When Iowa landed Tony Diaz from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, there was immediate hype and intrigue about what he could bring to this Iowa offense. There was the fact that he lead FCS freshman in receiving. There was the fact that he had a late Alabama offer in the portal. Mainly though, it was about just trying to inject some life in the Iowa passing game that has been missing for some time.
In his debut, Diaz was targeted 15 times and ended with seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown – the most of any WR in their debut during the Ferentz era (for some context, DJK had zero catches in his 2007 debut and Mo Brown's 102-yard game in the 2002 Akron opener wasn't a debut — he had three catches across 2000-01 before it. RVZ is a close second with 5 catches for 65 yards and a freshman record 2 TDs in his debut back in 2024).
Also in those targets were two third down pass interference calls to keep drives alive. Oh, and don't forget about the other two likely touchdowns he would have scored on passes that were just off target.
This is now my 13th year of charting Iowa's passing game and through my data the most targets for an individual wide receiver during that time (Sam LaPorta, TE, was targeted 17 times vs Illinois in 2022). Iowa's Offensive Coordinator, Tim Lester, used ****** e and traffic to help free up Diaz giving him an opportunity to make a 1-on-1 catch or an opportunity to catch the ball in ****** e and use his quickness to create yards after the catch (55 of his 84 yards were YAC).
This is a look at the route trees for Diaz on his seven receptions and two defensive penalties. Diaz recorded 46 snaps on the day with 31 of those being lined up out wide and 15 lined up in the slot.

#debut #iowa #passing

European Masters, final leaderboard
-18 P Casey (Eng), T Lawrence*; -17 H Hall; -16 F Laporta (Ita), A Ayora (Spa), A Hidalgo (Spa), B Wiesberger (Aut), E Lopez-Chacarra (Spa)
Selected others: -15 M Wallace (Eng); -14 R Hoejgaard (Den), P Reed (US); -13 T Clements (Eng); -11 M Penge (Eng); -9 C Hill (Sco), S Garcia (Spa)
*= Won at fourth play-off hole
Full leaderboard

#masters

Julián Álvarez ended the summer window still on Atlético Madrid's books, but that outcome has settled almost nothing. Barcelona spent the entire market chasing the Argentine, Atlético publicly rejected the pursuit in increasingly hostile terms, and ******* nal explored an offer of their own while the whole thing threatened to boil over. The question now isn't whether the saga is over – it plainly isn't – but which of the three forces at play, Atlético's contractual leverage, Barcelona's valuation, or Álvarez's own stated preference, actually decides what happens next.
Álvarez himself gave the clearest signal of intent back in June, telling ESPN after Argentina's World Cup win over Austria that a transfer to Barcelona was the best thing for everyone and that he wanted to fulfil his dream. Those words were music to Joan Laporta's ears and poison to Atlético's dressing room. Everything that has followed, including deadline day passing without a deal, sits downstream of that one public admission.
Álvarez's Atlético contract runs until June 2030 and carries a release clause of around €500 million – a figure so far beyond market reality that it functions purely as leverage, not a genuine asking price. Barcelona say they made a €100 million bid; Atlético sources initially denied receiving any offer at all before later confirming one had arrived, structured across six yearly instalments and worth that same €100 million.
On July 30, with the dispute already curdling, Atlético reported Barcelona to the Spanish Football Federation over their pursuit of the player. No public update from the federation had followed by the time The Athletic's reconstruction of the saga was published. Álvarez remained at the Metropolitano when the window shut, and reports suggest he is expected to stay at Atlético at least until the January window reopens the conversation.
Before the summer even began, senior Atlético sources indicated the club would let Álvarez leave for €150 million provided a deal closed by July 20. That deadline passed with no agreement, and Atlético's position hardened dramatically. By late June, chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín was drawing a line that had nothing to do with valuation gaps.

#window #federation #summer #nothing

While the Detroit Lions are preparing for the 2026 season, the latest NFL rumors project that the team could lose one player. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the Lions have committed more than $1 billion to star players, including running back Jahmyr Gibbs, which leaves veterans Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta fighting for new contracts this upcoming season. Graziano does not expect a new contract to materialize before Week 1, but Lions general manager Brad Holmes expresses his desire to keep all star players from the 2023 draft class, including LB Jack Campbell, for a "long time."
"We still want to keep those guys around; those plans haven't changed," Holmes said Wednesday, via Richard Silva of The Detroit News. "There's a couple factors that we've still got to sort through. But in terms of us wanting those guys around? Absolutely. Hopefully, we can get that done."
"Hopefully" is a strong word for the Lions. Detroit is walking into the season without triggering new deals for Branch or LaPorta, who are both coming off season-ending injuries. Both are also set to become unrestricted free agents next offseason.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) makes a catch against Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) during the first half at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Unfortunately, it will probably come down to who can stay healthier and make an immediate impact this upcoming campaign. After all, Branch and LaPorta have proven to be top-5 athletes when healthy. However, the former second-round pick and 2024 Pro Bowl safety may have an edge here. The Lions were forced to release cornerback Terrion Arnold this offseason due to the latest investigation, and if they give up another elite secondary threat, it could become detrimental to the team's defense.

#lions #detroit #season #latest

Brian Branch, Jack Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta are the four remaining members of the Lions' 2023 draft class still in Detroit. General Manager Brad Holmes has made clear his desire to keep them "around for a long time."
Campbell has signed a four-year, $81 million extension, and Gibbs signed a three-year, $67.5 million extension.
The Lions continue to work on deals for LaPorta and Branch.
"We still want to keep those guys around; those plans haven't changed," Holmes said Wednesday, via Richard Silva of The Detroit News. "There's a couple factors that we've still got to sort through. But in terms of us wanting those guys around? Absolutely. Hopefully, we can get that done."
Branch (Achilles) and LaPorta (back) had their 2025 seasons cut short by injury. The defensive back will miss at least the first four games on the reserve/PUP list, while the tight end was fully cleared before training camp.

#still #around #campbell #gibbs

Lions get bold Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown prediction that'd be a huge surprise originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Lions are entering the 2026 NFL season with a new offensive coordinator leading the way. Drew Petzing, who's been with the Arizona Cardinals for a while before this Lions gig, is now calling the shots on offense.
But even with change, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta should still be able to thrive. That's exactly what ESPN's Dan Graziano is predicting will happen in 2026. But in a way that would be a bit of a surprise.
Instead of St. Brown leading the offense like normal, he's predicting that Williams will wind up as the Lions' leading receiver this upcoming season. If this came true, it would be a huge surprise considering what the Lions' passing attack has looked like in recent years.
"Don't be surprised if ... Jameson Williams is the team's leading receiver," Graziano writes. "No disrespect to Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the most consistent pass catchers in the entire league. But I think this Lions offense is going to hum this season, and Williams is the player poised to take the biggest leap."

#leading #offense

Earlier this week on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," notable Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd predicted Detroit to rebound from a 9-8 season last year and crowned the Lions as his 2026 NFC North division winner.
"I think the Lions have a combination of the best roster in division and the easiest schedule in the entire league this year. They upgraded offensive coordinator. That matters. They solved their right tackle issue. Penei Sewell moves over. They draft a kid out of Clemson. He'll start at right tackle, Blake Miller. I think they're fine there.
"And I would argue quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receivers: They have the best group in the NFL. From (Jared) Goff—it's just crazy how good this is—Goff, (Jahmyr) Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. So they were the only team to have a top-five scoring offense in the last four years. Even last year when they struggled, it was top five. So, I really like Detroit's front office, coach, quarterback down," Cowherd said.
Cowherd predicted the Chicago Bears to finish second, the Green Bay Packers to finish third and the Minnesota Vikings to finish fourth in the NFC North this coming season.
Cowherd's other predicted NFC division winners include the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.

#colin #lions

Arsenal target Julian Alvarez will "never, ever" be sold to Barcelona, according to Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who did not rule out the possibility of the Argentina international joining another club instead before the transfer deadline.
Alvarez made it clear earlier this summer that he wanted to join Barcelona but relations between the Spanish clubs have completely broken down over the transfer saga, with Gil Marin accusing Barcelona of "dishonesty" and a lack of "professionalism".
Barcelona's president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that they were still interested in Alvarez despite Atletico's stance, with Atletico then releasing a statement to confirm there was "zero per cent chance" of Alvarez moving to Camp Nou.
(PA)
"Our intention and ⁠my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico," Gil Martin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus after Thursday's Champions League league phase draw in Monaco.

#Barcelona

FC Barcelona star Gavi, who is recovering from a minor injury after playing 45 minutes in a 5-0 win over Elche, has sent a message of support to a child who was hurt by a police officer prior to the start of the game.
A video showed several fans being hit by police using batons outside the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero after pro-Catalan independence flags, known as Esteladas, were confiscated on Sunday.
Yesterday, a photo published by the Penya Barcelonista de Sant Antoni, a Barcelona fan group, appeared to show the youngster smiling with a bandage on his head.
And today, Gavi left a comment which was simply four emojis: flexed bicep, flexed bicep, blue heart, red heart. The meaning was simple as well – sending strength and love to a fellow culé.
Club President Joan Laporta called the police actions "disproportionate and violent."

#police

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been talking about Julian Alvarez once again and has told Atletico Madrid that the club still want to sign the Argentina international.
Laporta has already said that Barcelona have made a bid for the forward and now says he remains hopeful Atletico will accept the offer.
"We are very interested in the player and we would like our offer to be accepted," he said, per Mundo Deportivo.
"We do this with all due respect to Atlético, and if they are in a position to sell the player on the market, we are prepared to buy him in accordance with the offer we made."
Atletico's stance throughout the transfer window has been that Alvarez is simply not for sale, even though the forward has asked for move.

#offer #forward #joan

Barcelona are heading into the final week of the transfer window with a clear message emerging from the club's sporting leadership: Julian Alvarez remains the target, and there is little interest in settling for anyone else.
That is perhaps the biggest takeaway from the latest meeting involving Joan Laporta, Deco, Hansi Flick, Bojan and Alejandro Echevarría at the Ciutat Esportiva, reports Mundo Deportivo.
With time running out, Barcelona are **** sing how to complete their remaining business, but the search for a new No. 9 has become increasingly straightforward.
The club want Alvarez, and if the move cannot be completed, Barcelona are prepared to wait.
Notably, Alvarez is not being treated as one option among many.

#alejandro

Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu thirteen years later and MARCA sums up the challenge of Madrid's season in one word: connection — the one that must click between Vinicius and Mbappé if Real Madrid want to challenge for the biggest ******* les.
Livakovic arrives in Barcelona and, meanwhile, Laporta meets with Deco and puts the backup plan for Julián on hold for now.
The other Xavi of the day is academy product Espart, who stays with the first-team squad and takes the No. 12 shirt.
Betis knocked out Valencia with a stunning goal from Pablo García and saves from Álvaro Valles. A harsh reality check for Corberán's side.
The win leaves Betis and Sevilla, the two Seville clubs, as the only leaders with six points.

#mourinho #real #madrid

The battle between Mateu Alemany and Deco could have another chapter before the transfer window closes, according to SPORT.
The sporting directors of Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are once again competing for Jorge Salinas, one of the most promising young defenders in Spanish football.
The story also has an obvious personal dimension. The relationship between Alemany and Deco has carried some tension since the period when they worked together at Barcelona.
The arrival of the Portuguese in the club's sporting structure changed the balance of power within the sporting department and eventually preceded Alemany's departure.
The final stage of Alemany's time alongside Joan Laporta was not particularly straightforward either. Their relationship deteriorated over differences in sporting planning and management, eventually leading to hisexit.

#madrid

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is being held out of practice with a hip injury and coach Dan Campbell is hopeful the ailment doesn't linger into the season.
"I feel like we'll be OK, but I don't know," Campbell said Thursday.
LaPorta, coming off season-ending back surgery, was injured earlier in the week.
"He got hit in the hip and it flared up a little bit," Campbell said. "It's a little aggravated, but we feel good long term about him. We're resting for a little bit here and letting it calm down."
Detroit drafted LaPorta in the second round three years ago and he earned Pro Bowl recognition as a rookie with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.

#feel #lions

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is managing a hip injury that is throwing into question his status for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Thursday, Aug. 20, that LaPorta had been hit on the hip in a recent practice, which led to the injury and his absence from recent sessions.
"It flared up a little bit, it's a little aggravated, but we feel good long-term about him," Campbell said when discussing LaPorta's hip injury. "We'll rest him for a little bit here and letting it calm down."

#little #lions #week

There was something irrational about Barcelona signing Ferran Torres from Manchester City in December 2021.
The club were drowning in debt. President Joan Laporta had revealed only months earlier that Barça owed €1.35 billion.
Lionel Messi had departed because the club could not make the numbers on a new contract work, and La Liga had imposed a spending limit on the Blaugrana that season.
Barcelona could buy Ferran, but even registering him for the La Liga campaign required further financial manoeuvring.
Yet the Catalans found €55 million, with another €10 million potentially payable in variables, and spent it on a 21-year-old forward from Manchester City.

#manchester #city #december #president

Allen Park — Running back Isiah Pacheco was one of eight Lions who did not participate in Sunday's practice, missing his third consecutive session.
Also absent were wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina, defensive end Payton Turner (back), linebackers Damone Clark and Jimmy Rolder (hamstring), and cornerback D.J. Reed (groin).
Lions coach Dan Campbell on Sunday provided updates on Reed and Turner, saying Reed's issue was "not major" and Turner's back ailment is a "day-to-day type thing."
Some of Detroit's biggest stars seemed to be resting Sunday. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Jack Campbell were each on the field but did not take part in team drills.
LaPorta, Campbell and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) went inside midway through practice. Defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (groin) and defensive end Derrick Moore (groin) also did not participate in team drills.

#campbell #back #groin #sunday

Given the recent changes in the Detroit Lions' linebacker room, Derrick Barnes will be a key figure for the 2026 season. Alex Anzalone departed in the offseason and rookie Jimmy Rolder will miss some time due to a recent hamstring injury.
According to Detroit Lions senior writer and insider Tim Twentyman, Barnes has been expanding his role on defense.
Through the first couple days of training camp, we've seen Barnes play an increased role in passing downs when the Lions are in nickel (five defensive backs and two linebackers). He had the biggest play for Detroit's defense during Thursday's practice when he stepped in front of and intercepted a Jared Goff pass intended for tight end Sam LaPorta in a team period. - Tim Twentyman, DetroitLions.com
"The way our defense is designed on that play, the position I'm playing, the job I'm doing on that specific play, it's kind of hard to see where I am in the coverage we're in and what my role is for the quarterback," Barnes said of last week's interception.
"I was kind of reading JG (Goff) a little bit, his eye progression, seeing a few routes coming across the field and I was like, 'Maybe I can just get in the window.' Really just did my job."

#play #twentyman

Detroit Lions tight end Miles Kitselman, an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee who had seen reps with Detroit's first-team offense in training camp, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his rookie season.
In a corresponding move, wide receiver Tarik Black, who waived waived by the Lions on Aug. 3, was brought back to the roster.
Kitselman (leg) saw opportunities with the first-team offense as TE3 behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright while Tyler Conklin worked to return to the field. Conklin, a veteran signed in March, has been dealing with a calf issue he sustained in the spring and hasn't yet practiced in training camp.
Conklin passed his physical Tuesday, according to the league's transaction wire, offering a potential signal for his return. Conklin had a quiet season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 but was productive over his three years with the New York Jets (2022-24) before that, with 1,622 yards and seven touchdowns.
Before the Lions, Kitselman played at Hutchinson Community College (2021), Alabama (2022-23) and Tennessee (2024-25). He made 24 starts over two seasons with the Volunteers, catching 48 passes for 554 yards and six touchdowns.

#conklin #camp

Barcelona are making one more run at Julian Alvarez, and the message from Madrid still looks pretty simple, pay huge money and probably still get told no. According to TeamTalk, the Catalan club are trying to force the issue before Joan Laporta's August 10 deadline, while **** nal are staying close enough to act if the door opens.
This is where the story gets interesting for **** nal. Barcelona may be making the noise, but **** nal appear to have the cleaner route if Alvarez genuinely wants out. TeamTalk reports that **** nal are "ensuring they remain firmly in the picture" and have "continued to position themselves as the leading alternative should Barcelona's pursuit ultimately collapse." That matters, because transfer sagas are rarely won by the club making the most headlines. They are won by the club best placed when reality bites.
Photo IMAGO
Barcelona's senior transfer staff have reportedly travelled to Madrid to try to break the stalemate. Deco and Joao Amaral are said to be meeting Alvarez's agent, Fernando Hidalgo, and hoping for progress with Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil. The problem is obvious. Atletico have already shown their stance, and it has not shifted.
The opening Barcelona offer was "worth around €100million (£85.7m / $115.4m)." That was not enough. A fresh bid is now expected at "around €115million (£98.6m / $132.7m)." Even that may change very little. Atletico have "no intention of selling Alvarez" and, crucially, "have no desire to strengthen either Barcelona or Real."

#arsenal #madrid #club #still

Barcelona's newest signing officially completed his move on Tuesday as Jesse Bisiwu signed a five-year deal at the club's offices along with president Joan Laporta.
The 18-year-old joins from Club Brugge on a deal worth €8.5 million and will begin the season at Barça Atlètic while working regularly with the first team group throughout the campaign.
Bisiwu spoke to the club's media after the signing and once again made it clear he's there to work, learn and earn Hansi Flick's trust.
"My first few days have been great. I've been welcomed by a wonderful family and I'm very grateful for that. They've welcomed me so warmly, everyone is so friendly, and I'm very thankful.
"Being here and seeing it for myself is a different feeling, I'm very happy to be here. When I was young I always dreamed of playing for a big club like Barça, so being here is a dream come true for me.

#first

During the early days of training camp, ESPN reporter John Keim caught up with Ben Sinnott to discuss how offensive coordinator David Blough plans to utilize the Commanders tight ends this season. Clearly, Sinnott was excited about the possibilities in Washington's new offense.
"It's not even close," Sinnott said. "So many different variations. Today we're lining up at number one, we're running five-step ins, we're running corners, we're running options, we're running flat [routes]. We're just doing everything. It's so much fun. It's a breath of fresh air for this offense and how it uses tight ends."
Head coach Dan Quinn has also detailed to reporters the role they see for free agent addition Chigoziem Okonkwo.
"Long play-action passing, over routes, pylon routes, things that are down the field, crossing routes that are catch-and-run to use some of his speed," Quinn said. Previously, we examined how much the Washington Commanders might run heavy personnel this season, but today we look at a couple of examples of what it might look like on the field.
Likely the personnel grouping most utilized by the Commanders offense this year, 12 personnel involves one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers. The team has emphasized the need for multi-dimensional running backs while adding Okonkwo as a big receiving threat. To gain an understanding of how Blough might use Chig out of 12 personnel, we take a look at an All-22 breakdown of Sam LaPorta with the Lions in 2023. Ben Johnson was Detroit's offensive coordinator and then-Lions quarterback David Blough was on the practice squad that year.

#sinnott #Commanders #ends #offense

Good news: Joan Laporta's is back in action after a few days' rest following a medical procedure.
The FC Barcelona club president had to undergo surgery to fix a cardiac arrhythmia — that is, an irregular heartbeat — on Tuesday. Doctors used a defibrillation procedure, essentially using controlled electrical impulses to shock his heart back into a normal rhythm.
Afterwards, he had to take a few days off to recover. On Friday, he's been officially cleared to return to work.
Laporta celebrated on Instagram: "I've been discharged! Heading home!"
The president thanked the Hospital de Barcelona, including the Emergency, ICU, Laboratory, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Radiology, and Endoscopy departments and several specific doctors by name.

#Barcelona #doctors #days

FC Barcelona statement – FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona Board of Directors met Wednesday, 29 July, for an ordinary meeting at the Club's installation, headed by first vice-president Rafael Yuste in the absence of president Joan Laporta, who excused his absence.
More training at St. George's Park – FC Barcelona
Another session for the Barça squad, their fourth in England during their preseason training camp.
INSIDE VIEW | Raphinha joins the group – FC Barcelona
Brazilian arrives in Birmigham while his teammates continue to step up the training.
Alejandro Balde: 'If we can win more trophies, better' – FC Barcelona
Barça defender Alejandro Balde answered fans' questions live from St. George's Park on the FC Barcelona YouTube channel on Wednesday during the squad's preseason training camp in England.
Nuhu Fofana, Blaugrana until 2030 – FC Barcelona
Agreement reached between FC Barcelona and forward Nuhu Fofana to extend his contract for a further four seasons, meaning he is now set to stay with the Club until 30 June 2030.

#alejandro #nuhu

As he negotiates a new long-term deal with Detroit, Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs did not practice on Wednesday during Detroit's first training camp practice.
Gibbs is a hold-in, meaning he is at Lions training camp but not currently participating.
"Of course, you guys know how we feel about Gibbs and all of our guys, (Sam) LaPorta, (Brian) Branch. And so, we'll take this as it comes. This will kind of continue. It'll come as it comes. I think that's the best way to say it. And so, this is both sides working through something and we'll take it as it comes, but that's where it is," Campbell said of Gibbs to open camp.
The Lions executed the fifth-year player option on Gibbs back in April, keeping the star rusher under contract through the 2027 NFL season. Gibbs will earn $14.293 million in 2027 with his player option.
Gibbs, a 5-foot-9, 202-pound back, rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 scores a season ago. The Alabama alum's rushing yards ranked seventh in the NFL last season. Gibbs also added 616 receiving yards and five touchdown grabs, helping him eclipse 1,800+ yards from scrimmage for a second straight season.

#season #back #training

The Detroit Lions will have one of the best offenses in the NFL – in the virtual world, anyway.
EA's Madden NFL 27 video game released offensive ratings for skill position players on Wednesday, July 29, and several Lions are prominently placed among the NFL's best. The most notable placements for Lions players are at running back and wide receiver, where running back Jahmyr Gibbs (98 overall) and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (95 overall) are ranked No. 1 and No. 4 at their respective positions.
Two other Lions offensive standouts will rank highly in the game, with tight end Sam LaPorta (88 overall) and quarterback Jared Goff (88 overall) rank as the No. 7 and No. 10 tight end and quarterback, respectively. Though in a potential blow for Lions fans, Los Angeles Rams quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and one of just six players with a 99 overall rating in the game.
Though Goff is listed as a top-10 quarterback, he is not the highest-rated NFC North quarterback in the game. That ***** le belongs to Chicago Bears quarterback (and cover athlete) Caleb Williams, who comes in at No. 9 at 90 overall.
With so much virtual offensive firepower, the Lions are ranked as the No. 2 offense in the game at 91 overall, with the Rams topping them at 93 overall. And though Madden has not yet released its defensive ratings, fans should expect high marks for edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Jack Campbell.

#game #though #offensive #ranked

FC Barcelona's pursuit of Julian Alvarez has reached a crucial stage after club president Joan Laporta confirmed that the offer made for the Atletico Madrid striker would not remain valid indefinitely.
Shortly after beginning his latest presidential term, Laporta made Barcelona's position clear.
"We have made an offer, but this offer is not unlimited in time."
Later, while in New York supporting the Spanish national team during the final stages of the World Cup, he narrowed the timeframe even further.
"The deadline for the offer is between the last week of July and the first week of August," he added.

#made #laporta #alvarez #atletico

Robert Lewandowski wanted to remain at Barcelona for another season, and club president Joan Laporta was equally keen for him to stay.
That is according to the striker's agent, Pini Zahavi, who explained the circumstances behind Lewandowski's departure in an interview with Sebastian Staszewski for SportoweFakty (via SPORT).
Zahavi discussed the reasons behind the forward's exit, the offers he received and why he ultimately chose to continue his career in Major League Soccer.
He also suggested that Lewandowski could one day return to Barcelona in a different role, following a conversation with Laporta.
Zahavi, who maintains a close relationship with the Barcelona president, revealed that Laporta was eager for Lewandowski to remain at the club.

#laporta #zahavi #remain

After more than a week of waiting for his transfer to become official, Karim Adeyemi has finally completed his first training session as a FC Barcelona player under Hansi Flick.
The German winger had remained in Barcelona since last week, unable to join his new teammates while the final administrative details of his move were completed.
That wait ended on Thursday, when the club officially unveiled him before he posed for photographs with president Joan Laporta and addressed the media for the first time as a Barça player.
Today, the morning after his presentation, Adeyemi arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper shortly before 8:45 a.m., this time not as a guest but as a fully registered member of the squad.
Having already met his teammates during his stay in Barcelona, the 24-year-old was finally able to train alongside them, taking part in his first full session in club training gear as he begins adapting to Flick’s methods and building his fitness ahead of the new season.

#adeyemi #flick #joan

With Detroit Lions training camp starting soon, the PUP list will be announced shortly by the team. Whether a player shows up on the list or not will give us some information as to the status of the injury recovery.
The following are two of the most likely Lions to be placed on the PUP. For the rest of the candidates, visit Lions 2026 PUP-tentials with Sam LaPorta Surgical Update.
Branch had his Achilles rupture in December of 2025, which puts his expected return to action around October or November. Thus, there may be nothing to see throughout all of camp for Branch. He’ll likely start camp on the PUP list and stay there into the season.
At some point during training camp, Joseph will fully test his knee to see if it is able to handle football. Will that happen early in camp or late? An extra couple weeks of rest won’t make any difference at this point - 10 months since his last game action in October 2025.
Joseph might start camp on the PUP list although I’m not sure what value that would provide. It just delays the inevitable make-or-break testing of his knee. Might as well start ramping things up immediately to see how it goes.

#training