4 hours ago
A former Cincinnati Bengals player is already on the outs with his new team about a week or so into training camps around the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers waived defensive end Sam Cample this past week, ending his brief tenure with the franchise that started last April.
Sample, a fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2021, had spent every prior season in Cincinnati and was a key rotational depth piece when healthy. He played in 61 games, registering seven sacks and 85 combined tackles.
No word on why Sample is out in San Francisco. But the Bengals seem content with edge depth right now.
Boye Mafe, Shemar Stewart, Cashius Howell and Myles Murphy are the big investments on the edge, with Cedric Johnson and Isaiah Foskey the primary depth pieces.
#bengals #sample #cample #boye
The San Francisco 49ers waived defensive end Sam Cample this past week, ending his brief tenure with the franchise that started last April.
Sample, a fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2021, had spent every prior season in Cincinnati and was a key rotational depth piece when healthy. He played in 61 games, registering seven sacks and 85 combined tackles.
No word on why Sample is out in San Francisco. But the Bengals seem content with edge depth right now.
Boye Mafe, Shemar Stewart, Cashius Howell and Myles Murphy are the big investments on the edge, with Cedric Johnson and Isaiah Foskey the primary depth pieces.
#bengals #sample #cample #boye
5 days ago
It was not too long ago that the Cincinnati Bengals were right up top in the AFC pecking order. In 2021 and 2022, they got as close as you can get to winning a Super Bowl without actually winning it. There was the 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI at the end of the 2021 season and the 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 AFC Championship game.
Of course, after those two 23-20 games in a span of less than a year, things started to come apart. Joe Burrow's health became more of a concern in 2023 and 2025, and when Burrow played at a thermonuclear level in 2024, he did so with a Lou Anarumo defense that ranked 25th in points allowed and 27th in DVOA.
Last season, Burrow played in just eight games, and in the first half of the season, Al Golden's defense was one of the worst… like, ever. According to FTN's data, Cincinnati's defensive DVOA of 30.1% in Weeks 1-9 was the worst in the history of the metric, which currently goes back to 1977. Running back Chase Brown and receiver Ja'Marr Chase were yowling about said defense in October, and for good reason.
Then, it all turned around. From Week 10 through the end of the season, the Bengals improved their Defensive DVOA to -2.2% (Defensive DVOA is better when it's negative), up from 32nd to 13th. And though the sins of the season's first half would not be erased by that improvement — the 2025 Bengals finished 30th in Defensive DVOA behind only the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets — there was enough on the bone for management to spend in both draft capital and actual dollars to improve things on that side of the ball.
Hence, the trade for ex-New York Giants game-wrecker Dexter Lawrence, as well as the signings of former Seattle Seahawks edge-rusher Boye Mafe, veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, and veteran defensive back Kyle Dugger. Adding Texas A&M edge-rusher Cashius Howell and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in the second and third rounds of the 2026 draft should provide even more enforcement potential.
#bengals #kansas
Of course, after those two 23-20 games in a span of less than a year, things started to come apart. Joe Burrow's health became more of a concern in 2023 and 2025, and when Burrow played at a thermonuclear level in 2024, he did so with a Lou Anarumo defense that ranked 25th in points allowed and 27th in DVOA.
Last season, Burrow played in just eight games, and in the first half of the season, Al Golden's defense was one of the worst… like, ever. According to FTN's data, Cincinnati's defensive DVOA of 30.1% in Weeks 1-9 was the worst in the history of the metric, which currently goes back to 1977. Running back Chase Brown and receiver Ja'Marr Chase were yowling about said defense in October, and for good reason.
Then, it all turned around. From Week 10 through the end of the season, the Bengals improved their Defensive DVOA to -2.2% (Defensive DVOA is better when it's negative), up from 32nd to 13th. And though the sins of the season's first half would not be erased by that improvement — the 2025 Bengals finished 30th in Defensive DVOA behind only the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets — there was enough on the bone for management to spend in both draft capital and actual dollars to improve things on that side of the ball.
Hence, the trade for ex-New York Giants game-wrecker Dexter Lawrence, as well as the signings of former Seattle Seahawks edge-rusher Boye Mafe, veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, and veteran defensive back Kyle Dugger. Adding Texas A&M edge-rusher Cashius Howell and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in the second and third rounds of the 2026 draft should provide even more enforcement potential.
#bengals #kansas
5 days ago
Dax Hill got a big smile on his face when asked how the Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs are impacted by a consistent pass rush showing up early in training camp.
The Bengals defense had another good day Monday, Aug. 3 as the pads came on for the first time, and the defensive line's pressure on the quarterbacks especially stood out.
That allowed the secondary more opportunities for pass breakups.
Hill had a punch-out in coverage on tight end Mike Gesicki at the end of practice, DJ Turner almost picked off Joe Burrow in another 11-on-11 series, Jordan Battle was making plays in coverage and against the run, including one pass breakup on Ja'Marr Chase, and those were just a few highlights.
Defensive end Boye Mafe especially was in Burrow's face quite a bit; Myles Murphy had multiple pressures and rookie Cashius Howell had a "sack."
#especially
The Bengals defense had another good day Monday, Aug. 3 as the pads came on for the first time, and the defensive line's pressure on the quarterbacks especially stood out.
That allowed the secondary more opportunities for pass breakups.
Hill had a punch-out in coverage on tight end Mike Gesicki at the end of practice, DJ Turner almost picked off Joe Burrow in another 11-on-11 series, Jordan Battle was making plays in coverage and against the run, including one pass breakup on Ja'Marr Chase, and those were just a few highlights.
Defensive end Boye Mafe especially was in Burrow's face quite a bit; Myles Murphy had multiple pressures and rookie Cashius Howell had a "sack."
#especially
5 days ago
Aug. 3—Dax Hill got a big smile on his face when asked how the Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs are impacted by a consistent pass rush showing up early in training camp.
The Bengals defense had another good day Monday, Aug. 3 as the pads came on for the first time, and the defensive line's pressure on the quarterbacks especially stood out.
That allowed the secondary more opportunities for pass breakups.
Hill had a punch-out in coverage on tight end Mike Gesicki at the end of practice, DJ Turner almost picked off Joe Burrow in another 11-on-11 series, Jordan Battle was making plays in coverage and against the run, including one pass breakup on Ja'Marr Chase, and those were just a few highlights.
Defensive end Boye Mafe especially was in Burrow's face quite a bit; Myles Murphy had multiple pressures and rookie Cashius Howell had a "sack."
#bengals #face #especially
The Bengals defense had another good day Monday, Aug. 3 as the pads came on for the first time, and the defensive line's pressure on the quarterbacks especially stood out.
That allowed the secondary more opportunities for pass breakups.
Hill had a punch-out in coverage on tight end Mike Gesicki at the end of practice, DJ Turner almost picked off Joe Burrow in another 11-on-11 series, Jordan Battle was making plays in coverage and against the run, including one pass breakup on Ja'Marr Chase, and those were just a few highlights.
Defensive end Boye Mafe especially was in Burrow's face quite a bit; Myles Murphy had multiple pressures and rookie Cashius Howell had a "sack."
#bengals #face #especially
6 days ago
Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby Getty
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart Getty
There were a few different obvious things this offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders wanted to trade Maxx Crosby, and the Cincinnati Bengals wanted help along the defensive line and at edge rusher.
Despite that, the Bengals and Raiders never came together on a deal. Instead, Cincinnati would send a first-round pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence and they'd sign Boye Mafe before drafting Cashius Howell. Meanwhile, a Crosby trade to the Baltimore Ravens would ultimately fall through.
With that context in mind, former NFL player Willie Colon recently appeared on First Things First. There, he'd advocate for the Bengals, among a couple of other teams to send two first-round picks to the Raiders for Crosby.
#crosby #cincinnati #vegas #getty
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart Getty
There were a few different obvious things this offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders wanted to trade Maxx Crosby, and the Cincinnati Bengals wanted help along the defensive line and at edge rusher.
Despite that, the Bengals and Raiders never came together on a deal. Instead, Cincinnati would send a first-round pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence and they'd sign Boye Mafe before drafting Cashius Howell. Meanwhile, a Crosby trade to the Baltimore Ravens would ultimately fall through.
With that context in mind, former NFL player Willie Colon recently appeared on First Things First. There, he'd advocate for the Bengals, among a couple of other teams to send two first-round picks to the Raiders for Crosby.
#crosby #cincinnati #vegas #getty
7 days ago
Bengals get another Maxx Crosby trade suggestion
The Cincinnati Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence sort of kept the floodgates open for suggestions that the team should make other big splash moves around Joe Burrow.
Training Camp Report | Boye Mafe Finds A Home; Erick All Jr.'s Wait Ends Monday
There are those at Paycor Stadium who believe the pass Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had intercepted in one of Saturday's team sessions at training camp wouldn't have been tried in a game.
Cashius Howell brings an edge in attempt to boost Bengals pass rush
#training #pass #maxx
The Cincinnati Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence sort of kept the floodgates open for suggestions that the team should make other big splash moves around Joe Burrow.
Training Camp Report | Boye Mafe Finds A Home; Erick All Jr.'s Wait Ends Monday
There are those at Paycor Stadium who believe the pass Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had intercepted in one of Saturday's team sessions at training camp wouldn't have been tried in a game.
Cashius Howell brings an edge in attempt to boost Bengals pass rush
#training #pass #maxx
9 days ago
Muay Thai, a combat style with roots in close-quarter fighting from 7th Century Southeast Asia, has evolved over two millennia into a brutally effective means of self-defense. Today, it's often called "the Art of Eight Limbs." The wealth of diversity that started flourishing in Northern California in the wake of the Vietnam War meant that an array of Muay Thai masters were now living and teaching in cities from San Francisco to Stockton. Gyms fine-tuning the method's array of punches, kicks, knee-strikes and elbow-strikes have become plentiful enough – including in Northwest Nevada – that a robust competition circuit has become increasingly popular in the Sacramento Valley. On Saturday night, Hard Rock Live in Wheatland, working with World Fighting Championships and Rising Stars Muay Thai, will bring the first-ever, lightning-placed Muay Thai throw-down to the Yuba-Sutter Region.
The action starts at 7 p.m.
The night's main event is a championship match between Antonio Martinez (12-4) of Monster Muay Thai in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Eddie Abasolo (11-7) of Combat Sports Academy in Dublin, California. The winner will walk away with the WFC Professional Muay Thai Championship.
The co-main event will see undefeated Garrett Boyer (5-0) of Vital Force Muay Thai taking on Sacramento's Alberto Montano (11-2), with the victor getting crowned both the WFC Amateur Muay Thai Champion and Rising Stars Muay Thai Amateur Champion.
Organizers say the professional undercard features several compelling matchups, including Caley Scott (0-1) of Omni Movement taking on Sacramento's Cy Hanson (0-0) of Sit Thongsai, as well as undefeated Joe Kimbrough (4-0) of Black Flag Kickboxing facing hometown fighter Marcos Jimenez (1-0) of Collective Combat Academy.
#thai #amateur
The action starts at 7 p.m.
The night's main event is a championship match between Antonio Martinez (12-4) of Monster Muay Thai in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Eddie Abasolo (11-7) of Combat Sports Academy in Dublin, California. The winner will walk away with the WFC Professional Muay Thai Championship.
The co-main event will see undefeated Garrett Boyer (5-0) of Vital Force Muay Thai taking on Sacramento's Alberto Montano (11-2), with the victor getting crowned both the WFC Amateur Muay Thai Champion and Rising Stars Muay Thai Amateur Champion.
Organizers say the professional undercard features several compelling matchups, including Caley Scott (0-1) of Omni Movement taking on Sacramento's Cy Hanson (0-0) of Sit Thongsai, as well as undefeated Joe Kimbrough (4-0) of Black Flag Kickboxing facing hometown fighter Marcos Jimenez (1-0) of Collective Combat Academy.
#thai #amateur
11 days ago
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart needed a cart to leave the field during the team's first training camp practice after suffering an apparent injury.
According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Stewart suffered what appeared to be a knee injury before he left the field on a cart with trainers.
Stewart, the Bengals' first-round pick in 2025, had enjoyed a normal buildup to his second season before this point. That, after the post-draft contract standoff with the team and multiple nagging injuries never let him find his footing as a rookie.
The Bengals spent big on defensive end this offseason to insulate a struggling spot. With Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai gone, the front office signed Boye Mafe in free agency and drafted Cashius Howell, pairing them with first-round products Stewart and Myles Murphy.
Stewart, thanks to his athleticism and ability to play multiple spots, is a key part of the plan for Al Golden's defense. In the past, cart rides at camp have been a precaution even for cramps, so it remains to be seen how severe Stewart's apparent setback is.
#stewart #cart #first #field
According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Stewart suffered what appeared to be a knee injury before he left the field on a cart with trainers.
Stewart, the Bengals' first-round pick in 2025, had enjoyed a normal buildup to his second season before this point. That, after the post-draft contract standoff with the team and multiple nagging injuries never let him find his footing as a rookie.
The Bengals spent big on defensive end this offseason to insulate a struggling spot. With Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai gone, the front office signed Boye Mafe in free agency and drafted Cashius Howell, pairing them with first-round products Stewart and Myles Murphy.
Stewart, thanks to his athleticism and ability to play multiple spots, is a key part of the plan for Al Golden's defense. In the past, cart rides at camp have been a precaution even for cramps, so it remains to be seen how severe Stewart's apparent setback is.
#stewart #cart #first #field
11 days ago
The Seattle Seahawks have a lot going for them as the 2026 NFL season creeps closer.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox labeled the Seahawks' defensive line as the team's biggest strength prior to the start of this year's preseason.
"The Seahawks were regularly able to pressure opposing quarterbacks despite blitzing just 19.3 percent of the time, the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL," Knox said. "Seattle's defensive line will enter 2026 largely unchanged. While edge-defender Boye Mafe was replaced by Dante Fowler Jr., key standouts Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Jarran Reed, and DeMarcus Lawrence are all back for another run."
The Seahawks also have a strong wide receiver room consisting of AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp, as well as a top-tier secondary including second-team All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, and Josh Jobe. Nevertheless, the defensive line brings frightening pressure to opposing quarterbacks and has nearly all of its players from last year returning for another run in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: ***** sing the Seahawks' biggest strength prior to the preseason
#defensive #line #knox #year
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox labeled the Seahawks' defensive line as the team's biggest strength prior to the start of this year's preseason.
"The Seahawks were regularly able to pressure opposing quarterbacks despite blitzing just 19.3 percent of the time, the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL," Knox said. "Seattle's defensive line will enter 2026 largely unchanged. While edge-defender Boye Mafe was replaced by Dante Fowler Jr., key standouts Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Jarran Reed, and DeMarcus Lawrence are all back for another run."
The Seahawks also have a strong wide receiver room consisting of AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp, as well as a top-tier secondary including second-team All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, and Josh Jobe. Nevertheless, the defensive line brings frightening pressure to opposing quarterbacks and has nearly all of its players from last year returning for another run in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: ***** sing the Seahawks' biggest strength prior to the preseason
#defensive #line #knox #year
12 days ago
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider believes in rotating pass rushers. So does head coach Mike Macdonald. That's precisely why you knew the Seahawks would have a response to losing Boye Mafe in free agency.
The Seahawks did not draft a pass rusher. Instead, they signed veteran Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year contract worth just $2.5 million, with additional incentives. Fowler was a late-wave signing for the Seahawks, agreeing to terms with the franchise weeks after the draft on May 11th.
It turns out the Seahawks had been after Fowler for quite some time. The veteran pass rusher recently revealed that Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde attempted to sign Fowler last offseason. That makes sense, considering they worked together in both Atlanta and Dallas.
Fowler decided to re-sign with the Cowboys last offseason. This summer, Durde and Fowler's former teammate DeMarcus Lawrence put on the heavy push to sign him again. This time, Fowler was convinced to join the Seahawks.
Fowler registered just three sacks for the Cowboys in 2025, but had 10.5 sacks for the Washington Commanders in 2024. The 12th-year defensive end will play a rotational role for the Seahawks. Coach Durde believes Fowler has some pass-rushing juice left in the tank.
#fowler #pass #believes
The Seahawks did not draft a pass rusher. Instead, they signed veteran Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year contract worth just $2.5 million, with additional incentives. Fowler was a late-wave signing for the Seahawks, agreeing to terms with the franchise weeks after the draft on May 11th.
It turns out the Seahawks had been after Fowler for quite some time. The veteran pass rusher recently revealed that Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde attempted to sign Fowler last offseason. That makes sense, considering they worked together in both Atlanta and Dallas.
Fowler decided to re-sign with the Cowboys last offseason. This summer, Durde and Fowler's former teammate DeMarcus Lawrence put on the heavy push to sign him again. This time, Fowler was convinced to join the Seahawks.
Fowler registered just three sacks for the Cowboys in 2025, but had 10.5 sacks for the Washington Commanders in 2024. The 12th-year defensive end will play a rotational role for the Seahawks. Coach Durde believes Fowler has some pass-rushing juice left in the tank.
#fowler #pass #believes
1 month ago
DETROIT — Detroit Tigers third base coach Joey Cora left the club in the middle of his third season on the job because of what manager A.J. Hinch described as “philosophical differences.”
“I know that news is going to be surprising to a lot of people,” Hinch said. “I love Joey. Joey loved being a Tiger. He’s been instrumental in his time here. But similar to a family, sometimes it doesn’t last forever.
“We both just agreed it’s probably best for the players and everybody to separate,” Hinch added.
Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, is the older brother of former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was fired earlier this season. Both played in the major leagues for more than a decade as middle infielders.
Billy Boyer, a first-year member of Hinch’s staff, will move from his position handling “quality control” to third base coach for the remainder of this season, the club said before a game against the Athletics.
“I know that news is going to be surprising to a lot of people,” Hinch said. “I love Joey. Joey loved being a Tiger. He’s been instrumental in his time here. But similar to a family, sometimes it doesn’t last forever.
“We both just agreed it’s probably best for the players and everybody to separate,” Hinch added.
Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, is the older brother of former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was fired earlier this season. Both played in the major leagues for more than a decade as middle infielders.
Billy Boyer, a first-year member of Hinch’s staff, will move from his position handling “quality control” to third base coach for the remainder of this season, the club said before a game against the Athletics.
1 month ago
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced on Tuesday, July 7, that third base coach Joey Cora and the team have "mutually agreed" he would leave the organization as a coach, effective immediately.
Hinch said they arrived at the ultimate decision during a meeting on Tuesday morning, ahead of the series openers against the Athletics. Cora has been the Tigers’ third-base coach and has coached infield defense for the past two and a half seasons.
“We mutually agreed that he would leave the organization and move on, effective today," Hinch said ahead of the series opener against the Athletics on Tuesday, July 7. "Billy Boyer is going to be the third base coach and the lead voice in the infield."
Cora has been known for helping instill an ultra-aggressive baserunning mindset and audacious attempts to score rounding third base since joining. He will be replaced by Boyer, the team's quality coach, as the new third base coach.
The mutual parting came from “philosophical” differences that popped up during the long and frequent baseball conversations that happen in a team’s clubhouse. Hinch likened it to a longtime family relationship.
Hinch said they arrived at the ultimate decision during a meeting on Tuesday morning, ahead of the series openers against the Athletics. Cora has been the Tigers’ third-base coach and has coached infield defense for the past two and a half seasons.
“We mutually agreed that he would leave the organization and move on, effective today," Hinch said ahead of the series opener against the Athletics on Tuesday, July 7. "Billy Boyer is going to be the third base coach and the lead voice in the infield."
Cora has been known for helping instill an ultra-aggressive baserunning mindset and audacious attempts to score rounding third base since joining. He will be replaced by Boyer, the team's quality coach, as the new third base coach.
The mutual parting came from “philosophical” differences that popped up during the long and frequent baseball conversations that happen in a team’s clubhouse. Hinch likened it to a longtime family relationship.
1 month ago
Detroit Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch announced prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Athletics that third base coach Joey Cora has left the organization. Hinch told reporters that he and Cora had met and mutually decided to part ways based on some philosophical differences that had developed. Billy Boyer will take over as third base coach effective immediately.
Hinch characterized the differences of opinion as purely baseball related. That’s interesting considering that Cora has been his third base coach for two and a half seasons after joining the organization in November of 2023. The 61-year-old had an 11-year career in the major leagues, mainly with the Padres, White Sox, and Mariners, before moving into coaching. Apart from his third base responsibilities, Cora has also been the Tigers infield instructor for the past two and a half seasons.
One wonders if the difference of opinion may have had more to do with coaching players than Cora’s work at third base. Like every third base coach since the dawn of time, he’s been criticized for some aggressive sends that worked out badly, but overall the Tigers have graded out pretty well in the baserunning department under his watch, despite not stealing many bases. That’s changed a little bit this year, with the Tigers slipping in the baserunning metrics a bit. They currently rank 17th best in team baserunning per FanGraphs, compared to finishing 10th in that category in 2025.
The 41-year-old Boyer was a college coach before joining the Tigers’ organization as a minor league infield coordinator back in 2021. That was part of now ******* istant general manager, Ryan Garko’s, overhaul of the entire player development system after for director of player development, Dave Littlefield, was reassigned. Boyer became the quality control coach for the major league club this season. As a longtime infield coach who has been working with infielders all year anyway, we ******* ume he’ll take over Cora’s responsibilities working with the infielders as well.
We look forward to seeing a new set of gestures at third base, but otherwise this probably won’t change much about the way the Tigers run the bases. They’re still committed to being aggressive in terms of sending runners from third base to home. We’ll see if they’re more or less successful with Boyer making the calls.
Hinch characterized the differences of opinion as purely baseball related. That’s interesting considering that Cora has been his third base coach for two and a half seasons after joining the organization in November of 2023. The 61-year-old had an 11-year career in the major leagues, mainly with the Padres, White Sox, and Mariners, before moving into coaching. Apart from his third base responsibilities, Cora has also been the Tigers infield instructor for the past two and a half seasons.
One wonders if the difference of opinion may have had more to do with coaching players than Cora’s work at third base. Like every third base coach since the dawn of time, he’s been criticized for some aggressive sends that worked out badly, but overall the Tigers have graded out pretty well in the baserunning department under his watch, despite not stealing many bases. That’s changed a little bit this year, with the Tigers slipping in the baserunning metrics a bit. They currently rank 17th best in team baserunning per FanGraphs, compared to finishing 10th in that category in 2025.
The 41-year-old Boyer was a college coach before joining the Tigers’ organization as a minor league infield coordinator back in 2021. That was part of now ******* istant general manager, Ryan Garko’s, overhaul of the entire player development system after for director of player development, Dave Littlefield, was reassigned. Boyer became the quality control coach for the major league club this season. As a longtime infield coach who has been working with infielders all year anyway, we ******* ume he’ll take over Cora’s responsibilities working with the infielders as well.
We look forward to seeing a new set of gestures at third base, but otherwise this probably won’t change much about the way the Tigers run the bases. They’re still committed to being aggressive in terms of sending runners from third base to home. We’ll see if they’re more or less successful with Boyer making the calls.
1 month ago
Auburn basketball is looking to regain its spot as one of the top programs in the SEC this upcoming season. After a disappointing 2025-26 season, the Tigers will have some work ahead of them to show they are back in that conversation.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports released his SEC preseason power rankings on Wednesday, and the Tigers came in ranked No. 11 on the list.
For Auburn to become a top-five team in the SEC, a roster full of new faces will need to come together. They do have the benefit of returning their backcourt from last season, featuring Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton. However, Steven Pearl and staff overhauled the front court. With KeShawn Murphy heading to the NBA and Filip Jovic transferring to UCLA, the Tigers went to the transfer portal.
The new front court will feature French center Narcisse Ngoy and a pair of in-state transfers, Thomas Dowd (Troy) and Adam Olsen (South Alabama). The Tigers also added Santa Clara center Bukky Oboye and Creighton big man Owen Freeman to give the team some depth in the front court, something the team did not have last season. A player to look out for will be Lithuanian wing player Mantas Rubstavicius.
Taking the top spot in his rankings were the Florida Gators. Florida should be No. 1 on a lot of lists heading into the 2026-27 college basketball season. The Gators return their talented front court of Reuben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, and Thomas Haugh, along with guard Boogie Fland. Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky round out the top five.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports released his SEC preseason power rankings on Wednesday, and the Tigers came in ranked No. 11 on the list.
For Auburn to become a top-five team in the SEC, a roster full of new faces will need to come together. They do have the benefit of returning their backcourt from last season, featuring Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton. However, Steven Pearl and staff overhauled the front court. With KeShawn Murphy heading to the NBA and Filip Jovic transferring to UCLA, the Tigers went to the transfer portal.
The new front court will feature French center Narcisse Ngoy and a pair of in-state transfers, Thomas Dowd (Troy) and Adam Olsen (South Alabama). The Tigers also added Santa Clara center Bukky Oboye and Creighton big man Owen Freeman to give the team some depth in the front court, something the team did not have last season. A player to look out for will be Lithuanian wing player Mantas Rubstavicius.
Taking the top spot in his rankings were the Florida Gators. Florida should be No. 1 on a lot of lists heading into the 2026-27 college basketball season. The Gators return their talented front court of Reuben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, and Thomas Haugh, along with guard Boogie Fland. Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky round out the top five.
1 month ago
The Seattle Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl LX champions and it hardly feels like the rest of the country even realizes it. Seattle has been perhaps the most overlooked defending champs in recent memory, as just about everyone and their mothers are busy fawning over the Los Angeles Rams . You know, the same Rams that squandered their opportunity to win homefield advantage and represent the conference in the Super Bowl by losing two out of three games to the Seahawks... including the NFC championship game.
Well... just about everyone.
Recently, ESPN's Seth Walter shared an article where he ***** igned letter grades to each team for how they did during the offseason. For the first time I can think of, the Seahawks actually managed to get a better grade than the Rams! It wasn't a wide gap, but it was higher. Walter ***** igned Seattle a B- grade, while Los Angeles received an average C+ mark. The biggest reasoning for the Rams' mediocre grade is directly related to their confusing pick of backup quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall during the 2026 NFL draft. Walter writes :
"On offense, the Rams extended Stafford, guaranteeing him $50 million in 2027 and ensuring the reigning MVP would stick around. But they swerved drastically from their Super Bowl window-maximizing approach when they drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick. Selecting a player who won't play without a Stafford injury is the opposite of maximizing their current window. And it looks even stranger after the Garrett trade. It's not because backup quarterbacks don't matter -- they do -- but a veteran backup could have been had for much less capital. Not to mention that Simpson was a reach at No. 13; the Rams could have traded back and still had a good chance to select him later. The argument that it wasn't the Rams' original pick (it was the result of the Falcons trading up to draft James Pearce Jr. in 2025) and therefore was "extra" is irrational -- it's still worth the same! It was a big missed opportunity to add a non-quarterback (like a third wide receiver) who could have helped in 2026."
As for the Seahawks, Walter praised Seattle for managing to maintain "homegrown" talent like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Derick Hall with new extensions. Additionally, making sure Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe remain in the Pacific Northwest contributed to Seattle's grade. However, what dinged the Seahawks in Walter's eyes is related to a player they let walk in free agency. No, it's actually not Kenneth Walker III or even Riq Woolen . It's linebacker Boye Mafe !
Well... just about everyone.
Recently, ESPN's Seth Walter shared an article where he ***** igned letter grades to each team for how they did during the offseason. For the first time I can think of, the Seahawks actually managed to get a better grade than the Rams! It wasn't a wide gap, but it was higher. Walter ***** igned Seattle a B- grade, while Los Angeles received an average C+ mark. The biggest reasoning for the Rams' mediocre grade is directly related to their confusing pick of backup quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall during the 2026 NFL draft. Walter writes :
"On offense, the Rams extended Stafford, guaranteeing him $50 million in 2027 and ensuring the reigning MVP would stick around. But they swerved drastically from their Super Bowl window-maximizing approach when they drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick. Selecting a player who won't play without a Stafford injury is the opposite of maximizing their current window. And it looks even stranger after the Garrett trade. It's not because backup quarterbacks don't matter -- they do -- but a veteran backup could have been had for much less capital. Not to mention that Simpson was a reach at No. 13; the Rams could have traded back and still had a good chance to select him later. The argument that it wasn't the Rams' original pick (it was the result of the Falcons trading up to draft James Pearce Jr. in 2025) and therefore was "extra" is irrational -- it's still worth the same! It was a big missed opportunity to add a non-quarterback (like a third wide receiver) who could have helped in 2026."
As for the Seahawks, Walter praised Seattle for managing to maintain "homegrown" talent like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Derick Hall with new extensions. Additionally, making sure Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe remain in the Pacific Northwest contributed to Seattle's grade. However, what dinged the Seahawks in Walter's eyes is related to a player they let walk in free agency. No, it's actually not Kenneth Walker III or even Riq Woolen . It's linebacker Boye Mafe !
2 months ago
When Joe Burrow spoke to the media last month, he made no mistake about what his goals for the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals were. After signing Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and trading for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, Burrow has his eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy.
“We’re going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl,” Burrow said.
The roster has players with Super Bowl victories on their resumes, so they will look to set that standard. Bryan Cook won a championship with the Kansas City Chiefs, and center Ted Karras won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
Karras was on First Word with James Rapien this week, and after being asked about Burrow’s comments, he offered his own perspective.
“I think that’s a great goal, and it’s always our goal, but there’s a lot of football to be played until then, so I don’t concern myself with February 27 right now,” Karras stated.
“We’re going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl,” Burrow said.
The roster has players with Super Bowl victories on their resumes, so they will look to set that standard. Bryan Cook won a championship with the Kansas City Chiefs, and center Ted Karras won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
Karras was on First Word with James Rapien this week, and after being asked about Burrow’s comments, he offered his own perspective.
“I think that’s a great goal, and it’s always our goal, but there’s a lot of football to be played until then, so I don’t concern myself with February 27 right now,” Karras stated.
