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Examining Bears' WR trade and free agent options as injuries mount originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Bears' wide receiver corps wasn't anything to write home about coming into camp. But after 11 days, the picture has worsened as injuries continue to mount.
N'Keal Harry suffered what appeared to be a significant ankle injury Saturday. There is no timetable for his return. Byron Pringle will be out for a while with a quad injury, although head coach Matt Eberflus said he was optimistic the wide receiver would return for Week 1. Meanwhile, Velus Jones Jr. and Dante Pettis are nursing "day-by-day" injuries, and David Moore was carted off the practice field Tuesday with a leg injury.
The Bears feel good about where Jones is in his rehab, and it sounds like the rookie will be able to return soon. There is no word on Pettis' recovery timeline.
With four of the Bears' top six receivers out, Chicago might want to look at the free agent or trade market for reinforcements if the health of Jones and Pettis doesn't improve soon.
So, here's a list of a few options still available should the Bears dip their toes back into the receiver waters:
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the 29-year-old off the top, even if he's not a realistic option for the Bears.
Beckham remains a free agent while he recovers from a torn ACL, but his focus appears to be on teams with legitimate title aspirations.
The Los Angeles Rams reportedly still are interested in re-signing the star receiver, and Beckham has recently flirted with the idea of joining the Buffalo Bills on social media.
He's available, but the Bears aren't in the picture.
The 28-year-old speedster is still searching for a home for the 2022 season. Given Fuller's injury history and lukewarm market, he might be a solid low-risk option for the Bears.
Fuller played in just two games last season for the Dolphins due to injuries and a PED suspension. Fuller hasn't played in more than 11 games since his rookie season in 2016.
The Bears would benefit from adding Fuller's ability to stretch the field vertically. Justin Fields is a terrific deep ball thrower, but the Bears currently lack weapons to consistently threaten the defense in the deep part of the field.
Fuller wouldn't be a bad reinforcement option if the Bears can get him at a discount.
The 32-year-old Hilton is "still in the mix" to return to the Colts, general manager Chris Ballard told the media at the start of training camp. The Dallas Cowboys also have been mentioned as a potential landing spot should Hilton want to continue his career.
Hilton is familiar with Eberflus from their time together in Indy, and the Bears could use a veteran presence in their receiving corps.
However, it feels like it's Indy or bust for Hilton.
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Onto the trade market we go.
Preston has publicly asked for opportunities in Miami, but The MMQB's Albert Breer reported the Dolphins are taking calls on the 25-year-old receiver.
Williams has flashed at times during his three-year career, catching 56 passes for 787 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he has played in just 24 of 49 games and did not catch a touchdown last season.
The 6-foot-5 receiver likely could be had for a sixth- or seventh-round pick, so he might be worth a gamble if the Bears are desperate.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles
The former first-round pick has had a disappointing start to his career with the Eagles.
Reagor has caught 64 passes for 694 yards and three touchdowns through two seasons.
There have been whispers early in camp that Reagor could be on the trade block after the Eagles traded for A.J. Brown this offseason and drafted DeVonta Smith last year.
If the Eagles do want to cut bait with Reagor, the Bears could offer a late Day 3 pick to take a chance on his 4.3 speed.
The Quad Cities River Bandits and Cedar Rapids Kernels played a Minor League Baseball game at the "Field of Dreams" movie site Tuesday. | 2022-08-10T15:10:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Examining Bears' wide receiver trade, free agent options as injuries mount | https://sports.yahoo.com/examining-bears-wide-receiver-trade-143708610.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/examining-bears-wide-receiver-trade-143708610.html?src=rss |
“Fluid” is definitely a word that can be used to describe how the Carolina Panthers went about their business under center in 2021. You all remember the highly-acclaimed multi-quarterback system head coach Matt Rhule devised for the second half of last season, don’t you?
Well, former NFL head coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci thinks those “good times” will keep on rolling into 2022. While getting a peek at Panthers training camp earlier this week, Mariucci said that he believes Carolina’s quarterback situation will be an unstable one.
“And then, Matt Rhule said something interesting, too,” he stated. “‘We are keeping three quarterbacks.’ Well, they have to because they drafted Matt Corral in the third round, right? From Ole Miss. They gotta keep that guy. And a lot of teams don’t keep three quarterbacks on the active roster anymore. They keep one on the practice squad, right?
“So, anyway, this is a real, true quarterback battle,” Mariucci then said of the competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. “It’s gonna be interesting. Stay tuned because I think it’s gonna be fluid all season.”
Given the fluctuating state of the franchise since owner David Tepper purchased it back in 2018, “fluid” probably isn’t a word anyone wants to hear—especially at this position. Since the injury-plagued tail end of Cam Newton’s first Panthers tenure that very season, the team has started seven different passers—Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Will Grier, Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker, Sam Darnold and Newton (again).
That mark is very likely to hit eight, as Mayfield has continued to establish himself as the favorite in this ongoing battle. Can the former No. 1 overall pick, however, prevent that number from getting to nine before season’s end?
As “Mooch” said, stay tuned.
“I’m going into the concrete!” a stoked Kenan Thompson exclaims, pondering the fact that his three-decade career in entertainment is about to be celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and taken by the permanence of the honor. “I don’t know any other example of a reflection of a pat on the […]
The addition of veteran punter Johnny Hekker is a sign the Panthers are serious about flipping the field on fourth downs, and the defense has been a strong point this preseason. | 2022-08-10T15:10:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former NFL HC believes Panthers’ QB situation will be ‘fluid’ in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nfl-hc-believes-panthers-132013329.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nfl-hc-believes-panthers-132013329.html?src=rss |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Logan Ryan has made an impression in training camp, even getting a nice interception earlier this week. He also has made a fan in head coach Todd Bowles, who praised the veteran defensive back for being the consummate professional.
A former Rutgers football standout cornerback, the 31-year old Ryan is set to enter his tenth season in the NFL. He shows no signs of slowing down; last season with the New York Giants he had a career-high 117 tackles. Ryan also posted eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and an interception on a Giants team that, well, wasn’t very good.
Over the weekend, Ryan did a nice job of reading the quarterback (Blaine Gabbert) and then reacting for an interception. It is the stuff that made him a legend with Rutgers football, where he was an All-Big East selection and an All-American Conference selection.
Check out his interception:
Logan Ryan said must be mine! pic.twitter.com/4V8Q23FbAZ
— RealBucsTalk (@RealBucsTalk) August 7, 2022
Ryan was a third-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2013 NFL draft.
Rutgers football linebacker Tyreem Powell earns praise from Greg Schiano: 'he really wants to be great'
He has also developed into quite the ironman. In his nine NFL seasons, Ryan has only missed four games. He signed this offseason as a free agent with Tampa Bay.
Last week, Bowles was asked which new players have adapted to the team the best. He singled out Ryan. The former New York Jets head coach, who grew up in Elizabeth, N.J. and played his college football at Temple, certainly sounded impressed with Ryan.
“Logan Ryan has come in and been a joy to work with. His work ethic, his intelligence and the way he prepares for practice is unbelievable,” Bowles told reporters last week.
“Going out there, trying to learn something every day, doing the right thing and trying to help the other guys.” | 2022-08-10T15:10:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Rutgers football star Logan Ryan is making an impression with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-rutgers-football-star-logan-140731920.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-rutgers-football-star-logan-140731920.html?src=rss |
A new face will lead the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line for the first time in three seasons.
After spending the 2021 NFL season as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Cullen has joined the Chiefs’ coaching staff hoping to turn around a unit that underperformed last season. Cullen believes the defensive line can make a more significant impact in 2022 and is looking to put his mark on an established group. That starts with converting pressures to sacks and getting everyone on the defensive line to buy into his philosophy.
He shared his thoughts on his new position group and their outlook for the upcoming season after Tuesday’s practice.
“Yeah, I tell you, first of all, it’s really a good group, and they’re really working hard from top to bottom,” Cullen told reporters. “You know, starting with Chris Jones, Frank Clark, they’ve come back in great shape. They’re working through every rep. Frank (Clark) lost some weight; he’s really quick off the snap. Mike Danna is consistent every snap. I really like where the group is going. Our rookie George Karlaftis is doing a great job. He brings a lot of energy. He’s like a sponge out there, just loves football and is powerful. You know you want to take the play off on him and we’re really getting some good push from our interior guys. I like where we’re at right now.”
Both Chris Jones and Frank Clark were selected to the Pro Bowl last season and have maintained their roles as leaders on the line. The motor of rookie George Karlaftis mixed with the offseason improvements of Mike Danna and the addition of veteran Carlos Dunlap has the potential to make this group as potent as ever.
The Chiefs’ defensive line has built a commendable reputation through defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s regime. Cullen’s approach combined with the talent acquired leaves plenty of reason for optimism heading into the new season. | 2022-08-10T15:11:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Joe Cullen thinks the Chiefs’ defensive line can be more productive in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-cullen-thinks-chiefs-defensive-144519105.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-cullen-thinks-chiefs-defensive-144519105.html?src=rss |
The New England Patriots have yet to play their first meaningful snap of football, and there is already a sentiment that the sky is falling on the offensive side of the ball.
Yes, Mac Jones hears the critics, but he isn’t subscribing to the doom and gloom talk.
This isn’t the first time the Patriots’ quarterback has had people doubt him on the football field. In the past, he’s used that negativity as fuel to lead the University of Alabama to a national championship, get selected with the No. 15 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft and earn a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie.
The start of training camp hasn’t necessarily been ideal for the Patriots offense, but Jones still firmly believes the team can figure it out and turn things around.
“I’m going to figure it out. I always have. I always will. At the end of the day, you’re going to have your ups and downs with anything new. … When there’s 10 people that look into my eyes, I know they’re going to trust me to do the right thing on game day.”
Jones is playing without Josh McDaniels, who was there for him as his offensive coordinator in his rookie year.
That kind of a transition isn’t easy for most veterans, much less a 23-year-old quarterback playing in his second year. It doesn’t help matters that the offensive line has been a complete letdown so far.
But so much can change between now and the start of the season. It’s still too early to be pressing the panic button. | 2022-08-10T15:11:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mac Jones’ impassioned response to offensive criticism | https://sports.yahoo.com/mac-jones-impassioned-response-offensive-131716524.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mac-jones-impassioned-response-offensive-131716524.html?src=rss |
This week, the Miami Dolphins are participating in joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the AdventHealth Training Center before meeting for a Saturday night preseason matchup.
New head coach Mike McDaniel’s defense will face off against arguably the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady to test the group for the first time without Brian Flores.
Brady has been one of the main topics of discussion in South Florida this offseason due to the NFL’s recent findings that the Dolphins had tampered with the quarterback during his time with the Buccaneers and the New England Patriots.
Despite all of this talk, McDaniel says that Brady being on the field won’t be a distraction to him or his team.
“For me, nothing happened,” McDaniel said. “Everyone else is the one making it awkward. It doesn’t occupy a single iota of space with anybody. It’s hard enough to be good in this league. As the Miami Dolphins, all of our energy is very coordinated and only has to do with us getting better. Everything else would be an opportunity cost that we’re not willing to expend.”
The focus is on seeing what this team can do against another team for the first time. This is the first real test for McDaniel, and he’s not going to let the aura of Brady or the penalties levied against his organization hinder their process. | 2022-08-10T15:11:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike McDaniel: Tom Brady tampering doesn’t impact joint practices | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mcdaniel-tom-brady-tampering-142010744.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mcdaniel-tom-brady-tampering-142010744.html?src=rss |
Bears fans woke up to quite a shock on Tuesday when star linebacker Roquan Smith formally requested a trade. While the assumption was contract negotiations weren’t going well — given Smith planned on “holding in” at training camp — it was worse than we imagined.
General manager Ryan Poles addressed the situation following Tuesday’s Family Fest practice, where he expressed his intentions to sign Smith.
There was plenty to digest from Smith’s trade request. Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their reactions to Smith requesting a trade and what it could mean for the future.
While we all knew things weren’t going well with Roquan Smith’s contract situation, I don’t think we expected it to reach the point where he formally requested a trade. That wasn’t something I was expecting to wake up to, especially considering GM Ryan Poles said it was a priority to get Smith re-signed. And the initial reaction was, “Wow, so things really escalated quickly.”
Obviously, it’s a negotiation tactic by Smith, who is navigating contract negotiations without an agent. He needed a way to voice his displeasure about how things stalled with an offer he’s not going to take, and he really put the spotlight on Poles.
Smith really drove the knife in deep with his comments about how he doesn’t feel valued, how he feels like he was being taken advantage of and even calling on George McCaskey to come to the rescue. I will give Poles credit for stepping in front of this and openly addressing the media when he could’ve kept quiet (we all kind of got used to that with former GM Ryan Pace). And it sounds like he wants to get a deal done. So that’s encouraging.
I’m firmly in the camp that Smith deserves to be paid like a top linebacker because he is one of them. He deserves in the range of a Shaquille Leonard or Fred Warner, but not more. Some people will disagree because his position isn’t as valued as others in the league. But when looking at what Matt Eberflus’ defense requires, the WILL linebacker is one of the most important positions in this defense. Eberflus needs someone like Smith. Why overpay for someone in free agency when you have Smith right there on your roster?
With that said, if Ian Rapoport is correct and Smith could fetch a first-round pick, it’s definitely an offer the Bears should not only consider but make. Not that I want to see Smith gone, but that offer is simply too good to refuse for an off-the-ball linebacker.
Do I think Smith will ultimately sign with the Bears? Yes. Can I say that I’m 100% confident in it? No.
Like general manager Ryan Poles, I was surprised and disappointed to hear of the trade request on Tuesday morning. Smith, while not practicing with the team, has been at Halas Hall every day of camp, working with the linebackers and taking part in meetings. That signaled to me that perhaps the two sides weren’t as far apart as we once thought. But Smith’s trade request was a bucket of cold water on that idea.
While the public trade request came as a surprise, I wasn’t as surprised when it came to the disparity in what Smith wants versus what the Bears are willing to pay him. When he was snubbed for a Pro Bowl nomination and missed out on making First-team All-Pro over the last two seasons, I knew that would cost him at the negotiating table. Smith is an elite off the ball linebacker, but that doesn’t mean he should be the highest paid at his position. He should, however, be making more than $17 million per year as that was the reported number the Bears offered, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. That middle ground needs to be found.
The Bears need to be careful with how they approach these negotiations. This is Poles’ first major extension negotiations, and this could set the tone for future signings. Even though Smith doesn’t have an agent and is representing himself, other agents may look at what Poles is doing with structuring certain contracts and warn their players to look elsewhere.
I will say I was glad to see Poles at least address the situation on Tuesday following Family Fest. It was a welcome change and it told me both he and Smith want to get this deal done. Let’s see if the two sides can find common ground now that the dirty laundry has been aired out. There’s still time but Smith needs to put aside his personal feelings at the table if he’s going to continue representing himself.
With Khalil Mack gone, this defense is Roquan Smith’s. Losing him would be a huge blow to the team.
Whether the contract negotiations weren’t going the way Smith wanted and he used this as a negotiation tactic — or he wants out of Chicago — this news isn’t as shocking to me as it was to others. The fact that he planned on being a no-show at training camp — before landing on the PUP list — was a red flag to me. A lot of key players have done this in the past over contract disputes.
If it’s true that Smith wants out of Chicago, or if he’s holding out for a bigger deal, Ryan Poles is in a tough spot. He has to set the tone on how he will handle negotiations for his stars in Chicago.
I would love to see Roquan in Matt Eberflus’ defense, so I hope the two sides can come to an agreement. If they can’t and Smith wants out, the Bears have to get solid draft capital in return, including a first round pick for it to be worth it.
At this point, I don’t think the issue is just money. The relationship with the organization seems to have eroded.
The contract issues with Roquan and the organization go back to his rookie year and the use of de-escalators. With Ryan Pace as the GM, Smith had to negotiate language that provided the Bears the right to void his guarantees if suspended or ejected for targeting. It was a horrible way to start a relationship with a top-10 pick, and supposedly similar language wasn’t in the contract of Tremaine Edmunds, drafted eight picks later by Buffalo.
Now, he’s sitting down with a new regime and is allegedly faced with de-escalators again that he believes are unprecedented. Without knowing what the de-escalators are this time, it’s tough to comment. But Smith has only missed four games in his career. While he committed the most penalties in his career last year (4), he averaged 1-2 per season.
So it’s hard to know the concerns with a 25-year-old, healthy, low-penalized, two-time All-Pro linebacker. But if Roquan feels he’s not being negotiated with in good faith – there’s a relationship component that also needs to be improved.
Oklahomans pay tribute to the late Clu Gulager, a cowboy who broke through on Westerns and went on to become a familiar face in horror films. | 2022-08-10T15:11:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Morning After…Roquan Smith requests trade from Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/morning-roquan-smith-requests-trade-141814368.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/morning-roquan-smith-requests-trade-141814368.html?src=rss |
For the first time since 2005, the New Orleans Saints enter an NFL season where neither Sean Payton or Drew Brees is associated with the organization. It marks the end of an era that saw them bring a championship to New Orleans in 2009 along with fairly consistent success over the past 15 or so years.
Payton’s final season is a tough one to judge as it wasn’t very pretty or entertaining. The defense was impressive, but the offense left a lot to be desired. Certainly, you can put some of that blame on the fact that Jameis Winston missed half of the season after tearing his ACL. The Saints were forced to start four different quarterbacks and we had the joy of watching Trevor Siemian on Thanksgiving and Ian Book on a random Monday night. But even when Winston was healthy, it was far from the kind of offense we got used to under Drew Brees.
With all of that being said, the Saints ended up winning nine games and almost snuck into the playoffs. Michael Thomas looks to finally be healthy. Chris Olave was drafted and Jarvis Landry was signed. What was arguably the worst group of pass-catching weapons in football last season now looks rather impressive. With Winston back healthy — assuming his sprained foot doesn't become an issue — you can certainly make the case for the Saints to be a dark-horse this upcoming season. Others are a lot more hesitant to put their trust into Winston and a rookie coach in Dennis Allen.
I don’t think anyone expects the Saints to compete for the No. 1 overall pick, and I think very few people think the Super Bowl is a realistic goal. Outside of those extremes, opinions vary wildly on New Orleans. Yahoo’s Frank Schwab has them ranked 19th in his preseason power rankings. The betting market views New Orleans as an average team as well, but it seems like bettors might be pretty high on the Saints entering the season.
New Orleans expected to compete for the playoffs
Last season, the New Orleans Saints won nine games. They did this despite the fact that they lost their starting quarterback for the second half of the season and were forced to start four quarterbacks over the course of the year. Sure, Sean Payton is gone, but new coach Dennis Allen has been around the team and learning from Payton for 12 years over the course of two separate stints.
The Saints’ win total for the upcoming season is set at 8.5 wins, meaning a repeat of last season would make the over side a winning bet. Most expect New Orleans to be improved with Winston healthy, the return of Michael Thomas and the additions of Olave, Landry, Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. It’s no surprise that the majority of bettors at BetMGM love New Orleans to go over 8.5 wins. Currently, 86% of bets and 89% of the money is on the over.
New Orleans enters the year with +350 odds to win the NFC South. Those are the second-best odds in the division, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rather sizable favorites. New Orleans is even-money to finish in second place in the division. Oddsmakers seem rather convinced the Buccaneers and Saints will occupy the top two spots in the division, as they are -225 favorites to do just that. Bettors are challenging the notion that Tampa Bay runs away with this division however, as 58% of bets are backing the Saints to win the NFC South.
After missing the playoffs last season, the Saints enter the new campaign as slight underdogs to make the playoffs this upcoming season. New Orleans is currently +120 to make the playoffs in 2022. At those odds, it's suggested the Saints make the playoffs just over 45% of the time. If you think the Saints sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard team in the NFC, you can bet New Orleans to occupy one of the wildcard spots at +325.
Saints are Super Bowl long shots
New Orleans enters the 2022 NFL season with 40-to-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. Those are the 17th-best odds and tied with the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders. New Orleans fits that tier pretty well as it's a group of teams that are basically coin-flips to make the playoffs and then would need a whole lot of luck to go their way. They're almost certainly not winning it, but if you wanted to throw tomorrow's lunch money on those odds, I wouldn't want your sanity checked out or anything.
The Saints are 18-to-1 to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Those odds are tied for 8th best in the conference with the Vikings. Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Green Bay, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia and Arizona are the seven teams with better odds. New Orleans is 20-to-1 to enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, tied with the Washington Commanders for the ninth best odds.
Saints awards and player props
What does the betting market think of some of the Saints' key players?
After missing the second half of last season with injury and then testing the free agent market, Jameis Winston returns as the starting quarterback in New Orleans this upcoming season. The weapons around him are greatly improved, but Winston is still a long-shot to win NFL MVP at 66-to-1. Those odds put him behind quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Matt Jones, Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins. He's just ahead of quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Trevor Lawrence.
While MVP might be a stretch, Winston might still have an award in his future. Jameis currently has the second-best odds to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year at +500. Only Derrick Henry has better odds. Winston is the second most popular bet to win the award currently, trailing only Christian McCaffrey.
Winston's season-long props for the upcoming season are set at 3749.5 passing yards, 26.5 passing touchdowns and 13.5 interceptions. Winston's 17-game pace before his injury last season had him at just over 2800 yards. He went over 26.5 touchdowns just twice in five seasons with Tampa Bay, but was on pace to do so last year. As far as interceptions, anyone who remembers Winston with the Buccaneers will not be surprised to learn he went over this number in four of five years. Supposedly he's worked on the turnovers with the Saints, so we'll see how that looks over a full season.
Jameis Winston's health is paramount for the Saints. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Saints drafted Chris Olave in the first round out of Ohio State, and the former Buckeye is amongst the favorites to win offensive rookie of the year. Currently, Olave is 10-to-1 to win the award. Those odds are tied for fourth best with Drake London and Skyy Moore. Only Kenny Pickett, Breece Hall and Treylon Burks have better odds than Olave. Olave is currently the fourth-most popular bet at BetMGM behind Hall, Pickett and George Pickens. Olave's props for his rookie season are set at over/under 774.5 receiving yards and over/under 4.5 receiving touchdowns.
Michael Thomas has missed almost two full seasons due to injury, but when he was last healthy, he was arguably the very best receiver in the sport. He led the league in receiving yards and receptions in 2019. Thomas is currently 40-to-1 to lead the league in those categories this upcoming season. Thomas is 20-to-1 to win Comeback Player of the Year. Those odds are tied for eighth best with Allen Robinson and Marcus Mariota.
Other Saints players
Alvin Kamara is currently 50-to-1 to lead the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Those odds might seem juicy, but there's still a chance he gets suspended for his involvement in a battery case in Las Vegas during Pro-Bowl weekend.
Cameron Jordan is currently 20-to-1 to lead the NFL in sacks this upcoming season. Those odds are tied for 11th best with Shaq Barrett and Micah Parsons. He finished seventh last season with 12.5 sacks. His over/under for this upcoming season is set at 9.5 sacks.
Both Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu's props for interceptions is set at over/under 2.5 picks. Both players had three last season.
Dennis Allen is 25-to-1 to win NFL Coach of the Year in his first year as head coach of the Saints. Those odds are tied for 14th best with five others including Mike Vrabel and Sean McDermott.
Saints open season as sizable favorites
The New Orleans Saints open their 2022 season as sizable favorites on the road in Atlanta. Currently, the Saints are 5.5-point road favorites against the Falcons. New Orleans is a -225 favorite on the moneyline.
Atlanta projects to be one of the very worst teams in the league, so the Saints should roll here. I don't think they should have an issue covering the spread either, as there's simply very little talent on the Falcons's roster.
The total for the game is currently set at just 41.5-points. That's the lowest total for any game in Week 1.
How many Roth IRAs can you have - and is it a good idea to have more than one? Here's what to know. | 2022-08-10T15:12:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL futures, odds: New Orleans Saints enter the post-Sean Payton era with intrigue | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-new-orleans-saints-enter-the-post-sean-payton-era-with-intrigue-133022056.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-futures-odds-new-orleans-saints-enter-the-post-sean-payton-era-with-intrigue-133022056.html?src=rss |
The Packers will need to clear a roster spot to make room for Williams on the 90-man roster.
Williams, the 194th pick in 2019, was one of 17 players – including five running backs – who worked out for the Packers on Tuesday.
General manager Brian Gutekunst released Williams at final cuts last August despite a productive preseason in which the third-year running back rushed for 82 yards, including two runs over 10 yards.
Williams spent time with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins last season. He also played in one game for the Philadelphia Stars, producing 102 total yards (29 rushing, 73 receiving) in the USFL title game in July.
The Packers need depth at running back with Kylin Hill (knee) on the PUP list and Patrick Taylor still recovering from a groin injury. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon won’t play in the preseason opener on Friday, leaving undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor as the only other running backs on the roster.
Williams’ knowledge of the offense should allow him to hit the ground running this week and potentially handle carries for LaFleur in San Francisco.
Over seven career regular-season games, Williams rushed seven times for 19 yards. He has 210 career rushing yards and one touchdown on 54 career preseason carries.
Kleefisch concedes in Republican primary
Rebecca Kleefisch on Tuesday conceded the Republican race for Wisconsin governor. | 2022-08-10T15:12:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers signing RB Dexter Williams to 90-man roster | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-signing-rb-dexter-williams-131939548.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-signing-rb-dexter-williams-131939548.html?src=rss |
Frank Gore facing simple assault charge, per police originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Son Of Guitarist Gord Lewis From Canadian Punk Band Teenage Head Arrested For His Murder
The guitarist for the 1970s Canadian punk band Teenage Head is believed to be a victim of homicide, sources say. The Hamilton Police Service in Ontario, Canada announced on Monday that they'd found the body of an unidentified male in his 60s after receiving information that “a number of e-mails” had been sent to several media outlets regarding the deceased male. According to the Hamilton Spectator, a staff member from their newspaper called 911 to ask police to perform a welfare check on Hamilto
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard suffered Week 1 disappointments in charge of Aston Villa and Everton. Will Week 2 go better at Villa Park? | 2022-08-10T15:12:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | Police: Ex-NFL RB Gore charged with simple assault in domestic violence case | https://sports.yahoo.com/police-ex-nfl-rb-gore-141535839.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/police-ex-nfl-rb-gore-141535839.html?src=rss |
For the Raiders to have a successful season in 2022, they will need their stars to play like it. That includes Maxx Crosby, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.
The former fourth-round pick led the NFL in pressures and hurries last year and now he is trying to find ways to bring down the quarterback more often. And while we are only a few weeks into training camp, it appears Crosby has already taken another leap as a player.
In a recent article by Tashan Reed of The Athletic, he wrote about Crosby’s strong camp. Here is a snippet from Reed on the Pro Bowl EDGE rusher for the Raiders:
“Speaking of Crosby, he’s been seemingly unblockable during training camp. He’s been lined up mostly as a defensive end but has also taken snaps at outside linebacker. He looks every bit like an elite edge rusher, which has meant trial by fire for the offensive linemen.”
The hope is that Crosby can continue to rack up pressures, hurries and sacks this year with fellow defensive end Chandler Jones dominating his matchup on the other side. If those two players can win consistently, it will set the entire defense up for success.
Crosby is just 24 years old and is poised to have an even better season in 2022. He hasn’t even entered his prime yet, which should be a terrifying thought for opposing offenses. | 2022-08-10T15:12:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders DE Maxx Crosby ‘unblockable’ during training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-maxx-crosby-unblockable-during-130713545.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-maxx-crosby-unblockable-during-130713545.html?src=rss |
The Aztecs’ veteran defensive end is the next Aztec to appear on this year’s countdown of the Mountain West’s top performers.
No Cameron Thomas? No problem.
The San Diego State Aztecs boasted one of the nation’s top defenses in 2021, which wasn’t much different from when they boasted one of the nation’s top defenses in 2019 and 2020, as well, but it’s perhaps not a coincidence that the next player on our list, defensive end Keshawn Banks, has been a big factor throughout and makes his third preseason top 50 appearance.
Last year, playing opposite Cameron Thomas, Banks’s third season as a starter may have been his best one yet. He earned a spot on the second-team all-Mountain West defense for the second time after compiling a career-best 13 quarterback hurries and five sacks, complementing his 35 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. That went a long way toward helping San Diego State pace the conference, and finish eighth among all FBS teams, in allowing 4.74 yards per play.
In 2022, Thomas is gone but Banks should be as productive as ever up front. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Rio Rancho, New Mexico native has done as much as anyone to help the program ascend to its current status, so count on him making this last ride on the Mesa matter.
What an instinctual play by Keshawn Banks! The center rocks back in his stance & moves the ball with 2 seconds on the play clock. Banks reacts to the flinch. Even if he left early, it was only a fraction of the second too soon. He's made similar plays all year. Clutch play. pic.twitter.com/REbvD4pCRd
— Paul Garrison (@PadreDeCuatro) November 21, 2021
He understood the assignment. @keshawn_banks with a BIG TFL.#Win22 | #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/rKXnSOnG4X
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) September 18, 2021 | 2022-08-10T16:35:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 Mountain West Football Top 50: #23, San Diego State DE Keshawn Banks | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-mountain-west-football-top-135116234.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-mountain-west-football-top-135116234.html?src=rss |
Heupel was asked about Tennessee’s pass rush from the front four.
“I do think we’re further and deeper than we were a year ago,” Heupel said. “We’re not where we need to be or where I want to be. The veterans inside of our program have continued to get better. Byron Young, Tyler Baron, those guys have made significant increases from where they were when we stepped off the football field in the bowl game.
“We have some young guys inside of our program that feel like if they keep growing and competing, have a chance to help us as we get into the season. We need those guys to come on.”
Fall camp: Josh Heupel discusses Vols’ wide receivers opposite of Cedric Tillman
Fall camp: Josh Heupel discusses Tennessee's wide receivers opposite of Cedric Tillman
The MLB is returning to the iconic field from the film “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa, this week. After a successful inaugural game last year, it looks like the league plans to have an annual game played at the enchanting field, which is known for being walled off by long rows of cornstalks in […] | 2022-08-10T16:35:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Fall camp: Tennessee’s pass rush from front four detailed | https://sports.yahoo.com/fall-camp-tennessee-pass-rush-145504035.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/fall-camp-tennessee-pass-rush-145504035.html?src=rss |
Excitement is building as the 2022 College football season is less than a month away.
The new season features a much different Big 12 Conference. Oklahoma, Texas Tech and TCU all have new head coaches taking over the helm. Year one is crucial for each of the new hires to set the tone for the future at their respective programs.
Steve Sarkisian enters his second year at Texas with soaring high expectations. The Longhorns used a big offseason to inspire confidence entering the fall.
West Virginia’s Neal Brown and Kansas State’s Chris Klieman are a few years into their jobs and have yet to compete for the league title. Both coaches are coming off bowl appearances in 2021 and have taken advantage of the transfer portal to upgrade the quarterback position.
Last season Dave Aranda established himself as one of college football’s best minds. He lead Baylor to an 11-2 record with a Big 12 championship and Sugar Bowl victory.
Here are the five Big 12 coaches with the most to prove in the 2022 season.
Neal Brown enters his fourth season at West Virginia with a 17-18 record. JT Daniels transfers in from Georgia looking take the offense to the next level. Patience is running out and 2022 may serve as a make or break season for Brown and the Mountaineers.
Klieman has one of his most talented roster’s as the Wildcats head coach. Kansas State leads all Big 12 teams with six preseason All-Big 12 selections led by superstar running back Deuce Vaughn. 2022 is Klieman’s best chance to compete for the Big 12 title.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State was one yard away from the College Football Playoff last season, instead the Cowboys watched Baylor celebrate the Big 12 championship after a fourth and goal stop. Gundy is now forced to replace a majority of his excellent defense and play caller Jim Knowles entering 2022.
Oklahoma fan were treated to the surprise of the offseason when Lincoln Riley bolted to USC. Brent Venables takes over an Oklahoma program facing tons of turnover. His first year as head coach of the Sooners is vital towards establishing the culture and building towards the move to the SEC.
Steve Sarkisian and Texas needs a bounce-back season to prove the program is heading in the right direction. A good year puts Texas in position to string together back-to-back elite recruiting classes and start competing at the highest level again.
Seasoned transfer from New Mexico tries to make up for lost time after wrist surgery kept him out of spring practice
A deep and talented senior class has raised the level of competition in Kansas State's preseason camp.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is taking extra precautions to keep his players healthy during preseason camp after an injury-plagued spring. | 2022-08-10T16:36:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Five Big 12 football coaches with the most to prove in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-big-12-football-coaches-140011536.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-big-12-football-coaches-140011536.html?src=rss |
Every Sooners fan in America was shocked when Cale Gundy suddenly resigned last Sunday night. Gundy had been on the Sooners’ coaching staff since 1999 and played quarterback in Norman from 1990-93.
Brent Venables had no choice but to accept Gundy’s resignation.
Ever since he landed in Norman, Venables has preached accountability. How is he supposed to expect the players to be accountable and accept responsibilty if his own staff can’t do the same?
Sooners fans can’t have it both ways. They’ve been praising Venables’ methods. They want this program to be accountable. This is what accountability looks like.
Gundy to resigned with dignity. In both statements, Venables reiterated that Gundy made the right decision.
Head coaches need to make difficult decisions. While it was a difficult one to make, this is a choice that was for the good of the program.
Speaking with Tyler McComas and Teddy Lehman on his weekly visit with The Rush on 94.7 The Ref in Norman, Bob Stoops was asked for his thoughts on the situation and how Brent Venables handled it.
“It’s hard to talk about, really,” Stoops sharing how he felt about Gundy’s resignation and what came out in the aftermath. “I’m just really torn apart. It hurts. It’s tough. Our whole close-knit football family. It’s just an unfortunate and terrible situation, but you have to try to move forward.”
Early in his tenure, Brent Venables was faced with a situation that few first-year coaches find themselves in. But Stoops believes he has the experience and acquired wisdom of his coaching career gives him the ability to work though situations like these.
As Jenni Carlson from The Oklahoman put it, “This decision couldn’t have been easy, not for Gundy, not for Venables, not for any Sooner. But if your program is built on doing things the right way all the time, there is little wiggle room. That standard doesn’t get thrown out when the situation involves an assistant. It doesn’t cease to exist in a behind-closed-doors film session.”
What Venables did was consistent with what he was said he was going to do. No one man is bigger than the team. By the time the season starts, this situation will be an afterthought. | 2022-08-10T16:36:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘He knows what kind of program he wants’: Bob Stoops discusses Venables’ decision on Cale Gundy | https://sports.yahoo.com/knows-kind-program-wants-bob-150656284.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/knows-kind-program-wants-bob-150656284.html?src=rss |
A new era of LSU Tigers football is set to begin in the same location that the last era began, the Big Easy.
When Ed Orgeron began his run at LSU as the head coach after his interim tag was removed, the Tigers faced off with the BYU Cougars in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to open the season. This year Kelly begins his run as the Tigers’ head coach against the Florida State Seminoles in New Orleans.
The former Notre Dame head coach had plenty of work to do as he looked to rebuild the roster. The transfer portal provided a viable option to speed up the process. With the start of the 2022 campaign just weeks away, we preview the season with the help of Athlon Sports, who mentioned LSU among the most improved candidates this year.
Over/Under Win Projections
Per Athlon Sports:
7 (Over/Under)
After finishing 6-7 and reloading in the transfer portal, the Tigers are poised for a breakthrough year in 2022 under Brian Kelly. Seven seems like a safe number in which I would smash the over.
What Went Wrong in 2021
The start of the ’21 season was a continuation of 2020 when LSU finished a disappointing 5-5 coming off of an undefeated national championship campaign. The Tigers were dominated along the line of scrimmage in a 38-27 loss at UCLA and needed wins over ULM and Texas A&M in late November just to get bowl eligible. The defense played better later in the year but still allowed 26.6 points a game and the loss of cornerbacks Eli Ricks and Derek Stingley Jr. pushed the pass defense to 12th in efficiency in the SEC. LSU struggled to get a push on the ground (3.3 yards per carry), while the line surrendered 38 sacks.
You could point to the injuries as a reason for the struggles but a lot of blame falls squarely at the feet of Orgeron and the LSU staff. The head coach replaced his offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator with two coaches that either never called plays or hadn’t done so in years. There was also some confusion as to who was actually calling the plays with the OC and passing game coordinator sharing the duties. Not to mention losing two of their best weapons in Kayshon Boutte and John Emery Jr.
Why To Expect Improvement
The coaching change from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly is a plus for LSU and should bring much-needed stability at the top. Kelly has won at every place he’s coached and it won’t take long for this team to improve on the field. Also, the roster isn’t lacking for talent. Anchored by rising star tackle Maason Smith, the Tigers should have one of the top defensive fronts in the SEC. A battle is ongoing at quarterback, but there are options, including Myles Brennan and Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels. Receiver Kayshon Boutte is among the nation’s best, and John Emery is back at running back after sitting out ’21.
With Kelly taking over the program, it has less of a feel of a circus and more structure. Mike Denbrock and Matt House bring a lot of experience to their units as the coordinators and plenty of leadership returns as well. Boutte is set to become the next top wide receiver to come out of LSU and B.J. Ojulari is poised to be a disruptor in the backfield.
Remaining Concerns
A transition period or learning curve is to be expected for Kelly in his first year in a new conference. Outside of the new staff meshing with the roster, the offensive line, secondary and overall quarterback play remain a question mark going into the opener in New Orleans against Florida State.
The quarterback conundrum is obviously a big question mark. The team has three viable options in Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels, and Garrett Nussmeier. I wouldn’t count out incoming freshman Walker Howard to find a way onto the field at some point if the previous three struggle.
Schedule Note
LSU catches key swing games against Mississippi State, Tennessee and Ole Miss in Baton Rouge this fall.
4th in the SEC West, 8-4 overall
3rd in the SEC West, 9-3 overall | 2022-08-10T16:36:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | LSU among teams who will be most improved in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-among-teams-most-improved-143354037.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-among-teams-most-improved-143354037.html?src=rss |
Tyreem Powell projects to be an influential part of the Rutgers defense this season as the sophomore linebacker looks to build on an impressive freshman season with the Scarlet Knights.
With the news this week that Drew Singleton’s waiver for another year of NCAA eligibility has been denied, it is likely that Powell’s role with the linebacker corps has grown in significance. He is a member of the 2020 recruiting class who was a redshirt his freshman season.
Powell enjoyed a very strong 2021 season at Rutgers, playing in 13 games with three starts. He had 18 total tackles and also had an interception in Rutgers’ blowout win at Indiana.
“I think Tyreem continues to get better every practice. He really works hard at it. He’s physically gifted, and he really wants to be great,” Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano told reporters this week.
“So that combination usually works as long as you work hard. And he’s doing that so just a matter of time, but you know, he doesn’t have a ton of experience just like our whole linebacker crew. So that’ll be the key, right? Getting experience and hopefully minimizing the mistakes we make.”
As a recruit, Powell was originally committed to Virginia Tech, Shortly after the hiring of Schiano as head coach in December of 2019, Powell de-committed and joined Rutgers.
Powell also played in the Gator Bowl when Rutgers stepped up on short notice to fill the void left by Texas A&M. He had two tackles against the No. 17 Demon Deacons.
That postseason experience, even on incredibly short notice, was big for players like Powell who are still growing and learning.
“With a number of guys that either couldn’t play because of COVID or chose not to play because (of) the NFL draft we did – we were forced to play more young players that hadn’t really seen a lot of action,” Schiano said.
“I thought it was great, right? They got their first or, you know, their first real chunk of plays in a big-time environment in a bowl game against a really good Wake Forest team. There’s no substitute for that experience. So that was special.” | 2022-08-10T16:36:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rutgers football linebacker Tyreem Powell earns praise from Greg Schiano: ‘he really wants to be great’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-linebacker-tyreem-powell-134438316.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-linebacker-tyreem-powell-134438316.html?src=rss |
The Jets were graced by the presence of one of the best receivers they’ve had in recent years during Wednesday’s practice.
The great Brandon Marshall stopped by Florham Park Wednesday to take in practice of the team he played for in 2015 and 2016. It may have been the tail end of his career, but they certainly weren’t wasted years, especially 2015.
That season, Marshall had one of the best seasons of his career, as he caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and a career-high 14 touchdowns. 2012, his first season in Chicago, was the only season he caught more passes (108) and had more receiving yards (1,508).
And by all accounts, Marshall can still play.
Catching practice today: Former Jet @BMarshall, who had one of the best receiving seasons in #Jets history (2015).
It’s certainly nice to see a recent member of Jets royalty grace the practice field. | 2022-08-10T17:01:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brandon Marshall makes appearance at Jets camp Wednesday | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-marshall-makes-appearance-jets-163140147.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-marshall-makes-appearance-jets-163140147.html?src=rss |
Frank Gore last played in the NFL in the 2020 season with the New York Jets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Frank Gore, ex-NFL RB, charged with assault in domestic violence case
A year after the University of Georgia’s football team won a national championship, UGA is starting a $68.5 million project to overhaul its football stadium, making it easier for Bulldogs fans to get around and building more suites for premium donors. | 2022-08-10T17:02:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ex- NFL RB Frank Gore charged with simple assault in domestic violence investigation in Atlantic City | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nfl-rb-frank-gore-152419462.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nfl-rb-frank-gore-152419462.html?src=rss |
Mixon isn’t alone in his pain.
“I still haven’t digested it,” wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. said. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get over it.”
Fellow wideout, Ja’Marr Chase, who garnered Pro Bowl and AP offensive rookie of the year honors in 2021, also could relate.
“I didn’t dwell on the moment,” Chase said. “I didn’t even watch the film until later. I lived with it and sat with it and moved on quickly.”
As ascending linebacker Logan Wilson put it, “We kind of have the mentality that you have to leave the past in the past. You just have to learn from it, grow from it. Move on.”
This time last year, the Bengals were coming off of their fifth consecutive losing season (including three consecutive double-digit loss campaigns). Nobody would have projected them to win the physical AFC North, let alone make it all the way to the Super Bowl, where they found themselves with a shot at a game-winning drive before Aaron Donald snuffed out their hopes in the closing seconds of play.
But now people view the Bengals differently. Opinions have changed both in their city, where the team enjoyed a rare season-ticket sellout after years of struggling to fill their stadium, and across the NFL.
NFL RECORD PROJECTIONS: Can Bengals stay on top of AFC in 2022?
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during practice, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati.
For the first time in years, Cincinnati’s long-suffering franchise is dealing with heightened expectations. But although they acknowledge the legitimacy of those expectations, Bengals players insist they remain unfazed. They could view the expectations as added sources of pressure. But instead, now that they have tasted success and know what excellence should look and feel like, their own expectations dwarf any of those from the outside.
The Bengals’ ability to maintain that focus and handle the new-found lofty expectations will go a long way to determining their level of success this season, and they get that.
“It’s not pressure,” said Mixon, who seeks his fourth 1,000-yard campaign in five seasons. “It’s the standard that we have set and we now have to maintain.”
Said Morgan, “The standard is not to make the Super Bowl. The standard is to win, so nobody is satisfied.”
Wilson, a third-year pro who became a full-time starter last season, said the Bengals again remain committed to the goal of committing selflessly to the good of the team, something that enabled them to defy odds and exceed expectations last season.
“Coach (Zac) Taylor and the front office have done a great job of bringing good guys into the locker room that gel together and don’t care about their individual success, just care about the team,” Wilson said.
The linebacker believes that Taylor’s message throughout offseason practices and now training camp has and will continue to help them remain focused as they attempt to become one of the few Super Bowl runner-ups to return to the game’s biggest stage and take care of unfinished business.
Taylor is entering only his fourth season as an NFL head coach, but the 39-year-old has firsthand experience with trying to live up to lofty expectations and grappling with the disappointment of falling short in a Super Bowl. In 2018, he served as an assistant on the Rams’ staff when Sean McVay and Co. lost 13-3 to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Drawing on those lessons, Taylor has repeatedly preached on the importance of maintaining focus while positively channeling disappointment into fuel for another deep playoff run.
“It’s written all over our walls because there’s always going to be different pressures, whether negative or positive, and you’ve got to learn how to tune that out,” Taylor said last week. “You just pay attention to the people inside this building, who are seeing the work that’s being put in and understand our expectations.
"You’ve got to manage the outside noise, because for a lot of years it was negative and now it’s positive. And it doesn’t matter. You can’t stoop to it or try to race to it because we have our own standard, and the guys do a real good job of that. It’s impossible to block out the internet. That’s just not feasible, so guys have to focus on what we talk about in the building and not worry about anything else.”
Thus far, it appears that Taylor’s charges are doing just that.
“It’s just that we have to prove ourselves all over,” Chase said. “As individuals, as a team. It’s just the league. We have to prove to everyone in the world that we can still play.”
The wide receiver and his teammates have remained undeterred despite dealing with adversity in the form of opening camp without franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, who is still recovering from the appendectomy that he needed on the eve of training camp.
Burrow could miss another couple of weeks of action, but until he does return, his teammates aim to simply work toward collective and individual improvement while focusing on the factors in their control.
Then, once the season begins, the Bengals hope to approach the task of contending for the Super Bowl once again while embracing the spike in energy radiating from a rejuvenated fan base.
“It’s easy to tell the city has rallied around us, based even on how many have come to these practices. It’s pretty awesome to see,” Wilson said. “We joked last year, ‘It’s like we set the city of Cincinnati on fire’ after we made it to the Super Bowl. It’s too bad we couldn’t get it done, but there are positives, and the city’s energy is there. It’s not pressure, it’s like we have more support than we ever have before, and we’ll take it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cincinnati Bengals face new world of Super Bowl 'standard'
Paycor CEO on Bengals deal: ‘This puts us on the map’
The new Cincinnati Bengals stadium naming rights deal will have a huge impact by spurring growth for Norwood-based Paycor HCM, its CEO told me. | 2022-08-10T17:02:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Facing new world of heightened expectations, Bengals have a plan to keep their edge | Opinion | https://sports.yahoo.com/facing-world-heightened-expectations-bengals-160604883.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/facing-world-heightened-expectations-bengals-160604883.html?src=rss |
Preseason football is back for the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL this week. While the Hall of Fame Game last week marks the kickoff of the preseason schedule, it is but a teaser to the teaser that is preseason.
The Browns kick off their preseason slate with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday.
While it is exciting to have preseason games back, Cleveland fans are still awaiting the final word on QB Deshaun Watson’s discipline. The unknown makes it hard for fans to get excited.
It can also be difficult to get excited for preseason games because many starters and vital contributors either play sparingly or don’t play at all.
The Jaguars played in the Hall of Fame Game last Thursday but we didn’t see many of their big names. According to their coach, that will change this week against the Browns:
Jaguars starters, including Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, will play a couple series on Friday vs. Browns, per Doug Pederson.
Lawrence was seen as a “once in a lifetime” prospect when he was drafted but the chaos surrounding Urban Meyer’s one year in the league was too much to overcome in 2021. With Pederson now in charge, Friday is the first chance to see what Lawrence can be under a real NFL coach.
Etienne was expected to be a big play threat after being selected in the first round last year as well but a foot injury cost him his rookie season.
It is uncertain which Browns players will play Friday. We may get some updates Wednesday afternoon before the team flies out for Friday’s game. | 2022-08-10T17:02:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jags starters including Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, will play against Browns | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-starters-including-trevor-lawrence-160646994.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-starters-including-trevor-lawrence-160646994.html?src=rss |
It’s going to look pretty strange seeing No. 9 catching passes in Detroit instead of throwing them, but it’s something Lions fans will need to get used to quickly. That’s because rookie WR Jameson Williams has officially changed his jersey from No. 18 to No. 9.
Yeah, that No. 9. Matthew Stafford’s old number.
According to Eric Woodyard of ESPN, Williams reached out to Stafford for the QB’s blessing in taking over his old number. The Lions traded Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams prior to the 2021 season after the quarterback spent the first 12 seasons of his career donning No. 9 in Detroit.
Williams remains on the Lions’ non-football injury list as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered at the end of the college football season at Alabama. | 2022-08-10T17:03:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jameson Williams changes jerseys to No. 9 with Matthew Stafford’s blessing | https://sports.yahoo.com/jameson-williams-changes-jerseys-no-161706622.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jameson-williams-changes-jerseys-no-161706622.html?src=rss |
Not only are the Detroit Lions front and center during the NFL preseason, as the franchise is finally featured on the HBO flagship show, ‘Hard Knocks,’ but so, too, is a former Wolverine.
Given that former Michigan football edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a local product playing for his hometown team, and was the No. 2 overall NFL draft pick, it makes sense that he would be heavily featured, at least in the premiere episode, which aired on Tuesday evening. While Michigan football was often mentioned throughout, thanks to the featuring of Hutchinson, his family, and his continued fervor for his alma mater, the biggest moment in the entire episode came courtesy of the rookie taking part of an initiation, where he had to sing to the team.
Hutchinson sang ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson, first messing up to friendly jeers, before regaining his composure and galvanizing his entire team. It’s an amazing moment, and one that HBO producers called the best when it’s come to seeing rookies sing in likewise initiation procedures.
Special USC football show debuts on ESPNU today. Here’s how to watch, what to expect
Shane Beamer: “This show will give our fans a look at the hard work our team goes through to prepare for the season.”
Clichy – France - August 10, 2022 BIC strengthens its R&D Capabilities in Digital Expression with the acquisition of AMI (Advanced Magnetic Interaction) Clichy-France – August 10th, 2022 - BIC announces today that it has signed an agreement to acquire the share capital of AMI (Advanced Magnetic Interaction), a small French company specializing in augmented interaction technology and the creator of the ISKN Repaper digital tablet, which allows users to capture paper writing and drawing in an elec
The All-Clad VIP Factory Sale ends tonight—get up to 71% off pots, pans and specialty cookware
Save up to 71% off All-Clad pots and pans during the All-Clad VIP Factory Seconds Sale. Get stock pots, sauce pans, cake pans and more. | 2022-08-10T17:03:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | LOOK: Aidan Hutchinson steals the show in premiere episode of HBO Hard Knocks | https://sports.yahoo.com/look-aidan-hutchinson-steals-show-161858759.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/look-aidan-hutchinson-steals-show-161858759.html?src=rss |
Mike Ditka Super Bowl sweater available at auction originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
A classic piece of Chicago spots attire is up for auction.
The Bears sweater worn by former head coach Mike Ditka when the team won Super Bowl XX in 1985 is up for auction at the Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction.
The sweater vest is the exact one Ditka wore as he was carried off the field in New Orleans as the coach of the Super Bowl XX Champions. The Bears defeated the New England Patriots, 46-10 in a complete rout.
The 1985 Super Bowl is the last championship the Bears won. | 2022-08-10T17:03:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike Ditka Super Bowl Bears sweater available at auction | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-ditka-super-bowl-bears-160235444.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-ditka-super-bowl-bears-160235444.html?src=rss |
A report from UPMC said the health system provided more than $1.5 billion in community benefits — whether it's charity care for people who can't pay, health and wellness programs or medical research and education — during 2021.
75-year-old Nokomis resident, who has been rowing since 1995, needs to win two medals in the five events she's entered for an even 100 in her career.
A few hours after Roquan Smith released a statement saying he requested a trade from the Chicago Bears, he watched Tuesday’s Family Fest practice from the sideline at Soldier Field. General manager Ryan Poles took in the practice just 35 yards from his star linebacker. But the two apparently remain a greater distance apart when it comes to contract negotiations. Smith, who has sat out all 11 ...
Pat Narduzzi met the media prior to Pitt's practice on Wednesday and talked about recovery and a lot more. | 2022-08-10T17:03:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mitch Trubisky is the starting QB as of now according to HC Mike Tomlin | https://sports.yahoo.com/mitch-trubisky-starting-qb-now-154523405.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mitch-trubisky-starting-qb-now-154523405.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers needed another running back to get through what could be a grueling week ahead, so general manager Brian Gutekunst brought back a familiar face: 2019 sixth-round pick Dexter Williams.
The Packers are expected to officially announce the signing on Wednesday. Gutekunst confirmed Williams would be added after he was one of five running backs to work out for the team on Tuesday.
In Williams, the Packers are getting an explosive runner who can integrate back into the offense quickly and handle a workload while Kylin Hill (PUP list) and Patrick Taylor (groin) are hobbled at running back.
LaFleur said he was excited to get Williams – who spent two seasons in Green Bay – back in the building.
“He’s a guy who I probably was really hard on throughout his time here just in terms of trying to get everything out of him,” LaFleur said Wednesday. “I gotta say, it’s always cool to see a guy not only take the coaching but you see him evolve as a player and person. I think he was one of the hardest workers on our team. You can always count on Dex giving maximum effort. It was great to see him back here, and I’m excited for him.”
Gutekunst said Williams is in “phenomenal shape.”
The Packers open the preseason on Friday night in San Francisco and then will host the New Orleans Saints for joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before another preseason game next Friday.
“Going into this week, with two games and two really intense practices, we needed another running back with what we’re going through,” Gutekunst said.
Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon aren’t expected to play Friday in San Francisco. Williams and undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor could handle the majority of the snaps at running back if Taylor is still limited.
Gutekunst used a sixth-round pick on Williams in 2019. He’s always liked Williams’ explosive traits, especially as a one-cut, downhill runner in LaFleur’s wide zone scheme.
With nothing settled behind Jones and Dillon at running back and a second opportunity in Green Bay, Williams might have a legitimate chance to push for an early-season roster spot.
Since leaving Green Bay, Williams spent time on the practice squads of the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns during the 2021 season and then played in one game for the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, producing 102 total yards in the league’s title game.
Williams played in seven regular-season games for the Packers between 2019 and 2020, rushing seven times for 19 yards. He rushed for 210 yards in preseason games in 2019 and 2021.
The Packers will need to clear a roster spot to add Williams on Wednesday. | 2022-08-10T17:04:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers excited to get RB Dexter Williams back in Green Bay | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-excited-rb-dexter-williams-152612375.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-excited-rb-dexter-williams-152612375.html?src=rss |
The Baltimore Ravens signed offensive tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year, $15 million deal during 2022 free agency to help shore up their offensive line. Moses is a veteran that has been around the game for a long time, and is a great teacher for his teammates. His size and experience will help everyone on the offense, as well as in practice when defenders go up against him.
After a training camp session, Moses was asked about second year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. Moses praised Oweh for not being afraid to ask questions, and said that “the sky is the limit” for the former Penn State star.
"He wants to be great.. you can see it every day in practice." Morgan Moses on conversations with @DafeOweh: pic.twitter.com/XrHl1EotuG
“I think the biggest thing is that he knows he doesn’t know it all, and he’s not afraid to ask. And so, there are times when we’re on the field, and we’ll literally stop in the middle of the play, and we’re talking about things, because he wants to know, ‘Why did you set me like this?’ And any time you get a guy like that, the sky is the limit. When I was with Washington, I had Chase Young like that, and obviously, his play speaks for itself. But I think any time you’ve got an athlete to come off the edge like that, and now you’ve got Justin Houston there in his back corner to help him progress, to get better … He wants to be great, and you can see it, and you can feel it every day in practice.”
Oweh is expected to play a massive role on the Baltimore defense in 2022 especially because of the lack of outside linebacker depth that the team currently houses. He showed during his rookie season that he can be a do-it-all player, and is expected to take a big leap this season. Moses clearly sees Oweh’s potential, and with his work ethic and skillset, the second-year player looks to be in line for a very successful NFL career. | 2022-08-10T17:04:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens OT Morgan Moses sees massive potential in OLB Odafe Oweh | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-ot-morgan-moses-sees-164900351.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-ot-morgan-moses-sees-164900351.html?src=rss |
The Baltimore Ravens have been known as one of the more dominant teams in the NFL, and that comes with plenty of training and practicing. However, certain drills do not need to be taken as seriously as others, especially in temperatures that exceed 90 degrees.
Following training camp practice on Monday, the Ravens held a fumble drill for their 2022 rookies. The drill proved to be a fun one, as the rookies attempted to recover a loose football on the wet grass while being sprayed with a hose by veteran players. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, defensive end Calais Campbell and kicker Justin Tucker could be seen in a video posted by the team hosing down the rookies on the grass.
When asked about the “hose drill” at the end of practice, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said the practice replicated recovering a fumble in the rain.
“Yes, that was an idea that came up last night in the coaches meeting, so we did it. It was fun. Recover a fumble in the rain, right? Also, get the rookies good and wet. Spray the hose right in their face, that’s what I saw. So, they had a good time with it.”
While football is business, the Ravens show the ability to be serious while also having fun on the practice field. The “hose drill” could come in handy as the NFL regular season approaches, and gives the team a nice break from the grueling nature of training camp in sweltering heat. | 2022-08-10T17:04:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens veterans douse rookies with hose during fumble drill | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-veterans-douse-rookies-hose-145827283.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-veterans-douse-rookies-hose-145827283.html?src=rss |
We are just days away from the official start of the Pittsburgh Steelers preseaon. On Saturday the Steelers will take on the Seattle Seahawks and everyone will begin to see if everything Pittsburgh did in the offseason will pay dividends.
The folks over at Touchdown Wire have updated their NFL power rankings just ahead of the start of the preseason and they don’t seem to give the Pittsburgh Steelers much hope even with all the moves they have made.
TD Wire has the Steelers at No. 19 in their power rankings. The only AFC teams ranked lower are the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
As with everyone, TD Wire says the fate of this season falls on the new starting quarterback, whoever it may be.
The truth is this season will go exactly as far as the Steelers defense carries it regardless of who is at quarterback. Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue against the rankings given the level of unknown all over the field for the Steelers.
Kids connect over loss, grief, shared pain after death of loved ones at Lafayette camp
Camp Brave Hearts, hosted by Hospice of Acadiana, shows children how to express emotions and connect with others after a loved one's death.
Jakeem Grant‘s 2022 season is officially over. The Browns placed Grant on injured reserve on Wednesday, a day after he suffered a torn Achilles during practice. Grant was in line to be Cleveland’s return specialist and see some time on the team’s offense. He signed a three-year deal with the Browns in March. Grant has [more] | 2022-08-10T17:04:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers check in at No. 19 on TD Wire preseason NFL power rankings | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-check-no-19-td-145603350.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-check-no-19-td-145603350.html?src=rss |
Then some teams decided the preseason doesn't matter. With a new wave of coaches, led by Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, teams are rarely, if ever, playing their starters in the preseason anymore. Avoiding injuries has become the goal.
Still, there are some key things we'll see over the next three weeks of the preseason (it was cut from four games to three in 2021). Here are the five biggest storylines that should unfold between now and Week 1.
The Panthers' weird QB competition
The Carolina Panthers tried replacing Sam Darnold a few times this offseason. When they finally landed Baker Mayfield in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, they promoted a competition between Mayfield and Darnold. It was a bit strange.
It's hard to find anyone who truly believes Darnold will start Week 1, but let's play along with that game. Theoretically, Darnold could have a huge preseason and win the job. Panthers coach Matt Rhule said no decision will be made until after the team's Aug. 19 preseason game against the New England Patriots.
Does Baker Mayfield really have a chance to be on the bench come Week 1 vs. the Cleveland Browns? Apparently, according to Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Who's the Seahawks' starter?
Another unsettled quarterback situation is with the Seattle Seahawks, who traded Russell Wilson and now get to pick between Drew Lock and Geno Smith.
Late last week, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Smith still leads the competition.
“Geno continues to be on top,” coach Pete Carroll said after last Friday’s practice. “He’s ahead. He’s been in the lead for all of the obvious reasons and he’s holding on to it and doing a really good job of battling."
Wilson won the Seahawks' QB job as a rookie in 2012 with a fine preseason. Smith could secure the job with a good preseason, but Lock will have the chance to surpass him in the coming weeks.
Steelers look at Kenny Pickett
When the Pittsburgh Steelers released their depth chart last week, Mitchell Trubisky was the starter, Mason Rudolph was No. 2 and rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett was third. Team-issued depth charts in early August mean very little, but there's still a lot of intrigue. Most of it surrounds Pickett, the lone quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL draft this year.
Reviews weren't great for Trubisky or Pickett through the first few training camp practices. The job hasn't been decided and perhaps the preseason will give coach Mike Tomlin some clarity. The highlight will be seeing Pickett get his first snaps on an NFL field.
Aidan Hutchinson makes Lions debut
We already saw No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker take his first NFL game snaps when the Jacksonville Jaguars played in the Hall of Fame Game. And Walker looked very good rushing the passer.
Hutchinson was the second overall pick, and many thought he should have been first. The Detroit Lions are planning to play starters in the first preseason game so we should get a decent look at Hutchinson, who has had some highlights in camp practices. We'll see many first-round rookies over the next few weeks, and Hutchinson is one of the most anticipated debuts for a Lions team that needs a foundational star.
Deshaun Watson probably back on the field
Deshaun Watson's future for this season is up in the air as his six-game suspension is being appealed by the NFL. Watson won't play a regular season game until at least late October, unless there's an unforeseen twist in the appeal process, but he will likely be on the field for the Browns in August. He is eligible to play in the preseason, though a decision on his appeal before Friday could change that according to Pro Football Talk.
According to reports from Pro Football Talk and the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, the expectation is Watson will play in the preseason. Cabot specified that Watson could play a series or two in the Browns' preseason opener against the Jaguars this week. However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not say what his plan was with the quarterbacks.
Watson hasn't played since the end of the 2020 season amid his trade request with the Houston Texans last year, when he also faced a number of sexual misconduct and sexual assault accusations. Watson is an infamous figure after the off-field headlines of the past two years, and he'll be one of the most-watched players in the preseason. We don't know at the moment when his regular season debut will come. | 2022-08-10T17:05:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | The 5 biggest things to watch in the NFL preseason, including a few QB battles | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-5-biggest-things-to-watch-in-the-nfl-preseason-including-a-few-qb-battles-135721583.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-5-biggest-things-to-watch-in-the-nfl-preseason-including-a-few-qb-battles-135721583.html?src=rss |
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan has been seamlessly working his way into the offense, and it hasn’t taken long for him to garner the respect of just about everyone around him.
While we always hear what other players and coaches are saying about Ryan and his ability to lead, we finally got some video evidence of that taking place during training camp at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.
Here is about four minutes of Ryan being mic’d up at training camp, and it’s easy to see why his new teammates have followed his lead. | 2022-08-10T17:05:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Matt Ryan mic’d up at Colts training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-matt-ryan-mic-d-151810050.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-matt-ryan-mic-d-151810050.html?src=rss |
As soon as the news broke last week that the NFL was leveling heavy penalties on the Miami Dolphins for tampering with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and then-New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, all eyes looked to this week’s joint practices between the Bucs and the Dolphins.
But while the story swirled around Brady and the Dolphins, the players and coaches currently taking the field for both teams couldn’t seem to care less about the situation.
When asked, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles made it clear that it was a league issue that had nothing to do with his team:
The Bucs and Dolphins took the field to practice against one another Wednesday, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reinforced why players on both sides aren’t interested in the story:
From Inside Training Camp: We are discussing the Tom Brady saga during #Bucs–#Dolphins joint practice… which people on the field don’t care about pic.twitter.com/3xS5vRlRBA
So, while this story stole the headlines across the league for obvious reasons, these two teams are clearly focused on the task at hand. | 2022-08-10T17:05:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why current Bucs, Dolphins don’t care about tampering case | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-current-bucs-dolphins-don-153200316.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-current-bucs-dolphins-don-153200316.html?src=rss |
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can see some similarities between his situation with Brett Favre and Jordan Love's current situation with the Packers. Rodgers addressed Love's journey in the NFL, saying he can see the progress Love has made while waiting for a starting opportunity.
Rodgers was asked whether Love has received as much criticism as Rodgers when he was stuck behind Favre on the depth chart. Rodgers said he wasn't sure, and then provided some insight into how Love has grown the past couple seasons.
Rodgers' answer read:
"I think there's always pressure on a first-round pick. The tracks are looking more similar by the day, [Love] being in his third year and me waiting behind Brett for three years. Something clicks in at some point and the game slows down and you make the plays you know you are capable of making and I look forward to watching him on Friday. And against the Saints, as well.
"But the most important thing for a quarterback is the confidence and the confidence comes from the consistency and the fundamentals and making plays in practice and feeling good about the offense and all the things that are expected of you.
"I think all of us come along at our own pace. I needed the years to get to where I was at. Whether the criticism was equal in '05, '06 and '07 for me as it was for him, I don't know. Some of that you kinda move past as you've had success. But I'm excited for him this preseason. Think he's had a really nice camp. Made some good throws. More consistent with his fundamentals. And I hope he goes out and balls out."
The similarities are there and hearing Rodgers address them is important considering his frustrations with sitting behind Favre. Obviously, things worked out for Rodgers. He proved his excellence immediately after being trust into the starting lineup and hasn't looked back.
Love may have to wait even longer to get his shot. It was believed Love would step into the starting role if the team traded Rodgers in the offseason. When that didn't happen, and Rodgers signed a new five-year contract, it was thought maybe Love would get traded to a team in need of a starter.
Instead, Love stayed with the Packers and is set to backup Rodgers for yet another season. If Love's journey parallels Rodgers' early years, Love would take over as the Packers' starter next season. That's not going to happen barring major regression or an injury to Rodgers.
If Love is going to assume a starting role, he's probably going to have to go to another team. Playing well in the preseason could lead to a deal, and that's probably in the best interest of both sides at this point.
President Biden stopped to answer questions from the press before departing Lexington, Ky. after meeting with Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) and families affected by flash flooding.
Fact-checking Trump’s post-FBI search, campaign-style video
Former president Donald Trump released an ominous campaign-style video on Aug. 9, 2022, one day after the FBI conducted a search of his Mar-a-Lago Club. | 2022-08-10T17:10:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Aaron Rodgers compares Jordan Love situation to sitting behind Brett Favre: 'Tracks are looking more similar' | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-compares-jordan-love-situation-to-sitting-behind-brett-favre-tracks-are-looking-more-similar-161447114.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-compares-jordan-love-situation-to-sitting-behind-brett-favre-tracks-are-looking-more-similar-161447114.html?src=rss |
Petty GMS Motorsports has scheduled a news conference Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET, and NASCAR.com will live-stream the event.
TUNE IN: Petty GMS announcement, 2:30 p.m. ET
Announced guests for what the team has billed as a “special announcement” include team chairman Richard Petty and Mike Beam, president of both Petty GMS and the GMS Racing operations. The team has also listed “TBD” for the new driver of the organization’s No. 42 Chevrolet.
NASCAR.com will carry the news conference live from the Petty GMS shop in Statesville, North Carolina, streaming from the above link.
Petty GMS announced July 30 that Erik Jones would return as driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet, signing him to a multiyear contract extension. The new driver of the No. 42 Chevy will replace Ty Dillon, who announced two weeks earlier that he would not be back with the organization in 2023.
MORE: Silly Season updates
With This Auto Maker You Can Really Feel the Bumps in the Road
It has been quite a ride for Ford this year, moving from multi-year highs in January to levels not seen since 2020. That's a full year for any stock, but F being a low priced name, you can really feel the bumps in the road. | 2022-08-10T17:11:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tune in: Petty GMS special announcement live stream | https://sports.yahoo.com/tune-petty-gms-special-announcement-093619609.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tune-petty-gms-special-announcement-093619609.html?src=rss |
When a player makes it in the NFL, it’s always awesome to some of the things that they do for their family, as they share the fruits of their labor.
For Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the moments came this offseason after he was traded from Kansas City and received a four-year extension worth $120 million.
In a video that Hill posted to his YouTube channel on Monday, the wide receiver gifted his parents their dream cars, and their reactions were amazing, as Hill’s father was quiet and emotional, and his mother was freaking out.
As Hill said in the video, “Today is just a day I get a chance to do what every kid dreams of doing.” | 2022-08-10T17:11:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill buys his parents their dream cars | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-dolphins-wr-tyreek-hill-171455213.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-dolphins-wr-tyreek-hill-171455213.html?src=rss |
There's always some awkwardness when a team hasn't reissued the jersey number of a former star.
For the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford had 12 good years as their quarterback. He probably didn't do enough to get his number retired permanently (though some Lions fans would argue otherwise), but it also would have seemed a bit wrong to reissue his No. 9 right after he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams last year.
Lions first-round pick Jameson Williams, a receiver from Alabama, cut the tension by asking Stafford himself.
Williams had been wearing No. 18 but wanted to make a switch before the preseason started. No. 9 was available, but it hadn't been reissued by the Lions since they traded Stafford last year.
According to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Williams reached out to Stafford via text and asked if he could have No. 9. Stafford apparently said yes.
That's a great move for both players. The rookie understood the history of that number for the Lions franchise and its fanbase that still roots for Stafford. Stafford apparently didn't stand in the way of the switch.
It will be odd for a while to see anyone but Stafford wearing No. 9 for the Lions. Perhaps Williams can carve out his own legacy with that number.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was one of the team's first-round picks this year. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) | 2022-08-10T18:41:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lions' 1st round pick Jameson Williams wanted No. 9, so he asked Matthew Stafford | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-1st-round-pick-jameson-williams-wanted-no-9-so-he-asked-matthew-stafford-161745769.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-1st-round-pick-jameson-williams-wanted-no-9-so-he-asked-matthew-stafford-161745769.html?src=rss |
College football is full of amazing athletes, from the top schools in the nation all the way down to the lower divisions. These talented young men toil endlessly in an effort to maximize their abilities, with some rising to the top while others failing to make the cut.
Among them is a group of gridiron warriors who stand out simply based on their unique physical attributes. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman put together his top-100 college football “freaks list” for the 2022 campaign, with the Florida Gators landing a pair of its players, quarterback Anthony Richardson and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who were named at Nos. 50 and 88, respectively.
Feldman offered the following on the former.
As for the latter, Feldman had this to say.
There is little doubt that the success of these two studs will play greatly into the overall outcome in Billy Napier’s first season at the helm. Richardson’s ceiling is that of a Heisman Trophy contender while Dexter’s disruption on defense would help solidify things on the other side of the ball for the Gators, and if the two live up to their potential, Florida’s postseason outlook could look a lot rosier than it does now. | 2022-08-10T18:46:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | These 2 Gators earned a spot on The Athletic’s college football ‘freaks list’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/2-gators-earned-spot-athletic-162724724.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2-gators-earned-spot-athletic-162724724.html?src=rss |
Oscar Piastri's rift with Alpine has also forced a change of plan at Williams and could have a knock-on effect around the Formula One paddock. While the main focus has been on Renault-owned Alpine and McLaren, who both want the 21-year-old Australian to drive for them next season, tail-enders Williams have had to reassess their next step. Alpine's original plan was to loan their reserve, and last year's Formula Two champion, to Williams for at least a year and possibly more until he returned as Fernando Alonso's replacement. | 2022-08-10T18:47:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | LSU DL Maason Smith named to Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks’ list | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-dl-maason-smith-named-160038229.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-dl-maason-smith-named-160038229.html?src=rss |
The ACC and Big 12 should be doing certain things to make themselves more attractive to ESPN and other potential television or streaming partners. The Pac-12 has to be doing the same, but the Pac-12 offers television and streaming outlets a different set of attributes and advantages.
So, what should the Pac-12 in fact do, now that we’re seeing the Big Ten line up three different mainstream television outlets?
Reporting from John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, confirmed by other sources, indicates that the Big Ten is closing in on a media package in which Fox will be joined by NBC and CBS as television partners. NBC is reportedly going to pay more than CBS, due to getting a deal for a regular Big Ten night game (7:30 in the East, 4:30 in Los Angeles). CBS would get third or fourth choice for a 3:30 (East) Big Ten game.
What this means is that when USC goes to the Big Ten in 2024, the Big Ten will have a featured game on Fox, NBC, and CBS every Saturday. ESPN/ABC will feature the SEC in three different time windows.
The Pac-12, Big 12, and ACC have to find ways of being relevant within that structure when it becomes a regular part of the college football media landscape.
What should the Pac-12 offer? Untraditional time slots.
The Big Ten and SEC will dominate the three traditional game windows (Eastern time): noon, 3:30, and 7:30. The Pac-12 has the late-night window to itself, but what about other games at other times of day? The conference should think about having games in slots which are significantly different from the traditional ones:
1:30 or 2 Eastern for an early game
5 or 5:30 Eastern for a mid-afternoon game
9 or 9:30 Eastern for an evening game
Midnight Eastern for an extra-late game
Offering these time slots, in addition to a game in the traditional 10:30 Eastern window, would diversify the Pac-12’s portfolio and set it apart from the competition. Putting games in the traditional windows would only make those games less visible. This makes ESPN more receptive to the Pac-12 by not directly putting a Pac-12 game up against a featured SEC game. Staggering the time slots makes all the sense in the world. Having a late-late-night game gives ESPN and a streaming service a time window the ACC and Big 12 wouldn’t have.
It’s time for the Pac-12 to think more creatively. | 2022-08-10T18:47:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | What the Pac-12 should do to maximize TV value | https://sports.yahoo.com/pac-12-maximize-tv-value-172557985.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pac-12-maximize-tv-value-172557985.html?src=rss |
He’s back: former New Orleans Saints cornerback Ken Crawley signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, the team announced, as a corresponding move with safety Leon O’Neal Jr. going to injured reserve. San Francisco needs more defensive backs ahead of the preseason, and Crawley ended up signing with them after trying out for the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week.
Crawley has appeared sporadically in New Orleans’ lineup since his debut in the 2016 season, having signed with them as an undrafted rookie out of Colorado, averaging 507 defensive snaps through his first three years with the team as a part-time starter. He’s only totaled 98 snaps on special teams against just 27 reps with the defense over the last three years with the Saints improving their depth in the secondary, steadily pushing him further down the depth chart. Good for him on earning this opportunity to continue his NFL career. | 2022-08-10T18:54:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers announce they’ve signed former Saints cornerback Ken Crawley | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-announce-ve-signed-former-174010797.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-announce-ve-signed-former-174010797.html?src=rss |
Steve Tasker
Buffalo Bills fans know the massive impact that Steve Tasker had on special teams. Tasker showed the importance of the gunner position on coverage units like never before.
While the gunner position might not be the sexiest spot on a roster, it is a vital position for multiple reasons. Tasker’s contributions should place him in historical importance for the NFL.
Instead, Tasker has been overlooked for the Hall of Fame. For now, we have a consolation.
CBS Sports named Tasker one of the top-20 players not named to the prestigious NFL Hall of Fame.
Here’s the breakdown on Tasker:
One of the greatest special teams players in NFL history, Tasker earned seven Pro Bowl nods from 1987-95. During that span, Tasker helped the Bills become the first franchise to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls. Tasker’s brilliance was on display during the opening minutes of Super Bowl XXVII. With the Cowboys punting from their own 16-yard line, Tasker was lined up against linebacker Robert Jones, a rookie who filled in for an injured starter. Jones didn’t have a chance against Tasker, who beat Jones on an inside move before blocking Mike Saxon’s punt. Tasker’s play set up the game’s first touchdown.
Tasker missed out on his final chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame last year. No longer eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot, Tasker’s fate now rests in the hands of the senior committee.
Tasker recorded 204 special teams tackles and seven blocked punts.
He was a seven-time Pro-Bowl participant. Tasker won the MVP for the event in 1993, becoming the first special teams player to win that honor. Tasker was named to the All-Time NFL Team in 2000.
Rightfully so, Tasker is part of the Bills’ Wall of Fame at Highmark Stadium.
Tasker helped revolutionize the special teams team. Hopefully, the senior committee will give Tasker the honors that he deserves.
EXCLUSIVE: Audible, the audio platform owned by Amazon, is looking to expand the number of TV and film adaptations of its podcasts and original audiobooks. The company has hired Jackie Levine, formerly President of Robert Zemeckis’s ImageMovers, as Head of Television and Film. Levine will lead a new division to oversee the audio-to-screen pipeline for […]
The Reds dropped first two games of their series vs. Mets. It was just the second time the Reds took a series loss in the last month.
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Pittsburgh Pirates trying to extend a three-game home winning streak.
Adorable rescued pet possum makes lots of friends at park
Dog? No thanks. Cat? Not for me. Possum? Heck yeah! | 2022-08-10T18:55:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | CBS Sports: Steve Tasker is one of NFL’s top Hall of Fame snubs | https://sports.yahoo.com/cbs-sports-steve-tasker-one-175550390.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cbs-sports-steve-tasker-one-175550390.html?src=rss |
Mac Jones has the weight of the world on his shoulders the same way Tom Brady did when he was the quarterback for the New England Patriots.
Little has changed in New England since Brady left the team he won six Super Bowls with for warmth, sunshine and better offensive players in Tampa Bay.
The offensive line hasn’t been consistent for the Patriots, and the receiving corps is underwhelming. However, Brady found ways to make it work because he was the greatest quarterback to ever play the position. Is it really fair to expect the same of Jones, a 23-year-old quarterback playing in his second season?
Former NFL wideout and FOX Sports analyst Greg Jennings doesn’t think so.
“You look at the Patriots and you look at their quarterback situation, even dating back to Tom Brady,” Jennings said, during an appearance on First Things First. “What have we always said? Will they give him some help? Tom Brady was asking for more help. And the help that you bring in is DeVante Parker, who’s played a handful of games where he’s been healthy.
“So I just don’t know if Mac Jones can be that great to overcome as much as what Tom Brady had to overcome with the lack of skill guys and the lack of protection that is happening right now up front.”
If the offensive line can tighten things up, it would go a long way in Jones making it work.
The Patriots still have arguably the most dynamic running backs room in the league, and while there isn’t an elite receiver on the roster, the group certainly has more promise this season with guys like Parker and speedy rookie Tyquan Thornton.
There’s still time for Jones and the Patriots to figure it out.
Mac Jones' impassioned response to offensive criticism
There’s no question that Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback in Minnesota. There’s a real question as to who the No. 2 option will be. The team’s first depth chart of the preseason shows Kellen Mond “or” Sean Mannion as the backup. For now, then, it’s still undecided who the backup will be when [more] | 2022-08-10T18:55:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Greg Jennings unsure Mac Jones can overcome what Tom Brady overcame | https://sports.yahoo.com/greg-jennings-unsure-mac-jones-171625757.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/greg-jennings-unsure-mac-jones-171625757.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans rookie second-round pick out of Baylor, Jalen Pitre, does not play or act like a typical rookie. Instead, the Texas native is consistently making plays in training camp, garnering praise from veteran teammates and remaining humble all at the same time.
Throughout the first ten days of camp, the Texans’ shining star has been Pitre. The rookie is well-deserving of the first-team defensive reps and starting strong safety job, as listed on the Texans first unofficial depth chart released Tuesday, August 9th.
It has become a daily occurrence for Pitre’s football instincts to shine and Wednesday was no different as he registered a pass breakup over the middle of the field when covering veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Known for his nose for the football, Pitre has racked up three interceptions in camp practices. His knack for being around the football is due to his freakish athleticism, but also veteran-level of football IQ.
Over a week ago on August 2nd, Texans’ veteran cornerback and fifth year pro, Tavierre Thomas, was complimentary of Pitre’s intelligence. “That’s one of the smartest guys I’ve seen coming in, me going on my fifth year. He’s very smart. You wouldn’t know that he’s a rookie. Like he ain’t make like the little rookie mistakes. He’s going to be real good.”
Fast forward a few days to August 8th, and another veteran cornerback, this time Desmond King, offered his own praise towards Pitre’s ball skills. “What I see out here is what we need in our back end, secondary,” King said. “That’s what we preach: we want to get the ball and we want to get interceptions, turnovers, force fumbles, and he’s been out there doing that.”
The members of the Texans secondary get the closest view on how Pitre is performing; however, that hasn’t stopped defensive linemen from noticing the rookie’s standout performance either.
On Wednesday, fifth-year pro, Rasheem Green, mirrors what his teammates are thinking about Pitre. “There was one play where he dove and caught it (an interception). He’s always a guy that carries himself well around the locker room, in meetings and on the field. I feel like he’s got a bright future.”
The players in Houston are heaping praise on Pitre day in and day out but what’s equally impressive of his play on the field is his mentality off the field.
The youngster is not allowing the compliments to give him a big head, instead, he’s self-aware that he is in fact still a rookie and is looking to learn from the veterans who commend him.
“I want to continue to grow and I want to continue to match their intensity,” Pitre told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve got a long way to go.”
In a rebuilding year for the Texans, emphasis must be placed on developing the young building blocks such as Pitre. By all accounts, the rookie is not a typical rookie, with his development looking as rapid as any Texans’ draft pick in recent memory. | 2022-08-10T18:57:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans rookie Jalen Pitre accepts veteran praise, knows ‘got a long way to go’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-rookie-jalen-pitre-accepts-170033530.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-rookie-jalen-pitre-accepts-170033530.html?src=rss |
You don’t often see a Major League Baseball team calling up their top Minor League prospects late in the season in the middle of a pennant race. Yet, the Atlanta Braves have done exactly that.
On Wednesday morning, the Braves announced that 21-year-old Vaughn Grissom--one of their highest rated prospects-- will make his debut with the team Wednesday in Boston against the Red Sox.
Grissom will be heading north after starting this season with Atlanta’s top Single-A team in Rome. He was promoted in July to Double-A Mississippi, where he’s played in only 22 games.
Grissom, who has played second base, shortstop and third base is expected to play at second with the Braves who have been ravaged with injuries at the position.
All-Star Ozzie Albies went down after fracturing a bone in his foot in May. On Tuesday night, Orlando Arcia, who was filling in for Albies, hurt his hamstring while running the bases in the 10th inning of Tuesday nights 9-7 win over the Red Sox.
Arcia was moved to the 10-day disabled list with what the team described as a strained left hamstring.
Grissom was arguably the fastest rising prospect in the Braves farm system. He was an 11th round draft pick in 2019 and has dominated at each minor league level that he’s played at.
He hit .312 in 344 at-bats this season in Rome before his promotion. Grissom has been red-hot in Mississippi, hitting .363 with three home runs and 12 RBI’s.
Grissom is also the second young prospect Atlanta has called up this season. Michael Harris II, who was the team’s top prospect to start the season, was called up to the majors from Mississippi at the beginning of May to play centerfield. Harris solidified a then-struggling outfield with his defense and hitting.
The Braves play game two of their series with Boston on Wednesday night at historic Fenway Park beginning just a few minutes after 7 p.m. Kyle Wright will take the mound for Atlanta. Don’t be surprised to see Grissom, wearing number 18--standing out at second base when the team takes the field.
Tracy McGrady on Rudy Gobert’s lack of offensive moves: What the f— are you doing in the offseason?
"This is what I've been wondering, what the f- are you doing in the offseason?" Tracy McGrady said of Rudy Gobert. "Like, what is your workout? I was so mad at Rudy when they were playing against the [Houston] Rockets one year bro and Chris Paul was ... | 2022-08-10T19:21:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Braves call up top prospect Grissom from AA Mississippi | https://sports.yahoo.com/braves-call-top-prospect-grissom-162533608.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/braves-call-top-prospect-grissom-162533608.html?src=rss |
“I like being greedy, I like that mind-set,” Roberts said. “It just guards against some complacency. You look at it collectively, and we're doing a lot of good things. I'm sure you can kind of poke holes, because a couple of guys aren't red hot right now, but one through nine, it seems like every guy up there is going to get a hit.
“As a manager, that's a really good feeling. I think for the first time all year we've had nine guys that feel pretty confident when they get in the batter's box.”
“It’s remarkable,” Roberts said. “J.T. has had some bouts on the IL, but it's amazing how he can come back and not miss a beat and take good at-bats, throw hits out there, use the whole field, when he hadn't played much in two or three weeks.
“That can do a lot for him,” Roberts said of Gallo’s hit. “He's working really hard. You can always encourage a player, but until you get results, you drive in a run, then it starts to kind of become real.
“So I know there's a big weight off his shoulders. He's working his tail off, and to get rewarded was good. We're all excited for him.”
Former “American Idol” producers and Nigel Lythgoe are asking $22 million for their roughly 160-acre vacation home and vineyard in California. Known as Villa San-Juliette, the property is located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, spanning the border of Paso Robles and San Miguel. Mr. Warwick said he and Mr. Lythgoe, longtime friends and business partners, bought the property in 2005 as an investment and a getaway to use with their families. | 2022-08-10T19:21:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here's how the Dodgers lineup is barreling baseballs and producing bushels of runs | https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-dodgers-lineup-barreling-baseballs-172351560.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-dodgers-lineup-barreling-baseballs-172351560.html?src=rss |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR announced today that construction will begin on a brand new state-of-the-art Productions facility later this summer. The 58,000-square-foot facility will be built on the land adjacent to the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina.
NASCAR will make significant investments in its Productions infrastructure and technology to deliver first-class live event production and content to NASCAR‘s fans and industry partners. This commitment furthers NASCAR‘s mission of providing fans with enhanced content that brings them closer to the sport.
“The scope and scale of the NASCAR Productions business has fundamentally changed in recent years, with NASCAR‘s live event production operation more than doubling since 2018. Developing a state-of-the-art facility that can accommodate our continued expansion was paramount,” said Brian Herbst, SVP, Media and Productions. “In this evolving sports media landscape, live event production and investing in technology that enhances the fan viewing experience has never been more important — it‘s essential that our new workspace can facilitate that strategic growth.”
NASCAR Productions will produce more than 500 live events in 2022, up from 200 live events in 2018. Through a partnership with NEP Group, an industry leader in delivering solutions for broadcast and live events, the new NASCAR Productions facility will be outfitted with the latest broadcast equipment and software to create high-end production quality and content.
NASCAR Studios, the sanctioning body‘s hub for content strategy, creation and distribution will also have employees based at the new facility in Concord.
NASCAR will conduct a ceremonially ground-breaking event on Wednesday, Aug. 31. More information will be shared as details for the event become finalized. | 2022-08-10T19:34:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Construction to begin on state-of-the-art NASCAR Productions facility | https://sports.yahoo.com/construction-begin-state-art-nascar-123104639.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/construction-begin-state-art-nascar-123104639.html?src=rss |
Cameron Smith with the famous Claret Jug at St Andrews last month - AP
Telegraph Sport understands the Australian - who declined to comment on a potential deal immediately after his dramatic win at St Andrews - will now play at LIV's upcoming event in Boston. While Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were also seen as major coups, the signing of Smith is seen as arguably more significant given he is currently world No 2.
LIV refused to comment but Greg Norman, the architect and chief executive of the series, is understood to have reached an advanced stage with Smith prior to the Open. He will almost certainly have commanded a bigger fee since, having been initially offered around $100m.
A formal announcement is not expected until the three-week FedEx Cup play-off series has finished, Smith reaffirmed his commitment to it last month and is in the field in Memphis for Thursday. Smith, who is second on the FedEx standings and one of the favourites to land the $18m title, could heap major embarrassment on the PGA if he secures the biggest cheque in golf before announcing his defection.
Telegraph Sport revealed immediately after the 28-year-old's Open title at the Home of Golf that Norman was keen to build an all-Australian team. Australian golfer Cameron Percy appeared on Australian network RSN Radio via phone on Monday, suggesting Smith and Marc Leishman were on their way to LIV.
"Unfortunate, yeah, they’re gone," Percy told RSN. He has since elaborated on the comment, telling Australian Golf Digest: "Look, I was just conveying what was said in the locker room during the many rain delays we’ve had on tour the past few weeks."
Telegraph Sport, however, has subsequently confirmed the deal, as far as Smith is concerned, is done. He is certain to play on the FedEx as the PGA Tour have so far waited until the players actually hit a ball in LIV until they have banned them.
The Tour's policy in throwing out players was put to the test in court in California on Tuesday, with Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford losing their case for a temporary restraining order.
Gooch, Jones and Swafford will not be allowed to play in this week's FedEx St Jude Championship. US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman heard the case and ruled in favor of the PGA Tour, which had filed a filed a motion in federal court to keep the three suspended players from competing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The judge sided with the PGA Tour, which argued that the players were trying "to have their cake and eat it too," according to the tour's motion. "LIV contracts are based upon players' calculation of what they were leaving behind," Freeman said as part of her ruling.
Smith, who has already claimed $3.6m for winning the Players Championship this year, will join the other rebels for the first time at LIV's International in Boston from September 2. Sources said he had already agreed in principle before the Open for about $100m "but his fee will have gone up".
On Tuesday night, Smith declined to comment again when asked about Telegraph Sport's details of the deal as he addressed media at the FedEx St Jude Championship. "I have no comment to that," he said. "I’m here to play the FedExCup Playoffs. That’s been my focus the last week and a half, that’s what I’m here to do – I’m here to win the FedExCup Playoffs."
Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones lost their bid for an injunction temporarily overturning their suspensions, in an early skirmish in an antitrust fight between the rival golf leagues. | 2022-08-10T20:13:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | Exclusive: LIV Golf captures Open champion Cameron Smith in $100m deal | https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-liv-golf-captures-open-182023473.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-liv-golf-captures-open-182023473.html?src=rss |
Cairo Santos highlights 'sandy' field conditions at Soldier originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Leave it to the Bears to dig a hole for themselves. Literally.
After the weekend's Elton John concert at Soldier Field, the grass was left looking dead and riddled with holes. It looks like someone shut the water off for a few weeks.
That would make for a pretty comical retaliation from Mayor Lori Lightfoot surrounding the Bears' departure from Soldier Field and downtown Chicago. A real hardball tactic.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos detailed the "sandy" field and holes that led to a challenging day of training camp for the veteran. It's something he's learned to "deal with" during his tenure with the Bears.
How does he work with it?
"I learned last year," Santos said. "There were spots yesterday that we noticed and we talked about with Trent[on] [Gill] because he’s new. Look, if we have a field goal right here, we have to move it maybe off the hash. Or maybe on the field more, inside the hash more, just to get away from this hole."
Healthy, even-level grass shouldn't be too much to ask for a professional football team. Yet, the Bears' field is a notorious, ongoing issue that stems back from their switch to real grass in 1988.
Former Bears kicker Robbie Gould often mentioned the ridiculous kicking conditions at the stadium. Whether it be the grass itself or the windy, frigid conditions the city offers -- it's not ideal.
Even defensive end Robert Quinn spoke about the field.
"That's just part of Soldier Field," Quinn said. "You realize what you're playing with. The grass and how it's not like turf where it's gonna stick. It's gonna give a little bit so you've just gotta realize the surface you're playing on and get adjusted. We practice on the grass anyway. You try to get adjusted as best as possible. If it don't work, try new cleats and, well, you'll figure it out."
Some players are familiar with playing through the conditions. For others, especially those who kick the ball off the ground, it takes a bigger adjustment.
But, a veteran like Santos is preparing for the situation, which begins Saturday with the team's lone preseason game at Soldier Field. He mentioned his offseason plan incorporates kicking on rougher surfaces like the team's home turf.
"It's funny because I was training in Florida in Jacksonville and I was going to a turf field at a high school, which was perfect," Santos said. "It was almost like, 'OK. I'm getting too comfortable.' So, in my neighborhood there's a soccer field and the grass is a bermuda grass. It's real long. I was like, 'OK. This is more like it.' The ball flies different. It's not super even all the time. Soldier's not super even either. It's good to be uncomfortable, and feeling comfortable when you're uncomfortable."
Despite the conditions, Santos has been a reliable leg for the team through his first two seasons in Chicago. He's played in every game in both seasons he's been with the Bears. During that span, he's missed six field goals of the 62 he's attempted for a 90 percent field goal rate. He's only missed two extra points since joining the Bears as well.
Santos accounts for 231 points since his arrival in Chicago. After the Cody Parkey, Eddy Piñeiro, Elliott Fry conundrum, he's a breath of fresh air.
Soldier Field's grass issue could be another talking point in relation to the Bears' inevitable departure to Arlington Heights. The new stadium would likely have synthetic turf and a dome to decrease misfires from kickers. | 2022-08-10T20:41:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears kicker Cairo Santos highlights poor conditions at Soldier field | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-kicker-cairo-santos-highlights-182636593.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-kicker-cairo-santos-highlights-182636593.html?src=rss |
Even if it's just for a series or two, if Barkley runs a route, and if there's a linebacker on him, odds are it'll be McMillan. Can he run with the freakishly-talented-but-oft-injured back? Belichick needs some speed at the second level and while Wilson looks like the fastest of the three names mentioned above, it's McMilan who looks like he has the bigger role at the moment.
This is a suggestion based purely on the fact that we want you to enjoy yourselves on your Thursday night. Jones is entertaining to watch, and there should be opportunities for him to pop when another team comes to town. I'd anticipate we'd see him as a punt returner where his electric change-of-direction skills will jump off the screen.
But he's also gotten run with the top defensive group in the slot and been competitive with receivers who have six inches on him. He's sticky in coverage and looks like he's primed for a real role early in his career. This is your first chance to watch him in a live setting. Could be fun. | 2022-08-10T20:42:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Five names to watch during Patriots-Giants preseason opener | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-names-watch-during-patriots-181700130.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-names-watch-during-patriots-181700130.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers will play their “starting” offensive on Friday against the San Fransico 49ers, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday.
“The offensive line is going to play,” said LaFleur. “Those five guys that you’ve seen line up for the most part with the first group, they’re gonna play.”
That combination LaFleur mentioned may be up for some debate but going by the unofficial depth chart released earlier in the week, Yosh Nijamn was listed as the starting left tackle, with Jon Runyan at left guard, Josh Myers center, Jake Hanson at right guard, and Royce Newman at right tackle.
Finding the most consistent five to this point in training camp hasn’t been easy, especially at offensive tackle. The team is astill without David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, but general manager Brian Gutekunst is hopeful to have both early in the regular season.
Bakhtiari has a chance to be ready for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Still working his way back from a knee injury suffered in December of 2020, the team’s All-Pro left tackle appears to be moving well while working with the rehab group in practice. Meanwhile, Jenkins was reported to be “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from an ACL tear from Week 11 of last season but will probably need more than a month to work his way back into the lineup.
If neither is ready for the season opener, the Packers will have to make it work without their two best offensive linemen. Luckily, the preseason offers an ideal setting where they can find their best five in the interim.
Newman is seemingly a placeholder for the time being after starting 16 games at right guard as a rookie. The team has a lot of confidence in Nijman, who showed a lot of promise in eight starts at left tackle last season. He could conceivably play on the right when Bakhtiari returns. Rookie Zach Tom has also done some work at right tackle and even spent time with the starters briefly.
Green Bay is keeping the door open to signing a free agent if they are not confident at a certain spot. Aaron Rodgers said he hasn’t spoken to Gutekunst about bringing anyone but is watching to see if someone steps up.
“We need consistency out of those guys,” Rodgers said. Those guys are going to play, too. They’re all young guys, and they’re all gonna play in the preseason. We need to see them play well and have some really good moments, so we feel good going into Minnesota with that pass rush they’ve got.”
Rodgers won’t play on Friday but will keep a close eye on the protection of quarterback Jordan Love.
"Every time I hit the turf, there was ringing or stars ... but I was still able to play," Favre said in a radio show interview. | 2022-08-10T20:43:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers ‘starting’ offensive line to play in preseason opener against 49ers | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-starting-offensive-line-play-194441312.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-starting-offensive-line-play-194441312.html?src=rss |
Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Seymour knows a thing or two about what to look for when it comes to elite defensive linemen.
That makes it easier to take his word for it when he says New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore has the potential to be one of the best in the league at his position.
For Seymour, who had his Hall of Fame induction ceremony over the weekend, the second-year standout from the University of Alabama checks all of the boxes.
“He’s long, he’s explosive, he’s strong, he has good lateral movement,” said Seymour, per the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian. “He can collapse the pocket. He has the ability to overpower a lot of guards that he plays against, and also has the speed to get to the quarterback. I’ve really been impressed by this kid.”
“I think he has all the tools in the toolbox to be one of the best interior linemen in the league.”
An argument can be made that Barmore has been the best player on the field at training camp on both sides of the ball for the Patriots.
It certainly must feel good to receive such high praise from a legitimate legend in Seymour. Now, it’s up to Barmore to go out on the field and live up to it.
This statistic shows just how special Christian Barmore can be | 2022-08-10T20:43:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Richard Seymour appears blown away by Patriots DT Christian Barmore | https://sports.yahoo.com/richard-seymour-appears-blown-away-201148908.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/richard-seymour-appears-blown-away-201148908.html?src=rss |
According to a report by Brady Henderson at ESPN, Seattle is planning to sign free agent corner Jameson Houston, who came in for a workout last week.
The Seahawks are indeed planning to sign CB Jameson Houston, a source tells me. A reinforcement at a position that has taken a few hits of late. https://t.co/nC8RBMlscP
Houston (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) played his college football at Baylor.
After his Senior season, Houston went undrafted and had brief stints with the Browns and the Panthers in August 2020 before he eventually signed with the Eagles. He appeared in three games late that year, working exclusively on special teams. He was picked in the fifth round of this year’s USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. | 2022-08-10T20:43:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seahawks planning to sign free agent CB Jameson Houston | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-planning-sign-free-agent-182754118.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-planning-sign-free-agent-182754118.html?src=rss |
The Florida Gators were one of the many Power Five teams to get 2024 four-star athlete KingJopeph Edwards on campus over the summer, and things went well enough to earn a return trip during the fall, according to a Swamp247 report.
“They (Florida) are in my top 5,” Edwards said to 247Sports. “I’ll be back in the season for a game. Coach (Billy Napier) said I can come to any home game I want to.”
That game should be the October 15 matchup between Florida and LSU, Florida’s highest-profile home game this season. Utah is ranked No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, but the atmosphere in the Swamp during an SEC matchup is unmatched.
Those are not the only plans Edwards has made for the fall. He expects to be at Ohio State and Oregon in September and will stop by Alabama in October before hitting Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma in November. Edwards has made it clear that his schedule could change at any time, but he’s looking to explore all of his options fully.
Ranked No. 12 overall on the Top247, 247Sports’ individual rankings, Edwards won’t be denied any attention over the season. He doesn’t have to make a decision for a while, so expect him to enjoy the recruiting process a bit longer before truly narrowing things down.
Florida has offered him as a true athlete. Napier has decided he could use him as a tight end or defensive lineman in the SEC. The 247Sports composite ranks him No. 33 overall in the class of 2024 and No. 6 among athletes. | 2022-08-10T20:48:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | This 2024 4-star ATH is planning to visit Florida during the season | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-4-star-ath-planning-183331960.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-4-star-ath-planning-183331960.html?src=rss |
It’s no secret that Texas’ offense is loaded with playmakers for the 2022 college football season.
Second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian significantly improved the roster via the transfer portal and 2022 recruiting cycle this offseason. There’s still question marks along the offensive line, but the talent and depth at quarterback, running back and wide receiver is certainly impressive.
If former five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers is as advertised, combined with an All-American wide receiver (Xavier Worthy) and Heisman hopeful at running back (Bijan Robinson), Sarkisian’s offensive unit could be one of the top in the country.
Brad Crawford of 247Sports recently projected the 10 best offenses for the 2022 season, and Texas landed on the back end of the rankings. The Longhorns appeared at No. 9, while Big 12 foe Oklahoma landed at No. 7. The most surprising part of the rankings may be Alabama at No. 4 behind Wake Forest and Tennessee.
Here’s a look at Crawford’s prediction of the top offenses in college football for the upcoming season. | 2022-08-10T20:48:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | 247Sports projects college football’s top 10 offenses for the 2022 season | https://sports.yahoo.com/247sports-projects-college-football-top-202108776.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/247sports-projects-college-football-top-202108776.html?src=rss |
Heading into the fall, the Florida Gators sit atop the recruitment of 2024 four-star safety Brayshon Williams.
The Lakeland High defensive back has already been to campus three times, and he’s planning his next trip to the Swamp, according to Gators Online. Williams will be in town for Florida’s season opener against the Utah Utes on Sept. 3.
Transferring from Lake Gibson to Lakeland has only helped Florida’s chances with Williams. Former Gators defensive back Ahmad Black is his position coach, and the school has served as a bit of a pipeline to UF recently.
“For starters, it’s kind of like tradition now because I got to Lakeland High School (laughter),” Williams said to Gators Online. “Coach P-Toney (Patrick Toney) in my eyes is one of the best coaches in college football. I see a better person in me getting coached by P-Toney. Lastly, the home vibe I get there in Gainesville. It feels like I belong.”
While the Gators are leading right now, that won’t stop other Power Five programs from pursuing a recruit ranked inside the top 100 nationally by On3. Billy Napier has focused on keeping in-state talent at home, and On3 ranks Williams No. 16 overall among Florida recruits.
He has offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M among others. Florida currently leads the pack with a 40.9% chance on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, followed by the Hurricanes with 12.7%, the Bulldogs with 10.9% and the Aggies with 9.1%.
Global Self Storage, Inc. (NASDAQ:SELF), a real estate investment trust that owns, operates, manages, acquires, and redevelops self-storage properties, reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. | 2022-08-10T20:48:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida football on top for this 4-star in-state 2024 safety | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-football-top-4-star-202106689.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-football-top-4-star-202106689.html?src=rss |
At his previous stop at Arizona State, the 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound pass-catcher played in all 13 games for the Sun Devils in 2021, leading the team with 580 yards on 48 receptions and four touchdowns through the air. The Tempe native also ran six times for 44 yards and a touchdown during his COVID-sophomore year, in which he vastly exceeded his overall numbers in his first two seasons at ASU.
Pearsall was expected to be a veteran presence in a wide receiver room that has plenty of competition but no real stand-outs. The rest of the corps will have to step up to give Anthony Richardson the targets needs to get the Gators back on the main stage of college football.
The Gators will get another chance to host four-star athlete KingJoseph Edwards in the fall. He's planning to visit the Swamp for a big SEC matchup.
ASU President Michael Crow shed some light on the status of the Arizona State football team's investigation by the NCAA. | 2022-08-10T20:48:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | Key transfer wide receiver out indefinitely after practice injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/key-transfer-wide-receiver-indefinitely-190826673.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/key-transfer-wide-receiver-indefinitely-190826673.html?src=rss |
The Gators will be without third-string quarterback Jalen Kitna for an indefinite amount of time, according to Billy Napier’s comments to reporters on Tuesday. Swamp247 got an update from the first-year head coach, and the damage, fortunately, sounds minor.
“I would say Kitna is the player that I probably saw the most growth in from spring practice,” Kitna said. “Just to see him take another step fundamentally, I thought he’s throwing the ball much more consistently, much more accurate, better grasp. You know, he had a little bit of a setback injury-wise. We anticipate getting him back. He had a small procedure just yesterday.”
Whatever Kitna is dealing with, he won’t be rushed back to practice. Anthony Richardson is the team’s clear starter and Ohio State transfer Jack Miller has a fairly firm hold on the backup spot for now.
During the spring game, Kitna saw limited action and attempted just three passes, one of which was intercepted. Still, he emerged as a clear No. 3 with Carlos Del Rio-Wilson’s transfer. Freshman Max Brown, a three-star recruit in the 2022 cycle, and walk-on Kyle Engel are also in the position room for Florida.
There’s no timeline for Kitna’s return, but Napier’s comments make it sound like he could be healthy for some portion of the season if necessary. | 2022-08-10T20:48:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Florida QB Jalen Kitna out following ‘small procedure’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-florida-qb-jalen-kitna-193901388.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-florida-qb-jalen-kitna-193901388.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears have removed star linebacker Roquan Smith from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Wednesday.
Smith was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, where he’s been a spectator throughout the first two weeks of the summer.
Most notably, Smith has been involved in a contract dispute with the team, as he’s in the final year of his rookie deal. The dispute turned public on Tuesday when Smith formally requested a trade citing he didn’t feel valued by the organization.
Before Smith landed on the PUP list, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Smith wasn’t going to participate in practice due to his contract situation. There was some speculation that the Bears placed Smith on the PUP list to help him avoid fines involved with holding out — or “holding in” — from camp.
With Smith removed from the PUP list, Rapoport said Smith doesn’t plan on practicing following his trade request.
The #Bears have removed LB Roquan Smith, who is holding in and not practicing because of contractual issues, from the PUP list. Smith has requested a trade and is not expected to begin practicing, regardless.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles reiterated his intentions to get a new deal in place with Smith, despite Smith declaring that he didn’t “see a path back to the organization.” It certainly appears to be a negotiation tactic on Smith’s part, one fans hope will pay off. | 2022-08-10T22:24:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears have removed Roquan Smith from physically unable to perform list | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-removed-roquan-smith-physically-204205980.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-removed-roquan-smith-physically-204205980.html?src=rss |
Kansas City Chiefs rookie LB Leo Chenal is still learning the ropes as he transitions from college to the NFL.
Playing SAM linebacker in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme is quite a bit different compared to what Chenal was asked to do in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense. He even acknowledged as much back in rookie minicamp, when he was still getting acclimated to the new system.
While Chenal has made some good progress thus far, he was listed as a second-stringer on the team’s first unofficial depth chart. Chiefs LB coach Brendan Daly spoke on the areas where he needs to continue to improve in order to work in with the starting linebacker trio.
“Yeah, there’s some things that he needs to do to improve there,” Daly explained. “There’s some things he needs to do in the run game to improve. I would say, he’s played off the ball a lot more than on the ball so some of that line of scrimmage stuff, he’s still learning and working through. Some of the coverage stuff, both man and zone, I would probably say more man. He’s got a little bit more experience in zone and a little more natural feel there. But he’s continuing to work hard at it and getting better every day.”
Daly added that Chenal has done “a really nice job” in the few opportunities he’s had to wear the green dot and call plays at middle linebacker. However, it seems as if the rookie has a lot of work to do to succeed in the role the coaching staff has envisioned for him in 2022.
The competition across the board in the linebacker group is quite strong, which will only bring the best out of everyone. There is still plenty of time before any tough decisions are made with the roster, but Chenal needs to continue to make the most of his opportunities.
“In that room, we’ve got eight guys,” Daly said. “They’re first of all, phenomenal human beings. They’re second of all, all really good football players. And I would say yeah, there is great competition, there are great battles going on within it and they all work well together. But yeah, there are some difficult decisions, potentially. We’ve got a long way to go here, we’re still literally in that process, but I am excited about the group that we’ve got for sure.”
The upcoming preseason game against the Bears should give Chenal another chance to show his growth. Whether it’s against the run or in the passing game, a big performance for the rookie could see him move up the depth charts ahead of the regular season.
Jason Momoa Says His ‘Conan the Barbarian’ Remake Was “Turned Into a Big Pile of S***” | THR News
The 2011 Marcus Nispel-directed project followed Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1982 action movie of the same name.
Lyles, who transferred from the University of Wisconsin to FSU earlier this offseason, was expected to crack the two-deep depth chart at center. | 2022-08-10T22:24:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs LB coach Brendan Daly provides update on Leo Chenal’s progress | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-lb-coach-brendan-daly-205606451.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-lb-coach-brendan-daly-205606451.html?src=rss |
“I do,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Tuesday, when asked if there was already a plan in place for Cleveland’s preseason opener. “I have not shared that with the team yet, so I will wait on announcing that. We have a framework for how we are going to handle this preseason. As you know, you always reserve the right to change your mind based on how practice goes and those type of things, but we are pretty confident in the plan we have.”
Stefanski also said then that Watson would make the trip to Jacksonville, and now we know why.
Watson has already been suspended for the first six games of the regular season due to his multiple alleged sexual assaults, and the NFL has appealed what it believes to be a relatively light suspension handed down by independent arbiter and former federal judge Sue L. Robinson. The NFL originally wanted Watson suspended for the entire 2022 season, with a 2023 reinstatement based on Watson’s behavior, and we don’t yet know what that will look like.
During recent owners meetings to approve new ownership for the Denver Broncos, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was as pointed as he has been regarding his thoughts on the situation. Goodell referred to Watson’s behavior as “predatory.”
Preseason games don’t always count with suspensions. The NFL would have to put forth a separate complaint for Watson to be suspended for the Jacksonville game, and/or for the Browns’ other two preseason games — against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, August 21, and against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, August 27. Or, a new suspension upon appeal, which specifically would prohibit Watson from engaging in any team-related activities, would have to come down before Friday’s game.
FORECAST: Scattered thunderstorms cool down temps a bit
Aaron Rodgers Opens Up About Ayahuasca Experiences: 'A Lot of Healing Went On'
Aaron Rodgers has opened up about his healing journey on ayahuasca during the offseason. The NFL MVP says he's taken two trips to consume the drug. | 2022-08-10T22:24:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Deshaun Watson expected to start for Browns vs. Jaguars on Friday | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-browns-205246926.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-browns-205246926.html?src=rss |
According to the Cleveland Browns, new quarterback Deshaun Watson is “scheduled” to start their preseason opener Friday night, when the Browns take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Whether Watson is available, however, remains to be seen.
With the NFL deciding to appeal the six-game suspension levied by retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson, there is still a chance that a longer suspension is handed down, which would leave Watson ineligible to play in the preseason. As noted by Pro Football Talk, if former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey, designated by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the appeal, hands down the one-year suspension sought by the NFL before Friday, that would change Watson’s status for Cleveland’s preseason opener.
But as of now, the Browns are expected to start Watson Friday night:
On Tuesday, Commissioner Goodell addressed Watson’s situation for the first time since Judge Robinson’s decision. Commissioner Goodell called Watson’s behavior both “egregious” and “predatory.” The Commissioner reiterated that the league is seeking a one-year suspension for Watson based on the facts as set forth by the league, and decided upon by Judge Robinson. | 2022-08-10T22:24:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Deshaun Watson expected to start Cleveland’s first preseason game | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-cleveland-203949858.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-cleveland-203949858.html?src=rss |
Raiders sign Chris Lacy originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
The Jaguars have signed defensive lineman Auzoyah Alufohai, the team announced on Wednesday. Alufohai entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Texans in 2020. He did not make the 53-man roster but was signed to the practice squad. He appeared in three games for Houston, playing 66 defensive snaps and 19 special teams [more] | 2022-08-10T22:25:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders sign Chris Lacy | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-sign-chris-lacy-211415761.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-sign-chris-lacy-211415761.html?src=rss |
Athlon Sports recently released their annual college football preview magazine, which you can purchase here, chock-full of extensive football-based content in preparation for the 2022 season.
One of the more intriguing sections in the magazine this year is the “anonymous coach takes’ on various college football programs, with a major focus on the king of all conferences, the SEC. The Aggies, whose head coach Jimbo Fisher has been on an interesting trajectory since early May after his verbal scuffle with Alabama head coach Nick Saban, received one of the more scathing comments in regards to his handling of the Texas A&M program since taking over:
Jimbo Fisher might be a mad genius when it comes to media because they get talked about alongside Georgia and Alabama, and they’re every bit an 8–4 program. He knows it, too, but I think that’s part of the plan.
When Fisher was asked about the comment during last Sunday’s fall media day, he, in classic Jimbo fashion, jeered at the remark:
No. Why would I respond to somebody who’s anonymous? Anonymous? That’s the way y’all justify saying what you want to say. And anonymous is y’all reporters writing and saying what you all want to say, get y’all off the hook.
when further asked if anyone has come to him in person:
No. And I won’t ever comment on it. I don’t ever, I don’t ever do that. But hey, that sells books, sells papers. That’s real good.
Yes, Texas A&M in fact went 8-4 last season after dealing with a litany of issues at the Quarterback position, injuries, and running into Covid-related problems at the end of the year, which lead to them missing their bowl game. Going into his 5th season at the helm, Jimbo Fisher, who is 34-14 with the Aggies took over an A&M program that was seeping back into mediocrity, while being tasked to build a roster from the ground up that could compete in the SEC for years to come. After securing the best recruiting class in modern history during the 2022 cycle, and developing a number of current juniors and seniors on the current roster, Fisher has the Aggies trending way, way up, and the future could not be brighter than it is at present time. | 2022-08-10T22:45:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cheap shot? Jimbo Fisher responds to anonymous coach’s “8-4 program” jab | https://sports.yahoo.com/cheap-shot-jimbo-fisher-responds-210228274.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cheap-shot-jimbo-fisher-responds-210228274.html?src=rss |
“Max is as talented as any of them. What he’s working on right now is consistency, every play consistently getting his alignment, understanding what the receivers giving, what kind of tips the receiver has given to him,” Schiano told reporters this week.
Last season, Melton started 10 games for Rutgers at cornerback, being named fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. He had 28 total tackles with three interceptions and five passes defended.
As part of the class of 2020, he was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 22 player in the state. He was originally committed to Big Ten rival Purdue but committed to the Scarlet Knights once Schiano was hired as head coach. | 2022-08-10T22:45:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rutgers football’s Greg Schiano praises Max Melton: ‘he has a chance to be a real good one’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-greg-schiano-praises-113001674.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-greg-schiano-praises-113001674.html?src=rss |
LOS ANGELES (AP) When Brett Neilon looks around Southern California's locker room, the Trojans' sixth-year center sees a few teammates who were with him all the way from the heights of a Pac-12 title to the depths of this storied football program's worst season in 30 years.
''It kind of feels like a whole new team,'' Neilon said. ''There's a lot of excitement. There's some of the best players in college football in there. It's all a melting pot for a really fun, exciting season.''
Rebuilding after the Trojans' worst season in 30 years, Riley dug deep into the newly flush transfer portal to add 24 veterans from across the country. Many are elite skill-position players - including Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, ex-Oklahoma receiver Mario Williams, and two prolific running backs and two receivers from other Pac-12 schools.
The centerpiece of the group is Caleb Williams, who passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns at Oklahoma last year. The quarterback said he rejoined Riley ''to be a part of something historic. I mean, being a part of USC is already historic, but trying to get USC back to what it was is also historic.''
This massive influx is joining a USC roster with 71 returning players from last season's 4-8 team, but only 37 lettermen and just eight starters. Add in at least a dozen true freshmen, and it's clear Riley's staff has amassed a remarkable amount of new talent - and given itself a daunting task to mold it into a cohesive team capable of immediately contending for a Pac-12 title.
''This probably won't be the way we build our roster in the future,'' Riley said. ''Because of the circumstances we were in when we came here, and because of the opportunities afforded to us, we felt that getting players in the transfer portal was the best way to get us to where we want to be. In the future, I think we will look more traditional. For now, I'm excited about this group.''
''USC is a blue blood, simple as that,'' Caleb Williams said. ''Teams and organizations and things like that, they have rough moments, and that's all USC has had. And we're here trying to turn that around, because I know that Shane's not a loser. I know that I'm not a loser. These guys around us want to win. They have that in them.''
With so many new faces, playing time is thoroughly up for grabs in camp. Dye is the biggest name in a running back room with only one returning contributor, but he isn't worried about anyone being left out because of Riley's reputation for managing personnel.
''Coach Riley, he's had several guys at the position who are all dudes before, and everybody still got to eat,'' said Dye, who rushed for 3,111 yards and 21 TDs for the Ducks. ''I've been part of teams that have won the Rose Bowl, and I've never been on a team with a culture so strong, where all of us have bought into it like this.''
''It's weird, yeah,'' Blackmon said. ''Some of these guys I've played against. Me going against (ex-Colorado receiver Brenden) Rice mostly every day in practice last year, (and) he's my teammate again. I've played against (ex-Stanford running back) Austin Jones, (ex-Washington receiver) Terrell Bynum and people like that. They're my teammates now. ... Everybody's coming together. It's crazy.'' | 2022-08-10T22:46:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Transfer of power: Riley rebuilds USC with veteran arrivals | https://sports.yahoo.com/transfer-power-riley-rebuilds-usc-211125989.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/transfer-power-riley-rebuilds-usc-211125989.html?src=rss |
“There’s a lot of guys that are hypocrites, that aren’t telling the truth, that are lying about some things, that I, just, I can’t stand to sit here anymore and be diplomatic about it,” he said June 5 before the Genesis Scottish Open.
Well, add Wednesday’s quote to his long list of digs toward not only the Saudi-backed circuit, but all the players who have joined the league.
“I think they’ve been brainwashed. The way they feel so adamant that they’re going to be back on the PGA Tour,” he told Golf Channel.
Three LIV members were denied entry into the Fedex Cup Playoffs after Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled in the PGA Tour’s favor at Tuesday’s court hearing. Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones filed for a temporary restraining order last week as part of a larger antitrust lawsuit against the Tour.
“I think where the resentment comes from with members of this Tour is the fact that they (golfers participating in LIV Golf) want to try to get their way back in here with no consequences,” Rory McIlroy said at his Wednesday press conference prior to this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship. “Anyone that’s read the PGA Tour handbook or abided by the rules and regulations, that would feel very unfair to them.” | 2022-08-10T23:16:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘I think they’ve been brainwashed’: Billy Horschel doesn’t hold back on LIV members who think they’ll play on PGA Tour again | https://sports.yahoo.com/think-ve-brainwashed-billy-horschel-195717253.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/think-ve-brainwashed-billy-horschel-195717253.html?src=rss |
Sean Payton is gone. Gone with him is the era of Taysom Hill, the quarterback — officially, at least.
Hill, the sixth-year Saints veteran who's spent his career as a gadget player in New Orleans, enters the 2022 season officially listed as a tight end. He's nowhere to be found on the quarterback depth chart.
The position switch arrives under the leadership of first-year head coach Dennis Allen, who takes over for Payton after spending the last seven seasons as the Saints defensive coordinator. Hill addressed his new role on Tuesday. He understands the switch. But he didn't sound happy about it when asked if he's at peace with the decision.
"I don't know," Hill told reporters. ... "I'm at peace with knowing how the league works work. Things aren't up to me.
"I'm willing to do what I need to do to help us win football games. I'm at peace with that and helping, knowing that I'm contributing to us winning games. I love playing, and so it creates opportunities for me to add value and be on the field and compete."
So, why the switch? Allen explained the decision while speaking with reporters in March. He believes that Hill can thrive as a tight end and doesn't want to create a distraction for starting quarterback Jameis Winston.
"I think he can be one of the better players in the league in that role," Allen said of Hill playing tight end. "If Jameis is out there playing quarterback, I don’t really like Taysom standing next to me on the sideline. I think you’ll see him more in that type of role.”
Taysom Hill takes a breather at training camp. (Stephen Lew/Reuters)
Hill has made sporadic appearances at quarterback in his five seasons with the Saints, including nine starts over the course of the last two seasons. He was officially listed as Winston's backup in 2021 and filled in for him when he was injured. For his career, he's completed 64.2% of his passes for 2,025 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
So are his quarterback days completely in the past? Hill said that he believes he'll still have opportunities to line up behind center. But he's no longer part of the quarterback meetings that he used to attend.
"That's the nature of the NFL," Hill continued. "This isn't necessarily what I want. It's what's best for the team and I'm good with that."
As for the tight end position, Hill is facing a steep learning curve. He had to learn to play out of a three-point stance early in training camp.
He does believe that his experience at quarterback will give him an edge at the position — in the pass-catching role, at least.
"I kind of just do what I would want a tight end to do if I was playing quarterback for that rep," Hill continued. "I've taken that mind-set into the tight end position."
As for blocking on run plays? That part of the job will likely be a shock to the system of a player used to being around the ball.
"There's certainly a mental element to (tight end), but a far more physical element to play in that position than the quarterback position." | 2022-08-10T23:55:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Saints' Taysom Hill on full-time switch to tight end: 'This isn't necessarily what I want' | https://sports.yahoo.com/taysom-hill-on-full-time-switch-to-tight-end-this-isnt-necessarily-what-i-want-231642707.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/taysom-hill-on-full-time-switch-to-tight-end-this-isnt-necessarily-what-i-want-231642707.html?src=rss |
Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"It's exactly what we need," Gard said in a video posted on the program's Twitter account. "We need to play a lot of guys. We need to get tested.
"I thought the Paris team got really physical with us...which was good. It exposed some things that maybe our younger guys weren't accustomed to."
Tyler Wahl scored eight points and had eight rebounds in Wisconsin's first game in Paris on Wednesday.
Wisconsin Badgers schedule news: Badgers to open the 2022-23 men's college basketball season on Nov. 7 against visiting South Dakota
Wisconsin Badgers recruiting news: UW men's basketball adds a preferred walk-on, Minnesota guard Jack Janicki, for 2023 class
"Sloppy at times," Gard said. "But we're going to continue to use this trip to get guys experience.
"I'm really not consumed with what the score says. I'm more concerned with making sure guys get experience, specifically guys that are either new to the program or haven't played a lot in the past."
"I'll use different lineups," Gard said. "I'll start a different lineup in the next game and mix the second five around.
"Like I said, I just wanted to force myself to play a lot of guys, which hopefully over the long haul as we go into the season will help our growth."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin men's basketball team opens France tour with a win
Rowdy Tellez hit a tying homer in the ninth inning and made a key defensive play in the 10th, setting up Willy Adames' game-ending RBI single that gave the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Adames had struck out in his previous three at-bats before he came up in the 10th following an intentional walk to Christian Yelich.
Former state Rep. Brad Finstad on Tuesday was projected to defeat Democrat Jeff Ettinger in the special election to replace the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.) in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district. The Associated Press called the race at 9:25 a.m. ET. Heading into the Tuesday special election, Finstad was heavily favored to win given the… | 2022-08-10T23:55:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Wisconsin men's basketball team opens its 4-game tour in France with a win behind balanced scoring and rebounding | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-mens-basketball-team-opens-195452221.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-mens-basketball-team-opens-195452221.html?src=rss |
The 49ers on Wednesday announced a pair of roster moves. They added veteran cornerback Ken Crawley, and in a corresponding move waived/injured undrafted safety Leon O’Neal.
Crawley will give the 49ers some much-needed depth in their secondary with CBs Emmanuel Moseley and Charvarius Ward both dealing with injuries.
The Saints originally signed Crawley as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 draft. He debuted for the club that year when he played in 15 games with five starts. Crawley started all 13 games he played in 2017, then started five of his 10 games the following year. There was a brief stint in Miami in 2019 after the Saints waived him, then he wound up back with the Saints for 2020 and 2021.
In his career Crawley has played in 55 games with 25 starts. He has two interceptions and 32 pass breakups.
O’Neal signed with the 49ers after this year’s draft. The Texas A&M product had a pre-draft visit with San Francisco, but a crowded safety room was going to make it hard for him to nose his way into a role. An injury designation means he’ll revert to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve if he isn’t claimed off waivers. | 2022-08-11T00:04:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers roster moves: Veteran CB signed, undrafted DB waived | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-roster-moves-veteran-cb-221415125.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-roster-moves-veteran-cb-221415125.html?src=rss |
According to the NFL transaction report Wednesday, the Cardinals held tryouts for a former first-round cornerback and a former second-round edge defender.
CB Deandre Baker
Baker was released the other day by the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was a first-round pick of the New York Giants in 2019 and, as a rookie, started 15 games, had 61 tackles and eight pass breakups.
He had legal trouble that offseason that led to him being placed on the commissioner’s exemption list and the Giants cut him during the 2020 season.
Those charges were cleared when it was found he was being extorted and the Chiefs signed him. He played two games in 2020 for them and eight in 2021. Things didn’t work out there.
He is 5-11 and 186 lbs.
LB Jeremiah Attaochu
Attaochu has played a lot of 3-4 outside linebacker. Selected in the second round by the Chargers in 2014, he played four seasons for the Chargers in their defense, then spent a season with the New York Jets when Todd Bowles, who runs a 3-4 defense, was head coach. He then followed that up with two seasons with the Denver Broncos and Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense and then last season with the Chicago Bears and their 3-4 scheme.
He is 6-3 and 262 lbs and has 20.5 career sacks. His most productive seasons were 2015 with six sacks and 2020 with five.
He has been a full-time starter only one season but did start five games each in 2019-2020 with the Broncos. | 2022-08-11T00:04:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cardinals bring in CB Deandre Baker, LB Jeremiah Attaochu for workout | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-bring-cb-deandre-baker-234444801.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-bring-cb-deandre-baker-234444801.html?src=rss |
After an eye-popping 2020 campaign, the Chargers rewarded cornerback Michael Davis with a three-year contract extension last offseason.
Heading into the 2021 season as the team’s top corner, it was presumed that Davis’ versatility in coverage, length, and athleticism would make him an excellent fit for Brandon Staley’s scheme.
However, that did not come to fruition. Davis struggled to grasp the complexities of Staley’s coverage systems, and he dealt with a hamstring issue midway through the season that kept him out for a few games.
“Last year for me was a year of distractions — on the field and also off the field,” Davis said about his struggles. “So I think that came into play into my game, like inconsistency. But I think we’re past that. It’s just effort. This year is all about effort. That’s where I failed last year.”
With great play in the secondary being imperative in this defense, Staley made the point to add more talent to the cornerback room, signing All-Pro J.C. Jackson and Bryce Callahan.
With Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr. set to be the starters on the outside and Callahan in the slot, Davis went from the No. 1 cornerback to now the fourth option, who will rotate along the boundary and cover tight ends in certain packages.
Regardless of where he sits on the depth chart, Davis is still prepared to make an impact when he is on the field.
“Distractions in my personal life, my previous girlfriend. Whatever happens off of the field comes onto the field, and vice-versa,” Davis said. “I just think that last year was filled with distractions. This year, I’m able to eliminate all of the distractions go back to my myself, the way that I’ve been doing it before last year. We’re going up from here.” | 2022-08-11T00:04:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chargers CB Michael Davis sounds off on struggles in 2021 | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-cb-michael-davis-sounds-221551387.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-cb-michael-davis-sounds-221551387.html?src=rss |
The NFL preseason kicks off this weekend for teams as we inch closer and closer to the start of the 202 campaign. And with preseason here, NFL teams are releasing their unofficial depth charts which gives fans an early look at where players stand on the roster.
For the Denver Broncos, the team is getting ready to host the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night and when they do a former UNC running back should be the starter.
Javonte Williams was listed as the starter at running back as he enters his second season in the league. Williams was listed ahead of veteran Melvin Gordon as both are expected to play.
Per the Broncos website, the two backs will be on a pitch count so we could see this as a running back by committee approach for the regular season:
Second-year back Javonte Williams is listed as the Broncos’ starting running back, which reflects his first-up status in the Broncos’ 11-on-11 work. Offensive Coordinator Justin Outten did note Monday that there would be a “pitch count” for the running backs, and their usage would be dependent on the week’s game plan.
The 22-year-old Williams is coming off a rookie year in which he rushed for 903 yards and 4 touchdowns while catching 43 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
Williams is looking to become that lead back in Denver’s offense which is now led by quarterback Russell Wilson. | 2022-08-11T00:05:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Javonte Williams listed as number one RB on Broncos’ depth chart | https://sports.yahoo.com/javonte-williams-listed-number-one-234048631.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/javonte-williams-listed-number-one-234048631.html?src=rss |
This weekend’s matchups will be a good evaluation tool to see which players will make the first round of depth chart cuts (to 85 players) that take place on August 16th.
As players finally get to play full game speed, let’s take a look at a few underdogs who have been unexpectedly shining through camp; and who may surprise us all to make the final roster.s
Dallas Cowboys: WR Simi Fehoko
Ever since the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper, their receiver room has been in shambles. With the injury to James Washington, and Michael Gallup still rehabbing his ACL tear, the Cowboys may pick up a free agent before the start of the season. With that, the Cowboys are waiting for the emergence of a depth chart player and Fehoko has showed flashes in camp.
Fehoko is a 6-foot-4, second-year speedy receiver who some fans have compared to Miles Austin. Last year, the Cowboys drafted him in the 5th round, 179th overall from Stanford, where he averaged 15.5 per reception and ended his 2020 season with three touchdowns.
Whether or not the Cowboys find a free agent to add to this receiving corps, this week they play the Denver Broncos, and they will have a chance to find out if Fehoko can work his way up the depth chart.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Skyy Moore
Skyy Moore is the least surprising player on the list. He has been turning heads for the last few weeks now with his quick releases and impressive route breaks.
Every NFL team is looking for their slasher, and the Chiefs may have found it with Moore, as Mark Schofield explains in his latest piece breaking down Moore’s role within the Chiefs offense.
We are all anticipating this week’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears, as we may see him take a few snaps lined from the backfield and also out wide. We are excited to see his development as he continues to make strides in Andy Reid’s offense.
The New England Patriots recently had J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore in their defensive backs room, but now have new names in Terrance Mitchell, Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones. They are still looking for some young cornerbacks to emerge that can come in and keep up with the receivers in the division.
Both Jones’ draft selections have been turning heads but for the second straight day we’re seeing nickel corner Marcus Jones with the first team defense.
It’s the second straight day we’re seeing #Patriots rookie CB Marcus Jones in the slot with the first-team defense.
Third-round pick out of Houston earned a 92.0 defensive @PFF grade in his last two college seasons. Also a standout returner and part-time WR at Houston.
When in college, Jones was named to the 2021 ESPN All-American First Team as a kick returner and was a 2021 CBS Sports First-Team All-American as an all-purpose player. Early on in camp he was limited due to injury but ever since he’s been full participant, he’s kept toe-to-toe with the quickest receivers on the roster. (Such as Tyquan Thornton, who is an honorable mention on this list.)
This week’s preseason game will be a glimpse of Jones’ ability and if he can impress Bill Belichick enough to climb the depth chart.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR/PR Britain Covey
Undrafted rookie Britain Covey has been first up during special team punt return drills this week. This 5-foot-8, 173-pound wide receiver and return specialist from Utah has the speed that has impressed head coach Nick Sirianni.
Right now, Covey is listed third in the slot receiver position and also in punt returns, but after this week’s preseason game versus the New York Jets, it will give us a better idea of where he may fall on the depth chart. If he can step up and continue to impress the coaches in full-speed, he may be one of the surprises and make the final 53-man roster.
Chicago Bears: LB DeMarquis Gates
There have been 40 USFL players that have been signed to NFL rosters, and DeMarquis Gates is one of them. This linebacker was one of the most dominant defenders in his league, taking home Defensive Player of the Week twice last season.
As mentioned by Matt Lombardo from Heavy.com, Gates spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Washington but never played in an NFL game.
Here’s the game-sealing INT from DeMarquis Gates to seal the win for @XFLRoughnecks! #XFLRebels pic.twitter.com/0dauY8DNex
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) February 22, 2020
Gates has been in almost every single professional league in the United States dating back to 2019, which includes the USFL, CFL, XFL, and AAF. In that career, Gates has 177 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, and a pair of interceptions.
If there was an underdog to cheer for this preseason, Gates is the guy! After the recent trade request from Roquan Smith, the Bears’ linebacker corps has an opening in their roster for the next man up. These next few preseason games will determine whether or not he has what it takes this time to finally earn his spot on the historically dominant Bears defense.
Cleveland Browns: S D’Anthony Bell
D’Anthony Bell, also known as ‘The Hit Man,’ is an undrafted free agent who played safety for the West Florida Argos. He showed 4.47 speed at his pro day.
Ahead of Bell are two other strong safeties, Ronnie Harrison Jr and Grant Delpit, so Bell has a lot of work to do. But he’s been a player who has shined throughout camp. This week he has a chance to prove himself against an unproven Jacksonville Jaguars receiver room, giving him a good chance to show off his versatility as he can play in the box, strong, free safety and even as a linebacker when asked.
Aside from Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs has been one of the most impressive receivers in the Green Bay Packers training camp; making at least one ‘wow’ play per day. As Doug Farrar mentions in his recent article about Doubs, he is a speedy ‘route chef’ and can also take it to house with receiver screens.
“I will say, between 88 and 87, there’s been a lot of positive things that make you feel good about the depth we could have in that (WR) room.” says Aaron Rodgers.
Here is what Cobb had to say about Doubs, “The biggest piece is just his ability with the 50-50 ball. When it’s thrown up and it’s between him and the DB to make a play. That’s one thing you can’t coach. You can’t really teach that. You either have it or you don’t, and he has it. That’s special.”
This fourth rounder is undoubtedly the No. 1 player to watch from the Packers, as they open up the preseason against the San Francisco 49ers, which is taking place Friday night. If he can continue to show off his skills in full speed, he may be the missing piece that the Packers need moving forward. | 2022-08-11T00:06:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seven young players to watch in Week 1 of the NFL preseason | https://sports.yahoo.com/seven-young-players-watch-week-230017165.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seven-young-players-watch-week-230017165.html?src=rss |
The turf at Soldier Field looks like it could be a problem during the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
The turf at Soldier Field has long been a problem, with players complaining of issues keeping their footing. At the Bears Family Fest on Tuesday, August 9th, it was clear that the franchise hasn’t exactly made any strides in improving the turf conditions. Reporters in attendance got a look at the playing surface firsthand and they didn’t exactly report that the field was in tip-top shape.
Unfortunately, it’s probably too little too late ahead of preseason Week 1. They could go about re-sodding the field, but that could bring about other issues. Kansas City should proceed with caution in a game that will have very little meaning in the grand scheme of things. | 2022-08-11T00:06:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Soldier Field turf in poor condition ahead of Chiefs’ preseason opener vs. Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/soldier-field-turf-poor-condition-225839633.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/soldier-field-turf-poor-condition-225839633.html?src=rss |
Kuminga reflected on his rookie season while speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson on the latest edition of "Dubs Talk."
"I would say pretty much everybody was my vet," Kuminga told Johnson. "Mostly Andre and Loon, because they was the ones that were sitting next to me every time, you know, on the bench, and they're the ones I was really like talking to every single day."
"I mean, Andre got more experience than all of us," Kuminga said. "He played 18 seasons, and it's not easy to play those many years in the league. He's been around for so long, so he knows a lot.
"He won with us his fourth championship, so he knew what he was talking about, and he just wanted to be out here and just help, not just the young guys, helping the team."
Despite mentoring Kuminga and playing the role of a coach on the bench, should the 38-year-old Iguodala return to Golden State for his 19th NBA season, he doesn't want the role of a player-coach.
RELATED: Andrew Wiggins enjoying 'best summer' of his life after Warriors' NBA title
Although the veteran might not want to be an extension of the coaching staff, there's no denying Iguodala has left his mark with players like Kuminga, who are beginning their professional careers and navigating life in the NBA.
'What a gift that was': How Dominick Cruz turned his parents' divorce into a championship career
"I had the weight of the world put on me at a very young age and my ability to handle that and succeed helped make me the athlete and the person I am today.”
Tickets and broadcast information are now available for Houston’s four exhibitions, including home games against San Antonio on Sunday, Oct. 2 and versus Toronto on Friday, Oct. 7. | 2022-08-11T00:47:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney mentored Jonathan Kuminga in rookie season | https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-kevon-looney-mentored-223000236.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-kevon-looney-mentored-223000236.html?src=rss |
Former NFL running back Frank Gore was charged with simple assault Wednesday after being arrested July 31 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, following an alleged domestic violence dispute with a 28-year-old woman, according to the Atlantic City Police Department.
"On July 31, 2022, at 8:11 AM, patrol units were dispatched to Tropicana Atlantic City for a report of a domestic violence dispute," police said in a statement. "Officers arrived to find the victim, a 28-year-old woman from Miami, Florida, speaking with hotel security. The victim did not exhibit signs of injury and complaints were not filed at the time. However, an ensuing investigation resulted in Franklin Gore being charged with simple assault related to the domestic violence incident."
The 16-year NFL veteran played for the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets before he signed a one-day contract to retire with the 49ers this past June. He finished with exactly 16,000 career rushing yards – which ranks third in the NFL all-time.
Following his time in the NFL, Gore switched to a boxing career. He fought former NBA star Deron Williams in an exhibition match this past December where he lost via decision. In his professional debut, Gore beat Yaya Olorunsola by knockout on May 14.
Frank Gore is facing assault charges from a domestic violence incident in New Jersey. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
She listed 'sex work' on LinkedIn. Here's what happened next.
About a month ago, Arielle Egozi decided to post on LinkedIn about her decision to leave an in-house job as a brand director, and about how sex work empowered that decision. That post would send shock waves around the globe and reignite conversations about sex work. "i had just enough saved from selling and engaging my image that i could ask myself if i was happy. i wasn't," Egozi wrote. "yeah, the few grand i'd stashed up over time helped, but the biggest reason i could walk away is because sex | 2022-08-11T00:47:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former NFL RB Frank Gore charged with domestic assault in New Jersey | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nfl-rb-frank-gore-charged-with-simple-assault-in-new-jersey-124402561.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nfl-rb-frank-gore-charged-with-simple-assault-in-new-jersey-124402561.html?src=rss |
The NFL can be a trash-talking league at times, but as is the case anywhere else, if you talk big, you’d best be able to back it up. If not? Well, you’re going to be respectful when you next face the object of your worst nightmares as a player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis experienced this phenomenon on Wednesday when the Bucs started joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. This is in preparation for the Bucs-Dolphins preseason game on Saturday, and Davis went up against Miami receiver Tyreek Hill in practice. It’s generally not fun to deal with Hill in coverage, and Davis had no illusions regarding who he was going up against.
“He’s a different kind of receiver all around,” Davis said of Hill today. “He brings something to the game that no other receiver does, so to be able to go up against him in practice, especially early on in camp, just helps you fine-tune your skills and your technique. It was pretty good today. I’m excited to go back up against him tomorrow, him and [Jaylen] Waddle. They’re just two fast, twitchy guys that you’ve just got to love and embrace going up against them. Like I said, there’s no other receivers in the league that can do what they do.”
Hill broke up a pass to Hill in the first rep of one-on-ones, which is nice.
“I guess that is a good tone-setter, just starting it off fresh, because usually you’ve got to get into it. You’re a little cold coming off, just starting practice, but I was ready. I’ve been up against him a couple of times in the past so I kind of know a little bit about his release packages and what he brings to the table. But at the end of the day, it’s about competing. It’s about you wanting to win, and I got the best of him on that rep.”
Davis knows the hard way how tough Hill can be to cover.
Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis when asked if there was trash talk facing Tyreek Hill: “No, we were keeping it cordial today, keeping it real cordial. Nice practice etiquette. Gotta see him again tomorrow, so anything you say today you’ve got to live up to it tomorrow.”
When Tampa Bay faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs (Hill’s former team) in Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season, he was tasked with covering Hill one-on-one. It did not go well for Davis at all; he allowed three touchdowns to Hill. and 12 catches on 15 targets for 236 yards, 50 yards after the catch, and an opponent passer rating of 158.3 — the highest possible passer rating. The Bucs lost, 27-24.
“Yeah, yeah,” Davis said, when asked whether he remembered that game, and how he and the Bucs recovered to beat the Chiefs, 31-9, in Super Bowl LV. “That’s something that’s going to stick with you. Just having an off game, and then coming back and playing a great game in the Super Bowl, that’s something that’s going to always be a part of my memory, just because it was a pivotal moment in the season both times for us. Going up against him today was a good flashback. It was fun to get out there and just face him. Let’s do it again. As a corner, I feel like you’ve got to have that mentality, to always want work, to always want to go up against whoever puts you to the test. Whoever’s out there. So, it was fun.”
It was not fun back in Week 12. There are very few guys in the league who can cover Hill without safety help, and on that day, Davis was not one of them.
The first Hill touchdown came with 6:59 left in the first quarter. The Bucs were in Cover-3, Davis was playing Hill way off, and Hill just smoked Davis with a little shake off a vertical route. Hill was so fast, that even when he had to slow down to catch Patrick Mahomes’ pass, he was still on the way, smoking.
The second touchdown came shortly thereafter — with 1:42 left in the first quarter. Davis had Hill in the inside left slot in a 3×1 formation, the Bucs were playing Cover-1, and Davis had Hill in a “Man everywhere he goes” situation. You can see how that worked out.
Touchdown No. 3 same with 7:04 left in the third quarter, and… well, I dunno how you defend this.
To his credit, Davis was far more effective in that Super Bowl matchup — then, he gave up just two catches on three targets for 14 yards, four yards after the catch, and an opponent passer rating of 77.0. The Buccaneers had Kansas City’s banged-up offensive line dead to rights, which greatly impacted Mahomes’ ability to make his usual supernatural throws, but Davis still had a much better game — and he wasn’t targeted once when covering Hill.
So, there was no trash talk either way on Wednesday.
“It’s fun, it’s all love out there,” Davis concluded. “We’re just out here competing, trying to get better. We don’t play them [in the 2022 regular season], so there’s no real beef. If it was a team that we had on the schedule it might be a little different. But, no, we’re cool.”
The Broncos needed to make room for the signings of running backs Stevie Scott and JaQuan Hardy. They waived running back Tyreik McAllister with an injury designation and placed linebacker Christopher Allen on injured reserve. Now out for the season, Allen will take a redshirt year as he works his way back from a foot [more] | 2022-08-11T01:44:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Carlton Davis remembers previous battles with Tyreek Hill after Bucs-Dolphins practice | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlton-davis-remembers-previous-battles-235753995.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlton-davis-remembers-previous-battles-235753995.html?src=rss |
What Ryans hopes to see from 49ers rookies against Packers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans expects Friday’s first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers to be the same physical, competitive matchup it usually is.
And he hopes to see his young defenders rise to the challenge in their first taste of NFL action, even though the wins and losses don’t count yet.
“A win for me in preseason games is to really see guys who are young guys, to see those guys when the lights come on, just to see them go out and perform,” Ryans told reporters after practice on Wednesday. “No coaches on the field with them, nobody is holding their hand. They have to go out and compete and do what they’ve done to get them here.”
After safety Leon O’Neal Jr. was waived by the 49ers on Wednesday, there are now a handful of rookie defenders left that are eager to prove themselves on Friday night -- four draft picks and five undrafted free agents. That’s not counting sixth-round pick Kalia Davis, a defensive lineman who was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list to start the season.
Ryans emphasized the need for players like Drake Jackson, Samuel Womack III, Tariq Castro-Fields, and others to bring what the 49ers saw in them in college out on the professional stage.
“Somewhere along the line, they’ve went out in games and played well -- in high school, college, and now I’m happy for guys to get to showcase it on the NFL level,” Ryans said. “A win for me is just to see our guys go out and compete at a high level, play great technique and make plays.”
After 12 days of practice against their own team, the second-year DC is ready to see how the rookies stack up against new competition in the Packers. It’s the perfect time to evaluate the young players’ skill sets, he said. And with both Jason Verrett and Charvarius Ward unable to play Friday, Ryans noted Womack and Castro-Fields could have an opportunity to further prove their worth at cornerback.
“Everybody is kind of at that point in camp where you’re kind of tired of going against the same guy, same offense, same scheme,” Ryans said. “So it’s a really great opportunity for those guys to go out and see if they can truly own the fundamentals and techniques that we’ve been coaching these guys, pressing and stressing these guys over their technique and fundamentals.
“Now, can they go and take it against another receiver, another style of offense? Can they go out and perform and do the things that they’ve been coached to do? I’m excited to see those guys just take hold of that and go compete at a high level on Friday.”
Ryans reflected on his own first preseason game, which came as a rookie linebacker with the Houston Texans in 2006 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Like his own players likely will be on Friday night, he went onto the field wide-eyed but excited.
“I went out, probably didn’t know the defense, didn’t know what I was doing, but I just knew to fly around and make plays,” Ryans said. “I ended up with like 10 tackles in the first half and [former NFL] Coach [Gary] Kubiak and [linebackers coach] Johnny Holland were like, ‘We can get him out of there, that’s our starting linebacker.’”
RELATED: What Ryans sees as path to dominant Kinlaw for 49ers this year
His advice for the 49ers defenders as they head onto the field for the first time against the Packers? Enjoy it, and the rest will follow.
“One thing, same with me when I played, it’s about having fun out there,” Ryans said. “You may not know everything that’s going on, but are you playing with intensity? Are you playing with effort? Are you playing with physicality? If you do those three things, you’re going to be around the ball. You’re going to make some plays.”
Where exactly the group of 49ers rookies land on the final 53-man roster or the practice squad remains to be seen.
But their first chance to truly prove themselves will come Friday night. | 2022-08-11T01:44:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | What DeMeco Ryans hopes 49ers rookies show him in Packers preseason game | https://sports.yahoo.com/demeco-ryans-hopes-49ers-rookies-001257075.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/demeco-ryans-hopes-49ers-rookies-001257075.html?src=rss |
The Cleveland Browns kick off their 2022 preseason slate of games Friday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the games don’t count, they do matter. Health will be the priority for all teams in the preseason but the Browns and Jaguars will also want to get a good look at a variety of players on their 90-man rosters.
Earlier, Jacksonville announced that Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne and most of their starters would see the field Friday night. The Jaguars opened the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game that didn’t see many key players on the field.
For Cleveland, it is expected to be the debut of QB Deshaun Watson in the orange and brown uniform unless the NFL gets its way and he is suspended for at least a year before the game kicks off.
The team announced Wednesday after their closed practice that most of the starters, including Watson, would play Friday:
The Browns announced Wednesday that they will play most of their starters in Friday’s preseason opener against the Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at TIAA Bank Stadium.
We will have live coverage of the game Friday night here on the site as well as on our Twitter feed. Follow along as Watson and most of the key contributors take the field in Florida. | 2022-08-11T01:44:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Deshaun Watson, some Browns starters will start Friday vs Jaguars | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-browns-starters-start-004052245.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-browns-starters-start-004052245.html?src=rss |
Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle has had a trying year and a half. He suffered a gruesome knee injury during a mid-season game against the New England Patriots in 2020, then was in and out of the lineup in 2021 as he tried to fully recover. However, things are looking up for the tight end as the 2022 season approaches, as he looks to be in shape and ready to get back on the field
Boyle spoke to the media after one of Baltimore’s training camp practice sessions and answered a multitude of different questions. When answering one of them he explained why playing in the Ravens’ 2022 preseason games will be important for him, discussing how the live-game reps are ones you can’t get on the practice field.
"I need to play in preseason games, that'll be really good for me." @nickboyle86 pic.twitter.com/OFzZxxzTYY
“Oh, yes. For sure. I need to play in the preseason games. I think that would be really good for me. I wouldn’t want to not play in those. I think those are kind of reps you can’t get out on the practice field, although you’re in pads. I’m looking forward to playing.”
With Boyle back to being healthy, he will be able to help in both the running and passing game. He is a massively important part of the team’s offense, and while veterans like Boyle sometimes don’t play in any preseason games, he feels like it’s important for him to be out on the field getting reps in a game before they actually start to count.
Kyler Murray is being eased back after catching COVID and having a sore wrist, while Colt McCoy deals with arm soreness. | 2022-08-11T01:44:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens TE Nick Boyle explains why he needs to play in 2022 preseason games | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-te-nick-boyle-explains-001841861.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-te-nick-boyle-explains-001841861.html?src=rss |
Loyalty is perhaps the most important quality someone could have when it comes to working for the Royal Family. After all, the Royals are notoriously private about everything from what they eat to the many scandals that have plagued the family for hundreds of years. When loyalty is broken, the family is known to freeze out those who wronged them, and sometimes things can get ugly. One beloved employee of the family learned this the hard way, when she exposed some deeply private royal secrets, be
Magneuris Sierra hit an RBI single in the 10th inning, then doubled home the go-ahead run in the 12th that lifted the Los Angeles Angels over the Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Wednesday for a three-game sweep. “It feels great,” Sierra said through a translator. The A's suffered their second winless homestand of the season at 0-5. | 2022-08-11T02:18:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kyrgios defeats top-ranked Medvedev at Montreal Masters, Alcaraz ousted | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyrgios-defeats-top-ranked-medvedev-214828522.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyrgios-defeats-top-ranked-medvedev-214828522.html?src=rss |
Syndergaard's line in two starts with the Phillies: 11 innings, 17 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts.
His night could have been worse if not for another strong showing from the Phillies' defense. In the first inning, Nick Castellanos chased down a ball in the right-center-field gap and threw to first for a double play. In the second, Hoskins made a diving stop for a force-out at second base that would have otherwise loaded the bases or scored a run. In the sixth, the ever-improving Alec Bohm dove to snag a ball to his right for the first out and charged a grounder to end the inning.
NHL offseason tracker: News and analysis on trades and signings
Tommy Pham's three-run homer (14)
Tommy Pham belts a three-run homer to center field, his 14th of the season, cutting the Red Sox's deficit to 5-4 in the bottom of the 7th | 2022-08-11T02:18:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | MLB Wild Card: Phillies come back late against Sandy Alcantara for 7th straight win | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-wild-card-phillies-come-014500509.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-wild-card-phillies-come-014500509.html?src=rss |
Bjelica's heartfelt goodbye to Dub Nation: 'Always a Warrior' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
He also thanked his teammates who turned into “brates," Serbian for “brothers”.
Bjelica averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 16.1 minutes per game during the 2021-22 regular season. He appeared in 15 of Golden State's 22 postseason games and scored a playoff-high 10 points in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
Ja Rule Responds to Fat Joe Criticizing Irv Gotti for Ashanti Comments: 'Stop Saying I Didn't Defend Sis'
Fat Joe called Irv Gotti a "sucker" over remarks he made about his relationship with Ashanti while he was a guest on the 'Drink Champs' podcast. | 2022-08-11T02:19:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nemanja Bjelica posts heartfelt goodbye to Warriors as NBA career ends | https://sports.yahoo.com/nemanja-bjelica-posts-heartfelt-goodbye-001204489.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nemanja-bjelica-posts-heartfelt-goodbye-001204489.html?src=rss |
Lunardi has UF facing off with Michigan in the South Region, the same matchup he predicted in July. That means Florida is not a team that has shown any major improvements in the past month, but it also means that Lunardi feels that bumping the Gators up from the First Four Out in the last update was warranted.
As far as the rest of the SEC, Kentucky is the No. 1 seed in the South Region and Alabama is the No. 6 seed. Arkansas is the No. 3 seed in the West Region, Auburn is a No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region along with eighth-seeded Texas A&M and Tennessee is the No. 2 seed in the East Region. Missouri is in Lunardi’s First Four Out and LSU is the Next Four Out.
After missing the NCAA Tournament entirely in the final year of Mike White’s run at UF, finishing as a No. 10 seed would be a solid start to the Todd Golden era of Gators basketball.
Florida basketball announces 2022-23 non-conference schedule | 2022-08-11T02:23:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida basketball looking to dance in latest ESPN bracketology update | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-basketball-looking-dance-latest-220928839.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-basketball-looking-dance-latest-220928839.html?src=rss |
Mooney looking to get vital information during preseason opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST – No one knows how much the Bears starters will play Saturday during their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field.
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney hopes he gets a good amount of time on the field against the Chiefs. While the preseason is relatively meaningless, Mooney believes it will give him valuable information about offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
"Just how we talk about how things will go and actually how they will go," Mooney said Wednesday after practice at Halas Hall. "It's good to talk about things, it's good to hear things. Actually, know how they will go when there's action and bullets are flying. So, it will be a good sense of how things will be called.
"Then long down the road, we will get to a second or third down and I'll know exactly how he's thinking. Like 'Okay, we are about to call this' So I don't even have to think about what he's going to call I can actually get to the line of scrimmage and actually look at the defense and how they are going against us."
Mooney's connection with quarterback Justin Fields has been one of the few offensive bright spots of training camp to this point. It's clear the second-year quarterback trusts Mooney more than the other receivers on the roster.
No longer just a fifth-round pick, Mooney is walking, talking, and performing like a No. 1 receiver in camp. The Tulane product has his sights set on becoming the best receiver in the NFL, a goal that might not be unattainable if his connection with Fields is as successful on Sundays as it has been in camp.
During the first 12 days of camp, Mooney has been the go-to guy in almost all money situations (third down, fourth down, goal-to-go). If the ball goes elsewhere, it's almost always because star cornerback Jaylon Johnson is Velcroed to Mooney's hip.
Even Wednesday, with four of the Bears' top six receivers not participating due to injuries, the only thing that stopped Mooney from getting the rock in a critical situation was a formation issue.
Given the ball with 20 seconds left and no timeouts, the offense was asked to get into field goal range from just outside the opponent's 40-yard line.
Fields tossed a dime to Isaiah Coulter down the right sideline. The receiver toe-tapped and stepped out of bounds inside the 10.
That play was supposed to be for Mooney.
"He balled out," Mooney said of Coulter. "Last play, we were lined up in the wrong formation. It was my route. If he didn't catch it, I was going to get on his ass a little bit."
Mooney and the Bears' offense hope that live game action can help them cure some of the issues plaguing them in camp.
But the biggest benefit coming out of Saturday night will be Getsy and his offensive stars getting a feel for one another.
Practice reps are great, but there's no substitute for live action in the NFL. Mooney plans to get as much as he can out of however many limited snaps he gets Saturday.
They could prove beneficial down the road.
DeMeco Ryans hopes to see his young rookie defenders rise to the challenge in their first taste of NFL action against the Packers on Friday. | 2022-08-11T03:19:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Darnell Mooney sees preseason opener as vital offensive learning opportunity | https://sports.yahoo.com/darnell-mooney-sees-preseason-opener-020545730.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/darnell-mooney-sees-preseason-opener-020545730.html?src=rss |
King speculates how long Lance's leash will be with Shanahan originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Even as confident as San Francisco is with their 22-year-old signal-caller, he doesn't have free reign to play without consequences. That begs the question, how long is Lance's leash in his first full season under coach Kyle Shanahan?
NBC Sports NFL columnist Peter King joined 95.7 The Game's "Damon & Ratto" on Wednesday, where he speculated as to when Shanahan might be forced to bench Lance at any point during the season if things go awry.
"I don't think you can say, in part because we are not going to be in there," King said. "We are not going to be in the meetings, we are not going to be watching the film. If he makes, over and over again makes fatal mistakes that an NFL quarterback shouldn't be making -- I doubt this will happen -- but if he does that, Kyle Shanahan is going to have to do it just for the good of the team, you can't just say, 'Hey, we're investing all this time in this kid and we don't care if we win or lose, this is a year that we are giving him to be good.'"
King doesn't believe it will come to this, but if Shanahan has to make a mid-season change at quarterback, it would be a whole lot easier if there were a veteran such as Jimmy Garoppolo to fall back on. That doesn't appear likely at all given Shanahan and general manager John Lynch repeatedly claiming they expect Garoppolo to be elsewhere this season. If there is no Garoppolo to fall back on, Shanahan might be forced to weather the storm with Lance a little bit longer.
"Look, Kyle Shanahan is an extremely smart coach, he knows how to hide deficiencies on his roster, including how to hide deficiencies at the quarterback position," King added. "I think the second part of your question needs to be, and I believe most likely that Jimmy Garoppolo is not there. But what if he is there? What if Jimmy Garoppolo is on the roster and they have him to turn to if things get really really bad?
"It's one thing if you've got him to turn to. If he's not there, then I think Shanahan would have a different decision."
It does beg the question, though: Do the 49ers have a "break glass in case of an emergency" plan? Will they even need one? Only time will tell. | 2022-08-11T03:19:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | How long Trey Lance's 49ers leash will be, according to Peter King | https://sports.yahoo.com/long-trey-lances-49ers-leash-021318096.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/long-trey-lances-49ers-leash-021318096.html?src=rss |
Timing, they say, is everything, and the St. Louis Cardinals seem to have landed theirs precisely.
Once it became clear early last week the Cardinals had all but backed out of the derby to land Juan Soto, a more reasonable and predictable trade deadline strategy shifted into view. In acquiring José Quintana and Chris Stratton from Pittsburgh and Jordan Montgomery from the New York Yankees, St. Louis found in both bulk and quality that which they had been unable to identify for far too long — multiple sources of reliable innings.
That they opted for that path at the same time the rival Milwaukee Brewers shifted away from it is its own sort of good break in their direction. Josh Hader was unlikely to remain in Milwaukee after next season and perhaps never had higher value, but a clubhouse can tell when a c-suite is stepping back. David Stearns deserves credit for the consistency of winning he’s nurtured with the Brewers, but the lack of awareness in trampling that fertile patch was stunning.
It should not come as a shock, then, that within a week, the Cardinals surged from three games back in the National League Central to two games ahead. Indeed, last Thursday, set for a doubleheader against the Cubs, St. Louis’s wide range of outcomes spanned from falling further back to drawing even. When it turned out to be the latter, the weekend’s stunning sweep of the New York Yankees felt like a catapult that now leaves the Brewers as the club forced to chase.
And still, the timing of decisions outside of the deadline has been fortuitous. The disastrous start to Paul DeJong’s season which saw him exiled to the minors and uncertain of whether he’d reclaim his job at shortstop meant his recall in Washington was not at all guaranteed to succeed.
After an extended stint in the minor leagues, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong has played every inning of his first eight games back, and, in those games, the team went 7-1. He delivered three doubles, three homers, and 10 RBI, and in the process added more than 120 points to his season OPS total.
Teammates thrilled to have him back
He played every inning of his first eight games back, and in those games, the Cardinals went 7-1. He delivered three doubles, three homers, and 10 RBI, and in the process added more than 120 points to his season OPS total.
It could be fairly claimed, as eyes roll heavily across the metro area, that getting him back has been even better than making a trade.
There are different kinds of demotions, and a player’s status in the clubhouse can make each one resound in different ways. DeJong shared his teammates, upon his arrival in D.C., were banging on the windows from inside the team bus, so excited to see him back that they decided not to wait for him to climb the steps.
When he readied in the visitors’ clubhouse at Nationals Park for the flight back to St. Louis, there was even an anachronistic sign of how long he’d been gone — the emerald green suit he put on was out of touch with the comfortable, gray tracksuits his teammates had acquired for night flights in his absence. Presumably they’ve since sorted him out.
DeJong’s key swing against Yankees
It’s hard to imagine cheerful teammates and good vibes extended all the way through to manager Oliver Marmol’s decision making in the team’s series against the Yankees, but when DeJong strode to the plate Friday night with the Cardinals down one run in the eighth inning, it would also be inaccurate to say those things didn’t play a role.
Marmol acknowledged after the game — and again the next morning, after double checking — the optimal matchup called for by the numbers in that situation was for Brendan Donovan to pinch hit. Perhaps he would’ve come through, at least to tie the game. Perhaps not, and the Yankees would’ve closed the game out in the ninth, disrupting what had the potential to become a season-altering sweep for the Cardinals.
The trust in DeJong manifested in a double down the line, and as the game flipped, it would be hard not to feel something broader flipping in the ballpark as well. Three sold out games against one of baseball’s other premiere franchises can do a lot to energize a fanbase in the doldrums of summer, and following a deadline at which the team added more than they have in arguably eight seasons, it’s impossible not to draw a distinction with division rivals content to fall slightly back and hope that it’ll be enough.
It may not be the style of the Cardinals to go all in at any given time, but it’s very much their style to see an opportunity and seize on proper timing. For all the things for which they can be fairly criticized, it’s also true those in positions of power should be lauded for knowing when the iron is truly hot.
It’s glowing, now. The Brewers added fuel to that fire, and Paul DeJong, to date, has breathed just enough life into it to make potential possibilities feel instead more like probabilities. If nothing else, the Cardinals clearly don’t intend to let the moment pass by. | 2022-08-11T03:50:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Credit where credit is due: St. Louis Cardinals have magic touch at trade deadline | https://sports.yahoo.com/credit-where-credit-due-st-120000157.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/credit-where-credit-due-st-120000157.html?src=rss |
Is it time to add another Cameron to the LIV Golf Series roster?
A day after reports surfaced that Cam Smith, the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year, has signed with the Saudi-backed, Greg Norman-led circuit, Cameron Young could now join the breakaway league as well, according to The Times UK.
Smith had “no comment” on the report at his Tuesday press conference ahead of this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The Aussie trails only Scottie Scheffler in the FEC standings.
Young is the favorite to bring home the 2022 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award after collecting seven top-three finishes in 22 events, including a runner-up to Smith at the 150th Open Championship (his fourth of five runner-ups this season).
The 25-year-old won twice during his Korn Ferry Tour career but has yet to break through on the PGA Tour. He’s ranked 17th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
🚨#NEW: Cameron Young is heading to LIV GOLF per report https://t.co/d7XcqQQODS | 2022-08-11T03:50:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Cameron Young to leave PGA Tour for LIV Golf Series | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-cameron-young-leave-pga-190450177.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-cameron-young-leave-pga-190450177.html?src=rss |
The Pittsburgh Steelers waived inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III on Wednesday with an injury designation and to replace him on the 90-man training camp roster, claimed former New York Jets defensive end Hamilcar Rashed.
Rashed spent the 2021 season on the Jets practice squad after signing with them as an undrafted free agent. The Jets waited Rashed on August 8.
Despite being highly productive in college, Rashed went undraft. His final season at Oregon State, Rashed was a first-team All-American, had 14 sacks and led the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss. He’s got a compact frame and fits the mold of a Steelers outside linebacker perfectly. With the type of coaching Rashed will get in Pittsburgh, don’t be surprised if he sneaks in and makes the 53-man roster as a situational pass rusher. | 2022-08-11T03:50:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers claim DE Hamilcar Rashed off waivers | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-claim-hamilcar-rashed-off-003729155.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-claim-hamilcar-rashed-off-003729155.html?src=rss |
Derek Carr ran over excitedly when he saw Davante Adams in a Las Vegas Raiders jersey for the first time this spring and hugged his new-but-also-old receiver in a warm embrace.
“It’s good to see you in that Silver and Black,” Carr said.
“Oh yeah, this is your first time, huh?” Adams smiled back. “The jersey, it really hit me today.”
That moment was more than a decade in the making.
After spending two years together at Fresno State from 2012-2013, the two parted ways when they were taken by different teams in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft — Carr by the Raiders at No. 36 and Adams by the Green Bay Packers at No. 53. Ever since, they remained close friends but also privately longed for a reunion on an NFL team. They exchanged messages, trained together during the offseason and were even neighbors in Danville, California for years before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020.
What was once only a fleeting idea finally became reality this offseason when the Raiders traded a first- and a second-round pick to the Packers for Adams. The two burst into laughter when they FaceTimed each other for the first time after the trade, Carr said, calling it “a blessing” to play with “one of my best friends in the whole world.” Adams, meanwhile, said the trade was “a dream come true” in his introductory news conference.
The two set the college football world on fire during their time together in Fresno. Not only did the Bulldogs go 20-6 over that stretch, but Carr led the nation in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2013 while Adams led the nation in receptions and receiving touchdowns, and was second in receiving yards.
Now together in Las Vegas, Carr and Adams hope to recapture the fire they harnessed during their time in college — this time in professional football.
“We've had success together, but that was at the college level, completely different,” Carr said in April. “But we do have confidence that we can do it at this level, too.”
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (left) and quarterback Derek Carr are reuniting this year nearly a decade after they played together at Fresno State. (Erick Parra Monroy/Yahoo Sports)
On-field connections and off-field bonding
When Carr and Adams practiced together for the first time as Raiders teammates, Carr told his brothers throwing with Adams was “like a riding a bike.”
But that chemistry took years to develop.
Although Carr waited a year to play with Adams after the wideout redshirted his freshman season, Adams still asked Carr to throw him passes after practice in 2011. Carr noticed Adams’ raw physicality and jump-ball ability to bring down hard-to-catch passes almost instantly, and those early sessions were the beginning of their relationship on the field and proved to be the catalyst for their eventual friendship off it.
“It kind of just happened organically,” former Fresno State receivers coach Keith Williams told Yahoo Sports. “There wasn't like one incident where they just became best friends, but they got to know each other through the process of being on a team and through the close communication and close contact and being quarterback and wideout.”
It helped, too, that the two bonded over similar interests. First it was simply their desire to reach the NFL and become forces in college football. They also both felt they had more to prove while playing at a small-profile school like Fresno State in the lesser-known Mountain West Conference.
That magnetism sparked the connection, but Adams and Carr were more similar than they originally realized.
They both loved basketball — Adams’ athleticism was widely recognized among the Fresno football community and teammates say Carr always believed he was one of the best basketball players on the team. The two golfed a lot together and debated the best cars and music as well, usually during Wednesday lunches at their favorite Japanese joint, Teriyaki Don, about a 10-minute drive from campus.
Fresno State teammates would joke that Adams only hung out with Carr because he was the quarterback and would target him often because they spent so much time together. But through the ribbing, they all knew that wasn’t actually true.
“It was real. It was actually a genuine friendship between them two,” former teammate Isaiah Burse said. “It's not just, ‘oh, teammate.’ This is really a life-long friendship.”
Their connection spilled onto the field immediately. Adams scored on a 27-yard pass from Carr just nine plays into Fresno State’s first game of the 2012 season against Weber State, and went on to finish with seven receptions for 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 37-10 win. Adams and Carr connected on 102 receptions for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns by the end of that season.
While at Fresno State, Derek Carr, right, and Davante Adams were among the most potent quarterback-receiver connections in college football. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
A lot of that success derived from an offense designed to give Carr unilateral authority at the line of scrimmage. He signaled plays to his receivers with hand motions — like a maestro conducting an orchestra or a baseball coach instructing his batters at the plate — to make in-game adjustments and exploit coverage weaknesses by their opponents. Adams and Carr got so good at it that all Carr needed to do was look at Adams a certain way for him to understand what he wanted him to do. Almost like twin telepathy.
To this day, their teammates can’t explain how they did it.
“It’s crazy. It's hard to explain,” said former Fresno State wideout Josh Harper. “He'll give you, like, a certain look and you know what he's expecting, you know, like you just know what's coming from him and vice versa. Like he knows what to expect.”
This was never more prevalent than in the Bulldogs’ 69-28 drubbing of New Mexico in 2013.
On a first-and-10 play at the New Mexico 45-yard line early in the second quarter, Carr noticed Adams had a lot of space in front of him on the left side of the field. So he cocked his head for a split second in Adams’ direction before snapping the ball and immediately firing a laser to his trusty wideout on a smoke route. Adams caught it at the line of scrimmage and made two quick moves before scampering for the 44-yard score.
That wasn’t a one-off moment for the pair. It happened frequently throughout their tenure together.
Former NFL cornerback Bene Benwikere saw it first-hand when he played for San Jose State against Fresno State in 2013. The tandem torched the Spartans' defense early and Adams himself tallied eight receptions for 157 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Though Benwikere missed most of the first half with an illness, he was in awe of the spectacle Carr and Adams put on that day.
“They were just so much in sync more than any other team that I really ever played against in college,” Benwikere told Yahoo Sports. “Besides [Tom] Brady and the [New England] Patriots, I don't think I really saw an offense [in the NFL] that was that well-tuned.”
College QB-WR pairs becoming more frequent
Pairing a quarterback with his collegiate counterpart is a relatively new phenomenon in the NFL.
Prior to this season, there were only eight such instances in NFL history. But in 2022, there will be five combinations in the league: Adams and Carr, Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow (LSU) with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) with the Miami Dolphins, DeVonta Smith and Jalen Hurts (Alabama) with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown (Oklahoma) with the Arizona Cardinals.
Of that group, Carr and Adams had the most receptions (233), receiving yards (3,031) and touchdowns (38) together in college. The next closest is Burrow and Chase, who finished with 107 receptions for 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns at LSU from 2018-2019.
That’s a recipe for success in Las Vegas. And former Raiders and Packers wideout James Jones, who trained with Carr and Adams before their NFL careers and also played with them both separately on the Raiders and Packers, believes the connection between these two will be better than the one Adams had with Rodgers.
“A lot of people looking at it like 'Man, [Adams] left Aaron Rodgers and went to Derek Carr? What is he thinking?” Jones told Yahoo sports. “He's not thinking like that. He's thinking 'This is my dog. I have an opportunity to go play with my dog. I have the opportunity to play with my best friend,’ which you rarely get the opportunity to do, especially at the highest level. This is going to hit off right where they left off in college.”
Carr and Adams certainly have the chance to become one of the better quarterback-receiver tandems in the NFL if they can repeat what they did in college. But when asked how the Carr-Adams duo would be remembered among the greats on NFL history, Carr offered a simple three-letter answer:
“TBD.” | 2022-08-11T04:55:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Will Derek Carr and Davante Adams rekindle their prolific Fresno State connection nearly a decade later? | https://sports.yahoo.com/can-derek-carr-and-davante-adams-rekindle-their-prolific-fresno-state-connection-nearly-a-decade-later-183314975.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/can-derek-carr-and-davante-adams-rekindle-their-prolific-fresno-state-connection-nearly-a-decade-later-183314975.html?src=rss |
The Baltimore Ravens had a rough 2021 season when it came to the running back position. Their main star, former Ohio State running back, J.K. Dobbins, went down along last season with their two main back-ups in Gus Edwards and Justice Hill all facing injuries in training camp. But they are slowly getting healthy and activating Dobbins off the PUP list is one of the main ways to get back in shape.
The Baltimore offense revolves around the run and despite all of those injuries last season this offense still ranked third in rushing yards with 2,479 rushing yards overall and 145.8 per game. The offense was also fifth in yards per carry (4.8).
The Ravens are no doubt eager to get Dobbins back in the mix as he is a top-five running back in the NFL as evidenced by his six yards per carry in 2020, which led all running backs. Look for Dobbins to have a Pro-Bowl caliber year in 2022 if he can regain his pre-ACL injury form.
We’ll keep an eye out on Dobbins and all of the former Ohio State football players as they perform in the NFL this season.
All former Ohio State football players currently on NFL rosters | 2022-08-11T04:55:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins is now active for Ravens | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-ohio-state-running-back-034459743.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-ohio-state-running-back-034459743.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars have one preseason game in the books and are now set for their first at TIAA Bank Field, which will be against the Cleveland Browns Friday. As always, they’ve released a new unofficial depth chart beforehand to give fans a general idea of where players stand heading into the first wave of cuts next Tuesday.
There weren’t many changes from the previous depth chart aside from the additions of quarterback EJ Perry (who replaced Kyle Sloter) and running back Matt Colburn (replaced Nathan Cottrell), who signed with the Jags this week. The Jags also waived/injured defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter and signed Auzoyah Alufoha in his place, but that transaction took place after the Jags released the depth chart below.
*As previously stated in the past, unofficial depth charts aren’t necessarily constructed by the coaching staff, but by the public relations departments in the league often.
ICYMI: There doesn’t seem to be many changes to the #Jaguars unofficial depth chart this week aside from some new signings. pic.twitter.com/T5yE0zuaHh
Jags coach Doug Pederson said the team’s starters would play for a few series. That includes notables like quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Running back Travis Etienne will also play as James Robinson isn’t ready to return from the Achilles injury he sustained last December.
In the Hall of Fame Game last week, over 20 players didn’t play. Many of those players were offensive starters, so Friday’s game will present fans with their first look at 80% to 90% of the first-team offense under Pederson.
The Bearcats had two starters drafted by the NFL, but don't sleep on the new-look defensive line. | 2022-08-11T04:55:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here is the Jags’ unofficial depth chart for their second preseason game against Browns | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-unofficial-depth-chart-second-034254216.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-unofficial-depth-chart-second-034254216.html?src=rss |
The Baltimore Ravens saw their offensive line struggle in 2021 for a multitude of reasons. Injuries, shuffling around the line and poor play all played a factor, and one of the stars that they were missing throughout the year was offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.
Stanley suffered a brutal ankle injury during the 2020 season, and then when trying to return in 2021 he was only able to play in the season opener before opting for another ankle surgery. His return is widely anticipated, and on Tuesday he posted a picture on Instagram that hinted at a potential return.
A post shared by Ronnie Stanley (@megatronnie)
It’s still unclear when Stanley will make his return to the field for Baltimore, but he’s clearly been working hard on his rehab in order to come back to the field at full strength. When healthy, the former Notre Dame star is one of the best at his position in the NFL, and his addition back to the Ravens’ line will do wonders for their offense. | 2022-08-11T04:56:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley hints at potential return in post on Instagram | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-ot-ronnie-stanley-hints-035100499.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-ot-ronnie-stanley-hints-035100499.html?src=rss |
CHARLES ROBINSON: We talked a little bit about, should there be some teams that are worried with what we're seeing early on in the preseason? And although they're not on our list, I'm going to start off with the 49ers, only because I've tweeted about this already with Trey Lance. You're kind of getting these updates, where it's like, every time Trey Lance has a practice, where he struggles, you know it pretty quickly. It gets out there like, oh, he's not the most accurate guy today, and da, da, da, and all this stuff.
But I'm going to tell you that, in fantasyland, if they suddenly decided they're going to bring Jimmy back to practice and elevate him from the fourth quarterback, it is over for Trey Lance this season. He could be awful in the preseason. To me, it does not matter. You have to go through this with him. Whatever that means, however much of a struggle it may be or whatever, too bad, like this is it.
You've made the push. You put the assets in. You had the off season you did. You put Jimmy into a position, where he's out the door. You can't do any more than demote the guy to fourth string quarterback and not have him out there, so this is it.
FRANK SCHWAB: But don't you think, at some point, Kyle gets the edge? Let's say, Trey Lance has had some good days, too, like that's been tweeted about as well. But let's say, bad pre-season, it keeps going on, however long it goes. You're telling me that Kyle Shanahan, who I can't remember the exact record he has, or Jimmy Garoppolo as a starting quarterback, you can't tell me, Kyle Shanahan doesn't have some itch of we've won with this guy. What are we doing?
CHARLES ROBINSON: I think it's, for sure. But I don't think this is one of those rare circumstances, where I'm like, I don't care in terms of Kyle's ego, or whether he's going to be aggressive, or this is just one of those scenarios, where I don't think he can afford it. I truly believe that.
I don't think Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch can't afford not going through the brick wall with Trey Lance, and everybody getting bloodied up, and it is what it is. And I'm not even going to say the guy is having-- I want to make this a very clear point, OK? I'm not saying Trey Lance is having a bad camp, or there's a bad preseason happening here. I think it's inconsistent, and I think the point I made on Twitter was let's just all remember, people freaked out about Ja'Marr Chase last year.
FRANK SCHWAB: Right.
CHARLES ROBINSON: It is what it is. I just think, in that situation, it doesn't matter. What you've committed--
FRANK SCHWAB: You're in. You're all in.
CHARLES ROBINSON: --you are pot committed.
FRANK SCHWAB: They were all in the second they made that trade.
FRANK SCHWAB: You can't--
CHARLES ROBINSON: But they gave themselves--
FRANK SCHWAB: You can't trade that much and get the third pick.
CHARLES ROBINSON: And what did they do? They burned the year that they had, because you're like, OK, look, even when they did it, they had a burn year, you know? Then they did it. They burned the burn year with Jimmy. That's gone. There's no more burn year left there.
FRANK SCHWAB: No, this is it, yeah.
CHARLES ROBINSON: This is it.
FRANK SCHWAB: And, by the way, I'll go on the record saying, I think Trey Lance is going to be fantastic this year. I really do.
CHARLES ROBINSON: OK.
FRANK SCHWAB: I just believe in the kid's talent. Everybody talks about last year, and it's like, the one game against the Cardinals, he had a terrible game plan. We talked about that. It was just figure it out and run. It was not a good game plan. I think Kyle would admit that.
The game against the Texans, he was good in that game, and I get it. It's the Houston Texans, whatever. He looked good in that game, threw those 86 passes. You've seen enough to be like, yeah, I could see that there's some dude in him, and he could be really, really good. And I think he'll be just fine in that offense.
Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a boy in Chandler near McQueen and Warner Roads after he reported that he had been lured away from his bus stop by a man driving a black golf cart.
Harold Reynolds on India: "He's gonna come riding through the cornfields and go, 'Oh, I'm starting to understand what you guys were talking about.'" | 2022-08-11T04:56:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trey Lance must be the 49ers ride or die even with Jimmy G lurking in the background | You Pod to Win the Game | https://sports.yahoo.com/trey-lance-must-49ers-ride-033713654.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trey-lance-must-49ers-ride-033713654.html?src=rss |
When the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field Friday, they’ll be standing across from a familiar face as quarterback Deshaun Watson has been given the nod to play in his first NFL game in almost two years. The Cleveland Browns announced the news on Wednesday and they also plan to play most of their starters.
Watson’s status is one many have been watching as he is set to face a six-game suspension that could be extended. The former Houston Texans quarterback was recently accused of sexual misconduct during massage sessions in 2020 and early 2021 through civil lawsuits filed by 24 women. Of those lawsuits, 23 of 24 cases have been settled.
While the Browns have made the decision, it’s still possible that Watson could miss Friday’s game if NFL designee Peter C. Harvey follows through with the league’s wish to suspend Watson indefinitely. Per Article 46 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement from 2020, the decisions made by the appeals officer will “constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute.”
It’s unknown when a ruling could come as there is no timetable for it. If Watson doesn’t play, though, Jacoby Brissett is the Browns’ next option on the depth chart. | 2022-08-11T06:30:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Deshaun Watson expected to start against Jags Friday | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-against-054414829.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deshaun-watson-expected-start-against-054414829.html?src=rss |
If it's compelling and competitive soccer MLS executives wanted in a rematch of last year's All-Star Game in Los Angeles, that's what they got in their side's 2-1 victory over Mexico's Liga MX stars Wednesday at Allianz Field. Blackhawk helicopters barely made their national-anthems appearance over the stadium when Los Angeles F.C. star Carlos Vela scored in the third minute. Seattle's Raul ... | 2022-08-11T06:52:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dodgers defeat Twins 8-5 to extend winning streak to 10 | https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-defeat-twins-8-5-054035310.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-defeat-twins-8-5-054035310.html?src=rss |
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy spoke to the media after their nine holes at the Pro-AM at TPC Southwind on Wednesday morning.
Thomas and McIlroy are two of the biggest faces of the PGA Tour, so their news conferences couldn’t have been more timely after Tuesday’s LIV Golf-PGA Tour court decision. Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled in favor of the Tour over the three LIV Golf players who wanted to participate at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee.
“It was a good day for the tour and majority of the membership yesterday,” McIlroy said.
Thomas mentioned how the recent LIV-PGA Tour conflict is taking away from Scottie Scheffler’s incredible season in which he’s spent most of it as the No. 1 player.
Thomas on rumors of Cameron Smith, others potentially leaving soon for LIV Golf: “Nothing is official until it’s official. You hear so many names, so many rumors, so many things thrown around. That’s probably been the most annoying part to me.”
Thomas on watching the PGA Tour-LIV Lawsuit: “It was just something to where I had zero impact, little control of the outcome. I wasn’t really worried about it. I have pretty good faith that when it gets to the level like that with lawyers and judges involved, that decision is going to be made that’s appropriate.”
McIlroy on being a spokesperson for the PGA Tour: “I don’t feel like it’s my job to be up here and stick up for the Tour or be a spokesperson. It’s just sort of the role I find myself in, especially coming on the PGA Tour board this year. It was a great time to agree to do that. I feel when I then dip myself inside the ropes, no one can get to me and it’s really nice. So it’s actually made the golf part of it way more enjoyable.”
McIlroy on players leaving for LIV Golf: “Guys are going to make their own decisions that they feel is best for them, and that’s totally fine. I don’t grudge anyone for going over to play LIV or taking guaranteed money. If that’s your prerogative and what you want to do, totally fine.”
McIlroy on the uneasiness of the LIV Golf situation: “I think where the resentment comes from with members of this Tour is the fact that they (golfers participating in LIV Golf) want to try to get their way back in here with no consequences. Anyone that’s read the PGA Tour handbook or abided by the rules and regulations, that would feel very unfair to them.”
Golf Twitter: Reactions to PGA Tour-LIV Golf lawsuit
She’s the future-future Queen Consort, and she’s the current reigning Queen of Style! That’s according to Tatler, who placed the Duchess of Cambridge at the top of its best dressed list of 2022. They cite a ruffled, polka dot-strewn, gloriously ‘80s dress by Alessandra Rich that Duchess Kate wore ... | 2022-08-11T09:55:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Five most interesting things Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas said about LIV Golf ruling | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-most-interesting-things-rory-193014206.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/five-most-interesting-things-rory-193014206.html?src=rss |
After the Denver Broncos let veteran Bobby Massie walk in free agency, the team said Billy Turner, Tom Compton and Calvin Anderson would compete for the starting right tackle job during the summer.
Turner (knee) and Compton (back) have been sidelined with injuries, though, so Anderson has been the first-team right tackle by default for all of training camp. Once Turner and Compton return, the competition will resume, but Anderson has an opportunity in the meantime to prove he should remain the starter.
“He’s done a really good job,” offensive coordinator Justin Outten said on July 30. “He made some strides in the offseason learning right tackle, and we [have] bounced him back and forth from right and left. I think he’s done a really good job of settling in at that position. It’s a guy we’re going to lean on right now, at this point.”
The Broncos haven’t given a timeline for when Turner or Compton might return, but they certainly won’t play in Saturday’s preseason opener after missing 14 days of practice. Anderson will get the first chance to grab the job and run with it in a live game setting.
“We had a couple plays yesterday that were absolutely phenomenal. A lot of it — Calvin was at the point of attack,” Hackett said after a practice on Aug. 2. “I think that anytime [injuries] happen, it gives somebody an opportunity to get all those reps, like you said. He’s developing and he’s learning and he’s buying in. I really appreciate everything he’s been doing.”
Anderson has started five games in his career, every time as a injury fill-in. Injuries have now thrust him into a starting role once again, and he’ll aim to keep the job this time.
Celtics short-timer small forward Jarell Eddie has signed a deal to play in the Basketball Super League. | 2022-08-11T10:26:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos right tackle Calvin Anderson has a big opportunity in preseason | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-tackle-calvin-anderson-big-100022903.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-tackle-calvin-anderson-big-100022903.html?src=rss |
If you find yourself in a Black-owned barber shop, there is a high chance that sports talk is always on the agenda. And when it comes to basketball, in particular, people can’t get enough of deciding who the GOAT is — Lebron James or Michael Jordan? However, what about the game legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Players like Abdul-Jabbar laid the foundation for the more recent past and present players the world knows and loves. With a 20-year career average of 24.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 11.2 rebounds per game, many find it difficult to dispute the impact Abdul-Jabbar had on the game.
In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was chosen as the No. 1 draft pick from UCLA to the Milwaukee Bucks. He stayed with that team for six seasons and led the franchise to its first NBA championship in 1971.
A post shared by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kareemabduljabbar_33)
After his time in Milwaukee, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975 and continued to dominate the game. By the end of his 14 seasons with the Lakers, the NBA legend earned numerous accolades, including being named a two-time Finals MVP, six-time league MVP, and currently still holds the title as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
After 20 noteworthy NBA seasons, Abdul-Jabbar found himself at the center of culture as a best-selling author, former assistant coach, cultural ambassador appointee, and outspoken activist. However, with all of these highs came a massive blow that damaged his work.
Like many other celebrities, Abdul-Jabbar put his trust in a business manager that ultimately did not have his best interest at heart. According to a Sports Illustrated report, the bad deals his former business manager arranged ate up the wealth he gained throughout his career, leaving Abdul-Jabbar scrambling to figure out how he ended up in a financial pit.
Not New To Financial Woes
Although Abdul-Jabbar had amassed millions of dollars as an athlete, his 40th birthday was a financial turning point.
According to the previously mentioned Sports Illustrated report, he lost his multi-million-dollar Bel Air mansion in a fire and went through a messy divorce that gave much of his earnings to his ex-wife. Compounding on his marital woes, bad investments, and a lack of oversight of his finances led him to hire a team of lawyers who worked hard to recover what he lost.
Abdul-Jabbar’s team found that much of his financial stress was caused by the mismanagement of his business manager, Tom Collins. As a result, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar filed a lawsuit for about $59 million.
“Last year they filed a lawsuit against Abdul-Jabbar’s former business manager, Tom Collins, and others to recover damages alleged to total no less than $59 million,” Sports Illustrated reported in 1987.
The Collins Era
During his fifth season with the Lakers in 1980, Abdul-Jabbar lost his original business manager due to cancer. Earning $1 million per season at that time, the NBA icon reached out to Collins to help him manage his money and investments.
Between 1984 and 1985, Collins arranged several partnerships among all his clients. Based on court documents from the original suit, one of the investments was in Heavyrope, a weighted jump rope produced in Michigan. For this, Collins put $230,000 of Abdul-Jabbar’s money into the brand, leading the NBA legend to believe he would have ownership rights in the company.
Although the business relationship started well, Collins began to ghost Abdul-Jabbar about his finances and investment deals after some time together.
Due to this lack of communication, Abdul-Jabbar ordered an independent audit and found that he was responsible for a $9 million debt from a bad real estate deal in 1984. Sports Illustrated reported that he was also liable for about $1.6 million from other investments. Abdul-Jabbar contended that Collins made these financial decisions without fully engaging him on the associated risks.
The Recuperation Of It All
Once Abdul-Jabbar learned about his former business manager’s behavior, he wanted out of every deal Collins set up for him. However, Collins alleged that all the investments with Abdul-Jabbar were suitable and only went sour when the former Los Angeles Laker pulled out of the deals.
Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, Abdul-Jabbar couldn’t be convinced otherwise and proceeded with the lawsuit. During litigation, Abdul-Jabbar discovered that Collins never had any training or experience as a financial advisor, a critical oversight the NBA legend regrets.
Learning from his time with Collins as his business manager, Abdul-Jabbar took a more significant role in his financial affairs and is now actively involved in investments and deals.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has an estimated $20 million net worth after rebuilding what he lost.
Editorial note: The net worth listed in this piece is a speculative estimate drawn from a variety of online sources.
(Reuters) -Coinbase Global Inc reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss as investors worried by this year's rout in risky assets shied away from trading in cryptocurrencies, sending its shares down 6% after the bell on Tuesday. Trading volumes at the cryptocurrency exchange more than halved to $217 billion in the second quarter, with retail participation sinking 68% and institutional trading falling 46%. Coinbase said it expects trading volumes to fall further in the current quarter, underscoring the turmoil brought to the sector by the collapse of certain crypto ventures and a broader selloff in financial markets.
WWE Ranks: Bobby Lashley Rises to the Occasion
Bobby Lashley's successful title defense plus shocking returns from Karrion Kross and Kevin Owens have shuffled our WWE Superstar Power Rankings deck. (Alan Poizner / USA TODAY NETWORK)
It's all about how the bacon sounds when it's done—not how it looks, he explains. | 2022-08-11T11:27:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has A $20M Fortune, But Almost Lost It All And Had To File A $59M Lawsuit Against His Ex-Business Manager | https://sports.yahoo.com/kareem-abdul-jabbar-20m-fortune-164912793.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kareem-abdul-jabbar-20m-fortune-164912793.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts were on the field for their ninth training camp practice Wednesday at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.
As they prepare for the first preseason game of the year against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, the Colts had the pads on once again. It certainly seems like they are making it a point of emphasis to turn up the physicality before the season.
We published a quick roundup of the news, notes and highlights from Wednesday’s practice.
LB Shaquille Leonard (back) and WR Mike Strachan (knee) remained on the PUP list and didn’t practice Wednesday.
DT Chris Williams (foot/ankle), OT Dennis Kelly (knee), LB Forrest Rhyne (undisclosed), WR DeMichael Harris (undisclosed), and S Armani Watts (undisclosed) did not practice.
RB Ty’Son Williams (undisclosed), DT Curtis Brooks (undisclosed), OL Jason Spriggs (undisclosed), and S Will Redmond (undisclosed) all returned to practice Wednesday.
CB Dallis Flowers (undisclosed) left practice late and did not return.
After raising some concerns about injury during Monday’s practice, Campbell was back on the field and participating in a large portion of practice. While he didn’t take part in all of the team drills, he did go through the individual drills and 7v7 work. Though he was limited, this is an encouraging sign that the hamstring issue shouldn’t linger.
While the Colts offense has had some flashes during team drills, it has been the defense that has dominated for the majority of training camp practices that involve pads.
It may have been the worst day of camp for quarterback Matt Ryan, who threw his third interception of camp—all of which have come in the last two practices.
Head coach Frank Reich has liked what he’s seen from the defensive side of the ball.
“The defense has looked good, I’m excited about our defense now. I really am excited about our defense,” Reich said Wednesday. “Really from up front to the linebackers to the secondary, really excited about our defense, what Gus (Bradley) and the staff are doing. Today was a good day.”
It’s hard to tell whether the defense is really playing at a high level or the offense is struggling to mesh, but this will certainly be a storyline going into the first preseason game.
Plaguing drops
While for the most part, dropped passes get overblown. They don’t happen as often as some might think, and it only ever becomes a storyline when it happens during a prime-time game. However, the Colts have a situation that shouldn’t be overlooked in that regard.
It has been noticeable that the offensive playmakers have been plagued by drops through the second half of training camp. It comes down to concentration level, especially considering the players it is happening to.
“Yeah, I have noticed it and not happy about it. It’s not one person, it’s not one group. It’s been a little bit here, a little bit too many,” Reich said of the drops. “So, we just keep pushing them, just keep pushing them. It’s like, what do you do? Just yell catch the ball, right? I know I’m preaching to the choir here but it’s important to them. Just getting the extra catches, concentration and focus in training camp.”
A new defensive sleeper?
Throughout camp, there are several players who flash talent on either side of the ball. On the defensive side, a sleeper may be brewing as we head into the preseason opener.
Defensive tackle R.J. McIntosh is one of those players who may have a tough time making the roster but is doing everything he can to make the initial 53-man roster. Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan noted the strong camp McIntosh has had.
How about a sleeper on the defensive side of the ball? R.J. McIntosh has flashed on numerous occasions this camp. McIntosh, a former 5th round pick, has played in 18 career games, and is competing for some backup defensive tackle reps. This is a position battle that Chris Ballard has a keen eye on right now. McIntosh might be playing his way onto the 53-man roster.
The defensive tackle room is pretty crowded when it comes to competition for the final spots, but the Colts are a team that don’t mind taking the best players.
Tony Brown making his mark?
The competition for the final two spots in the cornerback room could belong to any player. The preseason games should help weed out some of the competition for those spots, but Brown has been flashing enough to warrant consideration as the leader of that battle.
The Alabama product continued to flash his talent with a strong day Wednesday, according to Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star.
It’s anyone’s guess who the final two cornerbacks will be, but Brown is certainly making an effort to lead the competition.
The Colts return for another practice Thursday before traveling to Buffalo on Friday as they prepare for the preseason opener against the Bills. | 2022-08-11T12:36:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | 6 takeaways from Day 9 of Colts training camp | https://sports.yahoo.com/6-takeaways-day-9-colts-120315027.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/6-takeaways-day-9-colts-120315027.html?src=rss |
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