
Stoke 'in a really strong position'

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Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-ESPN host slammed for Shedeur Sanders conspiracy theory after Browns rookie dazzles in NFL debut
Fans are blasting former ESPN college football and NFL host Robert Griffin III after the successful preseason debut of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In recent days, Griffin was suggesting that a limited number of reps that Sanders indicated that the Browns were setting the rookie up for failure. 'Shedeur Sanders is being set up to fail in Cleveland,' Griffin posted on Aug. 4. 'But God's got him showing out even with limited reps.' In spite of the limited reps with the first teamers, Sanders was given the start to the Browns' first preseason game on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. He balled out. Sanders tossed two touchdowns and threw for 138 yards as the Browns defeated the Panthers 30-10. After Sanders impressed everyone on the field, Griffin shifted his tone in a post-game message: 'Many thought Shedeur Sanders would fail after being thrown to the wolves... BUT GOD saw fit that Shedeur Sanders would come back leading the pack. Faith and hard work always pay off. Perfect Timing.' NFL fans promptly noticed the change and called out the former Heisman Trophy winner. Griffin hasn't addressed any of the criticism he's faced. 'You said he was being set up to fail... so you were wrong,' one fan replied. Former ESPN star Trey Wingo even chimed in, saying, 'No Olympic swimmer has back stroked faster.' 'You're a more embarrassing analyst than you were NFL QB and that's [sic] says a lot,' another fan posted. Another wrote, 'Buddy this is lame... even for you'. Sanders strong performance drew plenty of praise - not only from coach Kevin Stefanski, but also from LeBron James, Richard Sherman, and his father - Deion Sanders. The next opportunity where Browns fans could get a glimpse of Sanders is an August 16 matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.


The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Luke Littler lights up Wollongong with Australian Darts Masters victory
World champion Luke Littler demonstrated his phenomenal teenage talent in Wollongong by winning the star-studded Australian Darts Masters. A year after being humbled in the final of the biggest invitation event to be played in Australia, the 18-year-old this time made no mistake, winning all three of his matches convincingly on Saturday night to lift yet another big title. He also crushed Damon Heta's homecoming dream as he hammered Australia's top player, the world No 10, in the quarter-finals. After defeating Heta 6-3 in the last eight and Stephen Bunting 7-4 in the semis, Littler outplayed Belgian Mike de Decker to win the final 8-4. In 2024, Littler had lost in the showdown 8-1 to former world champ Gerwyn Price, so was determined to put on a show for his Australian fans on his second visit. 'It feels very good. It's another one I can tick off,' Littler said after winning a World Series event for the first time in six attempts this year. 'I played very well tonight. I didn't play so well last night in the first round but tonight is when it really matters. 'It's not gone to plan this year in the World Series but there are plenty of opportunities to win and I've finally picked one up,' added Littler, who's been in superlative form in other events, particularly with his victories in the Premier League and recent World Matchplay. Now he's after a trans-Tasman double when he moves on to the New Zealand Darts Masters. 'A few days off and then Auckland, I can't wait,' he said of next weekend's event. The frightening thing for his opponents is that Littler prevailed at the WIN Sports and Entertainments Centre without ever quite hitting his very best form. Perth ace Heta, who had held high hopes of toppling Littler after averaging nearly 110 in his first-round match on Friday, just couldn't hit those heights again, and the teenager made him pay by reeling off three straight legs from 3-3 to move into the semis, including a 104 checkout in the penultimate game. In the semis, there was some more magic from Littler as he pulled off the biggest finish of the tournament, a maximum 170 'big fish' checkout on the way to beating Bunting. In the final, Littler was always in control once he produced two fantastic legs, one featuring a 143 checkout and the next an 11-darter. It all left De Decker sighing with a rueful smile: 'He needs to retire because it's not fun any more.'


Reuters
37 minutes ago
- Reuters
Vikings WR/PR Rondale Moore carted off field with lower body injury
August 10 - The Minnesota Vikings' Rondale Moore, attempting to return to action after missing all of last season with a knee injury, exited the team's preseason opener on Saturday with an apparent lower left leg injury during a second-quarter punt return against the Houston Texans. With Minnesota trailing 7-6, Moore returned a punt 2 yards before Houston linebacker Jamal Hill tackled him along the sideline. Moore stayed on the ground and was carted off the field. This came nearly a year to the day after Moore, then with Atlanta, was carted off the practice field after suffering a right knee injury that required surgery and forced the wideout to miss the entire season. A fifth-year pro out of Purdue, Moore looked to revive his career with Minnesota following a three-year stint with Arizona. In 39 career games (23 starts), all with the Cardinals, Moore has recorded 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings' unofficial depth chart listed Moore as a backup receiver and the starting punt returner heading into Saturday's game. --Field Level Media