Ramos homer provides Giants' lone offense in loss to Twins
Athletics' bats go silent vs. Webb in 9-1 loss to Giants
Analysts Chris Townsend and Shooty Babitt discuss how the Athletics were not able to overcome a career night from Wilmer Flores and a dominant Logan Webb in the A's 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Friday night at Oracle Park.Athletics' bats go silent vs. Webb in 9-1 loss to Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Quarterback to the future: Why Jaxson Dart remains undeniable part of NY Giants' present
EAST RUTHERFORD - This was the first conversation between Brian Daboll and Jaxson Dart as head coach and quarterback of the New York Giants, and there was no denying the connection made in the three months since their initial meeting in Mobile, Alabama. Moments after Dart was officially selected with the 25th overall pick in the NFL Draft, as he stepped away from his celebration with friends and family, the pomp and circumstance quieted down enough for this reality to set in. Advertisement 'I'm banking on you,' Daboll told Dart, in the midst of a congratulatory phone call from the Giants. 'You got me?' To which the rookie quarterback replied: 'Smart man.' Any validation of that sentiment with respect to Dart will depend on his ability to back up those words, of course. Because the Giants were in desperate need of a reboot at quarterback this season, there's no debate about that, and the arrivals of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston certainly represented a personality implant of epic proportions. How that'll play on the field remains to be seen as the Giants move into the second half of their spring workouts with all eyes on the quarterbacks. Wilson is the starter with Winston and Tommy DeVito also having started games in this league, and as Winston said back in March: "This team is looking for a complete paradigm shift." Advertisement That will only prove successful – both in the short and long term – if the Giants get this quarterback puzzle right, on and off the field. And make no mistake: Dart represents the future, that's undeniable. How quickly he can emerge as a legitimate option for this team as presently constituted will set a tone for this season and beyond. No matter how well Wilson plays, regardless of what Winston and DeVito do, it'll take a massive upset for any of the three to stand in Dart's way once he's ready, whenever that may be. And Daboll knows this, which is why the dance between the development and eventual deployment of a 21-year-old quarterback is a delicate one. Advertisement Dart might not play a down for the Giants this season. There's also a chance he starts much sooner than anticipated. Embrace this as Big Blue reality, which remains a mystery because of what we know and what we don't. Daboll and Dart hit it off essentially from jump, and that rapport became more obvious once Dart represented himself extremely well during his '30' visit to New Jersey just three days after the Scouting Combine. Daboll liked his moxie, his intelligence and his swagger; Dart sensed something special from a coach who talks and teaches the game to quarterbacks like he plays it. In the weeks that followed, Daboll wound up texting with Dart a lot. His engagement with the player the Giants would select as their franchise quarterback came relatively easy during the pre-draft evaluation process. Advertisement Because of those interactions, the Ole Miss star was gaining confidence in just how much Daboll respected his game, loved his intangibles. Everything seemed to mesh with his personality and a plan for how he could reach new heights in the NFL with the Giants. So Dart started to let himself believe in what became reality: he was going to be a Giant. But the truth is: he did not know for certain, and neither did Daboll. And then the guy Dart wanted as his next head coach essentially ghosted him. The communication just stopped, and there was really no explanation. Just part of the dance, Dart tried to convince himself, and he was eventually proven correct. Advertisement Dart fought the temptation to envision himself as a Giant, just as Daboll resisted the hope to start working with him as his quarterback because of the fickle nature of the draft. All that ended on the draft night phone call when Daboll and Dart embraced the challenge they now share. May 10, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws a pass during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images A year ago, the Giants seemingly accepted their fate at quarterback. They tried to trade up in the NFL Draft for Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye - as much as they could with teams that had no desire to move - but to no avail. They wanted Tyrod Taylor back in free agency, but instead got Drew Lock. They did not entirely believe in Daniel Jones, yet because of the money they had already invested in him, their Hail Mary of a choice involved giving Jones one final chance to bounce back. He did not, was benched and then released at his request in early November. Advertisement Hope is not a plan, as team brass learned the hard way last season. The Giants used three different quarterbacks in Daboll's second season and four last season en route to a three-win campaign. "They went from milquetoast to Fireball [whiskey],' which is how one league source described the personality makeover of the Giants' quarterback room, and that was before Dart became the centerpiece. Dart has signed his fully guaranteed, four-year, $17 million contract, including a signing bonus of $9 million and a fifth-year option, two individuals with knowledge of the financial details told and The Record. Advertisement Wilson is on a one-year deal worth $10.5 million with incentives. Winston is on a two-year deal worth $8 million. DeVito is on a one-year non-guaranteed deal worth $1 million. Wilson has the Super Bowl ring and the resume that's hard to ignore. He's also on his third team in three years, and at 36 years old, while he still carries himself as he once did, there are questions if his game is enough to get this team into contention against the Eagles, Commanders and Cowboys in the NFC East. Winston and DeVito are not what you would call fade-into-the-background players, given the way each connects with various corners of the locker room. Head coach Brian Daboll and Russell Wilson, quarterback with the NY Giants, are shown during practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center, East Rutherford, NJ, May 28, 2025. Sure, the defense is what should give the Giants their identity in 2025 with the addition of prized rookie Abdul Carter to a front led by Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Advertisement The timeframe is uncertain, given the complicated schedule by which Daboll and the coaches must operate. If this were only about the maturation of Dart, that'd be challenging enough. Now consider that will be happening at the same time Daboll and his staff must dedicate time and effort to the entire team, especially on the heels of a three-win season with the urgency to be ready to compete. So we'll chart plays during passing drills, highlighting what Dart does in an attempt to assess how far he has come. "As a competitor, you see yourself as the best any time you step on the field," Dart said. "I think if you don't see it that way, especially as a quarterback, the team is not going to believe in you at the highest level." Advertisement This is where he believes he was meant to be, the pressure of being the next QB of the Giants and everything that comes with that expectation is part of the job. "What we're looking for from him is to grow each and every day with a positive mindset," Daboll said. "I think he has the tools physically and mentally to do that." Eat Rutherford, NJ -- May 9, 2025 -- Quarterback, Jaxson Dart and head coach Brian Daboll talk during warm up drills at Giants Rookie Minicamp. One day in the future, the Giants will expect Dart to be their starting quarterback, the face of the franchise and the player to whom an entire locker room looks when the chips are down. That day is not today or next week. Whether we're any closer to that in two months when training camp begins, at some point in the regular season or not until 2026, it's really up to Dart and how he handles everything that'll be thrown his way. Advertisement 'You're where you're supposed to be,' Daboll told Dart in that draft night conversation. And now that Jaxson Dart is here, his presence is going to be impossible to anyone - Daboll included - to ignore. This article originally appeared on Jaxson Dart: Why Giants QB of future is undeniable part of the present
Forbes
18 minutes ago
- Forbes
Designing Sports Facilities That Support Athletes Holistically
As the Managing Partner of ZGF Architects, Sharron van der Meulen manages a firm of 750 people across seven offices in the U.S. and Canada. Professional and collegiate sports leagues and teams operate at the crossroads of business, entertainment and elite athleticism, putting players in a unique pressure-filled spotlight. Research indicates that as many as 35% of elite athletes report a mental health disorder. However, in recent years, numerous high-profile athletes have come forward to express their need to pause and prioritize their well-being—something that's helping destigmatize the mental health challenges many athletes face. This spotlight has encouraged some teams, leagues and universities to pay attention to the role they play and decipher whether they're doing all they can to support their athletes. Our firm ZGF Architects has designed a variety of sports facilities, so we've encountered many organizations that are ready and willing to look beyond the game day experience. They're recognizing that it is more crucial to support athletes holistically and consider their everyday needs because this can have a greater impact on long-term team performance. But how can the places where athletes train and compete make a difference in individuals' health and well-being—and ultimately in team stability? These are some of the strategies we've seen have an impact, and I encourage sports organizations and developers renovating, expanding or building new facilities to keep them in mind. To reach elite levels of competition, many players have been specializing in a single sport for most of their lives. Years of repetitive motion can increase athletes' risk of injury. This underscores the need for top-tier health and fitness equipment and spaces for personalized training and recovery. It also points to the opportunity to consider each athlete more holistically in order to address the connection between mental and physical health and reduce the pressure of high performance. In addition to spaces for stretching, massage, yoga and aquatics, at ZGF, we've been seeing greater demand for quiet zones for counseling, rest and meditation. Additional amenities becoming more common include full-service dining facilities with in-house chefs and nutritionists. And increasingly, dental and optical services are being included in order to offer athletes stress-free access to comprehensive care. Spaces dedicated to female athletes must address women's unique and complex health needs, including dietary requirements, strength training and ongoing education for our ever-changing bodies. Going beyond the standards, this translates to spaces that are comfortable and private and that acknowledge support and understanding. Throughout all of these spaces, design details should reflect soothing, elevated environments, with low-contrast material palettes and warm textures. I recommend putting a greater emphasis on access to nature through outdoor connections, biophilic design and natural light—including within practice courts and other indoor fitness facilities. Not only can this contribute to stress reduction, but natural light can also help athletes overcome the fatigue associated with frequent travel across time zones. Frequent travel can be a major stressor for elite athletes, which reinforces the need for training and performance centers to convey a sense of home. In many cases, we're designing for young adults who are apart from their families for the first time. As sources of connection and belonging, these facilities become their safe spaces. Design details should feature comfortable furnishings with spaces that are residential in feel and incorporate local, natural materials. A professional team's training center that we worked on in Texas, for example, features a mix of mass timber and local limestone that fits within the context of the location, while another complex in the Pacific Northwest takes inspiration from the surrounding mountains and forests. Playful and inviting lounges encourage athletes to unwind. Indoor-outdoor connections also encourage restorative breaks and connection to outdoor spaces. In many facilities, outdoor spaces offer chances for athletes to connect with the broader community, further expressing the support and enthusiasm that surrounds them. But, with athletes' health and well-being in mind, privacy and security are paramount. This means providing private parking areas, separate entrances and other accommodations that help shield athletes from their celebrity status and reinforce that their safety and well-being are taken seriously. In many sports, performance is said to peak for elite athletes in their mid-to-late 20s or early 30s, which can heighten the pressure to maximize this short career. This also reinforces teams' opportunity—and, to some, obligation—to play a role in protecting athletes' long-term health and in setting them up for success later in life. At both the collegiate and professional levels, we're seeing greater demand for spaces that support academic education, life skills development, post-sports career training, financial planning and more. This is especially pronounced at universities, where student-athletes not only face intense pressure to stay healthy and fit for their sport but also to keep up their grades to maintain scholarships. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, one university we worked with demonstrated its support for these challenges by putting its academic center for student-athletes front and center on campus. Upstairs tutoring and studying spaces, a library and teaching labs are reserved specifically for athletes and feature abundant glass, daylight and an airy sense of openness. Downstairs, with a vibrant backdrop of graphics and art that celebrate past and present student-athletes, the first-floor cafe and community spaces are open to all, nurturing cross-campus connections. On full display, these connections ultimately lay a strong foundation for a well-supported and supportive athletic program. This also signals to others the university's dedication to the success of student-athletes after graduation. At the core of this foundation is an athletes-first approach. Yes, the game day experience matters. Creating a sports venue that engages the community and entertains fans matters. But a team's most significant investment is its players. Even for highly skilled, elite athletes, the pressure to compete at the highest level can take a toll on mental and physical health. But when facilities are designed to nurture mind, body and spirit, everyone wins. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
New York Giants coaches, players praise Russell Wilson's leadership and professionalism
New York Giants coaches, players praise Russell Wilson's leadership and professionalism One thing the New York Giants have been lacking the past few seasons is solid leadership, especially on offense. With the addition of 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason, it looks as if that role is finally being filled. Before the Giants' ninth practice of organized team activities (OTAs) on Thursday, head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Wilson's early impact. "It's been excellent. Not just on the offensive side of the ball, I'd say within the entire team, defense, special teams, he's a very good communicator," said Daboll. "He sees the game well. Obviously, he's done it at a high level. The details of which he approaches his job with, not just his footwork and his eyes and mechanics, but also the other positions, the communication with the line. It's really been good." The players in the offensive huddle and on the other side of the ball all agree -- Wilson has raised the level of professionalism both on and off the field. "Honestly, it's been pretty smooth," remarked veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton on the transition to Wilson at quarterback. "It feels like I like he's been here longer than he has and I am sure some of that attributes to his experience and he has a very clear vision of what he wants. He's a very clear communicator. So as long as your ears work, all you got to do is listen and do what he needs you to do and the rest takes care of itself." Free agent cornerback Paulson Adebo chimed in on how Wilson's patented "moonball" deep throws are keeping both the offense and the defense honest, but it is his positive influence that is seeping into the culture. "He has a great presence about him, as far as knowing what to say and when to say it. Timing is, is really good about him and then his professionalism, first one on the field. Really just a guy that you could definitely look at and know that he's done it and someone to look at and take notes from," Adebo said. Wilson is heavy into team building, taking the team out for a meal recently. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was asked how Wilson has added more energy to the building. "Every time he walks into the meeting room, he greets everybody. It starts with that. You know what I'm saying? That is the main thing that I see. Russ, he's very intentional in what he does, he speaks to everybody. Again, no matter if you're the starter or you're number three, whatever it is, he treats you like you're the starting person," Tracy said. "But he also gives confidence in you. He speaks life to you. He comes in the huddle, lets us know, 'Hey man, we've got this. Let's go.' He's a great, phenomenal leader. He's very vocal and he lets us know that there are going to be mess-ups, but that's what practice is for and we move on to the next play. He's a true professional.' Wilson has wasted little time building a rapport with his teammates on and off the field, but we'll soon find out whether or not that translates to winning.
