In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears waited patiently as their turn with the No. 25 selection came up, as other teams were busy maneuvering around the board with trades.

Coming into the draft, the Bears were widely expected to address their defense with their first round pick, whether it was on the defensive line or in the secondary, primarily at safety, which is where they went selecting Dillon Thieneman.

Many mock drafts leading up to the draft had expected Thieneman to be long gone before the Bears' selection in the first round came up, and if they wanted to go get him, a trade would be required. That was not the case, and general manager Ryan Poles recently spoke about the anxious moments that were there watching the board fall, ultimately giving Chicago one of the top players on their board, while also fulfilling a big need on their roster.

"Yeah, there were," Poles said. "I think I've talked about our simulator usage, some mocks – hundreds of mocks – to kind of hone in and give us different challenges as we're picking to go through and simulate the draft. It was 50/50 with him oftentimes. So, we weren't sure if he was going to make it. I think there was a lot. I think it was 18 that seemed to be the spot that everyone said he was going to. We knew if we got past that, there was a good chance.

"Again, in our sequence we had two more guys that were close, so we knew that we were going to get a good football player. I drew a line on our top 100 of ones that we would be looking to trade back, trade up, and it fell where we had a couple of guys there in the sequence. We looked to potentially move back a little bit. There wasn't much interest right behind us where we felt comfortable in terms of the numbers, so we just moved forward, and we loved the player, so we were excited about it."

Coming into the draft, it certainly felt like there was a very slim chance that Thieneman would be available to Chicago at the No. 25 pick, but things played out in the front office's favor, and they got one of the best players in the draft class. Following Thursday night, several draft pundits have praised the Bears for their selection of Thieneman and what he will bring to the defense from the moment he steps on the field.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles opens up on anxiety in first round of NFL draft

East Carolina @ NC State | Tue, Apr 28 @ 6:00pm | ACCNX | Stats

It’s only been two weeks since NC State and East Carolina last faced off, a game that resulted in a one-sided Wolfpack win, but the direction of the two teams since that game has been dramatically different. The Pirates exited that game languishing a bit, with a beat up roster and an RPI ranking that was NCAA Regional iffy. NC State exited that game with an RPI that, while still lower than that of ECU, was trending upwards and finally into the 40’s – a good position with the closing stretch of the season upcoming.

Well…

The Wolfpack, as you well know around here, have lost back-to-back ACC series, getting bludgeoned by bats at Wake Forest and then letting a winnable series escape them at Virginia Tech. Instead of that upwardly mobile RPI figure, State’s NCAA Regional resume is on the outside looking in with a sub-.500 ACC mark and an RPI ranking of 53rd.

The Pirates, meanwhile, are winners of six of their seven games since the Wolfpack came to down on April 14th. Over the last four games – all wins – East Carolina’s offense has found their groove and plated 52 runs, with double-digit outputs in each of those four games. This has propelled the Pirates into a tie for first place in the American while also boosting their RPI ranking to 28th, firmly putting ECU into the NCAA Regional field.

This has suddenly become a must-win game for NC State. With series remaining vs Miami, at Stanford, and vs North Carolina, as well as a midweek game against NC A&T. The Wolfpack have to finish 7-4 in those remaining 11 games (8 are at home), with one of those wins coming against the RPI #293 Aggies. Technically, that 6-4 mark against the remainder of the schedule could come in any combination, but for a Pack team that is just 3-5 in their last eight games, carrying some momentum into the coming weekend series against the Hurricanes would be nice. More importantly, a loss today would drop the Wolfpack’s RPI score by 40 points, potentially dropping the Pack into the 60’s in RPI ranking, a tenuous position for the team’s NCAA Regional hopes.

A depleted Wolfpack pitching staff will send rJR RHP Julien Peissel (0-1, 18.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 12.5 BB%, 20.8 K%) to the mound to start the game. This will likely be a Johnny Wholestaff game for State. An also-depleted ECU pitching staff will counter with rSR LHP Nick Moran (1-0, 5.29 ERA, 17.0 IP, 10.6 BB%, 19.7 K%), in what figures to be a game featuring multiple pitching changes for the Pirates.

The 2026 NFL Draft is officially closed, and the Atlanta Falcons clearly had one concept in mind in Ian Cunningham’s first draft as general manager: Take as many bets on high-end traits as possible.

With Zachariah Branch, the bet is on his speed and return ability to hold him up as he continues to develop as an overall receiver in the NFL.

For Kendal Daniels, it’s a bet on the versatility from his safety days at Oklahoma, combined with his ability to play the run as a linebacker, to become another chess piece in the Jeff Ulbrich puzzle.

Anterio Thompson, Harold Perkins, and Ethan Onwiana all have traits that can potentially show themselves on special teams or otherwise, before becoming potential stalwarts on a Falcons roster that is still in its early stages of being reworked under the first year of Cunningham, Matt Ryan, and Kevin Stefanski.

The only “sure thing” the Falcons really drafted in this year’s draft was an undersized outside cornerback in Avieon Terrell, who even NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported would “project best as a nickel” at the NFL level.

Alongside these worthwhile gambles, the Falcons brought in 16 undrafted free agents and extended four rookie minicamp invites to help fill out this summer’s 90-man roster. While the focus has been on the beautiful moment between the Terrell Brothers and the flipping of Harold Perkins from the evil empire, these 20 individuals have bought themselves a golden ticket to an opportunity at an NFL roster.

And when the list was finalized, there were five names that stood out immediately.

Auburn TE Brandon Frazier

Since joining the team as, coincidentally, an undrafted free agent in 2023, I have been waiting for Joshua Simon to emerge as the H-Back for the Falcons. I thought his combination of athleticism (8.65 RAS, sub 4.7 40-yard dash) could be conducive to him having the explosive element necessary to be a part of the rotation at tight end. Unfortunately, it seems like this year, he’s on his last leg as Stefanski and company have zero ties to the young man.

Even more unfortunately, Brandon Frazier is coming in at a whopping 6’7”, 267 pounds, and is known as a terrific blocker. I don’t see too many scenarios where Frazier does not unseat Simon for that fourth tight end spot and could even start nipping at the heels of Charlie Woerner, who is going into the final year of his contract, with a good enough showing this summer.

Miami C James Brockermeyer

Is he undersized? Yes.

Can he play any other interior offensive lineman positions? You could try, but probably not.

Could he struggle with stronger interior players? Of course, but that’s also why he’s a UDFA.

In 2024, Brockermeyer also allowed only one sack and eight pressures over the course of the season, snagging him an All Big-Ten Honorable Mention. He helped lead Miami to the national championship game and has been noted as a smart, fundamental player. With uncertainty at the center position, Ryan Neuzil may have the pole position, but this is, by far, the most open position “battle” on the offensive line.

Minnesota State Moorhead QB Jake Strand

I will not sit here and act like I have watched any of Minnesota State Moorhead quarterback Jake Strand before he was announced as a UDFA for the Falcons. I will say that the limited tape that I have seen of him shows that he has an impressive arm that can get the ball to its target from multiple arm angles.

Now, he’s still a clear project; he’s inconsistent, he’s streaky, he’s got some real work to do with his footwork. But…there could be something there.

With the amount of burn the Michael Penix, Tua Tagovailoa saga will get here in the coming year, the Strand/Trevor Siemian battle will be very under the radar, but it will be pivotal. Siemian may win solely off the fact that both Penix and Tagovailoa struggle with staying on the field and Siemian is at least a known commodity.

But I’d like to see what the Falcons can get from the 21-year-old graduate, especially since he’s got his Engineering Physics degree.

Wisconsin OL Riley Mahlman

With the sudden retirement of Kaleb McGary, the Falcons immediately pivoted and brought in former Kansas City tackle Jawaan Taylor to fill the void. But outside of Jake Matthews, Atlanta does not have many sure things at the tackle positions. Behind Matthews and Taylor is swing tackle Storm Norton, but he’s coming off a lost 2025 season due to an ankle injury. If Norton is out again, the Falcons are looking at names like former seventh-round pick Jack Nelson and former sixth-round pick from the Seahawks, Michael Jerrell. 

So, with a solid summer, Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman, who has experience at both tackle spots and was a solid run blocker in college, can find himself with the opportunity to be a practice squad player waiting to be called up if the injury bug bites.

The Denver Broncos invited former Wisconsin running back Julius Davis to their rookie minicamp, according to the Denver Post's Luca Evans.

Davis began his college career at Wisconsin in 2019, joining the program as a three-star recruit and the top in-state player in the class. He then appeared in nine games over four seasons with the program. He totaled 35 carries for 200 rushing yards during that playing time.

Davis transferred out of the program after the 2022 season. The running back committed to Montana State, where he excelled over the final three years of his college career. Davis first turned 104 carries into 722 yards and six touchdowns as a redshirt junior in 2023. He started 2024 off on a strong note, totaling 227 yards and three touchdowns before missing much of the campaign due to injury. Finally, the running back took advantage of an extra year of eligibility in 2025, totaling 1,123 yards and eight touchdowns on 170 carries.

The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, native now has his first NFL opportunity. He'll work to turn the rookie minicamp invite into an invite to this summer's training camp. If all goes well, Davis could compete for a spot on the Broncos' practice squad.

Another #Broncos rookie minicamp invite: Montana State RB Julius Davis, per source.

Ran for 1,123 yards on 170 carries (6.6 YPC), 8 rushing TD last year. pic.twitter.com/DzhkTajndY

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) April 27, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football transfer Julius Davis invited NFL Broncos minicamp

Francis Ngannou thinks heavyweight MMA isn't where it used to be.

Ngannou (18-3) parted ways with the UFC in 2023 as heavyweight champion. The split was far from amicable, but Ngannou managed to pursue his dreams of lacing up the gloves twice against two of the biggest names in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

He has only competed once in MMA since, when he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title in October 2024. "The Predator" points to UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's current rift with the promotion as a sign that heavyweight MMA is struggling.

"I think there is a lot of, I would say, mismanagement," Ngannou told The Schmo on the state of heavyweight MMA. "There is a lot of mismanagement that sometimes gets stuff screwed up, and then that's where we are today. You see, even now, there's a lot of heavyweights out there like Tom Aspinall. He's having troubles with this.

"I think there's a mismanagement. You see all these situations that don't come and entertain. When I say mismanagement, I wasn't talking about, like, managers. I was talking mostly about the promotion. So I think there's something like that out there, which is not right."

Ngannou returns to the cage when he takes on Phillipe Lins (18-5) in MVP's inaugural MMA event on May 16 from Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif. Lins is an experienced veteran, but doesn't carry the name value Ngannou does.

"Nowadays with all these different companies, it's hard to just focus on a name like, 'I want this name, I want this guy,'" Ngannou said. "I've done that for a while, and it didn't work really good. We can take a good example of the Jon Jones fight that we've been talking about around six years since I fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik to the point that it's kind of annoying to talk about. So whatever fight makes sense, opponent makes sense to fight, just fight. Remember, the goal at the end of the day is to fight."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Francis Ngannou places blame for heavyweight MMA decline

John Stones is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing an end to a decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium.

The 31-year-old defender joined City from Everton in 2016 for a fee of £47.5 million and has since been a key part of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Over the course of his time in Manchester, Stones has made 293 appearances and helped the side collect 19 major trophies.

That haul includes six Premier League titles, with a seventh still a possibility this season, as well as a Champions League triumph in 2023 when he started the final victory over Inter Milan. He has also won two FA Cups, five League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.

In total, Stones has scored 19 goals and registered nine assists for City, often contributing in important moments from defence. However, injuries have limited his involvement in recent seasons, and this campaign he has featured only 20 times across all competitions.

His departure follows the news that fellow long-serving midfielder Bernardo Silva will also leave at the end of the season after nine years at the club. 

With both players now preparing to move on, it marks the end of an era for a core group that has defined City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola and helped establish the club as a major force in European football.

When you have an abysmal away record the last thing you should do is give away a soft goal inside a minute.

Amazingly Killie have now done this in three consecutive away games - surely that is some kind of world record?

It is shocking and I don't know if it's a job for Neil McCann or a sports psychologist following our latest calamity at Pittodrie.

Following that initial collapse we settled into the game fairly well and should have taken something given we hit the woodwork on three occasions.

The return of Max Stryjek has been long overdue and it was fantastic to see him back on the park following heart surgery.

The only positive from the weekend was St Mirren surprisingly losing at home to Livingston.

Thankfully we are back at home this Saturday to face Dundee United, who we have an excellent record against this season.

It's an absolutely massive game and I predict we will sneak a 1-0 win.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

As the dust settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, Jordan Schultz reported the Bills invited an intriguing wide receiver to their rookie minicamp, former third-round Bengals draft pick Jermaine Burton.

While I can’t claim to be the conductor of The WR Train — that would be WGR550’s Jeremy White, of course — my ears always perk up when I catch wind of the Bills acquiring a wideout at any stage of the calendar year.

And as a draft nerd, this news really got the juices flowing… I vividly recall scouting Burton two years ago. He was distinctly on the minds of many as a potential Day 2 selection for the Bills in a draft that ultimately netted the Bills Keon Coleman at the top of the second round.

Now that Burton will be attending Buffalo’s rookie minicamp in the not-too-distant future, let’s dive into what he brings to the field as the quintessential low-risk, high-reward option for the Bills in early May.

Let’s quickly start with Burton’s natural talent. As a high-school recruit in the class of 2020, he was the No. 15 wideout in 247 Sports’ Composite Ranking, one spot below current Chargers receiver Quentin Johnson and two spots ahead of Colts wideout Josh Downs.

Across four collegiate seasons — the first two at Georgia, the last two at Alabama — Burton caught a total of 132 passes for 2,376 yards (18 yards per grab) with 23 touchdowns.

In the 2024 draft, Burton was my WR16, slightly behind the Malachi Corley and Ricky Pearsall, with a third-round grade.

He was ultimately the 13th receiver picked, selected in the third round at No. 78 overall.

Here are my observational notes on Burton before the draft:

“Easy speed. Sudden and glides on the field. Shows natural ability to flip on the jets, and at top speed he absolutely flies. Awesome hands. The suddenness that comes with his athleticism helps him generate separation, and he ran a fair amount of routes (mostly vertical) in college but doesn’t translate after the catch. Minimal flashes in those scenarios. Tracks it over his head awesomely, and his true speciality is his ability to stretch defenses vertically. Decent height and slender-ish frame lends itself to his effortless speed. Despite smaller-ish frame, he’s a tenacious blocker on the outside. Somewhat of a niche WR but his speed and flashes of dynamic route running make him an intriguing WR prospect who can be instant impact down the field. Older-ish prospect.

And here’s all his pertinent NFL Combine information:

During those four seasons in the SEC, Burton aligned on the boundary on 74% of his snaps, dropped just four passes on 197 targets and won on 52.6% of his contested-catch opportunities, per PFF.

During his rookie season with the Bengals, Burton appeared on just 11.5% of the offensive snaps and caught four passes for 107 yards without a touchdown. He had two 40-plus yard receptions against the Chiefs and Eagles that year.

As far as why Burton’s available before the start of his third professional season, he was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute, per ESPN, but no charges were filed and no punishment was handed down by the NFL.

Beyond that serious matter, there’s no use speculating as to the exact details that led to his release in Cincinnati, and while of course the Bills will probably be closely monitoring Burton, what transpired during his first stop in the NFL is essentially irrelevant now because Buffalo’s brass first needs to see if Burton can make an impact at rookie minicamp before it assess how much “risk” he poses if they decide to make room for him on the roster entering mandatory minicamp/training camp.

There’s no question Burton is a clearly talented, vertical-based wideout. He’ll take part in Bills rookie minicamp with the potential to be this year’s version of the Chase Claypool Experiment, a trail run that was going well in 2024 before the wideout was injured at St. John Fisher.

England defender John Stones said he "lived all my dreams out" at Manchester City after confirming he will leave at the end of the season.

Stones, whose contract runs out this summer, has made 293 appearances since joining from Everton for £47.5m in 2016.

He helped City win six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup.

"It has been my home for the past 10 years and it will be my home for the rest of my life," said an emotional Stones in a social media post.

"It has been a rollercoaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now leaving as a man - becoming a father, a husband and, on the pitch, a very fulfilled player.

"I lived all my dreams out and lifted all the things that I came here to achieve.

"At the start of my career here I never would thought I would be in this position. Firstly, to achieve everything but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out of the park."

Stones was Pep Guardiola's second signing at City, becoming the world's second most expensive defender at the time.

"I don't think it would have been anywhere near as successful without him," said Stones.

"I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend so long with him, win everything with him. I feel lucky and grateful for what he's done for me."

More to follow.

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Jose Mourinho’s chances of becoming Real Madrid’s manager have soared after a bombshell twist in the Spanish capital, according to David Ornstein.

From Manchester to Madrid

Despite having appeared to be on a steady decline since leaving Old Trafford in December 2018, the Special One is now firmly in line to take charge of Los Blancos this summer. Mourinho was dismissed by Manchester United after two and a half years in charge, as the Portuguese’s infamous ‘third season’ implosion was set off with little surprise.

The Setubal native would go on to have spells with Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, Besiktas, and his current club, SL Benfica – with mixed results at all four. However, he did win the Europa Conference League in the Italian capital.

Under Mourinho’s watch, Benfica are unbeaten in Liga Portugal but remain seven points adrift of table-toppers – and his former side – Porto, with only three games left to play.

This invincible run in the league has been countered by early exits from the Taca de Portugal and the Champions League. The defeat in Europe at the hands of, ironically, Madrid was marred by controversy after allegations of racial abuse were levelled at Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni.

Mourinho himself drew widespread criticism for suggesting the victim, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior, had incited the incident, throwing further doubt on his future as Benfica boss. Another ex-United boss, Ruben Amorim, has been strongly linked with the hot seat at the Estadio da Luz should Mourinho depart this summer.

And while reports linking the 63-year-old to jobs like Newcastle United or the Saudi Pro League were given little credence, Ornstein has now dropped a game-changing update on Real Madrid’s hunt for a new manager.

Perez wants reunion with Jose

The Athletic reporter reveals Florentino Perez, the president at the Santiago Bernabeu, has settled on Mourinho as his “favoured candidate” to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa was appointed in January to take over from Xabi Alonso after the former Bayer Leverkusen boss was shown his marching orders in a move which mirrored INEOS’ appointment of Michael Carrick around the same time.

However, Perez has no interest in sticking with his caretaker as he looks to “rebuild a project that has fallen into disrepair” following the second consecutive campaign without a major trophy.

“Multiple sources, speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to comment, have told The Athletic that the decision on who will become Madrid’s next coach is being driven by Perez.

“That is in contrast to the hiring of Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, a process which was led by Madrid’s general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, but given the green light by Perez.”

While the president is the “main supporter” of Mourinho’s return, with the Portuguese tactician having previously managed Real between 2010 and 2013, there are “other voices” who are opposed to the appointment.

It will require a fee in the region of €3 million to prise Mourinho from the Portuguese capital as his contract runs until June 2027, but includes a break clause if triggered within 10 days of the end of the season.

Final Thoughts

A blockbuster reunion between football’s most outspoken manager and the sport’s biggest club is a script which practically writes itself – which is why Perez’s decision to target Mourinho is so bizarre.

Every United fan will be able to predict, with flawless prescience, exactly how this move will play out for the La Liga giants. The ‘Special One’ is no longer in his prime, even if the return to the Bernabeu will constitute absolute primetime viewing.

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in recruiting the services of Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi in the summer, according to talkSPORT. The 19-year-old has captured the attention of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta who could now look to bring him to the Emirates Stadium club. Kroupi scored home and away against Arsenal and Manchester United, with 11 league goals to his name in 29 appearances this term. The North Londoners are not the only club keen on the Frenchman, with Manchester City and the Red Devils also keeping tabs on his situation.

Kroupi does not have a release clause in his Cherries contract after arriving in a £10 million deal last year. However, Bournemouth could demand top dollar from suitors to sell their teenage striking sensation and whether Arsenal is ready for a bidding battle remains to be seen. The Gunners have Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as their top target in the position, but it could cost £86m (€100m) to tempt the La Liga club into doing business with them. Kroupi will not cost up to that and the opportunity to play Champions League football and challenge for the Premier League could appeal to him.

Arsenal are expected to sell one out of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in the summer to make room for another striker.

Kroupi has proven himself after just one season in the Premier League, but he is far from a one-season wonder as he notched 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 games last term.

It has not been a good week for Villanova in the center market.

Last week, both Ben Defty (Arizona State) and Christian Reeves (Kansas) went off the board. That trend continued into this week as Georgetown transfer Julius Halaifonua committed to Oklahoma State. That is three seven footers that have found new homes as the Wildcats remain in search of a starting big man next to Kwame Evans Jr.

Villanova was linked to Halaifonua early in the process but as time went on, it seemed that it was out on the center. As a sophomore, Halaifonua averaged 9.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He played in 32 games for the Hoyas, making 28 starts.

Kevin Willard has pulled off many surprises this offseason, including Elijah Crawford and Buddy Simmons, in the backcourt. On Friday, Matt mentioned in a previous post that the Wildcats have been connected to 19-year-old Luigi Suigo out of Italy. The 7-foot-3 center has declared for the NBA Draft so fans will have to wait until the June 15th deadline to withdraw.

Outside of Suigo, there is a good chance that Willard and the Wildcats are working on names that we have not heard connections to just yet. Regardless, the fact that the Wildcats remain in the center market proves that the coaching staff wants to get bigger — and that is a necessity compared to last year’s team.

BANDON, Ore. – Allie Knight spends her days teaching golf to others in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. She often holds camps for youngsters in the mornings and gives lessons in the afternoon. But in between the time spent working on other people's games, she works on her own.

"Usually I try to get out on the course in the morning, try to be the first one off at 7:30 if I can," Knight said. "I play really quick and then I'll be at work giving lessons at noon or 1 until the evening, a lot of times till 8 at night."

Through two days of the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, that work is paying off. Knight is one of nine women in the field of 312 PGA professionals competing at the scenic and pristine Bandon Dunes Golf Resort this week, and she's not simply in the field — she's contending.

Knight fired a 67 on the Bandon Dunes course Sunday and followed it with a 73 Monday on the Pacific Dunes course to finish her first 36 holes in 3 under, comfortably inside the cutline and just five shots off the lead, sitting in a tie for 13th.

"I've just been hitting the ball really well," Knight told Golfweek on Monday. "[On Sunday] I made a bunch of putts and that's how I got under par. Today, my putter just kind of struggled. I think I had like four or five three-putts out there. I mean the greens are big and it's going to happen. As long as I keep hitting the ball like I am and just get my putter going . . . I know it's going to get windy. I think it's going to get tougher, so just trying to keep my mindset to know that when it gets windy, it's going to be hard and it's okay."

Difficult conditions don't seem to worry Knight, who won the PGA Women's Stroke Play Championship in February to punch her ticket to the KPMG Women's PGA Championship for the sixth straight year. She's never made the cut there, but she also had never made the cut at the PGA Professional Championship in two tries before this year at Bandon Dunes.

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Knight isn't eligible to qualify for the men's PGA Championship (the top 20 finishers at Bandon Dunes earn a spot in the field in May at Aronimink), but she's using the opportunity to get ready for Hazeltine.

"I think it's good preparation before the KPMG," said Knight, who played college golf at Middle Tennessee State. "Hopefully you get to play four days, and there's not many tournaments I'm going to play in where I'm playing four days of golf, and that's a lot. So it's preparation for that coming up in June, just being able to to be out here and competing and just keeping that competitive edge going."

And just as the windy conditions don't faze her, neither does teeing it up against the men. She does it all the time back in Knoxville.

"There's definitely a lot of great players there and we've got a good Monday pro-am series that I'll try to play in every Monday, and that's really great to to be at home playing in that and having some really competitive rounds going . . . It's so special to be one of nine [women] out here. I mean, it's always awesome to come out here and represent the PGA as a female. It's always a a special thing."

While Knight might be a long way from home, she has no shortage of support being sent from Tennessee all the way to Oregon.

We've known Allie since she was in middle school, she's the real deal! So happy to see her playing so well on such a huge stage.

— Todd Reeves (@ToddReeves828) April 28, 2026

"I was born and raised in Knoxville and lived there my whole life other than leaving for college," she said. "I feel like in the golf community there, I've got a great support system and I know a lot of people there. It's always cool to feel that and get all the texts that I've got and everything from everybody cheering me on. It's great."

From Rocky Top to rocky cliffs alongside the Pacific Ocean, it's safe to say Knight's game is traveling quite well.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Female pro from Tennessee contending at PGA Professional Championship

Ty Simpson reveals that he had 'secret' meeting with Rams coach Sean McVay before NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Much was made of Rams coach Sean McVay's supposed lack of interest after the organization selected QB Ty Simpson in the top half of the first round, but it turns out L.A.'s pursuit of Simpson was more wide-ranging than previously believed.

Simpson revealed that he and McVay spent "hours" getting to know each other before the draft, dealing another blow to the narrative that the Super Bowl-winning coach and GM Les Snead weren't on the same page when it came to drafting the quarterback.

The Rams and Simpson worked to keep their plans under wraps, and the decision to take him at No. 13 evidently wasn't as much of a shock to both parties as it was to the rest of the NFL.

Here's what Simpson had to say about his "secret" meetings with McVay.

MORE: What Ty Simpson pick means for Matthew Stafford, Rams moving forward 

Ty Simpson meeting with Sean McVay

Simpson told ESPN Radio on Monday that he held private meetings with McVay leading up to the draft.

"We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could. It was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn't want people to know that they were interested," Simpson said. "So, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody."

Simpson initially said after being drafted that the Rams had only communicated with his agent. 

Instead, Simpson revealed Monday that, in one of his meetings with McVay, the two "talked for hours and hours" about nothing but football.

"You can tell the obsession he has for the game, and you can tell the love he has for quarterback play," Simpson said.

MORE:Why Rams received worst draft grade of all 32 teams

Simpson's comments come less than a week after McVay had to push back on the narrative that he wasn't on board with the selection. After McVay appeared solemn in the Rams' press conference following the first round and didn't sound overly excited when he made the call to Simpson, he came back the next day and told reporters his demeanor was a combination of non-football issues and wanting to maintain a level of respect for Matthew Stafford.

The long conversations between Simpson and McVay may have been one reason why McVay didn't sound like he was over the moon when he made his draft call to Simpson: the two already knew each other well, and Simpson likely knew he was going to be a Ram unless someone traded up ahead of the 13th pick.

McVay has his quarterback of the future. The question now is how long it will take for him to succeed reigning MVP Matthew Stafford.

Even though they came short of their ultimate goals, last year was a profound success for the New England Patriots. In the first season after going from Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel, the Patriots went from 4-13 to 14-3, reaching Super Bowl LX in the process.

However, not all aspects of the Patriots’ transition went smoothly. Some moves didn’t pan out the way the team imagined.

One of those decisions the Patriots may be regretting was making LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he was starting at left tackle as a 21-year-old rookie, Campbell allowed five sacks during the regular season and another four in the playoffs. In other words, he had some growing pains as a first-year pro.

Recently, the Patriots selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Is he arriving in New England as someone who will push Campbell at the left tackle position, or is Lomu being looked at as a potential long-term replacement for right tackle, Morgan Moses, who is 35? Lomu played 1,582 snaps at left tackle in college, compared to just 18 at right tackle.

Shortly after the draft concluded, Essentially Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline dropped an interesting nugget regarding how the Patriots may view Campbell internally. Specifically, he wonders if the Lomu selection means the Patriots have already “given up on Campbell,” one year after making him the fourth overall pick.

Teams don’t just give up on No. 4 picks after just one season, especially at positions that often feature a longer learning curve going from college to the NFL. We’re guessing the Patriots aren’t anywhere close to giving up on Campbell either.

The Patriots also selected offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover with the 196th pick, adding yet another tackle to compete for playing time as a rookie. What does it all mean? If anything, the Patriots are sending signals to their offensive line that last year’s performance wasn’t always up to par, and if they’re not ready to improve, then the team will continue bringing in potential replacements, even if you’re a recent first-round pick.

Related: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating Worst, Best Teams After NFL Draft

Related Headlines

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John Stones will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after 10 trophy-filled years at the Etihad, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The defender, 31, joined City from Everton in 2016, becoming manager Pep Guardiola's second signing, and has made 293 appearances to date, scoring 19 goals.

The England international has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League in a decade of dominance for City.

There may be more silverware to come, with the club chasing a domestic treble this season, having already won the League Cup.

"They say all good things must come to an end... but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever," Stones said in a post on Instagram.

jw/gj

This football season, the Illini will have a new face under the center in Katin Houser. The Anaheim, California native comes to Illinois by way of East Carolina via Michigan State. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he has good size for a Big Ten quarterback. He is good in the pocket with a real ability to scramble and move or run off the option.

Trending upward

Houser had some struggles in East Lansing, playing 13 games over two years (he started in seven as a redshirt-freshman), posting a 58.5% completion rate (113 completions in 193 attempts), six touchdowns, and five interceptions.

After leaving Michigan State, Houser has grown and developed in his two years at East Carolina, putting up impressive stats: 5,306 yards, a 64% completion rate, 37 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Last season was his “breakout year”: 3,300 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and only six interceptions (down from 11 interceptions the year before). In terms of his ability to run, he ran for 193 yards on 85 carries for nine touchdowns and a passer rating of 146.3.

As a comparison, last season Luke Altmyer’s numbers were 246-365 (67.4%) for 3,007 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, all of which gave him a passer rating of 153.8. He added 100 carries for 249 yards and five touchdowns.

Houser was named to the Manning Award watch list in 2024 and the Preseason Manning Award watch list in 2025

Experience and Leadership

As a redshirt-senior, Houser has gained plenty of experience, and having previously played in the Big Ten is a plus. He possesses a high football IQ and experience, which will be invaluable in a quarterback room that has two redshirt freshmen and one true freshman. Houser is also a winner with a 15-7 record at East Carolina, 14-6 as a starter. Also, his experience of going from starter to back-up to starter shows his grit and determination, which the younger guys like Carson Boyd, Michael Clayton, and Jershaun Newton can draw on.

Fit in Illinois’ Offense

It gives the Illini a seasoned starter, with the physical capabilities of size, strong arm (the ability to throw downfield), and the ability to run. He is the type of QB that would work well in a Barry Lunney offense. Then factor in his Field awareness, game management, and football IQ. As mentioned earlier, the younger QBs in the program will benefit from learning what he knows.

Is there a downside?

The biggest issue will be blending with this summer team. Unlike Altmyer, Houser only has this season, and both the offensive line and receiving corps lack experience in the system. While Houser has good numbers, they do come from the AAC. This is not a knock on the AAC, but the Big Ten is a different league!

The Receivers

The Illini will have two of their top three wide-outs from last season returning in Hudson Clement (36 catches, 454 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Collin Dixon (35 catches, 548 yards, 5 touchdowns). Two transfers they will be counting on are Alex Perry from FIU, with 56 catches for 840 yards and 9 TDs. And Jayshon Platt from FAU had 46 receptions for 720 yards and five TDs. This will give Houser some experienced receivers to work with. After that, they will depend on four transfers and seven underclassmen, including five freshmen.

In the tight end room, there are no TEs with significant game experience at Illinois. However, they do have a commitment from Eddie Kaspar from Illinois State, and Kaden Feagin will be switching to tight end. Last season, out of the backfield, Feagin caught 16 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

The O-Line

The O-Line will be revamped as well, with only one returning starter, senior Brandon Henderson. There is some depth from last year, but there is a lack of experience. In the last three seasons, the Illini line has allowed 30+ sacks per year. Now Bret Bielema and company have used the transfer portal to bring in Center Jake Renfro, RS Sr (Wisconsin), and OT Christian Martin, RS Jr. (Colorado State), who are expected to step into the Center and Left Tackle, respectively. They are counting on Nathan Knapik, RS Sophomore OT, and Brandon Hansen, JR IOL, to step up. It may take the preseason to get this unit pulled together,

The Illini will have a solid running game with JR Ca’Lil Valentine, 131 carries, 638 yards, and four touchdowns, and SR Aidan Laughery, 75 attempts, 400 yards, with three touchdowns. With Feagin moving to TE, the numbers should increase for both, and they should provide a good complement to Houser and the passing game.

All in all, Houser is stepping into a situation with the Illini that has a nice upside, and he has the tools to take advantage of it. Given that this is not his first transfer, the process of acclimating to new teammates should be easier. Offensive Coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. will have some adjustments that will meld well with Houser’s physical and mental talents. Sept. 5 is just a little over 4 months away!

When Playa Society founder and creative director Esther Wallace pitched the WNBA on an apparel partnership in 2021, she didn't think they would say yes.

Wallace was only three years into business and admits as a young entrepreneur, she had neither planned that far ahead nor was she ready for the league's response.

"I thought I needed to have all these things checked off before I could get a partner that big, but when they said yes, it then became this kind of responsibility," Wallace told USA TODAY Sports. "Now I kind of got this new market to create, essentially, on my shoulders and have to show everybody ... this can be successful.

"That everybody else was wrong when they said you couldn't sell women's sports merch or WNBA merch. I felt all of that pressure kind of in my hands, like I have to carry this torch now."

The former basketball player and coach released her first WNBA collaboration at the end of the 2021 season. By the midway point of the following year, she was at the 2022 WNBA All-Star game in Chicago selling her products. Wallace says she wasn't overly confident in what she brought to the event ― 100 T-shirts and some shorts ― but an interaction with Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles changed everything.

Fans were clamoring for a Fowles-specific shirt because the center was retiring, and Wallace, though still unsure of where the partnership may take her, obliged. Word of her tribute shirt reached Fowles, who found the apparel designer postgame, hugged her and thanked her for honoring the WNBA and her legacy. Wallace said the moment reminded her she was exactly where she needed to be. Fowles' hug gave Wallace more energy to keep going and cultivate a space that wasn't quite carved out yet.

"That was really the moment where I was like, this is why this is so important. This is why I was like I need to continue to build this and to continue to grow and move in that direction. That was really what did it for me," Wallace said. "It's the (story.) It's not about a T-shirt. It's not about putting product on the market. It's about celebrating the women. It's about this community. It's about the stories that go untold and the players that go unseen."

WNBA 2022 All-Star T-shirt + Shorts
Candace Parker T-shirt + Shorts
Sylvia Fowles Icon T-shirthttps://t.co/3ZoaKD4AuTpic.twitter.com/fB3NTyxSfA

— Playa Society (@Playa_Society) July 15, 2022

By 2023, Playa Society was growing in parallel with the WNBA, women's basketball and women's sports. Wallace held her first pop-up shop at the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four in Dallas. She describes the event as a "small room" with a "small budget," but there was nothing small about what unfolded.

Over the course of four hours, Wallace told USA that 600 customers showed up, staying long after they purchased merchandise. People were hanging around, engaging in conversations that started with a shirt and quickly evolved into something more. Playa Society was building something special.

The company, one that had been bootstrapping to arrive at moments like the Final Four, had created a community. The apparel, which focused on promoting authenticity and storytelling, was now fostering those same tenets beyond the needle and thread. Wallace says soon, moments like Dallas began to happen more frequently. As the popularity of women's sports jumped, Playa Society had the same jump.

View this post on Instagram

Wallace began working with college stars like Olivia Miles and then traction in the WNBA picked up, too. According to Wallace, Playa Society became the unofficial players' brand, finding its way from legends like Fowles and Candace Parker to current players such as Paige Bueckers.

With the stroke of Wallace's pencil in each Playa Society design, the brand connected the past, present and future. For Wallace, that sort of impact can't be measured. It happens organically, and many times it has happened because she leaned into her instincts and experiences.

"There's so many elements of this that can't be manufactured. Right? It's just kind of like when you move from that authentic place, you build the authentic brand that tells authentic stories and has an authentic connection to the community," Wallace said. "The goal is always to find those connections within culture and community. I think that's what we've always done, even just looking at how we essentially brought streetwear to women's sports in the WNBA, right? Nobody was making that connection."

From player T-shirts to a custom court with the Atlanta Dream to a "Love and Basketball" collaboration last year, Playa Society makes opportunities happen that many others don't see. It's what makes Wallace and the brand special and what has helped it skyrocket in recognition and popularity. Wallace told USA TODAY Sports she wants to be "the GOAT" of T-shirts and clothing for the women's sports space. To do that, it has to be about quality over quantity.

"I always want to make sure that I'm holding myself to that high standard, but, again, I think I just go back to, if I see Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray doing their TikTok taste tests, and they just happen to throw on a Playa Society shirt, for me, that means I'm successful in these moments because I'm creating product that they want to put on in their every day life and same with the fans," Wallace said.

"When Angel Reese got traded, and everybody on Twitter's like 'Playa Society, we need that T-shirt,' then I'm like we're moving in the right direction because the fans and the players feel a connection."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Playa Society became the accidental standard-bearer for women's sports

Let’s get the obvious take out of the way: draft grades are worthless for at least three years (I’d say even as long as five). Trying to figure out if any team, the Packers or otherwise, did well on draft weekend while we’re less than a week removed from draft weekend is pointless.

That said, I think there are still some things we can say about process. There’s a reason certain teams tend to do well in the draft and certain teams tend to do poorly. 

Does your team tend to consistently and aggressively trade up? Are they consistently drafting outside established successful player archetypes? Are they trying to make players with obvious flaws work because of certain other interesting attributes (a great 40 time, a particularly strong throwing arm)? Chances are they’ll be striking out more often than not. Look turnover at the GM spot in the near future.

But if your team consistently collects surplus value, nails the traits that have historically worked well at certain positions, and doesn’t chase shiny objects, there’s a good chance they’ll pick winners pretty frequently. The draft is an inexact science at best, though, so there’s no guarantee that sort of process will work. But it’s a lot better than the alternative.

In that kind of context, grades make some kind of sense. You just rarely get that kind of nuance from the quick-take national media, especially when they don’t necessarily have the time or interest in really understanding the context of why teams make the moves that they do.

With that in mind, the best bet might be waiting three years to grade anything, after all.

Dane Brugler ranks Packers 2026 draft class 26th out 32 NFL teams | Packers Wire

The Beastmaster says the low ranking is primarily due to pick volume; he had good things to say about most of the Packers’ picks.

Packers’ Defensive Draft Picks are Rookie of Year Long Shots | Sports Illustrated

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

Packers use draft, free agency to bulk up defensive line for new scheme | Packers News

The Packers’ defensive line looks to be in a much better place than it was at the start of last season.

Why the Packers traded up for a kicker and what it means for Brandon McManus | The Athletic ($)

It should mean McManus is about to be on the outside looking in, but he’s led a pretty charmed life so far.

Can the Rams’ Ty Simpson, Matthew Stafford approach work? | ESPN

People will point to Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love as evidence that this approach can work, but I think both Love and Rodgers were significantly better prospects than Simpson.

World’s longest tiramisu assembled in London | UPI

I am prepared to help with the disassembly.

Golden Knights win over Mammoth twice in one overtime originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Vegas Golden Knights thought they had won already.

Head coach John Tortorella had already left the bench area by the time Pavel Dorofeyev's overtime goal was overturned Monday night against the Utah Mammoth.

It was called back for offside on Jack Eichel, so they had to do it again.

Shea Theodore provided the actual final note of the song, depositing the game-winner for real later in the first OT period and sending Vegas home happy, even after it took a little while.

“Obviously, it sucks having that (first) one called back, but we kept our foot on the gas," Theodore told reporters after the game, via Sportsnet. "Scoring an OT winner is pretty special.”

MORE: A scene that sums up Sidney Crosby and the Penguins

It was a wild Game 4, with Vegas opening up a 3-0 lead, giving it all back, then pulling out the 5-4 overtime victory.

After the game, Golden Knights star Mitch Marner summed up the oddity of the finish.

“I think that’s maybe a first for me, just everyone jumping on the ice and then obviously the offside call,” Marner told reporters, via Sportsnet. “The building got pretty rocking there, and there was the sigh of relief for their fanbase and for them. For us, I think we just realized that we did a lot of good things throughout that period that gave us that look and as soon as we got back to the bench, it was the same idea — just trying to do the same things we did that got us that opportunity that we scored on. I thought we did that very well.”

The game, played in Salt Lake City, had crazy swings of emotions throughout for the fans -- including when the Vegas winning goal was disallowed, giving new life to their home Mammoth.

But in the end, the Golden Knights spoiled the home fans' fun, and the series is now tied 2-2.

MORE: Playoff hockey shows what this Maple Leafs season was missing

Loaned by Wolverhampton to Paris FC last winter, Marshall Munetsi (29) would like to continue his spell with the Parisian club next season, according to Foot Mercato. And this despite the fact that the Wolves, with whom he remains under contract until 2028, and Nottingham Forest, who would like to secure his services during the next transfer window, are moving closer to reaching an agreement.

And although, as things stand, no discussions have taken place with the Parisian management regarding the future of the former Stade de Reims player, the situation is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks, once the season has ended.

Having established himself as a key player in Antoine Kombouaré’s side, Munetsi has now made 13 appearances (10 as a starter), scoring four goals and providing two assists for Paris FC. An impressive return to Ligue 1 for the Zimbabwean midfielder, who has played a significant role in helping the Jean Bouin residents quickly secure their place in the top flight.

GFFN | Léo Aschi

The flanks are a priority for the future of Roma.

Wesley will need to return to the right flank, his usual position, and the Giallorossi are already actively searching for a player who can operate on the left.

Fenerbahçe’s Jayden Oosterwolde is a popular name in this regard.

The Roman club has also shown interest in Carlos Augusto and Fortini, but the Dutchman has been in Roma’s orbit since last January.

According to a report in Turkish newspaper Sabah, the Giallorossi are ready to make an offer for the number 24.

After long-term pursuit of Oosterwolde in January, Roma are reportedly ready to return, offering €15 million.

Fenerbahçe, however, are valued higher. The Turkish club has no intention of lowering the €20 million threshold to let their defender leave.

Now the decision is up to the Roman club: either grant the club’s demands to bring the 2001-born player to Gasperini’s court or move on to other options.

Across recent seasons, a host of club legends and heroes have departed Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and Kyle Walker, just to name a few, have left City after trophy-laden spells at the club. Another club legend, Bernardo Silva, is set to leave City at the end of this season. It has now been announced that yet another City hero, John Stones, is set to depart Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of this season. Despite his body failing him at times, John Stones has made an immense contribution to City’s recent era of dominance.

John Stones has announced that he will leave Manchester City at the end of this season.

In an emotional announcement on his Instagram account, John Stones confirmed that he will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of this season. The most poignant quote from Stones came when he spoke about what Manchester City meant to him. The England international said the club will always be home to him, as he fought back tears. Speaking on what City meant to him, Stones said: “What does Manchester City mean to me? It’s been my home for the past 10 years, and it’ll be my home for the rest of my life… Give me a sec….”

The full clip of John Stones announcement that he will be leaving City can be found at the link above.

Manchester City have also confirmed on their official website that John Stones will leave the club after spending 10 years at the club. In that time, Stones helped City win 19 major trophies. The elegant centre-back has left a major mark at City during his decade at the club.

It has somewhat been forgotten just how good John Stones was for City.

Unfortunately, injuries have wrecked recent seasons for John Stones. Due to this, it has somewhat been forgotten just how good Stones was for Manchester City. He was an important player in a City side that won 19 major trophies during his time at the club. Stones was almost the prototypical Pep Guardiola centre-back given just how good he is in possession. There was perhaps no greater instance of this than the role that John Stones played for City during their treble-winning season in 2022-23.

Pep Guardiola tasked John Stones with playing as a centre-back out of possession for City at the backend of the 2022-23 season. In possession, Stones became a midfielder for his team. That role required exceptional technical and tactical ability. Traits, that Stones has in abundance. He was dominant in this role, and the best performance from the elegant centre-back came in Manchester City’s famous 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final. Stones controlled the match in midfield, and he played a key role in Manchester City’s triumph in Istanbul. If any performance encapsulated John Stones at his best, that was it. It was a performance for the ages from the England international on the biggest stage.

Final thoughts.

It isn’t a surprise to see that John Stones has announced that he will leave Manchester City at the end of this season. That move has felt on the cards for some time. It is sad to see the news now confirmed. John Stones has been a superb contributor and a hero for City during his decade at the club. His contribution has been integral to Manchester City’s era of dominance and it is hoped that Stones receives a fitting tribute at the end of this season.

A fantastic free transfer could be exactly what Liverpool need. They're trying to make it happen.

CaughtOffside are among those claiming that Liverpool are still in the hunt for Marcos Senesi. The Bournemouth star is out of contract in the summer and is expected to move elsewhere.

It's easy to see why Liverpool hold an interest, too. Senesi is the kind of player who could transform their team and add something they're sorely lacking - attacking production from deep.

This is something Liverpool really, really need. Their deeper players don't really break teams down, whether you're looking at their centre-backs or their deeper midfielders.

Ibrahima Konate, for instance, plays around 56 passes per 90 minutes. He creates a chance just shy of once every four 90s (0.23 per 90) and plays almost exactly two long passes per 90.

Ryan Gravenberch plays a similar number of passes (50) but does create a bit more: 0.84 chances per 90 minutes. As for long passes, you're looking at well under one per 90 (0.71).

Senesi's numbers are notably higher. While his passes are roughly the same (48), the Argentine creates around the same number of chances as the midfielder, Gravenberch (0.71). Notably, he creates more big chances - 0.22 per 90 to the Dutchman's 0.13.

The Bournemouth star is also spreading play more than the pair of them combined. Senesi plays over five long balls per 90, so more than double what Konate manages.

This isn't to say that Senesi is 'better' than either player. He would, however, add something that Liverpool don't have in their squad and potentially transform them going forward - reducing pressure on the midfielders and simply bringing more from deep.

No centre-back has a higher number of expected assists this season. He's above the 93rd percentile for defensive contributions, long balls and created chances - a special kind of defender and exactly the kind of player you pick up on a free.

Let's see if Liverpool can get it done.

Lewis Hamilton called the 2025 Formula 1 season the worst of his career. He qualified last on merit in Las Vegas — the first time that had ever happened in 19 years. He called himself “useless” after Hungary. Ferrari chairman John Elkann told him publicly to talk less and drive more.

That’s where things stood five months ago.

Hamilton persevered and returned in 2026 with a fresh mindset. And that, more than anything, tells you what you need to know about where Lewis Hamilton’s head is at heading into Miami.

WATCH: The Miami Grand Prix, Exclusively on Apple TV+ This Sunday!

Why Hamilton Went to Ferrari in the First Place

When Lewis Hamilton left the comfort and success at Mercedes, it wasn’t about the money. Hamilton left Mercedes — 12 seasons, six championships, every record that matters — for one reason. Ferrari was his dream team. It was always the dream.

The great Michael Schumacher won five titles there. The Tifosi are the most passionate fans in the sport. The red car carries weight that silver never did. Hamilton said Ferrari had “every ingredient” to win a championship. He talked about fulfilling a childhood dream. He wasn’t performing for the cameras. Hamilton meant it.

What nobody fully accounted for was how brutal the transition would be. Twelve years at Mercedes meant 12 years of muscle memory, engineering language, relationships, and culture built into everything he did. Hamilton arrived at Ferrari when the 2025 car was already finished — built without him. He had no input. He had to learn an entirely foreign machine while racing it against the world’s best drivers.

It didn’t work. He went the entire 2025 season without a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his career. Leclerc outqualified him 19 to 5. The points gap at year’s end: 86. Ferrari essentially shut down development midseason to focus on 2026, leaving Hamilton to fight with what he had. He went to Abu Dhabi, describing the year as “a nightmare” and said he “couldn’t wait to get away from all this.”

Also Read:: Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton: Focus on Building a Championship-Winning Car for 2026

Where Hamilton and Ferrari Stand in 2026

He’s better. The numbers are real.

Fourth in Australia. Third in China — his first Ferrari Grand Prix podium, finally, after 25 races with Ferrari. Sixth in Japan. Forty-one points through three rounds. It’s his best start to a season since 2023 and more points than he had through five races of 2025.

The complicated part is right there on the timing sheet. Teammate Charles Leclerc has 49 points. Leclerc is third. Hamilton is fourth, eight points back, in the same car. The qualifying head-to-head this year is 0-3 in Leclerc’s favor. Japan was a real step backward — Hamilton finished sixth when the safety car should have handed him a podium shot.

He said on Christmas Day, he made a specific mental decision about how he was going to approach this season. He ran 63 miles between the Chinese and Japanese rounds. He’s been at the factory more. He helped build the SF-26 — something he never had with the car that made his life miserable last year.

“It’s a huge difference, and a huge undertaking,” Hamilton said about his second winter at Ferrari. “You can arrive and jump into a cockpit, but learning the new tools, particularly a different culture and a different way that people like to work, and adopting that.” He let the sentence hang there. He didn’t need to finish it.

Year one was surviving. Year two is supposed to be different. So far it’s a little of both.

Also Read:: Will Lewis Hamilton Win in 2026? Ferrari’s SF-26 and the Case for a Comeback

Controversial 2026 F1 Regulations Haven’t Hurt Him

One thing working in Lewis Hamilton’s favor: the 2026 regulations wiped the slate clean for everyone.

New power units. Active aerodynamics. A completely different car that nobody, not Leclerc, not Verstappen, not Antonelli, had driven before February. Hamilton had actual input on the SF-26. Sky Sports F1’s David Croft made the point plainly: the fact that Hamilton helped develop this car is not a small thing.

Ferrari is legitimately fast. Heading into the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, they sit econd in the constructors’ standings. The prancing horse has a podium at every round. The SF-26 is a real car in a way the SF-25 never was.

The issue is Mercedes is faster. Hamilton isn’t fourth in the championship because he’s lost a step — he’s fourth because he’s in the third-quickest car most Sundays, behind a teammate with seven years of Ferrari DNA baked in. Those are two separate problems. Ferrari has to fix the first one. Hamilton has to fix the second himself.

The Leclerc & Hamilton Dynamic at Ferrari

Nobody is saying it out loud, but the numbers are saying it anyway.

Leclerc, 28, has been at Ferrari since 2019. He knows every engineer, every system, every nuance of how that team operates. He is, at this point, the closest thing to a Ferrari-bred driver since Schumacher.

Hamilton, 41, has seven championships and has put up the greatest statistical Formula 1 career in history. And right now, his teammate is outscoring and outqualifying him, and has been doing so consistently over two seasons.

In 2025 it wasn’t close. In 2026 the gap is smaller — China proved Hamilton can beat Leclerc on the same day when everything clicks. But Japan proved the gap can still open up in a hurry.

After the Chinese Grand Prix in March, Leclerc was candid and generous about their on-track battle.

“I actually really enjoyed the race. A little bit disappointed to lose out on the podium, but on the other side, I’m happy for Lewis, and I think he deserves it more than I do on a weekend like this, where he’s been more on top of things than me…I enjoyed the fight and the only big negative I would say is the gap to Mercedes.”

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was equally positive about letting them race wheel-to-wheel. “They are professional and I think it makes sense in this situation to let them race…at the end of the day, I think it’s also the best way to build up a team.”

The moment Ferrari builds a car that can actually win a championship, this dynamic is going to force some decisions nobody at Maranello is going to enjoy making.

Hamilton’s Place as He Heads into Miami

Hamilton has won in Miami. The crowd in Miami came to Formula 1 partly because of him — the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive turned him into a mainstream sports figure beyond motorsport years ago. He fits this city.

He needs this weekend. The championship math isn’t a crisis — 31 points back from Antonelli with 19 races left is very manageable. But two races of being outscored by Leclerc, a sixth in Japan, and a mediocre Miami will start generating a very familiar narrative about a 41-year-old running out of time.

One strong weekend flips that entirely. Ferrari’s upgrade cycle is coming. The car is going to get better. Hamilton knows this circuit.

He came to Ferrari to win a championship. The dream isn’t dead. But he’s 41 years old, in his second season at a team still finding itself, watching a 19-year-old break his records in the seat he used to own.

The window isn’t getting bigger. The Lewis Hamilton Miami Grand Prix showing needs to count.

Related Headlines

• 5 Storylines to Watch at the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix
• Kimi Antonelli, 19, Is the Formula 1 Championship Leader. Here’s How He Got There
• Istanbul Park Returns to F1 Calendar: Turkish Grand Prix Back in 2027

“It was definitely tough,” Proctor said. “I ain’t going to lie. When I was younger, it was, I wouldn’t say it was like bullying or anything like that, but, you know, I was always the bigger, chunkier kid, so everybody’s going to try to laugh and make fun of you. But it’s all right. You know, I got the last laugh now.”

Proctor said he has weighed 400 pounds.

“I really want to say shout out to (trainer) Ryan Smith and my nutritionists that were at Alabama because they helped me a lot through that in that process,” Proctor said. “I knew it was going to be a hard process. But Ryan helped me with like, ‘Yo, you got to go to Hotworx or do something that you find enjoyable,’ instead of, you know, I didn’t like walking on a treadmill seven days a week for two months straight. Like, that was just not fun. So I found something in Hotworx that I enjoyed going in there. Felt good to get a nice sweat in. It’s 130 degrees in there and do a workout. It doesn’t take long — 15, 30 minutes and you’re out of there. You’re done. And that’s kind of how I lost 20, 30 pounds because I was going there day in and day out, and I was finding success from it.

“But I would say another thing, not eating after 7 p.m. is probably the biggest thing because you’re not giving your body enough time to digest. So I found out when I don’t eat after 7 p.m., I come in, I have a good weigh-in, and it just felt good. Like, it just started feeling good for me to have great weigh-ins in the morning.”

Proctor is going to quickly endear himself to Miami fans

Former Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton will reportedly take part in the Buffalo Bills’ rookie minicamp this summer, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. 

Originally a third round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, Burton is an extremely young receiver that will look to get back on an NFL roster prior to the 2026 campaign. Burton was released by the Bengals in December, but the talented playmaker is still just 24 years old, and will look to emerge as a standout from Bills’ rookie minicamp this summer.

Maybe this time things will work out for Burton? I’ve seen very few wide receivers to ever have the level of body control that Burton does, and he pairs it with very good speed and hands. He could be an excellent player – but the consistent off-field and even on-field attitude issues have pretty well ruined a promising career. Can he revive that in Buffalo? With a prolific passing offense but a lack of receivers, it’s as good of a shot as anywhere.

Next, one of Alabama’s only remaining unsigned UDFAs found his landing spot as well:

Congrats to Geno, and best of luck in the pros!

Now the big news in the college football world yesterday was the announcement about Texas Tech QB, Brendon Sorsby:

Right now, you could close out this story, flip over to a gambling app and vaporize your entire paycheck. You could destroy your kids’ college funds or your chances of ever owning a house. Or, if you happen to be in a position to do so, you could blast a hole in the title hopes of one of the nation’s top-ranked college football programs.

All of that, right from the betting app on your phone. No matter how much you appreciate, adore or profit from sports gambling, it’s undeniable we’ve just crossed an ominous new milestone on Monday.

Brendan Sorsby, incoming quarterback for Texas Tech, potential Heisman candidate, possible 2027 NFL Draft first-rounder, is checking into a residential treatment program for gambling addiction. Gambling has now torpedoed both Sorsby’s own immediate future and, likely, that of the preseason top-10 Red Raiders.

Sorsby has been one of the more prolific QBs in college football the last couple of seasons for Cincinnati, and he was one of the biggest names in the transfer portal when Texas Tech landed him. On top of this knocking a major blow to Sorsby’s career, it also means that the Red Raiders will have to navigate what happens when you drop (rumored) north of $5M on a player who then may not even play for you.

I don’t imagine this will be the end to this story. There very well may be ramifications to all of sports stemming from it for years to come.

This one isn’t news or anything, but I thought it was a fairly unique piece from ESPN. Rather than jumping straight to everyone’s favorite “way-too-early-2027-mock-draft”, this piece looks at who will be the player replacing each of the top 32 draft picks on their team.

Replacing the first round of the NFL draft: Who’s up next in college football?

Replacements: Jackson Lloyd, Jayvin James, Nick Brooks

The Crimson Tide’s offensive line is facing immense pressure to improve dramatically after the offense struggled to run the ball and protect quarterback Ty Simpson last season. Alabama ranked 125th in the FBS in rushing offense (104.1 yards) and tied for 111th in sacks allowed (2.13). Tide coach Kalen DeBoer hired new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm to help turn things around. Proctor was a massive offensive tackle at 6 feet, 7 inches and 366 pounds. He struggled with his weight early in the season but played better down the stretch. Redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd, who played in five games last season, was the No. 1 left tackle in the spring. Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James and Texas transfer Nick Brooks were battling for the right tackle job. — Mark Schlabach

If anything, this will give you a quick rundown of a whole list of new names that we all may be seeing for the first time around college football.

Last, College Football Nerds threw a stray punch at Alabama’s front 7 in a thread talking about LSU’s Harold Perkins

I don’t think they’re wrong either. Overton underwhelmed, as did James Smith and Qua Russaw. That’s a trio of 5-star players who made no appreciable impact last season. Plus Deontae Lawson didn’t seem to shake off his injury hesitancy until the final 1/3 of the season.

Now does that mean some combination of Devan Thompkins, Dez Zulu, Caleb Woodson, and some younger players can all come in and outperform the players they’re replacing? Who knows. But, for what it’s worth, the Tide’s secondary last year gave the front 7 a whole lot of leeway, and that whole group is coming back. I’d say they had a very legitimate argument at being the best secondary in the country last year, and now they bring an extra year of experience across the board. Alabama has plenty of other question marks, but the secondary is something we should all be excited about.

Roll Tide!

Sound the buzzers - the slump is officially over.

I did not think it would be Rangers away that would rescue our form. However, in retrospect I should have seen it coming with our recent results there.

To have beaten Rangers and drawn with them twice, only losing to Hearts once while also beating Celtic at home, is it a surprise we are being nominated for so many rewards?

Five Motherwell players were named in the PFA Scotland team of the year and now Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise make up half of the shortlist for Premiership player of the year. It speaks volumes about Motherwell's season.

People are quick to speculate what the title race will mean for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic and if this season has been a glitch in the matrix or not, but if anything it shows with the right resources the giants can be toppled.

In my 23 years on this planet, I cannot remember a time Motherwell were held in such high regard as they are now.

Season-ticket sales are at their highest in years while multiple sold-out away ends also highlight the true sense of excitement and belief about the club and the future.

A win this weekend against Falkirk is essential since we then host Celtic and Hearts.

European football may not be officially confirmed yet but it's best to look out the passports and beach towels in preparation.

French President Emmanuel Macron believes that Paris Saint-Germain will beat Bayern Munich 3-1 on Tuesday night but was more cautious on whether PSG can go all the way and retain the Champions League title.

Macron, who normally supports PSG's big rivals Olympique Marseille, made the prediction when asked by school children during a visit to Andorra on Tuesday morning, French media said.

"I'm actually an OM fan, but PSG are playing tonight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them! I think they'll win 3–1," Macron was quoted as saying.

Asked whether PSG could lift the trophy like last year, he said: "You can never be certain but it is a great team."

Tuesday's match at the Parc des Princes is the first leg of the semi-final tie. The return leg in Munich is next week Wednesday. The winner faces either Arsenal or Atletico Madrid in the May 30 final in Budapest.

Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire had two huge banners with PSG's colours hung at city hall in support of the capital club.

‘Tonight I’ll be beside the team at Parc des Princes to support them. We’ve brought out our finest colours, and all Parisians will be behind you. We’re expecting a win. Good luck," Grégoire said in a video on X.

NHL forward Travis Konecny is facing heavy criticism after a series of controversial moments in a heated first-round clash between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The latest flashpoint came in Game 5, when Konecny cross-checked Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer, sparking a large scrum.

NHL analyst Josh Yohe did not hold back in his assessment of the play. He wrote on X that Konecny’s actions showed ‘clear intent to injure.’

“It’s a nasty series, and both teams have crossed lines,” Yohe said. “But no one has been cheaper/more dirty in this series than Konecny, whose cross-check of Crosby after the game had ended was a clear intent to injure.”

MORE: Sidney Crosby makes desperate call as Penguins fall 3-0 to Flyers

Yohe also referenced an earlier incident where Konecny appeared to kick Bryan Rust during a Game 3 altercation.

“Earlier in this series, Konecny tried to kick Rust,” Yohe added. “Very dirty player.”

Game 5 has added more fuel to the rivalry. The Penguins secured a 3-2 win, cutting the Flyers’ series lead to 3-2 after trailing 3-0. The matchup has now turned into one of the most physical battles of the 2026 playoffs.

Philadelphia’s approach in the series has centered on shutting down Crosby. Players like Travis Sanheim have used aggressive defensive pressure and repeated cross-checks (in game 2) to limit space for Pittsburgh’s captain. Garnet Hathaway has also targeted Crosby, adding to the growing hostility between the two teams.

MORE: Sidney Crosby fumes over penalties as Penguins fall into 3-0 hole vs Flyers

Sidney Crosby talked about the Penguins overcoming adversity

Despite the physical targeting, Crosby delivered again in Game 5. He recorded two assists and showed resilience after taking a painful shot to his left knee. His leadership has helped Pittsburgh mount a comeback, with belief growing inside the locker room.

Crosby emphasized the team’s mindset after the game, stating, “We’ve done a great job of handling adversity. Again, here, we’re faced with more. It doesn’t get any easier… we have a lot of belief in our group, and we’ve done it time and time again. We’ve got to go do it again.”

After another win, the Penguins now head into Game 6 with renewed confidence. With emotions running high, the series now shifts back to Philadelphia under intense pressure.

The Cleveland Browns had a documented pursuit of former Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard before he signed with the New York Giants in free agency. However, the Browns have now found their man as they look to bring the fullback back to Northeast Ohio.

After the NFL Draft, where they also did not add a fullback, the Browns have signed veteran Michael Burton to their roster.

A 34-year-old veteran, Burton has been around the block quite a bit, playing in the NFL for 11 seasons. He has played for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Washington, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Denver Broncos throughout his NFL career. He now looks to fill a vital role in new head coach Todd Monken's offense.

The last time the Browns used a fullback

During the Kevin Stefanski era, the Browns did not roster a fullback. Instead, Stefanski would use former backup center Nick Harris, an extra tight end, or even defensive tackle Adin Huntington in this role when bringing a jumbo package onto the field. The last time the Browns rostered a fullback was five years ago during the 2021 season.

Andy Janovich was the last player to suit up for the Browns as a fullback.

However, Monken got the most out of Ricard in Baltimore. This is not to say that Burton is on the same plane as the 300-pounder Ricard in terms of usage, but Monken at least has a key piece to his offense now on the roster.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns add key position to the roster for first time since 2021

The 2026 MLB season is through five weeks. Following suit with previous seasons, this is the common point in the schedule where players break out of early-season slumps. Of course, certain players are continuing their outstanding production. This is what makes baseball the greatest sport in the world. Entering week six, here are the top 10 third basemen rankings.

MORE: 3 MLB teams who could fire their managers and hire Alex Cora

1. Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers

Muncy is healthy and off to a torrid start. Entering the week, he leads the Dodgers in home runs. He’s fallen short of 40 home runs in four seasons, but this can be the year he reaches the plateau.

2. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Ramirez is heating up, and this doesn’t bode well for opposing teams. After a slow start, the Cleveland third baseman is doing damage via the long ball and stealing bases. He’s aiming for a third consecutive season reaching 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases.

3. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

After a modest few weeks, Caminero has found his stride. The second-year player is locked in and demolishing opposing pitchers. Junior Caminero will be the face of the Rays for the next decade.

4. Brendan Donovan, Seattle Mariners

Donovan was the catalyst to Seattle’s offense before suffering a groin injury. Still, his fast start sees his numbers among the league’s best third basemen. The Mariners are anxiously awaiting his return as they have their sights set on a deep postseason run.

5. Josh Jung, Texas Rangers

Last season, Jung didn’t look right following wrist surgery in 2024. He struggled the entire season to regain his post-injury form. This year, he is fully recovered and hitting the ball with authority.

6. Amed Rosario, New York Yankees

Rosario’s lack of power leads to him being overlooked. He’s made a career or being a good MLB player. This season, he’s using his experience to his advantage.

7. Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox

Vargas won’t hit for a high average and racks up swings and misses. However, when he’s locked in, he displays above-average power. Entering the week, Vargas is riding a hot streak.

8. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

Correa looks to be over the back issue that plagued him for the better part of two seasons. He’s off to a great start to the season and reaching base at the highest rate in his career. He will play a major role in helping Houston reach the playoffs following last season’s disaster.

9. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants

He’s streaky, but when he’s on, he’s on. Chapman hasn’t hit for power early on, but his emphasis on contact is noticeable. The veteran is reaching base at the highest rate of his career.

10. Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals

Garcia is battling a slow start following last year’s breakout season. Entering the week, he’s struggled with off-speed pitches that have led to swings and misses. However, the entire Royals lineup has struggled through the first month of the season.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

I’m going to do something a little bit different in this space than most of other people. One of the benefits of a classical education (read: liberal arts) is a reading of the classics. In Socrates “Apology”, he asserted that he was the wisest man in Athens because he did not pretend to know that which he did not know. This simple act made him wiser than all of those who did. I’m not sure why that image popped into my head when talking about the NFL draft.

Actually, I’m lying. I know exactly why it popped into my head. This is what most people do when it comes to the NFL draft. Make no mistake, there are some folks that put in the hours of studying these players. They watch the tape. They read the scouting reports. They are familiar with most of the players. Fizzy Joe and Kenneth are our two guys here on site that do an excellent job doing that. I’ll click and read anything they have to offer on the draft because it is more than what I know.

I know that if I were to opine on the individual players and whether they are good picks or not then my opinions would not really be my opinions. They would be regurgitated opinions from someone else. I have multiple sources I like to read to learn more about guys, but if I’m going to take the time to write this for public consumption then it needs to have at least some of my own research sprinkled in.

So, if you want advice number one, it would be to seek out people that have their own informed opinions. Like I said, Fizzy Joe and Kenneth would be the go to people on this site. The rest of us have opinions and we may have even seen some of the players play, but most of our opinions are based upon the opinions of others. Then, it becomes an amplification effect. Suddenly, it turns into the “people are saying” gamut when really it is only one or two experts saying it and a bunch of people repeating it.

This is not just a football thing by the way. I have general opinions on basketball as well. I know a LOT about baseball, but I don’t dive into the weeds in analyzing players I have never seen play. I have never pounded the table for any player I had not personally watched. So, I will not be offering any individual or overall draft grades and I would be suspicious of anyone who does unless they know what they are talking about. Even then, it is just an educated guess.

The second point I would make is that you can properly understand drafts when you start to see patterns in the picks. This is mostly applicable to football and baseball when you have multiple selections. You start to see the same kind of player and that kind of player is a nod to the philosophical feelings of the people selecting them. The Texans took a lot of trench players or players for positions where they already had starters.

The best laid plans of mice and men always derail seasons. No team makes it through a season with the 22 guys that started it. Heck, even without injuries there are going to be guys on the bench that outshine guys in the starting lineup. We saw that on the offensive line last season. We’ve seen rookies gain traction and start playing tons of plays by the end of the season. We also have seen injuries.

Beyond the personality quirks of the players involved, the 2026 draft was clearly about raising the floor. That means they didn’t pick any sparkling players that would necessarily be difference makers that could take them from the divisional round to the Super Bowl. Kayden McDonald might turn out to be a notable exception there, but there are a lot of ifs that need to come true for that to happen. This draft was all about making sure the team had the depth to make it through a long and grueling season. This is a season that would likely include an 18th or even 19th game.

Of course, that brings us to those same personalities. Based on those that know, these players all had a certain SWARM mentality coming in. Most of them were team captains at their respective schools or were huge character guys. Is this ultimately a good thing? What we know is that sometimes you have a high character guy that is also a high end physical talent. That is Will Anderson. Will Anderson is not available at number 28 in the first round.

So, from that point on, teams have a choice. There are three prongs here: football character, on field production, and physical traits. You usually can have two out of three once you get outside the top ten to fifteen picks. The Texans didn’t always pick physical traits. In fact, they probably only did that with their last second round selection in Marlin Klein. Most of them were character and production picks. Was that the best way to go?

These are questions best asked and answered later. However, the pattern reflects the mind or minds of those picking the players. I can do the same thing in baseball when looking at drafts. You can start to see what general managers and scouts value. Again, whether their values make sense can only be tested after several seasons. Once their rookie contracts are signed, it doesn’t matter where they were selected. Their performance on the practice field and preseason will determine whether they make the team and have a spot in the regular rotation.

Fabio Di Giannantonio believes that Marc Marquez has had a bit of bad luck at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season and gave his opinion on who’s been Ducati’s top rider through the first four rounds.

The Italian, who finished the race in Jerez just ahead of Marquez, was also voted by fans as the top Ducati rider across all four rounds so far.

He told Paddock TV: “We need to analyse one thing, that our bike is quite good now. We have just been a little unlucky. It’s not about that we are bad with speed or we can’t overtake. We can do it very well.”

Fabio Di Giannantonio describes Marc Marquez as ‘unlucky’ early in 2026 while weighing up Ducati’s line-up

However, the VR46 rider feels that Marquez has had his fair share of bad luck in the early stages of the 2026 campaign.

Speaking to reporters after the Spanish GP, Di Giannantonio was asked about how he views the current hierarchy within Ducati’s six-man roster.

Given his position as the top-ranked Ducati rider in the championship standings, it wouldn’t be surprising if he saw himself as their lead man. But Di Giannantonio doesn’t see it that way.

“Me, the best Ducati rider? I disagree. Marc Marquez is very fast like me, but unlucky here and there.

“Alex [Marquez] is coming back. I’m doing a good job, but I don’t like this title of best Ducati rider. I’m Fabio with the VR46 team: together we’re doing a great job. We’re third, but there are still a lot of races left.”

After a slow start to 2026 for Alex Marquez, he finally gave Ducati something to celebrate by taking their first win of the season at Jerez.

The result also made him just one of two riders to win at least two Grands Prix at Jerez since 2019 (Fabio Quartararo).

Fabio Di Giannantonio also explained where he needs to get better with the Ducati GP26

Di Giannantonio was quick to point out that there’s still work to be done, especially if he wants to catch up to the Aprilia riders ahead of him in the championship.

He pinpointed his feel for the front end as an area that needs attention, adding that engineers back in Borgo Panigale are already looking into solutions for him.

“The front end is the most important aspect for a rider,” Di Giannantonio disclosed. “It’s the basis for braking and corner entry, and the line is the approach to exiting. We’ve improved this year, we’ve made a step forward, but we’re still lacking something compared to our rivals.

“I was getting closer to Marco Bezzecchi because he made a couple of mistakes. But I asked a lot of the front end, and I was taking a lot of risks.

“As I said, I need to improve the front end’s effectiveness so I can brake hard on corner entry and feel the bike more. And not only that: my weak point is the start. We’re talking to Ducati, looking for a solution for me.”

Read more:

The horses and the post positions are set, so the 152nd Kentucky Derby can officially get underway. On Saturday, 20 horses will take the track looking to etch their names into the record books.

Renegade enters the event as the favorite, and coincidentally was selected in the first post position for the race. That’s a strong starting spot, as horses in the first post have eight wins at the Derby.

But the favorite hasn’t picked up a win in the event in recent years, just ask Journalism, which entered the 2025 Kentucky Derby as the favorite and finished second to Sovereignty. Can Renegade overcome the other competitors?

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Kentucky Derby ahead of the race.

When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday, May 2. The race has traditionally taken place the first Saturday in May, though it didn't start that way. From 1875-1931, the race usually occurred in the middle of the month. That changed in 1932, when the event started being held the first Saturday in May.

That schedule has remained consistent since 1932, though did change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Derby was scheduled for the first Saturday in May originally, but had to be moved to Sept. 5 due to the pandemic. 

Kentucky Derby 2026 start time

Coverage of the Kentucky Derby is essentially an all-day event. But if you only want to tune in for the actual race, that is slated to occur at 6:57 p.m. ET. That time is not exact, and will depend on a number of factors, including how quickly the horses get into their post positions.

Where is the Kentucky Derby in 2026?

The Kentucky Derby is always held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race has been held at the track since its inception. Churchill Downs is named after John and Henry Churchill, who leased the land for the racetrack. 

The track is currently operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Kentucky Derby 2026 field, post positions and odds

Below is the field, post positions and odds for each horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. The favorite, Renegade, holds the No. 1 post position. Fulleffort sits in the No. 20 post.

1. Renegade (4-1)

2. Albus (30-1)

3. Intrepido (50-1)

4. Litmus Test (30-1)

5. Right to Party (30-1)

6. Commandment (6-1)

7. Danon Bourbon (20-1)

8. So Happy (15-1)

9. The Puma (10-1)

10. Wonder Dean (30-1)

11. Incredibolt (20-1)

12. Chief Wallabee (8-1)

13. Silent Tactic (20-1)

14. Potente (20-1)

15. Emerging Market (15-1)

16. Pavlovian (30-1)

17. Six Speed (50-1)

18. Further Ado (6-1)

19. Golden Tempo (30-1)

20. Fulleffort (20-1)

Kentucky Derby 2026 weather updates

The weather shouldn’t play a significant role in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. It’s supposed to be partly cloudy in Louisville on Saturday, with a high of 62. The chance of rain is pretty small on the actual day of the race. It could rain in the city Wednesday, and there’s a slight chance for rain Friday, which should bear monitoring. But on the actual race day, the weather forecast looks pretty clear.

Kentucky Derby 2026 payout, purse

The winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby will receive roughly $3.1 million. That's what 2024 winner Sovereignty won last year.

In total, the event has a purse of $5 million. The horse that finishes in second place will win roughly $1 million.

The total purse at the event used to be about $3 million, but that changed in 2024, when it shot up to $5 million total.

Michael Reaves via Getty Images

Does Bob Baffert have a horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Controversial trainer Bob Baffert — who has a lengthy history of his horses failing drug tests — has two horses in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. He trained both Potente and Litmus Test.

Baffert returned to the event last year after a three-year ban from the race after his 2021 winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned steroid.

Medina Spirit was stripped of its win following a second positive test, leading to Baffert's suspension. Mandaloun was named the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

It’s a big race for Baffert, who would claim the record with his seventh Kentucky Derby victory if either Potente or Litmus Test is victorious. Baffert is currently tied with Ben Jones. Each man has trained six horses which have won the Kentucky Derby.

How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

While the race won't begin until 6:57 p.m. ET, coverage of the Kentucky Derby will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Peacock and NBCSN will stream the undercard and have even earlier coverage at noon ET.

This year will mark the 26th time the Kentucky Derby has aired on NBC.

Auburn baseball's Ethin Bingaman was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday, Apr. 27, by the league offices.

Now, his second of the year, Bingaman collects another freshman of the week from the SEC. The freshman first gained the honor back on Feb. 23 for the Tigers.

Bingaman had quite the week at the plate last week for Auburn. He recorded three home runs in the third game against Oklahoma on Sunday, Apr. 26. That set a program record for home runs from a freshman in a game and was the fifth time in an SEC game for Auburn.

He went 2-for 3 in game two against Oklahoma and 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the midweek against Samford. Bingaman leads the Tigers with 21 RBI in conference play. Auburn now prepares to hit the road to take on Texas A&M in an SEC road series starting on Friday, May 1.

Bing bomb x 3. 💣

1/4 mile worth of HRs for the freshman.#WarEagle | @BingamanEthinpic.twitter.com/6k6ROvLbW9

— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) April 27, 2026

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jac on Twitter@Jac_Myrick

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn baseball: Ethin Bingaman named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week

MADRID (AP) — Brazil and Real Madrid defender Éder Militão on Tuesday underwent surgery to fix a hamstring problem that is set to keep him from playing in the World Cup.

The recovery process for these types of surgeries is at least a few months, according to Spanish media reports. Brazil makes its World Cup debut on June 14, in less than seven weeks.

Militão was hurt in Madrid's 2-1 win over Alaves in La Liga last week.

Madrid said the central defender successfully underwent surgery “for the rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his left leg.”

“Militão will begin his recovery work in the coming days,” Madrid added, without giving a timetable for the player's return.

The 28-year-old Brazil international has been marred by injuries throughout his career, including serious knee issues.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Apr. 28—Baseball and soccer playoff schedules for local teams this week.

Baseball playoff series are best two out of three with game two immediately following game one and game three, if necessary, taking place the following day.

Baseball

Class 6A

Hartselle vs. Cullman on Thursday at 5 p.m. Game 3 on Friday at 5 p.m.

Class 5A

East Limestone vs. Lincoln on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Game 3 on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Class 3A

Elkmont vs. Collinsville on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Game 3 on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Class 2A

Lindsay Lane vs. Cold Springs on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Game 3 on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Class 1A

Athens Bible vs. Skyline on Thursday at 1 p.m. Game 3 on Friday at 1 p.m.

Soccer

Class 6A

Decatur girls vs. Cullman on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Class 5A

East Limestone girls vs. Brewer on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Class 4A

Danville girls at Mars Hill on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

West Morgan boys at Mars Hill on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Class 1A-3A

Clements girls at Whitesburg Christian on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2

Apr. 28—PRICEVILLE — In the final game at its home field located at the old Priceville high school, Priceville softball rolled to a big 8-2 win.

Kelsey Green had a huge day at the plate, going three-for-four with a home run and four RBIs. Elizabeth Murphy got the win in the circle, allowing five hits and two RBIs with six strikeouts in seven innings. She also added two hits at the plate, while Taylor Mize had a hit and two RBIs.

Priceville will play at its new field at the current high school beginning next season.

—

Hartselle 14, Hewitt-Trussville 2: Katie Norgard and RC Wolf each hit home runs as the top-ranked team in Class 6A rolled to a big win.

Norgard and Wolf each had two RBIs, while Amelia Fox finished with three hits and four RBIs and Aubree Peak had two hits and four RBIs.

—

East Limestone 12, Elkmont 1: Kailey Matthews hit two doubles and a triple and finished with four RBIs as East Limestone raced to a big win.

Morgan Stoudmire and Brooklyn Phillips each added two hits and two RBIs. Nyla Parker led Elkmont with two hits and an RBI.

—

Athens 15, James Clemens 0: Jazz Davis homered and finished with three hits and four RBIs as Athens cruised to a win.

Lexie Thornton added three hits and three RBIs, while Rayne Brewer had two hits and two RBIs.

—

Athens Bible 5, Whitesburg Christian 4: Addie Tucker pitched a complete game for Athens Bible, allowing five hits and four runs with 11 strikeouts.

Addyson Butler led the Trojans at the plate, driving in three runs on three hits.

—

Clements 15, Columbia 0: Hayslee Dubose and Zailey Moran each hit home runs in an easy win on Monday.

Both players finished with two RBIs. Olivia Moody had three hits and two RBIs, while Aubrey Hall had two hits and three RBIs.

—

Curry 11, West Morgan 1: Alyssa Cleveland hit a solo home run as the Rebels took a tough loss on Monday.

—

Madison Academy 15, Danville 2: Kate Randolph led Danville with two hits, while Kennedy Borden added a hit and an RBI.

• Stones announces Man City exit in heartfelt interview ahead of June contract expiry
• Englishman has struggled to maintain fitness for club and country this season
• Everton among clubs interested to sign six-time Premier League winner

Manchester City defender John Stones has announced that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires this summer.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium in June and in contention to make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Stones has struggled for minutes and fitness again this term and has proved unreliable from a fitness standpoint, prompting club officials to enter the January market and sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace for £20 million.

“I want him to be fit” – Pep Guardiola admits injuries have held John Stones back at Manchester City

Since joining forces with Pep Guardiola in 2016 from Everton, Stones has established himself as one of the finest defenders to play in the Premier League, winning six league titles and the UEFA Champions League among a plethora of silverware under the Manchester City manager.

Stones to leave Man City this summer

In a heartfelt video interview released across Stones’ and Manchester City’s channels on Tuesday afternoon, it has been confirmed that the Barnsley-born defender will leave the Blues in June.

“It’s been a rollercoaster in many ways,” the centre-half said. “I came as a kid and now leaving as a man, becoming a father, a husband, and on the pitch a very fulfilled player I suppose and living all my dreams out, and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve.

“At the start of my career here, I never would’ve thought I’d be in this position. Firstly, achieving everything, but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out of the park.

“From day one, as soon as I came, I felt at home and felt loved. I think I can only relate it to me as a little kid; if you said to me that I’d be playing at Manchester City, winning everything, the fans are singing your name, your song throughout the stadium, wherever you go in the world, I don’t think I would’ve believed them.”

What is Stones’ message to the Man City fanbase?

On his relationship with the Manchester City fans, the Englishman added: “The Man City fans, yeah they mean everything to me. I hope that they can…I hope that I’ve made them proud.

12 Manchester City players could leave the Etihad Stadium in major summer clear-out

“I hope that they can relate to me as a person, and as a player, with how I’ve played, how I’ve represented the club, and will do for the rest of my life.

“Manchester City will always be my home, and I’m thankful, honestly, from the bottom of my heart. This is my team forever, it always will be, and I can’t speak…I haven’t got the words to kind of say what I feel and how much I love everything about it.”

Stones follows in the footsteps of club captain Bernardo Silva, who has also confirmed he will be leaving Manchester City when his own deal expires in June.

Guardians' Parker Messick joins Paul Skenes as 2nd player with this impressive MLB history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Parker Messick hasn't exactly gotten a lot of run support in the early stages of his MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians.

But in spite of that, the Guardians have had a chance to win basically every time the young left-hander takes the mound, because he's been pretty darn dominant.

Messick has been so good that he's joined a level of impressiveness only previously reached by Paul Skenes.

The stat: Pitchers who have allowed 19 or fewer runs in their first 13 games while striking out at least 76 guys.

The list is Messick and Skenes:

Only TWO pitchers in Major League Baseball history have thrown 76+ strikeouts while allowing 19-or-fewer runs in their first 13 career games pitched 📊:

1. PARKER MESSICK (2025-26)
2. Paul Skenes (2024)#GuardsBall | @CleGuardianspic.twitter.com/xuwOPV3wAW

— Luke Potosky (@LukePotosky) April 28, 2026

This season specifically, Messick has a 1.73 ERA through six starts with 38 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched.

He went 5.2 innings on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing one run and striking out nine. He left with a lead, but the Guardians' bullpen couldn't keep it.

Messick doesn't throw with the same velocity as Skenes, but the southpaw has a lot of pitches that move in a lot of different ways.

His down-darting changeup might be his nastiest pitch, but his cutter and his breaking ball work well off of his well-commanded heater, too.

Nothing about this seems to be a fluke. Messick's stuff is legitimately good, and his stats are proving it.

Maybe he won't always be quite as good as Skenes, but it'd be hard to draw up a better start to his career than this.

MORE: Travis Bazzana is already unlike anyone else in Cleveland baseball history

Yankees 4, Rangers 2

• Things were going pretty well until the Yankees hit all those home runs.
• Then things stopped going well.
• Jack Leiter was looking…what’s a good word…how about “fire”? The young people say “fire,” right?
• Do they still say “on fleek”? Can I say Jack Leiter was “on fleek” at first?
• Then bad things happened. Three of them, to be precise, in a four batter span. Ben Rice homered, Aaron Judge homered, and Jazz Chisholm, Jr. homered.
• Jazz Chisholm may be a junior but his government name isn’t Jazz. Its Jasrado. I don’t know how the rules work when you are a junior but use a nickname.
• Leiter did go six innings, which is good, but he had to deal with a lot of traffic, allowing eight hits in all, walking a guy, and hitting Aaron Judge on an 0-2 pitch in the first.
• 0-2 HBPs cause me physical pain.
• Peyton Gray threw two shutout innings and Gavin Collyer threw one, and they both still have career ERAs of 0.00, so that’s fun.
• In Collyer’s seven outings this season, he has struck out the first batter he faced twice, walked the first batter he faced twice, and hit the first batter he faced twice.
• Once again, the bats disappointed. Seven hits, of which the only extra base hit was a Joc Pederson pinch hit homer in the seventh.
• Skip Schumaker had Danny Jansen pinch hit for Evan Carter to lead off the 8th, when the Yankees brought lefty Tim Hill in to start the inning. Carter had started the game against lefty Max Fried and fanned twice. Having to use your backup catcher to hit for one of your better players in the late innings isn’t ideal.
• As it turned out, though, it maybe kind of worked, because Alejandro Osuna, who came into the game for Jansen (who grounded out) when the teams went back out into the field, had a two out single in the ninth for the only other Ranger run of the game.
• Our buddy Jazz Jr. tried to get the Rangers back into the game in the ninth, booting a grounder by Joc Pederson where Pederson was originally called safe, only to have it reversed on a challenge, and then making an error two batters later on what would have been a Josh Smith game inning grounder.
• The motley offense is getting me down, man.
• Jack Leiter hit 97.8 mph with his fastball, averaging 96.2 mph. Peyton Gray touched 92.5 mph with his fastball. Gavin Collyer touched 98.4 mph with his fastball.
• Brandon Nimmo had a 109.0 mph GIDP. Joc Pederson’s homer was 108.2 mph. Josh Jung had a 105.0 mph single and a 100.1 mph GIDP. Corey Seager had a 102.9 mph groundout. Ezequiel Duran had a 100.4 mph groundout.
• Okay, time to break the losing streak on Tuesday.

Was Cincinnati aware of Brendan Sorsby’s betting habits?

Texas Tech announced Monday that the former Bearcats quarterback would be taking a leave of absence to seek inpatient treatment for a gambling addiction. Sorsby, who transferred to Texas Tech in the offseason, played the last two seasons at Cincinnati and reportedly placed a bet on Indiana to win a game while he was a freshman with the Hoosiers in 2022.

According to USA Today, Cincinnati “was alerted” to Sorsby’s betting ahead of the 2025 season. 

When contacted by USA TODAY Sports on Monday, senior associate athletic director Zach Stipe released a statement saying, “Cincinnati Athletics has no comment at this time.”

The Big 12, which includes Cincinnati, uses ProhiBet, a compliance driven app every student-athlete in the conference must download on their phone. The app notifies universities when athletes attempt to sign up for betting platforms or place prohibited wagers.

Per multiple reports, Sorsby has regularly placed bets in recent years and regularly wagered on pitches at Cincinnati Reds games and on UFC fights. College athletes are prohibited from betting on both college and professional sports, though UFC fights are allowed via a loophole since mixed martial arts is not sanctioned by the NCAA in any capacity.

Players can lose their eligibility permanently for wagering on events at their own school and lose their eligibility for a portion of a season for wagers on professional sports if the total amount is less than $800. A college football player betting on a college football game at another school leads to a half-season ban.

If Cincinnati knew of Sorsby’s wagering and didn’t take any action, it can also face NCAA sanctions.

Sorsby has one season of eligibility remaining after he redshirted in 2022. Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers was deemed permanently ineligible by the NCAA after he admitted in a plea agreement that he had wagered on Iowa State games when he was part of the team. 

Tech’s announcement that Sorsby was entering treatment also came on the same day that the QB’s attorneys moved to dismiss a lawsuit by Cincinnati stemming from his transfer to Texas Tech. The school is seeking $1 million in liquidated damages for Sorsby’s transfer and arguing that he owes the money because of a multi-year revenue sharing agreement he signed with the team ahead of the 2025 season. Sorsby was Cincy’s starting QB for two seasons and was one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal in December.  

McLaren boss Zak Brown reckons it would be “very foolish” to discount Red Bull after a poor start to the 2026 Formula 1 campaign because the competitive order will only converge.

The Austrian outfit has slipped into the midfield this year as it is sixth after three rounds with only 16 points, causing Max Verstappen, who is yet to score a podium, to be incredibly frustrated.

This comes at the start of a new regulation cycle which has partly shaken up the order and caused the gap between the top and bottom to increase; the F1 grid was separated by 1.235s in Q1 at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, compared to 3.737s in 2026.

So as is the case with any rules era, teams should converge over time as they understand the new cars better and apply updates - McLaren being a great example of that.

It struggled at the start of the ground-effect period in 2022 before eventually claiming the 2024 and 2025 titles, so that is why Brown is not discounting other teams just yet, particularly when many will bring upgrades to this weekend’s Miami GP.

Can Miami really be the start of a 'new' F1 season?

“It would be very foolish to write Red Bull off, I also think Audi's done a very good job,” said the McLaren CEO, whose team is third in the standings and 30 points ahead of Red Bull and 44 clear of eighth-placed Audi.

“So I think it would be foolish to not think the other teams are going to move up the grid quickly. Things are only going to consolidate over time, not widen.

“We see how quickly the sport can change and how people quickly can get competitive and then sometimes not.”

Zak Brown, McLaren

Red Bull has suffered quite the decline since its domination of the 2023 season when it won 21 of 22 grands prix, breaking records like the most wins and points (860) in a campaign.

But then it was outdeveloped by its rivals as the ground-effect era progressed, while Red Bull also underwent a huge transformation of personnel as many were poached by other teams.

McLaren signed Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay with Gianpiero Lambiase also set to join, Jonathan Wheatley headed to Sauber (now Audi), while Adrian Newey left for Aston Martin.

Laurent Mekies also replaced Christian Horner as team principal midway through 2025, which was also Helmut Marko’s final year at the organisation, meaning it is quite the transformation.

So speaking about what Red Bull needs to do, particularly with it being the first year of the team developing in-house power units, Brown said: “They have to kind of do a little bit of a reset. They lost a lot of people: Christian, Wheatley, GP [Lambiase] eventually, Newey.

“So much what I came into, which was a different situation because they were very competitive, but the majority of the pitwall's changed.

"I rate Laurent, I think he does a very good job. He's technical, he's young and he's got to rebuild the people that he lost and rebuild the team.

"I have no doubt he will, and much like McLaren had an immense amount of talent that just needed to be unlocked, I think that's probably the same as Red Bull.

“They've been very dominant up to not very long ago, so there's a lot of talent in there and I think he'll just need to get it redirected.”

McLaren’s 'new car' upgrade raises hopes of Mercedes fight at Miami GP

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The San Francisco 49ers should've done more to address their safety group this offseason after a mediocre showing and Jason Pinnock's departure in free agency.

However, after the 2026 NFL draft, the only safeties they've added have been Patrick McMorris and undrafted free agent Jalen Stroman.

With the position likely being a need again next offseason, Pro Football Focus' Daire Carragher is already projecting that the 49ers will take LSU safety Ty Benefield in the first round of the 2027 NFL draft.

"The Boise State transfer already has a significant sample size, with 2,169 career snaps in college football," Carragher wrote. "He must improve his tackling efficiency — an 18.1% career missed-tackle rate — but his versatility to align across the defense gives him significant upside as he transitions to SEC play."

Benefield was a three-star recruit out of Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, before spending three seasons at Boise State, where he earned All-Mountain West honors once. In 41 games for the Broncos, he recorded 235 tackles (18 for a loss), 12 passes defensed, five interceptions, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

The 20-year-old entered the transfer portal this offseason and landed at LSU, where he'll either cement himself as a first-round prospect or drop in the projections.

This pick would be historic for this iteration of the 49ers, as they've never taken a safety before the third round since John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan took over as general manager and head coach, respectively.

Taking Ji'Ayir Brown at No. 87 overall in 2023 is the highest they've every take a safety, and taking Renardo Green at No. 64 in 2024 is the highest they've taken any defensive back.

More 49ers: Get to know each member of 49ers undrafted free agent class

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers make stunning 1st-round selection in early 2027 mock draft

The Division Resurgence is now available on PC through Ubisoft Connect Following the game’s release on iOS and Android, Ubisoft’s The Division Resurgence is now available on PC in “Early Access”. Resurgence is a free-to-play looter-shooter RPG that’s set in New York City. The game offers 3rd-person tactical combat and is playable solo or in […]

The post The Division Resurgence is now available on PC in Early Access appeared first on OC3D.

The fancy-looking ASUS RTX 3090 has a common problem, which often goes unnoticed but can kill the GPU components if not paid attention to. NorthWestRepair Fixes Damaged PCB and SMD Components on ASUS Strix RTX 3090 Caused Due to Too Much Pressure Applied on the Shroud Screws Sometimes a simple disassembly/assembly can cause complicated problems with PC components, and that's even difficult to spot when it's a GPU. The PCB traces and SMD components are easy to damage, resulting in shorting, which could potentially kill the GPU. That's why it's advised not to start any DIY process with these components […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asus-strix-rtx-3090-has-a-hidden-design-flaw-that-kills-the-vrm/

Colorful has launched two budget-tier motherboards with the LGA 1851 and LGA 1700 sockets for previous-gen and latest-gen Intel processors. Colorful Introduces Battle-AX B860M-Plus S and B760M-Plus S Motherboards With WiFi 7 and PCIe Gen 5.0 Support for Intel 12th/13th/4th gen and Core Ultra 200S Series Chinese hardware maker Colorful has introduced two new motherboards in the Battle-AX series. While most manufacturers are releasing boards for the newer Arrow Lake processors, Colorful has introduced new motherboard models for both Arrow Lake and 12th/13th/14th gen processors. Both motherboards are aimed at the budget segment, featuring the B860 and B760 chipsets. The […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/colorful-launches-battle-ax-b860m-and-b760m-motherboards/

The opening of Saros pits you against the Consort, a formidable tutorial boss designed to teach you the high stakes of combat. While most players will fall to this boss, it is possible to defeat it and receive some rewards for your efforts. However, the fight is really difficult because you lack the advanced abilities such as Parry, Power Weapons, and Second Chance (free revive) unlocked later in the game. You are limited entirely to a Handcannon, and your own personal skills action game skills. Should You Try to Beat The Consort? If you manage to defeat the Consort, you […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/how-to/saros-can-you-beat-the-tutorial-boss-consort-boss-guide/

Samsung recently exited low-end NAND and DRAM businesses, which has resulted in a major boost for Taiwanese and Chinese markets. Taiwan-Based NAND Maker, Macronix, Sees Big 4x Boost In MLC Business As Samsung Focues on High-End Products Recently, we reported that Samsung had exited LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X memory segments to focus on the more lucarative LPDDR5/X memory, which is a hot item for AI. The semiconductor giant also closed its MLC NAND business to focus on higher-end NAND products. While this led to a short disruption in the memory and NAND markets for entry-level platforms, others have filled in the […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-exiting-mlc-nand-buisness-opens-up-space-for-taiwanese-nand-maker/

PixGrid is an AI-powered online photo editor that runs entirely in your browser, letting you remove backgrounds, erase objects, generate images from text, and stylize photos in one workflow. You can build collages, add text, manage layers, and export high-res PNG, SVG, or PDF. PixGrid processes Premium AI on private servers and never stores your images. Start free with daily exports, then unlock unlimited exports and advanced tools with affordable one-time passes.

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PDF Pro is a privacy-first document workspace that runs in your browser. You can view, create, edit, annotate, merge, split, convert, and compress PDFs with no uploads needed for local tools. It also lets you chat with documents, translate PDFs and images, and extract structured outputs like tables, charts, Word, and Excel.

PDF Pro secures sensitive files with client-side encryption, end-to-end encrypted transfers, and cryptographic signing and verification. You can open any PDF instantly via the Chrome extension and keep files on your device. The Chrome extension allows instant access so you can open and work with PDFs directly from your browser without interrupting your workflow.

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Rotten Tropes tags new movie releases with recurring narrative patterns like Power Always Corrupts, The Chosen One, Violence Gets Results, or Love Conquers All, so you can pick films by the messages you want and skip the ones you've seen too often. Mark any trope as loved or avoided, and the site surfaces matching releases while hiding the rest.

Built for people who notice the same patterns repeating across blockbusters (Letterboxd list-makers, TVTropes readers, or anyone who's googled 'movies that aren't another chosen-one story'). Search any film for its tropes, browse this week's pre-tagged releases, or use the Trope Explainer to learn what each pattern means and which films use it.

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AI turns documents into multilingual training in 10 minutes

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Edge AI that predicts machine failures

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Enable secure AI adoption across your entire organization

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Your entire market. Identified, verified, delivered.

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Save time and money for your business with AI-powered CFO

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Tokenized stock holders can now participate in corporate governance, closing a long-standing gap between onchain securities and their traditional counterparts.

Ethereum market participants saw the 100-day SMA at $2,200 as particularly important for bulls to hold to avoid a deeper correction.

OKX integrates BlackRock’s tokenized Treasury fund into Standard Chartered custody, allowing institutions to use it as regulated trading collateral.

Changelly and Tonkeeper have teamed up to make cross-chain deposits into TON a seamless, in-wallet experience.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs post $263 million in outflows, ending a nine-day inflow streak as Bitcoin failed to reclaim $80,000 in its latest run.

Core Scientific is converting its Pecos, Texas site into a high-density AI colocation hub, repurposing 300MW of mining capacity.

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/arezzo-unites-volterra-livorno-pienza-monteriggioni-and-porto-ercole-discover-the-untouched-medieval-wonders-that-are-redefining-the-future-of-sustainable-travel-throughout-the-heart-of-tuscany/

Arezzo, Unites Volterra, Livorno, Pienza, Monteriggioni And Porto Ercole, Discover The Untouched Medieval Wonders That Are Redefining The Future Of...

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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/whitehead-portaferry-and-kinsale-experience-the-booming-magic-of-these-dreamy-destinations-before-the-rest-of-the-world-finds-out-in-ireland/

Whitehead, Portaferry, And Kinsale, Experience The Booming Magic Of These Dreamy Destinations Before The Rest Of The World Finds Out...

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Zurich Bound Swiss International Air Lines A330 Flight LX147 Airbus A330-300 with 245 Passengers Evacuated in Indira Gandhi International Airport...

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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/spain-bound-easyjet-flight-u23357-airbus-a319-from-liverpool-john-lennon-airport-u-turns-and-makes-emergency-landing-at-liverpool/

Spain Bound easyJet Flight U23357  Airbus A319 from Liverpool John Lennon Airport U-Turns and Makes Emergency Landing at LiverpoolSpain bound...

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Google quietly expanded digital ID support in Wallet to four new markets: India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Brazil. The company announced it through a blog post, opening up a feature that could genuinely matter to hundreds of millions of people.

In India, the integration runs deeper than a passport scan.

Google built on its existing UIDAI partnership to let users save Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials directly on-device. That’s your national identity, digitized, sitting in your phone.

Early partners include PVR INOX for age verification at cinemas, BharatMatrimony for verified profile matching, and Atlys for auto-filling visa applications with a single tap.

Mygate and Snabbit are coming soon, targeting residential security and gig worker verification.

Brazil, Singapore, and Taiwan get something slightly different.

Users there can generate an ID pass built from passport data and store it in Wallet. It’s designed for both in-person and online situations where age or identity verification is required.

Signing into accounts, proving you’re old enough to watch an R-rated film, that sort of thing. The privacy architecture here is worth understanding.

Google is leaning on a concept called selective disclosure, where only the specific fields needed for a given transaction get shared. You don’t hand over your full identity just to confirm you’re over 18.

The post Google Wallet expands digital ID support to India, Singapore, Taiwan and Brazil appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung has yet to fix the Galaxy S26 Ultra close-up camera problem, and we have another response from the camera moderator. This time, the timeline is more precise, and affected users can have a breath of peace.

If your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has been acting weird while shooting close-up shots at 2x zoom, you’re not imagining things. A growing number of users have been flagging a strange capture delay and inconsistent results.

Camera moderators on Samsung’s Korean Community forums have confirmed the bug is real. According to the most recent response, the issue specifically affects the 24-megapixel mode when using 2x zoom in close-up scenarios.

If you compose your shot and wait for a few seconds before pressing the shutter, the camera pipeline misbehaves. Think of it as a brief viewfinder hang that throws off post-processing once the image is captured.

This looks like a timing issue between the preview pipeline and the final image processing stack. The camera likely re-evaluates focus, exposure, or sharpening during that idle window, then fails to sync properly when the shutter is pressed.

Samsung says the fix is already in development and will roll out with the next firmware build. The expected target is the May 2026 security patch. The moderator explicitly pointed to a future release window, not anything currently rolling out.

Right now, Verizon users are receiving a second April update for the Galaxy S26 lineup. While it brings its own set of tweaks and fixes, this camera issue is almost certainly not part of that build.

Until the May patch lands, the workaround is simple. Don’t wait too long before hitting the shutter in 24MP 2x mode, especially for close-ups.

The post Next Galaxy S26 Ultra update to fix 24MP close-up camera bug appeared first on Sammy Fans.

vivo is set to launch the X300 FE in India on May 6, alongside its 2026 camera flagship, the X300 Ultra. Ahead of the official debut, the X300 FE’s pricing has now leaked. According to a tipster, who shared an image of the phone’s retail box, the India-bound vivo X300 FE could be priced at around INR 79,999 ($845) for the 12GB/256GB variant. The leaked box image also reveals an MRP of INR 1,19,999 ($1,270), although the actual retail price is typically much lower. Notably, the vivo X200 FE was launched at a starting price of INR 54,999, suggesting a significant price increase...

The ability to back up your WhatsApp chats to the cloud has been around for about a decade now. Android users can back up their chats on Google Drive, while iPhone users can back up their chats on iCloud. But WhatsApp could offer you the option to back up your chats to its own cloud storage in the future. According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will let users back up their WhatsApp chats on its own cloud storage, which will be encrypted. The image below shows that Android users will have two options for cloud backup of their chats - Google Drive and...

could be given an immediate world title shot upon his return, colliding with an unbeaten contender for the WBA lightweight strap. ‘Tank’ defended this belt against Lamont Roach in March 2025, boxing to a controversial draw from which many felt he was fortunate to come away. Since then, the 31-year-old has been made ‘champion in […]

The post Unbeaten fighter says he’s in line to face Gervonta Davis next: “They’re about to sanction it” appeared first on Boxing News.

Fenerbahçe, yaz döneminde Liverpool'dan bedelsiz şekilde ayrılacak Salah konusunda istekli... Ancak Sarı-Lacivertli ekibin eski hocası Jorge Jesus da Al-Nassr Yönetimi'ne konuyla ilgili baskı yapıyor.

Liverpool'la 30 Haziran 2027 tarihine kadar sözleşmesi bulunan Mohamed Salah, yönetimle bir görüşme yaparak bedelsiz ayrılık konusunda izin almıştı. 33 yaşındaki Mısırlı yıldız, 2026 yazında istediği takıma bonservis bedeli olmadan gidebilecek. Ülkemizden Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe de konuyla ilgili nabız yoklamıştı.

YÖNETİMLE KONUŞTU

Şu anda Galatasaray'ın eski ilgisi yok. Ancak Fenerbahçe cephesinin bu transferde etkinliğini koruduğu konuşuluyor. Salah'ta zaten ortalık karışıkken bir hamle de Fenerbahçe'nin eski hocası Jorge Jesus'tan geldi. Tecrübeli Teknik Direktör, Al-Nassr Yönetimi'yle görüşerek Salah'ı talep etti.

MADDİ AÇIDAN ÇOK CAZİP

Bir başka Suudi Arabistan temsilcisi Al-Ittihad da oyuncu konusunda devrede... 33 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusunun, yaz başında geleceğiyle ilgili kararını vermesi bekleniyor. Suudi Arabistan Ligi, maddi açıdan çok cazip... Ancak Salah'ın Avrupa'da kalabileceği de konuşuluyor.

Juventus forması giyen milli futbolcumuz Kenan Yıldız, mukavele yenilemesine rağmen yeni sezonda Premier Lig'de boy gösterebilir. Manchester United'ın tarihi bir teklif hazırladığı öğrenildi.

Kenan Yıldız, Juventus'la olan sözleşmesini 7 Şubat'ta yenilemişti. Mevcut kontratı 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar sürüyor. Juventus, bu hamleyle birlikte oyuncuya olan ilginin biteceğini düşünüyordu. Ancak hiç de öyle olmadı! Manchester United'ın, tarihi bir teklif hazırladığı öğrenildi.

100 MİLYON EURONUN ÜZERİNDE

Kırmızı Şeytanlar'ın, milli futbolcumuz için 100 milyon euronun üzerinde bir teklif hazırladığı belirtildi. 20 yaşındaki Yıldız'ın kararı da bu olası transferde çok önemli bir rol oynayacak. Kenan'ın, Juventus'un sportif başarıların uzağında kalması sebebiyle ayrılık ihtimalini değerlendirebileceği konuşuluyor.

İŞLER BİRAZ DEĞİŞTİ!

Kenan sözleşme yenilemesine rağmen sonraki süreçte bazı maçlarda kenara alınması sebebiyle mutsuz olmuştu. Ayrıca Juventus'un yaz döneminde beklenen transferleri yapamaması halinde milli futbolcunun, Premier Lig'e gidebileceği kaydedildi. Şu anda United resmi girişimlere başlamadı. Ancak yaz döneminde ortalık karışacak gibi gözüküyor.

İtalya basınındaki habere göre; Napoli, Galatasaray'a kiralanan Noa Lang'ı sezon öncesindeki kampta değerlendirmek istiyor. Bu gelişme aynı zamanda oyuncunun Sarı-Kırmızılı ekipte kalmayacağı anlamına geliyor.

IL Mattino'nun haberine göre; Napoli, Noa Lang'ı yaz kampında değerlendirmek istiyor. Teknik Direktör Conte'yle sorunlar yaşayan Hollandalı futbolcu, devre arasında Galatasaray'a kiralanmıştı. Yapılan anlaşmada Sarı-Kırmızılı ekibin 30 milyon euroluk satın alma opsiyonu da bulunuyordu.

BÖYLE BİR DÜŞÜNCE YOK

Cim-Bom'un bu opsiyonu kullanmayı düşünmediği biliniyor. 30 milyon euro gibi bir rakam, Lang'a harcanmayacak. Çok sürpriz bir gelişme yaşansa dahi, Galatasaray asla 30 milyonluk teklif sunmayacak. Lang'ın, Conte ile arasındaki sorunları aşıp aşamayacağı henüz net değil. Ancak yeni sezonda başka bir takımın yolunu tutma ihtimali hayli yüksek...

JUVENTUS PERFORMANSI

Noa Lang, devre arasında geldiği Galatasaray'da 10 lig maçına çıktı. Sahada 553 dakika kaldı. 2 asist üretti. Unutulmayacak performansı ise Şampiyonlar Ligi'ndeki Juventus sınavında geldi. Hollandalı yıldız, 5-2 kazanılan mücadelede rakip ağları 2 kez sarsmıştı.

Galatasaray yönetimi yarın taraftara açık idman için "bilet kesilecek" iddialarını yalanladı... ancak telefonlarına GS Plus indirilmesi konusunda bir ısrar söz konusu

Fenerbahçe yönetiminin cesaret edemediğini Galatasaray yönetimi etti... Domenico Tedesco'nun statta idman yapmak istemesine rağmen "olmaz" diye reddeden ve taraftar buluşmasını engelleyen Sadettin Saran yönetimine inat sarı-kırmızılılar hafta sonunda oynanacak Samsunspor maçından önce yarın da idmanı taraftarlara açacak.

Ancak iddia edildiği gibi Dursun Özbek yönetimi taraftara açık idmanda bilet kesmeyecek... oyuncularla buluşmaya gelecek taraftarların üzerinden para kazanmayacak. Ancak telefonuna GS Plus indirenlerin giriş hakkı olması gibi bir yol seçilmesi gündemde.

Bu arada ultrAslan tribün lideri Sebahattin Şirin'den de "Değerli Galatasaraylılar" başlığı altında "#Hedef26 yolunda Çarşamba günü Taraftara açık antrenman organizasyonunda stadımızda aslanlarımızla bir araya geleceğiz!" diyerek yarın yapılacak idmana katılım çağrısı geldi.

GSPara Kartı ile taraftara açık antrenman biletini öncelikli ve ücretsiz al! @GalatasaraySK

29 Nisan 2026 Çarşamba günü saat 20.00’de, Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi RAMS Park’ta taraftarlarımıza açık yapılacak antrenmanın biletlerini bugün saat 18.00 - 23.00 arasında… pic.twitter.com/S1j2Kq5bqA

Fenerbahçe'de kaçan şampiyonluk sonrasında artçı depremler devam ediyor. Sarı-lacivertlilerin başkanı Sadettin Saran imzasıyla yapılan son açıklamaya göre kulüp, resmen seçime gidiyor. Fenerbahçe Başkanı Sadettin Saran, sarı-lacivertli kulübün olağanüstü seçimli genel kurul tarihini duyurdu.

Sarı-lacivertli kulüp, sezon sonunda seçim yapma kararını ve tarihini resmen açıkladı.Fenerbahçe Başkanı Sadettin Saran, olağanüstü seçimli genel kurul kararı alındığını açıkladı. Sarı-lacivertli kulübün internet sitesi üzerinden bir açıklama yapan Saran, “Camiamıza verdiğimiz söz doğrultusunda, 6-7 Haziran tarihlerinde Olağanüstü Seçimli Genel Kurulumuzun gerçekleştirileceğini camiamızın bilgisine sunuyorum.” dedi.

Sadettin Saran açıklamasında, “Fenerbahçemizin her bir ferdine, Kalbi bu arma için atan camiamıza, Bugün sizlere sadece bir başkan olarak değil, bu camianın bir evladı olarak sesleniyorum. Göreve talip olduğumuz gün, “Ne sabır ne süre” diyerek yola çıktık. Çünkü bu camianın artık beklemeye değil, ayağa kalkmaya ihtiyacı olduğunu biliyorduk. Seçimin uygun olmayan tarihte gerçekleşmesine rağmen elimizi taşın altına koymaktan bir an olsun çekinmedik. Sorumluluktan kaçmadık; geri durmadık. Biz o gün, yeniden birlikte olmanın, yeniden inanmanın ve yeniden başarmanın mümkün olduğunu göstermek için buradaydık. Göreve başladığımızda, şampiyonluk umudunun zayıfladığı bir tabloyla karşı karşıyaydık; buna rağmen uzun yıllardır süren şampiyonluk özlemini sona erdirmek, Fenerbahçemizi hak ettiği yere taşımak için ben ve yol arkadaşlarım gece gündüz çalıştık.” ifadelerini kullandı.

Saran sözlerini şöyle sürdürdü, “Bu süreçte kimseyi kırmamaya, camiamızı ayrıştıracak bir dil kullanmamaya, bir kavga ortamı yaratmamaya özellikle özen gösterdik. Ne bahanelerin arkasına sığındık ne de zorluklardan korktuk. Tek odağımız kulübümüzün başarısı oldu. Ben, verdiğim söz üzerine; herkesin geri durduğu bir dönemde başkanlık yarışına girdim. Yine ben, verdiğim söz üzerine bugün camiamın karşısına çıkıyorum.”

Seçim kararıyla ilgili Saran, “Hepinizin yakından bildiği üzere görev süremizin henüz başında yaşanan saha dışı gelişmeler ve oluşan şartlar, o gün farklı bir değerlendirme yapmamızı mümkün kılmamıştı. O gün nasıl ki sorumluluktan kaçmadıysak, bugün de verdiğimiz sözün arkasında duruyoruz. Sezon boyunca bazı kararları, şampiyonluk yarışımıza zarar vermemesi adına bilinçli şekilde erteledik. Ancak gelinen noktada, bu süreci daha fazla ötelemenin doğru olmayacağı açıktır.” açıklamasında bulundu.

Saran açıklamasında ayrıca şu ifadelere yer verdi, “Bu kararı, Fenerbahçemizin önünü açmak ve camiamızın önünde yeni bir sayfa açılmasına imkan tanımak adına aldım. Göreve geldiğimiz ilk günden itibaren kapıların eşit şekilde açılmadığı ve şartların herkes için aynı olmadığı bir ortamda görev yaptık. Buna rağmen odağımızı bir gün olsun kaybetmedik. Gönlümden geçen, bu görevi camiamıza şampiyonluk mutluluğunu yaşatarak tamamlamaktı. Hedeflerimiz için her şeyi ortaya koyduk, ancak bugün itibarıyla istediğimiz noktada değiliz. Bu süreçte ortaya koyduğumuz mücadeleye ve niyete inancım tamdır. Benim için bu kararı almak kolay olmadı. Ancak bu koltuk, kişisel tercihlerle değil; doğru zamanda doğru kararları alabilme sorumluluğuyla taşınır. Bugün ise şunu çok net bir şekilde ifade etmek isterim ki: Bu koltuk için savaşmanın, bu makamı bir hırs meselesine dönüştürmenin Fenerbahçe’ye hiçbir faydası yoktur. Aslolan Fenerbahçe’dir.”

Fenerbahçe'nin paylaşımı:

1996-2000 arasında oyuncu olarak Galatasaray formasıyla üst üste 4 kez şampiyon olan Okan Buruk bu sezonda da şampiyonluğu kazanırsa dünya üzerinde bir ilke imza atacak. Okan Buruk ayrıca sarı-kırmızılı takımın başına geçtiğinden beri Fenerbahçe'de 5'inci hocanın kellesini aldı.

Bu sezonu da Galatasaray'ın başında şampiyon olarak tamamlamaya hazırlanan Okan Buruk, dünya üzerinde hem oyuncu hem de teknik direktör olarak üst üste 4 sezon şampiyon olan tek futbolcu olarak tarihe geçmeye hazırlanıyor.

Okan Buruk sadece Galatasaray'ın başında büyük başarılara imza atmakla kalmıyor... ezeli rakipleri Fenerbahçe ve başına geçen teknik direktörlere de hayatı zindan ediyor. Okan Buruk göreve geldiğinden bu yana, Fenerbahçe’ye 5. kez teknik direktör değişikliği yaptırdı.

- İsmail Kartal (2022)

- Jorge Jesus (2022-23)

- İsmail Kartal (2023-24)

- José Mourinho (2024-25)

- Domenico Tedesco (2025-26)

Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe'nin başına dert olurken Anadolu'nun hemen her yerine şampiyonluk kutlaması götürmekte de üstüne yok. Sarı-kırmızılılar takımı hafta sonunda deplasmanda Samsunspor’u yenerse son 10 sezonda 5 farklı şehirde 6 şampiyonluk yaşamış olacak.

- Göztepe | İzmir (2017/18)

- Başakşehir | İstanbul (2018/19)

- Ankaragücü | Ankara (2022/23)

- Konyaspor | Konya (2023/24)

- Kayserispor | İstanbul (2024/25)

- Samsunspor | Samsun (25/26)

Futbolda topu atan Fenerbahçe'nin elinde sadece basketbol kaldı. Bu akşam EuroLeague play-offuna çıkacak sarı-lacivertliler final-foura kalmadan evine dönerse Başkan Sadettin Saran'ın aday olmak için elinde tek bir dal kalmaz.

Fenerbahçe Beko, EuroLeague Play-off serisi ilk maçında Zalgiris Kaunas’ı bu akşam konuk ediyor. Mücadele 20.45’te başlayacak ve Başkan Sadettin Saran'ın kanalı S Sport’tan canlı yayınlanacak.

Maç öncesinde en fazla merak edilenler arasında dün Tedesco ve Devin Özek'in kellesini aldığını resmen açıklayan, seçim kararı aldığı ve adaylığı konusunda henüz karar verip vermediği konuşulan Saran'ın maça gelip gelmeyeceği oldu.

Futbolda yaşanan "ellerim bomboş" sezonu sonrasında Fenerbahçe yönetiminin elinde sadece EuroLeague kaldı. Geçen sezon şampiyon olunan Avrupa basketbolunun zirvesine bu sezon daha final-foura kalmadan veda edilmesi Başkan Saran'ın adaylığını zora sokar. Bu yüzden Başkan Saran'ın bu akşam Ülker Arena'da olması ve takıma destek vermesi bekleniyor. Çünkü basketbol takımında da işler bir süredir iyi gitmiyor.

Branded search is often treated as predictable and easy to manage. In practice, it isn’t.

PPC teams see rising CPC on brand terms. SEO teams see declining branded CTR, even when rankings hold. These issues are usually investigated separately, with different dashboards, hypotheses, and fixes.

Both signals often stem from changes within a single SERP. What look like two separate problems are, in reality, one shared environment reacting to shifts in competition and visibility.

The issue isn’t a lack of data. Most teams already have basic reports and brand monitoring tools, including PPC and SEO platforms. The problem is how the data is used. 

To understand what’s happening in branded search, teams must manually piece signals together. This takes time, doesn’t scale, and delays decisions.

Here’s why that fragmentation is harmful and what to do about it.

What’s actually happening in branded search

Branded search is often described in terms of channels — paid and organic. For users, that distinction doesn’t exist.

A single SERP brings together multiple layers:

• PPC ads 
• Competitor ads or comparison pages
• Organic results, including brand-owned pages
• Affiliate listings promoting the same brand
• Review platforms and aggregators 

All of these elements appear at once, within the same decision-making space.

From a SERP analysis perspective, this isn’t a set of isolated placements. It’s a dynamic environment where each element influences the others. A competitor ad above your organic result can reduce CTR. An affiliate listing can compete with your paid campaign. A review page can shift user intent before a click.

In practice, this creates a mismatch. 

For users, branded search is a single page. Inside the company, it’s split across workflows and handled by different functions.

PPC focuses on bids and efficiency. SEO focuses on rankings and organic traffic. Affiliate activity is often tracked separately, if at all. Competitor tracking may exist, but usually within a single channel. The result is a fragmented view of what is, in practice, a shared space.

Understanding what’s happening in branded search often requires manual effort. The data is there, but building a complete, up-to-date view of the SERP on a regular basis is time-consuming and hard to scale. That makes it difficult to understand how these elements interact — and even harder to respond to changes as they happen.

What PPC teams see (and often miss)

From a PPC perspective, teams focus on these signals:

• Brand CPC starts to rise.
• More players appear in the auction.
• Branded campaigns become less efficient over time.

At first glance, this suggests increased competition. The typical response is to adjust bids, defend impression share, or refine targeting. All of it makes sense within paid media.

But this is where context changes everything.

What PPC teams don’t always see is who’s driving that competition. 

Not every new entrant in the auction is a direct competitor. Often, it’s affiliate activity — partners bidding on branded terms outside agreed-upon rules. Without deeper competitor tracking, these cases can look identical while requiring different actions.

There’s also the organic layer. Changes in SERP structure — more ads, different layouts, stronger third-party rankings — can directly affect paid performance. Even if the campaign setup stays the same, the environment shifts. Without ongoing SERP analysis, these changes are easy to miss.

In many cases, brands aren’t just competing with others — they’re competing with themselves. Over 40% of advertised pages already rank #1 organically (Ahrefs, 2025).

PPC teams rarely see the full page in context. They see auction data, metrics, and reports — but not always how their ads appear alongside organic results, affiliates, and other placements in real time.

But beyond missing context, there’s a more practical limitation.

Ad platform reporting rarely explains what changed. It shows performance shifts — but not how the SERP looked to users, who appeared alongside the ad, or how placements were arranged.

This creates a gap.

Competitor tracking without context doesn’t explain the situation — it only signals change. Without broader SERP-level brand monitoring, PPC teams often optimize on partial visibility, reacting to symptoms while the root cause must be reconstructed manually.

What SEO teams see (and often miss)

From the SEO side, branded search issues tend to surface differently.

The most common signals look like this:

• Branded CTR starts to decline.
• Rankings remain stable, often still in top positions.
• SERP appearance shifts — new elements, richer features, or different page layouts.

On the surface, it looks like an SEO problem. The natural response is to review snippets, adjust metadata, or check for technical or content issues.

But in many cases, performance drops aren’t driven solely by SEO factors.

SEO teams generally know that paid activity, competitors, and affiliates can influence branded search. The challenge isn’t awareness — it’s consistent visibility over time.

To understand what changed, teams need to see how the SERP looked at a specific moment:

• Which ads appeared and where.
• Whether competitors or affiliates were present.
• How organic results were positioned in context.

This isn’t what standard SEO workflows are built for. Teams often have to manually check results, compare snapshots across tools, or rely on incomplete data.

Then there’s the SERP itself. Modern branded SERPs aren’t static. Layout changes, added modules, and mixed result types can significantly affect click behavior.

Without consistent SERP analysis, it’s hard to isolate the cause. As a result, SEO teams may keep optimizing — and see no stable results.

Why PPC and SEO issues are actually connected

At a glance, PPC and SEO issues in branded search may look unrelated — different metrics, dashboards, and teams. But when you look at the SERP as a whole, the connection is hard to ignore.

Studies show this overlap isn’t an edge case. Nearly 38% of websites advertise on keywords where they already rank in the top 10 organically (Ahrefs, 2025). In branded search, the overlap is even higher.

That means both channels operate in the same environment — and compete for the same user attention.

Changes within that environment rarely affect just one side:

• Increased ad presence can push organic listings lower or draw clicks away.
• Aggressive bidding (from competitors or affiliates) can raise CPC while also reducing organic search visibility.
• New entrants in the SERP can affect both paid efficiency and organic CTR simultaneously.

In this context, it’s not unusual for PPC performance to decline while SEO metrics shift in parallel. These aren’t isolated issues — they’re different reflections of the same underlying change. Yet they’re rarely analyzed together.

The real problem isn’t visibility — it’s fragmentation.

Most teams already have access to data. Specialized tools make SERP analysis, competitor tracking, and brand monitoring possible. The limitation isn’t what can be seen, but how it’s used.

PPC and SEO operate in separate systems — different platforms and reporting environments, KPIs, and workflows. To understand what changed in branded search, teams must align manually by comparing reports, checking SERPs, validating assumptions, and sharing findings across functions.

As a result, insights are delayed, alignment lags behind SERP changes, and decisions are made with incomplete or outdated context.

How to improve branded search performance

Most teams don’t miss the signals — a spike in CPC, a drop in CTR, unexpected competitors in the auction. These changes rarely go unnoticed. The challenge comes next: confirming what happened and deciding how to respond.

This is where branded search performance slows. Teams dig through separate reports, trying to reconstruct what the SERP looked like at a specific moment. By the time the picture is clear — if it ever is — the window to react has already passed.

Improving performance here isn’t about adding more data. It’s about changing how it’s collected and used. 

With the right setup, SERP analysis becomes continuous instead of manual. Changes in branded search are captured automatically, including competitor and affiliate activity that might otherwise require manual checks, post-fact validation, or go unnoticed.

Tools for branded search monitoring such as Bluepear provide: 

• Unified look on SERP in a specific moment.
• Automated alerts when meaningful changes occur.
• Pre-collected, timestamped evidence that removes the need to manually gather screenshots or reconstruct past states.

Instead of spending time collecting screenshots, comparing reports, and reconstructing what happened, the information is already structured.

This shifts the process from reactive to operational. Instead of investigating issues after the fact, teams receive a clear signal or a complete case.

This creates a reliable record of what actually happened:

• When a new player entered the SERP.
• How placements shifted over time.
• Where potential violations or conflicts appeared.

Instead of scattered evidence and manual reconstruction, teams get structured, ready-to-use context.

Reporting becomes simpler. Insights can be shared across PPC, SEO, and affiliate teams without rebuilding context each time, reducing internal alignment time. Most importantly, decisions can be made faster.

With Bluepear, brand monitoring and competitor tracking become continuous. Teams receive structured signals instead of raw fragments and can act without rebuilding the situation from scratch.

To see how Bluepear can improve your workflow, create an account and start your free trial.

Final takeaways

PPC and SEO teams don’t lack data — they interpret different signals from the same SERP. But these signals are connected. They’re shaped by the same changes in the search environment, even if they appear in different reports.

When SERP analysis is fragmented, it’s harder to see the full picture — and even harder to act quickly.

What makes the difference is not more data, but better coordination:

• Continuous brand monitoring instead of occasional checks.
• Shared visibility across PPC, SEO, and affiliate teams.
• A consistent view of the SERP, not separate channel reports.

When branded search is managed holistically, teams don’t just react to performance changes — they understand what drives them and respond with clarity.

To simplify how your team tracks and responds to branded search changes, start using Bluepear to automate monitoring, capture SERP changes, and centralize evidence in one place.

Sonuncu ölkə çempionu olan “Qarabağ” futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatları tarixində 700-cü səfər qoluna imza atıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Ağdam kluunun yubiley topuna Musa Qurbanlı imza atıb.

O, Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 29-cu turunun “Neftçi” ilə səfər oyununda (5:1) hesabı açıb. Rəqib meydanlarında 488-ci görüşünə çıxmış Ağdam klubu qol sayını 704-ə çatdırıb. Bu göstəricidə mütləq rekordçu olan “Qarabağ”ın orta məhsuldarlığı 1,44-ə bərabərdir.

Xatırladaq ki, ağdamlıların ilk qolu 1992-ci il mövsümünə təsadüf edib. 1992-ci il mayın 9-da “Plastik”lə matçın (2:0) 55-ci dəqiqəsində Cavanşir Novruzov meydan sahiblərinin qapısına yol tapıb.

Qurban Qurbanovun rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının cari mövsümündə 28 oyuna topladığı 59 xalla yarış cədvəlinin 2-ci pilləsində qərarlaşıb. Ağdam təmsilçisi 28 oyunda 18 qələbə qazanıb, 5 heç-heçə edib, 5 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

“Sumqayıt” futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümündə 5-ci dəfə penaltidən yararlana bilməyib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Premyer Liqanın 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 29-cu turunun “İmişli” ilə səfər görüşündə (2:0) Nikola Ninkoviç 11 metrlik cərimə zərbəsindən istifadə edə bilməyib.

“Gənclik şəhəri” təmsilçisi mövsümdəki 8 belə imkanın yalnız üçünü qola çevirib.

Bir komandanın mövsümdə 5 penaltidən yararlanmaması turnirdə XXI əsrin antirekordudur. 2001-2026-cı illərdə üç dəfə bir komanda mövsüm ərzində 4 imkanı qaçırıb. “Şəfa” 2001/2002 mövsümündə 5, “Qarabağ” 2020/2021, “Sabah” isə 2022/2023 mövsümündə eyni sayda – 9 imkandan dördündən istifadə edə bilməyib. “İmişli” ilə görüşədək bu antirekordun şəriki olan “Sumqayıt” artıq həmin üç komandanı da “geridə qoyub”.

Qeyd edək ki, ümumilikdə cari mövsümdə təyin olunan 60 penaltidən 48-i qolla nəticələnib. Bu zərbələrdən istifadə faizi 80-ə bərabərdir.

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında mübarizə aparan “Zirə” komandası Premyer Liqada 50-ci səfər heç-heçəsinə imza atıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu yubiley “Turan Tovuz”la görüşə təsadüf edib.

Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 29-cu turunun qarşılaşmasında 1:1 hesabı qeydə alınıb. 50-ci sülh rəqib meydanlarındakı 166-cı qarşılaşmada gerçəkləşib. “Zirə” turnirin tarixində səfərdə ən azı 50 heç-heçə edən 11-ci komanda olub.

Qeyd edək ki, qəsəbə təmsilçisinin ilk səfər heç-heçəsi 2015-ci il avqustun 16-da “Kəpəz”lə matçda qeydə alınıb – 1:1.

Rəşad Sadıqovun rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda Premyer Liqanın cari mövsümündə keçirdiyi 29 oyunda 11 qələbə qazanıb, 13 heç-heçə edib, 5 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb. Qəsəbə təmsilçisi topladığı 46 xalla yarış cədvəlinin 4-cü pilləsində qərarlaşıb.

Türkiyənin “Fənərbağça” klubunda növbəti prezident seçkilərinin tarixi məlum olub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə İstanbul təmsilçisinin hazırkı rəhbəri Sadəttin Saran klubun mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bildirib. O, seçkilərin iyunun 6-7-də olacağını vurğulayıb.

Sadəttin Saran 2025-ci ilin sentyabrından “Fənərbağça”nın prezidentidir.

Seçkilərdə yeni namizədlər hələ açıqlanmayıb.

“Liverpul”un sabiq futbolçusu Stiven Cerrard təklif alıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Bristol Siti” klubu mütəxəssisi komandanın baş məşqçi postuna gətirmək istəyir. Bu barədə “The İndependent” nəşri məlumat yayıb. Cerrard yeni iş yeri ilə bağlı yayda seçim edəcək.

Mütəxəssis son olaraq Səudiyyə Ərəbistanıda “Əl İttifaq”da çalışıb.

“Sabah”ın hücumçusu Coy-Lens Mikels əməliyyat olunub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, alman futbolçu bu səbəbdən Misli Premyer Liqasında XXIX turda “Karvan-Yevlax”la oyunda iştirak etməyib. Mikels üzündən əməliyyat keçirib və növbəti turda “Şamaxı” ilə matçda meydana çıxa bilər.

“Sabah” “Karvan-Yevlax”ı 2:0 hesabıyla məğlub edib.

Mikels liqada 18 qolla bombardirdir.

Braziliyalı futbolçu Eder Militao yayda keçiriləcək dünya çempionatını buraxacaq.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Real”da çıxış edən müdafiəçi zədə səbəbindən mundialda iştirak etməyəcək. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.

Braziliya yığması ABŞ, Kanada və Meksikanın ev sahibliyi edəcəyi turnirdə Mərakeş, Haiti və Şotlandiya ilə mübarizə aparacaq. Dünya çempionatı iyunun 11-də start götürəcək.

PSJ-nin futbolçusu Xviça Kvaratsxeliyanın meneceri və atası Badri Kvaratsxeliya açıqlama verib.

Futbolpress.az xarici KİV-ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, Badri oğlunun Fransa klubundan ayrılacağı haqda çıxan xəbərlərə münasibət bildirib:

“Xviça PSJ-dən ayrılır? Xeyr, o, bu haqda düşünmür. Xviça özünü Parisdə xoşbəxt hiss edirəm və klubla daha çox uğurlar qazanmaq arzusundadır”.

Gürcüstanlı futbolçu bu mövsüm 42 oyunda 16 qol vurub, 9 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

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Italy star Riccardo Calafiori trained with his Arsenal teammates on Tuesday, on the eve of a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

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Calafiori trains with Arsenal teammates before Atletico Madrid clash

Arsenal are preparing for the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners will visit Diego Simeone at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 29, with the decider played at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 5.

Italy international Calafiori was spotted training with his teammates on Tuesday, reports Football London, suggesting the Italian defender should be available for the trip to Spain.

Calafiori suffered a knock in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Sporting CP on April 7 and has not featured since.

He was also unavailable for Arsenal’s latest game against Newcastle on Saturday despite arriving at the Emirates Stadium with his teammates.

Calafiori, a former Bologna and Roma defender, is in his second season at Arsenal. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions in 2025-26.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has approved summer transfer plans, including a move to sign Lazio defender Mario Gila.

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Latest Milan transfer updates

Milan will be looking to strengthen their team, adding quality and depth to a group that will likely play in the Champions League next season.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s primary target in defence is Lazio centre-back Gila, who is under contract with the Biancocelesti until 2027.

Gazzetta claims that Inter, Juventus and Napoli are also interested in the Spanish centre-back who is unlikely to extend with the Biancocelesti.

According to the report, the Rossoneri’s rivals have already sounded out the defender’s availability through his representatives, while Milan value the 25-year-old between €20m and €25m.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has already identified Gila as a primary option in defence, and Cardinale has authorised the club directors to begin work to satisfy the coach’s transfer demands, which also include a winger who can be deployed on both flanks and a striker.

Gazzetta adds that Udinese’s Thomas Kristensen is seen as a possible alternative to Gila, while Bayern Munich’s Kim, a former Napoli star, appears to be less feasible due to high costs.

Chelsea have reportedly begun the recruitment process for a new coach, with Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso included in an ‘early list of early frontrunners’, but Como’s Cesc Fabregas is also being linked with the job.

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Chelsea will hire a new head coach for 2026-27, and several sources in the UK suggest that Fabregas will be one among those considered for the job.

According to Standard.co.uk, the Blues have started a robust recruitment process and will not rush in appointing a new head coach for next season.

The report claims that Chelsea’s early list of frontrunners includes Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso.

Silva is under contract with Fulham until the end of the season, and according to The Standard, Chelsea will explore his availability by contacting his representatives.

Xabi Alonso is without a club after being sacked by Real Madrid months ago, while Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.

Fabregas not focused on Chelsea job

The report suggests that “other candidates” are on Chelsea’s shortlist.

Como coach Fabregas was recently questioned about his availability for the role: “It’d be stupid to think about that now, my focus is on the next game against Genoa. I believe I will continue my chapter as Como head coach and focus on the next games,” Fabregas said before Como’s latest victory against Genoa.

“I would be crazy to think of anything else rather than these next five games and getting my team into Europe for the first time in history. I have not seen or heard any comments that my president said other than he told me he values me very highly.”

Como President, Mirwan Suwarso, however, added: “If that makes him [Fabregas] happy, that’s him,” he told City AM.

“You want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible, but at the end of the day, we don’t own him, and he’s free to go to Chelsea if he wishes.”

Juventus legend Fabrizio Ravanelli believes Kenan Yildiz, Gleison Bremer and Francisco Conceiçao should build the ‘strong core’ of the Bianconeri’s team in 2026-27, but is disappointed by Jonathan David: ‘I don’t think he’s a player you can rely on to win Champions League titles or Scudetti.’

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Former Juventus and Italy striker Ravanelli, a 1996 Champions League winner with the Bianconeri, shared his thoughts on the Bianconeri’s attacking struggles this season.

Canada international David has scored eight goals across all competitions, resulting in the third-top goal scorer at Juventus in 2025-26 after Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie. Yet, Ravanelli feels the ex-Lille forward hasn’t shown enough quality in his first season in Turin.

“It was a negative season. He has scored some goals, but I don’t think he’s a player you can rely on to win Champions League titles or Scudetti,” Ravanelli told Gazzetta.

“He has paid a high price for the leap in quality. Playing at Juventus and in the French league, without too much pressure, is not the same as making a difference at Juventus. The shirt’s weight is much more difficult to bear, and you need a great personality. The difference between a champion and a good player nowadays lies in personality, character, and determination. You need to have these qualities to play at Juventus, or you’ll struggle.”

Dusan Vlahovic has missed most of the season due to fitness issues, including surgery that sidelined him for four months.

Ravanelli: Zhegrova has more personality than David and Openda

Just like David, Edon Zhegrova and Lois Openda also joined Juventus last summer, but Ravanelli would rely on just one of them going forward.

“I think Zhegrova has more personality than others,” said the ex-striker.

“Since Spalletti’s arrival, David and Openda have always given me the impression that they don’t really want to take on too much responsibility. On the other hand, Zhagrova is someone worth continuing to invest in because he has real quality. I’d love to see him in a positive Juventus side and in a winning environment. He’s the kind of player who embraces responsibility, not someone who, after failing one dribble, shies away from trying another. He has a very strong personality.

“I think there are three or four players Juventus can build on,” Ravanelli concluded.

“Yildiz, Bremer, and Conceiçao must be retained to build the strong core of the team.”

During the same interview, Ravanelli also discussed Juventus’ possible reinforcements from next season, suggesting that the Bianconeri should try to sign Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal.

The summer transfer window is rapidly approaching, and the biggest cloud currently hanging over Anfield is the impending departure of club legend Mohamed Salah.

Replacing the Egyptian King is going to be a near-impossible task, but Liverpool’s recruitment team genuinely thought they had found the perfect heir apparent: RB Leipzig’s explosive teenage sensation, Yan Diomande.

However, if the latest updates out of Germany are accurate, the Reds might be forced to put their blockbuster plans on hold for at least another year.

Liverpool face major blow in Diomande pursuit

According to well-connected German transfer insider Christian Falk, Liverpool are currently facing a massive roadblock in their pursuit of the 19-year-old Ivorian.

Instead of simply cashing in this summer, Leipzig are actively drawing up plans to hand Diomande a lucrative new contract.

The Bundesliga club reportedly wants to significantly bump his salary while inserting a fixed release clause that wouldn’t become active until 2027.

They know they have a generational talent on their hands, and they want to squeeze one more elite season out of him before inevitably selling him to a European giant for a premium fee.

With Diomande’s new agency, Roc Nation, reportedly holding talks, Leipzig are desperate to deter immediate bids, internally slapping a staggering €100 million (£87m) valuation on him just to sit at the negotiating table this summer.

It’s incredibly easy to see why the Anfield hierarchy is so desperate to bring Diomande to Merseyside.

More Stories / Latest News

The Salah succession plan: Liverpool struggle in pursuit of primary target

Apr 28 2026, 11:56

Just In: Sky reporter issues groundbreaking update on the next Chelsea manager

Apr 28 2026, 11:42

Alan Pardew tells Man United to appoint 44-year-old manager ahead of Liverpool

Apr 28 2026, 10:43

Young winger has been on fire in the Bundesliga

Since arriving in Germany from Spanish side Leganés just last summer, following an unusual early career path that included playing high school and academy football in the United States, the youngster has completely torn the Bundesliga apart.

Boasting blistering pace and lethal decision-making in the final third, he has already racked up 20 direct goal contributions in just 30 league appearances this season.

Liverpool finds themselves in a tricky situation. They need a marquee winger right now to fill the massive void Salah will leave behind when he departs at the end of the season.

But if Diomande ultimately agrees to Leipzig’s new terms, the Reds will have to make a tough call.

‘Maybe he’s back next week’ – Virgil van Dijk gives encouraging update on Mohamed Salah 

The post The Salah succession plan: Liverpool struggle in pursuit of primary target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Following the disastrous, short-lived tenure of Liam Rosenior, who was brutally shown the door after just over three months in charge, Chelsea are back in the market for a new boss.

However, according to recent reports, the BlueCo hierarchy is completely tearing up their previous recruitment plan.

Chelsea are strictly hunting for proven, battle-tested heavyweights as they look for a new manager.

When Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca, his main competition for the job was Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.

Neither man had a single day of Premier League managerial experience at the time. The board essentially gambled on exciting, up-and-coming tactical potential over established pedigree.

Chelsea want an experienced manager to take charge

After watching the dressing room completely unravel under Rosenior, the ownership has finally realised that they need someone with Premier League experience.

According to Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol, the club is heavily leaning toward candidates with established Premier League experience. At the top of the pile is Andoni Iraola.

The Spanish tactician has already publicly confirmed he will be stepping down from his role at Bournemouth at the end of the season, making him an incredibly attractive, compensation-free target who knows exactly how to succeed in England’s top flight.

Also firmly in the mix is Marco Silva. The Portuguese manager has done a phenomenal job establishing Fulham as a tough, highly competitive Premier League outfit.

Crucially, his contract at Craven Cottage completely runs out in just two months.

Snatching a rival’s manager on a free transfer, especially one who already lives in West London and boasts years of top-flight experience, makes a ton of logical and financial sense.

More Stories / Latest News

The Salah succession plan: Liverpool struggle in pursuit of primary target

Apr 28 2026, 11:56

Just In: Sky reporter issues groundbreaking update on the next Chelsea manager

Apr 28 2026, 11:42

Alan Pardew tells Man United to appoint 44-year-old manager ahead of Liverpool

Apr 28 2026, 10:43

Blues have Xabi Alonso on their shortlist as well

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Chelsea shortlist without a glamorous, blockbuster name.

Xabi Alonso remains a massive figure of interest for the club’s hierarchy. The 44-year-old is currently out of work following his abrupt departure from Real Madrid back in January.

While he lacks Premier League managerial experience, his historic, invincible Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen easily satisfies the board’s desire for a “proven track record at a high level.”

With high-calibre options like Iraola, Silva, and Alonso all readily available, they have absolutely no excuse for getting this appointment wrong.

Wayne Rooney ‘absolutely loved’ Chelsea legend and wants to see him back at Stamford Bridge 

The post Just In: Sky reporter issues groundbreaking update on the next Chelsea manager appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United pulled 11 points clear in the race for Champions League qualification as they beat Brentford 2-1 in an entertaining tussle at Old Trafford. First-half goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko got the job done, though Mathias Jensen’s 87th-minute strike set up a grandstand finale in Monday’s Premier League clash. United’s fast start should […]

The post Manchester United 2-1 Brentford: Carrick´s men edge closer to Champions League qualification appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United 2-1 Brentford: Carrick´s men edge closer to Champions League qualification appeared first on Soccer News.

Parc des Princes, in Paris, will be the stage for one of the most anticipated clashes in European football this season!

This Tuesday (28), at 4 p.m., reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich for the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League semifinals.

The other semifinal, between Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal, gets underway on Wednesday (29).

Match Details

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time)

Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris (France)

Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)

Broadcast: TNT, HBO Max, and Live Text on OneFootball

Road to the semifinal

Both teams are in excellent form, leading their domestic leagues, with Bayern already crowned Bundesliga champions.

However, their paths in this season’s Champions League have been quite different:

• Bayern Munich: Had a solid first phase (finishing second), steamrolled Atalanta in the round of 16, and knocked out mighty Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, with memorable wins at the Santiago Bernabéu (2-1) and the Allianz Arena (4-3).
• PSG: The reigning champions had a shaky start in the "league phase," needing to get past Monaco in the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, however, the team rediscovered its best football and eliminated Liverpool with two emphatic 2-0 wins.

Recent head-to-head

In the fourth round of this edition, the Germans and French already faced off at Parc des Princes, and Bayern came out on top with a 2-1 win.

Lineups and Absences

Both teams are expected to take the field with their strongest available lineups, relying on their powerful attacking systems.

PSG are counting on the trio of Doué, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia. Bayern, meanwhile, are pinning their hopes on the quartet of Olise, Musiala, Luis Díaz, and top scorer Harry Kane.

The German side, however, are dealing with more injuries: Bischof, Karl, Gnabry, Guerreiro, and Ulreich are sidelined.

For the French side, only Quentin Ndjantou is a confirmed absentee.

Probable Lineups:

PSG

Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, and João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia; coach: Luis Enrique

Bayern

Neuer; Stanišić, Upamecano, Tah, and Laimer; Kimmich and Pavlović; Olise, Musiala, and Luis Díaz; Harry Kane; coach: Vincent Kompany

What the coaches are saying

Luis Enrique (PSG): "Every coach wants to reach the final stretch in the best possible condition. Right now, we are in the semifinals and all players are available, except Quentin Ndjantou. The magic of the Champions League gives the players special energy."

Vincent Kompany (Bayern): "Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, as the reigning champion, is probably the toughest challenge. I don’t want to stop here. Now come the decisive weeks. We’re looking forward to them, but we also know how difficult it will be. Our confidence is there, and that means a lot in football."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Spring practice concluded earlier this month across college football, and USA TODAY Sports' post-spring rankings see the Alabama Crimson Tide in a different spot than before.

Alabama fell one spot to No. 12 in top 25 rankings by veteran college football analysts Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg, the first batch of rankings released by USA TODAY Sports since its initial way-too-early list the day after the College Football Playoff National Championship in January.

The Crimson Tide are one spot below Texas A&M and one spot ahead of Michigan in the new rankings. Alabama will meet the Aggies in the regular season on Oct. 24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Myerberg laid out a few areas that have coach Kalen DeBoer's attention -- if not his concern -- entering his third season in Tuscaloosa:

"The focus of spring practice was the quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Mack has more experience in the system, however Russell is more dynamic and shined in the team's spring game. That battle will be one to watch in the fall. Two other areas that has Kalen DeBoer’s attention are improving a dismal running game and getting receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams back to his game-breaking best."

Stephen A. Smith not happy with Alabama football

📸 Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images https://t.co/v6c0PWcwr1pic.twitter.com/zSfYVIs3mv

— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) April 26, 2026

How bad was Alabama's rushing attack last season? The Tide ranked second to last in the SEC in rushing yards per game (104.13), just a whip and a whisker above LSU's 104.0. Daniel Hill was arguably the best back in short-yardage situations last year and is entering his junior season in 2026.

Alabama's front seven, meanwhile, is another concern for DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Myerberg writes.

"The defense returns safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb but will need more from the front seven. Two key components that emerged were transfers Devan Thompkins (Southern California) and Caleb Woodson (Virginia Tech)."

Ole Miss and Southern California are two teams that jumped Alabama in USA TODAY Sports' post-spring rankings. The Crimson Tide moved ahead of one team, though: Texas Tech. The Red Raiders saw an eight-point drop to No. 15.

The Trojans and Crimson Tide finished with the nation's Nos. 1 and 2 recruiting classes, respectively, for the class of 2026 according to 247Sports.

Ranking 2026 SEC football teams after spring practice

The SEC had eight teams in the top 25 of USA TODAY Sports' post-spring rankings. Here's a look at which teams were ranked, and where.

• 1. Texas Longhorns (No. 3 nationally)
• 2. Georgia Bulldogs (No. 4 nationally)
• 3. Oklahoma Sooners (No. 7 nationally)
• 4. Ole Miss Rebels (No. 9 nationally)
• 5. Texas A&M Aggies (No. 11 nationally)
• 6. Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 12 nationally)
• 7. LSU Tigers (No. 17 nationally)
• 8. Tennessee Volunteers (No. 20 nationally)

Alabama football schedule 2026

Alabama will open the 2026 season against East Carolina on Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here's a full look at the Crimson Tide's 2026 regular-season schedule. Kickoff times and TV channel designations have not been announced.

• Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina
• Sept. 12: at Kentucky
• Sept. 19: vs. Florida State
• Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina
• Oct. 3: at Mississippi State
• Oct. 10: vs. Georgia
• Oct. 17: at Tennessee
• Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M
• Nov. 7: at LSU
• Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt
• Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga
• Nov. 28: vs. Auburn

Follow us at @RollTideWire on X and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football dips in USA TODAY Sports post-spring top 25 rankings

Crawley Town have confirmed that Louie Copley has suffered another injury, marking the third setback of his four-month loan from Arsenal.

Photo via Crawley Town on Instagram

Louie Copley was absent from Crawley Town’s squad to face Accrington Stanley at the weekend, and the club have confirmed that this was due to injury.

Though details of the problem aren’t currently available, it’s a concern for the on-loan Arsenal midfielder given the two injury absences he’s already had in the last few months.

Copley was out of action for three games between January and February, and in his return match against Tranmere Rovers he suffered a setback ruling him out of Crawley’s next seven fixtures.

Photo via Crawley Town on Instagram

The 19-year-old’s second return from injury went a lot better at first, as he started four of Crawley’s next five games, playing 30 minutes as a substitute in the only one he didn’t start.

In fact, following Copley’s last appearance against Shrewsbury Town, he received praise from former Arsenal academy coach and Crawley boss Colin Kazim-Richards.

“I’ve been very impressed,” Kazim-Richards said of Copley. “Obviously he’s come from an institution where I was. I thought today (against Shrewsbury), changing the shape a little bit would suit him a lot and I think I was right. It gives him an extra freedom, it gives him an extra space.

“It gives him an extra outlet, an extra option when he has the ball. I think he showed a lot of maturity dropping down in the lines and being able to pick up the ball in spaces.”

Photo via Crawley Town

Sadly, that positive display was followed by another injury absence, and Copley will now be fighting to get fit for Crawley’s final match of the season against Salford City.

The match is vitally important to Crawley, as they’re only clear of the relegation zone on goal difference. If they lose and Harrogate Town don’t, they’ll be sent down to the National League.

Aldershot Town strikers Kwame Thomas and Hady Ghandour are among 12 players who have left the National League club following the end of the 2025-26 season.

Thomas, once of Coventry City and Wrexham, scored seven goals in 37 league appearances this season in what was his second spell at the Recreation Ground.

Ghandour netted five times in 30 league games and departs after three years with the Shots, who finished 21st in the fifth tier and avoided relegation by four points.

Other players to leave who have been at the club since 2023 include defender Olly Scott and midfielders Dejan Tetek, Theo Widdrington and Tyler Frost.

Goalkeepers Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Marcus Dewhurst and Pat Nash, defenders Luke Jenkins and Josh Brooking, and versatile player Matt Penney have also gone.

The club said: "All remaining players are either under contract for the 2026-27 season or in talks to continue at Aldershot Town."

Another NFL draft is in the books, and it was once again an infomercial for the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes had four guys selected among the top 11 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and a total of 11 players taken, both leading the way.

But in the world of the NFL and big-time college football, it's never too early to look ahead to the next year, especially at a place like Ohio State, where NFL widgets head down the assembly line like your neighborhood Amazon fulfillment center. After all, not many programs can compare to the success of putting players in the League like the one on the banks of the Olentangy.

We thought we'd take a look at next year's potential NFL draft class, and it sure looks like it could have another Scarlet and Gray hue to it. We are breaking this out in a few categories -- those that are locks to go early in the draft, those that will be eligible and will likely be drafted, those that might need solid years to make an impression, and some rising juniors or redshirt sophomores that could have early draft decisions to make.

That being said, let's dive right in at how things look for Ohio State in the 2027 NFL draft that is all set to take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C

Ohio State 2027 NFL draft early pick probable locks

Jeremiah Smith is most likely going to be the No. 1 player on the draft board for a lot of teams, and if Julian Sayin has the type of year we all think, he, too, should be a first-rounder. Both will only be three years removed from high school and will still have eligibility left, but it would be a shock for either one of them to come back to college. With a productive year, Jackson could find himself in the first round, but at the least, he should be an early round pick.

2027 NFL draft Ohio State players with potential decisions to make

We aren't including Sayin and Smith here because, while both are technically underclassmen, it's hard to imagine either making a decision to return to Columbus. All of these guys might need some pretty big years to be on the NFL's radar, but we've seen it happen before. Dwayne Haskins and Malik Hooker are two examples of guys who had breakout years and left early after starting just one season.

All of these guys are in the running to get playing time, and if they start and have great years, there will be decisions to make. McClain, Houston, and Pierce appear to be the most likely starters who could break out and improve their NFL draft stock significantly. Others will have to surprise and develop into significant contributors, but never say never.

2027 NFL draft Ohio State seniors who could break out

Obviously, not all of these guys will grab the spotlight and be starters, and that will hurt their chances. However, all of them are in competitions to be a part of the rotation, and if they win a significant role, there is an ability to make a splash with NFL scouts and executives. You can take it to the bank that several of these seniors will be a part of all the fun in D.C.

Long story short -- it sure looks like it will be another banner year with quite the NFL haul for Ohio State players again next year. And we'll be here for it all.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football potential 2027 NFL draft class: A very early look

Texas A&M's basketball program is in good hands under coach Bucky McMillan, who is entering his second season at the helm after leading the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament last month, but after building his first roster completely from the transfer portal, losing most of his starters, including star forward Rashaun Agee, was guaranteed.

As soon as the transfer portal opened, McMillan and his staff went to work, first adding star transfer shooting guard PJ Haggerty, followed by former Samford/Radford guard Lukas Walls and Tennessee transfer forward Cade Phillips, who will serve as key depth pieces after losing most of last season's bench.

After a short pause, the Aggies hit the jackpot once more, receiving the news that star forward Mackenzie Mgbako is set to return, while landing a commitment from NBA G-League guard Bryson Warren, followed by commitments from former LSU guard Jalen Reece, McNeese transfer guard Tyshawn Archie, and, as of Sunday, LMU transfer forward Jalen Shelley. Texas A&M should be considered a preseason Top 25 team entering the summer.

However, given the blue-blood basketball programs that have reloaded, especially the Texas Longhorns, ESPN's early preseason rankings placed the Aggies as the fifth team among the "next five" programs, just outside the Top 25, behind UCLA, Ohio State, BYU, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

In my opinion, the Aggies are more than talented and experienced enough to be included in the Top 25, but given Bryson Warren's impending eligibility, the roster isn't set, while McMillan will likely add one more forward or center before officially heading into the 2026-2027 season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M included in 'Next five' of ESPN's preseason Top 25 rankings

It becoming much more common for high school stars to move up a class to start their collegiate career, and Notre Dame could once again be on the winning end of one of those moves.

The Irish saw quarterback Teddy Jarrard make the move from the 2027 cycle, to this past one, and on Monday on of its top targets will now be part of the 2027 class. New Jersey edge rusher Jackson Vaughn, made the move to get to college early, and the Irish are high on his list.

It was a dual announcement that Hayes Fawcett shared on social media, as the 6-foot, 4-inch and 225-pound pass rusher also share his top-9 schools, with Notre Dame being one of them. Vaughn is now ranked as the No. 202 overall player in his new class, but remember, he’s a year younger than almost everyone else.

The talent is there, and Vaughn would be a great addition to the Notre Dame 2027 class.

BREAKING: Elite 2028 EDGE Jackson Vaughn has Reclassified to the 2027 Class, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’4 225 EDGE from Oradell, NJ is down to these 9 schools

He was one of the top overall recruits in the ‘28 Classhttps://t.co/WyBjqcK4e6pic.twitter.com/pIka5ZVSFh

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 27, 2026

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame a top contender for reclassified 2027 edge rusher

What channel is Celtics vs. 76ers on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 5 of NBA Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Celtics will have a chance to punch their ticket to the conference semifinals when they face the 76ers in Game 5.

Boston spoiled Joel Embiid's return in Game 4 behind a 32-point performance from Payton Pritchard, who made six of his team's 24 3-pointers. Jayson Tatum had a double-double (30 points, 11 assists), helping lead the Celtics to a 128-96 victory.

With a 3-1 series lead, the Celtics could gain some valuable rest days by defeating the Sixers on Tuesday night. Boston would meet either Atlanta or New York in the next round, but that series will require at least a Game 6 — and possibly a Game 7.

Here is everything you need to know about Celtics vs. 76ers, including TV and streaming options for Game 5 of the first-round series.

What channel is Celtics vs. 76ers on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream:ESPN app

Celtics vs. 76ers Game 5 will air on ESPN. The game will also be available to stream on the ESPN app.

Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and college sports, plus "SportsCenter," "First Take" and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the ESPN app.

Celtics vs. 76ers Game 5 start time

• Date: Tuesday, April 28
• Time: 7 p.m. ET

Celtics vs. 76ers Game 5 is scheduled to tip off Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.

Celtics vs. 76ers schedule

Boston leads series 3-1

*If necessary

NBA Playoffs bracket 2026

Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.

NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026

Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason:

*Can move up depending on earlier series

Related Links

• Latest NBA news and rumors
• Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores
• How to bet on the NBA
• The GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James

Kansas Jayhawks News

The Kansas baseball team keeps rolling

For Kansas basketball, the roster could wildly improve at any moment with Tyran Stokes allegedly close to announcing a decision

Why Kansas Basketball’s incoming transfer class may be better than we think

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Texas Tech’s new QB is facing an investigation and gambling rehab after betting on his own games at Indiana

Question of the Day

Stolen directly from Shabs: What’s a song or album you really like from an artist whose overall work you really don’t like? Not talking for political/personal reasons, just a band or artist that’s never really clicked for you except that one time. Most one hit wonders should also be excluded, has to be an artist you’ve at least given a legitimate shot.

Four-star Anna High (Texas) interior offensive lineman Peyton Miller committed to the Florida Gators on Monday.

Miller is the second blue-chip offensive lineman to make a pledge to Florida this month, giving new offensive line coach Phil Trautwein a couple of big wins on the recruiting trail. Five-star interior lineman Maxwell Hiller committed on April 8.

Trautwein wanted Miller at Penn State, but the distance from home was a bit of an issue, according ot 247Sports. There was mutual interest between the two, however, thanks to Trautwein's history of developing NFL linemen. His interest carried over when Trautwein joined Jon Sumrall's staff at Florida.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 290-pound prospect picked the Orange and Blue over Arizona State, Clemson, Texas, Texas Tech and SMU, among others.

Florida is up to 10 commits in the 2027 class and is ranked No. 10 by 247Sports.

BREAKING: Four-Star IOL Peyton Miller has Committed to Florida, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
The 6’5 305 IOL from Anna, TX chose the Gators over Texas Tech, Clemson, and Texas

“I want to help the Gators become champions again!”https://t.co/Jbev27Jbu9pic.twitter.com/wp0sXDy18q

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 27, 2026

Recruiting Summary

ESPN is the highest on Miller, ranking him inside the top 100 overall at No. 68 and as the top center in the class of 2027. 247Sports puts him at No. 143 nationally and No. 8 among interior offensive linemen. Rivals is the lowest on him at Nos. 258 and No. 18, respectively.

Among composite rankings, 247Sports has Miller higher at Nos. 124 and 9. The Rivals industry ranking has him just a bit lower at Nos. 130 and 10.

Scouting Report

Here's what 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks said in an April report on Miller:

"Versatile offensive lineman with physical specs that could move around the front. Possesses valuable snapping experience as a true center. Three-sport athlete with experience in shot put/discus and wrestling. Adequate athlete in close quarters.

"Testing numbers suggest significant athletic potential. Higher center of gravity for an IOL, but works to gain leverage. Hand placement is a plus. High-floor player in pads with multi-sport markers and position value that point to significant developmental upside. Projects to the P4 level with the possibility of playing beyond college."

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football recruiting earns commitment from 4-star Peyton Miller

New York Giants offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa will be tasked with blocking some of the top defensive talent in all of football throughout his rookie campaign.

The Giants selected Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft last weekend. The talented lineman is expected to play a massive role in protecting star quarterback Jaxson Dart this season, and Mauigoa will be tested on a week-to-week basis during his first season in the NFL. 

The former Miami big man took a moment to speak with Malik Nabers and Micah Parsons during a Bleacher Report segment following his selection in the first round, and Mauigoa was asked how he feels he would do against the Green Bay Packers' superstar.

Absolutely LOVE this quote from #Giants OL Francis Mauigoa when asked how he’d do vs #Packers Micah Parsons.

“Ima prepare my ass off. Ima study everything. He’s known for his stuff and I got stuff to prove.”

“Micah I’m not ducking any smoke. I’m ready for it” pic.twitter.com/r7bsHXvuf3

— The Giant Topic (@TheGiantTopic) April 27, 2026

"I'm gonna prepare my (expletive) off. I will prepare my (expletive) off," he said. "I know he's known for his stuff, I got some stuff to prove. Respect for his game, but I'm gonna prepare my (expletive) off. I'm going to study everything, but yeah, he's alright."

Parsons shot back and told Mauigoa to hope he's on injured reserve (IR) whenever the two teams play.

Mauigoa ended the interview with a clear message to Parsons. 

“Micah, I'm not ducking any smoke. I'm ready for it," he said.

The matchup between the two will have to wait until at least the 2027 campaign, as the Giants will not face the Packers in 2026. Parsons would have been an excellent test for Mauigoa early on in his career, but the rookie will undoubtedly face a plethora of tough opponents this season, nonetheless. 

Mauigoa and Parsons will more than likely face each other at some point, but the rookie’s confidence is an excellent sign prior to training camp this summer. 

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Francis Mauigoa to Micah Parsons: 'I'm not ducking any smoke'