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USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What are expectations for Vikings' J.J. McCarthy heading into the preseason in 2025?
What can we expect from J.J. McCarthy in his second season after he missed his entire rookie campaign? Of the six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy is the only one with nothing to build upon in 2025. He's a complete unknown, even if his head coach and supporting cast are upper-echelon. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes that because he didn't play in 2024, McCarthy's 2025 season should be treated as his rookie season. McCarthy is ranked last among the six quarterbacks in expected improvement because of his lost rookie year. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy can't improve upon his rookie season when he didn't even play thanks to an MCL tear he experienced during preseason. He has yet to establish a baseline. For all intents and purposes, McCarthy is entering his rookie campaign. The Vikings didn't skip a beat without last year's 10th overall pick in the lineup. Sam Darnold experienced a career revival during his one season in Minnesota, while the team finished with a 14-3 record. Darnold left in free agency to join the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Meanwhile, the Vikings are handing McCarthy the keys to the offense. That doesn't mean that Sobleski doesn't believe McCarthy can be a capable starter, though. He believes that his time spent with Kevin O'Connell will help. McCarthy just has to put it together with his physical abilities to become the complete quarterback Minnesota envisions. Despite not playing as a rookie, head coach Kevin O'Connell did what he could to help in the quarterback's development. "I just wanted to give him a platform with me," O'Connell told ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "Maybe it was football one day. Maybe it was no football. My time is very hard to find during the season, but I just wanted to make sure that we got together. "The one thing I learned about him in those meetings is he had great questions, and that validated that he was receiving and getting something out of that time. And as I've told him, it doesn't really guarantee you anything, but once you're fighting the fight on a daily basis of growing within the system, he would be able to rely on some of what we did together."It's now time for McCarthy to translate all of the mental reps he took as a rookie and translate them to the field. That, and a roster that should include an improved run game, have given fans hope that the Vikings can advance further in the playoffs than they did in 2024. And being viewed as a "rookie" shouldn't disqualify the Vikings from NFC Championship aspirations, as Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders that far last year.
Pink Villa
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who is Taylor Rooks' husband? A look at their private star-studded ceremony
Taylor Rooks may be a familiar face on sports broadcasts, but she's kept her personal life under wraps until this week. The Amazon NFL host and former Bleacher Report personality surprised fans by announcing she's officially married. Her husband is revealed to be Shane Fowler, a Harvard Law School graduate with zero public profile till now. The two tied the knot on July 19 in a ceremony that was as private as it was glamorous, complete with a no-phones policy and a guest list filled with athletes and entertainers. The mystery man is no longer a mystery, and fans are as curious as ever. Who is Shane Fowler? Shane Fowler is not a celebrity, but that's exactly how Rooks preferred it. The couple met while Fowler was finishing his final year at Harvard Law. According to Rooks, his steady and grounded personality helped keep their relationship out of the spotlight. 'He is truly the most supportive and secure man,' she shared in an early 2024 Way Up With Angela Yee podcast, before his identity was revealed publicly. In a post-wedding interview with GQ, she added that Fowler is 'so perfect it's hard to believe he's real.' Fowler's romantic side also came through in his proposal—a New York City scavenger hunt that ended at their favorite pizza restaurant, Fini. Inside the secret, star-studded wedding The wedding took place at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan on July 19, where Rooks walked down the aisle to Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon in the Sky.' Per GQ, guests included Kevin Durant, Micah Parsons, Draymond Green, Ella Mai, Donovan Mitchell, Saquon Barkley, and Jack Harlow. The couple shared their first dance to Lauryn Hill's 'Nothing Even Matters,' before heading to the exclusive Zero Bond club for an all-night celebration. Phones were banned, and no formal announcement was made until Rooks shared images days later on Instagram with the caption, 'What a night. This is love.' The newlyweds are currently honeymooning in Greece. Rooks will return to Thursday Night Football this autumn, while Fowler continues to keep things low-key.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets UDFA DL Payton Page projected to make roster
The New York Jets are a handful of completed practices in the books at training camp. A slew of undrafted free agents are attempting to make the 53-man roster. One of the early standouts has been former Clemson defensive lineman Payton Page. The ex Tigers standout was named Third-team All-ACC in 2024. Page started all 14 games, recording 32 tackles and was named a team captain. Page participated in the Shrine Bowl, and also leaped a 33-inch vertical at the NFL scouting combine. The Bleacher Report recently named one undrafted free agent capable of making the roster for all 32 teams. They chose Page for the Jets. "The New York Jets should be looking to add quality depth along their defensive interior," Brent Sobleski wrote. "The group is shaky beyond the combination of Quinnen Williams and Derrick Nnadi. Leonard Taylor III provides some upside after making the roster as an undrafted free agent last year. Otherwise, the options consist of journeymen who can be upgraded." "Payton Page didn't become a full-time starter along the Clemson defense until his final year on campus," Sobleski continued. "The Tigers are always loaded up front and even a highly regarded recruit of his caliber has to wait his turn. If New York's coaching staff uses him in the right way, he can plug a gap effectively and allow others to make plays." It's accurate the Jets are searching for an effective interior defensive lineman to play next to Quinnen Williams. Derrick Nnadi was signed to a team-friendly deal, and Leonard Taylor III is expected to take a developmental step forward. Nothing is guaranteed to those players, and there should be lots of competition for playing time at camp. Page is a player capable of taking advantage. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets training camp: UDFA DL Payton Page projected to make roster
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Warner Bros. Discovery Announces Post-Split Company Names, Executive Leadership Teams
Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled the corporate names and senior leadership teams for when the company separates into two separate entities, expected to be completed in mid-2026. The new publicly traded companies will be Warner Bros. (streaming and studios) and Discovery Global (comprising TV networks, Discovery+ and other assets). The 'Streaming & Studios' company, which will house Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, as well as their film and TV libraries, will be called 'Warner Bros.' According to WBD, that's in 'honoring the legacy of more than a century of industry-defining storytelling.' More from Variety Warner Bros. Discovery and Series Mania Institute Select Winner of Writers' Programme Box Office: 'Superman' Lifts Off With $56.5 Million Opening Day - Second-Biggest of 2025 Max Changed Back to HBO Max on Wednesday 'Global Networks,' which will include WBD's entertainment, sports and news TV brands worldwide including CNN, Discovery, TNT Sports in the U.S., and free-to-air channels across Europe as well as digital products such as the Discovery+ streamer and Bleacher Report (B/R), will be called Discovery Global. That name, according to WBD, was selected 'in recognition of the affinity and value this name has around the world in entertainment, news and sports.' As previously announced, Warner Bros. will be led by president and CEO David Zaslav, currently president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. The TV-centric Discovery Global will be headed by Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who will serve as president and CEO. Following the split, Zaslav's new employment agreement as CEO of Warner Bros. will 'significantly reduce his target annual compensation,' the company said last month. Wiedenfels' pay package will be upped from his existing CFO compensation 'to reflect his expanded responsibilities' as chief exec of Discovery Global. RELATED: Warner Bros. has begun searches for both the CFO and head of HR roles, while Discovery Global is looking to hire a chief communications and public affairs officer, according to Monday's announcement. 'We will proudly continue the more than century-long legacy of Warner Bros. through our commitment to bringing culture-defining stories, characters and entertainment to audiences around the world,' Zaslav said in a statement. 'Over the past several years, we have made important strides across the business, launching and investing in a profitable, global streaming service and reinvigorating our studios to return them again to an industry leading position. With our unmatched portfolio of storytelling IP coupled with our incredible creative partners, and now an executive team of proven, bold, and committed creative and corporate leaders, we are in a strong position to launch and continue to meaningfully grow a company worthy of our storied past.' Other top execs at Warner Bros. following the split are set to include: Pam Abdy, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Mike De Luca, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group JB Perrette, CEO and president of streaming and games Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO, DC Studios Peter Safran, co-Chairman and CEO, DC Studios Bruce Campbell, chief operating officer Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. TV Group Priya Aiyar, chief legal officer Robert Gibbs, chief communications and public affairs officer Lori Locke, chief accounting officer (reporting to the CFO) Avi Saxena, chief technology officer (reporting to Perrette) The Discovery Global leadership team includes: Gerhard Zeiler, president, U.S., U.K. & Germany, Discovery+ and chief content officer Fraser Woodford, CFO David Duvall, chief technology officer Amy Girdwood, chief people & culture officer Ryan Gould, president, U.S. ad sales GTM (reporting to Zeiler) Anil Jhingan, chief development officer Kasia Kieli, president and managing director, Poland, and TVN CEO Fernando Medin, president, international Scott Miller, president, distribution (reporting to Zeiler) Fulvia Nicoli, executive VP, content strategy and insights (reporting to Zeiler) Brian Rauch, chief accounting officer (reporting to Woodford) Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO, TNT Sports Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide Sue Underwald, chief legal officer Bobby Voltaggio, president, U.S. ad sales platform monetization (reporting to Zeiler) Wiedenfels commented: 'As we prepare for the launch of Discovery Global, our enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead only grows thanks to our leading portfolio of beloved brands and programming, our worldwide footprint for adults, kids, and families, and now the experienced and talented leadership team who will ensure strong operational execution to drive strategic investments and deliver compelling content to global audiences.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
Warner Bros. Discovery announces post-split company names
Warner Bros. Discovery said its post-separation companies will be named Warner Bros. and Discovery Global. Why it matters: The announcement further unwinds the 2022 merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery that created WBD in the first place. Catch up quick: WBD announced in June it plans to split into two publicly traded companies, separating most of its legacy TV assets from its streaming business. Warner Bros., which had been temporarily referred to as "Streaming & Studios," will include HBO, HBO Max, DC Studios as well as Warner Bros. television, film and gaming, plus their libraries. Discovery Global, which was temporarily named "Global Networks," will include most of its television brands like CNN and TNT Sports, free-to-air- channels in Europe and digital products like the Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report (B/R). WBD CEO David Zaslav is set to run Warner Bros. while WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels is slated to helm Discovery Global. As part of the split, expected to be completed by mid-2026, Discovery Global is poised to take on most of WBD's debt as well as a 20% stake in Warner Bros. What's next: WBD said it's begun looking for a chief financial officer and chief people and culture officer for Warner Bros, as well as a chief communications and public affairs officer for Discovery Global. The bottom line: It's hardly the first time the company has opted to return to names that already have widespread recognition.
