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Roger Shoals, a former NFL offensive tackle and 1964 champion with the Cleveland Browns, died Monday at age 86. He played nine NFL seasons, spending his first two years with Cleveland, followed by seven with the Detroit Lions and one with the Denver Broncos. Selected by the Browns in the 16th round of the 1961 NFL Draft after playing college football at Maryland, Shoals was also chosen by the Dallas Texans in the 1962 AFL Draft but signed with Cleveland. His career began in 1963, and he won an NFL championship the following season—a victory he later described as "heaven," noting he wore his championship ring constantly despite curious onlookers. Standing 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Shoals started 70 of his 104 career NFL games, including every contest in his final four seasons. He notably served as a key blocker for Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown during his tenure with the Browns. Post-retirement, Shoals was known for his "affable," "engaging," and "candid" personality, frequently speaking at banquets. He later lived in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, working as vice president of sales at Gould Paper Corp. and co-owning a Pennsylvania car dealership. Tributes highlighted his "big caring heart" and relentless "spirit for hard work and success," with friends recalling how he mentored loved ones through life's challenges. Shoals is survived by his wife Jean, children Mike and Hollie, four grandchildren, two brothers, and a sister.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first 25 years of the 21st century represent their most successful period, transforming the franchise from its historically painful past into one of the NFL's more respected teams, highlighted by two Super Bowl victories. Starting the all-quarter-century offensive roster with quarterbacks, Tom Brady is unquestionably the Buccaneers' QB1. Despite initial skepticism about his move from New England after 20 years and 6 championships, Brady decisively answered critics by leading the Bucs to their first winning season in 10 years, first playoff appearance in 13 years, and a Super Bowl win. In just three seasons (50 games), he accumulated 14,643 passing yards, 108 touchdown passes, only 33 interceptions, and a 32-18 record, setting single-season franchise records for touchdown passes (43), yards (5,316), and game-winning drives (5, twice). Brady also sparked a cultural rejuvenation, making the Bucs one of the NFL's most consistent teams over the last five years. Baker Mayfield represents the next significant quarterback in recent Buccaneers history. His resurgence has allowed the team to seamlessly continue the success of the Brady era. In just two years, Mayfield has led prolific offenses, totaling 8,544 yards and 69 touchdowns (leading the NFL in touchdowns during that timeframe), along with 541 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him two Pro Bowl nods and provided the team with the swagger and high ceiling it lacked for many years.
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Chelsea are the all-time highest spenders in the Premier League, with their expenditure exceeding £4 billion according to Transfermarkt, placing them far ahead of rivals by approximately £1 billion. This includes £1.3 billion spent in the three years since Todd Boehly took over, driven by recent signings like Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens. Manchester City rank second with £3.1 billion in spending, largely accumulated since Sheikh Mansour's ownership began in 2008, and they edge out Manchester United by £300 million, as United have spent £2.8 billion. The rest of the "Big Six" clubs complete the top spots, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham all surpassing £2 billion; Liverpool moved above Arsenal after acquiring players such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. Rounding out the top ten spenders, Tottenham hold sixth place at £2 billion, followed by Everton, Newcastle, West Ham, and Aston Villa, each with expenditures around £1.3 billion. These ten clubs form an exclusive group as the only Premier League teams to have breached the £1 billion spending mark. Outside the top ten, Southampton are the next highest spenders at £840 million since 1992. Brighton and Bournemouth also feature on the list despite joining the Premier League relatively recently—Brighton in 2017 and Bournemouth in 2015. Nottingham Forest, with significant spending since their 2022 return to the top flight, rank 20th overall.
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The Miami Dolphins have entered training camp with roster decisions looming, needing to finalize their 53-man roster by the first week of September in a single cut-down period. Rookies are present, but not all, including seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers, are guaranteed spots. The quarterback position might see only two players kept: Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. Rookie Quinn Ewers, despite being drafted, faces uncertainty. If he doesn't impress sufficiently in camp to attract waiver claims, the Dolphins may attempt to place him on the practice squad. At running back, the Dolphins are expected to carry five players: De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon, Alexander Mattison, and fullback Alec Ingold. Speculation about Mattison being cut after Gordon's drafting is countered by the team's recognized need for depth, making him likely to stay. The wide receiver group projects five spots: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Dee Eskridge. Erik Ezukanma faces a challenge to retain the WR5 position, while rookie Malik Washington has a significant opportunity after missing last season. The team may add another veteran receiver during camp. Tight end depth changed significantly with Jonnu Smith departing via trade and Darren Waller coming out of retirement to join Pharaoh Brown. Three spots are projected: Brown, Waller, and Julian Hill. Competition is expected for the spots behind Brown and Waller, and while Hill has an advantage for the third spot, it's not guaranteed. The team ideally wants four tight ends but lacks depth elsewhere. The offensive line may consist of eight players initially: Austin Jackson, Jonah Savaiinaea, Aaron Brewer, James Daniels, Patrick Paul, Jackson Carman, Larry Borom, and Liam Eichenberg. Keeping more linemen (like Andrew Meyer) is possible if the roster expands to 10, but with only 8 or 9 spots, the final position might be between Eichenberg and Kion Smith. Depth concerns at other positions and practice squad flexibility influence these decisions. Defensive tackles listed include Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Benito Jones, and Ben Stille. (Note: The original text ends abruptly at DT).
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Arch Manning spent his freshman season at the University of Texas as the backup quarterback to starter Quinn Ewers. Ewers led the team to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, passing for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Manning saw limited playing time, starting only three games against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State when Ewers was injured, and appeared in 10 total games, passing for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions on 90 attempts. Speaking at SEC Media Days, Manning discussed his relationship with Ewers, who was later drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 231st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Manning expressed deep gratitude, stating, "I learned so much from Quinn in my two years behind him... He handled it like a pro... always been nice and good to me." He revealed he recently texted Ewers for advice on two-minute drills. Manning acknowledged the challenge of being a highly touted backup, saying he gained teammates' respect by not being "a turd" despite the difficulty of sitting. Ewers, who transferred from Ohio State and led Texas to a 33-10 record with two Playoff appearances, also spoke positively about Manning. Speaking at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, Ewers called Manning "great" and "a good kid," adding, "He was definitely fun to have in the quarterback room. We’re good buddies." He praised Manning's work ethic and study habits, expressing excitement for his future: "I’m super excited to see what he does... He’s going to set himself up to be as successful as he wants to be... continue on living out what we built at Texas." Despite his limited starts, Manning is considered primed for a potential Heisman-caliber season in 2025.
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Massimiliano Allegri is developing a strategy to maximize Rafael Leao's potential at AC Milan, potentially mirroring his approach with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Both players share a tendency for limited defensive work, and Allegri is adapting tactics to accommodate this trait. Allegri maintains close communication with Leao, offering frequent encouragement and praise during training, recognizing the winger's critical impact on team performance. He acknowledges that demanding excessive defensive sacrifices from Leao is counterproductive, as evidenced by unsuccessful attempts under previous managers Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceição. Despite Leao's double-digit goals and assists last season, his overall contribution was inconsistent. Allegri plans tactical adjustments based on his Juventus experience, where he used a 4-3-3 formation similar to Milan's current setup. At Juventus, left-sided forward Ronaldo received support from Blaise Matuidi dropping deep, effectively shifting to a 4-4-2. At Milan, Christian Pulisic is expected to fulfill this covering role on the right. A key challenge involves identifying who will provide defensive coverage on Leao's left flank. Options include Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Ardon Jashari's situation remains uncertain. Leao is expected to demonstrate greater defensive effort than Ronaldo did, benefiting from his younger age, though Allegri will avoid overburdening him. Allegri believes Leao hasn't yet reached his scoring potential and intends to position him closer to the opposition's penalty area. Defensive support will also come from a new left-back, who will offer stronger defensive coverage and positional discipline compared to Theo Hernandez, whose attacking excellence was offset by defensive vulnerabilities last season. The overall strategy aims to unleash Leao's full abilities through enhanced flank protection from the left-back and midfield, contrasting with Conceição's earlier 3-4-3 experiment. Allegri's "midfield shift" approach seeks to optimize Leao's offensive output while mitigating defensive risks.
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Newcastle United are keen on signing Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini this summer, viewing him as a promising talent despite his limited appearances—only eight Serie A games last season—due to injury setbacks. However, the club faces a significant hurdle with Atalanta demanding around £52 million for the 21-year-old, a price deemed steep given his two major injuries in the past year. Scalvini is reportedly open to a move to Newcastle after learning of their interest, influenced by positive feedback from current Newcastle player Sandro Tonali. Despite this, Atalanta's manager Ivan Juric intends to build his team around Scalvini, who is now recovering to full fitness after a shoulder injury, complicating Newcastle's hopes for a bargain deal. Due to the high cost of Scalvini, Newcastle are exploring alternative targets, including Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. Disasi, who joined Chelsea from Monaco for £39 million in 2024, struggled in England and quickly lost his starting spot under manager Enzo Maresca, culminating in a loan spell at Aston Villa in the latter part of the 2024/25 season. Chelsea have informed Disasi he can leave this summer, with Newcastle showing interest. Although Villarreal are also pursuing the 27-year-old Frenchman, Disasi prefers staying in the Premier League, giving Newcastle an advantage in potential negotiations. His transfer fee is estimated at around £26 million, making him a far cheaper option compared to Scalvini. Despite Disasi's lower price, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe favors pursuing Scalvini over the French defender. Howe had previously advised against signing Disasi in 2024, expressing strong opposition to bringing him to the club, which underscores his current reluctance. This summer's search follows Newcastle's failed attempts to sign Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi last year, where multiple bids were rejected. With Guehi not on their radar now, the club is assessing other options, but Howe's preference for Scalvini remains clear despite the financial challenges.
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Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly tracking Christopher Nkunku's situation at Chelsea, where the French forward has faced difficulties establishing himself since his £52 million transfer from RB Leipzig in 2023. Injuries and intense squad competition have limited his playing time, fueling uncertainty about his future. Previous transfer interest emerged earlier this year, with PSG considering a move but ultimately declining, while Bayern Munich passed on a January deal. However, Bayern may re-enter negotiations during the current summer transfer window, according to reports. Chelsea are open to selling Nkunku for an appropriate offer, hoping to recover a substantial part of their initial investment. The transfer is now widely viewed as a costly misstep, with L'Équipe indicating an expected fee between €35 million and €40 million this summer. Bayern Munich remains interested and is among Nkunku's preferred destinations, though no formal talks have occurred yet. Manchester United and Inter Milan have recently made inquiries about the player, with Bayern currently prioritizing other targets. Specifically, Manchester United have received a £35 million price quote for Nkunku, who features on their striker shortlist. Chelsea would accept a significant loss on the player, having paid £52 million for him just two years ago.
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Following Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, a post-match brawl erupted involving both teams. The tension escalated after PSG's João Neves received an 86th-minute red card for pulling Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella's hair, culminating in clashes at the final whistle. Footage appeared to show PSG coach Luis Enrique pushing Chelsea forward João Pedro to the ground during the confrontation. Enrique later explained he was attempting to separate players to prevent further escalation, stating: "My intention was to separate the footballers so the situations didn't become worse." He acknowledged the incident reflected poorly but attributed it to match pressure, noting he saw Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca "pushing others" amid the chaos. Chelsea's João Pedro suggested PSG players "lost their heads" due to the defeat but downplayed the incident, commenting: "This is football... we won the tournament, that's it." He declined to elaborate further on the opposition's behavior. Despite the loss denying PSG a world title to complement their Champions League trophy, Enrique rejected the "losers" label for his team, asserting: "We are the runners-up. A loser is somebody who gives up." PSG will now take a break before resuming Ligue 1 play on the weekend of August 17.
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Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has publicly criticized star striker Viktor Gyokeres for failing to report to pre-season training, warning of disciplinary consequences for the Swedish international's absence. Varandas stated the situation would be resolved with "a heavy fine and an apology to the group," emphasizing that Gyokeres remains under contract for three more years, giving the club full control over his future. The absence is widely interpreted as Gyokeres pushing for a transfer, with several Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United (where he could reunite with former manager Ruben Amorim) showing interest. Varandas forcefully rejected any notion that this tactic pressures Sporting, declaring that "no one is above the club's interests" and that such actions actually complicate a potential exit rather than facilitating it. Since joining from Coventry City in 2023, Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances, becoming one of Europe's most prolific strikers and helping Sporting win consecutive Primeira Liga titles. Despite his status as a hot commodity, Sporting remain firm on their valuation and refuse to accept anything below what they deem fair market value. As Sporting continue their pre-season schedule, including an upcoming friendly against Celtic, the club's leadership has made clear that discipline and institutional order take precedence over any player's personal ambitions, leaving Gyokeres' immediate future uncertain.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs has previously discussed the possibility of retiring from the NFL earlier than some might expect. Over a year ago, on the "Washed Up Walkons" podcast, Wirfs highlighted the significant physical toll playing at his weight (approximately 360 pounds, contrary to official roster listings which he implied are inaccurate) takes on his joints, including knees and ankles. Wirfs revealed that conversations with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles resonated with him, particularly Bowles' point that "very few people get to walk away under their own accord." This lesson made Wirfs contemplate his career length, acknowledging that offensive linemen generally have shorter careers due to the physical demands. He expressed uncertainty about how many more years he wants to play, stating it becomes a "tough decision" later in a career: continue playing or walk away on his own terms before potentially being forced out. Wirfs noted his weight fluctuates slightly, dropping to around 352 pounds during intense training camp. These past comments about early retirement and joint stress resurface as Wirfs, now entering his sixth NFL season, recently underwent unexpected knee surgery. He is signed with the Buccaneers through the 2029 season, which would be his 10th year in the league, potentially setting an endpoint around age 31.
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Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discussed offensive lineman Josh Simmons ahead of the team's Week 9 matchup. Reid confirmed Simmons will definitely be ready for training camp and able to participate in some activities before then. The Chiefs conducted thorough evaluations of Simmons, meeting him at the combine, bringing him in for one of their allotted 30 pre-draft visits, and holding multiple Zoom calls, including one as recently as the day before the discussion. Reid stated that Simmons would have been a top five or ten draft pick, emphasizing that the offensive line, particularly the left tackle position, is an area where the team needs good players. He believes Simmons can help close that gap once healthy and is seen as a true left tackle, though noted his flexibility to play any spot on the line. Reid highlighted Simmons' skills in both the run and pass game. He specifically valued Simmons' ability to anchor down in pass protection, a crucial trait for a left tackle protecting a right-handed quarterback, especially given the quality of defensive ends the Chiefs face.
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PSG's victory in the UEFA Champions League this season significantly damaged Lamine Yamal's prospects of winning the Ballon d'Or. While Inter Milan's elimination of Barcelona prevented the latter from reaching the final, this outcome simultaneously gave PSG's Ousmane Dembele a major advantage in the race for the individual award. There was an expectation that the FIFA Club World Cup, which PSG participated in but Barcelona did not qualify for, would be decisive for the Ballon d'Or. However, Mundo Deportivo reports this might not be the case following the tournament's result. PSG lost the Club World Cup final 0-3 to Chelsea, and Dembele had a particularly poor performance in that match, described as a night to forget. Although Dembele played a significant role for PSG throughout the event, starting two games and playing in four, his display in the final was unfavourable. Despite the Club World Cup loss, Dembele remains a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or. His credentials include winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, the French Super Cup, and the French Cup. He also recorded impressive individual statistics last season with 35 goals and 15 assists for his club. Yamal, who was considered a major favourite due to his outstanding performances for both club and country last season, could regain ground in the Ballon d'Or race following PSG's Club World Cup defeat. His impact on the global game and perception is highlighted. Yamal won the domestic treble with Barcelona and contributed 18 goals and 25 assists for the club.
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The Las Vegas Raiders underwent significant changes in their secondary this offseason, with the cornerback position experiencing the most substantial overhaul. Only Jakorian Bennett remains from last year's starting group, following the departures of Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones. Their replacements—third-round rookie Darien Porter and former Green Bay Packer Eric Stokes—result in a unit lacking any player with over 45 NFL games of experience. Despite notable veteran cornerbacks like Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey signing elsewhere, one experienced option remains available: 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. On "The Money Down Podcast," Gilmore expressed his desire to play this season but emphasized needing "the right situation," stating he can still contribute meaningfully. Las Vegas presents an ideal fit for the 13-year veteran. Gilmore would immediately step into a starting role while mentoring the Raiders' young defensive backs. He demonstrated continued effectiveness in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, recording 56 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended, and earning a Pro Football Focus grade ranking 93rd among 222 cornerbacks. Current projections suggest Bennett, Stokes, and Porter will start at cornerback, but their collective inexperience raises concerns about defensive vulnerabilities. While head coach Pete Carroll favors developing youth through training camp competition, the article argues that adding a proven veteran like Gilmore would provide immediate stability and leadership to the secondary.
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Kevin Clark, formerly of The Ringer and now with ESPN, categorized Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as a "helper" quarterback on a tier list. Clark defined this category as quarterbacks who need strong support like a great offensive line, infrastructure, and coaching staff to open a championship window. The author strongly disagrees with this categorization, arguing that even quarterbacks Clark labeled as "elite" (including Patrick Mahomes) also fundamentally require good offensive lines, coaches, and play-callers to succeed. They point out that Jalen Hurts is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, making the "helper" label seem illogical. Clark placed rookie Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the "elite" tier. The author finds this comical, citing statistics: Daniels threw for only nine more yards than Hurts in the previous season despite 20 more passing attempts, and he also threw an interception and took three sacks during the NFC title game. The author suggests Daniels had a good rookie year but is likely due for a regression, predicting a disastrous 2025-26 season for the Commanders. The author concludes by lamenting that Jalen Hurts consistently becomes the subject of low-effort, provocative "summer rage bait" content from local and national sports media outlets.
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The article highlights the historical significance of college football rivalries, stating they are fundamental to the sport and deeply intertwined with American history, often colored by conflict, politics, and strong emotions. It focuses on providing examples of the wildest rivalry origin stories, specifically detailing the case of Hunter Carpenter. Carpenter played for Virginia Tech from 1899, fueled by a desire to beat rival Virginia. After losing to Virginia again in 1903 (making him 0-5 against them), he left Virginia Tech and played for North Carolina in 1904, explicitly stating his goal was to help UNC beat Virginia. UNC lost that season finale to Virginia. Carpenter returned to Virginia Tech in 1905 to face Virginia. Before the game, Virginia's student paper accused him of being a paid professional. Carpenter and others signed affidavits affirming their amateur status. During the game, Carpenter helped Virginia Tech build an 11-0 lead before being ejected (reports vary on whether he threw a football or a punch at an opponent). Virginia Tech held on to win 11-0, finally giving Carpenter his coveted victory over Virginia. The controversial 1905 game resulted in the two rivals refusing to play each other for 18 years. However, they resumed playing and have met 96 times in the last 102 years, with Virginia Tech leading the all-time series 62-38-5. The article also briefly mentions the Notre Dame-Navy rivalry as another significant one, noting they played every season from 1927 to 2019 (interrupted only by COVID-19), highlighting its sacred status for Notre Dame.
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The article discusses betting odds for Chicago Bears players to lead the league in specific statistical categories for their positions, emphasizing the importance of responsible gambling and shopping for the best odds. Odds are listed for Bears players to lead the league in yards for their respective position groups: Caleb Williams at +2500 (25/1), D'Andre Swift at +8000 (80/1), DJ Moore at +5000 (50/1), and Rome Odunze at +10000 (100/1). Odds are also provided for players to lead the league in touchdowns among their position groups: Caleb Williams at +2500 and D'Andre Swift at +10000.
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Chelsea's extensive player trading under new ownership continues to surprise, moving beyond merely replacing the old squad to now selling players acquired by the current regime itself. Recent purchases like Noni Madueke (reportedly joining Arsenal for £50m), Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, and Renato Veiga, along with last season's first-team regulars, are all considered vulnerable to departure. According to Fabrizio Romano, striker Nicolas Jackson could be the next to leave. Jackson has been instantly relegated to third choice following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, as evidenced by his limited role in recent Club World Cup games. Romano states Jackson "could try a new chapter elsewhere," noting AC Milan inquired but were deterred by his high price. However, Premier League clubs with greater financial resources remain "keen and informed" on his situation. The article expresses sympathy for Jackson, acknowledging he is a good though sometimes frustrating player, and states a desire not to see him forced out despite welcoming the increased competition. Nevertheless, it outlines Chelsea's clear player trading policy: if a player is set to miss significant game time, the club seeks to sell at that moment to maximize profit.
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The Buffalo Bills' safety group enters training camp with Taylor Rapp firmly established as a starter. Entering his seventh season, Rapp is comfortable in his role but emphasizes continuous growth. He has also taken on a leadership and mentorship role, particularly helping younger players like second-year safety Cole Bishop adapt to the Bills' system. The Bills largely maintained their safety room this offseason. The group consists of six players: Rapp, Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Darrick Forrest, Wande Owens, and hybrid players Cam Lewis and Jordan Hancock (who also play cornerback). A key storyline is the position battle for the starting spot opposite Rapp. Damar Hamlin, who started last season after Bishop suffered a shoulder injury in training camp, was re-signed to a one-year deal. Hamlin brings experience and aims to mentor younger players. The main competition is between Hamlin and Cole Bishop, the Bills' second-round pick from last year. The team expects Bishop to make a significant jump in his second season, and while he is considered the favorite to win the starting job, the outcome will be determined over the coming weeks of camp.
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Maurizio Sarri managed Juventus during the 2019-2020 season and remains the last coach to win a Serie A title for the club. He was appointed after leaving Chelsea, with Juventus hoping his reputation for dynamic, attacking football developed at Napoli and Chelsea would bring a new style to Turin. In his single season in charge, Sarri successfully guided Juventus to another Serie A title, demonstrating his capability at the domestic level. However, the team failed to meet expectations in European competitions. Sarri expressed a desire for player signings more suited to his tactical approach, but these changes were not implemented. Despite winning the league, Juventus parted ways with Sarri at the end of the season, replacing him with Andrea Pirlo. This decision has since been scrutinized as Juventus has failed to reclaim the Serie A title in the seasons following Sarri's departure, even after reinstating Massimiliano Allegri. Former Juventus player Blaise Matuidi offered insight into Sarri's tenure, stating Sarri was very demanding tactically and was right in his methods as the team won. Matuidi emphasized Sarri was a great coach who needed more time to adapt fully to Juventus. Sarri's brief spell yielded success and suggested potential for greater achievements with more time and suitable reinforcements, highlighting the complexity of the club's subsequent managerial decisions.
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Atletico Madrid is continuing its squad rebuild, with five players already confirmed to leave and more potential exits anticipated. Among those who could depart is midfielder Conor Gallagher, a €41m signing last summer who struggled to secure a consistent starting role, beginning only 50% of league matches. Newcastle United, managed by Eddie Howe, is reportedly 'seriously considering' a move for Gallagher this summer. Howe views him as a reliable midfield option. Tottenham Hotspur has also shown interest, though a move there would require Gallagher to cross the London divide. Despite manager Diego Simeone being happy with Gallagher's attitude and positive adaptation to the dressing room, and the club viewing his first season as satisfactory, his future may hinge on financial considerations. At 25 years old and under contract until 2029, Gallagher represents one of Atletico's most lucrative potential sales to fund further rebuilding, especially as he is not seen as an essential starter. While Atletico was previously reluctant to sell, they are open to offers exceeding the €41m they paid Chelsea. Negotiations are likely to start with an asking price in the €40-50m range.
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Liverpool will pay tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at their pre-season friendly against Preston North End on Sunday. This is Liverpool's first match since Jota's death in a car crash last week in Spain's Zamora province, which the club called an "unimaginable loss". Several commemorative acts are planned for the game at Deepdale: Liverpool's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" will be sung, Preston captain Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of away fans, Preston will pay pre-match tributes and produce a special matchday programme, a minute's silence will be observed with televised tributes, and both teams will wear black armbands. The match kicks off at 15:00 BST and will be broadcast live on ITV and LFCTV. Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season. He scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal, with his final international match being a Nations League final win against Spain on 8 June. The Guardia Civil stated that the brothers died when their Lamborghini left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking. They were traveling to the port of Santander so Jota could return to Liverpool for pre-season training. Their funeral took place in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, at the weekend.
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Swedish winger Roony Bardghji has arrived in Barcelona to finalize his transfer to the La Liga club. The 19-year-old youth international, whose name has been linked to Barcelona for several weeks, touched down in the Catalan capital on Friday ahead of signing his contract at the club's headquarters. Barcelona secured Bardghji on a cut-price deal late last month, ahead of the expiration of his contract with Copenhagen later this year. This arrival marks a significant step towards the official completion of the transfer. Upon landing and being approached by reporters at the airport, Bardghji expressed his excitement, stating: "I’m thrilled to sign with Barça, it’s a dream come true."
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After two years as college football's most famous backup, Arch Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in 2023, is set to take over as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. His first opportunity to lead the offense comes in a high-profile season opener against Ohio State on the road in 2025. Despite bookmakers favoring Ohio State, longtime analyst Paul Finebaum strongly believes Texas will win. Finebaum expressed high confidence in Manning, stating, "I am as married to Arch Manning as an old geezer like me can be to a young, great college quarterback." He emphasized that Manning's experience as an understudy to Quinn Ewers and understanding of coach Steve Sarkisian's system, rather than just his famous last name, will be key factors in Texas "definitely beat[ing] Ohio State in the opener." Both teams are experiencing significant roster changes. Manning will face an Ohio State defense that lost its top two edge rushers and coordinator but still features a skilled pass defense led by safety Caleb Downs. Ohio State is also debuting a new quarterback, likely Julian Sayin. Sayin will be tested by a strong Texas defense, projected to be among the nation's best, featuring players like Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill challenging Ohio State's rebuilt offensive line. These dynamics are expected to make for a very close game. Manning, the consensus top quarterback and overall player in his recruiting class, patiently waited behind Ewers. He saw his first extended action in 2024 after Ewers was injured against UTSA on September 14th. In that game, Manning completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards with four touchdowns and rushed three times for 53 yards and another touchdown in a 56-7 win. The following week, starting against UL Monroe, Manning went 15 of 29 passing (51.7%) for 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, adding one rush for minus-4 yards in a 51-3 victory.
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The upcoming college football season features a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup on August 30th, with the Texas Longhorns, led by quarterback Arch Manning, visiting the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. Both teams are expected to be ranked in the top five, potentially top three, making this a rematch of last year's College Football Playoff semifinal, which Ohio State won with a late defensive touchdown. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, appearing on "Get Up," expressed strong belief in Arch Manning, calling himself "married" to the young quarterback. Finebaum made a bold prediction, guaranteeing more than a month before kickoff that Texas will defeat Ohio State in the season opener. He attributed this confidence not just to Manning's famous name, but to Manning's experience as Quinn Ewers' understudy and his understanding of coach Steve Sarkisian's system, stating Texas will "definitely beat Ohio State in the opener." This year's game will feature new starting quarterbacks. While Quinn Ewers started for Texas and Will Howard for Ohio State in last season's playoff meeting, Ohio State is likely to start Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit and transfer from Alabama, who was their backup last season. The game is scheduled for 12 p.m. EST on FOX, serving as the first "Big Noon Kickoff" broadcast of the 2025 season.
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FOX Sports has compiled an NFL all-star team for the current decade (spanning the last five seasons), rather than waiting until 2030. The team consists of 12 offensive players, 12 defensive players, and six special teamers. Three current Kansas City Chiefs players were selected for the team. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named, described as the "GOAT" of this era. His accolades include four Super Bowl appearances (with two wins), two Super Bowl MVP awards, and leading elite peers like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow in regular-season record, total passing yards, passing yards per game, and passing touchdowns since 2020. Tight end Travis Kelce was selected due to his dominant receiving at the position. His 12,151 career receiving yards rank third all-time for a tight end, and his 2,078 postseason receiving yards are second only to Jerry Rice in NFL history. Defensive tackle Chris Jones was included. He has been an AP All-Pro and Pro Bowler every year this decade and is recognized as the league's best defensive tackle, succeeding Aaron Donald. Jones leads all defensive tackles with 47.5 sacks and 200 pressures over the past five years. Additionally, former Chiefs offensive guard Joe Thuney made the team based on his performance with Kansas City from 2021-2024. Thuney had the highest pass-blocking grade among qualified guards each season from 2021-2023 and ranked second in 2024.
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Albert Sambi Lokonga has returned to Arsenal for first-team training after his loan spell at Sevilla officially expired on June 30th. Sevilla possessed an option to buy Lokonga permanently but decided against activating it, leading to his return to his parent club. Upon returning to Arsenal, Lokonga found he could not reclaim his previous squad number 23, as it had been assigned to new signing Mikel Merino. Instead, Lokonga has been pictured wearing the number 28 shirt in training, a number previously worn by Arsenal players like Joe Willock, Joel Campbell, and Kieran Gibbs. The night before rejoining Arsenal training, Lokonga shared a message on his Instagram story expressing focus for the pre-season: "Let’s go into pre-season more focused than ever... Grateful to live the life I live and I will continue to give everything! Let’s enjoy the process before the process becomes the past." Now 25 years old, Lokonga made 23 appearances for Sevilla in the 2024/25 season. He was a regular starter when fit, but his involvement was hampered by several hamstring injuries. Sevilla's poor performance, resulting in a failure to qualify for European competition and tight summer funds, led them to decide against investing around £10m to make his loan permanent. Although Lokonga faced the possibility of becoming a free agent this summer due to Sevilla's decision and his expiring Arsenal contract, the Gunners activated an option to extend his deal until 2026. While a summer transfer away from Arsenal remains the most likely outcome, it is uncertain if a club will make a suitable offer for him.
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