Giuliana Rancic and Jerry O'Connell dated in the early 2000s for about two years
After O'Connell admitted he was a "terrible boyfriend" to Rancic on Kelly Ripa's podcast earlier this month, Rancic released her own podcast episode looking back on the relationship and their breakup
"I do love that Jerry is an open book, even if his memory is a little fuzzy, and the entire podcast that we're doing today is coming from a nice place," Rancic said
Giuliana Rancic is not holding back on memories from her past relationship with ex Jerry O'Connell.
After O'Connell apologized on the July 19 episode of Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa for being a "terrible boyfriend" to Rancic when they dated in the early 2000s, the former E! News anchor released a podcast episode reflecting on the relationship.

#rancic #podcast #giuliana #dated

Mason Gooding reflected on his childhood, which was heavily influenced by his father's acting career and subsequent spotlight
Cuba Gooding Jr.'s long absences for work led to "speed-parenting," Mason said
"You're so positive and charismatic in these interviews, and then you come home and it's a different guy," Mason recalled thinking of his father
Mason Gooding is opening up about growing up while his father, Cuba Gooding Jr., was in the spotlight.
The Scream 7 star, 29, reflected on the conflicting versions of his father he experienced during his childhood while on Dylan Sprouse and Brenden Columbus's Wildmen podcast on July 28. Cuba, the 58-year-old son of singer Cuba Gooding, gained fame and acclaim as an actor with roles in Boyz n the Hood in 1991 and Jerry Maguire in 1996 — welcoming Mason in the same year as the latter.

#mason #cuba #reflected #year

The Dallas Cowboys held their annual pre-training camp opening press conference on Tuesday, with Jerry Jones, Brian Schottenheimer, and Stephen Jones taking to the podium like usual. For the first time in a long time, these heads of state for America's Team coming to the podium marked something significant before any of the three even said a word – the Cowboys have made it to the true ramp up for 2026 without any significant off the field drama, major contract disputes, or just Cowboys drama for the sake of drama.
The Cowboys' quiet offseason is hopefully just the start of a recipe for success in the regular season and beyond, but it became clear that the team's secret sauce they believe in is, in fact, the coaching across the board. Jerry seemed to understand that at this point in his ownership tenure the last thing any diehard fan wants to hear him talk about is his ability to select coaches. What fans have wanted to see is not only the right coaches in place, which the Cowboys will have to now prove once real practices begin Wednesday, but Jones and the rest of the front office giving whatever coaches are in place the freedom and **** e to hone in on the details of actually doing their jobs.
The Cowboys are doing that right now at a level that should excite fans considerably, and coach Schottenheimer started to get into this later on during opening remarks. The same rookie head coach that said the reason the Cowboys would be contenders with him at the helm was in part because of how hard he works before the 2025 season, said that his new rookie defensive coordinator Christian Parker is "maybe the hardest working coach I've ever been around".
Christian Parker with the Eagles
Parker's experience working with Vic Fangio, the way the Cowboys have supported him from the jump by getting players that fit the scheme, and how much he's impressed Schottenheimer, and the Cowboys attention to detail around coaching feels even fresher than even their previously-stated lack of drama. Parker's expertise across the defense is of course in the secondary, where Dallas actually spent free agency money on a safety this offseason.

#schottenheimer #drama #coaches #christian

Giuliana Rancic is not holding back as she says all the details on her former relationship with ex Jerry O'Connell after he recently admitted to being a "pretty terrible boyfriend."
"For a year and a half — except for the one breakup — we were together 24/7 every day, every night," Giuliana, 51, said during the Wednesday, July 29, episode of her podcast, Bill and Giuliana. "You could listen to his interview and think maybe this was an easy relationship, he was dating a bunch of girls, but no. It was a real relationship."
The former entertainment reporter, who dated the actor from 2003 to 2004, recalled photos surfacing of the Jerry Maguire star with Spice Girls' Geri Halliwell while they filmed the 2004 comedy Fat Slags.
"It was, like the most shocking moment of my life," she explained. "I walked into a voiceover booth and fell to the ground, crying hysterically. It was awful. So upsetting and so devastating."
"I was left to pick up the pieces of what was literally a perfect relationship for a year," Giuliana added.

#year

Caeleb Dressel is back.
The nine-time Olympic gold medalist went out first and held off a stacked field to win the men's 100 freestyle in 47.70 on night one of U.S. Nationals. This marks his fastest swim since the 2024 Olympic Trials in a statement effort that the former Olympic champion in this event is trending toward his old form. It capped a big day for Dressel, who had already served notice with a sub-48 prelims swim earlier in the day.
Four men broke 48 seconds in the final, a level of depth that can energize fans of Team USA. Brooks Curry took second in 47.81, Patrick Sammon was third in 47.87, and Virginia's Maximus Williamson, fresh off his impressive freshman year, grabbed to fourth in 47.93. Perhaps most notably, American Record holder Jack Alexy was seventh, a sign he's saving his best for the Pan Pacific Championships in August. Jerry Fox, Grant House and Henry McFadden rounded out the field.
The other headline swim of the night came in the women's 100 freestyle, where Virginia's Anna Moesch broke her own American Record in 51.88.
full recap below, along with a photo-finish women's 200 fly and a wire-to-wire win from World Champion Luca Urlando in the men's 200 fly.

#broke

It wasn't that long ago that Denzel Mims was a more highly-regarded WR prospect than George Pickens. Their careers have gone very different directions, with Pickens playing 2026 on the franchise tag and Mims coming off a two-year stint in the UFL. While likely not to the same degree, can the Cowboys help Mims' career as they did Pickens' last year?
Years in NFL: 4*
Acquired by: Free agency (2026)
Mims was a second-round pick by the Jets in 2020, part of a loaded WR class that included CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Jerry Jeudy, and several others who've found steady, contributing roles in the NFL. But on top of entering the league during COVID, which that entire class had to overcome, Mims also missed most of his rookie training camp to injury. He didn't play until Week 7, but still had what ended up being his most productive season with 23 catches for 357 yards in nine games.
In Mims' second season, the Jets went from offensive-minded head coach Adam Gase to Robert Saleh, who brought in Matt LaFleur as a new offensive coordinator. This regime change, plus his own issues, hurt Mims' development and footing with the team. He went from eight starts as a rookie to just three in 2021. Mims requested a trade ahead of the 2022 seasons but was denied, and again was limited to a minor role in the WR rotation.
The Jets did finally trade him away in the 2023 offseason to the Lions, but he was waived/injured by Detroit midway through the preseason. He spent about two months on the Steelers' practice squad but didn't make it to their training camp the following year. The Jaguars gave him a look during their camp in 2024, but released him before final cuts.

#second

For a 7-9-1 team last season, the Dallas Cowboys talk a lot about the Super Bowl.
There's nothing wrong with having big goals, and the Cowboys aren't being shy. Coach Brian Schottenheimer reminded everyone earlier this offseason that the Super Bowl is Feb. 14, 2027, and "We plan on being there." Owner Jerry Jones is on that page too.
Jones' address to the media at the start of training camp is always a must-see event, because Jones is likely to say just about anything. And on Tuesday, he was confident about his team.
Jones wouldn't specifically predict his team will make a Super Bowl, but he wasn't backing down from that chatter either.
Jones is so high on his team that he said he has already been asking around about trades.

#dallas

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

Upslope Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Upslope aims to provide attractive, equity-like returns while reducing market risk and keeping low correlation with traditional equity strategies. The portfolio tailed in the speculative mania environment as investors broadly avoided boring, cash-flowing, non-AI stocks. The Fund returned -6.6% (net) in Q2 compared to +14.3% return for the S&P Midcap 400 ETF (MDY) and +10.3% gain for the HFRX Equity Hedge Index. In addition, you can check the Fund's top five holdings to determine its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Upslope Capital Management highlighted The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC). The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) is a Netherlands-based ice cream company that offers products under the Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto, and Wall's brands. On July 21, 2026, The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) closed at $17.88 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $10.96 billion. The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) posted a one-month return of 4.99%, and YTD its shares gained 12.81%.
Upslope Capital Management stated the following regarding The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC): Magnum is a pure-play global ice cream company spun out of Unilever at the end of 2025. It is by far the largest ice cream company in the world (~21% share) with almost double the market share of the #2 player, Froneri (private). Beyond Magnum and Froneri, the largest players hold 2% share at most. Magnum and Froneri are rare for their exclusive focus on ice cream. Key brands owned by Magnum include Ben & Jerry's, Breyer's, Cornetto, Wall's, and of course the flagship Magnum brand. Geographically, Magnum's sales are balanced by region, with nearly 40% each in the Americas and Europe/ANZ, and 25% in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Emerging Markets are a key growth driver, contributing ~30% of sales.
Magnum initially came on to Upslope's radar as I reviewed out-of-favor consumer staples businesses but sought those with manageable GLP-1 risks due to lower U.S. sales concentration (Magnum is ~25% U.S.). Upslope's key thesis points for Magnum include the following: Dominant, defensive business with significant competitive advantages stemming from ownership of leading global brands (4 of top 5) and complex global frozen supply chain network…" (Click here to read the full text)

#company #management #Share

The Arizona State men's basketball team will play Oklahoma in Tulsa at the BOK Center on Dec. 5, highlighting its nonconference schedule.
It will be the second straight year the Sun Devils have faced the Sooners in nonconference play. The teams squared off last season at the Mortgage Matchup Center as part of the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix, with the Sun Devils prevailing 86-70 in what was one of their best games of the season.
ASU is coming off a 17-16 season. Oklahoma is fresh off a 21-16 showing. The Sooners did not make the NCAA field but did play in the College Basketball Crown, losing the championship game to West Virginia, 89-82.
ASU will also play in the Acrisure Series Nov. 21-26 in Palm Springs, although its opponents have not yet been announced.
ASU is 9-2 in neutral-site regular-season games the past two seasons.

#play #center

Generally speaking, most people consider either Michael Jordan or LeBron James to be the GOAT of professional basketball. Jordan was an incredible presence from 1984 to 2003, minus his first two retirements. As for James, he started playing in the NBA in 2003 and, for better or worse, is still playing (he is not the player he used to be, and at some point, his diminishing skills will hurt his legacy).
As we said, most people would go with one of them for the greatest of all time, but not everyone. Take Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Kareem has a somewhat forgotten choice: Oscar Robertson. Robertson was somewhat overshadowed in the 1960s by the Boston Celtics, and the Lakers, first with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, and later with Wilt Chamberlain, but was he truly great?
Absolutely, he was, and this video makes a plausible argument for placing him ahead of Jordan and James.
Robertson, first and foremost, was decades ahead of his time. He was a 6-5 point guard who averaged a triple-double. He was immensely skilled, and strong enough to box out much bigger players.

#jordan #people

Upslope Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Upslope aims to provide attractive, equity-like returns while reducing market risk and keeping low correlation with traditional equity strategies. The portfolio tailed in the speculative mania environment as investors broadly avoided boring, cash-flowing, non-AI stocks. The Fund returned -6.6% (net) in Q2 compared to +14.3% return for the S&P Midcap 400 ETF (MDY) and +10.3% gain for the HFRX Equity Hedge Index. In addition, you can check the Fund's top five holdings to determine its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Upslope Capital Management highlighted The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC). The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) is a Netherlands-based ice cream company that offers products under the Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto, and Wall's brands. On July 21, 2026, The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) closed at $17.88 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $10.96 billion. The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) posted a one-month return of 4.99%, and YTD its shares gained 12.81%.
Upslope Capital Management stated the following regarding The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (NYSE:MICC): Magnum is a pure-play global ice cream company spun out of Unilever at the end of 2025. It is by far the largest ice cream company in the world (~21% share) with almost double the market share of the #2 player, Froneri (private). Beyond Magnum and Froneri, the largest players hold 2% share at most. Magnum and Froneri are rare for their exclusive focus on ice cream. Key brands owned by Magnum include Ben & Jerry's, Breyer's, Cornetto, Wall's, and of course the flagship Magnum brand. Geographically, Magnum's sales are balanced by region, with nearly 40% each in the Americas and Europe/ANZ, and 25% in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Emerging Markets are a key growth driver, contributing ~30% of sales.
Magnum initially came on to Upslope's radar as I reviewed out-of-favor consumer staples businesses but sought those with manageable GLP-1 risks due to lower U.S. sales concentration (Magnum is ~25% U.S.). Upslope's key thesis points for Magnum include the following: Dominant, defensive business with significant competitive advantages stemming from ownership of leading global brands (4 of top 5) and complex global frozen supply chain network…" (Click here to read the full text)

#magnum

LAS VEGAS — Like the process itself, news on the NBA's updated plans for expansion doesn't come rushing out like water from a fire hose. More like measured amounts from a faucet, somewhat slow and steady, making sure it doesn't overflow the glass.

Commissioner Adam Silver did address expansion during his meeting with reporters Tuesday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center following the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas. And while Silver acknowledged the process remains ongoing, he gave no timetable or real update on those who are bidding for both the Las Vegas and Seattle expansion franchises, where things stand at the moment or a specific timetable as to when an announcement can be expected.

In other words, let the guessing game continue.

What Silver did say was he was optimistic the process could reach its conclusion sometime in December and that there is a deadline approaching for those interested to submit their bids with their financials to the league where its bankers will go over the individual bids before reporting back to the owners.

“I’m still hopeful this process will be wrapped up by year’s end,” Silver said, though he didn’t say when the deadline specifically was for submitting bids.

There are at least six known groups interested in obtaining the expansion rights for the Las Vegas franchise and there could be more by the time the deadline for bidding passes. Among them are some familiar names — Jerry Colangelo, Bill Foley, Magic Johnson, Bob Iger, Marc Lasry — that intend to vie for the rights to bring the NBA here. All claim they have the funding to meet the NBA’s price tag, which at minimum is expected to be $8 billion. All except Foley have plans to construct an arena to house the Las Vegas team while Foley is prepared to invest $300 million in upgrades to T-Mobile Arena, home to his NHL Vegas Golden Knights and a facility he owns 15 percent of.

In Seattle, the lone bidder to go public so far is Samantha Holloway, chairperson of the ownership group of the Seattle Kraken and has Bill Gates’ former wife Melinda as an investor. The Kraken ownership group also owns the majority interest in Climate Pledge Arena, where the basketball team would likely play. Silver did caution that there is additional interest in both Seattle and Las Vegas from parties which have not yet made their intentions public.

But it’s here in Las Vegas where the intrigue is. The NBA owners are well versed in knowing Colangelo from his days with the Phoenix Suns, Lasry from his time owning the Milwaukee Bucks, Magic Johnson from his prior connection to the Lakers (he also is part of the current ownership of the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks) and some of the owners know Foley through the NHL. So there are few surprises when it comes to vetting these potential ownership groups.

“It gives me a lot of confidence to see first-hand the amount of interest in the game in Las Vegas,” Silver said. “In terms of the process for potential expansion here, multi

Jerry Jones got some negative feedback in home territory.
Spain and France were battling in a World Cup 2026 semifinal match on Monday, July 14, a different kind of playoff football that AT&T Stadium – the home of the Dallas Cowboys – hasn't been privy to all that often in recent years.
Jones, the firebrand Dallas Cowboys owner, was in attendance for the matchup, and received a less-than warm welcome by those in attendance.
Interestingly, the broadcast opted not to show Jones on TV, defaulting to the suite of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Co. instead.
When Fox showed Infantino, the crowd served a hearty helping of boos – but the broadcast made note that those boos were likely intended for Jones.

Jul. 14—SIOUX FALLS — Last July, the UND football program came to Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Day as a total mystery.
The Fighting Hawks were entering Year 1 of head coach Eric Schmidt, a four-man race for quarterback was about to take place at fall camp, the offense was in dire need of replacing wide receiver Bo Belquist and the defense was changing scheme for the first time in decades without the leadership of graduated linebacker Wyatt Pedigo.
As the 2025 season played out, Schmidt exceeded expectations and hit on key transfer portal additions while Jerry Kaminski emerged as the clear starting quarterback and Lance Rucker discovered a position change was a perfect match for his skill set.
So this season, UND has arrived at MVFC Media Day — represented by Schmidt, Kaminski and Rucker — with a bit of a new swagger. Although plenty of questions remain to be answered about 2026, this UND group has a lot of answers, too. This UND group comes to Sioux Falls with some expectations and reasons for Fighting Hawks fans to believe in a special season ahead.
With any new season, particularly one in the transfer portal era, proven talent is vital to building the program. Many teams are in desperate search for a quarterback, offensive line help and a productive pass rusher. The Hawks are set there.

Former Wofford basketball coach Mike Young will make his return to campus Oct. 16 to lead Virginia Tech in a preseason exhibition game against the Terriers at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
Young is beginning his eighth season at Virginia Tech. He coached Wofford for 17 years, from 2002-19 after 13 years as an ***** istant, and is the program's all-time coaching wins leader with 299. He joined the Wofford Hall of Fame with the Class of 2024.
In his fourth game as Wofford's head coach, Young led Wofford to an upset of Virginia Tech, 79-77, at Cassell Coliseum.
Young took the Terriers to five NCAA tournaments with five Southern Conference championships. They went 30-5 in 2018-19, including 18-0 in league play, and beat Seton Hall in the NCAA Tournament.
The game will also be a reunion for Young and Wofford coach Kevin Giltner, who played under and served on the coaching staff with Young until leaving Virginia Tech in 2025 to take over the Terriers.

Cowboys' Brian Schottenheimer unveils Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb reason for wanting to win Super Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Cowboys have always been the team to claim that it's their year, but end up falling short. Make no mistake, the individual accolades have come naturally to their players and organization, but the chance to win the Super Bowl just has not. For 2026, Coach Brian Schottenheimer wants things to change, not for himself but for his players and everyone else. The head coach outlined that the reason why they are changing a lot of schemes and improving chemistry has to do with immortalizing their players - guys like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Quinnen Williams.
30 years, that's how long the Cowboys organization and fans have waited for another Super Bowl victory. Since then, Jerry Jones has revamped their roster and employee structure a couple of times. Dak Prescott has emerged to become a franchise legend, and CeeDee Lamb is also slowly inching toward becoming one of the greatest pass catchers that Texas has seen. In addition, George Pickens and Quinnen Williams are also making names for themselves.
All of these players are the reason why Coach Brian Schottenheimer wants the Cowboys to finally pull off a Super Bowl win. He outlined this desire to finally get over the hump after three decades in his latest appearance on The Twins Take Podcast.
"It's always something I've always dreamed of, you know. I want to win a Super Bowl. I don't want to win it for me. I want to win it for the people under my leadership," he said. "I want to win it for Dak Prescott. I want to win it for CeeDee Lamb, for Quinnen Williams, for your players that put in so much, you know, hard work and the sacrifice that goes into what we do. You know, from us as a coaching staff, it's the hours, it's the mental strain of game planning, but for the players, they put their bodies on the line," the Cowboys head coach declared.

At the start of the offseason, the Golden State Warriors made changes to their coaching staff. Shortly after Steve Kerr agreed to return to the Bay Area for another season as head coach of the Warriors, a pair of **** istants exited the Bay Area. Both Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse left Kerr's coaching staff, leaving an opening on the sideline.
On Sunday, the Warriors added a former NBA head coach to the staff. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Frank Vogel has agreed to become the **** ociate head coach of the Warriors, joining Kerr's staff in Golden State.
Vogel joined the Boston Celtics as an **** istant coach in 2001 before becoming head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 2010. Vogel has also been the head coach of the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. He spent the 2025-26 season as an **** istant on Jason Kidd's staff with the Dallas Mavericks. Vogel will now join Ron Adams to form a formidable defensive scheming duo on Kerr's staff.
In his first season in Los Angeles, Vogel helped the Lakers secure the NBA championship. Vogel spent three seasons coaching LeBron James, winning a championship in 2020. James is currently a noted free-agent target for the Warriors.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel is expected to join Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors this season.
Vogel will serve as an ****** ociate head coach on Kerr's staff, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, and will fill the vacancy left by Terry Stotts.
Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse were two of Kerr's top ****** istants this past season before departing. Another longtime ****** istant, Chris DeMarco, had also left Kerr's staff in January to become the New York Liberty's head coach.
Vogel is expected to serve as the Warriors' primary defensive game-planner as part of his new role. DeMarco and Stackhouse were in charge of those responsibilities in recent years.
Vogel was most recently with the Dallas Mavericks as an ****** istant under Jason Kidd. He was head coach of the Lakers from 2019 to 2022, leading the franchise to its 17th NBA ****** le in 2020 after beating the Miami Heat in six games while in the NBA bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the Dallas Cowboys and their owner, Jerry Jones, the hope is always that the changes made will improve the product on the field. Every team heading into training camp will have questions to answer, and the Dallas Cowboys are first on our list with 3 of the biggest ones. This will be an ongoing series for the next couple of weeks until camp starts, and answers start to reveal themselves in real time.
Another season of change for the Dallas Cowboys. Will it make a difference this time around to end the drought? Jerry Jones sure hopes so. Dallas hasn't had a **** le in 30 years, and Jerry Jones promised to look in the mirror and make much-needed dramatic changes. The 34-year-old Christian Parker, who has no defensive coordinator experience, must embody the change upfront. Veterans were added, and Dak Prescott is back and healthy, running a new scheme. We shall see.
I wouldn't worry about whether CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can coexist long-term. I'm more concerned about whether you can keep them happy with the culture and get them to commit long-term. They declined to negotiate with Pickens and instead slapped him with the franchise tag. If Dak Prescott continues to spread the ball around, he should be able to keep them happy, but it comes at a cost: winning in the playoffs or a Super Bowl **** le.
Tight end Jake Ferguson's role could diminish during the upcoming season. Even after signing a four-year, $52 million extension, former undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford is a better blocker and could have a major impact on the Cowboys' offense in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: 3 unanswered questions before training camp: Dallas Cowboys edition

Jerry Rice talks 49ers: Mike Evans addition, De'Zhaun Stribling, 2026 expectations
"Just throw it up," Rice said. "Throw it up because he's got that big frame. He's going to be able to go up and attack the football. So, once you're in the end zone, just throw that thing up, like 'Alley-Oop' (R.C. Owens) back in the day. Just throw it up and let him go get it, and he's capable of doing that."
Andrew Whitworth questions 49ers' confidence in drafting an offensive tackle
"I think, to me, it does scream that maybe they just don't have a lot of confidence in their ability to select the right one," Whitworth told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area this week at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe.
When you're going to allocate a first-round pick or a second-round pick on an offensive lineman, a lot of people love that theory, but you better be ***** good at picking it," Whitworth said. "Because when you hit on an offensive lineman, it could be unbelievable for your franchise early in the draft, because a great offensive line, a great D-line is the story to successful football teams….You draft an unproductive lineman, you are cooked because now you're getting a second-, third-, fourth-tier lineman who's going to have to play because the money you allocated for this guy is worthless," Whitworth said. "And now, your team is going to struggle because you're not going to get quality reps out of a guy. So, you can both shoot your team forward and really set yourself back when you miss on offensive linemen."
Alex Highsmith to the 49ers? Steelers reporter suggests trade proposal
"Highsmith's absence from mandatory minicamp coupled with Nick Herbig's massive extension have led many, including myself, to believe the Steelers could look for a trade partner sooner than later," Vasquez explained. "The 49ers could desperately use another edge rusher to pair with Nick Bosa, and the Steelers may be one of the few teams with talent at the position to spare."
Why 'There's no logical reason to expect the 49ers' injury plague to extend into a third year'
"The 49ers added bigger bodies at receiver in Mike Evans and De'Zhaun Stribling. The same is true for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who comes in with as clean a health bill as it gets for a pro."

Jerry Rice knows what it takes to be a winner, and the San Francisco 49ers legend sees this year's team carrying a similar feeling to the ones he helped lead to three Super Bowl ***** les.
"I feel really good. … I think this is the year for the Niners," Rice told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. "I certainly hope so, and it's going to be up to those players to go out there and get it done. It starts real soon, and like a horse in the Kentucky Derby, I always knew when it was time. Those horses, they know when it's time to race. I think [with] the Niners, they probably feel the same way. So, this has to be a big year for them."
Rice, who 10-time All-Pro receiver before making the Pro Football Hall of Fame, pointed to the talent on both sides of the ball as a reason for optimism.
"I'm looking for a fun year,' he said. "I'm looking for the Niners to make a statement. They have a very good team now.
Part of that talent boost arrived in free agency, when San Francisco added veteran wide receiver Mike Evans. Rice, who met Evans before he signed, likes what the six-time Pro Bowler brings to the locker room.

AKRON, Ohio — Cameron Percy shot a 4-under 66 on Friday at rainy Firestone Country Club to take a one-stroke lead in the Kaulig Companies Championship, the fourth of the five major tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions.
Percy had a 7-under 133 total. The 52-year-old Australian is winless on the senior tour.
"You can't fake it around here. You've got to hit it solid," Percy said. "The par 3s are hard, everything's hard. You've got to hit it really good. You can't just slap it everywhere and shoot a 68."
First-round leader Jerry Kelly was tied for second with Zach Johnson. Kelly shot 69, and Johnson had his second straight 67.
"A few of these holes out here really make you think," Johnson said. "Seems like the harder the hole, the more difficulty I seem to execute even better. That was encouraging."

Jul. 10—MITCHELL — Mitchell native Madison Arnold is carrying on a tradition that her hometown has waited nearly 50 years to celebrate.
Arnold, the reigning Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2026, became the first woman from Mitchell to earn the prestigious ****** le since Jerry Luckett claimed the crown in 1975. Luckett remains a Mitchell resident, making Arnold's accomplishment even more meaningful for a community with deep ties to rodeo and the Corn Palace Stampede. For Arnold, representing both South Dakota and her hometown has been one of the greatest honors of her life.
"It's a blessing to be able to bring the crown back to the Corn Palace, just because it has been so long," Arnold said. "There are so many girls that wish to have the opportunity, and Mitchell has been such an amazing community to have this position. The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo community really helped me, and just growing up in that rodeo environment. ... They're always there to help and be there for me."
Arnold's love for the Western lifestyle began at a young age and quickly became a way of life.
Growing up in Mitchell, she eagerly signed up for nearly every discipline that 4-H rodeo offered across South Dakota. Whether it was reining, ranch riding, barrel racing, pole bending, show jumping or hunt seat equitation, Arnold embraced every opportunity at her disposal.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has long forced ***** istant coaches on his head coach.
In 2007, Jones hired Jason Garrett for an unnamed position while he hunted for a head coach. Garrett wasn't hired as head coach but instead became the offensive coordinator for Wade Phillips. Jones has made several other ***** istant coach hirings himself since.
So, it should come as no surprise that Jones guaranteed Brian Schottenheimer a job regardless of what happened in the Cowboys' head coaching search in 2025. Schottenheimer had an "agreement" to remain with the team as offensive coordinator if the team didn't hire him as head coach.
"So, what we did is while they were going through the process -- 'cause there's a process, right? I wasn't sure, and there was a number of other teams -- saying this very humbly -- that were courting me and trying to say, 'Hey, we want you to come be our coordinator,'" Schottenheimer said on The Twins Take podcast. "And so, you know, after just talking it over with Stephen [Jones] and Jerry, like, OK, while we figure this out and you guys go through the interview process, which there's a thorough interview process you have to go through. We had made an agreement that I would stay here no matter what. And I didn't want to leave. ... I really wanted to be the head coach and put our fingerprint, our blueprint on it. And that's what God had planned."
The Cowboys did not have an eye on some of the hot offensive ***** istants that offseason, bypassing Ben Johnson and Liam Coen, among others, to interview Leslie Frazier, Robert Saleh and Kellen Moore. Moore likely wanted to call plays himself. Saleh and Frazier are defensive coordinators.

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Two-time champion Jerry Kelly shot a 5-under 65 on Thursday at Firestone Country Club to take the first-round lead in the Kaulig Companies Championship, a stroke ahead of Darren Clarke and Mike Weir.
The 59-year-old Kelly has 13 victories on the PGA Tour Champions, winning the major championship in 2020 and 2022 on the South Course.
“I love a tree-lined golf course. It’s what I grew up on up in Wisconsin at Maple Bluff Country Club,” Kelly said. “It gives me a visual, that’s why I’ve always been able to shape it both ways because I’ve had to shape it with the size of the trees that we have out there. So it’s very similar to home, just a lot longer.”
Clarke was six senior victories. He's 57.
“Anytime you shoot under par at Firestone is a pretty good day,” Clarke said. “I managed to shoot 4 today. Got to keep on swinging the way I am and hopefully give myself more chances.”

A true farewell homecoming is underway for Summit County golfer Ryan Armour, as he played professionally for the first time at Firestone Country Club during the 2026 Kaulig Companies Championship.
This is the final year for the event at Firestone before it moves to California next season with a new sponsor.
"My heart is full, I'm very fortunate that they gave me a spot," Armour said after Round 1 on Thursday, July 9. "I'm excited to be here. I want to play."
The 50-year-old Armour, who now lives in Jupiter, Florida, has himself on the leaderboards. His first-round 2-under-68 puts him in a tie for ninth heading into Round 2. Jerry Kelly leads with a 65.
Armour is from Silver Lake and graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School and Ohio State. He grew up going to Firestone all the time as a kid.

There's no stopping the Clatsop County Special Olympic athletes. Brittney Clarke and Jacob McCarr competed in three different events at the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis. Clarke won gold in the 400-meter walk and also medaled in the 4 x 100-meter relay and mini javelin. McCarr placed fifth in the shot put, was a member of the second-place co-ed 4 x 100 relay team and competed in the 100-yard dash. After Clarke and McCarr brought home medals, Clarke and the rest of the athletes in Clatsop County Special Olympics are set to go on the road and compete this weekend.
The 2026 Oregon Summer Games are slated for July 10 through the 12, and are slated to take place at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Twenty Clatsop County Special Olympics athletes are set to compete in two sports: track and field and bocce ball.
Clarke will lead a list of 12 total track and field athletes. She will be joined by Alex Cary, Joey Bailey, Nicholas Bailey, Blake Chick, Mathias Costello, Marie Kajula, Jack Kain, Jonathan Lempea, Beau Routh, Cheyenne Valunzuela, Megan Wilson and coaches Bill and Karen Lempea. There will also be seven community members going as volunteers, including: Phil and Julie Chick, Michael and Danielle Cary, Clatsop County Special Olympics Program Director David McAloney, Susan Hiebert and Tracie Hunter.
Bocce is one of the newer sports added to the Special Olympics calendar this year and Clatsop County has a total of eight athletes participating this weekend: Brandi Higgins, Angelica Lizarraga, Ben Johnson, David Killion, Jesse Banks, Jerry Allen, Jackie Bleech and Nikki Fletcher. Coaches Patty Kain and Brenda Higgins will also travel with the athletes.
The Italian based game has slowly been gaining popularity in America after getting its start in Italy and other European countries. The lawn game is similar to bowling where teams roll large ******* to try and get them as close as possible to a smaller target called a pallino. It can be played on either grass, sand or a dedicated hardcourt. Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi popularized the game in Italy during the late 19th century and it has since become an Olympic sport.

Several NFC teams have a reason to feel optimistic this coming NFL season. Some of these teams fell just short of making the playoffs, while others fell just short in the playoffs.
Regardless, these are the most promising teams in the NFC that have a chance to make some noise in the upcoming season.
The Carolina Panthers came out of nowhere last year to not only win their division but also make the playoffs and almost knock off the Los Angeles Rams. We finally saw Bryce Young emerge as the leader of this team and look like the Bryce Young we saw at Alabama. The defense also stepped up at times, but it was the Panthers' offense that carried this team, and it would not be shocking if they win this division again and make some noise.
Now, I know people say this every year, but this really could be the year for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones has finally loosened the purse strings and gone after a few players in free agency and through trades. Jones came to his senses and realized the Cowboys will not win a Super Bowl with just a great offense. If they can stay healthy, the Cowboys may actually make a serious run this year.
The team that everyone needs to keep an eye on is the Chicago Bears. The Bears are a dangerous team behind Caleb Williams, and like Bryce Young, the former Heisman winner, he has finally proved that he is the real deal. The wild playoff run they had last year had everyone taking notice that you cannot sleep on these new Monsters of the Midway. They are in a tough division with some very good teams, but don't be surprised if they end up on top.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry delivered on his promise to make a “heavy investment” in the offense during the recently completed off-season.
Berry rebuilt the entire offensive line, highlighted by first-round selection Spencer Fano at left tackle, along with veteran additions Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins, and Zion Johnson. And, for good measure, they added tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford later in the draft.
The pass catchers also received an extreme makeover with the selections of wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan, to go with incumbents Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr.
Put all those together with returning running backs Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders, and the Browns appear to have a solid core on offense. They may not be fully unlocked until Berry solves the quarterback position in 2027 (or later, since this is still the Browns), but, overall, it looks like the Browns are on track.
While the offense appears to be on the upswing, it is fair to ponder who will still be on the roster when the Browns pull up stakes and move to their new stadium in Brook Park for the start of the 2029 season.