Even though the pads aren't on yet, the competition in training camp is heating up. The Los Angeles Rams held their second practice at LMU on Monday and a handful of players stood out in a positive way – including two young guys who are trying to make their mark on the 53-man roster.
Based on reports from camp, here are four players who performed well in Monday's practice.
The Rams traded up for Daniels in the sixth round of the draft this year and they may have found their latest Day 3 gem. The former Miami receiver drew high praise from reporters in attendance, as well as his head coach Sean McVay. Stu Jackson of TheRams.com noted that Daniels "caught just about every target thrown his way on Monday" while working with the second-team offense.
McVay said Daniels has "done a good job and called him a "mature rookie" with a "no-nonsense mentality." And with guys like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to learn from, McVay likes the potential of the rookie wideout.
"So it's a great group, but I'm excited about CJ and he'll be another guy when you talk about the importance of the preseason, he'll be a guy I'm looking forward to watching play and obviously in these practice settings as well," McVay said.

#well #camp #players #guys

With the New Orleans Saints officially entering a new era at quarterback, no one understands the demands of leading the franchise better than Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Covers.com, the future Hall of Famer sat down with DJ Siddiqi to discuss the Saints' outlook under quarterback Tyler Shough, who enters his second season and first as the team's Week 1 starter. Brees praised the young signal-caller's maturity, poise and leadership while expressing optimism about the direction of the offense under head coach Kellen Moore.
"I've been really impressed with him," Brees said. "I talked to him around the draft last year, at training camp, during the season and right before he took over."
Brees said he watched the Saints gradually come together despite facing significant changes on both sides of the football.
"To watch that team come together—in a lot of ways it was a new offense with Kellen Moore, it was a new defense with Brandon Staley—but man, they really hit their stride at the end of the year, and in large part, the quarterback was playing well."

#brees #famer #Football #season

After holding a lighter practice on Tuesday, the New England Patriots are expected to ramp back up the intensity for Day 4 of training camp on Tuesday.
The defense got the better of the offense during the last competitive team period, and quarterback Drake Maye threw his first interception of training camp on an intended pass to star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Safety Craig Woodson, who has continued to show significant growth as an NFL defensive back, came up with the takeaway.
All eyes will be on Maye and the offense to see how they bounce back against the stingy Patriots defense. Can the third-year quarterback finally get things clicking with Brown on the field? Will some of the other new faces, like wideout Romeo Doubs and tight end Eli Raridon make more of an impact?
Check back for live updates from practice.
Tuesday, July 28: 10:15-12:15 p.m. ET

#back #brown #practice #training

As the league enters the second half of the season, ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) gives Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever the highest chances of winning the 2026 WNBA ******* le.
According to ESPN ******* ytics, the Fever have a 24.1% chance of securing their second all-time league crown, holding a narrow advantage over the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. The Aces own a 22.6% chance to win the WNBA ******* le according to ESPN's BPI.
Rounding out the top five are the Minnesota Lynx (15.5%), New York Liberty (15.1%), and Atlanta Dream (13.3%).
Fueled by the All-Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (23.3 points per game), Caitlin Clark (21.0), and Aliyah Boston (17.3), Indiana owns the WNBA's No. 1 scoring offense (95.5 points per game).
In her last four contests leading into the All-Star break, Clark averaged 25.5 points, 8.5 ******* ists and 1.5 steals per game on 47.5% shooting and 40% 3-point accuracy.

#points #game #indiana #star

Training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins on July 29 and, of course, there will be plenty to keep our eyes on over the next month of practices and preseason games.
We recently highlighted 14 things to watch on offense and another seven to watch on defense.
But what are the big storylines? The things that will grab our attention from the start of training camp to the end?
We detailed what those topics are and why they matter.
Lawrence and Thomas building their chemistry has been a focal point all offseason, and that emphasis appears to be working. Thomas had a very good showing during offseason programs, while Lawrence continued to push the ball downfield -- another offseason priority.

#offseason #jacksonville #july

On Sunday, we discussed the potential of the 2026 Detroit Lions offense. Almost everyone agrees that it will be a top-10 unit in the NFL this season, and per the poll we ran on this site, 90 percent of our audience believes the Lions will have a top-five offense.
I'm guessing Lions fans will be a little less optimistic about the other side of the ball.
The Lions defense has been an issue for most years under Dan Campbell. While they've been able to add some blue chip players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch, the unit hasn't been able to put together a full season of strong play. Sometimes, it's been injuries. Other times, it feels like Detroit is being overcoached. Certainly the lack of a pass rush has been culpable at times. Regardless of the reasoning, the defense has regularly let the Lions down.
But could 2026 bring some extra hope? Detroit finally invested in their defensive line, and the players along that front are entering training camp healthier than ever. Additionally, Detroit has fortified their depth at linebacker and safety. And young players like Tyleik Williams, Jack Campbell, and Ennis Rakestraw could elevate their games and jump in their development.
That said, there are huge questions about health and starters in the secondary, and Detroit still needs to show they can account and adjust to the losses of DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Alex Anzalone, and Amik Robertson. And defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has a lot to prove in his second season at that position.

#detroit #players #offense

The Denver Broncos ended the Kansas City Chiefs' nine-year reign atop the AFC West in 2025. Can Sean Payton and the Broncos repeat?
Quarterback Bo Nix is coming off ankle surgery but he's optimistic his surgically repaired ankle won't hinder him this year. Helping matters is Denver's splash trade for speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The Chiefs endured a nightmare season, but three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes is confident he'll be ready to roll in Week 1 following a season-ending knee injury in 2025. The Chiefs signed Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III but also lost starting cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason.
The Chargers earned playoff berths in each of the past two seasons. Los Angeles hired the innovative Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator to spark its offense.
In Las Vegas, the Raiders made plenty of changes, headlined by 2026 No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza and head coach Klint Kubiak. But they still face an uphill battle in arguably the best division in football.

#chiefs #Broncos #year #season

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

#Coaching

It's time to vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Best Running Back for 2026.
Last week, Free Press readers voted for the best quarterback heading into the upcoming season based on high school sports reporter Jared Ramsey's preseason coverage. This week's poll focuses on Ramsey's rankings of the state's top running backs.
Voting will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 30.
Here are the nominees:
The rising senior helped power one of the state's top offenses last season. Coleman, who can star at running back, receiver and returner, had 1,181 all-purpose yards (840 rushing and 341 receiving) and 19 total touchdowns.

#best

Box Score
The road trip for the Brewers started out with the offense mostly silent. They were shut out by the Giants 3-0 on Monday, the fifth time they have been shut out all season. However, it's also the second time it's happened in the last six games.
Scoring chances were very limited tonight. The first came in the second inning. Jake Bauers hit a one-out single, then Andrew Vaughn drew a walk following a challenge. It set up an early scoring chance, but Garrett Mitchell grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Brandon Sproat worked through the first two innings scoreless, but did have to work around a couple situations. In the first, Heliot Ramos hit a fly ball to right, and Bauers appeared to have an easy catch. However, it bounced out of his glove, and Ramos reached second on the error. Ramos would steal third, but Sproat kept him there with a strikeout and groundout.
The Giants got two more baserunners in the second. Casey Schmitt lead off the inning with a single, but had to come out of the game with a leg injury. Pinch-runner Christian Koss stole second and Willy Adames drew a walk, but Grant McCray hit into a double play and Sproat got out of the inning.

#sproat #however

The St. Louis Cardinals entered Monday night's game against the Chicago Cubs with an urgent need to turn their recent downward spiral around. The Chicago Cubs and specifically their bats seemed determined to not allow that to happen.
Matthew Liberatore started the game for the Cardinals who planned to piggyback his start with Hunter Dobbins for the final half of the game. David Peterson, who the Cardinals hit hard in their last encounter, made that seem like a distant memory as he held St. Louis and their struggling offense to a minimum of opportunities.
The Cubs scored on Matthew Liberatore in each of the first 3 innings. In the top of the 1st inning, Liberatore walked Pete Crow-Armstrong, but then picked him off of first to the delight of the "Tarps Off" crowd in right field. Chicago got the last laugh, though, as Suzuki and Bregman hit back-to-back doubles giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
Chicago would score again in the top of the 2nd inning as Nico ****** ner led off with a single. After Ian Happ struck out, Dansby Swanson singled giving Chicago runners at first and second with just one out. Amaya then smacked a single to right doubling the Cubs lead to 2-0.
The Cardinals would get one run back in the bottom of the 2nd inning when José Fermín would become the Fermínator muscling up for a 407 foot shot into Big Mac Land reducing the Cubs lead to 2-1.

#liberatore #game #lead

The Cincinnati Bengals made major changes to their defense this offseason, going big with the Dexter Lawrence blockbuster trade and spending money on some solid free-agent starters.
By doing so, the Bengals acknowledged their plan to build even an average defense through the draft didn't work. Now, they believe they have a good enough defense to seize on quarterback Joe Burrow's window to get them back to the Super Bowl. Everyone knows what to expect from Burrow and the Bengals' offense, which returns all of its starters.
That means all eyes are on the defense as the Bengals open training camp on July 29. Here are the players and position battles to keep a close watch on during training camp:
The pressure is on the Bengals' 2025 first-round draft pick after a disappointing rookie season, which was doomed from the get-go when Stewart made a boneheaded decision to hold out over language in his contract. Stewart was already a risky, boom-or-bust pick that many teams passed on, because of his inability to consistently get to the quarterback in college. Now it's time to find out if the Bengals are going to get any production out of him – or whether player personnel director Duke Tobin whiffed on another defensive pick.
Stewart is a major x-factor on an overhauled defensive line, because his performance this season will determine if the Bengals have to spend more money or draft capital on edge rusher again next year. The Bengals didn't pick up defensive end Myles Murphy's fifth-year option for 2027, in part, because they want to see if Stewart can replace him.

#pick #defensive #going

It wasn't a pretty opening to the series, but the Yankees found their way Monday night in Chicago. Max Fried struggled mightily in his second start returning from the IL, putting them in a big hole early with an offense that hasn't been ****** e to exploding lately, but a pair of big innings turned this game from a deficit to a 9-5 win.
Last time out Fried was extremely sharp, going five strong despite a low pitch limit blanking the Pirates with just a single hit and walk going against him. Randal Grichuk greeted him with a leadoff double, and the wheels fell off from there. Munetaka Murakami followed up with a single to put runners on the corners, and after Fried struck out Miguel Vargas for the first out of the inning Colson Montgomery ripped a single to the right side that Jazz Chisholm Jr. barely couldn't corral scoring Grichuk. Chase Meridoth was up next and lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in a second run, and then Braden Montgomery lined a triple over the head of a diving Max Schuemann that brought in a third. It looked like Schuemann might've gotten messed up leaping for the ball, which would've complicated things for a Yankees team that is already down two of their starting outfielders, but thankfully he shook it off and stayed in the game.
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Fried calmed down from there, working two straight clean frames, but the Yankee offense wasn't getting anything going at first against the rookie Noah Schultz, who entered the game with a gaudy 6.04 ERA. Paul Goldschmidt managed a two-out single in the top of the first, but the lineup otherwise went down in order the first time through. The fourth inning finally saw them break though, starting off with a pair of walks from Ben Rice and Goldschmidt to set up a rally. Jasson Domínguez singled to left but it was hit hard enough to prevent a run from coming in, bringing Anthony Volpe up with the bases loaded and no outs. Volpe managed to bring in a run, hitting a soft grounder to short that Luisangel Acuña was just barely able to scoop up and throw to first in time to convert an out from the play.
That would be all for Schultz, as the White Sox went to their 'pen and brought in Chris Murphy. The tide was turning though, and Chisholm provided the big blow of the inning with a double out to center to tie the game at three. Chisholm then stole third base on a head's up play noticing that the catcher was lazily flicking the ball back to the pitcher, and José Caballero walked to pass the baton over to Spencer Jones. Jones managed to convert, fighting off three foul ****** before grounding a ball in front of Caballero who was running on the pitch to prevent a double play opportunity and give the Yankees a 4-3 lead.

#fried

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

#game

The Seattle Seahawks are set to move on from one of their running backs.
ESPN's Brady Henderson reported on Monday that the Seahawks are planning to waive fourth-year back Kenny McIntosh, who is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after suffering a torn ACL last training camp.
The Seahawks confirmed Henderson's report shortly thereafter. McIntosh was not immediately replaced, so the Seahawks will enter Tuesday with an open roster spot.
It's an unfortunate situation for the national champion from Georgia, who injured his knee during 2023 training camp and barely played as a rookie. In 2024, McIntosh played in every game but predominantly on special teams. When he did get involved in the offense, rushed for 172 yards on 31 carries and caught three passes for 22 yards in limited playing time. He also was part of Seattle's kick return rotation.
With the Seahawks drafting Jadarian Price in the first round and signing Emanuel Wilson in free agency, it was always going to be difficult for McIntosh to make the roster this season. George Holani, who lost out to McIntosh for a roster spot in 2024, was able to secure a spot after McIntosh's injury and has the inside track to have an increased role in the offense. Factor in the eventual return of Zach Charbonnet from his own ACL tear, and there just wasn't much of a realistic path for McIntosh to make the 53-man roster.

#spot #offense

As Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers look to reload their passing attack, all eyes are on marquee addition Mike Evans. While Shanahan's offense has long been hailed as one of the NFL's premier schemes, the turnover in last season's receiving corps left a distinct void on the perimeter.
Last year, San Francisco pieced together a receiver room centered around Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Ricky Pearsall. While that group offered versatility and grit through a grinding campaign, the offense frequently lacked a true boundary "X" receiver capable of consistently winning pure, unassisted one-on-one battles outside the numbers.
That is precisely where Evans changes the equation.
According to data from Sumner Sports cited by Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar, Evans has been the league's gold standard for isolation efficiency when healthy. Over the past two seasons, Evans generated an Expected Points Added (EPA) per play of +0.379 on isolation targets—the highest mark of any receiver in the NFL with at least 50 such targets. Across 180 isolation routes, he pulled in 328 yards and six touchdowns on 50 targets, boasting a remarkable 62.0% catch rate in true one-on-one scenarios.
For quarterback Brock Purdy, adding a legendary perimeter threat like Evans provides an entirely new dimension. Shanahan's system relies heavily on motion, scheme-created ****** e, and intermediate rhythm throws. But when opposing defenses load the box to stifle the run or drop safety help inside to blanket crossers, Evans becomes the ultimate counterpunch.

#targets #last #offense

As the Minnesota Vikings get ready for the start of training camp, one thing the Vikings' offensive coaching staff is likely preparing for is continuing the installation of the offense. That carries added importance this season if the Vikings have a new starting quarterback, particularly in the passing game, but the run game is also likely to get a bit of a makeover with the addition of ****** istant head coach Frank Smith, who is focusing on the run game.
Kevin O'Connell is an offshoot of the McVay branch of the Shanahan coaching tree while Frank Smith worked under Mike McDaniel in Miami, who is an offshoot of the Kyle Shanahan branch. McDaniel specialized in the run game working under Kyle Shanahan and Frank Smith will bring a lot of those concepts to Minnesota. I won't go into the Shanahan coaching tree history, which you can get it here, but there is a lot of overlap between various offshoots, even as each of them evolve too.
A core feature of the Shanahan offense is the wide zone run scheme. When you see all the offensive linemen take a drop or bucket step and then all block horizontally in the same direction, that is zone blocking. In wide zone, the running back aims for the ****** of the tight end or if there is no tight end on the play side, then the outside leg of the tackle. The back then reads the defensive end and makes his cut after 3-5 steps. If he moves inside, the back bounces the run outside, if he pursues outside, the back bends it back inside, if the hole is open, he bangs through. Below is a classic outside zone play, called on 1st and 10.
This isn't new for the Vikings or Kevin O'Connell's scheme. It's been a staple for years. In fact, it's not all that different than 'super power left' power sweeps we used to run in pee-wee football back in the 1970s
And if you watch the play, it didn't fool the Bengals defense. The defensive formation was toward the play side, countering the double tight-end set, the linebackers flow toward the run immediately, there is even a backside defensive back blitzing to try and get to Mason behind the line of scrimmage. The play was successful because it was well blocked and Mason didn't hesitate, but the play design itself didn't do much to tilt the outcome in the Vikings' favor.

#shanahan #game

Whether Kayshon Boutte remains a New England Patriot or not, the 24-year-old wide receiver was present and accounted for at the start of training camp.
Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and there's still a chance that he winds up on the trade block at some point. His presence on the roster makes the team better, but it won't benefit him in the long run with his future contract tied to this season's production.
The best opportunity for Boutte would come in an offense where he'd see significant snaps and maximize his stat output. He won't have an opportunity to do that in New England, where A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are expected to be the top receivers.
With that said, the Patriots aren't going to give Boutte away, either. NFL insider Albert Breer noted that he believed that the former LSU standout could have been had for a fifth-round draft pick during the 2026 NFL Draft. If that remains the case, a receiver-needy team could float the Patriots an offer at some point.
Until that happens, it looks like Boutte is in New England to stay.

#boutte #england #receiver #team

The New England Patriots are set to begin training camp on Saturday. Gates open at 9:15 a.m. ET, and practice starts at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Practices will be located on the upper grass fields directly behind Gillette Stadium. Attendance is completely free to the public, and general parking is also free during the public practice days. There will be 13 training camp dates in total for fans to watch live.
This will be the 24th consecutive year of the team hosting the camp at Gillette Stadium.
It will be the start of the Patriots' quest to get back to the Super Bowl after falling short against the Seattle Seahawks last season. They've made strides in improving the offense significantly by adding top talent in the offseason, like wide receiver A.J. Brown, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and rookie offensive tackles, Caleb Lomu and Damtrious Crownover.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots signed veteran All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, along with using their second-round draft pick on rookie Gabe Jacas. All eyes will be on the Patriots to see if the magical 2025 run was a fluke or if the team picks back up where it left off last season.

#Patriots #practice

Here's a terrifying thought for you: one day in the distant future college football fans may forget just how amazing Brock Bowers was during his Georgia Bulldogs career.
I know, it's difficult to imagine. Bowers played three seasons of college football and was named All-SEC and All-American in each of them. He won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end two years running. Over 50 catches every season, 2538 receiving yards, and 26 receiving touchdowns. Every honor and number is truly impressive.
But a picture is worth a thousand words. Just ask the South Carolina Gamecocks.
In 2022 Bowers could have beaten Shane Beamer's squad all by himself, scoring three touchdowns, one on the ground and two through the air, including a 78 yarder in which he made the Gamecock defense look like it was stuck in concrete.
Unfortunately for the Garnet and Black Bowers had teammates, on both sides of the ball. The Gamecocks ran only 34 plays on offense in a first half that saw them shut out while the Bulldogs cruised out to a 24-0 halftime lead. Somehow it got even worse in the second half, with Georgia veritably tap dancing to a three more touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 45-0 lead into the fourth quarter. The Dawgs would tack on one more field goal before the 'Cocks got on the board late to avoid a shutout, losing "only" 48-7.

#bulldogs #Football

With rookies already in camp, the Tennessee **** ans are just a few days away from taking the field and watching the position battles commence.
Tennessee made some significant changes to its roster throughout the offseason and will look a lot different than it did in 2025, but it still has some questions to answer on both sides of the ball. In his preseason preview, ESPN's Turron Davenport outlines three key position battles to watch once camp kicks off that could have a major impact on the outcome of the 2026 season.
There's no slam-dunk favorite in the three-way battle between veterans Austin Schlottmann and Andre James and rookie Pat Coogan. Schlottmann has the upper hand, having played in Daboll's offense the past two seasons. But James, a late addition during minicamp, started 31 games for offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo with the Raiders in 2022 and 2023. Coogan has an outside shot at the job because of his top-level communication skills, but he has an uphill battle after being selected in the sixth round in April.
The late addition of James adds some more intrigue to this competition, which had the appearance of a two-horse race throughout most of the offseason. James did have his best seasons under Bricillo, and could surprise. Coogan has championship pedigree from his college days, and could eventually see some reps, definitely making it one of the positions to watch.
Veterans Cordell Volson and Jackson Slater are the primary competitors in this battle. Volson has 48 starts under his belt after being selected by the Bengals in the fourth round in 2022. He missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder last August. Slater enters his second season after being selected in the fifth round last year. He played 34 snaps last season, all of which came in the season finale against the Jaguars. Someone needs to emerge quickly to help solidify the right side, especially with questions surrounding Latham at right tackle.

#james

Colorado enters the 2026 college football season with a cleaner plan at quarterback, with redshirt freshman Julian Lewis the projected starter and Utah transfer Isaac Wilson a competent backup to apply some pressure.
Lewis has a ton of potential, and with Brennan Marion now running the offense, the odds of him reaching that potential significantly increase. The Athletic recently named the Colorado quarterback to its list of ten rising quarterbacks who could make a jump this year.
To qualify for the list, all players could not be in the first three tiers of our ranking; Lewis was placed in the fifth tier (No. 49 overall) and was not on last year's list.
Lewis is joined on the list by several Big 12 quarterbacks, including Texas Tech's Will Hammond (No. 2), Arizona State's (No. 3) and West Virginia's Michael Hawkins (No. 9). Georgia Tech starting quarterback Alberto Mendoza, who the Buffs will see in Week 1, also made the list.
Here's what The Athletic had to say about Lewis entering 2026:

#list #Potential #utah #isaac

The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback competition will dominate training camp conversation, but another important offensive battle is developing in front of whoever wins that job.
Minnesota still must settle its center position after Ryan Kelly's retirement left the offensive line without an established starter in the middle. The competition may not generate the same attention as the quarterback room, but it could have a major impact on Kevin O'Connell's offense.
According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Blake Brandel is expected to get the first opportunity. The longtime utility lineman gave the Vikings a surprisingly effective nine-game stretch at center in 2025, providing enough stability to enter camp as the logical favorite. His versatility has long made him valuable, but this summer gives him a chance to secure a more defined role.
The retirement of Ryan Kelly left the Vikings looking for a new starter. Long-time utility lineman Blake Brandel will get the first look, following his surprisingly effective nine-game stint there in 2025. The Vikings also want to monitor third-year backup Michael Jurgens and seventh-round pick Gavin Gerhardt. It was mildly surprising that the Vikings didn't sign a free agent at the position, and it could still happen.
That opportunity comes with pressure. Center is more than a blocking position. The starter must handle protection calls, identify fronts, help set the tone in the run game and maintain clean communication with the quarterback. That responsibility becomes even more important in an offense that asks quarterbacks to process quickly and play with timing.

#Vikings #game #kevin

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS color commentator Tony Romo was arrested Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to multiple reports.
According to the report, Romo was traveling southbound on Interstate 43 on the high-rise bridge in Milwaukee when he was stopped by authorities on the evening of July 23. Law enforcement officials indicated that the former quarterback performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests, which led to his arrest of operating while intoxicated (OWI), Wisconsin's legal term for DUI.
Romo, 46, was taken into custody, booked, and released the same night. The incident is reportedly being treated as a first-time offense, which in Wisconsin is typically categorized as a cicli violations rather than a criminal charge. Potential penalties could include fines and other administrative consequences.
A court appearance has been tentatively scheduled for September 21, where further details surrounding the case are expected to emerge. CBS is scheduled to broadcast four games on September 20, the day before his expected appearance, but announcers have not yet been ***** igned to specific games.
Since his 14-year career in Dallas, Romo has largely maintained a clean public image.

#quarterback #scheduled

After losing four of five starters to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Texas A&M offensive line underwent major revamping in the offseason, as a slew of newcomers will play their first snaps for the Aggies this season.
Last year's group protected quarterback Marcel Reed extremely well, tying with Ole Miss for first in the SEC with only 19.0 total sacks allowed. The starting offensive line, featuring 161 combined starts from Mike Elko's first year at the helm in 2024, earned the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, which recognized the nation's top offensive lines. They paved the way for the program to earn its first 11-0 start since 1992 and secure its first College Football Playoff bid last season.
Despite production lost during the offseason, Elko hauled in some impressive transfer talent and incoming freshmen who could make a big impact for Texas A&M's offense in 2026.
Here are some players to watch in the trenches in our overview of the unit for the upcoming campaign:
#65 Avery Morcho - Fr., 6'6", 284 lbs

#line #offseason

Training camp is where offensive depth becomes more than a list of names.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have established pieces across the offense, but every summer creates opportunities for under-the-radar players to force their way into the conversation. Some are trying to become trusted reserves. Others are fighting for special-teams roles, practice-squad consideration, or enough preseason momentum to make roster decisions more difficult.
For Tampa Bay, the sleeper list on offense features several rookies with intriguing traits and a few players looking to turn limited expectations into real opportunity.
Here is one sleeper to watch in each offensive position group.
Daniels enters camp as an intriguing rookie quarterback from Kansas. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, he is not expected to threaten Baker Mayfield's role, but developmental quarterback reps matter throughout training camp and preseason.

#list #players #preseason

The Minnesota Vikings can talk about other training camp storylines, but the quarterback conversation is not going anywhere.
Kyler Murray enters camp as the favorite to win the starting job, giving Minnesota an experienced option with the arm talent and mobility to function in Kevin O'Connell's offense. Still, any unsettled quarterback situation commands attention, and the Vikings have one that could shape not only Week 1, but the franchise's long-term direction, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
Who will start at QB in Week 1? Kyler Murray is the heavy favorite to win the job, but it's impossible to pull eyes away from any unsettled quarterback situation. In his previous seven NFL seasons, Murray has displayed the arm talent necessary to succeed in Kevin O'Connell's offense. But how long will it take him to grow accustomed to what is admittedly a complex scheme, one that requires active eyes and patient feet in the pocket? Murray admitted during OTAs that it had been a challenge to pursue the necessary familiarity while taking only half the reps. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, is fighting for his football future -- at least with the Vikings -- after only 10 NFL starts. -- Kevin Seifert
Murray's résumé makes him the logical front-runner. Across seven NFL seasons, he has shown the ability to create explosive plays, extend snaps and stress defenses with his arm and athleticism. Those traits should fit an offense built around timing, ****** ing and aggressive downfield opportunities.
The challenge is mastering the details.

#quarterback #offense #week

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired a new offensive coordinator every offseason since 2023. Former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is the next coach up, taking over for Josh Grizzard after an 8-9 season in which the offense averaged 5.2 yards per play, the lowest over the past three seasons and a full yard less than what they enjoyed under current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen in 2024.
Robinson will be left to his own devices while Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles presumably pilots the defense to a top-three blitz rate for the eighth consecutive campaign. Robinson's two-year yards per play average (5.5) in Atlanta, plus potential refinements in Robinson's play-calling processes, inspire cautious optimism.
Points per game: 22.4 (18th)
Total yards per game: 320.4 (21st)
Plays per game: 62.8 (13th)

#play #three

For the first time in nearly two decades, both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have entered the second half of the season with legitimate playoff aspirations.
While the Cubs entered the year expecting to compete for the National League Central, the White Sox have exceeded every preseason outlook after one of the worst stretches in franchise history. As the trade deadline approaches, the White Sox find themselves in a position few predicted, while the Cubs continue to manage expectations; both clubs are playing meaningful baseball in July.
Throughout the season, fans have seen both teams step up and play with their deep rosters carrying them to victory.
The Cubs entered 2026 with one goal: a return to the postseason. Through the first half of the season, they have looked like a playoff contender. Rather than relying on one superstar, Chicago has won through roster depth, strong defense, quality starting pitching and timely hitting. They have consistently remained near the top of the National League despite competing in one of baseball's toughest divisions and recovering from a 10-game losing streak earlier in the season.
One of the biggest reasons for the Cubs' success has been their ability to get production throughout the lineup. Pete Crow-Armstrong has continued his emergence as one of baseball's premier defensive center fielders while becoming a dangerous hitter at the top of the order. Seiya Suzuki has provided middle-of-the-order power and run production, giving the Cubs one of the more balanced offenses in the National League.

#first

As high school flag football continues to grow in popularity, so does the number of Section V players earning recognition among the state's best.
The New York State Sportswriters **** ociation put together the first set of all-state flag football teams in 2025. This year's selections include seven players at Section V schools named first team all-state, one more than last season.
Webster Schroeder quarterback Emma Rascoe has completed her high school playing days as a two-time member of the Class B all-state first team offense.
Rascoe, the 2026 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year, finished with 63 touchdown passes and 78 total touchdowns during her senior season as Webster Schroeder went 14-2. She finished with 4,729 all-purpose yards, including 3,776 passing yards, while helping the Warriors win the Section V Class B championship. The Warriors were state champions in 2025.
Bishop Kearney standout Nela Lopusanova, a three-time AGR first team member, and East Rochester defensive star Payton Kinney earned Class C first-team all-state honors for the second consecutive year.

#section #schroeder #rascoe