MANAMA, Bahrain - The looming possibility of U.S. strikes on Iran has been met with weary nervousness in the Persian Gulf, as Gulf officials double down on efforts to break through a U.S.-Iran impasse that they know will leave their region vulnerable.
Publicly and privately, leaders in Persian Gulf nations, which bore the brunt of Iranian retaliation because they are home to U.S. bases, are calling for de-escalation as concerns about President Donald Trump's war plans grow. Mediators from Qatar arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of the efforts to negotiate an end to the war, according to a person briefed on the talks, who described the trip as a "last-ditch effort to broker an interim deal between Iran and the U.S." that was happening "in coordination with the U.S."
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Trump has seemed open to a deal - but also to resuming strikes, according to a separate official briefed on the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and envoy, have been pushing for a deal, the official added, as others - including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth - appear opposed to it.
"The next two days will be crucial in determining how the situation unfolds," said an Iranian official, who like some others interviewed for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The Americans, they added, are "seeking a positive breakthrough" ahead of the midterm elections.

#official #iranian #post

The world mourned the loss of Patrick Stewart on Thursday as the iconic actor passed at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Stewart was a prolific stage actor as well as taking on massive roles in both television and film. He played Captain Jean-Luc Picard for 176 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as starring as Professor X in eight X-Men movies -- including post-credit scenes and cameos -- across both the Fox and Marvel Cinematic universes (with the ninth coming this December with Avengers: Doomsday).
But one of the things that made Stewart so special and beloved was his willingness to do something goofy or funny. Such was the case in a 2024 Super Bowl commercial for Paramount+. Not only did Stewart star alongside well-known CBS and Paramount+ characters like Survivor's Jeff Probst, Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog, daytime host Drew Barrymore and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Knuckles appears in the new Paramount+ Super Bowl commercial. pic.twitter.com/tuD7G4GfXz
— Sonic The Wereblog (Sonic_Hedgeblog) February 1, 2024
It's a truly ridiculous commercial that features Stewart trying to convince Tagovailoa to throw Arnold of Hey Arnold! to the top of a mountain. "Not built for the moment, I see," Stewart delivers as if he's on stage in the West End.

#well

PARIS (AP) — The Dakar Rally in January will start in Portugal and finish in Morocco after being moved from Saudi Arabia because of the Middle East conflict.
Organizers announced the new route on Friday. They canceled the race in Saudi last weekend but reaffirmed it will return to the kingdom in 2028.
The Dakar, the world's biggest off-road race, returns to Africa for the first time in 20 years.
It will run from Jan. 9-23. The Algarve will hold the prologue and first stage and Morocco will hold the other 11 stages, going as south as outside Dakhla with a return north to finish in Marrakech.
Organizers said the route was 7,824 kilometers with 4,341 of those special stages, which was close to recent editions. Each special will range from 350 to 500 kilometers.

#dakar #race #hold

Slowly but surely the secret is coming out that Michael Penix Jr. has officially arrived as a franchise quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons' starter has been exceptional since returning to the lineup in Week 3, racking up nine touchdown passes to go with just one interception.
Penix is fresh off his best game of the season, totaling three scores and no turnovers against a top-five San Francisco 49ers defense.
That should have gotten Penix a huge ****** p in the weekly NFL.com quarterback rankings, but he only saw a modest gain of one spot, coming in at No. 12. That puts him in-between two former league MVPs, one spot below Patrick Mahomes and one above Matt Stafford.
"Michael Penix Jr. looks very comfortable and decisive in Kevin Stefanski's offense, freely spreading the ball among his many talented targets at a rate I haven't seen from him previously in his NFL career. Penix's contributions were especially important in a game in which Bijan Robinson fell short of breaking things open on the ground, and a reason to take the Falcons seriously going forward."
While the small gain is a little disappointing, keep in mind that Penix wasn't even listed in most quarterback rankings going into the season. Instead, it was Tua Tagovailoa representing the Falcons, usually somewhere between Nos. 30 and 32 among projected starters.

#quarterback

Myles Graham has seen Florida's defense flash its potential throughout the season. The challenge now is making that version of the unit show up consistently.
The Gators took an encouraging step at Texas, overcoming a rough opening two drives before settling in and playing some of their best defense of the season. Graham said the unit gained confidence by playing aggressively, especially when Brad White dialed up the pressure, but still has plenty to clean up ahead of a physical matchup with Georgia.
There's no hiding what this week means to Graham. Florida hasn't beaten Georgia since he arrived in Gainesville, and as one of the veterans responsible for explaining the rivalry to younger players, Graham made his feelings clear: enough is enough.
Here's everything Graham had to say ahead of Florida's matchup with Georgia.
I've seen him grow since day one. The talent has always been there. It was just more of him knowing where to be, where to fit. I've just seen him skyrocket from the first day he got here.

#graham #defense #unit #playing

Congratulations to Palmer Jenney of Wilmington Friends field hockey, the Delaware Online High School Sports Athlete of the Week for Week 7 of the fall sports season.
Jenney scored five goals across Wilmington Friends' 2-0 win over Sanford, 1-0 win over St. Andrew's and 3-1 win over Archmere.
Jenney won an online vote over four other nominees. The poll, presented by Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists, runs Monday through Thursday each week on Delaware Online with the winner announced Friday.
Nominations for the next Athlete of the Week can be sent to Brandon Holveck at bholveckdelawareonline.com. Please include the athlete you are nominating, their school and a brief summary of their achievements in the past week.
Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveckdelawareonline.com.

#week #jenney #Delaware #wilmington

FC Barcelona completed their final training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Friday. The Blaugrana are putting the finishing touches to their tactical preparations before hosting Deportivo Alavés in another crucial league fixture, especially after the heavy blow suffered in El Clásico.
The main news from the training ground was the confirmed absence of Jules Koundé. The French defender did not join the rest of the squad for training and has been ruled out of the match against the Vitoria-based side.
The full-back joins an already lengthy injury list. Players including Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Xavi Espart, Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji continue their recovery programmes away from the main group.
With so many players unavailable, the coaching staff have had to reorganise the defence and midfield. Tactical changes to the starting line-up are expected to keep the team competitive.
All eyes now turn to the press room. German coach Hansi Flick will address the media at 13:00 to preview the match and ******* s the squad's fitness.

#training #players

Leeds United fans of a certain vintage might bristle at Ao Tanaka's choice of adjective for Bournemouth, but current reality backs him up.
The ****** an international was asked this week about Saturday's game against the Cherries and described both it and the opponent as 'massive.'
The word massive is an emotive one in football. Some fanbases use it sincerely with whole-hearted belief that it applies to their club. Others use it slightly more ironically. Even when it is reasonably applied, the word means different things to different people. Some might take into consideration a club's global presence, stadium size, average attendance or historical success. Others, like Tanaka, look not at Bournemouth's circa 12k capacity ground or historic honours board, but progression up the Premier League table over the last three years, last season's top-six finish and back-to-back-to-back 3-0 wins over AC Milan, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
"This is a massive opponent," said Tanaka. "This is a massive challenge. Bournemouth is such a good team, especially recently, the results have been so good. And it's a massive game for us as well, because we didn't win four games. So we want to win the game. So this is a massive game, massive opponent. [They are] a bit different than last season, because they changed the manager. But still, they have a quality players, quality tactics. So I'm looking forward to playing against them."
Unlike Bournemouth, Leeds cannot boast of nine seasons at Premier League level in the last 11 years but by any other metric can be considered a massive club. Three historic top flight ****** les, an FA Cup, European success, a soon-to-be 53k capacity stadium and a fanbase to fill it are all significant pieces of evidence. Daniel Farke often cautions that the club must learn to walk again in the Premier League before it can run, yet seventh place after eight games can be cautiously described as a step forward from last season.

#game #premier

Speculation surrounding the long-term future of Ronald Araujo has intensified as his representative finally addressed the defender's mindset at Anfield. The Uruguayan international remains a central figure for the Premier League leaders despite persistent links to a continental exit.
The representative for Araujo has sought to clarify the Liverpool defender's current status following a wave of reports suggesting a potential move away from the Premier League. As one of the most consistent performers in the English top flight, Araujo has become a cornerstone of the defensive unit, leading to inevitable interest from across Europe's elite clubs looking to bolster their backlines.
However, despite the noise surrounding a possible departure, the message from his camp remains one of stability and contentment. His agent, Eduardo Crnjar, spoke about the player's current situation and how he feels about his surroundings in the North West of England. "Ronald is performing well , we're very happy with what he's offering, but it's still too early to talk about his future. He feels great, he's happy to be playing for Liverpool and helping the club and his teammates, as he's already said," Crnjar told WinWin Sports, as quoted by SPORT.
While the agent's comments provide some breathing room for the club, the broader context of the transfer market continues to loom over the situation. Several teams have been monitoring the Uruguayan's progress, aware that a defender of his calibre and age profile is a rare commodity in the modern game, especially given his proven track record in both La Liga and the Premier League.
The mention of a €55m valuation has frequently appeared in discussions regarding a potential transfer fee, a figure that many consider to be a bargain for a player of his international standing. Liverpool, however, would likely demand a significantly higher sum to even consider entering negotiations for a player who still has his best years ahead of him at the highest level of European football.

#future

Portugal and Morocco will host the 2027 Dakar Rally the organisers announced on Friday after it was moved from Saudi Arabia following repeated attacks on the kingdom by Yemen's Houthis.
The drivers, motorcyclists and truck drivers will tackle the prologue and first special stage in Portugal followed by 11 stages of the gruelling rally -- covering almost 8,000 kilometres with 4,341km of specials -- in Morocco.
It is the first time since 2007 that the gruelling multi-stage rally, created in 1978, returns to Africa.
"Although it has been moved, the 49th edition of the Dakar will still meet the sporting standards which has always made the event the most demanding of endurance rallies," said race director David Castera.
"Despite the short amount of time we have had we have put together a real Dakar.

#first #stage #gruelling #time

Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo, and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday's Michigan-Rutgers game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey (12:30 p.m., Big Ten Network/94.7 FM).
▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has always been tied to defense, but the Scarlet Knights have struggled defensively this season and ranks 128th in scoring. That could make this the "get-right" game for Michigan's offense, which is sorely in need of a confidence-building performance, especially from the run game and offensive line. Michigan's No. 3-ranked defense likely won't have the challenge it was expecting now that Rutgers QB Dylan Lonergan has been ruled out. He left last week's game at Northwestern in the first quarter because of a hit to the head and backup AJ Surace has struggled with six touchdowns against five interceptions this season. Michigan's defensive backs were expected to have their hands full facing 6-foot-6 receiver KJ Duff, but he is "doubtful" for the game, according to the Big Ten availability report. Pick: Michigan, 31-10
▶ Connor Earegood: Rejoice, Jason Beck. You're going to save your job this week. This Michigan offense may be wasting one of the nation's best defenses, but it will get an important tune-up against Rutgers. You know, the Rutgers team that lost to UMass, which is 1-3 in Mid-American Conference play. Oh, Rutgahs. Its availability report suggests some key starters will not play. Its starting QB is hurt, its star receiver is doubtful. A one-read quarterback could probably pick its defense apart at full strength. That's a good opponent for a true freshman in Tommy Carr to face in his second career start, after the **** er of the unknown wore off last week and showed you that maybe, just maybe, it isn't the guy under center who's the problem but rather the guy calling his plays. If Beck takes some inspiration from the Michigan Stadium videoboard and runs the ball between the tackles from time to time, Michigan should roll to an easy win. If it's another stinker, it will make for an interesting crowd in next week's rivalry game. Pick: Michigan, 34-7
▶ John Niyo: If Rutgers can't cure Michigan's offensive woes, nothing will. Greg Schiano's days appear numbered in Piscataway, and the statistical numbers make it obvious why: Rutgers ranks 128th nationally in scoring defense and has given up 161 points in four Big Ten games thus far. Of course, that's more points than the Wolverines have scored in seven games this season. But this defense should be the cure Michigan's inefficient run game needs, and no matter who's playing quarterback, there'll be opportunities to create explosive plays in the pass game. In four Big Ten games, Rutgers already has given up 15 plays of 30-plus yards. Pick: Michigan, 34-16
▶ Bob Wojnowski: There's no such thing as a breather for the Wolverines, with six of their seven games decided on the final possession. Last week's OT loss to Indiana wa

CLEVELAND — Jose Ramirez rescued the Guardians in the American League Division Series with a tremendous three-game run to lift Cleveland to the ALCS, but with their playoff journey coming to an end all the focus turns to an injury that hamstrung him for the second half of the season.
Ramirez underwent hamate bone surgery in mid-June and returned to the lineup July 22, but he was struggling to be as productive while playing through the left wrist/hand issue. It can often be difficult for hitters to fully return to form in the aftermath of a hamate bone surgery.
His season numbers had already been a bit down from his career averages, but after the procedure he hit just .229 with a .598 OPS over the final 53 games, a stretch that included only two home runs, as his power seemed to be sapped.
It was painfully clear Ramirez was playing while hurt and the procedure was having a negative impact. It was also unlikely he'd do further damage, and the Guardians appreciated anything the star third baseman might be able to give them. A one-handed Ramirez is still a better sight in the everyday lineup than calling someone off the bench, especially as he insisted to play every day.
"I mean, obviously, it took a toll on him," said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who also reiterated his commitment to Cleveland while some rumors about the Seattle Mariners had stated to run rampant. "He was out there giving us everything he had. He wasn't playing at 100 percent, but that never changed his demeanor or the way he went about his business. And I think that just speaks to who he is as a person and a baseball player.

#surgery

The 2026 season might have been a struggle for the North Hunterdon High School football team, but last weekend's victory over neighborhood rival Voorhees in the 51st annual Milk Can Game is a good way to go into the offseason on a supremely positive note.
Senior Matt Esposito led the way in the 21-18 victory, which increased the Lions all-time lead in the series to 36-14-1 and gave them their first victory of the season. Esposito rushed 27 times for 193 yards and the three touchdowns, including two in the second half. He also pitched in five tackles on defense, plus an interception.
The senior finishes with 916 yards and nine scores for the season, plus a receiving touchdown, while recording 36 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in the Lions' defensive secondary.
"Matt had a tremendous year and was an instrumental piece to the team," North Hunterdon coach CJ Robinson said. "He brings the effort, attitude, and toughness on Friday nights. His performance last week is a great reflection of the work and commitment he's put in this year. To see him play at that level and help lead our team to a win was special. We were fortunate to have had him as part of our program."
Simeon Pincus has covered NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincusGannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter SimeonPincus

#team #hunterdon #matt

Clean sheets can make a big difference to Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points, especially for managers looking to get more from their defenders and goalkeepers.
Gameweek 8 saw ***** nal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Newcastle United keep clean sheets, while Bournemouth recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United and Leeds United played out a goalless draw with Sunderland.
Tottenham Hotspur were particularly impressive in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea, while Bournemouth also continued their good run of results, showing how valuable defensive returns can be for FPL managers.
With Gameweek 9 approaching, the latest clean sheet odds offer a useful guide to the teams with the best defensive prospects, helping managers ***** s their options ahead of the deadline.
Tottenham Hotspur – 38% vs Crystal Palace (H)

#TOTTENHAM #managers #gameweek #defensive

Lewis Hamilton says he is unlike any driver Formula 1 has seen before and reaffirmed a determination to keep racing into his mid-forties.
The seven-time world champion recently said he wanted to continue in the sport to fulfil a dream of racing in Africa, having campaigned for a Grand Prix there for many years.
F1 has signed a 10-year deal with the central-east African country of Rwanda starting in the early 2030s which will be a first race on the continent since 1993.
Hamilton is 41 and will be at least 45 when that race takes place, but he told a news conference before this weekend's Mexico Grand Prix that he should be considered a special case.
The Briton said F1 had "never had anyone like me in the 70 years" of the sport and he felt like he was "built differently".

#grand #race

Following his historic Ballon d'Or triumph, the conversation around Harry Kane's achievements has reached another level, with the UK Prime Minister's office being asked whether the England captain could receive one of the country's highest honors.
Per The Independent (via iMiaSanMia), a spokesperson responded with the following:
"On your question about a knighthood, I think everyone would agree, Harry Kane has given an enormous amount to English football, and this is a very special moment for him in the country, but as ever, I'm not going to pre-empt the honors process."
While there is no confirmation just yet, the response certainly recognizes the significance of Kane's achievements for English football.
From captaining England to a major international final to becoming one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, Kane has built a remarkable legacy. Now, after reaching the summit of individual football honors, could a knighthood be the next chapter?

#Football #english #ballon

UFC 324 kicked off the promotion's Paramount era with an absolute thriller, as Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett went to war for five rounds. Gaethje eventually came out on top, securing the interim lightweight ****** le, but the fight wasn't without its controversies.
Several eye pokes and a low blow suffered by Pimblett had fans questioning the referee's decision not to take a point away, especially after two judges scored the contest 49-46. Beyond the officiating debate, another talking point was Pimblett's decision to trade strikes with one of the division's most dangerous punchers instead of making better use of his grappling.
Given his Brazilian jiu-jitsu credentials, many felt he left a major weapon unused. The Liverpudlian has since admitted that he could have approached things differently. Now, with Gaethje having become the undisputed 155lbs champion after beating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, Pimblett has opened up about what he would change if the two ever crossed paths inside the Octagon again.
In a recent interview with How U Livin J Piven, Pimblett admitted that he would take a completely different approach if he ever got another shot at Gaethje. "Yeah, if I fought him again, I'd shoot in within 10 seconds. I'd love to get that rematch. If I fought him again, I'd shoot in the first 10 seconds, put him on his back, and choke his ****** out."
That would arguably be a much smarter game plan for the Liverpudlian, who reminded everyone of his grappling prowess with a spectacular comeback at UFC 329.

#pimblett #admitted

Collin ***** ton has already made his mark on the Los Angeles Lakers in just four games with them this season. He's averaging 12 points in 17.8 minutes a game this season, but his impact has gone beyond his numbers.
He has been an igniter for them off the bench thanks to his ability to get buckets, handle the ball, create pace and get others involved. He has also sparked them defensively with his relentless pressure on the ball and his willingness to shadow opposing ball-handlers up and down the court. The guard has helped force turnovers, even when he hasn't been credited with a steal.
Coach JJ Redick said after Sunday's 132-123 win over the Utah Jazz that ***** ton has a "level of insanity" to him that helps the team. ***** ton explained after Wednesday's 16-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers that he takes on a special mindset when he is on the court.
"Honestly, I would say when I step into one of those lines, it's us against them," ***** ton said. "I'm going to be doing whatever my team needs. For me, I feel like I turn into a different person when it's time to go. And I think my teammates know that. So they try to talk to me a little bit, but they know I'm in the zone and ready to go to war. And that's how I look at it. Whenever I step into those lines, it's wartime."
Off the court, ***** ton seems like an easy-going man who radiates a positive attitude of gratitude. On the court, he is ultra-aggressive, and that type of on-court attitude can be very contagious. This season's Lakers roster boasts several players who have a can-do spirit and seem willing to embrace their specific roles for the good of the team.

#sexton #team #lines

The Green Bay Packers are 5-3 after beating the Carolina Panthers by a 27-19 final score on "Thursday Night Football" from Lambeau Field. There were **** ps along the way, especially early and late, but the Packers got three touchdown passes from Jordan Love and six sacks from Jonathan Gannon's defense to power what ended up being a winning performance.
Highlighting the good, the bad and the ugly coming out of Thursday night's win:
Jordan Love during the first three quarters, the adversity defense, and the pass-rush: Love was on fire for the first 45 minutes, completing 26 of his first 33 passes for 262 yards and three scores. He threw a pick early in the fourth quarter, starting a disappointing finish for the offense overall, but the Packers quarterback was terrific for most of the contest, playing on time from the pocket and consistently finding completions. Jonathan Gannon's defense was dominant at times, allowing only three points off three Packers turnovers, and the only three points came after the fumbled opening kickoff that gave the Panthers the ball in field goal range. It took a few crazy conversions for the Panthers to score a touchdown in the second half. The Packers were dominant up front, sacking Bryce Young six times and consistently disrupting the pocket.
The start, and most of the finish: How did the Packers open the game? By fumbling away the opening kickoff, dropping three first-quarter passes and committing a pre-snap penalty. The turnover spotted the Panthers three early points. To Green Bay's credit, the first quarter ended with the Packers leading. During most of the second and third quarters, the Packers were in complete control, leading 20-10 at the half and 27-13 with a chance to dagger the Panthers to start the fourth quarter. But Jordan Love threw a pick on the second play of the fourth, turning the game sharply, and the Panthers eventually scored on a 70-yard drive and had the ball down one score with a chance to tie the game. What should have been a comfortable, two- or three-score win ended up being a nail biter because the Packers made costly mistakes and couldn't run the ball. One more bad: Trey Smack missed an extra point, so the kicking worries continue to linger. The lost point mattered because it kept the Panthers within one score in the fourth quarter.
The run game. The Packers returned Aaron Banks to the lineup at left guard, and Josh Jacobs got a full workload against the NFL's worst run defense entering Week 8, but it wasn't nearly enough to awaken Green Bay's dormant run game. Jacobs turned 21 rushes into only 39 yards, and 18 of the Packers' 66 rushing yards came on a well-executed Savion Williams gadget play. The 25 designed runs to running backs gained all of 48 yards. Jacobs didn't have a run longer than six yards. It's possible the Packers run game just isn't going to happen in 2026. This is a historically bad start -- the Packers are just the 14th team since 1935 to rush for fewer than 500 yards

Editor's note: This story will be updated with a photo gallery.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Despite entering the postseason with a 20-11 record, their first time with double-digit losses in the regular season since 2019, the Notre Dame Pandas swept through four straight opponents, then pulled off a comeback for the ages against Beechwood (24-26, 22-25, 25-13, 25-14, 15-10) to complete the journey to a fifth straight Ninth Region championship.
For the second straight night, tournament MVP Teagan Kondik had her fingerprints on the final play, putting away her 27th kill to complete the comeback.
"Joy. Doing it for my teammates when we've had a hard season, for sure, faced a lot of adversity. I think ending the region with a kill was super special to do it for them," Kondik said.

#region #despite

Editor's note: This story will be updated with a photo gallery.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Despite entering the postseason with a 20-11 record, their first time with double-digit losses in the regular season since 2019, the Notre Dame Pandas swept through four straight opponents, then pulled off a comeback for the ages against Beechwood (24-26, 22-25, 25-13, 25-14, 15-10) to complete the journey to a fifth straight Ninth Region championship.
For the second straight night, tournament MVP Teagan Kondik had her fingerprints on the final play, putting away her 27th kill to complete the comeback.
"Joy. Doing it for my teammates when we've had a hard season, for sure, faced a lot of adversity. I think ending the region with a kill was super special to do it for them," Kondik said.

#straight #season #kill

Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies believes Macs Page is destined to earn his first Wales cap "sooner rather than later" after his late international call-up.
Page, who Davies previously highlighted as the first name on the Scarlets team sheet, has been called up to replace injured Dragons wing Rio Dyer.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2026-27 season, scoring five tries, and will hope to shake off a head injury to earn his maiden cap.
Wales return to Nations Championship action next month, with home fixtures against **** an, New Zealand and Australia before meeting a southern hemisphere opponent on finals weekend at Twickenham.
"It's fully deserved. He's a special player, and I think we will see him play for Wales sooner rather than later, personally," said Davies.

#rather

The Tennessee **** ans are having one of the worst seasons in their history. At 1-6, they're off to their worst start to a season in nearly 20 years. Cam Ward's **** ans have struggled on both offense and defense, and they have been unfortunate with injuries.
Ward has also had a troubling start. He has been criticized for his efficiency and decision-making all season. In seven games, he has thrown for 1,179 passing yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
There have been rumors of the **** ans looking to go away from Ward, especially after defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons' trade to the Chicago Bears. But NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the **** ans will continue to back Ward despite a 1-6 start.
Fans reacted to Schefter's comments.
"It will be their ultimate downfall. They are not a QB developing team, or they make bad picks with high draft choices. Vince Young, Jake Locker, Will Levis, now it's Cam Ward!" one fan said.

#ward #tennessee #simmons #Chicago

After having to go to the hospital for a potential chest injury during the first half of Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers top wide receiver Christian Watson returned to the field in the second half and was immediately targeted. His return to the game was greeted by applause from the crowd at Lambeau Field.
Here is a look at Watson's return to the field, courtesy of the NFL's official social media:
According to the broadcast, Watson is wearing additional chest padding and has indicated there is pain on the lower right side of his chest. He has a long injury history during his time in the NFL, including a concussion, multiple hamstring injuries, multiple knee bruises, a torn ACL and a chest injury last season.
While his return to the game is impressive after his trip to the hospital, it also raises questions about player safety. It is difficult to recall a time when a player has gone to the hospital during an NFL game and has returned to that game. Especially given Watson's injury history and the fact that Green Bay had a 14-point lead at the time of his return, there is an argument to be made that it would have been safer for Watson to remain out for the rest of the game.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: WATCH: Christian Watson returns to the field after going to hospital

#watson #field #green

Even with 12 straight victories and an 11-0 start in the Horizon League, there's always room for improvement for the Wright State Raiders volleyball team.
"What we've been able to accomplish has been very special," coach Travers Green said on Thursday, Oct. 29, "but you're trying to look further than that. How good can we be? What are our aspirations? It takes a certain level of commitment to win championships, but if you want to go further than that, it requires more.
"We've been pretty good, but we aren't the finished product that we want to be at this point of the year. We want to keep getting better and keep improving, keep growing, and keep looking for the things that can add more value."
Consistency from set to set, cleaner and more disciplined play, and a more relentless defensive effort — with the mindset that the ball should never hit the floor — are all on Green's mind as the Raiders enter the final two weeks of the regular season.
Wright State won 3-0 at Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and returns to action at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, against Youngstown State at C.J. McLin Gymnasium in Fairborn.

#good #even

Oct. 29—VERMILLION, S.D. — Long before Austyn Modrzewski became the starting quarterback at the University of South Dakota, he was a first grader in Littleton, Colorado, who had already discovered something special about throwing a football.
He initially lined up at running back when he started playing tackle football. But it did not take long for those around him to recognize that the ball belonged in his hands, and preferably in the air. Even at that age, Modrzewski was doing something rare for a young player in his area: leading an offense that could throw the football.
By second grade, he was training specifically to play quarterback. Sunday mornings and several days throughout the week became practices for his mechanics, improving his footwork and developing a position that had already become his passion. By third grade, he was learning to read defenses.
Football was never simply something Modrzewski played. It was something he worked to understand. He competed across state lines, trained year-round and developed an appreciation for the quarterback position long before most children his age had even thought about their athletic futures.
"I always wanted to be a running growing up back because they always get the ball," Austyn Modrzewski said earlier this season. "And in the first practice, we didn't have a quarterback so I kind of just stepped up and started throwing some ****** . I had fun doing it, and I was like, 'I'm not half bad at throwing.'"

#modrzewski #long #austyn #even

The Oklahoma Sooners are again battling injuries as they head into their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Sooners had 15 players on the Wednesday availability report.
They will again be without key offensive linemen Ryan Fodje and Eddy Pierre-Louis, but should get Heath Ozaeta back. Center Jake Maikkula was listed as "questionable." This follows an injury he suffered against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Caleb Nitta replaced him in the game and did a nice job in his snaps.
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle praised Nitta's preparation when his number is called.
"Caleb's a fighter and he loves football, plays his ****** off," Arbuckle said. "And it's been that way since he's gotten here. That showed on his previous tape from other institutions. He's very smart, like really intelligent, understands defense, understands what's happening in the box, can see defensive back rotations. I mean, he's a sharp kid. But he's a fighter, you know, and he'll give us everything that he has."
Nitta's readiness could prove valuable as Oklahoma navigates another week of uncertainty on the offensive line. Maikkula's status will be worth monitoring, especially as the Sooners try to build on their improved performance against Mississippi State. A backup who can quickly recognize defensive fronts and communicate adjustments gives the offense stability when injuries force changes up front.

#state

If you're doing a side by side comparison of the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee ***** ans, it'd be easy to ***** ume the Nov. 1 meeting at Paycor Stadium would be a one-sided contest just based on their records.
Cincinnati looks like an ascending, 4-2 team while the ***** ans are 1-6, and made a trade Oct. 29 that looks intended to jumpstart a rebuild effort.
Jason Williams Ring of Honor Trumpy How Bengals compare to Chiefs, Steelers in honoring legends | Williams
The fact is that the ***** ans have been as much of a handful as a 1-6 team can be. Four of their six losses were one-possession games (Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Browns) with an average margin of defeat in those contests of 4.5 points. Their lone win came against the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts.
If could be exactly the kind of game where the Bengals get stuck in a nail-biter, especially considering Cincinnati is still yet to play a complete game in which the team impressed in every phase.

#side #looks

If you're doing a side by side comparison of the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee **** ans, it'd be easy to **** ume the Nov. 1 meeting at Paycor Stadium would be a one-sided contest just based on their records.
Cincinnati looks like an ascending, 4-2 team while the **** ans are 1-6, and made a trade Oct. 29 that looks intended to jumpstart a rebuild effort.
Jason Williams Ring of Honor Trumpy How Bengals compare to Chiefs, Steelers in honoring legends | Williams
The fact is that the **** ans have been as much of a handful as a 1-6 team can be. Four of their six losses were one-possession games (Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Browns) with an average margin of defeat in those contests of 4.5 points. Their lone win came against the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts.
If could be exactly the kind of game where the Bengals get stuck in a nail-biter, especially considering Cincinnati is still yet to play a complete game in which the team impressed in every phase.

#bengals #Titans #team #looks

From time to time, it can feel like a lot of our most beloved celebrities and historical figures are dying at the same time. It has happened so often that now people expect famous people to die in threes, even when there's no reason for that.
And while all deaths are equally sad, it's true that some of them get way more media coverage and reactions, especially in the modern internet era. Looking through history, you might notice that some figures didn't get the homages they deserved only because another, more relevant figure happened to die on the same day.
So, here are some historical deaths overshadowed by other, more important deaths.
Wikimedia Commons - eBay
The Magnificent Seven and OG Westworld star died on the same day as legendary actor Orson Welles.

#same #happened