Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after securing an overtime victory against the Denver Broncos, Nov. 20, 2022, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The veteran signal-caller lifted his arms while teammates and fans reacted to the dramatic finish following the Raiders’ late-game push to close out the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
With free agency one day away, our Minnesota Vikings myths and misses — the Nopedy Nopes — ride again. We track weekly all Vikings-themed items that are unrealistic, wrong, or didn’t quite work out.
A few popular Vikings theories are already falling apart.
We call them the “Nopedy Nopes,” and the series has spanned a few years.
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Carr, Jones, and Spending Hype Belong in Minnesota’s Myth Bin
Here’s a look at Vikings stuff from the week that didn’t or won’t turn out as planned.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, Dec 26, 2021. Carr pumped his fist after a successful offensive sequence as teammates gathered nearby during the AFC West matchup played in front of a packed crowd. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
The Nopedy Nope: Derek Carr is a realistic QB option for the Vikings.
Carr resurfacing as a viable option for the Vikings — or any team — may feel like a Philip Rivers-style comeback fantasy.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora wrote Tuesday, “Although sections of the media continue to suggest that NFL teams would welcome a comeback from retired quarterback Derek Carr, it’s far harder to find any front-office executives who share that enthusiasm for a return.”
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“Carr, whose tenure with the Saints was mostly dreadful with him signing a lucrative contract that team officials quickly regretted, has been threatening to come out of retirement to play for a contending team.”
Carr will turn 35 in three weeks and, in theory, could still perform at a semi-high level.
La Canfora added, “New Orleans retains his rights and conversations with multiple teams actually in the market for quarterback upgrades revealed no appetite for the veteran even despite this college draft being very short on quarterback options and despite the free-agent class being barren as well.”
“An agent for a top free agent quarterback said he does not view Carr as competition for his client’s services and in general there has been skepticism within the football world about Carr playing anywhere in 2026.”
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That reporting cools the conversation quickly for anyone hoping Carr might restart his career in the Twin Cities.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Carr as an overly realistic quarterback option for the Vikings. Why trade for Carr and his contract when you can sign Kyler Murray or Geno Smith for “free?”
The Nopedy Nope: Daniel Jones could be on the Vikings’ radar — all $40 million per year, plus a busted Achilles tendon.
The transition tag keeps a small door open for Daniel Jones to land in Minnesota. In that setup, another team can extend Jones an offer sheet while the Colts retain the option to match it.
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ESPN’s Peter Schrager said Tuesday, “There’s also another team that’s lingering (in free agency. The transition tag does mean some other team can make an offer; the Colts would just have the last opportunity to match that offer. The team I would watch as a possible long shot, but also one that could be angling here is the Minnesota Vikings.”
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson also mentioned on SKOR North programming, “Daniel Jones is certainly somebody at least that needs to be on our radar.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Oct 19, 2025. Jones and Steichen discuss strategy along the sideline while the Colts offense prepares for its next possession. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
A Vikings pursuit of Jones would likely require a contract north of $40 million. That becomes tricky for a team that started the offseason about $40 million over the cap. The medical component adds another layer of risk, too, with Jones working back from a torn Achilles.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on spending $40 million for Jones and his ruptured Achilles when, again, Murray and Smith can be signed for next to nothing.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will spend big in free agency.
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Because it spent so much in 2024 and 2025, Minnesota won’t pay top dollar in 2026 during free agency, or so says interim general manager Rob Brzezinski.
Brzezinski chatted with ESPN this week: “We’ve spent a lot of money the last two years in free agency. And so our goal is going to be to keep our core in place, and that’s going to involve making some difficult decisions on some players, which you deal with on a daily basis.”
“But I think for the most part, our goal is going to be to draft and develop and to retain our core, and supplement with free agency. It just makes logical sense that that bill’s coming due. We do have to navigate it, and navigate it responsibly.”
Minnesota Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com host Gabe Henderson during a sit-down interview about the team’s leadership structure at the Vikings facility in Eagan, Minnesota, Feb 17, 2022. The discussion focused on organizational philosophy and the hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Brzezinski continued, “A big part of that is balancing what we’re doing in 2026 versus the future. It’s just inherent in my role. I feel like that’s a critical part of when I talk about the guardrails and the vision and the philosophy.”
“To make sure, maybe if we’re veering a little bit, to try to make a decision that maybe is not the best for the long term, maybe we can come back to what we talked about originally and say, ‘Hey, remember we talked about this is the way we’re going to do things? This is our philosophy.’ I think we can just lean on that and go from there.””
The Verdict: The Vikings will sign new players, but don’t expect the top guys like center Tyler Linderbaum or EDGE Trey Hendrickson. Nopedy nope. The spend-big window has closed for a while.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn homered and matched a career high with four RBIs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Sunday to sweep a three-game series and extend their winning streak to five.
O’Hearn hit a two-run shot to right-center in the first inning. In the second, his two-run double highlighted a four-run outburst as the Pirates pushed their lead to 6-0.
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Oneil Cruz made it 8-1 with a two-run homer to center field in the sixth. He also singled home a run in the second.
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Cruz’s homer came off left-hander Cade Povich. The center fielder is 7 for 10 with three homers against lefties after going 11 for 108 with one homer last season.
That was plenty of support for Braxton Ashcraft (1-1), who allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He had a career-high eight strikeouts and no walks.
Pirates starters have given up two earned runs or fewer in each of their eight games since 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes was tagged for five runs while only getting two outs against the New York Mets on opening day.
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Orioles starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) was roughed up for six runs in two innings. Signed to an $18.5 million, one-year contract as a free agent just before spring training, the right-hander has given up 10 runs over 6 1/3 innings in two starts.
Pete Alonso had an RBI double and Taylor Ward got three hits for the Orioles, who lost for the fifth time in six games.
Up next
Orioles: Were undecided on a starter for Monday night when they open a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox and Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40 ERA).
Pirates: Begin a three-game home series with San Diego on Monday night as rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (0-0, 0.00) faces RHP Germán Márquez (0-1, 12.00).
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Houston Astros placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain.
The move was retroactive to Thursday.
Brown finished third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season. He is 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two starts this season, striking out 17 in just 10 1/3 innings.
Brown, 27, last pitched Tuesday when he defeated the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one run and one hit and struck out eight against two walks in six innings.
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There was no immediate word on how long Brown might be sidelined. Houston announced the move before manager Joe Espada met with reporters prior to the club’s Sunday afternoon road game against the Athletics.
Brown made the AL All-Star team for the first time last season when he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out a career-high 206 and posted a stellar 1.03 WHIP.
He is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 appearances (94 starts) since reaching the majors in 2022.
The Astros promoted right-hander Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. He had a 6.75 ERA in two relief appearances for Houston earlier this season.
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The 27-year-old pitched one scoreless inning of relief in his lone outing for Sugar Land this season.
Gerry Harvey, the owner-breeder and entrepreneur, offered a timely advisory to yearling buyers when two passed-in horses from his stock notched feature victories one after another at Randwick.
Part of the ownership for Campione D’Italia involves Harvey with an elite partnership including Newgate Bloodstock owned by Henry Field, and the colt had also been passed in at sales.
“I passed it in, and Henry Field and I had a talk. I said, ‘I want six hundred (thousand dollars) mate’, and he said, ‘I’ll give you five hundred’ and I said, ‘get lost’. Then I thought I better do it,” Harvey said.
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“It’s a very exciting day because we just had the country winner as well. We passed it in for $25,000. No-one wanted it.
So if you want to buy a horse from my horse studs, always buy the passed-in ones. Never buy in the ring. You’ll do much better buying a passed-in one.”
Campione D’Italia, by Snitzel, elevated his stallion value via the Group 1 conquest, extending from a powerful fourth in the Golden Slipper (1200m) closing from the rear.
The horse’s trainer, Chris Waller, highlighted the enhanced starting position and steady improvement as decisive.
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“Today was his fourth career start and each run has got a little bit better, a little bit better,” Waller said.
“His run in the Golden Slipper was amazing. He just got too far back. It was no-one’s fault, and the horse is just learning all the time.
He got a lovely draw today, and that was the difference between having him in the firing line or going back like he was last start.
It was good to see him knuckle down and get the job done.”
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A next step could be the Champagne Stakes (1600m) for Campione D’Italia, emulating stablemate Militarize who achieved it three years back after Sires’.
“Militarize, he won the Sires’ and then he won the Champagne, so I’ll have a talk to the team and see what they suggest,” Waller said.
“We’ve got to nurse him a little bit, so we’ll see how he comes through it.”
At $4.20, Campione D’Italia held off Miss Chanel ($15) by three-quarters of a length, followed identically by stablemate Fireball ($18) in third.
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The Champagne Stakes is on the table for Fireball subject to how he pulls up.
Be a Lucky Block is a tycoon-based simulation game where you play as a block running on a treadmill. NPCs will chase and break you open, revealing a Brainrot. Your objective is to escape their plans and return to your base to store the Brainrot, allowing you to earn revenue. The new Be a Lucky Block update added a new plot skin called Stranger base to the game. You can acquire it once you have collected all Brainrots from the Ink and Alien Events.
This article covers everything about the Strange Base in Be a Lucky Block.
Everything about the Stranger Base skin
The Stranger Base skin (Image via Roblox)
To get this alluring skin in the title, you will have to collect all 10 Brainrots from the Ink and Alien Events. The Luminous base skin featured a similar requirement to this. Since this Roblox experience now has four events that take place every four hours, it is going to be challenging to acquire specific Brainrots, as the run time of these events is very short. Hence, the only way to complete this feat is by joining the game at regular intervals and keeping note of the next event’s timer.
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To avoid confusion, it is worth mentioning that all base skins in Be a Lucky Block do not provide any perks or buffs to the game and are just mere cosmetics, meant to elevate the look of your plot. Here are the Brainrots you will need to get the Stranger Base in this title:
Alien Event units:
Spaceshipini Tortini: 50%
Astro Bandito: 40%
Chachelien: 9%
Aliensini Octosini: 0.95%
La Vacca Galactica: 0.05%
Ink Event units:
Glorbo Inkdrillo: 50%
Inknina Bombardino: 40%
Ink Din Din Dun: 9%
Cavallo Inkuoso: 0.95%
La Vacca Singolarita: 0.5%
How to get the Ink and Alien Brainrots?
To get the Ink and Alien Brainrots, you will need to venture into the treadmill, where there’s a 40% chance of getting caught by an NPC. After getting caught, you get caught, wait for the bosses to break the Block to reveal the Brainrot. Only then should you escape the plot through the portal to get back to the safe zone. Note that your chances of getting them increase during an Admin Abuse event.
FAQs on Be a Lucky Block
How do you unlock the Stranger Base in Be a Lucky Block?
To unlock the Stranger Base skin in Be a Lucky Block, players must collect all 10 Brainrots from the Ink and Alien Events.
Do base skins provide any gameplay advantages in Be a Lucky Block?
No, base skins in Be a Lucky Block are purely cosmetic, and they do not provide any boosts, perks, or gameplay advantages.
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How to get Ink and Alien Brainrots?
The best way to obtain Ink and Alien Brainrots is to participate in the treadmill while an event is active and let these NPCs capture your Lucky Block and break it to reveal a Brainrot. After the Brainrot appears, you must escape through the portal to safely return to your base to get it.
NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dream run in IPL 2026 with a commanding 43-run victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, powered by a sensational batting display and timely strikes with the ball.Put in to bat, RCB endured a cautious start on a slightly tacky surface, going boundary-less in the first three overs. Virat Kohli looked the most assured early on, while Phil Salt gradually found his rhythm. The innings gained momentum after the PowerPlay, with Salt (46) and Devdutt Padikkal stitching a crucial stand.
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Padikkal then took charge, compiling a fluent 50 off 29 balls to anchor the innings.However, the real carnage unfolded in the death overs. Following Padikkal’s dismissal, skipper Rajat Patidar joined forces with Tim David, and the duo unleashed a brutal assault. David was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 70 off just 25 balls, including eight towering sixes. Patidar played the perfect foil with a blistering 48* off 19 deliveries as RCB surged to a massive 250/3.In reply, CSK’s chase got off to a shaky start. Jacob Duffy struck early to remove both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Ayush Mhatre to leave them reeling. Despite the early setbacks, Sarfaraz Khan launched a stunning counterattack, racing to a 24-ball fifty and propelling CSK to 77 in the PowerPlay.Just when CSK looked to rebuild, Krunal Pandya turned the game on its head, dismissing Sarfaraz with his very first delivery and removing Kartik Sharma soon after. A spectacular one-handed catch by Jitesh Sharma to dismiss Shivam Dube further dented the chase.Though Prashant Veer (43) and Jamie Overton (37) offered resistance, the required rate kept climbing. Bhuvneshwar (3/41) and Krunal (2/36) ensured regular breakthroughs, while Suyash Sharma impressed with his control.CSK were eventually bowled out for 207 in 19.4 overs, falling well short. With this emphatic win, RCB not only extend their winning streak but also reinforce their status as early title contenders. On the other hand, CSK now find themselves at the bottom of the table with three back-to-back defeats in the new season. Brief score: RCB 250/3 (20 overs) beat CSK 207 all out (19.4 overs) by 43 runs
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kun Khalifat FC have announced the death of their team manager, Ekpemadu Chigioke.
The sad news was shared by the Imo State-based club on their official social media handle on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
In a short statement, the club wrote:
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“Farewell, Our brother Ekpemadu Chigioke ️
Your passion as the team manager and player, dedication, and impact will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace… till we meet again.
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#ThePrideOfImo | #WeAreKunKhalifatFC”
The cause of his death was not disclosed by the club.
Chigioke’s passing is a big blow to Kun Khalifat FC, especially as the team is set to face Nasarawa United in an NPFL away match later on Sunday.
Tributes have already started to pour in from fans, players, and members of the football community, who have described him as a committed and passionate figure in the club.
Lola Vice competes against Kendal Grey during NXT at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 31, 2026.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
The match was fast-paced and featured hard-hitting action as all competitors tried to make quick work of each other.
Grey and Vice quickly picked up where they left off on Tuesday night. The two grappled for control and tried to get quick pins on each other after throwing Jayne out of the ring. No woman had the upper hand in the very beginning, but the match quickly moved outside the ring. Jayne threw Grey into the stairs while Vice hit a Meteora on the champ to take advantage.
Jayne came in with some momentum. She already defeated Grey and Vice in the past. She had her Toxic Influence stablemates, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, on the outside of the ring and in her corner. Grey also had the backing of Wren Sinclar, while Vice only had herself.
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Jayne tried her darndest to keep it a one-on-one match, tossing either Grey or Vice out of the ring to keep the numbers even inside of it. She showed her veteran abilities often throughout the match.
Kendal Grey competes against Lola Vice during NXT at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 31, 2026.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
But Grey, who won the Iron Survivor Challenge when she was still the Evolve women’s champion, would not be beaten down – neither would Vice. The Cuban American pro wrestler used her own mixed martial arts background to keep her opponents at bay.
Just as Jayne thought she was going to get a pin on Grey, Vice – who was on the outside of the ring – put Grey’s foot on the rope to break the count. Toxic Influence got into the mix, but Sinclar hit a crossbody on the outside and sent Jayne’s partners running.
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Vice tried to put Grey into a sleeper. Jayne forced Grey out of the ring. Vice hit Jayne with a spinning backfist and pinned Jayne for the win.
It is Vice’s first title reign and she becomes a double champion with the victory as she also holds the AAA world mixed tag team championship with Mr. Iguana. She’s the first Cuban American female to hold the women’s championship in NXT.
NXT women’s champion Jacy Jayne addresses the crowd during NXT’s Vengeance Day on March 7, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.(Conor Kvatek/WWE via Getty Images)
Vice made her NXT debut in 2023 and earned her first title shot after winning the NXT Breakout Tournament.
The Boston Celtics trade-deadline acquisition will be back in the lineup on Sunday.
Centre Nikola Vucevic will return against the Toronto Raptors (3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+), the team announced.
Vucevic has been sidelined since suffering a fractured right ring finger against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6. He required surgery to repair the fracture.
The 35-year-old Montenegrin averaged 10.4 points and 21.7 minutes in 12 games with Boston after coming over from the Chicago Bulls.
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The Celtics sit second in the Eastern Conference and have already clinched a spot in the postseason.
Errol Spence Jr is on the brink of his long-awaited return after nearly three years out of the ring.
The Former unified welterweight champion hasn’t fought since his undisputed showdown with Terence Crawford back in July 2023.
Heading into the bout, it was seen as a 50-50 affair, with Spence arguably even a slight favourite, but instead it was Crawford who earned a dominant ninth round stoppage win to claim all four world titles at 147lbs.
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A number of factors have kept Spence out of action since then, including injuries and failed negotiations with other fighters, but now his imminent return has moved a step closer after his planned next opponent won his interim bout over the weekend.
Former WBO super-welterweight champion Tim Tszyu is the man in question, as he secured a one-sided unanimous decision win over Denis Nurja, and then had a callout for Spence immediately after the contest.
“Me and Errol is going to be one hell of a fight, it’s a banger. You know how I am, I don’t take a backwards step. If he wants to meet me at the front, bring it on. You know what they say, catch the big fish. Let’s go fishing.”
It didn’t take Spence long to respond, as posting on social media, he promised to deal with Tszyu convincingly.
“You think sh*t sweet [I’mma] do you so bad!”
The clash between Spence and Tszyu had reportedly been lined up to take place in June, but the Australian did suffer a cut in his bout against Nurja, which could potentially delay proceedings.
Q: Dear Chef, I’m struggling with the chipping yips. Any easy remedies? —Kyle M., Wilmette, Ill
Kyle, I feel for you. The chipping yips are a huge bummer and can happen to anyone. Even Tiger Woods suffered from them for a while, back in 2015. But he bounced back, and so can you!
Try this simple solution: Next time you’re hitting shots around the practice green, add a toe tap with your lead foot before you swing through to impact. You can do this in a variety of ways, even pausing your swing at the halfway point. The goal is to make sure you’re getting that toe tap in before you start your through swing to impact.
Not only does thinking about the toe tap help you get out of your head and ease the anxiety of the impending strike, it also encourages you to have your weight properly positioned throughout the swing.
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You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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