. “So, whenever we can take the ball away and put the ball back in the offense hands and they score, we score and that’s going to lead to bigger chances to win.”
The Texans weren’t too shabby in the takeaway department in 2021. Despite their 4-13 record, the Texans cultivated 25 extra possessions, tied with the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints for the 10th-most in the NFL. The Texans were the only team with a losing record in the top-10. | 2022-08-07T23:01:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Texans defense practices interception return drill | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-texans-defense-practices-interception-215741064.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-texans-defense-practices-interception-215741064.html?src=rss |
It’s always a treat getting to hear Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz on any national radio program. One of the nation’s best is “The Rich Eisen Show” on SiriusXM.
With football camp officially underway, Ferentz joined Eisen to discuss a number of topics last Thursday.
Additions of USC and UCLA
Eisen started by asking Ferentz about the recent additions of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten beginning in 2024.
“You know, quite honestly, two takeaways for me were, first of all, I was amazed at just the secrecy. I don’t know how big the circle was. It had to be, there had to be more than two people involved. So, the fact that they kept it so quiet whoever was involved, I thought that was really impressive. And then my second thought, I’m really glad I’m not one of the Olympic sport coaches at either of those two schools because they’re going to have some tough road trips. It’s hard to imagine that playing at Iowa or Nebraska would feel like a home game if you’re a coach on the West coast, but that’s kind of what they’re looking at right now,” Ferentz said.
If Ferentz likes expansion
“Well, as my age would indicate, I am a little bit old school, but I’ve really, you know, you’re just a part of this. I spent a couple years in the NFL and each and every year was a new year and a different year. Certainly, the last 23, 24 years, even longer than that in college football are really interesting. I’ll go back. My first head coaching job was at University of Maine, early 90’s and Kevin White who left Maine, went to Tulane, Arizona State, Notre Dame and just retired at Duke. I remember Kevin talking about the impact of TV sets and realigning of conferences and all of that.
“I had no idea what he was talking about. Zero. The things that he was privy to I guess back 30 years ago, they’ve kind of come to fruition. Starting with Penn State joining the Big Ten and then, yeah, you go from there. Times are very different and then I think, you know, if anything the last five, 10 years have taught us is when it comes to college geography and tradition really are secondary to TV opportunities. I think when the Big Ten Network started, to me, that was really the beginning of a major shift in terms of college football,” Ferentz said.
Approach to NIL
“First of all, I really didn’t pay attention to it the first ‘X’ amount of months. Really kind of start zeroing in on it in February after we got done with recruiting. You know, a couple of things. I think there’s probably a fair amount of exaggeration about some of the things that are going on in terms of just how significant or how fine the print is in some of those contracts. I think that’s going to be interesting over time. One thing we haven’t experienced yet is, you know, guys getting big contracts in college and then maybe not producing at the level that the people paying those contracts expect. We’ve seen that happen in pro baseball. I guess pro baseball was really the first sport with really true free agency at least that I can remember when I was a kid. So, that’s going to be something. The other thing that’s really kind of jumped out at me, in terms of you think about all the guys that play college football, how many are really benefitting all that much? I think anything that the guys can get is great, but as far as these ones that you hear about, it’s a really small percentage of the guys that truly play the game.
“You know, only time will tell how it’s really going to impact us, but it’s certainly given us one thing more to navigate. On a humorous note, you know, our guys are now getting exposed to the world of taxes, something that they really I don’t think understood and we want to make sure they do understand so they don’t get surprised there. So, that’s kind of interesting. The other part which is true for each and every one of us, and I tell our guys all the time, all of us only have so much time, so much energy, so you’ve just got to be really careful where you spend it and where you dedicate it towards,” Ferentz said.
If a player has asked for a specific NIL number to come to Iowa
To understand Ferentz’s response, it’s probably best to share verbatim how Eisen asked his question.
“Have you, Kirk Ferentz, identified a player that you would like on Iowa Hawkeye football and in your program that’s turned to you and said, ‘I would do that if you matched a certain number I’m getting on an NIL deal’ as an inducement. Has that happened to you?” Eisen asked.
Here’s how Ferentz responded.
“It’s really interesting. I think this past Sunday was the first time I’ve had a recruit bring it up. Now, I’m not saying they haven’t maybe talked to our assistants. I imagine that’s a possibility, but, you know, we haven’t really experienced that. Our players in our program, Tyler Linderbaum was probably our best-known guy last year. Almost inadvertently raised 36,000 dollars and he gave it to the Children’s Hospital just to give you an indication. We’re lucky the guys we get to work with and I would have had no problem with him putting that in his pocket.
“But, you know, no, it really hasn’t been a big factor yet. I’m sure it’s going to be become more of one. If we could write the script, our approach I think would be to, I’d prefer to see players that are actually in college who have done something, see them get rewards in proportion to what they’ve accomplished. It would be nice if there was an academic component to it. That’s probably not the real world, but I think all of us function better when production is rewarded as opposed to potential or projection,” Ferentz said.
Eisen followed up by asking if that recruit asked for a specific figure to Ferentz’s face.
“He was talking about, you know, just the world of NIL, and, if you understood his background, you’d understand it. I think you would at least. I felt like I did. It was totally innocent. No, he was not trying to cut a deal. I’m sure that day is coming, but haven’t had that experience yet,” Ferentz said.
The quarterback competition, his son in New England
Hawkeyes Wire touched on what Ferentz had to say about the quarterback competition and seeing his son, James Ferentz, at training camp in New England.
Naturally, the quarterback comments were noteworthy as fall camp begins. Most fans probably remember or know this, but Ferentz coached under Bill Belichick as the offensive line coach in Cleveland during the 1993-95 NFL seasons, so the connection between Ferentz and Belichick is an interesting one historically. | 2022-08-07T23:22:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Everything Iowa Hawkeyes head football coach Kirk Ferentz said with Rich Eisen to start 2022 camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-iowa-hawkeyes-head-football-223053832.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-iowa-hawkeyes-head-football-223053832.html?src=rss |
AUTO: AUG 06 IndyCar Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
IndyCar in Nashville under way after delay for lightning hold at Music City Grand Prix originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Cavan Biggio hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and Whit Merrifield scored on an overturned call to lead the Blue Jays to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday and split the four-game series. Merrifield was originally called out at the plate, but the call was reversed after Twins catcher Gary Sanchez was deemed to have interfered with Merrifield. “It’s one of the worst moments I think we’ve seen of umpiring in any game I’ve ever been a part of in baseball, and I think it was pathetic what just played out,” said Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli, who was ejected for arguing the call, the eighth time in his career he was thrown out of a game and third this season. | 2022-08-07T23:31:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | IndyCar in Nashville under way after delay for lightning hold at Music City Grand Prix | https://sports.yahoo.com/indycar-music-city-grand-prix-193035323.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/indycar-music-city-grand-prix-193035323.html?src=rss |
As the Arizona Cardinals assess their roster through the second week of training camp, it remains clear the team will likely be adding a veteran cornerback in the near future.
A potential addition could be cornerback DeAndre Baker, recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs, whom the Cardinals in Week 1 of the regular season. Baker is a former first-round draft pick.
The Chiefs added a ton to their cornerback room this offseason, highlighted by first-round selection Trent McDuffie. There just didn’t seem to be room for Baker on the roster.
Baker was the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, taken a few picks before the 33rd pick, Byron Murphy. After an up-and-down rookie season with the Giants, he was arrested on armed robbery charges which put him on the Commissioner’s List.
These charges were dropped and Baker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent the last two seasons. The former first rounder did not find a role as a full time starter, appearing in eight games last year and having one start.
Perhaps the Cardinals view the 24-year-old as a high-upside player who could help their thin cornerback room. With his charges dropped, a former first round pick at a position of need is hitting the open market.
Baker posted a 60 PFF rating last season and played was a contributor on special teams. Should the Cardinals kick the tires on the No. 30 overall pick? | 2022-08-08T00:36:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | CB DeAndre Baker a potential option for the Cardinals | https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-deandre-baker-potential-option-225626662.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-deandre-baker-potential-option-225626662.html?src=rss |
South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai kisses the trophy after winning the Women's British Open in Muirfield, Scotland on Sunday. (Scott Heppell / Associated Press)
Mike Yastrzemski slugged two homers and Logan Webb tossed seven strong innings to lead the Giants to a 6-4 win over the A's
Logan Webb returned to ace form and the Giants' offense did what they do best in the Bay Bridge Series finale against the A's. | 2022-08-08T01:02:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Golf roundup: Ashleigh Buhair breaks through in Women's British Open | https://sports.yahoo.com/golf-roundup-ashleigh-buhair-breaks-233017890.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/golf-roundup-ashleigh-buhair-breaks-233017890.html?src=rss |
Aiyuk praises Lance's short-term memory after toughest practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — After what was arguably Trey Lance’s worst practice of training camp, Brandon Aiyuk gave an update on the 49ers quarterback’s mental state.
It was a shorter practice than the club had on Saturday, where Lance was able to put together multiple long and productive drives. On Sunday, the young play caller was only able to complete four of his 12 pass attempts, with his last throw ending in Fred Warner's hands for an interception.
Aiyuk shared that Lance did not appear flustered at all, taking it all in as a learning experience that he will use in his preparation for the regular season. After all, that’s why it is called practice.
“The best thing about Trey is he walks off the practice field and he’s still exactly the same way today,” Aiyuk said on Sunday. “He talked to us after a couple of plays that he wishes he had back and he talked to us the same way as if he would have hit a play — what he did see, what he didn't see, what he liked.”
Aiyuk has been Lance’s favorite target through 10 days of practice but the two were only able to connect once (in three attempts) during Sunday’s session. The Arizona State product isn’t worried about his quarterback, knowing the potential Lance has with the ball in his hands.
Hitting a third consecutive day of practice after what might have been the longest session on Saturday could also be a factor, according to Aiyuk. In the “dog days” of training camp, all players experience ups and downs.
The 49ers will take Monday off for some much-needed rest after three practices in a row. They will then practice Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for their first preseason contest, hosting the Green Bay Packers on Friday.
RELATED: Ward believes Aiyuk has potential to become No. 1 receiver
Aiyuk indicated that Lance will be working as diligently after Sunday’s practice as he would if he went 12-for-12 and that no one on the roster is thinking twice about their quarterback’s mental state.
“He’s still talking to us trying to figure it out,” Aiyuk said. “He’s a level, even-keel dude so we don’t worry about him at all really. We will look at it and move on. That is what practice is for.” | 2022-08-08T02:07:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk lauds Trey Lance's maturity after tough practice | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-brandon-aiyuk-lauds-trey-013700860.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-brandon-aiyuk-lauds-trey-013700860.html?src=rss |
On Sunday, news came out that Baltimore had tried out three cornerbacks in Ken Crawley, Darryl Roberts and Daryl Worley. The team could look to add one of the three for extra defensive back depth, especially for training camp and the preseason.
Worley, a six-year veteran, has played for eight different NFL teams, which includes a stint with the Ravens during the 2021 season. Worley was signed to the team’s practice squad in December, and in one game with Baltimore notched five combined tackles.
Roberts, another six-year veteran, is also another well-traveled defensive back. Roberts has played for seven NFL teams, most recently with the Washington Commanders. Roberts has notched 223 combined tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovery in 73 games played.
Crawley, a six-year veteran, has spent most of his time as a defensive back with the New Orleans Saints. He’s also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, and has totaled 138 combined tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble in his career.
Victor Bolden Jr. is a Cardinals roster hopeful who just won a championship in the USFL
Richmond, Virginia Honors MF DOOM with Street Sweeper Named MF BROOM
MF DOOM won out against names like Kate Brush, Meryl Sweep, LeBroom James, and The Grim Sweeper in a crowdsourced contest. Richmond, Virginia Honors MF DOOM with Street Sweeper Named MF BROOM Carys Anderson | 2022-08-08T02:08:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens bring in three CBs for tryouts | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-bring-three-cbs-tryouts-010607552.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-bring-three-cbs-tryouts-010607552.html?src=rss |
The Washington Commanders signed former Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Nate Gerry per the NFL transaction wire.
Gerry played for the Cornhuskers from 2013 to 2016, where he was utilized as both a safety and a linebacker. He was extremely productive during his tenure racking up a whopping 273 total tackles and 13 interceptions in 48 games.
Gerry was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Gerry played four seasons for the Eagles. In total, he appeared in 46 games recording 163 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, and three interceptions.
In the NFL, linebacker has been Gerry’s primary position. In 2019, he was lined up as a linebacker for 584 out of his 620 total defensive snaps per Pro Football Focus. | 2022-08-08T02:08:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Washington Commanders Sign Former Nebraska LB | https://sports.yahoo.com/washington-commanders-sign-former-nebraska-004441769.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/washington-commanders-sign-former-nebraska-004441769.html?src=rss |
Bubba Wallace won the pole, led 22 laps and tied his season-best finish with a runner-up result Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.
It was a career weekend for Wallace, yet there was no celebration from the driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota following the FireKeepers Casino 400.
With 35 laps to go, Wallace restarted on the inside of the front row alongside Kevin Harvick, who eyed snapping a 65-race winless streak from the outside lane. Harvick got the edge and left Wallace to battle with Kyle Larson and Joey Logano for second place.
Wallace eventually worked past both of them, but it was too late. Harvick took the checkered flag by 2.903 seconds over Wallace, who wasn’t able to chip away at Harvick’s lengthy lead quick enough to battle for his second career win.
By the time he got to pit road, Wallace was left “replaying everything I could have done” differently, he told NBC Sports.
“I thought I could hang with the 4 (Harvick) and just got to racing the 5 and the 22,” Wallace said of his battles with Larson and Logano. “And the 22 did a good job of getting another Ford contract, helping a Ford win. Just all in all, an incredible weekend. Appreciate my team. Wish we could’ve gotten Toyota in Victory Lane. Wish we could’ve got McDonald’s back in Victory Lane.
Wallace said he wishes he would have either cleared Larson sooner or taken the top behind Harvick on the restart in hindsight.
“Could’ve taken the top, push the 4 and then I could’ve been (in Larson’s position) in that scenario, right?” Wallace said. “Just hate it. Hate it for our team. Sucks.”
Crew chief Bootie Barker and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin — who wheeled his No. 11 Toyota to a third-place finish behind Wallace — both commended Wallace on his drive and performance throughout the weekend. Saturday’s pole qualifying run was Wallace’s first in NASCAR’s premier level and first ever for 23XI Racing as a team.
Sunday’s runner-up finish also marks Wallace’s third top-five finish in the past four races, highlighting a career-best streak of four-straight top 10s. But Wallace wasn’t in the mood to celebrate those accomplishments on pit road Sunday evening.
Wallace also finished second in the season-opening Daytona 500 in February, following his first career victory in a rain-shortened race at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2021.
With Wallace in need of a win to challenge for a playoff position, Daytona marks the regular-season finale on Aug. 27. | 2022-08-08T02:33:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bubba Wallace laments runner-up finish at Michigan | https://sports.yahoo.com/bubba-wallace-laments-runner-finish-203451190.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bubba-wallace-laments-runner-finish-203451190.html?src=rss |
Why Ward has 'no love' for Rams, ready to play LA in 2022 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Los Angeles Rams and 49ers rivalry continues to grow.
After seeing their division rivals win Super Bowl LVI, 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward felt that it was "heartbreaking" to see the Rams win and that there is no love lost between the two teams.
"I'm ready to play them," Ward said in an interview with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Maurice Jones-Drew. "I don't got no love for them."
Ward said the reason he has no love for the Rams was because some Los Angeles players elected not to shake his hand during the 2021 NFL season, choosing to walk off the field instead. That didn't sit well with Ward and is a motivating factor for him to play well against them during the 2022 NFL season.
Additionally, newly-extended wide receiver Deebo Samuel shared a similiar sentiment.
"It's a big rivalry," Samuel told Tom Pelissero. "That's one of them physical games you got to get ready for."
Ward's and Samuel's comments come a week after Rams defensive end Aaron Donald claimed he "really dislikes" the 49ers, even if it was in jest. Despite winning the Super Bowl, it's clear some Rams players are still thinking about the 49ers.
RELATED: 49ers camp battles: Who starts next to Ward at safety?
After coming so close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, 49ers fans certainly will have those games against the Rams in October circled on their calendars, as they look for redemption. | 2022-08-08T03:39:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why 49ers' Jimmie Ward has 'no love' for Rams heading into 2022 NFL season | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-49ers-jimmie-ward-no-224101945.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-49ers-jimmie-ward-no-224101945.html?src=rss |
The Mets ace exited to a standing ovation after allowing one hit on 76 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.
DeGrom came out firing by throwing eight straight fastballs to start the game, including seven that reached triple-digits. The Braves fanned on his slider on their first 18 attempts, and their 90 percent whiff rate against that pitch was the highest recorded during the pitch-tracking era (2008-present).
That devastating arsenal helped deGrom break the major league record for the most strikeouts through 200 career games, with 1,523. deGrom felt like he "still had more in the tank", but didn't plan to argue to stay in the game even if the no-hitter was still intact.
The blueprint of pairing deGrom and Max Scherzer has finally come to fruition, and it cost the Braves their first three-game losing streak of the season.
"The Braves are a great team," Nimmo said. "And we just took four out of five against them. And I think that's something positive to build on. We believe in ourselves. We think that we're a good offense. We think that we wear pitchers down. We think that we have great pitching and a good bullpen. We think we're a really good team. So I think this just emphasizes that."
The Diamondbacks beat the Rockies, 6-4, on Sunday to win their third series in five tries since the All-Star break.
Paul DeJong drives in 4 to lead Cardinals to 12-9 win | 2022-08-08T04:05:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | What a weekend for Mets: Jacob deGrom dominates Atlanta Braves in his return to Citi Field | https://sports.yahoo.com/weekend-mets-jacob-degrom-dominates-002244656.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/weekend-mets-jacob-degrom-dominates-002244656.html?src=rss |
Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. got to play opposite former New Orleans Saints (and Atlanta Falcons) wideout Joe Horn quite a few times. Unfortunately, however, he’ll never get the opportunity to go head-to-head with his son, Jaycee.
But what if he did? In fact, what if Horn got the chance to face . . . Horn?
Smith Sr. posed those questions to the second-year cornerback himself, as he was on the scene for Panthers training camp last week on behalf of NFL Network. So when the franchise’s all-time leading receiver first asked the young buck how many catches his father could reel in on him over 10 targets, he gave Pops a little props.
“I’d give him maybe three or four,” Horn said with a smirk.
And how many for Smitty . . . ?
“Same thing,” he then replied. “Three or four.”
Although we didn’t see much of Horn in his rookie campaign, that’d be a better success rate than he allowed in 2021. The eighth overall pick was thrown at five times last season and relinquished just one reception—an 8-yard touchdown catch by New York Jets receiver Corey Davis. (And to be fair, it was a good play by Davis.)
Luckily, we’ll get to see more of Horn in 2022—even though he won’t be matching up against 89 or his dad. | 2022-08-08T05:10:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Panthers CB Jaycee Horn asked how he’d fare against his dad | https://sports.yahoo.com/panthers-cb-jaycee-horn-asked-043051414.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/panthers-cb-jaycee-horn-asked-043051414.html?src=rss |
The 33-year-old came into the final round with a five-shot lead. Entering the 15th hole, that lead was three, however, it was there she carded a triple bogey and exited tied for the lead with Chun at 10 under.
Shooting guard RJ Jones, the top-rated prospect in Texas, announced Sunday that he is headed to Kansas State in 2023. | 2022-08-08T07:08:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Iconic bunker shot on fourth extra hole clinches Women's Open win for Ashleigh Buhai | https://sports.yahoo.com/iconic-bunker-shot-fourth-extra-173512007.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/iconic-bunker-shot-fourth-extra-173512007.html?src=rss |
Harvick‘s victory ended a 65-race drought for the 46-year-old former series champion from Bakersfield, California. The win was his sixth at Michigan and his fifth in the last seven races at the 2-mile track.
“Everybody who doubted us doesn‘t know us,” said Harvick, who led 38 laps on Sunday, 25 more than he had led in the previous 22 races combined. “They, obviously, know we thrive in these types of situations. And a lot of things went our way today, which we haven’t had all year long — have things go our way and have things fall our way.
As Harvick indicated, the race broke his way. The driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford brought his car to pit road on Lap 158 for a green-flag stop. A lap later, NASCAR called the seventh caution of the afternoon when Ross Chastain‘s Chevrolet and Christopher Bell‘s Toyota collided in Turn 4.
Harvick remained on the lead lap and inherited the top spot when the contending cars ahead of him pitted under the yellow. With Wallace bottled up behind Joey Logano‘s Ford after the Lap 166 restart, Harvick opened a gap of more than four seconds in clean air and cruised to his first win since Sept. 19, 2020 at Bristol.
The race was delayed just over an hour due to inclement weather. That didn‘t deter the fans in the grandstands, the largest crowd at Michigan International Speedway since 2016. In addition, infield camping was sold out for the weekend for the first time since 2012.
An early nine-car accident in Turn 2 eliminated two of the top five qualifiers — Kyle Busch and Austin Cindric. Moments after a restart on Lap 25, J.J. Yeley‘s No. 15 Ford got loose, checked up and turned sideways in the middle of the pack.
WATCH: Melee ensues after early restart
In the ensuing melee, Cindric‘s No. 2 Ford crashed nose-first into the outside wall and Buch‘s No. 18 Toyota also sustained terminal damage. The cars of Yeley, Almirola, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and rookie Harrison Burton also were knocked out of the race.
“Just chaos ensued on the restart there, and I don‘t know what started it, but the 10 (Almirola) got spun in front of me, and then I got wedged between him and the wall,” said Busch, who had elected to pit on Lap 22 under a competition caution called because of a rainstorm that delayed the start of the race.
“When you get back there, things happen on restarts, especially when you have guys that stayed out and don‘t have tires versus those that have four tires. Was not really in a hurry and knew we were coming to stage points in another 40 laps or so and it was going to be a long run to get there — and then we all just crashed.”
NOTE: Post-race inspection concluded without issue, confirming the No. 4 Ford as the winner. The Nos. 9 and 11 cars were taken back to the R&D center for further evaluation.
Containment around the largest fire in California so far this year reached 40% Sunday. | 2022-08-08T07:16:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kevin Harvick breaks 65-race drought, wins Cup race at Michigan | https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-harvick-breaks-65-race-193709729.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-harvick-breaks-65-race-193709729.html?src=rss |
Martin Truex Jr. left Michigan International Speedway with a sixth-place finish, his third top 10 in the last four races.
The No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team is on high alert, however, after Kevin Harvick became the NASCAR Cup Series’ 15th different winner of 2022.
MORE: Official results | Race recap
Truex sits fourth in the regular-season points standings, but Harvick’s victory knocks Truex out of the playoff grid with three races remaining before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin.
Truex trails Ryan Blaney by 19 points heading into next weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway (Sunday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m. ET, USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Blaney sits second in the regular-season standings, trailing Chase Elliott for the regular-season title by 119 points.
Sitting below the cut line is a major concern for Truex. Only one spot remains in the playoff grid based on points, and another new winner would eliminate that position. The regular-season champion is guaranteed a playoff berth, however. If Elliott squanders his points lead to Blaney, Blaney could theoretically win the title and qualify for the playoffs without a victory.
Truex, the 2017 Cup Series champion, has qualified for the Championship 4 in five of the past seven seasons, finishing runner-up in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The good news for Truex is his past success at each of the next two tracks on the Cup schedule.
Truex is a three-time winner at Richmond and led 80 laps there in the spring. After that is Watkins Glen International, where Truex hasn’t finished worse than third in each of the past four races.
The No. 19 team will need to score maximum points — or win — throughout the remaining events on the schedule to ensure a last-minute berth into the 2022 playoffs.
The Seminoles return to practice Monday, set to head to Jacksonville later this week | 2022-08-08T07:16:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Martin Truex Jr. slides out of playoff grid with three races left | https://sports.yahoo.com/martin-truex-jr-slides-playoff-213350185.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/martin-truex-jr-slides-playoff-213350185.html?src=rss |
Gundy apologized in his post and explained why he resigned. He said he noticed a player was distracted while he was supposed to be taking notes, so he picked up the athlete's iPad and read the words on the screen aloud. He acknowledged that he said a word that he ''should never - under any circumstance - have uttered,'' and said he was ''horrified'' when he realized what he had done.
''What I said was not malicious; it wasn't even intentional,'' Gundy said. ''Still, I am mature enough to know that the word I said was shameful and hurtful, no matter what my intentions.''
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said in a statement that those associated with the program are ''all accountable for our actions and the resulting outcomes.''
''It's with sadness that I accept coach Gundy's resignation,'' Venables said. ''He's dedicated more than half his life to Oklahoma football and has served our program and university well. We're thankful for that commitment.'' | 2022-08-08T07:26:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Oklahoma's Gundy resigns after using offensive language | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahomas-gundy-resigns-using-offensive-051827338.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahomas-gundy-resigns-using-offensive-051827338.html?src=rss |
Dutch racing cyclist
Ratings in France saw an average of 2.25 million daily viewers for the women’s race compared to 4 million for the men, according to Zwift, a California-based company that offers an online cycling and training program and will be the title sponsor of the women’s race for the next four years. | 2022-08-08T07:38:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tour de France Ratings Signal Strong Interest in Women’s Competition | https://sports.yahoo.com/tour-france-ratings-signal-strong-133426457.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tour-france-ratings-signal-strong-133426457.html?src=rss |
Following the loss of Matt Gono and rookie Marcus McKethan, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the team had serious depth concerns at offensive tackle.
“And it’s too bad, by the way, about Marcus. I spoke to him yesterday. For a young player to have a non-contact injury, it was tough. But he’s in good spirits. So, he’ll have to start rehabbing. But we’ll try to do whatever we need to do. Whatever it needs to do, we’re going to try to do.”
It didn’t take long for Schoen & Co. to act. They held a tryout for veteran offensive lineman Eric Smith following Sunday’s practice and intend to sign him.
The 26-year-old Smith originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2017. He later made stops with the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
This will be Smith’s second stop with the Giants (2019).
The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Smith has appeared in four NFL games with one start. The most playing time he received came with the Giants in 2019 when he took 56 offensive snaps over a two-game span.
A corresponding roster move has not yet been announced but one will need to be made as Gono’s roster exemption has expired.
Another week of buses replacing evening service on part of the Red Line begins Monday. | 2022-08-08T10:32:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Giants signing OT Eric Smith | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-giants-signing-ot-eric-095523626.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-giants-signing-ot-eric-095523626.html?src=rss |
Henrik Stenson - Liv Golf to follow R&A 'advice' and play 14 events in eight countries in 2023 - GETTY IMAGES
Martin Slumbers, the R&A chief executive, has recently made no secret of his disdain for Greg Norman’s enterprise, declaring at last month’s Open Championship that it was “harming the perception of golf” and making a thinly-veiled threat to make it more difficult for the rebels to qualify for the British major.
However, Norman, the Liv chief executive, has claimed this is an about-turn to Slumbers’ reaction when he was first shown the schedule last year.
“It was before I had signed up, but the guys who were involved in a meeting with Martin earlier in 2021 say they showed him the plans for a 14-event league and asked for his thoughts,” Norman told Telegraph Sport.
Liv is now ready to act on Slumbers’ guidance and play half of the £335 million, 48-man, 12-team league in the States, with the rest hosted in different countries. This is believed to include venues in Australia, Spain, Mexico and Singapore, as well as England, Thailand and, naturally, Saudi Arabia, with the last three nations staging £20 million Liv events this year. Ireland is also being considered, as Norman seeks to present Liv as a genuinely global tour.
However, pressure is being put on potential venues, with reports the R&A has warned Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore it would be “shunned by the rest of the golf world” if it became a Liv course. The R&A has declined to comment. In the anti-trust court action taken by 11 Liv players against the PGA Tour, it is being claimed that at the Masters in April, Augusta National officials “threatened to dis-invite players from the Masters if they joined Liv Golf”.
Six of the past 12 Masters champions have signed up with the series. | 2022-08-08T11:41:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Liv Golf to follow R&A 'advice' and play 14 events in eight countries in 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/liv-golf-r-advice-play-145757007.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/liv-golf-r-advice-play-145757007.html?src=rss |
After missing several practices due to a “heat-related” issue, New York Giants center Jon Feliciano returned to the field late last week.
The veteran was heavily monitored during his first practice back but has since been set free.
“I feel good. Happy to be back out there,” Feliciano told reporters before describing his ordeal.
“Right after the practice, got in the cold tubs. Went through and got an I.V. And then, I’m kind of a hard stick sometimes. And then, missed me a few times. And then after that, I started profusely sweating. And then, I just started full body cramping. Good times.
Feliciano said he dealt with a similar situation as a freshman at Miami and thanked the Giants’ medical staff for bringing him back slowly.
Now that he is back however, Feliciano has returned his attention to the task at hand. Like many others, he’s determined to end the Giants’ long-standing offensive line issues once and for all.
“Evan (Neal) and (Andrew Thomas), I’ve been around some good tackles in my career and I’ve never seen a rookie in Evan be a vet so early on. That dude is, after every meeting, at night we walk by the weight room and he’s foam rolling or doing something. He’s well beyond his years in that regard of taking care of his body and having AT back out there, in OTAs he wasn’t there, is great. He’s a really good young player and it’s kind of my job to make sure that all they have to worry about is blocking the guy in front of them and not thinking about things.”
In Feliciano’s absence, it was clear the Giants have some depth issues at center. He’ll need to stay on the field in order for the O-line to reach their full potential which, seemingly, has set a higher bar than many of the units from recent years. | 2022-08-08T12:43:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jon Feliciano has growing confidence in Giants’ offensive line | https://sports.yahoo.com/jon-feliciano-growing-confidence-giants-115541142.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jon-feliciano-growing-confidence-giants-115541142.html?src=rss |
The Raiders had several young players perform well in the Hall of Fame game, including Zamir White, Malcolm Koonce and Divine Deablo.
However, one of the most impressive players in the game was rookie offensive lineman Dylan Parham.
Parham played 40 snaps in the game at three different positions. But he took the most snaps at center (27) and he was quite impressive. According to Pro Football Focus, Parham did not allow a single pressure. In fact, he was one of the highest-graded players in the game, according to the site.
#Raiders OL Dylan Parham did not allow a pressure on 40 snaps in the Hall of Fame Game, according to @PFF.
Pretty good start for the rookie. pic.twitter.com/mFOnWdpcLZ
At this point, it seems like Parham will appear in the starting lineup sooner rather than later for the Raiders. But where will he play? That has yet to be determined. But what is clear is that he’s one of their best five offensive linemen and they have to find a way to get him on the field.
Look for the Raiders to tinker with their offensive line again this week and for Parham to potentially get more snaps at center over Andre James.
Global Vitamin E Market 2022-2026 The analyst has been monitoring the Vitamin E market and it is poised to grow by $ 548. 3 mn during 2022-2026, accelerating at a CAGR of 4. 79% during the forecast period.New York, Aug. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Vitamin E Market 2022-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06313068/?utm_source=GNW Our report on the Vitamin E market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth | 2022-08-08T12:43:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders OL Dylan Parham did not allow a single pressure in first NFL game | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-ol-dylan-parham-did-121501426.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-ol-dylan-parham-did-121501426.html?src=rss |
The Warriors’ dynamic running back is the highest-ranked Hawaii player on this year’s list of the Mountain West’s best football players.
The next great Warriors running back?
If you’re a longtime college football fan, it’s likely that you associate Hawaii Warriors football with its great passing attacks. However, the program has developed its fair share of quality running backs over the years: Alex Green, Diocemy Saint Juste, Calvin Turner Jr. and, now, Dedrick Parson, the next player on our preseason list of the Mountain West’s top performers.
The Philadelphia native first proved that he could thrive in the college ranks as an all-around back at Howard, where he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s rookie of the year in 2018 and a first-team all-MEAC pick in 2019. That translated seamlessly to the islands when he transferred before the 2021 season and thrived in a complementary role to Turner Jr. and Dae Dae Hunter, contributing 618 rushing yards, 279 receiving yards on 28 catches, and nine touchdowns.
In terms of yards per scrimmage, only Turner Jr., Hunter, and Jordan Mims had a higher per-play average. According to Pro Football Focus, only Wyoming’s Titus Swen had a higher overall grade than Parson’s 84.5. Long story short, he was one of the best playmakers in the conference even if people didn’t notice it right away.
Feed Dedrick Parson! #WinEveryDay pic.twitter.com/oX16VroUV3
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) October 24, 2021 | 2022-08-08T13:44:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 Mountain West Football Top 50: #26, Hawaii RB Dedrick Parson | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-mountain-west-football-top-120016245.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-mountain-west-football-top-120016245.html?src=rss |
Ty Dieffenbach, a 6-foot-5 quarterback at Agoura, has committed to Nevada Las Vegas. (Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
It's going to be a great season for quarterbacks in Southern California with the likes of Los Alamitos' Malachi Nelson (USC commit), Santa Ana Mater Dei's Elijah Brown (17-0 as a starter) and Mission Viejo's Kadin Semonza (Ball State) leading the way. | 2022-08-08T13:44:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Agoura quarterback Ty Dieffenbach takes a lead role | https://sports.yahoo.com/agoura-quarterback-ty-dieffenbach-takes-113014873.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/agoura-quarterback-ty-dieffenbach-takes-113014873.html?src=rss |
In an surprise announcement, long-time assistant and former player Cale Gundy resigned from his position as the Sooners wide receiver coach.
Gundy shared this statement via social media last night:
Gundy continued, “This team, its coaches, players, administration and fans, do not deserve to be distracted by off-the-field matters while working to continue the tradition of excellence that makes me so proud to be a Sooner. I won’t do the program I love the disservice of distracting from that mission. Effective immediately, I am stepping down.”
Gundy had been an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma since 1999, coaching a variety of positions during his tenure. A former quarterback with the Sooners, had a coaching tenure that spanned two head coaches and was on his way to playing a pivotal role.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables issued a statement through the university on Gundy’s resignation.
Lakeland defensive back Dontay Joyner comes in at No. 11 on The Ledger's Super 16 countdown.
The results add further pain on top of the $26 billion loss its Vision Fund posted in May | 2022-08-08T13:45:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Oklahoma wide receivers coach Cale Gundy resigns | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-wide-receivers-coach-cale-122651167.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-wide-receivers-coach-cale-122651167.html?src=rss |
With every coaching carousel, there come lofty expectations for each and every new head coach. After a disappointing end to the 2021 season, Oklahoma Sooners fans are champing at the bit for their team to get back to the adult table of college football.
This is something they have in common with new head coach Brent Venables.
Venables didn’t turn down head coaching jobs for the last decade and come to Oklahoma just for the bigger paychecks. He wants to win national championships. Plural.
While that would be great, it’s not something Sooners fans can reasonably expect out of him in Year 1. So, that begs the question, what would be reasonable to expect out of the beginning of the Brent Venables era in Oklahoma?
Pete Fiutak of College Football News has given his expectations for all of the new head coaches for both year one and over the next five years.
Let’s see what he has to say about Venables.
Before This … He spent 10 years as the Clemson defensive coordinator after working as the Oklahoma DC from 1999 to 2011.
-Pete Viutak, College Football News
Seems pretty reasonable. If Oklahoma football is going to thrive in the SEC, it needs to show the teams in the Big 12 who’s boss as long as it is still in the conference.
With no bona fide Tier 1 team in the Big 12 for the 2022 season, asking for a Big 12 title with the current team isn’t an unreasonable expectation.
Joe Castiglione didn’t hire Venables from Clemson just to go 9-3.
Venables has a lot to prove as a head coach. Being the guy in the big chair is different from being the defensive coordinator. Getting OU’s defense up to his standards is simple enough, but getting results (wins) on a football field is something else.
The Sooners should absolutely make it to the Big 12 Championship this season. Should they win it? Probably. Should they earn a berth to the College Football Playoff? Maybe.
I want this team to get back to dominating the teams that it should dominate (I’m looking at you Kansas and West Virginia) and stop getting pushed around in big games. I’m more concerned with the culture of the team as opposed to the numbers on the scoreboard.
The wins will come, but an improved culture will lead to what has eluded the Sooners for more than two decades. | 2022-08-08T13:45:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | OU Football: What are realistic expectations for the start of the Brent Venables era? | https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-football-realistic-expectations-start-115245464.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-football-realistic-expectations-start-115245464.html?src=rss |
For most college football programs, preseason camp is right around the corner or already underway.
Every program has competition for starting spots, but the quarterback position always attracts the most attention. Below, we’ve detailed the top quarterback battles entering the 2022 season and predicted who we think will emerge as the starter.
Auburn: Zach Calzada vs. TJ Finley
Zach Calzada: A Texas A&M transfer, Calzada is most known for his heroics during A&M's upset of Alabama last season. On the whole, though, his play was up-and-down. Calzada didn't win the starting job out of camp. After Haynes King was injured in Week 2, Calzada threw for 2,318 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 55.8% of his throws. He’s got a big arm, but accuracy was an issue.
TJ Finley: The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Finley started the last three games of the 2021 season after Bo Nix broke his ankle. He also started multiple games for LSU in 2020. Finley has shown flashes of potential but also struggled with accuracy. Overall in his career, Finley has thrown for 1,768 yards, 11 TDs and six INTs at a 56% completion rate.
Prediction: Calzada. Finley is in his second year with Bryan Harsin, but Calzada went through an entire SEC season as a starter and showed immense toughness battling through a shoulder injury in a high-profile win over Alabama. Those experiences carry weight entering a new program and Harsin is desperate for one of these guys to take charge of the offense.
Cincinnati: Ben Bryant vs. Evan Prater
Ben Bryant: Bryant was Desmond Ridder’s backup for three seasons before a transfer to Eastern Michigan. He spent one season at EMU and performed well, completing 68.4% of his passes for 3,121 yards before deciding to transfer back to Cincinnati with his eyes on the starting job.
Evan Prater: A four-star recruit in the 2020 class, Prater stayed in his hometown by signing with the Bearcats. He was third on the depth chart in 2020 behind Ridder and Bryant and then was Cincy’s No. 2 QB last year as the Bearcats made their historic march to the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Bryant. With an opener at Arkansas, I’d expect Luke Fickell to go with the veteran unless it becomes completely clear in camp that Prater is just the better player. If the competition is close, I’d give the edge to the fifth-year senior.
Clemson: DJ Uiagalelei vs. Cade Klubnik
DJ Uiagalelei: Uiagalelei was a five-star recruit who played excellently in his two starts in 2020. In 2021, it was a completely different story. As a whole, the Clemson offense struggled mightily and Uiagalelei was at the center of it. It’s not hyperbole to say he was one of the worst starters in the ACC. He completed just 55.6% of his throws, had nine TDs and 10 INTs, and averaged just six yards per attempt. Can he recapture what he showed in 2020?
Cade Klubnik: Klubnik is the latest five-star QB recruit to make his way to Clemson. The Texas native was the No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2022, according to Rivals. He enrolled at Clemson early, allowing him to go through spring practice and work his way up to No. 2 on the depth chart. If Uiagalelei falters, the cries for Klubnik will come quick.
Prediction: Uiagalelei. Dabo Swinney has been glowing in his praise of Uiagalelei all summer, but his struggles from last season cannot be ignored. He was flat-out bad, and the injuries on offense obviously made matters worse. Still, there’s precedent at Clemson with Swinney going with an experienced option to begin the season only for the veteran to cede way to the five-star freshman. It happened with Deshaun Watson. It happened with Trevor Lawrence. It would not be a surprise if it happened with Klubnik as well at some point during the season if Uiagalelei continues to struggle.
LSU: Myles Brennan vs. Jayden Daniels vs. Garrett Nussmeier
Myles Brennan: Brennan has been at LSU since 2017. He was Joe Burrow’s backup for two years and then opened the 2020 season as the starter before getting hurt. And then he broke his arm in an accident on a fishing trip before the 2021 season, causing him to miss the whole year. Brennan initially looked to transfer, but new LSU coach Brian Kelly convinced him to stay in Baton Rouge.
Jayden Daniels: Daniels was a three-year starter at Arizona State who showed flashes of excellence and bouts of inconsistency. During his time at ASU, Daniels threw for 6,025 yards, rushed for 1,288 yards and combined for 45 touchdowns. The talent is there, but the transition from the Pac-12 to the SEC is not an easy one.
Garrett Nussmeier: A four-star recruit in the 2021 class, Nussmeier played in four games as a freshman and was able to preserve his redshirt. He completed 29-of-57 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and subsequently drew praise from Kelly for his performance in the spring.
Prediction: Brennan. I’m going to give the nod to the sixth-year senior here — at least to start the season. Daniels is too talented to not see the field at some point and Nussmeier shouldn’t be discounted from the race. But unless there are drastic changes to the offense Kelly has typically employed, Brennan feels like the right choice to lead LSU through SEC play. He's been waiting a long time for that chance.
Michigan: Cade McNamara vs. JJ McCarthy
Cade McNamara: McNamara led Michigan to the Big Ten title last year but he’s still fighting to keep his job. McNamara threw for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions while the coaches worked in a certain package of plays for McCarthy. Will that system continue in 2022? Or will McCarthy surpass McNamara on the depth chart?
JJ McCarthy: McCarthy was a top 50 recruit in 2021 who proved to be too talented to keep off the field as he threw for 516 yards, rushed for 124 yards and had seven total touchdowns. We already know McCarthy can be a dynamic runner, but if he takes the next step as a passer he could force Jim Harbaugh’s hand.
Prediction: McNamara. McCarthy probably has more upside in the long run and has the edge in mobility, but I have a hard time seeing Harbaugh making the change after McNamara played so well last season. Even with a coordinator change, I’d expect Michigan to continue working in both quarterbacks — especially when its early-season schedule is so light.
North Carolina: Jacolby Criswell vs. Drake Maye
Jacolby Criswell: Criswell was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class, meaning he spent two seasons behind Sam Howell on UNC’s depth chart. Compared to Maye, he’s shorter and stockier but he’s got a very strong arm and more mobility. Criswell has appeared in 10 games over the last two years, passing for 195 yards and rushing for 94.
Drake Maye: Maye, a four-star 2021 recruit, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds and is considered more of a pocket passer than Criswell. As a recruit, accuracy was one of his best attributes. He showed that in the most extensive action of his freshman season when he went 7-of-9 for 89 yards and a touchdown in a win over Wofford.
Prediction: Maye. This is purely a guess. These two have competed against one another for reps behind Howell and then for the top billing on the depth chart since the spring. Perhaps the two will even share snaps when the season begins before the staff really settles on a top option.
Notre Dame: Tyler Buchner vs. Drew Pyne
Tyler Buchner: Buchner saw the field last year as a freshman but was used primarily as a runner. He was quite effective, racking up 336 yards and six touchdowns on just 46 carries. With that rushing skill, Buchner would give the Irish a different dynamic on offense than they’ve typically had. He’s just got to prove he can be a consistent decision-maker in the pass game.
Drew Pyne: At 5-foot-11, Pyne gets stereotyped as the gritty, undersized quarterback with a chip on his shoulder. But that stereotype was fitting when he led multiple scoring drives off the bench in comeback efforts versus Cincinnati and Wisconsin last season. In all, he threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns in his two appearances, but completed only half of his attempts (15/30).
Prediction: Buchner. It’s a new era in South Bend, with Marcus Freeman taking over and Buchner has the most upside of any quarterback on the roster. Pyne struggled in spring practice but showed in game action that he can step in and make plays if needed.
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) in action against Toledo in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Notre Dame won 32-29. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Ole Miss: Jaxson Dart vs. Luke Altmyer
Jaxson Dart: Ole Miss is looking for a new starter following three years of Matt Corral and Dart is viewed as the favorite after transferring in from USC. A four-star recruit in the 2021 class, Dart saw action in six games at USC and threw for 1,353 yards and nine TDs with five interceptions. He was the fifth-ranked dual-threat quarterback in his class and one of the headliners in a heavy transfer haul for Lane Kiffin.
Luke Altmyer: Altmyer, a former four-star recruit, was Corral’s backup for the Rebels in 2021, giving him a year of experience in Kiffin’s offense. He saw limited action during the regular season but was thrown to the wolves in the Sugar Bowl against a veteran Baylor defense after Corral was injured. It was a tough spot on a big stage, and while Altmyer showed glimpses of potential, he mostly struggled.
Prediction: Altmyer. Let’s go with the upset. Often when there’s a high-profile transfer, it gets widely assumed that the transferring player will move into a starting role. It’s not always the case. In this situation, Altmyer and Dart are from the same recruiting class so it’s not like Dart has some drastic edge in experience. The fact that he quickly moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart as a true freshman is proof that Altmyer has the confidence of Kiffin.
Oregon: Bo Nix vs. Ty Thompson
Bo Nix: Nix was a five-star recruit who became Auburn’s starter as a true freshman. Over three seasons, he had some highs and lows playing for some decent Auburn teams, but I think it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite lived up to the recruiting hype. Still, three years of SEC starting experience is a significant thing and he could prove to be a strong pickup for Dan Lanning in his first season.
Ty Thompson: Thompson was a five-star recruit in 2021 but had limited playing time behind Anthony Brown as a freshman. Expectations for Thompson are extremely high, but he’s being given some time to develop and cycling from one staff to another isn’t always the easiest thing for a young QB. If he lives up to his recruiting billing, he’s got a promising future. Could it begin this year?
Prediction: Nix. Nix has three years of starting experience in the SEC and a pre-existing relationship with Ducks OC Kenny Dillingham. Nobody can deny his play-making ability, and if Nix limits his negative plays he can have a strong year in the Pac-12. After the opener vs. Georgia, he won't face many elite defenses. He’s an upgrade over the mediocre QB play the Ducks have had since Justin Herbert was drafted.
Pittsburgh: Kedon Slovis vs. Nick Patti
Kedon Slovis: Slovis was an unheralded three-star freshman when he was thrust into the starting job at USC following an injury to JT Daniels. He performed admirably that year, throwing for 3,052 yards and 30 TDs. He held onto the Trojans’ starting job for three seasons in all. There were some injuries and batches of inconsistency along the way, but Slovis has a track record of being an above average starter at the P5 level.
Nick Patti: Patti has waited his turn, serving as Pitt's backup to Kenny Pickett for the last three seasons. He got the chance to start the Peach Bowl following Pickett’s opt-out, but broke his collarbone in the first quarter. Now healthy, Patti has to fend off a high-profile transfer on the heels of one of Pitt’s best seasons in decades. Many assume the job will go to Slovis, but the coaches have been adamant that Patti has a real shot.
Prediction: Slovis. There’s always an impetus to add quarterback depth, but Pitt was pretty aggressive in adding Slovis. If the Panthers were super confident in Patti, Slovis may not have been as attracted to the opportunity at Pitt. Slovis has regressed since his strong freshman year at USC, but he’s still got 26 games of starting experience.
TCU: Max Duggan vs. Chandler Morris
Max Duggan: Duggan has three years of starting experience, but there’s a new coaching staff in place at TCU with Sonny Dykes succeeding Gary Patterson. Duggan, who dealt with a foot injury last season, is a true dual threat and has had some really nice moments, but the Horned Frogs haven’t won much. In all, he has thrown for 5,920 yards and 41 TDs while running for 1,433 yards and 19 scores in his career.
Chandler Morris: Morris was deep on the depth chart at Oklahoma as a freshman in 2020, so he decided to transfer to TCU. He served as Duggan’s backup for most of the season, but got a chance to play late in the year. He made the most of it, particularly in an upset win over Baylor when he threw for a whopping 461 yards. It was an eye-opening performance, so it was no surprise that Dykes is holding an open competition.
Prediction: Morris. I think both will play but Morris seems like a better fit in Dykes’ pass-happy scheme. TCU has a really fun collection of backs and receivers. The guy who can most efficiently distribute the ball to those play-makers deserves to get the nod in Week 1.
Texas: Quinn Ewers vs. Hudson Card
Quinn Ewers: Ewers was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022 but he reclassified and enrolled at Ohio State last summer. He spent the season buried on the depth chart as he adjusted to the college game and ended up transferring back to his home state to play for the Longhorns. As one of the most-heralded recruits in recent memory, expectations couldn’t be higher.
Hudson Card: Card opened the 2021 season as Texas’ starter and played well in a Week 1 win over Louisiana. However, he struggled mightily on the road versus Arkansas in Week 2 and was benched for Casey Thompson. Thompson took the majority of the snaps for the rest of the season but ended up transferring to Nebraska. Meanwhile, Card remains and is trying to fend off Ewers for the job.
Prediction: Ewers. It has to be Ewers, right? Steve Sarkisian made a huge splash by landing him in the first place and he wants Ewers to seize that starting job now with Arch Manning waiting in the wings. There’s so much talent on this offense. If Ewers is as good as advertised, Texas could be a ton of fun to watch.
Texas A&M: Haynes King vs. Max Johnson vs. Conner Weigman
Haynes King: King, now in his third year with the Aggies, beat out Zach Calzada for the starting job out of camp last season but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. Before the injury, he threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kent State, but also tossed three interceptions in that outing.
Max Johnson: A junior lefty, Johnson played in 18 games at LSU over the past two seasons before transferring to A&M. He was LSU’s starter for most of the 2021 season and threw for 2,815 yards and 27 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He doesn’t really wow you with physical traits and sometimes holds onto the ball for too long, but he was steady for LSU.
Conner Weigman: Weigman was a top 40 recruit in 2022 who enrolled early to get a jump start on his development in spring practice. He is viewed as the quarterback of A&M's future, but is he ready to play right away?
Prediction: King. Johnson is very steady in the pocket and feels like a good fit for Jimbo Fisher’s offense, but King has been through this competition before and has two years in Fisher's offense, giving him the edge when the season begins.
UCF: Mikey Keene vs. John Rhys Plumlee
Mikey Keene: In Gus Malzahn’s first season at UCF, Keene was forced into action as a true freshman following an early-season injury to Dillon Gabriel. For the season, Keene threw for 1,730 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 63.6 percent of his throws.
John Rhys Plumlee: Plumlee saw extensive action as a freshman at Ole Miss but fell behind Matt Corral on the depth chart once Lane Kiffin arrived. An explosive athlete, Plumlee still found his way on the field, including catching 25 passes for 280 yards over the past two seasons. He also has 1,189 career rushing yards, most of which came in 2019. He struggled that year as a passer, completing only 52.7 percent of his throws at 6.1 yards per attempt.
Prediction: Plumlee. It just makes too much sense. Plumlee has the athletic skill set Malzahn has always coveted going back to the likes of Nick Marshall at Auburn. Keene is a good player with a promising future, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he held onto the job, but Plumlee’s dual-threat capabilities give him the edge.
Washington: Michael Penix vs. Sam Huard vs. Dylan Morris
Michael Penix: Penix played four seasons at Indiana and had some really strong moments, but he also was plagued by injuries and turnovers. He has thrown for 4,197 yards and 29 TDs, but also has 15 interceptions and just a 59.4 percent completion rate. At Washington, he is reuniting with Kalen DeBoer, UW’s new head coach who had a stint as Penix’s offensive coordinator at IU.
Sam Huard: Huard was a five-star recruit in the 2021 class who saw action in four games as a freshman. He struggled during those appearances, completing just 22 of 42 throws for 241 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Dylan Morris: Morris was Washington’s starter for the past two seasons. In his 15 career starts, Morris threw for 3,355 yards but has 15 interceptions to go with 18 touchdowns. He was benched in favor of Huard late in 2021.
Prediction: Penix. His experience working with DeBoer gives him the edge. He’s also got a much higher upside than Morris with Huard in the background as more of a long-term projection. | 2022-08-08T13:45:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Predicting college football's top QB competitions entering the 2022 season | https://sports.yahoo.com/predicting-college-footballs-top-quarterback-competitions-entering-the-2022-season-133251695.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/predicting-college-footballs-top-quarterback-competitions-entering-the-2022-season-133251695.html?src=rss |
Week 3 of New Orleans Saints training camp is set to kick off with fans in attendance and in full pads on Monday. As excitement continues to grow around the team and its stars, you can feel the anticipation of the first preseason game on the horizon. As the Saints prepare to face the Houston Texans at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 11 at NRG Stadium in Houston, there are a few players that stand out with their first game reps on the way.
Olave should be in line to see his first NFL snaps in the upcoming exhibition matchup between the Saints and Texans. Another impressive week for the young receiver could get off to a jump start today. Olave’s consistency thus far throughout camp has been nothing less than impressive.
The rookie receiver moves extremely well, has an uncanny ability to shift gears from subtle to explosive, and has proven that everything said about his route-running acuity over the draft process is true. He and quarterback Jameis Winston have been building their connection over the first two weeks of camp and that should continue with game action for at least Olave on the way this weekend. We’ll start by keeping a close eye on No. 12 on Monday, but it would not surprise me to see his name on this list over the next few days. There’s genuine excitement revolving around what he can bring the offense.
The converted wide receiver has shown off his pass catching ability, particularly up the seam and in jump ball situations. He has been a go-to target for any quarterback getting reps and is further developing trust with Winston, who he showed up for a handful of times in 2021. Johnson has been an intriguing story to follow since he entered the league with the Saints as a 2020 undrafted free agent wideout before moving to tight end. But now, his intrigue is more than just his story, it’s his playmaking ability as well.
OT Ryan Ramczyk
While he is unlikely to get a healthy amount of snaps in the first preseason game, Ramczyk is an interesting case to observe. He has taken reps in team drills here and there but has been largely spelled by second-year tackle Landon Young. Though Young has been making the best of his opportunities, the ramp up for Ramczyk is worth keeping an eye on as well.
Head coach Dennis Allen has explained that the team is taking their time with the 2019 All-Pro. So the process becomes less about wanting things to move more quickly, and more just about the curiosity around when things will progress. Ramczyk is set to be the leader of the Saints offensive line this season, so taking time to make sure his injury recovery is handled wisely is the right decision. | 2022-08-08T14:44:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | 3 players we’re watching at Day 11 of Saints training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-players-watching-day-11-135406730.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-players-watching-day-11-135406730.html?src=rss |
The role of emergency kicker is often, if not always, overlooked on an NFL roster. But should the situation arise, the Kansas City Chiefs might have quite the capable option on their roster.
Safety Justin Reid.
At Chiefs’ training camp, Reid lined up for a 65-yard field goal attempt, and drilled it:
This is not Reid’s first foray into kicking. During his time with the Houston Texans, Reid served as the emergency kicker and handled kickoffs during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that outing, he booted kicks of 65, 61 and 68 yards.
A former soccer player and kicker in high school, Reid was also the emergency kicker while at Stanford. While he never handled kicking duties in college, it seems he still has a few good kicks left in that right leg of his. | 2022-08-08T14:45:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs safety Justin Reid drills 65-yard field goal | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-safety-justin-reid-drills-132813010.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-safety-justin-reid-drills-132813010.html?src=rss |
Bryan Cox was once one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL. He excelled in the early 1990s with the Miami Dolphins and then became a favorite of Bill Parcells as member of the New York Jets.
For the last decade and a half, Cox has bounced around the league as a coach and has made a name for himself in that realm. His latest stop is with the New York Giants as their assistant defensive line coach where he is injecting his brand of fiery football into the team’s defensive front.
Cox is stepping to the forefront these days with line coach Andre Patterson dealing with some medical issues. Head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Cox’s impact on Sunday.
“I was with Bryan when he was a player, and he was one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around,” said Daboll. “As a linebacker, he was smart, tough, dependable. You know, back when we were playing at New England, he had an unbelievable hit on (former Colts wide receiver Jerome) Pathon. We were 0-2 going into a game if I’m not mistaken and heavy underdogs. Early in the game, he set the tempo. He was always there as a player. Then, I’ve been around him as he started his coaching career at different spots.
“He’s a very loyal person. He’s smart. He’s played a lot. He was a linebacker. But he was basically like a defensive lineman playing linebacker back in those days. But I thought he could add value to the staff. There were a lot of people in the room when he was interviewed, asking him questions. He’s a good teammate. A lot of good things.”
The Giants needed a lot of things heading into this new chapter, and physicality and drive were high on the list. No need to look any further for those as Cox brings enough for the whole team.
The latest ranking is an improvement from last year, but Oklahoma still lags behind other states in family, education and health.
Former Vol Nick Senzel records two hits against Milwaukee. | 2022-08-08T14:45:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants’ Brian Daboll heaps praise on assistant Bryan Cox | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-heaps-praise-135513194.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-heaps-praise-135513194.html?src=rss |
NFL preseason Week 1: What to expect, players to watch, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
When is the 49ers’ first preseason game?
The Trey Lance era begins on Friday, Aug. 12, at 5:30 p.m. PT against the Packers. The game will air nationally on NFL Network, but you can catch it locally on KPIX5. | 2022-08-08T14:46:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL preseason Week 1: What to expect, players to watch, more | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-preseason-week-1-expect-130000804.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-preseason-week-1-expect-130000804.html?src=rss |
If you are one of the handful of NFL fans that tune in each Sunday to see the yellow flags fly, and to hear arcane interpretations of the rulebook every other play, you are in luck. According to a report from ESPN, the NFL has asked on-field officials to pay particular attention to illegal contact fouls during the upcoming season.
Between 2002 and 2020, officials flagged illegal contact an average of 97 times each season. Last year, however, that number dropped to 36. That drop led the NFL Competition Committee to include the penalty among its “points of clarification” for the upcoming year.
The NFL rules define illegal contact as follows:
This is not the first time the league has emphasized this penalty, as it has done so twice before. Back in 2004, the league saw illegal contact penalties rise to 191 from 79 the year prior, and the NFL saw 148 such penalties in 2014, up from 52 in 2013.
Perhaps we see a similar spike in the season ahead.
This newsletter was compiled by Romeo Kokriatski, Managing Editor of the New Voice of Ukraine, August 8, 2022. | 2022-08-08T14:46:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL wants officials to emphasize illegal contact fouls in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-wants-officials-emphasize-illegal-135255125.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-wants-officials-emphasize-illegal-135255125.html?src=rss |
The New England Patriots are revving things up in preparation for their first preseason game of the year against the New York Giants on Thursday.
Given the quick turnaround, it will be a shorter week than usual with some adjustments being made to the overall practice schedule. The team is saying so long to the morning practices with players now slated to take the field at 4 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday.
Both practices will be open to fans and media.
The team will then hold another practice on Wednesday, ahead of their Week 1 preseason opener against the Giants, that will be closed to the public. And then of course, Thursday will be game day.
The #Patriots training camp practices on Monday and Tuesday will both start at 4 p.m. and be open to the public.
No practice access Wednesday. Preseason opener vs. Giants set for 7 p.m. Thursday.
The following week, the Patriots are scheduled to host joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on August 16 and August 17, leading into their Week 2 preseason clash on Friday, August 19.
Grab some popcorn. It’s time to see what this Patriots team is all about. | 2022-08-08T14:46:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots release practice schedule ahead of Week 1 preseason game | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-release-practice-schedule-ahead-143052268.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-release-practice-schedule-ahead-143052268.html?src=rss |
Congrats to @jordannbrown9 on signing with the #Saints !
— Jason Bernstein (@Clarity_JB) August 8, 2022
Brown’s college play was highlighted, touted and recognized. He secured 8 interceptions and 35 passes defended over 51 games played. He also piled on 148 total tackles, 6 for a loss, and forced four fumbles as well. Brown proved he could be an all-around cornerback at his level of play, making him a draftable prospect. He’s lined up at both corner and safety while playing in several phases on special teams during preseason games.
In addition to being drafted by the Bengals, he also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, and two stints with the Las Vegas Raiders. He has not taken any regular season NFL snaps yet, whether defense or special teams. He’s stuck around on practice squads and earned reserve/future deals with several clubs.
For now, Brown will get an opportunity to get back to an NFL field as early as this weekend against the Houston Texans as a part of the Saints opening preseason action. New Orleans has been managing some lightening of the secondary unit with defensive backs Marshon Lattimore, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Dylan Mabin all missing recent practices. Brown’s presence at the very least, should allow the Saints to continue the rotation they like to maintain throughout this week’s practices. | 2022-08-08T14:46:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Saints add more secondary depth, sign former Bengals DB Jordan Brown | https://sports.yahoo.com/saints-add-more-secondary-depth-141338479.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/saints-add-more-secondary-depth-141338479.html?src=rss |
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced via their social media that Monday’s training camp practice was being moved to Latrobe Memorial Stadium as opposed to Saint Vincent College and would be open to the public.
Pittsburgh had to cancel Their Friday Night Lights practice Latrobe Memorial Stadium due to weather last friday, this is a nice way to pay it back to fans with an open practice in the stadium.
According to the team, practice is scheduled to begin at 1:55 PM and tickets are not required so get down to the stadium and enjoy some Steelers football | 2022-08-08T14:47:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers move Monday practice Latrobe Memorial Stadium | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-move-monday-practice-latrobe-133803246.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-move-monday-practice-latrobe-133803246.html?src=rss |
Despite being taken in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Tennessee Titans linebacker Chance Campbell came in with a fair amount of hype.
He played in all 13 games as a graduate transfer for Ole Miss in 2021, pacing the defense with 109 total tackles and finishing second in tackles for loss (12.5).
In his first training camp, the young linebacker hasn’t been shy about asking questions as he gets acclimated to the NFL. Campbell noted on Sunday the importance of keeping his mouth shut but his eyes and ears open.
“I’m probably a little awkward with them, a bit of a shadow, just trying to see what they did because those guys play great ball. I think a lot of it you can ask questions; I think that’s really important,” he said, via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.
“But I think the other part is that guys around here do such a good job of setting a great example. If you really want to learn, one of the best things you can do is close your mouth, open your ears and open your eyes.”
Good job by Chance Campbell matched up 1 on 1 w/Chig Okonkwo. Logan Woodside went to Okonkwo on the fade but Campbell broke it up during #Titans team period.
Campbell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, displaying quick side-to-side speed in college. He was often found blowing up plays in the backfield, as shown in his tackles for loss numbers, both at Maryland and Ole Miss.
The young linebacker noted in his post-draft media call that he needed to provide value, work hard, and put the team first to carve out a role for himself in the National Football League.
Campbell has already caught the attention of fellow Titans linebacker David Long Jr., who was a sixth-round pick himself in 2019 and had to earn everything to work his way into a starting role.
Play 3: Willis play action, blown dead for a sack with rookie LB Chance Campbell in the backfield.
Long particularly touched on Campbell’s willingness to play physically.
“He’s smart. He’s not running from any contact or anything. He’s a guy that wants to learn,” Long said, via AtoZ Sports Nashville. “Guys are coming in early. They can know the plays before we do, so that’s just good. They can get in here and learn. We’re still just building and learning the defense.”
Heading into the 2022 season, Campbell will serve in a backup capacity with the opportunity for more time in special teams if he makes the cut. However, he’ll also look to use whatever opportunities he gets to prove he has what it takes to be a starter down the road.
Titans' Jack Gibbens earns praise and a nickname from Mike Vrabel | 2022-08-08T14:47:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Titans’ Chance Campbell trying to soak up knowledge from veterans | https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-chance-campbell-trying-soak-140012397.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-chance-campbell-trying-soak-140012397.html?src=rss |
The Minnesota Vikings capped off another week of work with a jog-through practice on Sunday.
It was the last practice before the team begins their first week of preparation for an actual game in the Week 1 preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 14.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, football has finally arrived.
The Vikings had a light helmet and shorts practice, which was highlighted by rookie offensive guard Ed Ingram stepping in for Jesse Davis for work with the first-team unit.
Make no mistake, the team is hopeful Ingram can eventually become that breakout star they can hopefully pass the reins to at some point. But for now, the veteran seems to have an edge on the competition.
Speaking of competition, there’s plenty of it brewing less than a week out from the Vikings’ first preseason game, and it has been on display at every practice.
Ready for the real thing.#VikingsCamp pic.twitter.com/TmR259277H
The Vikings are set to return to the field on Monday for their annual night practice at TCO Stadium. That’s when the pads are likely to come back on, and the intensity will go back up. | 2022-08-08T14:47:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Video highlights from Vikings’ last practice ahead of game week | https://sports.yahoo.com/video-highlights-vikings-last-practice-132205411.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/video-highlights-vikings-last-practice-132205411.html?src=rss |
Phillies one of MLB's best teams since Harper injury: 'I like our depth this year' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Bryce Harper's injury in San Diego on June 25 had a chance to sink the Phillies' season, sort of like Andrew McCutchen's injury in San Diego in June 2019 did just that.
The Phillies won their first game without Harper -- an important victory because it clinched the season series vs. the Padres, which could matter for tiebreaker purposes -- then lost two in a row to the Braves and were 39-37.
At that point, the Phillies were down their best player and trailed seven teams in the National League. They were two games behind the Giants, three back of the Cardinals, 4½ behind the Brewers and 6½ behind the Padres.
They've gone 21-11 since to jump ahead of the Giants, Brewers and Padres and move into a tie with the Cardinals. The Phillies now have a 92.8% chance to make the playoffs, according to Baseball-Reference's simulator.
There's a lot of baseball left -- 54 games, an exact third of the season -- but the Phils are playing well collectively, receiving contributions from all over the roster and trending toward the playoffs in a way they haven't since 2011.
"It's nothing against the teams that we've had here in the past, but I think we have a better team," said Rhys Hoskins, who homered in a fourth straight game Sunday and felt OK after being hit on the right biceps by a mid-90s fastball.
"I think we're deeper. I think with the additions that we made at the deadline, we just got more good players. You look at teams that have won and won a lot, especially later in the year, everyone is deep. One guy can go down and another guy steps in. I like our depth this year and I think it's going to really help us and hopefully carry us into October."
The Phillies' rosters from 2018 through 2021 were expensive with standout individual performers, but the team was top-heavy with little depth in key areas. Last summer, they were carried by Harper for three months. This summer, the production has come from nearly every area -- some nights it's been the starter, some nights the bullpen, some nights a young position player, some nights a high-priced vet, some nights all of the above.
Since Harper's injury, the Phillies have hit the fifth-most home runs in the majors and scored the sixth-most runs. They have the seventh-best record, but only three teams -- the Astros, Dodgers and Mariners -- have a record more than a game better than the Phillies' 21-13 without Harper.
"I think we're better equipped," manager Rob Thomson said after Sunday's win. "Every team is different. I know that the last few years we haven't played well in September, but each team was a little bit different, it wasn't the same exact group. This is a different group. There's a lot of leadership in the clubhouse and a lot of winners on the field."
Only 19 of the Phillies' 54 remaining games come against teams with winning records, and three of those games are the final three of the season with the Astros, who could already be in rest mode if they or the Yankees have solidified the top seed in the American League by then.
The results of this weekend not only pushed the Phillies up a spot in the wild-card standings but also made the Braves catchable. While the Phils were sweeping the Nationals, the Braves lost four of five to the Mets. The Phillies are now three back of the Braves with seven more head-to-head meetings left, all from September 16-25. While there is little difference between the second and third wild-card spots, the top wild-card team gets home-field advantage in its first playoff series so it will be worth chasing until the end.
Thyrick Pitts is among Delaware's all-time top receivers and welcomes new coach Carty's uptempo, pass-oriented attack | 2022-08-08T14:52:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | MLB Wild Card: Phillies one of best teams in baseball since Bryce Harper injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/phillies-one-mlbs-best-teams-131400870.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/phillies-one-mlbs-best-teams-131400870.html?src=rss |
Dennis Eckersley will retire from the NESN broadcast booth at the end of the 2022 season, the Baseball Hall of Famer and charismatic TV analyst told The Boston Globe's Chad Finn. Eckersley's last NESN broadcast alongside play-by-play man Dave O'Brien will be Oct. 5, the Red Sox' regular-season finale.
"Having grandkids in the Bay Area and visiting them in the offseason, that pushed me along," Eckersley said. "I just knew, you need to go and be with the kids. Those formative years, you need to be there."
Eckersley spent eight of his 24 MLB seasons with the Red Sox, thriving as a starting pitcher before finding even more success as a reliever with the Oakland Athletics. He's been with NESN since 2003, taking on a larger role in recent years in a three-man booth with legendary color analyst Jerry Remy before taking over full-time after Remy passed away last October.
Known for his famous "Eck-isms," Eckersley brings a unique energy and honesty to broadcasts that Red Sox fans will miss in 2023. It's unclear who will replace Eck in the booth next year, but several color analysts have done on-air auditions this season, including Tony Massarotti, Kevin Youkilis and Kevin Millar. | 2022-08-08T14:52:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Red Sox legend Dennis Eckersley to retire from NESN broadcast job | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-legend-dennis-eckersley-132500225.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-legend-dennis-eckersley-132500225.html?src=rss |
The New York Yankees were never going to continue at the pace they were on the first few months of the season. After a win on July 8, they were 61-23. That's not sustainable.
Yet, nobody expected what has happened to the Yankees since then.
The Yankees are 9-16 over the past month. They were swept in a three-game series by the St. Louis Cardinals, pushing their losing streak to five in a row. The Yankees' lead in the AL East is down to 9.5 games, the first time since June 16 it hasn't been in double digits.
The Yankees travel to face the Seattle Mariners, the team that started the Yankees' losing streak last week. The Yankees are small -115 favorites for Monday's series opener at BetMGM.
Seattle is having a resurgent season with some good young talent, and the Mariners are in the wild-card hunt. They have had issues against the best teams in the league, but did take the final two games of a series at Yankee Stadium. They are still trying to prove they've arrived, and a series against the Yankees in Seattle is a good chance to do that.
The Yankees just want to get right again. Even Aaron Judge's hot streak right after the all-star break couldn't totally carry them through this slump. It's not like 9.5 games is a small division lead, but it does feel like the Yankees are more vulnerable than they've been at any point this season. Ace Gerrit Cole is struggling, the rest of the pitching staff hasn't been great and the hitting is inconsistent. Nothing is working, and that shows by what happened the final two games in St. Louis: The Yankees lost 1-0 on Saturday and 12-9 on Sunday. When the pitching is good the hitting disappears, and vice versa.
It's baseball and teams have ups and downs. But the Yankees' downturn has lasted a long time. They were great for bettors for months, and now the right play might be fading them until they snap out of this slump.
Josh Donaldson of the New York Yankees reacts to an inside pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
One WNBA game
There's one WNBA game on Monday, as the New York Liberty faces the Dallas Wings. The Wings are 3.5-point favorites. That's all on the basketball front, and the sports betting slate is light other than that.
Seven MLB games
Almost half of Major League Baseball has Monday off, leaving us with seven games. The best game other than Yankees-Mariners could be the Toronto Blue Jays at the Baltimore Orioles. Toronto is a -155 favorite. Baltimore is still in the wild-card race after a fun few weeks, and they've been pretty good to bettors. Toronto has been good too, though Monday's starter Yusei Kikuchi has not had a great season. Baltimore isn't a terrible home underdog.
It's time to admit the Yankees are in a slump. I lost on them over the weekend, assuming they'd break out of it at some point. They haven't and it has been a rough past few weeks for them. I'll take the Mariners as a slight underdog, riding the Yankees' losing streak and what's sure to be an excited Seattle crowd.
The summer of 1970 brought another CCR million-seller with ‘Lookin' Out My Back Door’ and ’Long As I Can See The Light.' | 2022-08-08T14:53:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Daily Sweat: Yankees try to break a losing streak in Seattle | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-daily-sweat-yankees-try-to-break-a-losing-streak-in-seattle-131728054.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-daily-sweat-yankees-try-to-break-a-losing-streak-in-seattle-131728054.html?src=rss |
Sungjae Im didn’t win the Wyndham Championship on Sunday, but he had a million reasons to be happy with finishing tied for second.
That’s because he’s $1 million richer as he vaulted into the top 10 in the FedEx Cup point standings at the end of the regular season. Im, who entered the week at No. 15 in the season points race, picked up 245 FedEx Cup points to improve to 10th, 35 points ahead of Hideki Matsuyama, who got bounced to No. 11.
The Comcast Business Tour Top 10 rewards the top-10 finishers with bonus money for their performance during the regular season. Scottie Scheffler earned a cool $4 million for finishing No. 1 in the points standings. By vaulting into the top 10, Im, who won the Shriners Hospital’s Open in October, collected an extra $1 million in his bank account while Matsuyama gets a pat on the back but no cash for finishing 11th in the regular season.
Had Im finished third, they would have flipped spots and Im wouldn’t have won the bonus money. He made a birdie at 16 to move into a share of second, then got some help when John Huh made bogey at 17 to drop back to third. A bogey at the last by Im and par by Huh meant the two tied for runner-up, five strokes behind winner Tom Kim.
Will Zalatoris, who started the week at No. 11, was the only other player in the field who had a chance to crash the top 10 and make some bonus money. But he finished T-21 in the regular season finale, and Im leapfrogged Zalatoris.
It was an impressive rally by Im, who finished T-2 in his two final starts (3M Open and Wyndham Championship) to climb into the top 10, and he expressed his pleasure after the round.
“Finishing Top-10 in the season on the PGA Tour is definitely an honor, and I’m happy with it,” Im said, “but still got three Playoff events remaining and I’m going to focus on playing well.”
Here’s the top 10 at the conclusion of the FedEx Cup regular season point standings.
The largest cut since the PGA Tour went to top 65 and ties, followed by two delays for storms in the area, kept the Wyndham Championship from finishing the third round Saturday and set up a long final day of the regular season. John Huh and Joohyung “Tom” Kim were one shot behind. Only 12 players finished the round.
Cup Series is underway at Michigan after rain delay
Led by first-time pole winner Bubba Wallace, the Cup Series goes green at Michigan International Speedway after rain delay. | 2022-08-08T14:53:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why Sungjae Im has a million reasons to be happy with T-2 finish at Wyndham Championship | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-sungjae-im-million-reasons-233730721.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-sungjae-im-million-reasons-233730721.html?src=rss |
NHL rumors: Patrice Bergeron's Bruins contract details, incentives revealed
The contract details, including signing bonus and incentive terms, of Patrice Bergeron's new contract with the Bruins have been revealed.
The Boston Bruins are getting the gang back together, signing captain Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci — two members of their 2011 Stanley Cup championship team — to one-year deals on Monday. Almost three months after he left the ice without any certainty that he would return, Bergeron signed a one-year deal with the Bruins. A few hours later, the team announced that Krejci, who played last season in his native Czechia, will also be back in 2022-23.
Captain Patrice Bergeron expected to re-sign with Boston Bruins on 1-year deal
Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron will return for the 2022-23 season likely on a one-year deal, according to multiple sources. | 2022-08-08T16:24:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | David Krejci returning to Bruins on one-year contract worth up to $3 million | https://sports.yahoo.com/david-krejci-returning-bruins-one-153054447.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/david-krejci-returning-bruins-one-153054447.html?src=rss |
20-year-old Kim churns to Wyndham victory, berth in PGA Tour playoffs
The Wyndham Championship was expected to be Joohyung "Tom" Kim's final stop of the season on the PGA Tour. Unless he beat all 155 of the other players in the field at Sedgefield Country Club, where he seemingly derailed quickly with a quadruple-bogey 8 on his first hole in the tournament. As a non-member of the Tour, the 20-year-old Kim had to win the regular-season finale at Sedgefield to qualify for the $75-million FedExCup playoffs, which begin next weekend at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. | 2022-08-08T16:24:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | FedEx. St Jude Championship field set at 122 players – for now | https://sports.yahoo.com/fedex-st-jude-field-set-090512751.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/fedex-st-jude-field-set-090512751.html?src=rss |
Watson’s situation is well known at this point. Everything except the final conclusion, whether through the NFL’s appeal or a federal lawsuit.
Around the NFL, a few players have taken their contract demands to the team via a version of a “hold in.” Instead of staying away from the team, which is mostly non-existent for players under contract now, players show up to mandatory activities but do not participate. WR D.K. Metcalf, for example, did this before getting his contract.
For the Browns, RB Kareem Hunt has added to the drama with multiple reports, first by Josina Anderson, that he wants a new contract or traded. That report was backed up locally as well:
League source has confirmed the @JosinaAnderson report that #Browns running back Kareem Hunt has sat out team drills the last two practices as he seeks out a new contract. Hunt, who did participate in individual drills, is in his final season of his current deal.
Earlier this Offseason
Hunt’s desire for a new contract is not new. He talked about that desire earlier this offseason but seemed to talk about it as a wish or dream, not an expectation.
The change now is that it seems Hunt is expecting a new contract or to be traded, not just hoping to stick around with his hometown team. Hunt has even had members of the organization on hand for his charity events the last two years including the general manager this summer.
Timing Is Less Than Ideal
While we still have over a month until the start of the regular season, the timing of this decision is less than ideal. Teams have already allocated their financial and draft resources in many ways. An injury or desperate team could change things but Cleveland has also been planning around having Hunt.
In fact, we’ve seen multiple times different offensive sets that have included both Nick Chubb and Hunt in the backfield.
To stop doing team drills over a week into training camp is poor planning and timing by Hunt from the outside looking in. Perhaps Hunt and his agents believed this would put the Browns in a tough spot but, nonetheless, it isn’t appropriate timing to start the process.
Unfortunately, finances do play a role in the NFL quite often. Despite a great deal of cap space this year, Cleveland’s cap commitments jump significantly next year. The team has also committed to Chubb as their lead back.
Very little has changed since this was written earlier in the offseason:
Chubb’s salary cap hit jumps from just over $5 million in ’22 to just under $15 million in ’23. If Deshaun Watson isn’t suspended for the entire ’22 season, his cap hit jumps $44 million.
With Jadeveon Clowney, Greedy Williams, Anthony Walker Jr. and others hitting free agency at the end of the year, Cleveland may need to put resources to other positions following this season.
Hunt currently is the highest-paid backup running back and a top 15 paid back annually. An extension would likely be as expensive or more moving forward.
Hunt's Leverage
In any negotiation, leverage is an important piece of the puzzle. Hunt is attempting to leverage his role with the team, the possibility of a lengthy suspension for Watson and his overall talent to secure his desire.
The problem for Hunt is that Cleveland doesn’t have to bow to Hunt’s will, has talented backups at the position and seemed to have planned around his departure at the end of the season.
In the end, if nothing happens, Hunt will be playing for the Browns this year. While it may be begrudgingly, the team may accept that.
Team's Leverage
Cleveland’s leverage with Hunt is clearly around the other talented backs on the field as well as other teams have already spent most of their resources.
The Browns leverage in the trade market is much lower. Hunt’s stance is now known, few teams value running backs highly at this point and, unless there is an injury, no contending team has a substantial glaring need at the position. While a different valuation, GM Andrew Berry had a similar issue trying to trade Mayfield.
The team doesn’t have to give Hunt a new contract and finding appropriate value in trade seems unlikely.
Hunt's Talent
It is also important to note where Hunt is at this time in his career. While it is important to note his role as a backup to Chubb, Hunt hasn’t been the impact player he once was:
Kareem Hunt in 2017-2018 with Chiefs – 19 Explosive Runs
Kareem Hunt in 2019-2021 with Browns – 5 Explosive Runs
Nick Chubb in 2019-2021 – 35 Explosive Runs
D'Ernest Johnson in 2019-2021 – 7 Explosive Runs
He ain't that dude anymore. https://t.co/0utIOT4NB9
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) August 7, 2022
He missed nine games last year due to injury. The two years prior, Hunt’s yards per attempt dropped to 4.2 after 4.9 and 4.6 in his first two years in the league. Last year, on only 78 carries, it jumped back up to 4.9 without a full workload.
To be fair, running backs often feel more comfortable when they are able to get a lot of carries in each game. They can get a feel for what the defense is doing better and feel more impactful.
Hunt has been highly active in the passing game with 122 receptions during his 32 games with the Browns. Even in this area, Hunt’s impact has decreased. In his first two years with Kansas City, Hunt averaged 10.5 yards per reception. That has dropped to 7.9 with the Browns.
Hunt is still very good but is he worth a decent-sized contract extension from Cleveland or another team? Has the last three years shown enough for another team to trade assets of value for him? Yes is a possible answer to both of those but would require some projection that the 27-year-old running back would revert to his Chiefs form.
Outcome Projection
Is it possible Berry is able to smooth things over to keep Hunt happy? Yes. Whether that comes from more money, an extension or just talking it out, Hunt has always loved playing for the Browns.
It is also possible that Berry could find a trade partner. His old employer in Philadelphia is always aggressive. Some have pointed out the possibility of using Hunt as a part of a trade for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. There also may just be a desperate team needing some kind of pop.
Projecting today, Hunt is likely to stay in Cleveland. He has more value to the team as is, even if disgruntled, than he would in any kind of trade.
Houston Rockets' Jalen Green is back in the Valley this weekend. The former San Joaquin Memorial Panther is hosting his second annual youth basketball camp. | 2022-08-08T16:24:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kareem Hunt’s “pay me or trade me” stance problematic in multiple ways | https://sports.yahoo.com/kareem-hunt-pay-trade-stance-131148314.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kareem-hunt-pay-trade-stance-131148314.html?src=rss |
Carolina shopping Darnold but can't get takers for his 5th year option salary.
Sam Mills inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Mills constantly defied the odds and inspired a generation of Saints and Panthers fans during his now Hall of Fame career. After he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2003 while coaching with Carolina, he continued to inspire. His motto "Keep Pounding" became a rallying cry for the Panthers during their 2004 playoff run. His words resonated across the nation, and Mills' Keep Pounding Fund has raised $4.4 million for cancer research. | 2022-08-08T16:24:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Panthers shopping QB Sam Darnold | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-panthers-shopping-qb-sam-144636307.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-panthers-shopping-qb-sam-144636307.html?src=rss |
The Arizona Cardinals were excited when they were able draft tackle Josh Jones in the third round in 2020. They couldn’t believe he was still available in the third round.
As he enters his third NFL season, he isn’t slated to be a starter, but the team is still very high on him as a player and future starter.
He has been working exclusively at tackle this offseason after playing guard last year for the first time in his career.
Playing Jones at guard last season wasn’t necessarily a failed experiment. It was by design.
“Last year, he was one of our best five (linemen),” said offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Sean Kugler on Saturday. “My job as an offensive line coach is to get the best five guys on the field.”
Since Kelvin Beachum and D.J. Humphries were engrained as the starting tackles, the way to get Jones on the field was to use him at guard.
“He was out of position last year, I’ll be the first to tell you that,” Kugler said. “He had some ups and downs.”
There good games and struggles for Jones but now, with the addition of Will Hernandez, Jones is the leader to be the primary backup swing tackle.
But being a backup isn’t what the team envisions for him long-term.
“Tackle is his natural position, his long-term, ” Kugler said. “He’s a future starter here at tackle. He could start this year, so I feel confident of that.”
While Humphries and Beachum are healthy, Jones will be the guy on the bench, but should he get called into action, the Cardinals believe he is capable of being a starter. | 2022-08-08T16:37:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cardinals still very high on OL Josh Jones entering Year 3 | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-still-very-high-ol-143916838.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-still-very-high-ol-143916838.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs are swapping out an edge rusher for another edge rusher.
According to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick, the Chiefs have waived DE Shilique Calhoun from the 90-man offseason roster and replaced him with DE Matt Dickerson. A former undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2018, Dickerson has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and most recently the Arizona Cardinals.
Dickerson played in 18 regular season games with the Titans from 2018-2020, notching 15 total tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. He’s appeared in four career playoff games, including his lone NFL start back in 2020 against the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded his first career sack in that game against Lamar Jackson.
Listed at 6-5 and 292 pounds, Dickerson is closer to the prototypical Steve Spagnuolo defensive end than Calhoun, who is better suited for a 3-4 scheme. Dickerson has the size to kick inside and play on the defensive interior, which is something the team has been experimenting with a lot.
Dickerson was released by the Cardinals on July, 29. So this could also serve as an opportunity to get some information on the team’s Week 1 opponent as well. | 2022-08-08T16:37:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs to waive DE Shilique Calhoun, sign DE Matt Dickerson | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-waive-shilique-calhoun-sign-143141870.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-waive-shilique-calhoun-sign-143141870.html?src=rss |
The Cincinnati Bengals have finally unveiled the team’s full 17-game jersey schedule, including those new white and black alternate helmets.
The Bengals will also wear their alternate orange jerseys in Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
League rules loosened and permitted teams to wear alternate helmets on a limited basis. But since they count as one of the three allotments of jersey alternates for the season, the team had to decide just how many times to roll out the new helmets. In 2022, it’s two alternate helmets and one orange jersey week as a result.
Watch out for those hackers! pic.twitter.com/8ujwEVHfxY
Tee Higgins could return to Bengals from injury earlier than projected
Good news for the Bengals.
Hamilton, Bermuda 8 August 2022 - Avance Gas Holding Ltd (the "Company") advises that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on September 30, 2022. The record date for voting at the Annual General Meeting is set to August 19, 2022. The notice, agenda and associated material will be distributed prior to the meeting. For further queries, please contact Executive Chairman: Øystein Kalleklev Tel: 47 23 11 40 00 About Avance Gas: Avance Gas operates in the global market for trans | 2022-08-08T16:38:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cincinnati Bengals reveal 2022 uniform schedule | https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bengals-reveal-2022-uniform-153836763.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bengals-reveal-2022-uniform-153836763.html?src=rss |
The front office for the Raiders believes they have built a Super Bowl-caliber roster entering the 2022 season. It’s hard to disagree with them considering the notable additions they’ve made on both sides of the ball.
However, the one thing that the Raiders desperately lack on their roster is young talent. There is a sizeable hole on their roster when it comes to proven players under the age of 25 and that could ultimately be their biggest weakness heading into the season.
In a recent article by Scott Spratt of ESPN, he ranked every team’s talent under the age of 25. Not surprisingly, the Raiders came in near the bottom at No. 29, which is due to missing on several first-round picks since 2019 and the recent trade for Davante Adams.
However, Spratt did point out that second-year Tre’von Moehrig might be the one player under the age of 25 that could break out this season. Here is what he had to say about the former TCU star:
“Safety Tre’von Moehrig might be the closest thing the Raiders have to a blue-chip prospect. His coverage rates were mediocre in his rookie season, but he allowed just 1.9 average yards after the catch, eighth best among safeties with 15 or more targets.
Beyond Moehrig, the team will have to hope some of its Round 3 and 4 rookies like expected left guard starter Dylan Parham and potential Jacobs replacement Zamir White hit. The team traded away its first- and second-round draft picks for veteran receiver Davante Adams.”
Another player that could take a big step forward in 2022 is Divine Deablo, who is expected to start at linebacker. But outside of those two defenders, the cupboard is pretty bare when it comes to young talent. If the Raiders do want to make a postseason run this year, they are going to need some young players to rise up.
Phineas Allen makes the call and it Army West Point over the several other offers that he holds. Come inside for more | 2022-08-08T16:38:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | ESPN: Raiders lack young talent on roster heading into 2022 season | https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-raiders-lack-young-talent-144248816.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-raiders-lack-young-talent-144248816.html?src=rss |
Georgia fans know exactly what a healthy Pickens is capable of, and it should not take long for Steelers fans to catch on as well.
Pickens was named as a starter on Pittsburgh’s initial depth chart that was released this past weekend. There were three starters listed, with Pickens being joined by Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
“I think he’s going to be the best rookie receiver in the NFL,” Claypool said of Pickens, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, also had high praise for his rookie receiver.
“George is super talented,” Trubisky said. “He just has to keep detailing the offense. He’s getting it down. He’s learning. He’s asking a lot of questions, which is awesome, but he’s out there making plays. I’m getting to the point where I really trust him throwing him the ball. He’s made some great grabs. He’s going to be a great player. He just has to keep working.”
Projecting Georgia's offensive depth chart for 2022 | 2022-08-08T16:38:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Georgia WR George Pickens listed as starter on Steelers depth chart | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-georgia-wr-george-pickens-145720004.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-georgia-wr-george-pickens-145720004.html?src=rss |
Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage won’t practice this week while he heals from a hamstring injury suffered during Family Night, according to coach Matt LaFleur.
“I wouldn’t anticipate him practicing at all this week,” LaFleur said.
Savage injured his hamstring during a one-on-one drill at Lambeau Field on Friday night. He missed Sunday’s practice and will likely miss several more as the Packers give their fourth-year safety plenty of time to heal the soft-tissue injury.
It can also be expected that Savage won’t play in the preseason opener on Friday night in San Francisco.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously difficult and can linger without a player taking enough time to recover. The Packers don’t play a regular-season game for over a month, and Savage – a fixture on Joe Barry’s defense – shouldn’t be negatively affected by missing a week of training camp.
Neither Savage nor LaFleur was particularly concerned over the severity of the hamstring injury, and the Packers coach was confident this was not a long-term issue.
Savage, a first-round pick in 2019, has started 46 of the Packers’ 49 games over the last three regular seasons.
Darnell Savage's hamstring injury checks out fine following Family Night | 2022-08-08T16:39:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers not expecting S Darnell Savage (hamstring) to practice this week | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-not-expecting-darnell-savage-152527949.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-not-expecting-darnell-savage-152527949.html?src=rss |
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