Welcome to the second installment of the 2026 fall season for the Delta Dental All-USA Vermont Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.
This week, and every week during the sports season, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete. And since last year, we added to the list of weekly nominees: There are now two stories, one for girls and one for boys, with more athletes on each ballot.
All voting is through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media. To vote, click on the name of the person you want to select and refresh the page after each time you vote to be able to vote as often as you'd like.
Voting began Monday, Sept. 14 and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17.
The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, Sept. 18.

#athletes #sports

The South Carolina Gamecocks host the Towson Tigers on Saturday, September 12, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on SEC Network+.
Sep 5, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Donovan Murph (6) makes a touchdown reception against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Channel: SEC Network+

#columbia

The 33rd Volusia County Amateur Golf Championship is approaching. Venetian Bay, in New Smyrna Beach, is serving as host for the third straight year, Oct. 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday).
The annual County Am features three divisions — Championship, Senior (55-plus) and Super Senior (65-plus), with prize money awarded to the winner of each. The field is limited to the first 72 entries.
Entry fee is $150, with another option $10 for skins play each day, and $35 fees for practice rounds Oct. 1-2. For more info, or to register: VenetianBayGolf.com, or call 386-424-5775.
Tee times start at 8 a.m. each day, and Sunday's play will be followed by lunch and awards.
Grey Cooke, of Brevard County, won last year's County Am with a 36-hole total of 7-under-par 137, three shots better than 2024 winner Dave Bouton.

#championship #winner

There's a new Sadio Mane on the scene, and he's incredible.
Liverpool fans will forever remember the memories of that incredible trio under Jurgen Klopp. Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino were unplayable on their day.
They could do whatever they wanted. Defenders were terrified of facing them.
It was a spectacular era. One of the best periods of many supporters' lives. Witnessing their magic at Anfield was truly an indelible experience.
Liverpool are now trying to recreate that with a new exciting trio. In Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak they have two of the three attackers they need.

#sadio #trio #jurgen #roberto

F1 drivers check out the new Madring circuit ahead of the Spanish GP, as they discuss the dangers, difficulties in overtaking and getting a lap done, and talk about the La Monumental corner.
Jeddah? Macau? Monaco? Baku? Zandvoort? The new Madring circuit has been compared to a lot of other tracks on the F1 calendar due to its nature and layout. The drivers are bracing for a hard and tough outing in this weekend's Spanish GP. The narrow and high-speed combination never works well for everyone, with the Saudi Arabian GP a prime example in recent times.
Of course, the F1 drivers eventually find a way through to get things right. But still, ahead of the start, they have mixed emotions, with most agreeing that it will be dangerous. Even though some feel it will not be as dangerous as Jeddah already is, the majority agree that defending will be much easier and overtaking much harder, as seen in Monaco.
Even getting a lap right in qualifying will be a challenge, which the F1 drivers accept. Almost everyone has had a run in the simulator, but they are waiting for the real feel, as the speed and power can only be ascertained once someone is really on track. One of its major attractions is the long, banked La Monumental, which, of course, everyone is looking to try in the real car.
Here's a list of F1 drivers speaking about the dangers:

#drivers #monaco #even #circuit

Manchester United have completed the signing of Isaac Konde from Liverpool, with Fabrizio Romano on X reporting the deal. For Liverpool, it is a frustrating departure. For United, it is another example of a clear academy recruitment strategy focused on securing elite teenage talent before pathways become more established elsewhere.
Konde is highly regarded in youth circles and has built a strong reputation as an explosive attacking player. He is most effective from the left, although his flexibility across the front line is understood to be a major part of his appeal. He can play from either flank and also through the middle, which makes him a valuable profile for any academy structure looking to develop adaptable forwards.
The 16-year-old featured for Liverpool Under-18s last season, but his next step will now come at Manchester United, where he is expected to begin with the Under-18s setup. From United's perspective, the move aligns closely with the wider approach being shaped at academy level, an area viewed internally as central to both sporting progress and long-term value creation.
That context matters. United have placed increasing emphasis on attracting top prospects from around the country, and Konde's arrival fits squarely within that model. He joins a system that already contains major young attacking talent, including JJ Gabriel, and his addition is likely to raise standards and competition in the age group immediately.
For Liverpool, losing a promising young attacker to a domestic rival will sting. Academy football can be unpredictable, and not every prospect reaches senior level, but clubs still work hard to retain the ones viewed as having genuine upside. Konde clearly falls into that category, and this is the kind of move that will be noticed closely by those tracking youth development at both clubs.

#Youth #move

Harrison Smith looked like he had already played his final snap for the Minnesota Vikings. They even gave their longtime safety what appeared to be a farewell last season, only for Smith to leave the door open without ever officially announcing retirement.
Now, that door has swung wide open, and the "Hitman" is coming back for another season, and his return suddenly gives the Vikings some much-needed experience in a secondary that has taken several hits this offseason.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) celebrates after catching an interception against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Vikings are bringing Smith back for his 15th NFL season on a one-year contract worth $12.25 million, with the deal capable of reaching $16.25 million through incentives, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The agreement comes just days before Minnesota opens the regular season against the Green Bay Packers, turning what looked like the end of Smith's career into one more run in purple.
The timing could hardly be better for the Vikings. Their safety room has been battered throughout training camp. Theo Jackson is recovering from a leg injury, third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas spent some time on the bench because of his back problem, and Jamal Adams got a season-ending quadriceps injury. Josh Metellus and Jay Ward had to carry the load, but now, the Vikings needed someone more experienced.

#season #looked #like

Did Boise State get a touchdown because of an egregiously missed call by the officials in its game at Oregon on Saturday?
Broncos RB Sire Gaines scored on a 38-yard catch-and-run to give Boise State a 14-7 lead in the second quarter a play after Oregon's Evan Stewart **** ed a punt after calling for a fair catch.
However, Boise State should have been penalized on the punt. Take a look:
Stewart should have been given a clean opportunity to cleanly make that catch. While Boise State's Jameson Perry didn't make contact with Stewart, he was exceptionally close to the wide receiver as he tracked the ball. And that itself is a foul.
According to the NCAA's rule book if a player "is located where they could catch a free kick or a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone, and if the player is attempting to do so, they must be given an unimpeded opportunity to catch the kick." Further, "it is an interference foul if, before the receiver touches the ball, [an opposing player] enters the area defined by the width of the receiver's shoulders and extending one yard in front of him. When in question it is a foul."

#catch #stewart #kick

The WNBA season is coming to a screeching halt for two weeks because of the Fiba Women's World Cup, which runs from 4-13 September in Berlin. Yes, it's weird timing this close to the playoffs, but also yes, the World Cup is really important.
Maybe you're reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women's basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament's games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
The Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world's best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 ***** les overall.
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.

#olympic #olympics

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was arrested in June after allegedly breaking the windshield and windows of a car with his child and the child's mother inside, but he was not placed on paid leave by the NFL ahead of the cut to 53 players last weekend.
That leaves Bateman available to the Ravens as the league's investigation into the matter plays out. On Wednesday, Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta said that he doesn't know the timeline for that process.
"It's obviously something that we're very disappointed about that we have to deal with these kind of things," DeCosta said, via the team's website. "We knew about it right away. We contacted the league right away. The league has been doing an investigation, as well I suppose the authorities. In these matters we just kind of sit back and wait for the league and the authorities to tell us what's going on. I have no indication how long that's going to take."
Bateman is coming off of a disappointing 2025 season and the team was banking on a rebound before news of the arrest came to light. If he's not going to be around to provide it, the Ravens will need one or more of their other receivers to step up quickly as a complement to Zay Flowers in the offense.

#decosta #away

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel admitted to concerns about his team's depth following their preseason finale.
The Patriots relied heavily on backups throughout the preseason, hoping to build depth and uncover hidden contributors. After the run game struggled, Vrabel and his front office looked outside the building for running back depth.
On August 29, the Patriots traded for Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Corey Kiner. With roster cutdowns complete, Kiner is one of three remaining running backs on New England's active roster.
Although Kiner's NFL experience is limited, the film shows promise as a physical back who can help keep the Patriots on schedule in 2026.
The Patriots are acquiring RB Corey Kiner in exchange for a ‘28 7th round pick, per AdamSchefter.

#depth #running #back

True to his DNA as a longtime high school coach, UTSA's Jeff Traylor said the Roadrunners will tailor the 2026 offense to the strengths of their personnel.
New offensive coordinator Rick Bowie has six years of high school experience in his roots, too, understanding the need for adaptability and experimentation through the preseason as the unit takes shape.
UTSA at least has a few standout returners to work with on offense, while the defense was largely overhauled, bringing back just two players who started more than half of last season.
READ MORE: 'I'm still Will': How UTSA's star running back keeps true to himself
Whether to gain a tactical advantage or because of true uncertainty, Traylor has stopped short of highlighting potential standouts on defense, and he's keeping the expected shape of the Roadrunners' offense a mystery, too.

#true #traylor #shape #back

The Gunners keep moving forward!
On Monday night, Aston Villa hosted **** nal in the closing match of the second Premier League round.
In control against a Villa side still finding its rhythm, the Gunners got the better of their opponents on the night (0-1) thanks to a goal from Bukayo Saka (59th).
As usual, without being brilliant in their play, **** nal gave away very few chances over the 90 minutes.
The defending champions therefore stay in touch with the leading pack made up of Manchester City, Chelsea and Hull City.

#villa #city #night

Angel Reese made WNBA history in the Atlanta Dream's 89-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx, but also got into it with one of her opponents.
Reese's 15 points and 11 rebounds in this win led to her 29th double-double of the season, the most in a single season in WNBA history.
However, the focus wasn't completely on her historic stats, but it was also on a heated second-quarter exchange she had with Lynx's Courtney Williams.
With under six minutes left in the second quarter, Reese got tangled up with Williams after a Lynx baseline double-team. The pair had to be separated, with some lip-reading fans claiming that Reese mocked Williams for being bald as they went their separate ways.
Reese has previously embraced her role as one of the Dream's on-court enforcers, so she was not going to let Williams get physical with her without facing the consequences of a slight tussle.

#history #season

Virgil van Dijk is hoping Liverpool hang on to Cody Gakpo with Manchester City reportedly closing in on the Dutch international before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Gakpo looks set to be pushed down the pecking order at Anfield by the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could rise to £123 million ($166 million), making the Frenchman the second most expensive player in Premier League history.
In three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, Gakpo has scored 51 goals and played a major role in the club's 20th English top-flight ***** le in the 2024/25 campaign.
The 27-year-old has made a bright start to this season, scoring one goal and providing an ***** ist as Liverpool have drawn their opening two games under Andoni Iraola 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
But Liverpool appear open to cashing in on Gakpo, with City reportedly set to pay £75 million.

#Liverpool #dijk #cody

ATLANTA (AP) — Scottie Scheffler was signing for another bogey-free round when he was curious enough about the par-3 ninth hole at 270 yards. The numbers surprised him and validated his thinking about how hard it was to separate at East Lake for the Tour Championship.
The 87 players on that hole in three rounds had made two birdies and six bogeys. Do the math — he does have a degree from the McCombs School of Business at Texas — and that's 79 pars.
"That seems very high," Scheffler said. "It's almost like let's just skip it at this point. If we're all going to make par, what's the point in playing the hole, to be fair?"
Viktor Hovland and Ryan Gerard got a little separation at the end — Hovland with six putts of 7 feet or longer on the last six holes for a 65 and a one-shot lead over Gerard, who was bogey-free in his round of 66 — but the talk all week has been how bunched the scoring has been.
Cameron Young opened with an even-par 70 on Thursday and was in last place. After 54 holes, Kristoffer Reitan and Alex Smalley shared the basement. They were at 3-under 207.

#free

Patrick Vieira has named the hardest player he faced while playing for ******* nal as one of their main players during the Premier League era.
The Frenchman played a key role for ******* ne Wenger's side, which dominated the English game across several seasons, and was on their books between 1996 and 2005, winning three Premier League ******* les among several other honours.
The former midfielder enjoyed a superb career in England and, in many matches, was the dominant midfield player. However, he faced several opponents who challenged him in different games.
Vieira went on to become one of the best midfielders in the game during his spell at ******* nal and gave the best years of his career to the Gunners before eventually leaving the club.
There were opponents who always gave him a tough time in matches, and the most notable of them all was Roy Keane. It is therefore no surprise that Vieira picked the Manchester United icon as his toughest opponent in club football.

#vieira #several #league #matches

10 years ago, the Atlanta Falcons took the NFL by the blindside, going on a roll through the NFC playoffs and making it all the way to the Super Bowl. While Matt Ryan, Kyle Shanahan and their league-best scoring offense gets most of the credit, Atlanta wouldn't have won the conference without the contributions of four rookie starters on defense.
If the Falcons are going to prove all the negative narratives wrong in 2026, they could definitely use some surprise contributions from their rookie class. It sounds like at least one rookie is in the mix to start on defense.
According to Marc Raimondi at ESPN, the team's fourth-round draft pick, former Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels has a legitimate shot to wind up starting next to Divine Deablo.
"The Falcons have trusted him with the green dot at times this summer because of injuries, and Daniels has a legitimate shot at starting at inside linebacker alongside Divine Deablo."
Daniels has looked impressive during the preseason, establishing a physical style and showing sharp instincts against the run. Daniels may not be the only rookie linebacker to see significant playing time in 2026, though. Here's what Raimondi had to say about sixth-round pick, linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. out of LSU.

#rookie #atlanta #deablo

Nine days.
That's all that separates Kroger Field from becoming the loudest introduction in college football this fall. Nine days until the tunnel opens, the smoke clears, and Will Stein jogs out as a head coach for the first time in his life—not as Oregon's offensive coordinator, not as somebody's understudy, but as the man tasked with dragging Kentucky football out of a two-year nosedive.
The Wildcats host Youngstown State on Sept. 5, and by kickoff the "Stein Era" label stamped on every press conference since December will finally mean something on a scoreboard. Stein didn't leave a Playoff-contending Oregon staff to coach a scrimmage. He came home—his father lettered at defensive end for Kentucky in the 1980s—to build something that lasts. Fans who packed the east lower bowl for a storm-delayed spring game already bought in. Now comes the real test.
Every new coaching staff needs a name ***** ody outside the fan base is watching yet, someone who turns into the season's first surprise. On this Kentucky roster, that's DJ Miller. And the deeper you dig into how he got here, the more it looks like the fan base should already be watching.
The prospect the previous staff almost lost

#stein #days

The Cubs signed free agent catcher Austin Wynns today and ***** igned him to Triple-A Iowa. Wynns had been designated for ***** ignment by the Rangers last week.
Iowa right-hander Tyler Santana, catcher Ethan Hearn and shortstop Ed Howard were all moved to the Development List.
Right-hander Cristopher Aranguren was promoted to Low-A Myrtle Beach from Mesa.
I don't normally report on injuries, but South Bend outfielder Ethan Conrad went on the 7-day injured list. South Bend's Reginald Preciado was activated off the 60-day IL.
The Iowa Cubs were drenched by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 9-6.

#Cubs

The India-Sri Lanka series shifts venues for its decider, moving from Galle's spin-friendly track to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which is a ground known for offering a very different kind of contest.
Batting first has historically paid off at this venue, with teams regularly posting big totals early in matches, which makes Wednesday's toss potentially decisive.
Rain looms as a genuine concern too, with forecasts suggesting interruptions across all five days, while Colombo's heat is expected to sap energy from the bowling attacks. Spin has still had the upper hand recently, as spinners have picked up 45 wickets across the last three Tests here, compared to 35 for the pacers.
India arrive full of confidence following their commanding 165-run win in the series opener. Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, and Manav Suthar were the standout contributors in Galle. They will fancy their chances of completing a 2-0 sweep, a result that would also strengthen their push toward the 2027 World Test Championship final.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#spin #series

The West Jersey Football League Constitution Division has an entirely new look. All the teams this season are new to the division. The WJFL makes changes to its divisions every two years, and this is the first of a new two-year cycle.
There is no shortage of contenders as Haddonfield, Seneca, Paul VI and West Deptford could certainly make cases to compte for a ******* le. Willingboro must be taken seriously and Delran, while fielding a quality program, was hit hard by graduation and might take a step back this season.
State Group 3 champion Cedar Creek and Group 4 Atlantic City were Constitution Division co-champions with 3-1 record last year.
Besides sharing the Continental Division with Haddonfield last season, Seneca (9-3, 4-1) advanced to the Central Jersey Group 3 championship before losing to Holmdel. Led by fourth-year starting quarterback Anthony Tirico, this is a veteran Seneca team with eight starters returning on both sides of the ball. The Golden Eagles are capable of competing not only for the division but could also be a major threat in the postseason. The 6'0, 195-pound Tirico has committed to Marist and is one of the state's top dual-threat quarterbacks.
Haddonfield (10-3, 4-1) shared the WJFL Continental Division last year with Seneca and also won the South Jersey Group 2 championship. The Bulldogs suffered several key losses to graduation, including three players who were first-team all-conference selections. That said, the Bulldogs should again be competitive, a constant during the reign of veteran head coach Frank DeLano. An interesting competition is at quarterback between junior James Farrell and senior Dan Keenan. Both are also standouts on defense and whomever isn't the quarterback, might move to another offensive position.

#seneca #haddonfield #quarterback

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has made her first public comments about the WNBA controversy sparked by Sophie Cunningham's stance against trans athletes in women's sports.
Before the Liberty handed the Indiana Fever a 109-102 loss on Saturday, Liberty's star guard Stewart addressed the furore over trans athletes created by her opponent, Cunningham.
With two different rallies going on outside the Liberty's Barclays Centre home, Stewart delivered her take on trans athletes participating in women's sports.
Stewart delivered a nuanced statement on the current debate surrounding trans athletes and the WNBA in an interview, directly addressing Cunningham's comments but not attacking her for having this difference of opinion.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This league is incredibly inclusive, in what we continue to fight for and stand up against. So we don't want to take that platform away."

#stewart #comments #sports #take

Everton – Pretty much as expected here with Rohl, George and Barry starting.
Crystal Palace – No Ismaila Sarr who is reportedly holding out for a move.
Everton will start the 2026-27 Premier League season at home, welcoming Europa Conference League holders Crystal Palace to the Hill ***** inson Stadium.
After a disappointing end to the previous season with a seven-game winless streak, David Moyes will be looking for a fast start against an opponent who are bedding in a new manager and several new players in preparation for a European campaign. The Blues are hampered with injuries to three midfielders (James Garner is a doubt, with Christian Nørgaard and Tim Iroegbunam out).
Crystal Palace have a new manager in Pierre Sage, having led RC Lens to a Coupe de France trophy and a second-placed finish in Ligue 1, getting subsequently named the Manager of the Year in France. They too have a number of new signings, and with transfer rumours circling around star midfielder Adam Wharton, it will be interesting to see if the Eagles have him in the lineup. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will undergo a late fitness test after picking up a knock in their final preseason friendly.

#manager #everton #pretty #rohl

Some college programs are waiting for a chance to pounce on current NFL players who may end up finagling another year of college football. Notre Dame is not.
Via Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Friday that it's "too late" to add players. Freeman cited the admissions process and the academic calendar in support of the position that the time has passed for thinking about plucking late arrivals to the transfer portal.
Freeman was specifically asked about defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka. He made seven starts in four seasons for Notre Dame. He's one of the players who won a temporary restraining order earlier this week, granting them another season of eligibility.
"For us at Notre Dame, it's just too late [with] the graduate admissions process, and I don't think it would put a person in a good situation this late -- school starts on Monday -- to have success in the classroom and on the field, so that's been our stance on it," Freeman said. "Our admissions has already done their admissions and cycles. That's where the university and the athletic program stands right now."
It's refreshing, and borderline quaint, to hear a college football coach talk about admissions and academics. For most college programs, that ship sailed a long time ago.

#freeman #admissions #college #dame

The New York Yankees have added another MLB-caliber arm to their organizational depth as they prepare for the stretch run. Just days after leaving the Kansas City Royals organization, Eli Morgan has found a new home with the Yankees, agreeing to a minor league deal with New York.
The 30-year-old right-hander will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he'll provide the Yankees with another experienced option as they build toward the postseason.
MORE: Yankees set plan for former AL Rookie of the Year
May 31, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Eli Morgan (34) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images
Morgan's path to New York came together quickly. The Royals designated him for ***** ignment earlier this week, and rather than remain in the organization, Morgan elected free agency.

#year

Joe Root added another landmark to his extraordinary Test career on Thursday, equalling Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket during England's first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Root brought up his 68th Test fifty on the second day before being dismissed for 66 off 112 ******* , including 10 boundaries. The milestone put the England captain level with Tendulkar at the top of the all-time list for most fifties in the longest format.

West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66, while former Australia captain Allan Border and India great Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting is next with 62.

For Root, the achievement came on a significant day in his international career as he returned to the England Test captaincy following Ben Stokes' retirement.
68* - Joe Root
68 - Sachin Tendulkar
66 - S Chanderpaul
63 - Allan Border

#tendulkar #allan

The Falcons looked a bit unprepared for the Broncos in their first preseason game. How concerned should we be about Atlanta's 2026 season? Kevin Knight and Tre'Shon Diaz review the film from Friday's game, breaking down the good and the bad on offense, defense, and special teams. Plus thoughts on the signing of edge rusher Za'Darius Smith! Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!
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You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

#falcons #check

Here comes some help for Atlanta's pass rush, and from a source that would have seemed mighty unlikely even a month ago.
The Falcons announced Tuesday morning that they had signed Za'Darius Smith to a one year contract, bringing the 34-year-old into the fold after the team lost Jalon Walker for the year to injury and learned they will be without James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the season. The three-time Pro Bowler has 70.5 career sacks to his name over an 11 year career that has seen him play for the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions, and Eagles.
The reason this signing is a surprise is that until quite recently, Smith was retired. He un-retired and worked out for the Browns, where he was widely expected to sign, but then wound up joining Atlanta instead.
The appeal of Smith is very easy to understand for the Falcons, who need experienced, productive players in their edge group. While Smith appeared in just five games a year ago for the Eagles, he's been an ****** et as a pass rusher in every single year of his career and just had nine sacks back in 2024. ****** uming Smith is healthy and can ramp up quickly, he'll be a prominent piece of the rotation immediately, and both his size and history of providing solid run defense should earn him significant snaps out of the gate.
Smith will join Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Bralen Trice at outside linebacker, and it would not stun me to see the team add one more player between now and Week 1.

#smith #Browns

By MLSsoccer staff
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Mutual contract termination
Sporting Kansas City have mutually agreed to terminate midfielder Manu García's contract, the club announced Monday.
Additionally, Sporting KC have exercised a buyout of García's guaranteed contract. He will no longer occupy a Designated Player spot on the club's roster.
The Spaniard joined Sporting KC ahead of the 2025 season and recorded four goals and 14 ***** ists in 47 appearances across all competitions.

#contract