Latest news with #rookie
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant hit the gym with Klay Thompson, others
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant was among the players who recently linked up for a private offseason workout at Academy USA in Glendale, California. Bryant joined the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie, Tari Eason, Kessler Edwards, Evan Mobley and Klay Thompson in the session organized by NBA trainer Olin Simplis. The group was spotted playing 5-on-5 in the video clip by Swish Cultures. The 14th pick was also on the court with Collin Murray-Boyles, who was the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. The appearance was the first for the two rookies since debuting with their respective teams in summer league. Bryant logged six appearances with the Spurs earlier this month, averaging 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 assists on 28.6% shooting from the field. He wrapped up his stay with a 16-point, five-rebound performance on July 17. The 19-year-old is highly touted for his scoring potential, playmaking and ability to defend multiple positions, traits that were each on display in summer league. He also proved to be a reliable floor spacer after connecting on at least two 3-pointers in 12 games last season at Arizona. Bryant is projected to have the chance to compete for rotation minutes next season for coach Mitch Johnson. The recent opportunity to hit the court with such established players should prove to be a valuable experience heading into this rookie year. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Spurs news: Carter Bryant hit the gym with Klay Thompson, others
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NFL quarterback turns on his teammates after difficult start to training camp
Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward has offered a brutal assessment of his teammates after a rocky start to their training camp. The quarterback experienced his first two padded practices in the NFL and evidently the former Miami Hurricanes star has been left less than impressed. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ward said: 'I just think we're very mid right now. At the end of the day, it all starts with me. 'I just don't think we're at where we need to be, but we've got a little bit of time. Every day we get better as a whole. We're a young team, but that's no excuse. 'I have to get on the same page with my receivers, watch more film, and be more accurate with the football'. The Titans website reported that the rookie suffered four interceptions across two days of training. He was 11-of-23 in Wednesday's practice and 11-of-26 in Tuesday's session. 'It might not be where I wanted to be, but I'm throwing to 15, 16 different people every day,' Ward continued. Ward's selection by the Titans was hardly a surprise, considering they struggled massively in 2024 under the poor play of Will Levis. When they drafted Ward, the Miami star got permission from Hall-of-Famer Warren Moon to don his No. 1 jersey that the team had 'retired'. But now, Ward will take the starting job uncontested, after Levis was confirmed to miss the rest of the season earlier this week. The Titans announced on Monday that Levis had underwent shoulder surgery and wouldn't be active for the 2025 season. When asked about how he took the news of his teammate's injury, Ward gave a somewhat ruthless response. 'I didn't really have a reaction. I focus on Cam Ward,' the rookie told reporters. Veteran backup Brandon Allen is set to take the QB2 spot while another career benchwarmer, Tim Boyle, is projected to slide up to QB3. After initially beginning the 2023 season on the bench, Levis replaced Ryan Tannehill for eight games in the middle of the campaign. Last year, Levis became the full-time starter for Tennessee, but did not put up the most impressive numbers. Meanwhile, Ward is the first quarterback that the Titans have taken in the first round since they selected Marcus Mariota second overall in 2015. Ward is also the first first-overall pick that the franchise has had since the then-Houston Oilers took running back Earl Campbell in 1978.
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Commanders observations: Everyone is watching RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt made another long run down the left sideline, bouncing off one, two defenders as fans screamed his name. 'BILL! I SEE YOU BILL!' Yep, the seventh-round running back with three names goes by 'Bill' and has for years, drawing a smile from teammates when they hear his given name. Advertisement 'I do call him Bill,' quarterback Jayden Daniels said. 'That's Bill.' Here's the story: Friends used to joke that Croskey-Merritt looked like 'Little Bill,' the lead character in the animated series created by Bill Cosby. The name stuck. Definitely not the first time he's told this story, but for those still wondering, this is why Jacory Croskey-Merritt goes by 'Bill.' — Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 31, 2025 Bill has made his name known at Commanders training camp with his powerful runs, quick cuts and vision behind the line of scrimmage. On Monday, the team's first day with full pads, Croskey-Merritt earned his way onto the team-meeting highlight reel with a run up the middle. After taking a handoff from Josh Johnson, the 5-foot-11, 208-pound rookie made two quick cuts behind the line of scrimmage — first left and quickly back to the right — before bursting through a small crease in the line and taking off up the field. Awaiting him on the back end was safety Tyler Owens, who tried to wrap him up, the smack of their shoulder pads eliciting an 'ooooh' from fans. the rook is runnin' — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 28, 2025 In the team meeting later that day, coach Dan Quinn replayed Croskey-Merritt's run, lauding the rookie's vision and quick cuts while also noting the next step. ''Can you have a plan for the middle field safety?'' Quinn recalled telling players. 'And that was Tyler on that play. So that's the lesson — just because I got through the hole doesn't mean it's ending. 'Can I now make another player miss?' And it was also the right technique, what we're looking for for Tyler. That's the iron sharpen[ing] iron.' Croskey-Merritt has had a handful of cuts and impressive runs that have not only made him a player to watch in camp, but a young guy who has put some veterans on notice. The Commanders' running backs room is led by Brian Robinson Jr. and has depth with Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. But Washington's rushing corps struggled to produce late last season, and now every veteran on the roster is on a one-year deal or in the final year of his contract. Advertisement In short: They all have plenty to prove and then some with Bill hanging around. Here are some other observations from the Commanders' first week of camp. Miller's first step and bend are the hallmarks of his game, and there's no question that he still has both. 'I can still roll out the bed at 36 years old with my house shoes on and still rush the passer,' he quipped last week. The Commanders have had only two fully padded practices so far and Quinn makes a point to keep players, especially older veterans, fresh and rested throughout. So Miller's snap count has been limited. But for the folks playing on the other side of Miller, such as rookie tackle Josh Conerly Jr., those reps have become important teaching moments. 'He's probably watched a lot of Von Miller, but he's never blocked him, and blocking him in practice on the first day with no pads is, well, different than third-and-8 inside of two minutes with the game on the line,' Quinn said of Conerly. 'Lots to do, but I'm really encouraged by Josh's work ethic.' Training camp is the happiest time of year for every team — every player has a chance to be a star, every defense is swarming, every quarterback somehow has zip on his throws. It's happy because there's no true comparison until the games begin. But there's no exaggerating the value of Deebo Samuel in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Samuel's power and explosiveness as a runner have been on display from the start, and his connection with Daniels has, so far, appeared seamless. 'The guy's played a lot of football, and he understands the different coverages and routes,' Daniels said of Samuel. 'The guy's a pro and he works hard. So, for me, I just go out there and try to communicate, 'This is what I want versus this look and versus this coverage,' and he puts in the work and he understands it.' Nothing gets the fans going quite like an over-the-shoulder catch by Samuel on a deep ball from Daniels. As Terry McLaurin continues his 'hold-in' because of his contract situation, the Commanders have spread the ball around to give the other 11 wideouts on the roster more reps. But if anything has become clear, it's this: They need more talent. McLaurin is the clear No. 1 when he's on the field. Samuel is one of their top playmakers, but not a true No. 2 in terms of workload; Noah Brown is more likely the closest they have to that, but the team is being cautious because of an unspecified injury he suffered during minicamp. Rookie Jaylin Lane has impressed with his speed, a handful of big plays from the slot and, of course, his return ability. But depth beyond those four is sorely lacking. Advertisement Luke McCaffrey has received the most time with the starters, but hasn't shown the consistency the team would likely want from a third option. Others — Chris Moore, Michael Strachan, K.J. Osborn — have collected a number of big plays in team drills, but none with enough consistency to earn a bigger role. Not yet, anyway. That is all. After playing tackle his rookie season, Coleman moved to left guard this offseason with the hope that he and Tunsil, the veteran tackle, can fortify the left side of the line. When asked about the team's second-year players, Quinn was quick to note how Coleman has impressed him so far. 'Brandon's work ethic really sets him apart,' Quinn said. 'He's thoughtful, he wants to ask questions. … You have to figure some of it out on your own. Not every technique works for every single player, but Brandon's thoughtful enough to say, 'Okay, this is what works for me.'' The true test, however, will come next week when the Commanders head to Foxborough, Mass. for a joint practice and preseason game with the Patriots.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
New Orleans Saints cut scandalized quarterback Hunter Dekkers
The New Orleans Saints have cut scandalized quarterback Hunter Dekkers just over a month before the start of the NFL season. The Saints signed Dekkers, who last played football at a community college, as an undrafted rookie in May. Dekkers is said to have impressed the team's coaches during a tryout at their rookie minicamp. Yet, just two months later the signal caller has been released, according to Tina Howell. More to follow.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers HC Dave Canales gives interesting update on the progress of WR Tetairoa McMillan
Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan is already experiencing the ups and downs of the NFL. The rookie receiver was one of a few standouts from a particularly competitive outing of training camp on Wednesday. Head coach Dave Canales was asked about McMillan and his progress to this point. "Just showing a lot of confidence and belief," Canales replied. "He's had some pretty bad plays throughout camp and he's had some excellent plays. When you have a guy, he's teaching me stuff about him that I don't know, just looking at his character. When guys bounce back quickly, it speaks to their confidence. They know they're good, 'I'll do it again, I'll be good again.' And that's really powerful self-talk." McMillan has bounced back with that confidence a few times over the past week. The first notable instance came on Monday, when he beat starting cornerback Mike Jackson for a spectacular catch after the veteran got the better of him on Saturday. He did it again on Wednesday, coming up with a handful of highlight-reel grabs following a drop in the 11-on-11 session. Canales was later asked if there's one common denominator in McMillan's bad plays. "I think it's just been physical play," Canales said. "Whether it's Jaycee [Horn] or whether it's Mike Jack or Corey Thornton, who's having a great camp, Shemar's [Bartholomew] been making plays, Akayleb Evans—there's a really good competition in the corner room. And these guys are all big, they're all over six feet, they're all over 200 pounds. That's a good recipe against big receivers. "So he's got his hands full every day and it's bringing out the best in him and he improves. Today, I thought, was his best day of camp. He's learning how to play that game, just continue to use his body." The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder was selected with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 draft. He used that body well at the University of Arizona, where he reeled in 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns over three article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers training camp: WR Tetairoa McMillan has his 'best day'
