9 days ago
The World Series matchup isn't set in stone just yet, but Tampa Bay took a major step towards being the one that will face Milwaukee in the Fall Classic. They took two out of three in Cleveland to return home with a 3-2 series lead heading into a big Game 6 tonight, where they'll start Freddy Peralta who has been dealing this postseason while the Guardians will scramble to piece their way through a bullpen game after having to get 21 outs from their relievers yesterday. Thanks to the postponed Game 4 eating up the travel day, even if they do win tonight they'll also be forced to play the potential do-or-die Game 7 on four straight days without a night off — it's not looking pretty for Cleveland, to say the least.
We've got a full slate for you ahead of this critical Game 6 later tonight, starting with Jake's recap of Game 5's action in the Roundup. Michael hands out a stellar grade to David Bednar to kick off our annual Report Card series, and Kevin recalls Sandy Alomar Sr. and his days with the Yankees on his birthday. Then in the afternoon Jonathan goes over the Yankees' longest home runs of the season and Estevao reflects on the gap between Giancarlo Stanton and 500 career home runs before I return to open up the mailbag for more of your questions.
American League Championship Series Game 6
(Rays lead series, 3-2)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
#series #cleveland #home #tonight
We've got a full slate for you ahead of this critical Game 6 later tonight, starting with Jake's recap of Game 5's action in the Roundup. Michael hands out a stellar grade to David Bednar to kick off our annual Report Card series, and Kevin recalls Sandy Alomar Sr. and his days with the Yankees on his birthday. Then in the afternoon Jonathan goes over the Yankees' longest home runs of the season and Estevao reflects on the gap between Giancarlo Stanton and 500 career home runs before I return to open up the mailbag for more of your questions.
American League Championship Series Game 6
(Rays lead series, 3-2)
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
#series #cleveland #home #tonight
1 month ago
Hola amigos!
Welcome to the Monday mailbag post. This is where you can submit your questions to us, the humble staff at MMA Mania. If you have something you want to ask, pop it in the comment section below.
We'll answer everything and anything (so long as you're not trying to get us in trouble). But priority goes to time sensitive questions. For this week, that means stuff related to Noche UFC 4 or the upcoming UFC 331. You might also want to ask about Tom Aspinall vacating the Heavyweight ****** le.
You don't have to ask UFC or MMA questions, though. I welcome off-topic and also very silly questions. If we don't get to your question this week, don't worry. They all get logged on a big sheet so they don't get forgotten and can be answered another week.
Ok, shoot! Whatya got?
#want #hola #mania
Welcome to the Monday mailbag post. This is where you can submit your questions to us, the humble staff at MMA Mania. If you have something you want to ask, pop it in the comment section below.
We'll answer everything and anything (so long as you're not trying to get us in trouble). But priority goes to time sensitive questions. For this week, that means stuff related to Noche UFC 4 or the upcoming UFC 331. You might also want to ask about Tom Aspinall vacating the Heavyweight ****** le.
You don't have to ask UFC or MMA questions, though. I welcome off-topic and also very silly questions. If we don't get to your question this week, don't worry. They all get logged on a big sheet so they don't get forgotten and can be answered another week.
Ok, shoot! Whatya got?
#want #hola #mania
2 months ago
Football
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
2 months ago
Washington hosts Utah State tomorrow but before we transition to Saturday's gameday coverage. Here is the Week 1 mailbag!
Chicken Little: Is it time to panic?
I wouldn't say the sky is falling, but there is certainly plenty of reason to be concerned. The Huskies' struggles on offense are excusable, but they make you seriously consider a complete shift in expectations now that their two best running backs will miss time. Washington is in desperate need of a hot start to stay as healthy as possible for the toughest games on the schedule, which come in the second half of the season. I get that rivalry games can be funky, but there is zero reason why the Apple Cup should've been as close as it was. Wazzu's offense was horrid, and Washington's was equally so until the fourth quarter. For a team wanting to compete with the Big Ten elite… that's bad. I'm not panicking just yet, but I am considering lowering my win total because I'm not sure if UW will be healthy enough to be the best version of itself.
iadawg: Ellinneus Davis was supposed to be the best defensive lineman but he only had the third most snaps of defensive linemen. Can you explain this? Thanks.
Definitely strange, but I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it unless it happens against Utah State and Eastern Washington. There's a good chance he had a minor injury bugging him, or head coach Jedd Fisch and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters saw opportunities with other lineman and took advantage. In the end, it worked out for the Huskies. His lower-than-expected usage rate is not a trend that I think will continue through the remainder of September.
#washington #time #defensive #offense
Chicken Little: Is it time to panic?
I wouldn't say the sky is falling, but there is certainly plenty of reason to be concerned. The Huskies' struggles on offense are excusable, but they make you seriously consider a complete shift in expectations now that their two best running backs will miss time. Washington is in desperate need of a hot start to stay as healthy as possible for the toughest games on the schedule, which come in the second half of the season. I get that rivalry games can be funky, but there is zero reason why the Apple Cup should've been as close as it was. Wazzu's offense was horrid, and Washington's was equally so until the fourth quarter. For a team wanting to compete with the Big Ten elite… that's bad. I'm not panicking just yet, but I am considering lowering my win total because I'm not sure if UW will be healthy enough to be the best version of itself.
iadawg: Ellinneus Davis was supposed to be the best defensive lineman but he only had the third most snaps of defensive linemen. Can you explain this? Thanks.
Definitely strange, but I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it unless it happens against Utah State and Eastern Washington. There's a good chance he had a minor injury bugging him, or head coach Jedd Fisch and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters saw opportunities with other lineman and took advantage. In the end, it worked out for the Huskies. His lower-than-expected usage rate is not a trend that I think will continue through the remainder of September.
#washington #time #defensive #offense
2 months ago
Josh Norris makes his regular season pod debut as he joins Matt Harmon for our weekend preview pod. Norris identifies the six most pressing fantasy questions we want answered in Week 1 and Harmon reveals the 3 'sicko' games he's paying attention to for fantasy. The two end the show taking your mailbag questions about the players you are most nervous to start in Week 1.
(2:30) 49ers 27, Rams 7
(34:05) - Question 1: Can the Raiders function without Brock Bowers?
(44:30) - Question 2: What's the Packers plan for their backfield?
(51:10) - Question 3: Eagles were last in the NFL in terms of drives that went 3 and out last season, how does Sean Mannion's offense fix that?
#question #season #questions
(2:30) 49ers 27, Rams 7
(34:05) - Question 1: Can the Raiders function without Brock Bowers?
(44:30) - Question 2: What's the Packers plan for their backfield?
(51:10) - Question 3: Eagles were last in the NFL in terms of drives that went 3 and out last season, how does Sean Mannion's offense fix that?
#question #season #questions
2 months ago
Reading run riot, recording eight goals in two games at the Mad Stad, and leading to Ross needing to take a break to process everything. Luckily erstwhile TTE editor Sim steps in to the void.
A lively mailbag sees everybody asking: can Reading keep up this form? Plus, a preview of the upcoming games against Cambridge United and Brentford.
View Link
Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.
Thank you to Siren Brewing – Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30.
#ross #united
A lively mailbag sees everybody asking: can Reading keep up this form? Plus, a preview of the upcoming games against Cambridge United and Brentford.
View Link
Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song.
Thank you to Siren Brewing – Get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30.
#ross #united
2 months ago
The NFL spends the entire summer building up to the regular season, with training camps and preseason games leading up to initial 53-man roster construction at the roster cut deadline.
Then you've got this relatively quiet week leading up to Labor Day, where nothing much outside a few mostly closed practices. Gone is the cutdown drama and all those practice video clips that are given too much stock.
There's a small dead period without roster moves or big news. We're in it right now.
Next week is officially Week 1. In other words, go time.
That makes this little lull a perfect time to discuss your questions and comments about what the Commanders have and what comes next. I asked for conversation topics and we got plenty. Let's get right to them in this Commanders mailbag:
#week #much #right
Then you've got this relatively quiet week leading up to Labor Day, where nothing much outside a few mostly closed practices. Gone is the cutdown drama and all those practice video clips that are given too much stock.
There's a small dead period without roster moves or big news. We're in it right now.
Next week is officially Week 1. In other words, go time.
That makes this little lull a perfect time to discuss your questions and comments about what the Commanders have and what comes next. I asked for conversation topics and we got plenty. Let's get right to them in this Commanders mailbag:
#week #much #right
2 months ago
As the calendar flips to September, we're officially in the quiet zone of the NBA year. Not much will go on until the final days of the month. All of the major offseason moves have already happened. Teams across the league enjoy some serenity before the marathon starts back up again.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the 2026-27 season as co-title favorites — alongside the San Antonio Spurs. Even with their offseason departures, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren should keep them in the middle of the ***** le hunt.
With nothing else happening, Thunder Wire will regularly conduct Thunder Mailbags over the remainder of the offseason. In this edition, a social media user asked in the DMs — could Alex Caruso's regular-season role change with so many departures?
The Thunder added Caruso in a rare one-for-one player trade with the Chicago Bulls in June 2024. It was one of two offseason moves made that summer that signaled their readiness to take the next step as a serious ***** le contender. Safe to say the win-now move paid off. OKC won the 2025 NBA championship in his first year there and almost won another this past year.
In those two playoff runs, Caruso has been one of OKC's five most important players. Especially when you compare his pedestrian regular-season numbers. He's averaged 6.6 points on 43.3% shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 ***** ists in the regular season. He's shot 32.2% from 3. And in the playoffs, those numbers jump up to 9.9 points on 46.2% shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 ***** ists. He's shot 42.7% from 3.
#regular
The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the 2026-27 season as co-title favorites — alongside the San Antonio Spurs. Even with their offseason departures, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren should keep them in the middle of the ***** le hunt.
With nothing else happening, Thunder Wire will regularly conduct Thunder Mailbags over the remainder of the offseason. In this edition, a social media user asked in the DMs — could Alex Caruso's regular-season role change with so many departures?
The Thunder added Caruso in a rare one-for-one player trade with the Chicago Bulls in June 2024. It was one of two offseason moves made that summer that signaled their readiness to take the next step as a serious ***** le contender. Safe to say the win-now move paid off. OKC won the 2025 NBA championship in his first year there and almost won another this past year.
In those two playoff runs, Caruso has been one of OKC's five most important players. Especially when you compare his pedestrian regular-season numbers. He's averaged 6.6 points on 43.3% shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 ***** ists in the regular season. He's shot 32.2% from 3. And in the playoffs, those numbers jump up to 9.9 points on 46.2% shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 ***** ists. He's shot 42.7% from 3.
#regular
2 months ago
While just about everyone considers Luka Doncic to be one of the NBA's best players, there are plenty who doubt that he can and will win a championship. The pundits point to his extremely high-usage style of play, defensive shortcomings and supposed lack of fitness and conditioning as reasons why he won't lead his team to the promised land.
Former NBA big man Channing Frye is one of those doubters. During an episode on his "Channing's Mailbag" YouTube show, he said that Doncic will not win a ring with that current high-usage style of play, although he did say that he thinks Doncic will eventually win it all.
"I think Luka will win a championship. I do not think that he will win with that style of play and high usage rate. He needs a team around him, sure, but he plays physical and is usually beat up by the time. Did he miss his one chance? No. I just think something's going to come around where Luka got to come to grips with like, that's not what is going to win.
"Luka's greatness is not better than OKC or San Antonio or New York or Philly, no matter how great Luka is individually. So you got to build an NBA team around him where he trusts and can get off the rock a little bit more."
Doncic has the highest career usage rate in NBA history at 35.8, and he has led the league in that category in four of his eight seasons. While he has put up super impressive numbers, it has taken a bit of a toll on him physically, and some feel it was a factor that contributed to the hamstring strain that prematurely ended his 2025-26 season in early April.
#high #team #championship
Former NBA big man Channing Frye is one of those doubters. During an episode on his "Channing's Mailbag" YouTube show, he said that Doncic will not win a ring with that current high-usage style of play, although he did say that he thinks Doncic will eventually win it all.
"I think Luka will win a championship. I do not think that he will win with that style of play and high usage rate. He needs a team around him, sure, but he plays physical and is usually beat up by the time. Did he miss his one chance? No. I just think something's going to come around where Luka got to come to grips with like, that's not what is going to win.
"Luka's greatness is not better than OKC or San Antonio or New York or Philly, no matter how great Luka is individually. So you got to build an NBA team around him where he trusts and can get off the rock a little bit more."
Doncic has the highest career usage rate in NBA history at 35.8, and he has led the league in that category in four of his eight seasons. While he has put up super impressive numbers, it has taken a bit of a toll on him physically, and some feel it was a factor that contributed to the hamstring strain that prematurely ended his 2025-26 season in early April.
#high #team #championship
2 months ago
It's hard to believe that the 2026 season is almost over. With around 40 games left to play in the regular season, the Colorado Rockies are on the hunt to avoid their fourth-straight 100-loss season.
As we draw closer to the end of the season and continue to look ahead, I wanted to take the opportunity to throw back to something we tried earlier in the year: a mailbag.
There are plenty of things to talk about, especially at this point in the season. This link will take you to a Google form so you may ask a question (or two!).
Look for the answers next Thursday, August 2o.
As for tonight, I leave the topic of discussion to you. What's on your mind lately?
#look #Rockies #believe
As we draw closer to the end of the season and continue to look ahead, I wanted to take the opportunity to throw back to something we tried earlier in the year: a mailbag.
There are plenty of things to talk about, especially at this point in the season. This link will take you to a Google form so you may ask a question (or two!).
Look for the answers next Thursday, August 2o.
As for tonight, I leave the topic of discussion to you. What's on your mind lately?
#look #Rockies #believe
3 months ago
On this week's Out of the Blue podcast, the boys continue their 2026 Michigan football preview! Jared and Andrew take a 20,000-foot view of Michigan's Week 7-9 opponents: Indiana, Rutgers and Michigan State. Next, they kick off their defensive preview, discussing linebackers, corners and safeties.
Be sure to submit any mailbag questions to OOTBsports23gmail.com.
This is far from the only place you can listen to our podcasts covering the Michigan Wolverines. You can also stream them from your iPhone or Android device by subscribing to The Block M Podcast Network on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify. Never miss an episode, and be sure to subscribe, rate, tell your friends, and drop us a five-star review.
Wherever you go, Go Blue!
A big thank you as always to Wes Anderson for providing music to this podcast and all Maize n Brew podcasts. You can listen to Wes below and be sure to support and follow him on Twitter SongsByWes.
#michigan #preview #week
Be sure to submit any mailbag questions to OOTBsports23gmail.com.
This is far from the only place you can listen to our podcasts covering the Michigan Wolverines. You can also stream them from your iPhone or Android device by subscribing to The Block M Podcast Network on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify. Never miss an episode, and be sure to subscribe, rate, tell your friends, and drop us a five-star review.
Wherever you go, Go Blue!
A big thank you as always to Wes Anderson for providing music to this podcast and all Maize n Brew podcasts. You can listen to Wes below and be sure to support and follow him on Twitter SongsByWes.
#michigan #preview #week
3 months ago
Ian Machado Garry seems to have hit upon an approach that's really been getting fans' attention ahead of his **** le fight at UFC 330 next weekend. Is it on purpose or just a beautiful accident?
Plus, what's up with making Arman Tsarukuyan win another fight to get the top contender status he already earned back in November? All that and more in this week's mailbag.
To ask a question of your own, hit up BenFowlkesMMA on X or Ben_Fowlkes on Threads.
NeedXtoseePosts: If I recall correctly, either on your podcasts or the mailbag you mentioned
A good way for a UFC fighter to get fans to care, even if it meant going heel would be a "woke" one.
#arman
Plus, what's up with making Arman Tsarukuyan win another fight to get the top contender status he already earned back in November? All that and more in this week's mailbag.
To ask a question of your own, hit up BenFowlkesMMA on X or Ben_Fowlkes on Threads.
NeedXtoseePosts: If I recall correctly, either on your podcasts or the mailbag you mentioned
A good way for a UFC fighter to get fans to care, even if it meant going heel would be a "woke" one.
#arman
3 months ago
The pads are clacking as we're in the thick of Las Vegas Raiders training camp. Now that the "underwear Olympics"—as head coach Klint Kubiak referred to the first week of practice—are over, the Raiders' position battles are starting to heat up like the Las Vegas weather. Also, we're officially a week away from the Raiders' first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals! That gives us plenty to go over for this week's mailbag.
As a reminder, I'm not at practice, so I don't have much to offer in regard to the "How does X player look?" types of questions outside of what's been reported publicly.
As always, anything Raiders-related is on the table and fire away with anything that's on your mind. Send your questions my way by either dropping a comment in the comments section below, tweeting at me (MHolder95) or via email at SBPQuestions1gmail.com. I'll follow up with another column in the coming days.
If you don't have a commenting account already, you'll need to create one but the steps are pretty easy and it's a seamless process. Also, we have full-time moderators to enforce the Community Guidelines.
#vegas #we 're #first #away
As a reminder, I'm not at practice, so I don't have much to offer in regard to the "How does X player look?" types of questions outside of what's been reported publicly.
As always, anything Raiders-related is on the table and fire away with anything that's on your mind. Send your questions my way by either dropping a comment in the comments section below, tweeting at me (MHolder95) or via email at SBPQuestions1gmail.com. I'll follow up with another column in the coming days.
If you don't have a commenting account already, you'll need to create one but the steps are pretty easy and it's a seamless process. Also, we have full-time moderators to enforce the Community Guidelines.
#vegas #we 're #first #away
3 months ago
August is the quietest month of the NBA calendar. Players, coaches and executives go on vacations, get married, check off bucket list items, attend charity events and do all of the things there isn't time for during the season.
But that leaves the most rabid NBA fans without much discourse for the upcoming season. So, we've opened up the mailbag!
Today, we start with a question about the Utah Jazz that is literally impossible to answer!
You've probably seen a wide range of win predictions for the Jazz, and that's because no one really knows what to expect from the Jazz.
The best Jazz players from the previous handful of seasons have been held back or have been holding back from what they are truly capable of. Lauri Markkanen spent huge portions of previous seasons trying out new stuff during regular season games and experimenting while also being guarded by up to three defenders.
#jazz #previous #seasons #august
But that leaves the most rabid NBA fans without much discourse for the upcoming season. So, we've opened up the mailbag!
Today, we start with a question about the Utah Jazz that is literally impossible to answer!
You've probably seen a wide range of win predictions for the Jazz, and that's because no one really knows what to expect from the Jazz.
The best Jazz players from the previous handful of seasons have been held back or have been holding back from what they are truly capable of. Lauri Markkanen spent huge portions of previous seasons trying out new stuff during regular season games and experimenting while also being guarded by up to three defenders.
#jazz #previous #seasons #august
3 months ago
Remember these? We're digging back into the mailbag to answer your questions. The one answering them probably is the least insightful person on this site, but hey, we have fun doing it, right?
So far, foot is in my mouth for De'Zhaun Stribling. I was very lukewarm on the pick initially and now I think he might be the guy for a long time. We need to see what he does when the other team is trying to take his head off, but so far I've read and seen nothing but good things. We'll need it too, since the 49ers are down a wide receiver in Ricky Pearsall.
Ok, now to the disclaimer. You want to see your question appear here? Then head on over to the feed when I post the ask and give me something to answer. I usually will make a call early in the week if I'm thinking about doing a mailbag.
And yes, I know someone was asking me to cast the 49ers in the Odyssey. I have not seen the Nolan epic, though I studied it and the Iliad in college (was my favorite part actually). Given how passionate I am about that, I think a full post on it will be warranted. I just need to see the Nolan film first to get his take on it. If I'm going off just what I remember from the book, Kyle Shanahan would definitely be Odysseus.
I have never seen BA and AB in the same place at the same time…coincidence…I think not
#nolan #mailbag #doing
So far, foot is in my mouth for De'Zhaun Stribling. I was very lukewarm on the pick initially and now I think he might be the guy for a long time. We need to see what he does when the other team is trying to take his head off, but so far I've read and seen nothing but good things. We'll need it too, since the 49ers are down a wide receiver in Ricky Pearsall.
Ok, now to the disclaimer. You want to see your question appear here? Then head on over to the feed when I post the ask and give me something to answer. I usually will make a call early in the week if I'm thinking about doing a mailbag.
And yes, I know someone was asking me to cast the 49ers in the Odyssey. I have not seen the Nolan epic, though I studied it and the Iliad in college (was my favorite part actually). Given how passionate I am about that, I think a full post on it will be warranted. I just need to see the Nolan film first to get his take on it. If I'm going off just what I remember from the book, Kyle Shanahan would definitely be Odysseus.
I have never seen BA and AB in the same place at the same time…coincidence…I think not
#nolan #mailbag #doing
3 months ago
Speaking during an episode of Lakers Mailbag, Buha said LA needed to save money and move below the salary cap to execute several additional moves. The organization also managed to receive ****** ets in return, helping replenish its collection of draft capital and other potential trade pieces. "My understanding with the Ayton situation is it's not just that they traded him to replenish the cupboard," Buha said. "I mean, they needed to save some money, and they got some ****** ets back. So I think those were two, you know, the two driving forces of that move. "Remember, they needed to save some money to get under the cap to execute several of their moves."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "My understanding with the Ayton situation is it's not …
#money #ayton #several #assets
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "My understanding with the Ayton situation is it's not …
#money #ayton #several #assets
3 months ago
The Boston Bruins hired Trent Whitfield to coach their American Hockey League team in Providence. It's a move many circled once Ryan Mougenel left for the NHL, and now it's confirmed by the team.
Whitfield was waiting in the wings for this chance to coach the P-Bruins. He was behind their bench for the past decade and coached in multiple leagues before that. Now, Whitfield is handed a tough task with the Bruins turning the page on their AHL team.
Mougenel was among the best coaches in the AHL. He built Providence into a great team over the years and had them built in his vision, as a physical and smart team that was different, yet successful. The 2025-26 team was his finest, one that finished the season with the best record in the league to earn him the AHL's Coach of the Year award.
The Bruins came up short in the Calder Cup Playoffs, losing to the Springfield Thunderbirds in a four-game series that exposed their weaknesses. That said, the season showed that Mougenel was one of the league's top coaches and deserving of an NHL promotion.
American Hockey League Mailbag: 2026 Offseason EditionWe asked, and you delivered with a loaded mailbag diving into all things AHL. The changes, where the league is heading, and more.
#coach #providence #mailbag
Whitfield was waiting in the wings for this chance to coach the P-Bruins. He was behind their bench for the past decade and coached in multiple leagues before that. Now, Whitfield is handed a tough task with the Bruins turning the page on their AHL team.
Mougenel was among the best coaches in the AHL. He built Providence into a great team over the years and had them built in his vision, as a physical and smart team that was different, yet successful. The 2025-26 team was his finest, one that finished the season with the best record in the league to earn him the AHL's Coach of the Year award.
The Bruins came up short in the Calder Cup Playoffs, losing to the Springfield Thunderbirds in a four-game series that exposed their weaknesses. That said, the season showed that Mougenel was one of the league's top coaches and deserving of an NHL promotion.
American Hockey League Mailbag: 2026 Offseason EditionWe asked, and you delivered with a loaded mailbag diving into all things AHL. The changes, where the league is heading, and more.
#coach #providence #mailbag
3 months ago
Wrote about the best of us, and wrote about … the rest of us.
The best of us? Indiana's state championship basketball team from Special Olympics Boone County, who went to Minnesota last month and won bronze at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
The rest of us? Those of us arguing about politics, if our goal is to hurt – not help. Those of us who are part of this wall of sound where everyone's shouting and ***** ody's listening, and using all that noise as cover for cruelty.
Now then, my job is to have opinions and share them, so I'll keep at it, hoping to make a small difference for good even knowing some people see me as something entirely different. My goal is to help, not hurt – not to insult folks who disagree, but to invite them to see things another way. I fall short, at times. I'm sure of it.
Columns about Special Olympics, the culture wars around Fever star Caitlin Clark, and President Trump's phone to call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino? All in the same week? Makes for an interesting Mailbagg™.
The best of us? Indiana's state championship basketball team from Special Olympics Boone County, who went to Minnesota last month and won bronze at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
The rest of us? Those of us arguing about politics, if our goal is to hurt – not help. Those of us who are part of this wall of sound where everyone's shouting and ***** ody's listening, and using all that noise as cover for cruelty.
Now then, my job is to have opinions and share them, so I'll keep at it, hoping to make a small difference for good even knowing some people see me as something entirely different. My goal is to help, not hurt – not to insult folks who disagree, but to invite them to see things another way. I fall short, at times. I'm sure of it.
Columns about Special Olympics, the culture wars around Fever star Caitlin Clark, and President Trump's phone to call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino? All in the same week? Makes for an interesting Mailbagg™.
3 months ago
Wrote about the best of us, and wrote about … the rest of us.
The best of us? Indiana's state championship basketball team from Special Olympics Boone County, who went to Minnesota last month and won bronze at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
The rest of us? Those of us arguing about politics, if our goal is to hurt – not help. Those of us who are part of this wall of sound where everyone's shouting and ***** ody's listening, and using all that noise as cover for cruelty.
Now then, my job is to have opinions and share them, so I'll keep at it, hoping to make a small difference for good even knowing some people see me as something entirely different. My goal is to help, not hurt – not to insult folks who disagree, but to invite them to see things another way. I fall short, at times. I'm sure of it.
Columns about Special Olympics, the culture wars around Fever star Caitlin Clark, and President Trump's phone to call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino? All in the same week? Makes for an interesting Mailbagg™.
The best of us? Indiana's state championship basketball team from Special Olympics Boone County, who went to Minnesota last month and won bronze at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
The rest of us? Those of us arguing about politics, if our goal is to hurt – not help. Those of us who are part of this wall of sound where everyone's shouting and ***** ody's listening, and using all that noise as cover for cruelty.
Now then, my job is to have opinions and share them, so I'll keep at it, hoping to make a small difference for good even knowing some people see me as something entirely different. My goal is to help, not hurt – not to insult folks who disagree, but to invite them to see things another way. I fall short, at times. I'm sure of it.
Columns about Special Olympics, the culture wars around Fever star Caitlin Clark, and President Trump's phone to call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino? All in the same week? Makes for an interesting Mailbagg™.
4 months ago
After a break, VikingsTerritory has reopened the mailbag, answering questions from the masses and posting them weekly in a single article. The time feels appropriate, with training camp getting underway in about 2.5 weeks.
We picked the main questions from folks' submissions, and below are our answers.
Question: Do you think the Vikings will reach the playoffs this year?
Answer: Yes.
The only scenario preventing the Vikings from a somewhat obvious playoff push — the roster is good enough for it — is the level of competition in the NFC North. Throughout the division's history, there's always at least one "pushover" team — usually the Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears. Sometimes even the Vikings.
We picked the main questions from folks' submissions, and below are our answers.
Question: Do you think the Vikings will reach the playoffs this year?
Answer: Yes.
The only scenario preventing the Vikings from a somewhat obvious playoff push — the roster is good enough for it — is the level of competition in the NFC North. Throughout the division's history, there's always at least one "pushover" team — usually the Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears. Sometimes even the Vikings.
4 months ago
The Atlanta Falcons brought in competition this offseason for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., as the former first-round pick recovers from the third ACL surgery since college. While NFL training camp will ultimately determine who is the Falcons starting quarterback in Week 1, there's an early front-runner.
Josh Kendall of The Athletic wrote in a mailbag ahead of Falcons training camp that while he doesn't know who will come out on top of Atlanta's quarterback competition, right now he ultimately believes it will be Tua Tagovailoa out there against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In June, first-year Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix still hadn't been cleared for 11-on-11 drills for mandatory minicamp. That opened the door for Tagovailoa to take the reins of the offense, receiving a majority of the first-team reps and using those to start ***** imilating with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees' offense ahead of training camp in July.
That in itself gives Tagovailoa an early edge in the Falcons' quarterback competition entering training camp. It's not the only factor working in his favor. The veteran quarterback boasts a superior resume to Penix, including leading the NFL in passer rating (2022), passing yards (2023) and completion rate (2024). Even in 2025, he still completed 67.7 percent of his passes with 20 passing touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per attempt.
Now compare that to his competition. Penix completed just 60.1 percent of his passes this past season and he's only managed a 12-6 TD-INT ratio across 14 career regular-season games in two seasons with Atlanta. The development simply hasn't come along as expected and now he is coming off an offseason that was dictated by rehabbing his knee injury.
Josh Kendall of The Athletic wrote in a mailbag ahead of Falcons training camp that while he doesn't know who will come out on top of Atlanta's quarterback competition, right now he ultimately believes it will be Tua Tagovailoa out there against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In June, first-year Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix still hadn't been cleared for 11-on-11 drills for mandatory minicamp. That opened the door for Tagovailoa to take the reins of the offense, receiving a majority of the first-team reps and using those to start ***** imilating with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees' offense ahead of training camp in July.
That in itself gives Tagovailoa an early edge in the Falcons' quarterback competition entering training camp. It's not the only factor working in his favor. The veteran quarterback boasts a superior resume to Penix, including leading the NFL in passer rating (2022), passing yards (2023) and completion rate (2024). Even in 2025, he still completed 67.7 percent of his passes with 20 passing touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per attempt.
Now compare that to his competition. Penix completed just 60.1 percent of his passes this past season and he's only managed a 12-6 TD-INT ratio across 14 career regular-season games in two seasons with Atlanta. The development simply hasn't come along as expected and now he is coming off an offseason that was dictated by rehabbing his knee injury.
4 months ago
The New England Patriots have ended their offseason program and now break until training camp later this month. While players are out of the facility, plenty remains to break down.
So, let's get into this week's #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What offensive and defensive positional groups is going to be the most fun to watch battle it out in camp? – mathblaster97
The talent and depth at wide receiver and defensive line will make those groups exciting to watch for me. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs building their chemistry with Drake Maye while Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III battle for their roles — as well as their potential futures in New England.
Then Milton Williams and Christian Barmore start year two together while Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms, David Blay and Travis Shaw will be competing for depth roles.
So, let's get into this week's #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What offensive and defensive positional groups is going to be the most fun to watch battle it out in camp? – mathblaster97
The talent and depth at wide receiver and defensive line will make those groups exciting to watch for me. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs building their chemistry with Drake Maye while Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III battle for their roles — as well as their potential futures in New England.
Then Milton Williams and Christian Barmore start year two together while Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms, David Blay and Travis Shaw will be competing for depth roles.
4 months ago
Welcome to our latest Q&A pod, and despite it being the close season there’s always tonnes to talk about.
On today’s show, Martin, Andrew and Ant delve into our virtual mailbag, and attempt to answer your questions. Remember if you have a question for our next Q&A episode, email HawayThePodcastSAFCgmail.com.
This episode was recorded before the news about Xhaka staying broke, so we’ve cut out all of the Xhaka related questions – thanks to everyone who sent them in, and that explains why there’s not much Xhaka talk, bar a tenuous connection between him and Mike Baldwin!
On today’s show…
Can we keep Brobbey?
On today’s show, Martin, Andrew and Ant delve into our virtual mailbag, and attempt to answer your questions. Remember if you have a question for our next Q&A episode, email HawayThePodcastSAFCgmail.com.
This episode was recorded before the news about Xhaka staying broke, so we’ve cut out all of the Xhaka related questions – thanks to everyone who sent them in, and that explains why there’s not much Xhaka talk, bar a tenuous connection between him and Mike Baldwin!
On today’s show…
Can we keep Brobbey?
4 months ago
MMA referees — and one in particular — have been taking a lot of heat lately. How much of that is deserved, and what ought to be done about it?
Plus, how much right do fans have to expect a certain kind of style in those BMF ******* le fights, and how mad do they get to be when they get something different?
All that and more in this week's mailbag. To ask a question of your own, hit up BenFowlkesMMA on X or Ben_Fowlkes on Threads.
pmsdeadandalive: why do herb dean's public defenders (volk, big john) think that "he's a great guy" is an excuse for being bad at his job? the man has struggled three straight weeks; letting shara bullet yank hair 3x & then eye poke with no point taken was ridiculous. how do you see this ending?
Referees have an incentive to support each other, at least in public. No one wants to be the guy second-guessing his peers and isolating himself in the process. I do know that, behind closed doors, referees and judges say it's vital to have colleagues they can trust to tell them when they're in the wrong. I don't know if that's happening right now with Herb Dean, but I don't think we should ******* ume that what's being said in private is always the same as what's said in public.
Plus, how much right do fans have to expect a certain kind of style in those BMF ******* le fights, and how mad do they get to be when they get something different?
All that and more in this week's mailbag. To ask a question of your own, hit up BenFowlkesMMA on X or Ben_Fowlkes on Threads.
pmsdeadandalive: why do herb dean's public defenders (volk, big john) think that "he's a great guy" is an excuse for being bad at his job? the man has struggled three straight weeks; letting shara bullet yank hair 3x & then eye poke with no point taken was ridiculous. how do you see this ending?
Referees have an incentive to support each other, at least in public. No one wants to be the guy second-guessing his peers and isolating himself in the process. I do know that, behind closed doors, referees and judges say it's vital to have colleagues they can trust to tell them when they're in the wrong. I don't know if that's happening right now with Herb Dean, but I don't think we should ******* ume that what's being said in private is always the same as what's said in public.
4 months ago
It’s Mailbag time again!
I’m loving this feature and you all keep coming through with very fun questions to ponder. Here’s last week’s responses, by the way, which included a though experiment about who we should send back in time to fight in UFC 1.
I’m looking for new questions today, though.
We’re coming off UFC Baku, so questions about that will have the priority. This is an off week, though, so hit us with some evergreen and off-topic questions, too.
Put your questions in the comments below. I’ll log them all and then spend the week pestering my co-workers to answer them. It’s fun, they love it.
I’m loving this feature and you all keep coming through with very fun questions to ponder. Here’s last week’s responses, by the way, which included a though experiment about who we should send back in time to fight in UFC 1.
I’m looking for new questions today, though.
We’re coming off UFC Baku, so questions about that will have the priority. This is an off week, though, so hit us with some evergreen and off-topic questions, too.
Put your questions in the comments below. I’ll log them all and then spend the week pestering my co-workers to answer them. It’s fun, they love it.
4 months ago
It seems like every fan of the Los Angeles Lakers wants the team to obtain some sort of substantial upgrade at the center position. Deandre Ayton, the team's starter this season, was up and down, both in terms of production and effort, and he has a player option for next season, while backup Jaxson Hayes, who has limited skills, will become a free agent this summer.
The Lakers have been linked to soon-to-be-free agent centers such as Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III. But as The Athletic beat writer Dan Woike noted in a new mailbag, many, if not most, of L.A.'s center targets may be unrealistic.
"Walker Kessler is someone they’ve targeted in the past, and the door could be slightly open for a sign-and-trade that would make Utah uncomfortable with the financial commitment to their frontcourt," Woike wrote. "But I just don’t think the Jazz want to deal him — they’ve had chances.
"Does Yves Missi have the right set of skills to completely thrive in a Dončić system? It seems like it. Can he do it in high-leverage moments as Daniel Gafford and Derrick Lively II did in Dallas? Very 'to be determined.' I’m skeptical that Cleveland, in an effort to ease financial problems, would rid itself of its starting center in Jarrett Allen without having a great line on a different starting center. I also think Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein are far more likely to return to their teams than to enter free agency. (If Hartenstein were gettable, it’d almost certainly have to be via trade after the [Oklahoma City] Thunder exercise their team option, the Lakers then arming Oklahoma City with more draft capital.)
"Robert Williams III is an option, though Portland, according to league sources, is expected to show interest in re-signing him after he played 59 games last season — second-most in his injury-hampered career."
The Lakers have been linked to soon-to-be-free agent centers such as Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III. But as The Athletic beat writer Dan Woike noted in a new mailbag, many, if not most, of L.A.'s center targets may be unrealistic.
"Walker Kessler is someone they’ve targeted in the past, and the door could be slightly open for a sign-and-trade that would make Utah uncomfortable with the financial commitment to their frontcourt," Woike wrote. "But I just don’t think the Jazz want to deal him — they’ve had chances.
"Does Yves Missi have the right set of skills to completely thrive in a Dončić system? It seems like it. Can he do it in high-leverage moments as Daniel Gafford and Derrick Lively II did in Dallas? Very 'to be determined.' I’m skeptical that Cleveland, in an effort to ease financial problems, would rid itself of its starting center in Jarrett Allen without having a great line on a different starting center. I also think Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein are far more likely to return to their teams than to enter free agency. (If Hartenstein were gettable, it’d almost certainly have to be via trade after the [Oklahoma City] Thunder exercise their team option, the Lakers then arming Oklahoma City with more draft capital.)
"Robert Williams III is an option, though Portland, according to league sources, is expected to show interest in re-signing him after he played 59 games last season — second-most in his injury-hampered career."
4 months ago
We’re in the hurry up and wait period of the offseason, with the Las Vegas Raiders on a summer break before training camp. But we still have this week’s mailbag to get to, touching on camp, Maxx Crosby trade rumors and a bunch of season preview questions. Let’s get to it!
Q: With the talk around Maxx Crosby getting traded not going away, **** ume the Raiders do deal him before the start of the season. Who is your ideal trade partner, and what is a realistic “best case” trade in your opinion? What are the odds he gets traded?
A: I got a bunch of Crosby questions this week since the trade talks in the media picked up. Someone else asked if I think there is some fire with the smoke that’s out there, and I do think there’s some truth to it because of who is saying it.
Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post (formerly of the Las Vegas Review-Journal) is the most plugged-in reporter on the beat, in my opinion, and he’s been one of the driving forces behind a Crosby trade still being alive. Less than two weeks ago, Bonsignore wrote a column about why the 49ers should trade for the pass-rusher after the Rams acquired Myles Garrett. The way I see it, if Vinny were hearing that the Raiders aren’t interested in trading Crosby anymore, he’d be pushing back against those talks rather than contributing to them.
As far as an ideal trade partner, I definitely don’t want to see Crosby go to another team in the division and would prefer it if he landed somewhere in the NFC. However, the latter wouldn’t be a deal breaker, and I’d just want to see the Raiders get the biggest return possible, even if that’s a non-AFC West AFC team. If they can get another club to come up to the two first-round picks price tag again, then that’s a perfect situation. But, realistically, it feels like a first and a second are the ceiling for the deal.
Q: With the talk around Maxx Crosby getting traded not going away, **** ume the Raiders do deal him before the start of the season. Who is your ideal trade partner, and what is a realistic “best case” trade in your opinion? What are the odds he gets traded?
A: I got a bunch of Crosby questions this week since the trade talks in the media picked up. Someone else asked if I think there is some fire with the smoke that’s out there, and I do think there’s some truth to it because of who is saying it.
Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post (formerly of the Las Vegas Review-Journal) is the most plugged-in reporter on the beat, in my opinion, and he’s been one of the driving forces behind a Crosby trade still being alive. Less than two weeks ago, Bonsignore wrote a column about why the 49ers should trade for the pass-rusher after the Rams acquired Myles Garrett. The way I see it, if Vinny were hearing that the Raiders aren’t interested in trading Crosby anymore, he’d be pushing back against those talks rather than contributing to them.
As far as an ideal trade partner, I definitely don’t want to see Crosby go to another team in the division and would prefer it if he landed somewhere in the NFC. However, the latter wouldn’t be a deal breaker, and I’d just want to see the Raiders get the biggest return possible, even if that’s a non-AFC West AFC team. If they can get another club to come up to the two first-round picks price tag again, then that’s a perfect situation. But, realistically, it feels like a first and a second are the ceiling for the deal.
4 months ago
The Carolina Panthers currently do not have a Greg Olsen in their tight end room. But according to the perspective from some old guy, that's okay.
Team reporter Darin Gantt dished out the latest edition of his mailbag series, Ask The Old Guy, on Thursday afternoon. He was asked about Carolina's tight ends, and offered up a sound viewpoint for fans who have been concerned about a lack of production from the position.
Gantt writes:
The focal point of the passing game is going to be McMillan, and they have big targets alongside him. And the Panthers have a group of versatile tight ends who play a variety of roles. They were third in the league in usage of three-tight end personnel last year, and they'd have been higher if Ja'Tavion Sanders hadn't broken his ankle late in the year.
With the emphasis on the run game and the need for those blockers, I'm not sure this system is built for one of those guys like Olsen. It's a nice-to-have but far from a requirement.
Team reporter Darin Gantt dished out the latest edition of his mailbag series, Ask The Old Guy, on Thursday afternoon. He was asked about Carolina's tight ends, and offered up a sound viewpoint for fans who have been concerned about a lack of production from the position.
Gantt writes:
The focal point of the passing game is going to be McMillan, and they have big targets alongside him. And the Panthers have a group of versatile tight ends who play a variety of roles. They were third in the league in usage of three-tight end personnel last year, and they'd have been higher if Ja'Tavion Sanders hadn't broken his ankle late in the year.
With the emphasis on the run game and the need for those blockers, I'm not sure this system is built for one of those guys like Olsen. It's a nice-to-have but far from a requirement.
