The Ravens' biggest offseason addition is ready to silence the doubters originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the Baltimore Ravens take the field for training camp, one player will draw more attention than almost anyone else: newly acquired edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
After the Ravens missed out on trading for Maxx Crosby when a failed physical sent the star pass rusher back to the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore quickly pivoted and landed one of the NFL's premier defensive playmakers. Now, expectations are high for Hendrickson as he prepares for his first season in purple and black.
The veteran edge defender enters camp looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to just seven games. While the shortened season slowed his production, it did little to diminish his reputation as one of football's most relentless pass rushers.
Just one season earlier, Hendrickson reminded the league why he is considered an elite defender. During the 2024 campaign, he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks while generating 65 quarterback pressures, consistently disrupting opposing offenses and changing games with his ability to collapse the pocket.

#sporting #baltimore

A beloved player amongst the Detroit Tigers players, coaches and fanbase had to make way for another on Tuesday, July 28.
The Tigers reinstated shortstop/center fielder Javier Báez from the 60-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Detroit had to clear a roster spot on both the 26-man and 40-man roster since Báez was removed when he was placed on the 60-day list in June.
On Monday night following an 8-5 loss to the Orioles, manager A.J. Hinch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris sat down with backup catcher Jake Rogers and let him know he would be designated for ***** ignment.
Rogers, 31, has been a member of the Tigers' organization since he came over in the trade package for Justin Verlander from the Houston Astros in 2017. He made his major league debut with Detroit in 2019 and proceeded to appear in 362 games across six different seasons.
"Jake has been here as long as I have been here," Hinch said. "Scott, Jake and I met last night and did everything to walk down memory lane to just explain the timing and how decisions get made."

#orioles #list

Tigers cut ties with fan favorite catcher amid Javier Baez news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers made a notable change to their roster before tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
According to MLB.com's Jason Beck, infielder/outfielder Javier Baez will return from the injured list and play center field.
Baez missed several weeks with a right ankle sprain. He takes the roster spot of catcher Jake Rogers, who was designated for ***** ignment by the Tigers on Tuesday, per a team announcement.
"The Detroit Tigers announce that popular catcher Jake Rogers is being DFA'd, and yes, Tarik Skubal will be making his start tomorrow, perhaps the last one in a Tigers' uniform," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote on X.

#rogers

An estimated 21.5 million additional adults in the United States may now be eligible for statins under updated cholesterol treatment guidelines, according to a new study.
The researchers aimed to estimate how many adults in the US would be considered eligible for statin therapy under the new 2026 blood cholesterol guidelines issued by the American Heart **** ociation, the American College of Cardiology and nine partnering medical societies, compared with the previous 2018 guidelines.
The **** ysis, published July 20 in the journal JAMA, found that the changes could bring the total number of Americans eligible for statins, medications that lower cholesterol, to about 87.5 million people, or more than half of adults ages 30 to 79.
What prompted this major expansion, and does being eligible mean that someone should immediately begin taking medication? To help us understand the study and what patients should discuss with their healthcare providers, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical **** ociate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore's health commissioner.
CNN: Who are the millions of Americans who are newly eligible for statins and why?

#statins #cholesterol

The Dallas Cowboys held their annual press conference to start training camp on Tuesday, and the idea of the offseason being free of drama came up a lot at the beginning.
Jerry Jones noted that he liked that perception and then matters turned to what lies ahead instead of what is in the rearview mirror. In a very non-Jerry way, the team's owner, president, and general manager was expressing such confidence in the group set to start out in Oxnard by saying that he would be willing to risk future ****** ets in the name of helping them.
Obviously that is a hint that Jones could orchestrate a trade to help the Cowboys. In fact, he said that he specifically spoke to an NFL team about "something" on Monday. It is worth noting that on Monday it was reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea requested a trade. That could just be coincidence, though.
As this conversation was going on, Jerry was asked why he and the team moved on from the Maxx Crosby situation after Crosby's trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens fell through. He thought long and hard and then was pretty pointed.
"We didn't. We did not walk away."

#jerry #cowboys #tuesday #oxnard

Lamar Jackson shares the expectations of those who believe the Baltimore Ravens can contend for a Super Bowl. He is no longer interested in discussing those projections without results. Baltimore entered last season widely viewed as one of the NFL's most talented teams. The Ravens instead finished 8-9 and missed the postseason, providing Jackson with a direct response to another offseason of championship predictions.
"We were just 8-9," Jackson said on "The Lounge" podcast. "We were talking about it, but we didn't produce. So why talk about it? We've got to be about it."
Jackson still expects Baltimore to compete for the championship. His focus has shifted toward the daily work required to reach February rather than the destination itself.
"It starts now," Jackson said. "It starts each and every week. It doesn't just happen in February. We have to get there first."
That process includes improvement in meetings, practice, recovery and situational football. Jackson pointed to a recent training-camp practice in which the Ravens began and finished poorly. He viewed it as an opportunity to correct a pattern that has hurt Baltimore during previous seasons. The lesson was reinforced by Baltimore's playoff loss to Tennessee following the 2019 regular season. The Ravens entered that game with a 14-2 record and considerable expectations but fell behind early and never recovered.

#baltimore #Ravens #finished #championship

The clock is ticking on the Detroit Tigers, who have just six days to decide if they will trade ace left-hander Tarik Skubal.
Here are the latest rumors as Monday's trade deadline approaches.
"The Detroit Tigers are starting to make it a much easier decision for the front office to unload ace Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline," USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday. "The Tigers drop their third consecutive game, 8-5 to the Baltimore Orioles, and are now 50-57."
Clearly, the Tigers have entered the trade deadline no-man's land.
"Rival executives remain uncertain about what the Tigers will do before the deadline, and they can see the logic behind either path," ESPN's Buster Olney reported Monday.

#trade #detroit #skubal #nightengale

A long era has come to an end for the Baltimore Ravens, as the franchise is set to embark upon its first season in nearly two decades without John Harbaugh as the head coach.
Harbaugh took over as coach in 2008, leading the Ravens to the postseason in 12 of the 18 years he was in charge, including one Super Bowl win. Despite his long-term success in Baltimore, whispers of locker room issues and a losing season that kept the organization out of the playoffs brought an end to his tenure. Now, with a fresh face taking over in Jesse Minter, what is the ceiling (and the floor) for the Baltimore Ravens in 2026?
Ceiling: 13-4
Jesse Minter has been the architect of several elite defenses at both the college and NFL level for Jim Harbaugh, the brother of the man he is replacing. He also has one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in Lamar Jackson. The Ravens won 13 games in 2023 and 12 games in 2024, and if Minter is up for the task as the head coach and he gets his defense right early, the Ravens could be right back at that level again this season.
Floor: 8-9

#Ravens #ceiling

The MLB season is nearing the trade deadline and entering the playoff push. With under 60 games left, teams are making final pushes for playoff berths. Player production has become vital, and improved play has helped specific teams join the playoff race. Entering the week, here are the top 10 first basemen.
MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline
Jul 8, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Alec Burleson has played a pivotal role for St. Louis. His production has helped the team make a push for a Wild Card spot. Entering the week, he leads the Cardinals in hits.
Alonso had a slow start in his first season with Baltimore. However, he's increased his production over the past few months. Entering the week, he leads the Orioles in hits, home runs, RBI, and total bases.

#cardinals

Detroit Tigers fans who paid good money to be at Comerica Park on Monday night has reason to be upset. Their hometown team allowed the visiting Baltimore Orioles to score a bunch of early runs, which eventually sealed a third consecutive defeat for A.J. Hinch's team. Time is slipping away for the Tigers to make a run at the American League Central crown or, failing that, an American League wild card spot. And oh yeah, the latest stumbles might be just enough to convince the front office to send Tarik Skubal out of town at the trade deadline.
But all those frowns turned upside-down thanks to one uninvited guest who caused all types of chaos on the playing surface.
As hope began dwindling for the Tigers in the seventh inning, a squirrel made its way onto the diamond. It did not possess any type of healthy fear and therefore got really close to players and explored **** es that could have put it right in the center of the action. Orioles third base coach Buck Britton certainly did not help when he decided to feed the uninvited guest.
Eventually, everyone had enough of the squirrel and the decision was made to remove it from the premises.
That task proved easier on paper than in practice.

#american

For nearly two decades, John Harbaugh defined Baltimore Ravens football. His teams were disciplined, physical and consistently among the NFL's playoff contenders. Players came and went, coordinators accepted promotions elsewhere and rosters evolved, but Harbaugh remained the constant that tied every season together.
That chapter has closed. As the Ravens report for training camp, the organization begins navigating unfamiliar territory. A new coaching staff inherits one of the NFL's most talented rosters, but replacing a respected culture builder is never as simple as changing the name on the office door.
The Ravens enter this summer with a chance to establish a new identity while preserving the standards that made them one of football's model franchises. Coaching changes often coincide with rebuilding projects. That isn't the case in Baltimore.
The Ravens still possess one of the league's premier quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, an offense capable of challenging any defense and a defense talented enough to help fuel an AFC North ***** le. Expectations haven't changed simply because leadership has.
The new coaching staff isn't being asked to build a contender from scratch. It's being asked to sustain one.

#Coaching

The 10-12 Maryland Little League Baseball State Championship was held last week in Hagerstown, Maryland, as teams from across Maryland competed for the state ***** le and a spot at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals. But only one team could walk away with that honor, and that team would be the Berlin Little League team.
After winning the District 8 Championship over local rivals, Berlin Little League arrived at the Maryland State Championship Tournament as one of seven teams hoping to take one step closer towards an appearance at the Little League World Series. And they did just that, as they brought the state championship back to Berlin.
It all culminated in their 6-2 victory over South Baltimore in the ***** le game, which capped off their unbeaten run to the ***** le. According to The Herald Mail, Berlin's Jonah Isett struck out five in 4⅔ innings, only allowing two runs and two hits to help lead Berlin to victory. And at the plate, players like Isett, Jackson Howell, Gus VanKlompenberg, Miles Abott, Cole Brown also contributed to Berlin's state championship victory.
Berlin's first game of the Little League Baseball Mid-Atlantic Regionals will take place on Aug. 9 at 10 a.m., and they will play Mamie Johnson Little League of Washington, D.C. The Mid-Atlantic Regionals will take place in Bristol, Connecticut.
The winner of the Mid-Atlantic Regionals will advance to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which will kick-off on Aug. 19.

#Atlantic #team

The NFL offseason lasts about five months, from the Super Bowl in mid-February to training camps starting mid-July.
With nearly 150 days passing between the two bookends of the season, it is hard to remember all of the moves that occurred in the offseason and the players who will be suiting up in new places as a new year begins.
With every team officially at training camp, we recap the biggest moves of the offseason and answer a burning question for each team.
Click on the following links to jump to a specific team:

AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Tennessee ******* ans | Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
What will Joe Brady do in his first season as head coach?

#york

Comerica Park has always been a special place for Grant Wolfram.
As a kid, the Holland native and Hamilton High School graduate, grew up watching the Tigers.
It took a big step last year when Wolfram made his major league debut at Comerica Park, pitching for the Baltimore Orioles.
Wolfram's Comerica Park memories continued on Monday, July 27, as he earned the win in relief when Baltimore beat Detroit 8-5. He faced four hitters - all All-Stars - and got them all out in order.
More: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grant Wolfram puts together stellar month of June on mound

#comerica

The Yankees overcame Max Fried's season-low-tying start of three innings with four-run frames in the fourth and eighth to take Monday's series-opening game at the American League East-leading Chicago White Sox, a 9-4 win, rebounding from Sunday's 11-4 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fried's second start back from injury mirrored his season-worst outing May 13 at the Baltimore Orioles, a 7-0 loss, in which he allowed three runs on five hits in three innings. This time, Fried -- after returning from a two-month absence due to a left elbow bone bruise with one hit in five innings during last Wednesday's 5-3 10-inning loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates -- also allowed three runs on five hits and exited following three frames. Pulled after 39 strikes on 66 pitches while fanning four and walking two, Fried (4-3, 3.23 ERA) fell victim to a three-run first inning in which he started slow, allowing four of his five hits. Fortunately for Fried, the Yankees' bullpen and offense picked him up, but this was a step back from how he looked in his debut last week.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was chief among New York's reinforcements, tying the game with a two-run double in the fourth inning that scored Paul Goldschmidt and Jasson Domínguez. Chisholm subsequently stole third base and scored when Spencer Jones grounded out to second with one out. When the Yankees led the White Sox (55-50) by a run in the eight inning, Chisholm's RBI single to score Domínguez padded the 6-4 lead and eventually break the game open. Chisholm's 2-for-4, two-RBI effort from the sixth spot in the order was the type of performance that New York needed to avoid a series-opening dud as he brought his slash line to .226/.299/.414 with 45 RBI and 29 steals through 99 games this season.
Between Chisholm's highlights, Ben Rice's go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning with two outs to score Amed Rosario gave the Yankees the much-needed push after the White Sox tied the game at 4-4 with one out in the fifth. Rice, whose 2-for-4 evening included a leadoff walk that sparked New York's fourth inning, need to be the guy in this lineup without Aaron Judge and met the moment as the second-batting designated hitter Monday. Through 101 games, Rice is slashing .275/.363/.585 with 73 RBI.
With Cody Bellinger out for the next month and change due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Max Schuemann's second start in left field saw him also lead off but underwhelm. Schuemann's two-game glimpse is an 0-for-7 sample size after Monday's 0-for-5 result out of the No. 1 spot in the order, which only adds to questions for Aaron Boone and the Yankees with the MLB trade deadline around the corner.

#game

A squirrel caused quite a bit of chaos on Monday at Comerica Park.
A black squirrel managed to break onto the field during the Detroit Tigers' 8-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, and it led the grounds crew on a chase in the outfield. Orioles outfielder Leody Taveras even had to get in on the action, though he couldn't quite catch the elusive animal with his glove.
Perhaps the best part of the loose squirrel was Jason Benetti's call of the scene from the booth.
"No, I won't be hemmed in! I have freedom on my mind!" Benetti yelled.
Eventually, the crew managed to track the squirrel down and got it out of the stadium so the game could continue.

#managed #crew #park #detroit

Jaelan Phillips was already going to be shouldering a heavy load for the Carolina Panthers defense this year. The four-year, $120 million contract he signed in March was the biggest for player in free agency—even more than former sack champion Trey Hendrickson got from the Baltimore Ravens.
And now, after Thursday's news revealed that fellow starting outside linebacker Nic Scourton would miss the entire 2026 season due to an ACL tear, the pressure is even greater.
From Phillips' perspective, he's focused on turning his high pressure rate into more sacks. Here's what he told NFL Network national reporter Cameron Wolfe after the opening session of training camp:
Phillips entered the 2025 campaign with a career high of 8.5 sacks, which he posted during his rookie season in 2021. Last year, he managed just 5.0 while playing a full 17-game slate between the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The under-the-hood numbers, however, tell a bit of a different story. Phillips tallied 76 pressures in 2025, tied for the ninth-most in the league.

#phillips #sacks

BALTIMORE — Both the Ravens and Lamar Jackson are in ideal situations when it comes to current contract talks.
If Jackson, 29, leads the Ravens to a Super Bowl **** le or plays well in the postseason, then the team has to make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. If he has a dismal or disappointing showing like he did last season, then the Ravens should offer him a contract worthy of a top-10 player at his position.
This isn't rocket science.
Of course, Jackson, in his ninth season, wants Patrick Mahomes-type money. Earlier this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs star reworked an eight-year contract worth $504.75 million with $397 million guaranteed, averaging $54.45 million beginning in 2027 through 2033.
Needless to say, Jackson is no Mahomes.

#season #super #bowl

MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: The Yankees rearranged their planned starters for this weekend's series in Philadelphia. Cam Schlittler was **** ped up to start Friday on normal rest, with Will Warren pushed back to Sunday. Warren appeared in relief Wednesday to help provide some coverage during a doubleheader. With Max Fried back in the rotation and Carlos Rodón on the comeback trail, Warren's recent usage suggests his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy.
MLB.com | Thomas Harrigan: The Yankees have gotten virtually no offensive production from the catcher position this season. With the trade deadline looming, expect them to pursue an upgrade. The most likely candidate is Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers, a righty bat who's a free agent after the season. The Athletics' Shea Langeliers and Colorado's Hunter Goodman are higher-upside plays with more years of club control, but there's no guarantee either will be moved. The Mets' Francisco Alvarez and Baltimore's Adley Rutschman loom as longshots, with Cincinnati's Tyler Stephenson and Minnesota's Victor Caratini less exciting backup plans should the rest fall through.
NJ.com | James Mertz: Paul Blackburn has broken out with the Yankees this year after moving to the bullpen full-time, posting a 2.00 ERA in 35 outings. He attributes the career renaissance in part with the consistency the Yankees have provided. The veteran contrasts that with his tenure with the Mets, who constantly shuttled him between the rotation and the bullpen. "I felt like we were just playing a video game," he said of his time across town, during which he posted a 6.00 ERA in 12 games.
CBS Sports | Rotowire Staff: Luis Gil faced live batters on Friday for the first time since early May, throwing BP. He's been on the minor-league IL, working back from right shoulder inflammation. The former Rookie of the Year was disastrous in four starts early this year and has no guaranteed role upon his return.

#warren #trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers' countdown to kickoff is full steam ahead for the 2026 NFL regular season, with fans needing to wait only 50 more days until the Steel City brand of football returns when the Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.
In the spirit of the countdown, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 50 jersey and ****** yze which player wore it best.
Harrison, who signed with the Steelers on a two-year deal in March 2025 after a five-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, is the current No. 50 wearer on Pittsburgh's roster.
Malik Harrison, 2025-2026
Elandon Roberts, 2023-2024

#september

Wide receiver Chris Moore is back in Baltimore.
The NFL's daily transaction report shows that Moore worked out for the Ravens on Friday and multiple reports say that he is signing on for a second tour of duty with the team. Moore was a 2016 fourth-round pick and spent his first five seasons with the AFC North club.
Moore had 47 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns during that stint. He spent time with the Texans, ***** ans and Cardinals before playing in 14 games for the Commanders last season. He had 11 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown.
The Ravens worked out wideouts Sterling Shepard, Dante Pettis, and Casey Washington along with Moore. Offensive tackles Hakeem Adenjii and Geron Christian also worked out while quarterback William Atkins handled the throwing during the tryout.

#worked #spent #baltimore #Friday

ICYMI, here's today's roster move.
Friday notes…
BACK-TO-BACK: The Cubs have lost back-to-back games only twice in their last 40 played, since a third straight loss, at home to the Athletics, on June 3. They fell twice at home to the Cardinals on July 3-4, then at Baltimore on July 9 and at Cincinnati the next day. (Courtesy BCB's JohnW53)
WINNING ON THE ROAD: The Cubs are 27-23 on the road. They finished 42-39 last year, their first full season with a winning record since 2018, when they were 44-37. They were 15-12 in the 60-game 2020 season. (Courtesy BCB's JohnW53)
DIVISION RIVALS: The Cubs are 13-13 vs. their Central Division opponents. The Pirates are 17-12 within the division; the Brewers, 19-10; and the Cardinals, 15-13. The Reds are 6-22. (Courtesy BCB's JohnW53)

#Cubs #division

A former Husker announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday night. Tight end Travis Vokolek made the announcement on Instagram that he is medically retiring.
Vokolek suffered a neck injury last season while playing for the Arizona Cardinals. He was the third-string tight end for the Cardinals and played a part on special teams. Vokolek spent two seasons with Arizona after initially going undrafted as a free agent to the Baltimore Ravens. He played in five games for the Cardinals and totaled two solo tackles.
"After numerous visits with doctors and neurologists over the past couple of months, I have been advised to medically retire from the NFL due to a serious neck injury that I suffered this past season," he wrote in his post. "I am extremely grateful and blessed to have been able to live out my childhood dream of playing football at the highest level for the past three years. Football has taught me many life lessons and given me unforgettable memories."
Vokolek played three seasons at Nebraska after transferring from Rutgers in 2019. In his final season for the Huskers, he played in 10 games and set career highs with 20 catches, 240 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In his Nebraska career, Vokolek tallied 458 receiving yards and two touchdowns off 40 catches.
Contact/Follow us CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

#played #arizona #tight #Football

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's ranking in the NFL Network list of the league's top 100 players caught the eye of head coach Jesse Minter.
Jackson is ranked 69th on the list, which is compiled by a vote of players. Jackson was No. 2 on 2025's list and the two-time MVP’s drop was noticed by plenty of other people as well.
During an appearance on the team's The Lounge podcast, Minter said that he had an "interesting back and forth" with the quarterback about a ranking that he feels is at odds with how things actually look on the field.
"Look, there may not even be one other player in the league better than Lamar, yet alone 68 players in the league better than Lamar," Minter said. "When you have one year where he dealt with a little bit of injury and the team [missed the playoffs], certain players they hold onto that and certain players they give them the benefit of the doubt. This guy is a multi-MVP winner, has transcended the quarterback position. He knows how I feel about him. I guess I don't put too much stock into what the list looks like."
Minter said he doesn't think Jackson puts much stock into the rankings either and suggested the quarterback just focus on being himself because he has "proven over time that the best version is the best player in the league." If he makes the case for that again in 2026, Minter's first season in Baltimore should play out pretty well.

#list #jackson #ranking

The Atlanta Braves secured another series win after Thursday’s 6-5 defeat over the San Diego Padres. The Braves took the series 3-1, making it their second series win since returning from the All-Star Break.
Chris Sale got the start in the series finale, where he struck out 11 in six innings. He surrendered three runs, but the offense picked him up. The Atlanta lineup totaled nine hits, four of them home runs.
Up next, the Braves travel to Camden Yards for a weekend clash with the Baltimore Orioles. The series gets underway tonight at 7:05 ET.
Sean Murphy is joining the Gwinnett Stripers Friday evening to begin his rehab ***** ignment. He has missed the last two months with a fractured finger.
St. Louis Cardinals reliever Max Rajcic recently underwent Tommy John surgery. He will miss the remainder of the season and likely all of 2027.

#Braves

As the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 ranking continues to unveil names, there has already been plenty of debate around the league. Few rankings generated more discussion than Lamar Jackson's. After finishing No. 2 on last year's list, the Baltimore Ravens' two-time NFL MVP tumbled to No. 69 in the latest edition—a staggering 67-spot drop despite remaining one of the league's most dynamic quarterbacks.
The ranking quickly became a talking point across social media. Ravens fans questioned the results, national media personalities weighed in, and even the team's official social media accounts appeared to push back against the dramatic slide. Now, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter has joined the conversation. During a recent appearance on The Lounge Podcast, Minter was asked about Jackson's placement on the annual player-voted list. Unsurprisingly, he didn't put much stock in the ranking.
"I don't know who voted... I don't know how it works, but if you ask me, there's not 68 players better than Lamar Jackson."
The comment echoed the sentiment shared by much of Baltimore's fan base since the rankings were released. Jackson's resume speaks for itself. He's a two-time NFL MVP, a perennial Pro Bowl and MVP candidate, and one of the most unique offensive weapons the league has ever seen. His dual-threat ability continues to make him the centerpiece of one of football's most difficult offenses to defend, and he's once again expected to have the Ravens among the AFC's top contenders entering the season.
Individual rankings, of course, are subjective. Every offseason produces a handful of controversial placements, and the NFL Top 100 is no exception. Still, Jackson's dramatic fall has become one of this year's biggest surprises. Whether the ranking serves as motivation or simply another offseason talking point remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear. Inside the Ravens' building, no one believes there are 68 players better than Lamar Jackson.

#lamar #rankings #minter #already

Diego Pavia needs a new team.
The Albuquerque native and Heisman Trophy runner-up was waived Thursday by the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced via a report on its website.
A record-setting quarterback at Vanderbilt and New Mexico State, Pavia was signed as an undrafted free agent in late April to compete for Baltimore's third-string quarterback position behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. He was later passed over the summer by Skylar Thompson and Joe Fangano, another undrafted free agent from Connecticut.
Pavia can now either sign with another NFL team to compete for a roster spot or possibly take his talents to another league: For instance, the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers added him to their negotiation list in 2024, meaning the club will have exclusive rights to negotiate with him if he wishes to pursue an opportunity in the league.
The majority of NFL training camps begin next week.

#diego

What's next for Diego Pavia? Landing spots for former Heisman finalist, from second NFL chances to CFL to WWE originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the second time in three months, Diego Pavia faces an uncertain future in football.
At this time last year, Pavia was preparing for his final season at Vanderbilt, which resulted in him becoming the Commodores' first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist, leading an electric offense to a 10-3 record and racking up 3,539 passing yards and 862 rushing yards. Despite that collegiate success, though, Pavia hasn't found a home in the pros.
After going undrafted in April's NFL Draft, Pavia initially landed with the Baltimore Ravens, even signing a three-year deal with a chance to carve out an eventual role in the quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson. It was a short-lived opportunity. On Thursday, Pavia was waived, making it even more unclear where he could wind up.
Here's a look at some potential fits for Pavia around the NFL, in other football leagues and elsewhere.

#heisman #finalist

Could Diego Pavia be a realistic option for the Detroit Lions?
Pavia was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday afternoon. The 5-foot-10 quarterback had inked a three-year, $3.1 million contract with Baltimore after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As Pavia searches for his next professional step, USA TODAY Sports quickly linked the Lions as a potential Pavia suitor.
USA TODAY Sports' Nick Brinkerhoff shared why he feels the Lions might make sense:
Teddy Bridgewater and Luke Altmyer are the only insurance behind Jared Goff on the Lions roster. This is a perfect spot for Pavia, given how well he fits the city and the football team's mentality that represents it. - Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY Sports

#baltimore #brinkerhoff

WORCESTER — While Chad Tracy sat inside his office at Polar Park around 5 p.m. on April 25, the former WooSox manager made a rare call to his wife, Emily, during the middle of a Triple-A game.
Drenched in sweat and coated in mulch from her fingertips to toes, Emily, who was in the middle of landscaping the front yard of their home in Fairfield, Ohio, answered the phone.
"I said, 'Darn, what did you get kicked out of the game for?'" Emily recalled. "He said, 'Em, are you sitting down?' You start to go into panic mode that something bad happened. But he told me a plane was coming to pick him up that night to go manage (the Boston Red Sox) in Baltimore the next day.
"I was speechless."
Nearly four hours after telling his wife he'd been named interim manager of the Boston Red Sox, Tracy rolled a black suitcase through the lower bowel of Polar Park and left to board a plane headed for Baltimore.

#emily #park #wife #game