Latest news with #Thornhill
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Why some think Connor McDavid is leaving Edmonton Oilers
Article content No sooner had the Edmonton Oilers fought their way to their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final than hockey columnists in New York and Toronto fired up their laptops this weekend to speculate on McDavid signing his next contract with the Rangers or the Maple Leafs. Article content Article content First came an over-the-top headline from the New York Post: 'The Connor McDavid free agency question that hangs over the Oilers' Stanley Cup run.' Article content The article was more tepid, with long-time hockey columnist Larry Brooks writing, 'The question is whether No. 97 would be more or less incentivized to leave Edmonton as a free agent next summer, and follow the Messier Route to Broadway with or without a championship. Or maybe McDavid is committed for life, will sign an extension without fuss or muss this July, and thus would become the first franchise icon to go wire to wire in Alberta.' Article content That same day Bruce Arthur of The Toronto Star dug into the ongoing fantasy of McDavid signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Article content Wrote Arthur: 'One of the great quiet hopes in Toronto was always that Edmonton would be incompetent enough — or would stay incompetent enough, after one playoff series in the first six seasons of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — that McDavid, a proud son of Thornhill, would want to come home…. That dream, of course, doesn't die. McDavid is signed through next season.' Article content Arthur continued: 'So why would he leave? If he wins in Edmonton the journey is complete, but would you leave Draisaitl for Matthews, who isn't as reliable as a co-star? Would you leave Evan Bouchard for Rielly, who isn't as productive a flawed talent at the back? The Oilers have won nine playoff series in the past four years, and are getting more depth scoring this year. The Leafs, meanwhile, are probably more than a Sam Bennett away from being killers. No, the only hope now is that after dragging Edmonton to a Cup with Draisaitl and company, McDavid decides to climb the tallest mountain: to rescue his hometown team from its self-inflicted torture and become as immortal as any hockey player has ever been. But he may already be on the road to that place, right where he is.' Article content Article content My take Article content 1. It's fair to wonder if McDavid will sign in Edmonton. Oilers fans ask themselves the same question, even as there are all kinds of signals that McDavid will stay, such as good friends and loyal teammates such as Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse signing long-term deals here, not to mention the team signing McDavid's former agent Jeff Jackson as its hockey boss. Article content 2. All that said, the constant unfounded and hallucinatory nonsense out of Toronto, the universe's capital of Ontario, about McDavid0-to-the-Leafs can be tedious. Article content 3. It started in 2015 when the Oilers won the draft lottery with McDavid the prize. At once, Toronto sports writers covered themselves in bull dung. Some of them read McDavid's pensive reaction to the lottery as him not wanting to come to Edmonton. Toronto Sun sportswriter Steve Simmons opined on TSN: 'There is a reason that he looked unhappy, it's because he was unhappy … This isn't where Connor McDavid wanted to be drafted to.'
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
‘Eccentric' hoarder threatened with jail for not clearing jungle-like garden
A 'very eccentric' hoarder has been threatened with jail for not clearing his jungle-like garden. William Glyn Cross, 80, faces a possible prison sentence if he does not allow council workers to tidy up the outside of his home in Thornhill, Cardiff. The retired teacher has attracted the ire of his neighbours because of his garden, which is so overgrown that the house cannot be seen from the road. The garden is littered with urine-filled milk bottles that Mr Cross says he uses as fertiliser. But his neighbours have accused him of creating a hotspot for vermin. Cardiff council said he had caused 'unnecessary suffering' to others on his road because of the 'state of his back garden'. The authority has now secured a criminal behaviour order that gives the authority powers to enter the property by force to clear the garden. 'This has been going on for two years, and his neighbours should not have to continue tolerating it,' said Norma Mackie, a local councillor. 'We have tried to help on numerous occasions, but even when our contractors went to clear the accumulation of waste on his behalf, he refused them access. There was no alternative but to take action against him. 'Now that the criminal behaviour order is in place, the council has powers to enter the property by force to carry out the work, if we need to do so.' Mr Cross, who read chemistry at the University of Oxford before becoming a science teacher, has previously admitted 'getting the balance wrong' in his garden since he moved there in 1988. 'I am not proud of being a hoarder. I do need help, it's become too much for me to control at my age,' he said in 2023. 'But I'd rather pay people to help. I don't want to be bossed around.' He has previously said his hoarding, which other members of his family have also struggled with, became worse after he and his wife divorced in 2012. In 2023, he was fined £250 for failing to comply with a waste enforcement notice issued by the council in 2022 that ordered him to clean up the garden. He was fined a further £100 last month for not complying with the notice.
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
North by Northwest: A bravura staging that will keep you grinning at its sheer inventiveness
Of all the films to stage, Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 thriller North by Northwest – with its set pieces featuring trains, planes, automobiles, and Mouth Rushmore – is not a screechingly obvious choice. As adapted and directed by Emma Rice, this new touring Wise Children production inevitably goes for larky, knowing stagecraft and theatrical silliness over big-budget special effects: the crop-dusting bi-plane is made of waving banners and an aerosol can, while a big wobbly pile of suitcases mount up for Rushmore. Phones appear out of pockets, labelled suitcases remind us where we are and who each character is, and there's some panto-style audience interaction to make sure we're following the twisty plot ('You're going to need to be on the ball to keep up with this story!') Rice cleverly draws out the theatricality inherent within a movie that's so much about the sustained role-playing of espionage. Our baffled hero, ad man Roger Thornhill, suffers positively Shakespearean levels of mistaken identity when he's incorrectly identified as an American secret agent – and must endlessly attempt to escape being captured or murdered by a shadowy (and here, notably Russian-accented) foreign spy gang. But Thornhill's feelings for Eve, a classic Hitchcock icy blonde who helpfully hides him on a train, soon complicate matters… If the script follows the film mostly beat-for-beat, the mood is generally more Rice-esque than Hitchcockian: a spy caper with the emphasis on capering, rather than suspense or thrills. And there are moments, such as the teetering-off-a-mountain finale, that really can't translate – not helped by Rice waiting for the denouement to crowbar in some under-developed and earnest back stories for the villains, by which time it's too late for us really to care. But mostly, this production is a heck of a lot of fun – a bravura staging that will keep you grinning at its inventiveness. A heroic cast of six play umpteen suitcase-swapping roles with wit and swagger. Soundtracked not by Bernard Herrmann's high-drama score but by a slinkier backdrop of lounge jazz, the cast shimmy, sway, and soft-shoe around Rob Howell's gorgeous set of extra-tall revolving doors. Amid gliding dance routines, the actors lip-sync to 1950s numbers – Get Happy, Orange Coloured Sky – which can animate trickier to stage sequences too. A drunk-driving car chase, or sexy seduction in a train carriage? There's a song and dance for that. (The music's volume could go up a touch, mind.) Ewan Wardrop is reliably entertaining in the Cary Grant role of Thornhill – even if it's impossible to wipe the great man entirely from one's memory while watching – while Patrycja Kujawska's Eve is more soulful than seductive in the role made famous by Eva Maria Saint. The virtuoso multi-rolling by the rest of the cast is always a blast to watch, but arguably leaves a character such as Vandamm – the James Mason villain of the film, here played by Karl Queenborough – feeling only lightly sketched. The real star of the show is the remarkable, chameleonic comic talent of one of Rice's regulars, Katy Owen. She plays the Professor, an intelligence boss here speaking like an old-guard British officer with ripe RP – and is also our narrator. The Professor helps chivvy the convoluted story of double-crossings along, as well as occasionally alluding to the post-war trauma everyone is suffering amid this 'global battle for security' – words to induce a shudder, even in this most enjoyable of evenings.
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Browns: 5 safeties to target in the 2025 NFL draft
Browns: 5 safeties to target in the 2025 NFL draft Former Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill stayed in the division after the Cleveland Browns released him; could they look to replace him in the 2025 NFL draft? Thornhill is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers' dark side. The Browns must find a way to replace him. Thornhill was the Browns' center fielder at safety. He kept the lid on vertical passing attacks. The Browns need a long-term solution at the position. They need to look toward the draft. Thornhill played through injuries during his time in Cleveland. He played in 22 of a possible 34 games. The Browns couldn't find a replacement for him on the field. The immediate backup, Rodney McLeod Jr., retired. The Browns are currently rostering three former undrafted free agents: Ronnie Hickman Jr., Trey Dean III, and Christopher Edmonds. The team didn't address the need for free agency. The team must look toward the draft to replace Thornhill. Here are five safety prospects whom the Browns should target. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame Xavier Watts has been the best ball hawk in college football over the last two years. The 5-foot-11 204 204-pound safety has led Notre Dame's defense to two successful seasons. Watts won the Bronko Nagurski trophy in 2023, leading college football with seven interceptions. He followed that up with six interceptions this season. He was a Consensus All-American and helped lead the Fighting Irish to the College Football National Championship game. Watts is a brilliant player who understands passing attacks like a quarterback does. He can quickly diagnose plays in the passing and running game. Watts is a physical run defender not afraid to get downhill, even if it leads to over-pursuing. Watts is a good, but not a great athlete, which could give teams concerns. However, a good athlete with his processing speed is more impactful than a great athlete with good processing speed. Watts is a very intelligent player, he can develop into a coach on the field. He will make a great post-safety by keeping a lid on the NFL's best passing attacks. Watts would fit in well with a Browns' defense that struggles to communicate and align properly. If the Browns want Watts to be the voice of the defense, they'll need to pick him early. Watts projects as a round two pick, who could be selected in round one. Division rival Cincinnati Bengals hired Watts' college defensive coordinator, Al Golden, to call their defense. Watts has the making of the ball-hawking AFC North safety who wins with his brain. Andrew Mukuba, Texas Andrew Mukuba is one of the most experienced defensive backs in the draft. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound safety is a defensive weapon with coverage skills to play in the slot, physicality in the run game, and the speed to patrol the back third of the field. Mukuba has been one of the best defensive backs in college football since his freshman year at Clemson. Mukuba was the first freshman defensive back to start the season opener at Clemson. He won the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year and was on the Freshman All-American list. Mukuba spent the next two seasons with the Tigers before transferring to the Longhorns. Mukuba helped lead Texas to the College Football Playoffs. Mukuba is an exciting player for teams looking for a center-field safety. He's a ball-hawking safety with five interceptions last season. His coverage skills combined with his physicality in the run game will make him a future weapon in the NFL. Pairing him with Grant Delpit would help the defense expand their coverage menu. The Browns will have to take him early, as mock drafts project him to go on day two of the NFL draft. Malachi Moore, Alabama Malachi Moore is a redshirt senior safety from the University of Alabama. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound safety started as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide. Moore is a versatile safety who is physical in the run game, with the range to cover deep. He has experience playing in the box or on top of the defense. Moore is a great athlete who plays with unmatched urgency. He flies across the field to make plays. He's a physical safety who loves to hit people. Moore's physicality comes with a price, he is a hothead. He can see red and have a lapse of judgment, either before the whistle or after it. Moore is a sticky coverage player but doesn't have a lot of experience playing post-safety. He's slow to read plays out when asked to play one high. Moore hasn't had a lot of ball production in his career, he has seven interceptions. Moore is an experienced prospect with plenty of upside. He would be a good addition to the Browns' defensive backroom. His hard-nosed play style would fit right into a group that loves to celebrate every play. He's a polarizing prospect, with many draftniks expecting him to go on day three of the NFL draft. I think the NFL will like his experience and athleticism, selecting him on day two of the draft. The Browns would walk away with a good safety if they selected Moore with pick 94. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma Billy Bowman Jr. is a four-year starter with the Oklahoma Sooners. Bowman had an impressive career, wreaking havoc in the Big 12 and SEC. Bowman has 11 career interceptions, scoring touchdowns on three of them. The 5-foot-9, 192-pound safety has been a Swiss army knife in head coach Brent Venables' complicated defense. Bowman is a center fielder. He has the range to cover the deep portion of the field. He possesses good fluidity to stick with receivers in coverage. Bowman is an intelligent player who helps disguise coverages well. Bowman's major weakness is his lack of physicality. He's a poor run defender who overpursues ball carriers. He tends to drop his head when tackling. Bowman will be a pure post-safety at the next level. He's an above-average athlete with clear size limitations. He lacks the physicality to consistently fit the run. However, he's a great pass defender with a lot of experience in different coverages. He can organize a defense pre-snap. Bowman has a clear role in the NFL despite his limitations. He would be a good fit for a Browns' defense needing a deep safety. Bowman is expected to be picked early on day three of the NFL draft. Craig Woodson, Cal Craig Woodson is an experienced college football player, spending six years in college. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound safety is a high-motor defender who quickly diagnoses plays. Woodson loves to get downhill and hit ball carriers. Woodson is a good athlete who plays his best football closer to the line of scrimmage. He is sticky in coverage with good short-area quickness. Woodson's quickness and strength help him cover receivers and tight ends. He does lack the top-end speed needed to stick with players for 20 yards at a time. Woodson is inconsistent in zone coverage. He struggles to track passes, and his eyes can linger on passing threats for too long. Woodson is one of the most overlooked safeties in the class. His age and production profile may scare teams off. However, his ceiling is still high, as well as his floor. Woodson will be an immediate special teams contributor when he enters the NFL. He could potentially develop into a starter as he better understands passing concepts and tendencies. Woodson would be a great option for the Browns late on day three of the NFL draft.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl champions join AFC contenders in free agency
Former Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl champions join AFC contenders in free agency The Kansas City Chiefs were rumored to be considering a reunion with two of their former defensive standouts in free agency. Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and safety Juan Thornhill are each going elsewhere with AFC contenders. Last Wednesday, Gay joined the Miami Dolphins, according to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Gay agreed to a one-year deal and had 28 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 15 games last season for the New Orleans Saints. The 63rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by Kansas City and spent four seasons with the Chiefs. He recorded 233 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles. According to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz, Thornhill is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After two injury-filled seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Thornhill joins a Steelers defense looking to return to the success he experienced in Kansas City. The veteran safety was the Chiefs' second-round pick in 2019. In Kansas City, Thornhill won two Super Bowl titles. He has a career record of eight interceptions, 24 passes defended, and 337 tackles in six seasons.
