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Patriots show off what-if covers for EA Sports' College Football 26

Patriots show off what-if covers for EA Sports' College Football 26

USA Today6 days ago
Time for some @EASPORTSCollege football 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A0FDNBzzaB
The New England Patriots' social media team had a little fun with the release of EA Sports' College Football 26 last week.
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith made the front cover of the game this year. However, the Patriots' social media team created four what-if covers featuring Tom Brady, Christian Gonzalez, Drake Maye and Will Campbell.
Brady, who is the greatest quarterback of all time, makes sense as a cover athlete who has retired from the game of football. Meanwhile, Gonzalez, Maye and Campbell would have all been solid options as cover art players at some point.
Rob Gronkowski delivering his iconic spiked football would have been a nice touch as well.
Maye, Campbell and Gonzalez hope to follow in Brady's footsteps as cornerstone players for the Patriots.
The team hasn't won more than four games in the last two seasons, and they'll be looking to get back to playoff contention with the arrival of newly-hired head coach Mike Vrabel.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
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Who are top five Texas A&M freshmen in EA Sports College Football 26?

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Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring against Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, with a chance to make history. He can become the first boxer to win a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. It won't be easy. At all. On Saturday, July 19, these are the key challenges he'll face: Pacquiao is 46. Barrios is 30. Pacquiao is 5-foot-5½. Barrios is 6-foot. Pacquiao has not fought professionally since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. During Pacquiao's layoff, Barrios has fought five times. In his prime, Pacquiao would be a heavy favorite against Barrios. Can Pacquiao conjure up the magic he showed many years ago? The answer likely will determine the winner of this bout. 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Gonzalez wades in despite the chance of headbutts and fact he's already bleeding. He digs into the body and so does Figueroa. Gonzalez pounds Figueroa in the head. Blood flowing again but proving to be no problem for Gonzalez so far. Gonzalez 49, Figueroa 46 Figueroa gets out quickly and works the body. To this point it's been Gonzalez working Figueroa's body like a side of beef. Fighters in close quarters again. An impressive volume of punches. If they're getting paid by the punch, it's going to be a good night. Gonzalez 58, Figueroa 56 The fighters come out and again look Velcroed together. Gonzalez digging in to the body with force and Figueroa responding less forcefully. Too many blows to highlight – and to count. Gonzalez 68, Figueroa 65 Figueroa comes out working and fires uppercuts with both hands. Gonzalez pushes back, but Figueroa looks to be in good position. Gonzalez scores with a flurry. Figueroa lands a hard body shot, but Gonzalez lands a hard right to the head. 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But that minimizes other important issues. At 6-0, Barrios will be the tallest opponent the 5 ½ foot Pacquiao has ever faced. Pacquiao has not fought professionally in almost four years. Furthermore, Barrios is 30 and Pacquiao is 46. It'd be great to have the Pac-Man back for more than one fight, but don't count on it." Brookhouse writes, "We're talking about a 46-year-old man who is returning from years of being retired and who was on the downside of his career when he hung up his gloves the first time. Pacquiao looks to be in great shape, but translating that to success against a younger, bigger fighter who has been active in big fights is simply too big of an ask. Expect Pacquiao to show a few flashes early before Barrios gets rolling. Once Barrios is doing his thing, there's going to be a time when Pacquiao either gets stopped or his team will need to stop the fight for him." Pimentel writes, "I expect Pacquiao to go all out in the first six rounds of the match because this is what he did against Thurman before, scoring an early knockdown. That knockdown became crucial in the judges' scorecards, which helped him secure the split decision win. As for Barrios, he should weather the early barrage from Pacquiao and turn it up in the tail end of the fight, where Pacquiao would be more vulnerable to counter punches and power shots. Additionally, he should fully utilize his height and reach advantages to keep the challenger at bay while landing his punches and combinations." Manny Pacquiao faces moment of truth Punching as hard as ever. Showing impressive speed. In great condition. The reports out of Manny Pacquiao's training camp about the 46-year-old boxer have been glowing. But it's too early to know what that means, said Chris Algieri, the former WBO junior welterweight champion who will be co-hosting viewer chat during the fight. 'We have an old saying in boxing,'' said Algieri, who was knocked down by Pacquiao six times in a unanimous decision loss in 2014. 'They get old in the ring. You got a 46-year-old brain that hasn't taken any punches in four years. That could play a major factor.'' Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios breakdown If Manny Pacquiao proves to be as good as the reports out of his training camp suggest, former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri has identified some key factors in Pacquiao's fight against Barrios. Algieri suggests too much is being made about the height advantage the 6-0 Barrios will have over the 5-5 ½ Pacquiao. 'He liked fighting taller fighters,'' Algieri said. 'One of them was myself, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito. He dominated all three of us.'' Additionally, Algieri said, Barrios likes to exchange punches and is 'there to be hit.'' 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He went 12 rounds with Barrios in 2022 and won by unanimous decision. But the only man who knocked him down was Pacquiao, who dropped Thurman in the first round. So, of course, that's his pick to win the fight, right? Well, not quite. Read more on Keith Thurman's take on Pacquiao vs. Barrios from Josh Peter. Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios main card, ring walk start times Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios live stream, price Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, and the event will be streamed on Prime Pay-Per-View. In the U.S., fans can purchase the event for $79.99. Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Tale of the tape

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