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Panthers rookie K Ryan Fitzgerald has rough performance at Fan Fest scrimmage

Panthers rookie K Ryan Fitzgerald has rough performance at Fan Fest scrimmage

Yahoo17 hours ago
The Carolina Panthers' kicking battle isn't exactly booming at the moment.
Friday night's Fan Fest, held in front of a buzzing Bank of America Stadium crowd, featured the team's first big scrimmage of training camp. The kicking duties for the session belonged to undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald, who got the nod over veteran Matthew Wright.
But unfortunately for the 24-year-old youngster, this practice wouldn't be one to remember, at least fondly.
Head coach Dave Canales was asked about Fitzgerald's performance afterwards.
"Yeah, he missed a couple," Canales told reporters. "So we're just learning about the guys that we have."
Fitzgerald successfully converted on just one of his three field goal attempts on the evening. His misses, per Joe Person of The Athletic, came from 48 yards and around 40 yards.
Canales was then asked if it was nice to see Fitzgerald work on the regular field goal posts instead of the skinny posts, which have been used in the practices prior.
"Yeah, it was good to see him with the whole environment," he replied. "And even right there, that situation was down three [points], to tie it up, to go to overtime. So a little extra added pressure."
Fitzgerald kicked at Florida State University for five seasons. He missed on only two of his 34 field goal tries over the past two years.
He's been in competition with Wright—a 29-year-old journeyman who has picked up stops with nine different teams since 2019.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers training camp: K Ryan Fitzgerald has rough outing at Fan Fest
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Commanders-Patriots observations: Skirmishes, Bon Jovi and Washington's glaring problem
Commanders-Patriots observations: Skirmishes, Bon Jovi and Washington's glaring problem

New York Times

time2 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Commanders-Patriots observations: Skirmishes, Bon Jovi and Washington's glaring problem

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Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for Aug. 7 #318
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for Aug. 7 #318

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Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for Aug. 7 #318

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Browns excited to see Shedeur Sanders get in-game action in preseason opener
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New York Times

time5 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Browns excited to see Shedeur Sanders get in-game action in preseason opener

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Some players are competing for roles, and some who have special teams duties will play, but the bulk of the reps will go to Cleveland's backups and young players. Stefanski had planned to play his starters in this practice but not in the first preseason game, and he also planned to carry the quarterback competition through this week and next week's joint practices in Philadelphia. That was evident more than 30 minutes before any competitive part began on Wednesday. Pickett, who hasn't been a full participant in any of the last seven sessions, was with the No. 1 offense in a pre-practice walk-through. Pickett should be back to full speed and participation by next week's joint practices with the Eagles. Realistically, it's always been Flacco versus Pickett this summer for the September starting job, with the rookies trying to earn roster spots and show long-term upside. blink and you'll miss him 💨 — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 6, 2025 Pickett also took the first 7-on-7 reps for the Browns on Wednesday. He ended up making eight throws in 7-on-7 sessions. Gabriel made the most with nine. Flacco made the play of the day in 11-on-11 work when he hit Jerry Jeudy on a deep crossing route for a gain of at least 30. It might have been a 60-yard touchdown in a truly live setting. Sanders didn't have a completion of more than 5 yards against the Panthers' defense. He hit undrafted rookie Luke Floriea twice in 7-on-7s, had an on-target throw dropped by tight end Brenden Bates in his first team session and later had a slant route for Kaden Davis broken up. Sanders was in kindergarten when Flacco made his NFL debut in 2008. Flacco has consistently said he's enjoyed the conversation in the Browns' quarterback room and believes Sanders will have the full support of his position mates Friday night. 'I think we'll all be sitting there watching and be excited for football to be going real time,' Flacco said. 'And I think Shedeur is probably excited about that, too. In your first time to go (play) in the NFL, I remember mine. I didn't get to play until the last two minutes of the game. But it's something that he'll remember forever. Advertisement 'You know, most of us have dreamt about this moment since we were 5, 6, 7, 8 years old. So, for him to get a chance to go out there and actually take the field, even though it's preseason, we're all going to be on the sideline enjoying it.' 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Stefanski said Sanders' arm soreness is not a concern and that the Browns expect the rookie to handle his most extended action of the summer well on Friday night. 'Shedeur has gotten reps with different centers and has gotten reps with different (receivers) during practice,' Stefanski said. 'So I feel real confident that the guys will have a good feel for who's playing next to them. There may be some (combinations) that are a little bit different, but I think the guys have worked very hard to just be on the same page. 'Shedeur is excited. He knew he was going to play a good bit in these preseason games, so the competitor in him is very excited.' (Photo courtesy: Cleveland Browns) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle

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