رياضة
30663 مقال
How Chicago Bears plan to maximize rookie speedster Zavion Thomas
General manager Ryan Poles had a look about him on the second night of the NFL Draft last month as he sold Zavion Thomas, a third-round pick from LSU, as a dangerous return specialist and a speed weapon for the Chicago Bears offense.Thomas’ college video, Poles emphasized, was “fun to watch,” the kind of “Get in here!” experience that enlivens the hallways around the offices of NFL talent evaluators and coaches.First and foremost, Poles was struck by Thomas’ natural explosiveness.Advertisement
Chiefs mailbag: Is Kansas City in a 2-year rebuild?
Now that we’re past the NFL Draft and rookie minicamp, let’s fire up a Kansas City Chiefs mailbag.Here’s what’s on your mind.Do you think the Chiefs are on a two-year rebuild? They didn’t achieve all their needs in the draft because of the draft capital they traded to get to No. 6. On the surface, their needs appear to be at receiver and another offensive lineman. — George V.I’ve never bought into any offseason “rebuild” talk with the Chiefs. The biggest reason for that is quarterback Patri...
Canadiens facing real playoff adversity, and Cole Caufield is feeling it the most
BUFFALO — It is always important at the start of a playoff series to maintain a certain level of perspective.Every game is important, but Game 1 is at the lower end of the spectrum. There is a feeling out process inherent in any series, something veteran teams understand.But neither team in this series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres can be described as such. Both are emerging from rebuilds and experiencing this part of the year for the first time.Advertisement
Sabres' Jordan Greenway rewards Lindy Ruff's faith with game winner in Game 1
BUFFALO — The day before the Buffalo Sabres started their first-round series against the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff noticed Jordan Greenway was having quite the day at practice. By his count, Greenway had four or five goals in that practice. After missing a big chunk of the last two seasons recovering from a core muscle injury, Greenway was starting to look like himself.Then Ruff offered up a bit of a prediction, as he’s wont to do these days.Advertisement
Where should Ravens consider veteran additions? There are several options beyond center
The roster churn for the Baltimore Ravens began this week and will likely continue for the foreseeable future.Veteran Skylar Thompson was signed on Monday, giving the Ravens five quarterbacks on their roster. That may not remain the case for very long. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell officially signed his one-year deal, which was agreed to last week, on Wednesday. His addition leaves the Ravens’ 90-man roster at capacity.Advertisement
Cincinnati Bengals depth chart: Defensive line overhaul creates ripple effects
The Bengals signed five outside free agents, extended their left tackle, re-signed 10 of their own players, drafted seven players, added several undrafted free agents and traded for Dexter Lawrence.The depth chart shakeup was real.With the rookies officially arriving this weekend, the team is filled with intriguing storylines, impacts from the draft and battles at most positions.Advertisement
How late-blooming Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood became one of the NHL playoffs' best stories
DENVER — With the hockey world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, goaltender Scott Wedgewood began to question. His numbers with Syracuse, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s AHL affiliate, had been below his standard. Then 27 years old, he had bounced around five organizations and hadn’t found a way to stick in the NHL.Advertisement
Dalton Rushing embraces his edge, even as he keeps irritating opponents
HOUSTON — A.J. Pierzynski laughed at the comparison this week.There are easy dots to connect between Pierzynski and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing, two men who don’t have much of a relationship but now occupy a similar space as catchers who have developed something of a reputation for shenanigans.Advertisement
Bruins GM Don Sweeney identifies the next steps: Speed, skill and systems loosening
BOSTON — One of Marco Sturm’s hallmarks was The Clog. The first-year Boston Bruins coach believed that given the skill set of the 2025-26 roster, throwing road spikes into the neutral zone was a critical piece of infrastructure.Sturm was correct. According to Clear Sight Analytics, the Bruins were the third-best team in the league in expected goals against off the rush per 60 minutes of five-on-five play during the regular season.This point of emphasis came with a cost, as all things do.Advertis...
How MLS clubs in less-glamorous markets pitch global stars on signing with them
Antoine Griezmann insisted on welcoming Ricardo Moreira into his home for dinner on the Orlando City executive’s first trip to Madrid last fall.Beyond the pleasantries of hosting and spending time with his family in their comfort zone, a practical rationale dictated the venue. Griezmann is too famous. He couldn’t be seen dining with the sporting director of an MLS club as Moreira was attempting to bring the Atlético Madrid legend to America.Advertisement
Byron Buxton confident he'll improve with runners in scoring position
WASHINGTON — Byron Buxton was well aware of the stat. A day later, he even acknowledged thinking “finally” when the ball cleared the fence Tuesday for a three-run homer.But just because the Minnesota Twins star is struggling at one aspect of his job doesn’t mean he’s belaboring the point. Buxton said before Wednesday’s 15-2 loss to the Washington Nationals that he’s confident in his overall body of work and wasn’t about to let a season-opening 0-for-20 streak with runners in scoring positio...
Kaelon Black arrives at 49ers rookie camp after overcoming Scouting Combine snub
The NFL Draft analysts are finally starting to simmer down, as players are showing up at rookie camps this week to take the field for their new teams.Kaelon Black hits Santa Clara, Calif., on Thursday, and he couldn’t care less that pundits were surprised the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round. Especially since running back wasn’t considered a big need for the playoff team. As far as 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan saying that Black was the second-highest ranked RB on their draft boar...
Why the Vikings’ shocking pick of Caleb Banks in the draft is an enormous bet on themselves
His eyes followed the enormous defensive lineman. It was November 2024, and Bryan Brown, Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator, simply could not help himself.He needed to focus. The Ole Miss offense was on the field, with sleeve-wearing quarterback Jaxson Dart positioned in the shotgun. Brown’s staff expected the coach to be barking out orders for the next drive. Instead, his attention was fixed on Caleb Banks, the gigantic Florida Gators defensive tackle, who was going through his team’s offensive li...
Without Joel Embiid, 76ers fade late against Knicks in Game 2
NEW YORK — As the Philadelphia 76ers disappeared into the night Wednesday, brick by brick, they left a vapor trail of the team that had pushed the mighty New York Knicks for most of Game 2. Those Sixers, without their star, had shoved an overnight juggernaut to the brink. Those Sixers found the answers they sought to cover up the enormous questions Joel Embiid left behind when he was ruled out hours earlier. Those Sixers hummed as the Knicks trained their coverages to silence Philadelphia’s othe...
LB Harold Perkins stirred up Falcons' rivalry with Saints. Can he contribute as a rookie?
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry showed up in Houston for offseason workouts this week, he got an earful from Harold Perkins Jr.“Harold is already yelling ‘Dirty Bird’ at him,” said Jacory Nichols, who trains both players in the offseason. “You would think that he’s going on Year 2 or 3 with the Falcons, honestly.”Advertisement
Four keys to the Braves' hot start, from Matt Olson's bat to pitching depth
This weekend at Dodger Stadium, the best team in baseball will take the field, and it’s not the one that carries a $397 million payroll.That distinction belongs to the Atlanta Braves, who will arrive in Los Angeles with a 26-12 record (no worse than tied for the best in the game) and at least an eight-game lead in the NL East after Wednesday’s 3-1 loss in Seattle. During the grueling marathon of a 162-game season, the ultimate luxury is a head start.Advertisement
Ferrari left Miami with more questions than points. How can it catch Mercedes?
MIAMI GARDENS, FL. — Ferrari’s Miami Grand Prix weekend went from one filled with hope to the Italian team walking away arguing in its postrace recap that the final results don’t “reflect the true potential” of its car.It brought 11 upgrades to Miami, the most across the grid. Early signs pointed toward the team taking a step forward, though so did McLaren. The papaya crew appeared to have the edge over Ferrari and even Mercedes at times, with Lando Norris taking pole and win in the sprint race....
Normally the fastest player on the field, Trea Turner is trying to outrun time
PHILADELPHIA — Trea Turner was on the field four hours before Tuesday’s game, which meant he was chasing something. Turner does not take batting practice outside unless he has exhausted every other remedy. It is the clearest sign that Turner is agitated.He swung and swung. Some teammates joined, but no one took as many rounds as Turner did.“Today,” he said a few minutes after the session, “was a lot.”Advertisement
Maple Leafs Stanley Cup contender checklist: A draft lottery win changes everything
Earlier this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery and to say that changes things would be an understatement.The Leafs weren’t completely doomed after finishing 28th last season, but new GM John Chayka would’ve had his work cut out for him. An ageing roster, a lack of assets and a two-year timeline for their franchise player made the situation extremely tricky to navigate. The clock wasn’t just ticking; it was close to midnight. It would’ve taken every ounce of creativity to re...
Why the Knicks will avoid the Celtics' fate and not fall victim to a 76ers comeback
NEW YORK — Josh Hart, the astute and responsible pro that he is, wanted to make one thing clear after his Knicks took a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.“This team just came back from 3-1, so you can’t sit here and be happy about (where we are) or complacent,” Hart said. “There are 15 or 16 teams, ever, that have come back from 3-1, so we know what this team is capable of. We have to continue to be focused.”Advertisement