Latest news with #non-NFL
NBC Sports
26-05-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Is UFL plotting expansion to Oakland, Philly, New Jersey, and/or Tampa?
As the UFL sputters through a second season that hasn't matched the first year of the XFL-USFL merger, there's reason to think the league is thinking about the possibility of expanding. A recent item from indicates that USFL Enterprises LLC (which apparently owns the USFL half of the league) filed earlier this month trademark applications relating to the names of four original USFL teams: the Oakland Invaders, the Philadelphia Stars, the New Jersey Generals, and the Tampa Bay Bandits. We've confirmed the existence of the filings. All four were made on May 6, 2025. The Stars and Generals were part of the pre-merger USFL. They folded when the UFL emerged. The Bandits spent one season as part of the reconstituted USFL; they became the Memphis Showboats in 2023. Oakland would be a very intriguing option. Given the success of the St. Louis Battlehawks, it makes plenty of sense to put UFL teams in markets the NFL has abandoned. The article also mentions that former Buccaneers quarterback and current Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is supposedly interested in buying a UFL team. Currently, however, the league is one integrated business. Franchises have not been sold to individuals or groups. Maybe that will happen. It would seem more plausible if the UFL weren't slumping in comparison to 2024. Still, by moving teams to the right markets, it could work. The UFL is thriving in St. Louis. Oakland could do well, too. And San Diego. And there are plenty of non-NFL markets that might take to a pro football team. The biggest challenge remains the simple fact that spring football typically struggles. Even in an age of widespread legalized gambling, it's hard to get people fully invested in football when it's not football season.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sunday's Masters final round draws biggest rating for CBS since 2018, as Rory McIlroy wins in playoff
Rory McIlroy's thrilling victory in the 2025 Masters, winning a one-hole playoff over Justin Rose, was a riveting sports experience and plenty of people tuned in for it. CBS announced Monday that Sunday's final round — during which McIlroy gained and lost the lead while battling with Rose, Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Åberg — drew the highest rating for a golf telecast since 2018. Sunday's telecast averaged 12.707 million viewers, according to CBS. That's up 33% from last year when Scottie Scheffler had a dominant win over Åberg that lacked the drama of McIlroy's victory. (And the ratings reflected the missing intrigue.) Viewership peaked between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. ET when the tournament went to a playoff hole. CBS Sports on Sunday delivered the most-watched final round of the Masters since 2018, as Rory McIlroy won in a playoff to capture his first green jacket along with golf's career grand slam: — CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) April 14, 2025 That seven-year span includes the 2019 Masters, when Tiger Woods won after returning from a back condition that threatened his career. However, the final round was also played much earlier in the day, moved up by a few hours due to impending severe weather. As a result, the telecast averaged 10.8 million viewers, with a peak of 18.3 million from 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. ET. The 2018 Masters featured Patrick Reed defeating Rickie Fowler by one shot, while also staving off challenges from Jordan Spieth as McIlroy collapsed in the final round. Viewership for that year's telecast averaged 13.027 viewers. The boost in viewership also seemingly dispels any notion that golf ratings were in decline because many big-name golfers left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. (Of course, LIV players such as DeChambeau and Jon Rahm competed in the Masters.) Additionally, Sunday's final round drew the largest streaming audience for a non-NFL broadcast, generating the largest audience ever for a golf event on Paramount+.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
RJ Harvey's fantasy impact for Broncos
The first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft are now complete, with 102 selections made so far Getty Images RJ Harvey, RB, Broncos: Sean Payton gets his running back, and you can see why he likes Harvey given the explosiveness and receiving upside. This is a *Payton RB* if there ever was one in this draft. Harvey can be the Broncos lead, and while he won't be a bellcow, Harvey can replicate the fit of Alvin Kamara with the Saints. No, I'm not saying Harvey is a Top 5-10 RB, but he's an enticing RB2 from Day 1 and mid-first rounder in dynasty. What a special scene for the Bech family, as they see younger son Jack get drafted by the Raiders after losing older son Tiger in the New Years' Day terror attack in New Orleans. Getty Images If the Ravens are comfortable with Green, then they picked up the No. 10 player at 59. But it's a risk, nevertheless. Green (6-3 1/8, 251) was uber-productive at Marshall last year with 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. He totaled 84 tackles and was a first-team All-American. But accusations of sexual assault (Green was not charged and denied the allegations) led to his dismissal at Virginia in 2022 and sent him tumbling down the draft board. On the field, Baltimore picked up another weapon. Grade: A* (with an asterisk) GO FURTHER Ravens draft edge Mike Green: How he fits, draft grade and scouting intel Justin Herbert didn't pass as frequently last year as in past seasons, but he did throw plenty of deep passes. Herbert ranked seventh in throws traveling 15+ air yards in 2024 (24.0 percent, per TruMedia). That's a plus for Tre Harris, who has an impact track record on downfield throws. It's part of why Harris had 10 games with 100+ receiving yards in only 20 games played at Ole Miss. It should make him an upside flex candidate in many weeks, especially in 12-team leagues. Getty Images Las Vegas Raiders: Jack Bech, WR, TCU The Raiders have made some savvy trades the last two days, picking up extra picks and now they land one of the most underrated players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bech is a big-time competitor, a hammer of a blocker and was the best WR at the Senior Bowl this year after a highly productive season at TCU after overcoming injuries and being stuck behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. at LSU. Reminiscent of Puka Nacua. Grade: A GO FURTHER Raiders draft WR Jack Bech: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel Getty Images Given Shedeur Sanders' strong ties to Tom Brady, the Raiders passing on him at 37, 48 and 58 only validates other teams' reservations/doubts about the quarterback. Said it back at the combine — Sanders' interviews (including board work) went very badly. WWE star and big Chicago Bears fan Seth Rollins announced the Bears pick in the second round. He announced the pick in a glittery blue suit and Bears WWE championship belt and taunted Packer fans by saying a championship looks good on something blue. Rollins was the first non-NFL celebrity to announce a pick on Friday. He joins rapper Lil Wayne, a Packers fan who was on stage at the start of the draft on Thursday, as celebrities to make an appearance. The Bears used the 56th pick on Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Getty Images This is a Dan Campbell pick, which is why the Lions moved up three spots to get him. A prototypical interior power performer, Ratledge (6-6 ½, 308) has fought through injuries to start 37 games at Georgia. Ratledge, who describes himself as a 'dirtbag,' was first-team All-SEC in each of the last two seasons and was a first-team All-American last fall despite missing four games with an ankle injury. He still came back in time to help Georgia win the SEC championship. He's a plug-and-play guard, sneaky athletic and will fit seamlessly with the Lions. Grade: A Mullet: A+ Jack Bech, WR, Raiders: I love Bech's game, as you can argue he has the best routes/hands combination for all wideouts in draft. Bech can get downfield in a big slot style, which means he's the favorite to step in and start alongside Jakobi Meyers, as Geno Smith's top receivers ... well, wideouts. Brock Bowers is Smith's top "receiving option," but Bech has WR4/5 potential as a rookie, and he can push for the top 25 at wideout once he surpasses (or replaces) Meyers. GO FURTHER Raiders draft WR Jack Bech: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel Chicago Bears: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College One of the tallest players in the NFL draft and a three-year starting RT inside a dynamic run game at Boston College, Trapilo might have a tougher time with speed on the left side than the right – but he's a consistent technician who found a way to eat space and maintain protection off the edge. Trapilo will always have to work to stay low, but his hands are outstanding. Grade: B+ GO FURTHER Bears draft OT Ozzy Trapilo: How he fits, draft grade and scouting intel This was a move the Chargers needed to make but you're surprised they actually did with Jim Harbaugh as the head coach. Harris (6-2 3/8, 205) gives Justin Herbert a quality threat and further improves the overall offense. In two years at Ole Miss (after two at Louisiana Tech), Harris totaled 114 catches for 2,015 yards and 15 scores with the Rebels. He missed five games last year with a groin issue but still led Ole Miss with 60 catches for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns. The only question is, was he better than Jaylin Noel at this spot? Time will tell. Grade: B+ GO FURTHER Chargers draft WR Tre Harris: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel Getty Images Tre Harris, WR, Chargers: Harris is a big play waiting to happen with the downfield ability of an Alec Pierce but the reliability of a Romeo Doubs. Harris can step in immediately as the No. 2 option ahead of Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston. If so, even in a run-heavy offense, Harris can provide WR4 value, albeit with the up-and-down weeks. The good news is that those "up" weeks can carry Top 20 value, making the ride more palatable. In dynasty, Harris is in the late-first-round conversation. The Detroit Lions have traded up to pick No. 57 with the Broncos. Detroit sends Nos. 60 and 130 for Nos. 57 and 230.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders' fall out of NFL Draft's first round reflects tape that makes him feel more like a Day 2 pick
Shedeur Sanders went unselected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It's become the story of the draft, but if we turn our attention to the Colorado signal-caller's film and on-field performance, it might not be much of a surprise. Remember, this is about what Sanders is as a prospect on the field. Because how a player contributes to winning a game on the field is always — and will always be — the biggest part of a player's résumé. No matter how much noise there is about other things. There's an old scouting line that if Hannibal Lecter ran a 4.3 40, NFL teams would diagnose him with just an eating disorder. So, I don't think a quarterback — you know, the position that teams will do just about anything to find a long-term solution at — that has had a little extra attention on him in his college career would dissuade any interested teams if they like the player's ability enough. Shedeur Sanders' NFL success might hinge on this I'll start with this profile of Sanders with what I think will determine whether he has success in the NFL: his feel in the pocket and speeding up the sense of timing that he plays with. Advertisement To cut right to it, Sanders has a bad tendency to drift backward in the pocket. It puts a real strain on his offensive tackles holding up and can convolute the offensive operation. Stepping up into the pocket, into what can seem like the teeth of the pass rush, like a boxer leaning into a punch, is a habit all quarterbacks have to develop to have success as they rise in all levels of football. Drifting, or bailing, back and out of the pocket creates easier angles for edge rushers and also creates more distance for the quarterback to cover with their throw, or even completely cutting off half of the field from their vision. Long throws become even longer. Tidy route concepts start to unravel. Open windows shut as defenders are given more time to make plays on the football. Drifting back does nothing but make the offense's job harder and the defense's job easier. Quarterbacks have success at times in the NFL while drifting back in the pocket. It's often only when needed and absolutely (unless you're Jordan Love), and the ones who successfully pull it off showcase the ability to consistently throw off uneven platforms through flexibility, core strength, and arm power and talent. Advertisement Quarterbacks can also have success while bailing too often from clean pockets. But those players are typically exceptional athletes, or do so with a path in their head for earning a first down. The better athletes mitigate the angle advantages of talented NFL pass rushers with speed, strength and athleticism of their own. If a college quarterback shows that he's unable to consistently get the angle on college defenders, even against non-NFL caliber defenders, I look to see if that player is able to be a clean pocket operator so they don't have to constantly enter creation mode. Because relying on extending plays for success, without the required traits to do so, has not been a long-term recipe for quality play in the NFL. So while Sanders has bad tendencies, ones that improved from 2023 but are still below an adequate level, the real concern with those habits is his lack of overwhelming traits to overcome them. (Sanders also measured at under 6-foot-2 at the NFL scouting combine and has a slighter build, weighing in at 212 pounds.) Advertisement When Sanders has a clean pocket, he can fire the football. Especially when he's confident with the look. And when he plants his foot and takes a clean rushing lane, he can be an efficient runner and scrambler, even able to make at least one defender miss in space. Sanders' arm strength is above the baseline for a starting NFL quarterback. His film has plenty of go-balls with an ideal arc and ropes over the middle of the field like in the video above. The concern is how he's able to access that arm strength. Right now, his best throws are from pockets that he's able to hitch up into or when moving to his right (because his flexibility limits the torque he's able to put into throws when moving to the left). When Sanders has to throw flatfooted or from less-than-ideal platforms, his accuracy, along with his willingness and ability to push the football, start to decrease as well. That limits the possibility of explosive plays as soon as any heat is felt in the pocket. Again, when he has a clean read and area to throw from, he can toss a tight spiral with great ball placement. But if he has to progress and doesn't feel like he can move up into the throw, his decision-making and accuracy start to waver. Not in the sense of putting the ball in harm's way, but more of taking any chances at all. When moved off his original launch point, Sanders' eyes start to come down and look at the pass rush and to his underneath routes. His aggression starts to dip as well. More things that could limit Sanders in the NFL Overall, Sanders doesn't tend to push the football outside of a sprinkling of outside vertical throws and a few dig routes. His minus-1.8 average air yards to the first-down marker ranked 132nd among 147 qualifying FBS quarterbacks over the past two seasons, per TruMedia. Pressure and blitzes don't result in downfield explosive plays for Sanders, rather in throwaways, sacks, or short gains that become reliant on his teammates ability to break a tackle. Advertisement There just aren't a lot of throws where Sanders is shortcutting his operation to throw a receiver open. Last week, I described Cam Ward as a creative thrower. Sanders just doesn't show that same attribute. In fact his throwing style can be a bit robotic and mechanical. Almost too refined and elongated, and creating a smaller room for error with where he can place the football. His longer throwing motion also lengthens the operation needed to take advantage of windows that he's unable to anticipate, allowing coverage defenders to close quickly on throws and also allowing pass rushers to get their hands up and bat the ball down. (Sanders had 21 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage over the past two seasons, fifth-most among FBS quarterbacks over that time, per PFF.) Sanders seemed to be uneven with his confidence on reading out certain concepts. At times he showed willingness to stand in the pocket and progress, while later in the game he abandoned reading out the concept right away despite a clean pocket. With a longer throwing motion and need for a cleaner platform, Sanders' ability to anticipate from the pocket becomes paramount. Just how much did Colorado's O-line and WRs impact Sanders? The situation around Sanders at Colorado must also be noted. His offensive line was definitely not among the nation's best, but the group was more below-average to even average for a college unit, as opposed to (sorry to strawman it a bit here) one of the worst units you've ever seen. He had moments of getting overwhelmed by better pass rushes, but was also reasonably sound in sorting out blitzes (Colorado had a former NFL head coach as offensive coordinator in Pat Shurmur and a former NFL lineman as a line coach in Phil Loadholt). The Buffaloes were also somewhat consistent at buying enough time for the offense to operate. Advertisement And while stats are noisy, especially at the college level, the pressure rates allowed by Colorado's offensive line matches what the film shows: a line that can get the job done but falls apart the longer the play goes. Colorado ranked 77th out of 134 FBS schools in pressure rate allowed on passes thrown within 3 seconds, and 33rd on passes taking 2.5 seconds or fewer, but 121st on passes that took longer than 3 seconds. Again, there is noise with these numbers because they are so dependent on other factors, but Colorado's offensive line improved to a tolerable level in 2024. Sanders' sack and pressure-to-sack rates also dropped from alarming (10.2% sack rate and 25.1% pressure-to-sack rate) to more acceptable rates (7.7%, 19.7%), though still on the higher end (his combined rates of 8.9% and 22.4% ranked 136th and 122nd, respectively, among 147 qualifying QBs over the past two seasons). I'm sure Colorado's high pass rate also didn't help the perception. Sanders' receivers, while talented and able to create big plays in their own right, also played with a lack of consistent detail that would muddy up reads for Sanders. It forced him to ad-lib as his first read starts to take a detour mid-play. While overall Travis Hunter, Will Sheppard, and others would make exceptional plays on contested catches, there were times that their unevenness would have a trickle-down effect on how much confidence Sanders could play with. How can a quarterback throw with anticipation if he can't even rely on his receiver actually being there at the right time? (A side note: Colorado's receivers and linemen should be commended with how well they sort out blocking on things like screens and bubbles. They were excellent in that area and it contributed to a lot of their big plays, which makes their lack of detail in other areas so curious.) Shedeur Sanders' upside? Efficient distributor with infectious toughness Sanders' toughness must also be noted. He took a beating over the past two years, and no matter the shot he took — including some that I would describe as complete cheap shots — he got up and was right out there on the next play. Some of his best throws on film are when he's staring down the barrel and unperturbed by the oncoming pass rush. And if there is one thing that can win over a locker room as a quarterback, it's being a tough SOB. Overall, Sanders' uneven feel from the pocket, and the continued work he needs on progressing through concepts and shortening his operation time, makes me think of him as more of a project than an early starter, much less impact player, at the next level. Advertisement Combined with traits that I would describe more as 'fine' than outstanding, I want to emphasize that Sanders' projection needs to be properly gauged. His upside is as an efficient pocket passer who can toss in a scramble or two to move the chains. A player who is a distributor rather than pure creator or playmaker. A Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater or Alex Smith (sans the plus-running ability). He has the upside of a solid starter and efficient operator of an offense, but one who needs a good amount of help around him. There is always a chance for more, as players make all kinds of unexpected and exciting leaps at the next level, but Sanders has plenty to work on with how he maneuvers and operates from the pocket to even make that first step toward being a tangible starter at the next level. He might not have the elite traits, but there are paths to get there as long as his operation continues to be refined and he has a decent (or decent enough line) blocking for him and allowing him to develop. Teams picking high in the draft don't have the luxury of time. Or, usually, a quality offensive line to point at. Where quarterbacks go in the draft will always be inflated, but Sanders has the profile of a player I'd be more comfortable taking somewhere on Day 2, rather than early in the first round.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bengals QB Joe Burrow's latest public appearance makes waves
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow tends to make major waves whenever he's out in the world doing non-NFL things like overseas fashion shows or UFC fights. That, or meeting with Hollywood icons. Advertisement That's the story on the latest Joe Burrow outing, as he popped up on Instagram in a photo alongside one Al Pacino, the legendary actor famous for The Godfather, Scarface, Heat and so many more. RELATED: NFL head coaches love 'rare' Bengals decision with Chase, Higgins It's a random linkup, no doubt, but a cool one that didn't need long to go viral across all forms of social media. Burrow tends to pop up here and there this time of year, with his Bengals slated to report for the offseason program later in the month ahead of OTAs in May. RELATED: Bengals get county response after stadium lease saga intensifies This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals QB Joe Burrow's latest public appearance makes waves
