Sports
Brian Flores Catches Online Jab from Soon-to-Be Cut Defender
Apparently, Javon Hargrave attributes some of his modest production to what defensive coordinator Brian Flores asked of him. Or, at least, that’s one way of interpreting the drama that’s unfolding on Twitter.
Known as Gravedigger — unreal nickname — Hargrave is going to be released after his debut season with the Vikings resulted in just 3.5 sacks. Note that he retweeted a comment that lays part of the production shortage at the feet of Coach Flores. A person said, “If you’re DL and wanna get to the QB, Brian Flores’ system is not for you.” Hargrave shared the idea, possibly confirming the words contained therein.
Brian Flores, Javon Hargrave, & The Vikings’ D-Line
Begin with the context of the back-and-forth playing out online. It’s a decent bit.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert shared the news of Jonathan Allen being cut soon. Consider what the Vikings writer said: “Add Jonathan Allen to the list of veteran players who will be departing the Vikings, including Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave. His departure saves $6.5 million in cap space. Vikings are also open to trading Jonathan Greenard. Ryan Kelly’s status is in question as well.”
In response, there’s the post about Coach Flores having a scheme that doesn’t prioritize defensive linemen stacking up stats. Hargrave shared the idea, as mentioned up top. One way of interpreting the social media share is that Hargrave is signalling his agreement that defensive tackles don’t shine with huge stats while playing for Minnesota’s DC.
Seifert noticed the hubbub, sending out another thought: “This is not a new critique. In this 2023 story, Harrison Phillips talked about the role of DL in that version of the Flores scheme but essentially said it was hard to argue with the overall results.”
Want more? Probably not, but here goes nothing.
Matthew Coller responded to the exchange with his own thoughts: “Interesting! Talked with Phillips in ’24 as it related to PFF grades. He said DL are asked to move O-linemen or jump gaps to draw the lineman with them to open up for LBs rushing or edge players looping inside. It doesn’t grade well cuz there’s no ‘pass rush win’ but it works.”
Bringing everything together is that Javon Hargrave retweeted the whole thing. There’s Coller quoting Seifert who is quoting someone named Marcello who is quoting Seifert (my head hurts; Twitter’s version of Inception?). Hargrave retweeted the tweet-inside-a-tweet exchange.
There’s a case to be made that the veteran is taking a jab at the DC on his way out the door. Keep in mind that former co-workers of Flores have shared critiques in the past, such as Mike Pettine earlier in this offseason.
An odd detail within the exchange is that Harrison Phillips (nickname: Horrible Harry) was quite productive in purple. In fact, Phillips had beefy stats in 2023 — Coach Flores had just taken over as the DC — piling up 92 tackles and 3 sacks.
Moving forward, the Vikings are going to rally around Jalen Redmond. He’s young, cheap, and very productive. NFL offensive linemen consistently have trouble corralling him, so he’s going to be leaned on as a foundational piece.
Meanwhile, Hargrave — a good player — is going to find work.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Sports
Shawn Porter sees only one winner in Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Not sure he has the energy now”
Ahead of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao rematching in six months’ time, two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter believes that only one man has what it takes to come out on top.
After years of back and forth, Mayweather and Pacquiao finally went toe-to-toe in 2015, as ‘TBE’ delivered a boxing clinic to control proceedings and become the three-belt unified champion in the 147lb division.
Two fights later, Mayweather hung up the gloves, but he did not stay away from the squared circle. Instead, the Michigan mastermind opted to partake in a series of exhibitions, keeping both his physique and bank account looking extremely healthy.
However, after nine years away from the professional sport, Mayweather has decided to make a comeback and put his fabled 50-0 record on the line, as he rematches his old foe in a must-see battle at respective ages of 49 and 47 years old.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Porter admitted that he cannot envisage ‘Pac Man’ being able to level the score, due to his performance when drawing with Mario Barrios back in July.
“Floyd can’t lose and it’s like, Manny, I think he should have handled business against Mario Barrios. I thought that he beat Mario, but he should have handled business. What does that mean? Make this so one-sided that nobody can doubt who won this fight.
“In order to beat Floyd, there is a certain energy that you have to have. I am not sure if Manny can find that energy now and Floyd has just always been him.”
Mayweather-Pacquiao II takes place on Saturday, September 19, at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with the event being available to watch live on Netflix.
Australia defeated Czechia 5-1 on Friday behind a three-run homer from Chicago White Sox infielder Curtis Mead to remain unbeaten in Pool C in the World Baseball Classic.
Australia is lining up among the favourites from Tokyo to reach the quarterfinals, along with the home team Japan. Japan is the defending champion and many expect a final in Miami on March 17 against the United States.
Mead’s homer in the third put Australia up 3-1 after the Czechs failed to convert a double play early in the inning that eventually gave Mead a chance to bat. Australia added two runs in the ninth, including a solo home run by Alex Hall.
The Czechs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by Vojtech Mensik.
Josh Hendrickson was the winning pitcher, and Tomas Ondra got the loss.
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Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet
The World Baseball Classic is back for its sixth edition, running from March 5-17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan and Tokyo. Catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Australia improved to 2-0 in Pool C and the Czechs fell to 0-2. Australia reached the quarterfinals three years ago in the last WBC but lost to Cuba 4-3.
The Australians have several players with MLB organizations, including Mead. There’s also Travis Bazzana, the first pick in the 2024 MLB amateur draft, taken by the Cleveland Guardians.
Japan and its superstar Shohei Ohtani play their first game in the WBC later Friday, facing Chinese Taipei, which lost to Australia 3-0 in its opener on Thursday.
Lens can still dream of an improbable double. With only four points behind PSG in Ligue 1, Lens are now also two wins away from lifting their first-ever Coupe de France. Pierre Sage’s side beat Lyon on penalties on Thursday in the quarter-finals. They will face Toulouse for a spot in the final, while Strasbourg host Nice in the second semi-final.
The final horn on Thursday didn’t just cement a 4-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning – it closed the Winnipeg Jets’ final on-ice audition.
With Friday’s NHL trade deadline looming, the players have put in their final pitch to general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Now, the fate of the roster is entirely out of their hands.
“At the end of the day, we’re still chasing a playoff spot, and that’s what I’ve tried to keep those guys focused on,” said head coach Scott Arniel.
“This is a hard distraction, it’s right in front of us, but the focus is an eight-game homestand and, well, we’re two for two.”
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That reality set in before puck drop.
Despite Arniel stating earlier in the day that the team’s injured reserve list was too crowded to afford resting any pending unrestricted free agents, the script flipped by the evening.
A couple hours after the game, they were dealt to the Buffalo Sabres for defenceman Jacob Bryson, forward Isak Rosen, a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a second-round selection next year.
It was a stark reminder of how quickly situations can evolve during deadline week.
“When you’re sitting out two guys that have been teammates the last few years, it’s hard,” Arniel said. “It’s easy for people to just say trade that guy, trade this guy, move this guy. Well, there’s some human aspect to it of family and kids, friendships — all of those things.”
For those players navigating the rumour mill, leaning on teammates with experience in these types of situations has helped.
Veteran forward Gustav Nyquist, who has been traded three times in his career, served as a sounding board for Stanley in recent days.
“I mean, listen, it’s hard. This week’s hard,” Nyquist said. “He’s been here for a while … it’s part of the business. So we’ve had talks, but I think he’s been handling it great.”
For a group that’s become accustomed in recent years to adding players for a playoff push, this season’s impending deadline carries a decidedly different weight to it.
With the Jets (25-26-10) still several points out of a playoff spot, creating the outside expectation that the organization will pivot to being sellers, the room is trying to balance the human toll with the task at hand.
“Obviously, yeah, it’s different circumstances than the last couple,” Jets captain Adam Lowry said before the game. “Obviously, this year we’re on the outside looking in. But I think the biggest thing is guys in this locker room want to support the guys where there’s a lot of uncertainty.”
The business side of hockey is never more apparent than in the final hours ahead of the deadline. Friendships built over years are suddenly put on hold, replaced by the harsh reality that several players may have worn a Winnipeg sweater for the final time.
“From a personal side, it’s tough,” Lowry added. “You have guys uprooting their families. There’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes. It’s not just the player getting traded, it’s the family.”
The NHL trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m. ET. Cheveldayoff is expected to be busy working the phones, armed with a clear mandate to accumulate draft capital and future assets.
Winnipeg’s list of pending unrestricted free agents is crowded.
It includes defenceman Colin Miller, alongside forwards Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, Cole Koepke and veteran Jonathan Toews, who controls his own destiny with a full no-move clause.
Questions about a possible return for Serena Williams continue to circulate around the BNP Paribas Open, but Venus Williams is not revealing anything.
After her three-set loss to Diane Parry in Indian Wells, Venus was asked whether fans might see the famous Williams sisters team up again in doubles this season.
Her response was short and direct.
“I think you should definitely ask her that.”
Speculation around Serena’s future has grown after the 23-time Grand Slam champion re-entered the anti-doping testing pool last summer, making her eligible to return to competition. Serena stepped away from tennis in 2022, saying she had “evolved” away from the sport.
While Venus did not confirm anything about a comeback, she has previously spoken about how much she enjoys seeing her sister play.
Speaking last year at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, she said:
“I’m her biggest fan. She can take six months off and she clocks it clean. You can’t teach that kind of talent. She’s just so good.
“The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. We always did everything together, so of course I miss her. But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
Serena herself has remained quiet about a potential return, though she has posted training clips on social media, including recent practice sessions with fellow American Alycia Parks.
For now, the rumors remain just that.
All eight matches of this weekend’s FA Cup fifth round will be available to watch on TV as teams bid to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Two of the ties – the all-Premier League clash between Wolves and Liverpool and the blockbuster meeting of Wrexham and Chelsea – will be shown on the BBC, with every game live on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
The FA Cup quarter-final draw is expected to take place on Monday, before West Ham face Brentford. Other ties includes League One’s Mansfield Town hosting Premier League leaders Arsenal and Newcastle facing Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Here’s everything you need to know
FA Cup fifth-round TV schedule
Friday 6 March
20:00: Wolves v Liverpool, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, BBC One and iPlayer
Saturday 7 March
12:15: Mansfield Town v Arsenal, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
17:45: Wrexham v Chelsea, live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+, BBC One and iPlayer
20:00: Newcastle United v Man City, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
Sunday 8 March
12:00: Fulham v Southampton, live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+
13:30: Port Vale v Sunderland, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
16:30: Leeds United v Norwich City, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
Monday 9 March
19:30: West Ham United v Brentford on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
When is the FA Cup fifth-round draw?
The draw for the fifth round will likely take place on Monday 9 March, before the match between West Ham and Brentford.
FA Cup remaining match-days
Quarter-finals: From Saturday 4 April 2026
Semi-finals: From Saturday 25 April 2026
Final: On Saturday 16 May 2026
Sports
F1 2026: Australian Grand Prix practice, qualifying and race times, UK times, plus weather forecast
With moveable aerodynamics here to stay, each circuit will now display ‘straight mode zones’ on its map, in place of the previous DRS detection points, to indicate when the active wings come into play.
At Albert Park, four DRS zones now become five straight mode zones, with the overtake mode activation and detection points marked at the end of the lap at Turns 13 and 14.
Also on Sunday, to celebrate International Women’s Day, the right-hander of Turn Six will be dedicated to Haas race engineer Laura Mueller and head of race strategy at Red Bull Hannah Schmitz.
German Mueller is the first female race engineer in Formula 1 and is back for a second season working with Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
Briton Schmitz, meanwhile, has been a key figure in Red Bull’s recent championship successes and her strategy calls have guided the team to many of their wins and podiums.
After a record medal haul at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, India has begun stepping up preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The sports ministry and national federations are focusing on logistics, athlete readiness and infrastructure months ahead of the event.
The Games will be held later this year from September 19 to October 4, with thousands of athletes from across Asia expected to compete in dozens of sports.
As part of the build-up, Indian authorities have started introducing new measures, including simulated accommodation setups and detailed operational planning to ensure athletes are fully prepared before they travel to Japan.
Replicating container-style accommodation
One of the most unusual aspects of the upcoming Asian Games is the accommodation plan for athletes. Instead of a traditional athletes’ village, organisers have opted for repurposed shipping containers and cruise liners to house participants.
To help athletes get used to this unique arrangement, India has begun installing container-style housing units at Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centres in Patiala and Bengaluru. Athletes who qualify for the Games will spend at least one night in these units to familiarise themselves with the compact layout and living conditions.
Preference for land-based housing
While some participating countries may house athletes aboard a cruise liner docked at a nearby port, India has requested land-based accommodation for its contingent.
This request is particularly important for athletes competing in precision sports such as shooting and archery, where stability, rest and minimal environmental disturbance are crucial before competition.
Authorities believe staying on land rather than on a ship will provide a more controlled and predictable environment for athletes.
Review meetings and administrative planning
India’s preparations are also being monitored at the highest level. A review meeting chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was recently held at the SAI headquarters in New Delhi.
Officials from the sports ministry, SAI and other stakeholders discussed travel logistics, operational readiness, training support and athlete welfare.
The meeting focused on ensuring athletes receive full backing in areas such as sports science, medical support, equipment, nutrition and travel arrangements.
Selection process and contingent size
India is expected to send a large contingent to the Asian Games, with more than 700 athletes across over 40 disciplines likely to participate.
The final size of the Indian contingent will be decided by a 15-member review committee scheduled to meet on March 20. The committee includes Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha, Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav, and Deputy Chef de Mission Achanta Sharath Kamal.
Federations have also been asked to finalise teams early and plan international exposure tours so athletes can compete against strong global opposition before the Games.
Focus on logistics, travel and support staff
Several additional measures are being implemented to streamline preparations.
Each National Sports Federation has appointed a nodal officer responsible for studying the Asian Games technical handbook and briefing athletes and coaches about competition regulations. Coordination with Indian embassies abroad is also being strengthened to handle travel and logistical issues.
The government is also planning to appoint a chief medical officer for the entire contingent, while official kits and equipment are expected to be distributed well before departure to Japan.
India’s performance in the last Asian Games
India heads into the 2026 Asian Games with strong momentum after delivering its best-ever performance at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
The Indian contingent finished with a record 107 medals — including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze — and secured fourth place in the overall medal standings.
The Ducks are sending a conditional first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027 and a 2027 third-round pick to complete the deal.
The 36-year-old blue-liner ranks second in Capitals franchise history in games played, third in assists, fifth in points and second in plus/minus.
Through 55 games in 2025-26, Carlson has 10 goals, 36 assists and a plus-11 rating for a Washington team that hasn’t been able to crack the playoff picture and now is choosing to go in a different direction.
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Carlson, who was made a first-round pick by the Capitals in 2008, has spent his entire 17-year NHL career in the U.S. capital and helped the franchise to a Stanley Cup victory in 2018.
Carlson will now join Anaheim in the final season of an eight-year, $64-million contract that he signed in 2018. His deal included a 10-team no-trade clause.
“Since joining our organization 17 years ago, John Carlson has exemplified what it means to be a Washington Capital every day,” said Capitals senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick in a statement.
“John’s determination, leadership, persistence and skill helped our franchise reach new heights and cemented him as a cornerstone and one of the greatest players in Capitals history. His contributions to our organization and the Washington, D.C., community both on and off the ice have been immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for everything John has given to our team and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward with Anaheim.”
Golf courses are burial grounds for many things: lost balls, drainage pipes, unrealistic expectations.
At a club in England this week, the ground opened up to reveal something else: a long-sealed wine cellar.
The discovery came at Davyhulme Park Golf Club, outside Manchester, where a sinkhole formed on the 13th hole and exposed a brick-lined chamber beneath. Inside were wine bottles of assorted shapes and sizes, all of them empty but brimming with history.
In a report first published by the BBC, deputy head greenskeeper Steve Hopkins said he encountered the sinkhole during his morning rounds. Assuming a collapsed drainpipe, he fetched a digger to investigate. Instead of infrastructure trouble, he unearthed a relic.
The cellar is believed to have served Davyhulme Hall, a manor dating to the 12th-century reign of Henry II. The hall was demolished in 1888.
“I was basically the first person to go in there for over a hundred years,” Hopkins told the BBC.
Unlike the storied wine cellar at Augusta National Golf Club, this one holds nothing worth uncorking. But it does offer a taste of the club’s past.
The site of the sinkhole sits in a portion of the property known as “The Cellars,” which once served as a workers’ entrance. According to the club’s published history, Davyhulme Hall passed through generations before being inherited in 1844 by Robert Henry Norreys, known locally as Squire Bob.
The club, which proclaims itself the fourth-oldest golf club in England, began as nine holes. By 1931, after acquiring additional land, it expanded to 18, with the design work handled by the club’s professional, Ernest Smith, a character of some note. Smith would later earn a place in the Guinness World Records for playing golf in five countries within 24 hours, flying by light aircraft from Scotland and looping through the U.K. and Ireland in a single day.
In gratitude for his architectural work, the club granted Smith honorary membership, a rare gesture in an era when professionals were rarely welcomed into clubhouses as peers. Two years later, according to the club’s website, he eloped to South America with the daughter of a member to whom he had been giving “lessons.” The club’s history puts that word in quotes before noting, with admirable understatement: “This caused quite a stir.”
So has the cellar.
Per Hopkins’ account to the BBC, members have already begun debating what should become of it. Some have suggested preserving it as a feature of the course. For now, though, it doesn’t appear to be interfering with play.
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