Josiah Trotter didn't waste any time introducing himself to the pros.
In his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the former Missouri football middle linebacker recorded a sack and a pick six. He intercepted Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
According to Greg Auman at FOXSports, Trotter is the first player in NFL history with a sack and pick six in their NFL debut.
Tampa Bay's communications department later added that Trotter is the first player to record a sack, an interception and five or more tackles in their debut since four-time All-Pro TJ Watt in 2017.
The Bucs lost 33-27 to the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati. Trotter led Tampa Bay's defense with 11 total tackles.

#player

The Cincinnati Bengals walked away from Week 1 with a 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but quarterback Joe Burrow knows the exact play he wants back.
Burrow threw a third-quarter interception that rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter returned for a touchdown, cutting Cincinnati's lead to seven.
After the game, Burrow took responsibility for the mistake.
"If I didn't have that interception, I'm feeling great walking out of here," Burrow said, via CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia. "You can't make plays like that, so I got to get that fixed."
Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and the interception in the victory.

#cincinnati

Former Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden picked Cincinnati to beat Tampa Bay in Week 1, prompting brother Jon Gruden to accuse him of bias.
During a segment posted by Jon Gruden on X, the brothers went back and forth over Sunday's matchup.
Jon highlighted several of Tampa Bay's young defenders, including Josiah Trotter, Keionte Scott and Rueben Bain Jr., before Jay identified a weakness he believes Cincinnati can exploit.
"You got no corners. I'm taking the Bengals," Jay said.
It's Week 1 and we already have a little bias from my brother... give me Tampa to beat the Bengals!!

Presented by chevytrucks #Ad #Chevy #Silverado pic.twitter.com/MVsRsspHC3

#bengals #gruden #tampa

The Philadelphia Eagles are less than ten days away from opening up the 2026 regular season, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the defense far ahead of a revamped offensive unit. Vic Fangio's defense is among the NFL's best, and his personnel will change with the situation, making a traditional 11-player depth chart less useful than identifying his primary packages.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo should anchor the defensive line, with Ty Robinson and Byron Young rotating heavily enough to receive meaningful snaps. Carter will remain the interior pass-rush centerpiece, while Davis' conditioning should allow him to handle another substantial workload.
Nolan Smith is projected to start on one edge. Jonathan Greenard was acquired to start opposite him, but his uncertain Week 1 availability could push Jalyx Hunt into the opening lineup. Epenesa and Ebiketie provide experienced rotational depth. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell give the Eagles two linebackers capable of rushing, covering, and defending the run. Trotter should remain involved, particularly in packages that allow Campbell to move toward the line of scrimmage.
Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell project as the outside cornerbacks, with Cooper DeJean operating from the slot. DeJean's versatility also allows Fangio to move him to safety and insert Carter into the nickel role. Mukuba and Epps are the projected starting safeties, but Philadelphia's actual secondary could contain six defensive backs on obvious passing downs.
The depth gives Fangio several options. The primary Week 1 question is whether Philadelphia can generate enough edge pressure if Greenard is unavailable.

#fangio

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their initial 53-man roster in place.
After trimming the roster throughout the week, Tampa Bay finalized its first regular-season group ahead of Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs kept two quarterbacks, six wide receivers and 10 offensive linemen on offense, while the defense features a young group that includes first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Benjamin Morrison.
Here is the Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster, broken down by position:
Jalon Daniels
Baker Mayfield

#roster #initial #first

Josiah Trotter finished the preseason with an 80.5 defensive grade, the fourth highest among rookie linebackers who played at least 20 snaps. Only Ohio State's Arvell Reese, LSU's Harold Perkins Jr. and Texas Tech's Jack Kelly finished ahead of him.
Against the Jets, Trotter played just 15 defensive snaps but earned an 82.4 PFF grade. He finished with three total tackles without being charged with a missed tackle and earned a 78.1 run defense grade. Trotter attacked downhill, forced runners to change direction, and held up when asked to cover tight ends and running backs. There wasn't much concern about Trotter's ability against the run coming out of Missouri, as he earned an 89.3 run defense grade during his final college season and built his reputation around his instincts and willingness to attack gaps. Coverage was the bigger question after he posted grades below 50 in that area during each of his final two college seasons, but those concerns haven't prevented the Bucs from giving him opportunities.
Trotter started alongside Alex Anzalone when Tampa Bay played its first team defense against Kansas City, another indication that the competition with SirVocea Dennis for a starting role has been legitimate. The rookie has also talked about how quickly the game has started to slow down for him as he's gotten more comfortable in Todd Bowles' defense. Trotter has looked capable of handling more than just early down run defense, which could make it easier for Bowles to declare him a starter come regular season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Josiah Trotter quietly puts together impressive preseason

#played

By Guilherme Guarche, from the Memory Center
On August 26, 1935, a Monday, José Manuel Ramos Delgado, the unforgettable center back Ramos Delgado, was born in the city of Quilmes, Argentina. His father, Faustino, a Cape Verdean, gave him the surname Ramos, and Delgado he inherited from his mother Maura, who was born in Sicily, Italy.
In 1956, at the age of 20, he began his career at Lanús, a team that in the following two years achieved excellent results, to the point of being called Los Globetrotters and coming close to winning the Argentine ***** le.
His solid, composed performances put him on the list of call-ups for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and caught the attention of River Plate, which signed him in 1959. For the Buenos Aires club he did not win any ***** les, but he became a great idol of the fans because of his talent for dispossessing opposing players without violence, and his class when playing out from the back was applauded by his Argentine admirers.
Ramos Delgado was captain of the Argentine National Team for many years, and when he arrived at Vila Belmiro he was already an experienced player. At the age of 32, he came with the mission of replacing the star Orlando Peçanha and the legendary Mauro Ramos de Oliveira.

#center #years #guarche

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers left their first joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars knowing their effort wasn't good enough. Tuesday's practice was one of Tampa Bay's roughest sessions of the summer. The offense struggled to consistently move the ball, Jacksonville controlled stretches on both sides and, perhaps most concerning, the Buccaneers lacked the energy and physicality they had shown throughout camp.
Baker Mayfield admitted afterward that Jacksonville was the more physical team, while Josiah Trotter Jr. acknowledged that Tampa Bay's energy and body language weren't up to the standard the defense expects. Chris Godwin Jr was similarly critical, saying the Bucs have to create their own energy when playing on the road and respond better when things start going wrong. The second practice was lighter and conducted without full pads, with most of the competitive work coming during seven on seven periods before the teams separated for walkthroughs. Still, Tampa Bay played with noticeably more tempo and made the most of the opportunities it had against Jacksonville, and the defense provided the biggest response.
Trotter intercepted Trevor Lawrence in the red zone after recognizing a wheel route, and undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes followed with another interception. Benjamin Morrison and Keionte Scott also recorded pass breakups as Tampa Bay's young secondary consistently challenged Jacksonville's passing game. The offense looked sharper as well. Mayfield connected with Tez Johnson, Kenny Gainwell and Ted Hurst III for touchdowns during red zone work. Hurst continued his impressive week by beating Travis Hunter for another score after having success against him during Tuesday's practice. Todd Bowles still wasn't completely satisfied. He called the offense rusty over the two days and noted that the defense had mental mistakes that need to be corrected. But he also felt the Bucs got the mental work they needed from the trip. Tampa Bay was challenged after looking flat and getting outplayed Tuesday. Rather than carrying that performance into the final day of camp, the Bucs returned with better energy and execution.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers respond with bounce back day against Jaguars

#buccaneers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Eagles lost 24-21 to the New England Patriots on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, but it was not a bad night.
Many of their players stood out positively. So for this edition of winners and losers, we have seven winners and two losers.
Let's begin ...
Trotter is in a tough situation for his own development. He is a starting-caliber linebacker stuck in one of the NFL's deepest units, with little chance of earning meaningful playing time. Unless injuries occur or Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio decides to play three linebackers at a higher rate, he won't play for most of the year.
Trotter may not get the opportunity, but he deserves more playing time. He proved as much against the Patriots, shooting through the A-gap in the first quarter to sack quarterback Tommy DeVito.

#Eagles #trotter #night

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vita Vea remain at an impasse over a new contract, but there may be reason to be optimistic that the situation won't ultimately end with the Pro Bowl defensive tackle being traded. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo provided an update Wednesday that should catch Buccaneers fans' attention. According to Garafolo, communication between Vea's representatives and Tampa Bay remains open, even though the two sides are far from an agreement.
Vea requested a trade after the Buccaneers and his representatives failed to agree on a contract extension. The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal, which is scheduled to pay him roughly $18 million in 2026. However, the fact that the lines of communication remain open suggests Tampa Bay isn't simply preparing to move on from one of the most important players on its defense.
Garafolo also highlighted why Vea believes he deserves more money. Over the past two seasons, Vea has recorded 101 quarterback pressures and 11.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Those numbers compare favorably with other highly paid interior defensive linemen, including Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Carter and Dexter Lawrence. Vea responded to Garafolo's post with a simple shrugging emoji, as if to say the numbers speak for themselves.
For the Buccaneers, keeping Vea would be a major boost to a defense that has already changed significantly. Tampa Bay is counting on young players such as Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter Jr. to contribute immediately, making Vea's veteran presence and ability to command attention even more valuable. The trade request doesn't necessarily mean a trade is inevitable.
As long as Tampa Bay and Vea's representatives keep talking, a path to common ground remains. The Buccaneers could potentially restructure or extend his contract while keeping one of their most important defensive players in Tampa.

#tampa #representatives #trade #remain

The Philadelphia Eagles knew they had something to work with when they drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr. If nepotism alone worked out in their favor, he'd be pretty special. They also knew his path to a prominent role wouldn't necessarily be immediate. That seems prophetic now, but patience is being rewarded.
Trotter has spent training camp consistently finding his way around the football, making plays as a run defender and blitzer while showing the instincts that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of the Clemson Tigers program. With first-round pick Jihaad Campbell alongside established starter Zack Baun, Trotter has another hurdle to clear before becoming a full-time contributor. Still, so far, he has made that decision a lot harder to stand on.
Camp has provided plenty of evidence that Trotter is ready for more responsibility. He has shown up repeatedly in run-defense periods. He has found creases as a blitzer, and he has played with the kind of downhill aggression the Eagles want from their linebackers. That production carried into Philadelphia's preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. One can argue that Trotter was the best player that the Eagles put on the field.
He was especially active early, recording five tackles before halftime and delivering a delayed blitz that resulted in a sack of Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley. He didn't play the entire game, but he didn't need to. The Eagles got another valuable glimpse of what he can offer when given meaningful opportunities. What's becoming increasingly interesting is the company around him. Campbell received two early series alongside Trotter and continues to show why Philadelphia invested heavily in him.
Baun remains the veteran leader of this corps and one of the defense's most dependable players. Still, rather than allowing that depth to bury Trotter, the competition appears to be bringing out his best football. That's exactly what the Eagles should want. Trotter doesn't need to become a starter overnight to have value. A defense playing deep into the postseason needs linebackers who can step onto the field without creating a noticeable drop-off.

#Eagles #still #around

The Oklahoma Sooners made some key transfer portal additions this past winter, with many of them coming on offense. Once it was confirmed that quarterback John Mateer was going to be back in the saddle to run the show in Norman, the focus for OU turned to surrounding him with talent offensively.
One of those crucial portal additions was former Texas wide receiver Parker Livingstone, who was a breakout player in Austin last year. Now, he crosses the Red RIver to the other side of the iconic rivalry, where he'll hope to help jump-start the Sooner offense.
According to ESPN's list of each top 25 team's x-factor for this upcoming season, Livingstone is the player for the Sooners that can heavily impact where Oklahoma ends up. The redshirt-sophomore should be slated into one of the outside receiver spots, likely the X-WR role that was held down by the combination of Keontez Lewis and Javonnie Gibson last season, and OU needs him to be an improvement piece there this fall.
"In the history of the Red River Rivalry, rarely ever has a player left the Longhorns for the Sooners. But former Texas receiver Livingstone -- quarterback Arch Manning's roommate last year -- could become a difference-maker for his new quarterback, John Mateer. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Livingstone, who had six touchdown catches as a redshirt freshman last year, should give Oklahoma a physical weapon on the outside alongside returning go-to pass-catcher Isaiah Sategna III and Virginia transfer Trell Harris, who was a third-team All-ACC selection last year." - Jake Trotter, ESPN.
With the speedy Sategna once again manning the H-WR role in the slot and Harris occupying the deep threat Z-WR role that Deion Burks held last year, Livingstone can use his size and physicality to offer OU something it didn't really have last year: a jump ball threat on the outside. Combine that trio with the likes of Jer'Michael Carter, Mackenzie Alleyne, Jacob Jordan, Ivan Carreon, and some promising youngsters, and the Sooners have a chance to be an improved WR group this year.

#year #livingstone #oklahoma #player

Ohio State is known for its long list of standout wide receivers, and this year's roster will have no shortage of talent. But there's a name that may not be at the top of the list of potential x-factors that could raise the Buckeyes' ceiling even more. According to ESPN, Ohio State freshman wide receiver Chris Henry is labeled as the key x-factor for the Buckeyes' success in 2026.
"Can Henry make an impact as a true freshman, alongside All-American Jeremiah Smith and veteran Brandon Inniss? At 6-foot-5, Henry has the tools to become a dangerous downfield and red zone weapon for quarterback Julian Sayin," ESPN's Jake Trotter wrote. "Defenses will be loading up to slow Smith, which figures to give Henry plenty of favorable opportunities to show he can be Ohio State's next great wide receiver."
Henry was a consensus five-star prospect in the 2026 class and enters his true freshman season as a pivotal part of the offense for Ohio State. While Smith and Innis will be one of the top 1-2 combos at wideout across the entire country, adding the skill and size that Henry brings to the field would be another addition to an already explosive offense.
Ohio State has always had two stars on the outside, but what has made its offense so dependable and effective year after year is the ability to have 3-4 wideouts consistently on the field and producing. Whether it was Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Innis and Carnell Tate or the years of Marvin Harrison Jr, Julian Fleming, Egbuka or the dating back to the early 2020's of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba -- the talent level at wideout has made it nearly impossible for opposing defenses to slow down Ohio State's offense.
With the 2026 season right around the corner, though there's still a competition and other veterans in the room, Henry appears to be the guy that Ohio State is looking at to step up and be impactful from day one.

#freshman

The countdown until the 2026-27 college basketball season continues to roll on. As it stands now, we are just under 100 days until tipoff for the new campaign.
UNC is entering the first year of the Michael Malone era as he replaces Hubert Davis. Now, Malone has the task of turning this program around and getting it to where it needs to be. Malone and his staff have built the roster using returning players, the 2026 recruiting class, and a good transfer portal class.
UNC's backcourt should be strong, but there are some concerns regarding their height. The Tar Heels were able to add some frontcourt players, but it likely won't be a strength for them. CBS Sports **** yst Isaac Trotter wrote on the Tar Heels, and he has some concerns about their post depth:
I'm getting nervous about UNC's big man situation. 7-footer Sayon Keita is still not on campus as he wades through all the eligibility red tape. I'm in on Matt Able and freshman Maximo Adams, but UNC could have some hairy moments with this frontcourt. I think UNC is more of a top-30ish team than a top-15 unit nationally.
Trotter wrote that in the section of "teams he will be lower on than the consensus," and he mentions that he will have them as a top 30 team. Keita should be on campus soon as **** ysts have said they are not worried about his absence so far.

#heels #getting

No Championship head coach will have his side where they want them to be at this stage of pre-season, according to Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher.
The Trotters are preparing for their return to the Championship after beating Stockport County in the League One play-off final in May.
They beat Oldham Athletic 3-1 in their second pre-season friendly on Wednesday night having returned from a training camp in Slovakia last week.
"I don't think there's any team or manager standing here now saying they're exactly where they want to be," Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester.
"We're still a long way physically from where we need to get to, tactically we still need to work on a few things. Defensively we've looked solid enough, really well organised and the attitude to defend has been really good."

#really #bolton

Two English Championship sides are said to be interested in signing Celtic striker Johnny Kenny, according to serval outlets.
Midseason Friendly, Tolka Park, Dublin 7 7 2026 Shelbourne vs Celtic Johnny Kenny and Liam Scales of Celtic Johnny Kenny and Liam Scales. Photo IMAGO
The 23 year old Irish International, despite impressing in flashes, has had limited opportunities in a Celtic shirt, and spent the second half of last season on loan at league one side Bolton Wanderers.
Johnny Kenny celebrates. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)
Kenny impressed at the trotters scoring six goals that contributed to their promotion to the championship, before suffering an injury towards the end of the season, which resulted in the striker being sent back to Glasgow for treatment.

Lionel Messi's first World Cup: Revisiting magical goal and stats from 2006 Argentina debut at age 18 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Before Lionel Messi was soccer's greatest-ever talent, he was a fresh-faced teenager attempting to find his way for two of the grandest institutions in the sports world: Barcelona and Argentina.
The World Cup's all-time leading goal-scorer first appeared in the global spectacle in 2006, turning up as a 17-year-old with dreams of dancing down the pitch in a manner similar to that of another famous Argentine foxtrotter: Diego Maradona.
With that, here's a look back at the first of Messi's six World Cups, a debut that continues to twinkle in spectators' eyes two decades later.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup bracket

The Eagles enter training camp with a defense that looks dramatically different from the one that finished last season, but the new structure may give Vic Fangio one of the most athletic and flexible groups in the NFC. Philadelphia is still built through the trenches with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, but the strength of the roster could shift toward a loaded cornerback room led by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen. The biggest questions are not about whether the Eagles have talent. They are about how quickly the new pieces settle, how the edge-rusher rotation forms, and who earns the safety and linebacker roles around the established core.
The defensive line begins with Carter, Davis, and Ojomo. Carter played through two badly injured shoulders last season and still became the Eagles' lone Pro Bowl starter, producing 33 tackles, 41 quarterback pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks in 12 games. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million deal and remains central to Philadelphia's run defense, while Ojomo enters the final year of his contract after seeing his snap count rise and finishing second on the team in sacks. Ty Robinson and Byron Young give the Eagles young rotational options, while Gabe Hall is trying to secure a depth role.
Edge rusher is one of the most important camp battles. Jonathan Greenard arrives as the projected top-of-the-rotation pass rusher, giving Fangio a veteran presence who can work off the interior disruption created by Carter and Davis. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith remain major pieces of the plan, with Hunt coming off a season in which he led the team in sacks and interceptions, while Smith needs to turn pressure flashes into more consistent production after missing time in 2025. Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Uar Bernard, Jose Ramirez, Ta'Quon Graham, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Joshua Weru will compete for rotational snaps and roster spots after Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's retirement removed one veteran from the room.
Linebacker remains led by Zack Baun, while Jihaad Campbell's shoulder recovery will shape the rest of the depth chart. Campbell's playing time was limited when Nakobe Dean returned last season, but Dean's departure creates a clearer path once Campbell is healthy. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. enter camp looking for breakout opportunities, while Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and Chandler Martin are battling for depth and special teams roles.
Cornerback could be Philadelphia's best position group. Mitchell is already one of the league's top young outside corners, and DeJean's versatility allows Fangio to move him around the formation without weakening the secondary. Woolen's arrival on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million gives the Eagles rare size, speed, and ball production opposite Mitchell. Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett can now compete from reserve roles instead of being forced into every-week starter responsibilities, while Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams,

Paula Badosa enjoyed a big win over Coco Gauff at the Berlin Open on Wednesday.
Badosa is a fantastic tennis player when she is healthy. Her biggest issue is a chronic back injury that cost her mental and physical turmoil and extensive absences from the WTA Tour.
She also has another big issue. Badosa cannot stop talking about her ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas.
MORE: Stephen A. Smith shares profanity-laced opinion on Venus, Serena playing Wimbledon doubles
They were the darlings of tennis on and off court, and fans were cheering for them to succeed. From the outside, they were globetrotters who enjoyed seeing the world together. However, Badosa paints a different picture.

So why did quarterback Brendan Sorsby decide to enter the supplemental draft? As his agent tells it, Sorsby believed Texas Tech wanted to move on from a difficult situation.
Appearing Wednesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, agent Ron Slavin explained Sorsby's decision to waive his remaining college football eligibility by withdrawing his lawsuit and heading to the NFL.
"It just came down to too much pressure from everybody else on Tech, and Brendan still wanted to play at Tech," Slavin said. "This wasn't Brendan Sorsby not wanting to play college football. This was Brendan Sorsby just being advised by the school that, 'I think it's time for you' — you know, we had seven days left to file for the supplemental draft and didn't know where this thing was gonna go. So, we won in court. We did our job on our side, but, for whatever reason, the world melted down like college football was ruined forever."
Although Slavin eventually pegged the decision as a 50-50 split between Sorsby and Texas Tech "just to make everybody happy," it's clear from the overall interview that Slavin (and, by extension, Sorsby) believes Tech got skittish.
"When we made the decision to hire Jeffrey Kessler, you know, he's the Harlem Globetrotters," Slavin said. "You know, he doesn't lose. And the NCAA, unfortunately, is the Washington Generals. So, you know, that's kind of how we stood on it. And we still haven't — we didn't lose. That's the thing."

The Philadelphia Eagles held their first open practice after trading A.J. Brown, and it was clear the offence is still figuring things out. The focus has shifted toward DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley, with more action over the middle of the field, but early June showed just how uneven that process can look.
The changes in focus were obvious from the start. Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasised a shorter passing game, leaning heavily on routes over the middle and giving Smith an increased role outside. The team used less play-action than before, but often had Hurts taking deep drops.
While there were some positive moments in tight **** es near the end zone, consistency was lacking throughout practice, especially as passes became more frequent on later downs. Jalen Hurts discussed how he’s approaching these changes during a recent press conference:
Jalen Hurts started 7-on-7 drills with an interception, as linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. dropped into zone coverage and picked off the first throw of the session. It took some time for things to settle down from there, as Hurts adjusted to a new setup without A.J. Brown drawing defenders his way.
With Brown now in Pittsburgh and rookie Makai Lemon sidelined, Smith became the clear focal point, while Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Johnny Wilson took turns with first-team reps.