Latest news with #Dolphin
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New Steelers jersey number for TE Jonnu Smith revealed after blockbuster trade
From Pro Bowl to Pittsburgh, former Dolphin and new Steelers TE Jonnu Smith may have just had his jersey number confirmed on the team's official website. Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey, who was also part of the blockbuster trade to Pittsburgh, confirmed weeks ago that he'll wear No. 5 this upcoming season. But Smith's jersey number had flown under the radar — until now. According to the updated Steelers roster page, Smith will wear No. 81 in 2025 — a number he previously wore with the Titans, Patriots, and Falcons. In 2024, No. 81 was unavailable for Smith in Miami, as Dolphins TE Durham Smythe had worn the number since 2016 — forcing Smith to wear No. 9 instead. Smith could play a huge role for Pittsburgh this upcoming season, with insiders speculating his versatility could be used at tight end, in the slot, and even at fullback. Coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber breakout season in 2024, Smith's return to his No. 81 roots is a welcome one. Fans will get their first glimpse of the new Steelers tight end when training camp action kicks off on July 24. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Top Gear
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
BYD Dolphin Review 2025
A small hatchback from the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles. Yep, you read that right: in 2024, it delivered a hammer blow to Tesla as it knocked it off the top spot in the global EV maker charts. It's already a household name in China – FYI that acronym stands for Build Your Dreams, and you won't forget it because it's scrawled across the bootlid. Cringe. And now it's aiming for worldwide domination. Advertisement - Page continues below So, the Dolphin. First thing to know is yes, it's named after the ocean mammal. Designed to look like one too, though we're not sure we see the resemblance. It's entirely inoffensive though, which is a backhanded way of saying it's quite dull. It's not the only car here from BYD either: there's the Dolphin Surf supermini, Seal saloon and Sealion 7 crossover-coupe. Something of a theme going on here, right? Wait, there's also the Atto 3 crossover. Not sure what happened there… Huh. What are the numbers? At launch there were varying power outputs and two battery sizes available. Now though, you've just got the option of a 201bhp electric motor mated to a 60.4kWh battery for up to 265 miles of WLTP range. While those are pretty standard figures for the sector, some rivals notably offer bigger batteries for more range, including the MG4 and Volkswagen ID.3. Others to consider include the likes of the Cupra Born, Peugeot e-308, Renault Megane E-Tech and Vauxhall Astra Electric. Advertisement - Page continues below A quick glance at BYD's website and you'll note that a 30-80 per cent charge takes 29 minutes on a 100kW DC charger. Wait, 30-80 per cent? Bit cheeky that, because most rivals will measure themselves from 20 per cent. Add another 10 minutes of thumb-twiddling here. Is it any good to drive? A mixed bag. It steers accurately and consistently, and the acceleration and brakes are nicely judged. The ride is on the softer side, and around town it handles our potholed roads and speed bumps happily enough. Issue is, that softness leads to a slightly unsettled ride on B-roads and motorways. There's a fair amount of body roll, jostling and head toss, which could be an issue if you've got any little 'uns prone to car sickness. It also has a tendency to wander within its lane at higher speeds, meaning you're constantly having to make steering adjustments to stay in the centre, which makes for hard work. Full lowdown on the Driving tab. Shame. Does it redeem itself in the cabin? The Dolphin's party trick is its central rotating screen. And the dolphin flipper-shaped door handles, which are a nice touch. But back to that central screen, which measures 12.8 inches and can be rotated between landscape and portrait. That's great and everything, but what's the point? We rotated it to portrait mode once but then swiftly reverted to landscape. It offers a split screen mode too, for driver and passenger, but again it feels little more than a gimmick. That's not to say it's more interesting than the outside though. Because it is, with BYD's crayon team seemingly given free rein to play with whatever shapes and colours they wanted. And it feels nicely finished. Good amount of space, too. Come on then, what's a Dolphin gonna cost me? From as little as £3.50 a month according to everyone's favourite search engine. To adopt, that is. Oh wait, you meant the car, didn't you… Well, along with reducing the number of electric motor/battery combos the trim levels have also been simplified, with just two now available. This means the cheapest Dolphin starts at £30,205, and the range-topper is £31,705. Our choice from the range BYD 150kW Design 60.4kWh 5dr Auto £31,640 See prices and specs What's the verdict? ' The unpolished drive demonstrates several disconnected handling traits. Often in the same corner ' On the face of it, the BYD Dolphin is one of the best value small electric hatchbacks around. It undercuts all but the MG4, and offers plenty of kit for the money. We like the funky cabin too, and the spaciousness defies its size. Shame, then, that it's so completely forgettable to look at. And that two-tone paintjob does little for us. But even if we forced ourselves to look past that, we're not sure we could get on with the unpolished drive, which demonstrates several disconnected handling traits. Often in the same corner. The MG4 proves that Chinese cars can be cheap and good to drive, and gimmicks can only do so much to mask a lack of dynamic talent. A couple of years back this might have cut it, but not any more.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
‘Throw it wherever.' How Nick Westbrook-Ikhine fits into the Miami Dolphins offense
The Miami Dolphins passing attack will look slightly different. Sure, the quartet of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane will still be there but two positions – wide receiver three and tight end – will be markedly different. That's because the Dolphins signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine then traded for Darren Waller in the offseason. And while Waller's seems prime to slide into former Dolphin Jonnu Smith's role as a pass-catching tight end, Westbrook-Ikhine gives Miami a look that they haven't had since 2021: a big-bodied receiver, something that already has coach Mike McDaniel's brimming with excitement. 'Big body,' Westbrook-Ikhine, 28, of his 6-2 frame. . 'Use what God gave me there and then just being that guy to take advantage of the opportunities on the field that present themselves, whether it's mismatches and whatnot. You have a lot of weapons around me and finding open areas, being physical. I'm excited to see all the different ways that he plans on game planning, scheming stuff up because I know he's got some great ideas.' Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with Miami following the best season of his career in 2024. The veteran receiver set career highs in targets (60), yards receiving (497) and touchdowns (nine). His size is a welcome sight considering the Dolphins had the smallest receiver room in the NFL in 2024. 'I'm glad that we added some height,' Hill said in 2024 after the Dolphins signed 6-2 Grant DuBose. 'I told [receivers coach] Wes [Welker], I'm like, 'Hey bro, y'all keep on adding these short guys.'' Like any receiver in a new offense, especially one as complicated as the Dolphins, Westbrook-Ikhine has struggled with the timing. An undisclosed injury also didn't help. 'It's been an adjustment,' Westbrook-Ikhine said of the injury that has more so affected his 'confidence' due to him not 'feeling 100% and like myself.' Luckily, the break before training camp will give him time to heal and better understand the offense, which he deemed 'something I'm learning through.' 'I feel like there's been a few times when bad habits that I've had have showed up and I've been late,' he continued. 'But then there's been a few times when it has worked out.' It took some time but Westbrook-Ikhine had his best moment during the first day that media was available to watch minicamp. His size and wide catch radius shined bright as the fifth-year receiver snagged several touchdowns during the red zone portion of practice. 'He's going to be extremely reliable,' Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. 'I think ultimately if you talk to the guys that knew him in Tennessee and our exposure so far has been consistent work ethic. I think that's ultimately where he puts himself in position to be successful is because he really is a student of the process, making sure he's on the little things so, therefore, on Sundays he can be reliable for the quarterback and really the rest of the offense.' That gives some insight into what Westbrook-Ikhine's role could be with the 2025 Dolphins. Consider this: of his nine touchdown catches in 2024, six were in the red zone. The Dolphins, meanwhile, were a middling team in that area, scoring touchdowns on just 56.6% of their attempts, which ranked 16th in the league. 'I love the red zone,' Westbrook-Ikhine said. 'I'm a bigger target, which makes it a little bit easier too. You can kind of throw it wherever. I enjoy being in the end zone.'
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Minnesota Vikings pass rush duo named among the best in the NFL
Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel highlighted the Minnesota Vikings' 2024 free agent signings and exceeded expectations. Both players made the Pro Bowl, combining for 23.5 sacks of the Vikings' 48 sacks. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report expects more of the same in 2025, ranking the pass-rushing duo as the fourth-best in the NFL. ....Minnesota took a chance on both players during free agency and became the only team to have two players finish in the top eight for sacks. Greenard was half a sack short of tying a career high, getting to the quarterback 12 times, while Van Ginkel recorded his first double-digit sack campaign and nearly doubled his previous personal best (six) with 11.5. On top of that, the former Texan finished third among edge-rushers with 80 total pressures, and the former Dolphin was 26th with 49, according to Pro Football Focus. It will be interesting to see how the duo is used in 2025. Van Ginkel's playing time likely won't decrease, but Brian Flores praised second-year EDGE defender Dallas Turner during OTAs. If Turner has mastered the playbook, he will be asked to play more than the 310 defensive snaps he did as a rookie. Still, Van Ginkel and Greenard both showed they deserved to be on the field as much as possible in 2024. If they can replicate their 2025 performances, the Vikings will once again have one of the best defenses in the league.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford swimmer Luca Power plays his part in Ireland's record-breaking performance
An exciting men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay, consisting of John Shortt, Denis O'Brien, Power, and Seán Donnellan, combined for a new Irish Junior record of 7:33.36. The quartet broke the 2018 record of 7:33.73 set at the European Junior Championships and held by Robbie Powell, Cadan McCarthy, Finn McGeever and Jack McMillan. Both McGeever and McMillan went on to represent Ireland at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games in that same event. Luca flew the Wexford flag proudly in Slovakia, with his first race taking place on Tuesday morning, when he touched in 1:54.12 in the 200m freestyle. National Centre Limerick's Denis O'Brien was the fastest of the Irish swimmers in a personal best of 1:51.80, while Power's time was better than the other competitor from Ireland, Dolphin's Tadgh O'Brien (1:57.45). Luca's last race was in the 400m freestyle heats on Sunday, when he clocked 4:09.43. 'That was tough, the first few races were tough, it's my first time racing outdoors and racing at an international level,' he said. 'The relay was great, I made personal best in my split yesterday, I was happy with that.' Meanwhile, excitement is building as the 2025 Irish Summer National Age Group Championships draw near. Set to take place from July 10–13 in Limerick, this prestigious event will bring together the best young swimmers from across the country to compete at the highest level. Among the talented athletes representing the New Ross club are four exceptional junior swimmers: Seán Moran, Emersyn Scully, Katie Ryan and Paula Gallardo. These young swimmers have demonstrated remarkable dedication, skill and determination in their journey to qualify, and now they're set to take on the national stage. Each of them has emerged as a rising star within the club, showing promise and consistency through a season of hard training and competition. They won't be the only names to watch, however. Other strong contenders from the club are hot on their heels, showing that the future is bright for our swim programme with a new generation of talent ready to make their mark. We wish Seán, Emersyn, Katie and Paula the very best of luck as they head to Limerick to represent the club. No matter the outcome, their hard work and achievements already speak volumes – and the experience will surely fuel even greater success ahead.
