Even Alex Eala’s training sessions are certified sellouts. —KEATS LONDON
There was, for Alex Eala, something a bit unfamiliar about this year’s US Open.
“It felt different, definitely,” she said on Wednesday (Manila time) after her victory over Mary Stoiana in her opening match at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.
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“It was my first time playing on one of the main stadiums here [at the] US Open, and it was very loud,” the world No. 18 told reporters. “And especially when the roof is covered. So that’s something that adds to the atmosphere, but it’s also something you have to navigate.”
There was also that one bit about coming in as a seeded player, 17th in the women’s field, compared to last year when she won her first main-draw Grand Slam match against a seeded opponent.
“Yeah, of course, coming in as a seeded player and having done pretty good … [during] American swing, it brings a different vibe,” the Filipino superstar said. “Of course, you’re a little more confident.”
“But [that’s] not to say that one is … more challenging than the other. It’s just different circumstances. There’s a little more expectation [this year].”
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Eala was playing Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine at press time with a shot at extending her run at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is about a seven-minute train ride from Woodside, the Queens neighborhood known as “Little Manila” for its strong Filipino community.
And staying in contention would mean a lot to her fans, mostly immigrants from the Philippines, who take every opportunity to see her in the flesh. Eala Mania has turned every WTA tournament the 21-year-old ace joins into an “it” event. And that’s amplified in New York, where even her practice sessions have been packed to the rafters.
But whether or not she gets an extended stint, playing in the US Open already means so much for Eala, who first played in New York in an eight-under tournament more than a decade ago.
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“It’s nice to revisit this place and experience it a little bit differently in different stages of my life,” she said before the tournament started.
Against Stoiana, Eala put on a dominant show, but she admitted that beneath the surface, she dealt with some inner tension.
“[T]here were nerves for sure. And I’m not really sure if I can pinpoint where they came from, if it’s from the noise, if it’s from [playing in] the first round of a Slam,” she said. “But I think with experience, my goal is to, you know, tune it out. And I’ve, I’ve had experience with big crowds, especially in the past year.”
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“And in the end, when you get into the groove, get into the rhythm … a match is a match, whether or not I think there are so many people.”
Adley Rutschman tormented his former team in his first game back at Camden Yards, hitting two home runs and leading the Red Sox to a 6-5 win in Baltimore.
Batting third for Boston, Rutschman received a standing ovation from the Camden Yards faithful in the 1st, tipping his helmet to the fans who still had plenty of love for the former Oriole. He then repaid that love by launching Brandon Young’s hanging curveball onto the flag court for an early 1-0 lead for Boston.
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The Orioles would tie the game in the first on a Pete Alonso sac fly, before Alonso and Luis Robert Jr. provided some fireworks of their own in the 4th. Robert, the newest Oriole, marked his Camden Yards debut by blasting a Jack Bennett fastball into the left-field stands. The Polar Bear then followed suit, golfing a changeup below his knees just out of the reach of Boston’s CF for his 33rd long ball of the season.
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Those back-to-back jacks put the Orioles up 3-1, a lead they held until Rutschman came back up in the 6th. With one out and the bases empty, Young tried to challenge his former teammate with a fastball up and in. Rutschman turned on the heater and sent another solo shot to right field to cut the Orioles’ lead in half.
After the Red Sox tied the game at 3-3 in the 7th, the former Baltimore backstop was then in the heart of another rally in the 8th. Jahmai Jones led off the inning with a single to left, bringing up Rutschman with the winning run on first. The three-time All-Star bounced a would-be double-play ball to third; however, a hard slide by Jones at second caused Blaze Alexander’s throw to skip off Alonso’s forearm and allowed Rutschman to go to second.
Like on his home run trots, the Boston catcher didn’t have to run hard to score his third run of the day. Two batters later, Nick Sogard homered off a Yennier Cano sinker at the knees to put the Red Sox up 5-3. The Sogard blast ended Cano’s streak of 48 straight appearances without allowing a homer. Roman Anthony would then take Albert Suárez deep in the 9th for the Red Sox’s fourth homer of the evening, putting Boston up 6-3.
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Unexpectedly, that insurance run would prove important as Aroldis Chapman came in for the save in the 9th. After Alonso struck out to begin the frame, Gunnar Henderson slapped a belt-high fastball to left to give the Orioles some hope. That hope grew even more two pitches later, as Christian Encarnacion-Strand turned on a fastball at the top of the zone, blasting a two-run homer to left to chop Boston’s lead down to one.
The thoughts of a comeback quickly faded, however. The future Hall of Fame closer got Leody Taveras to fly out to center for the second out of the inning. Chapman then got ahead of Dylan Beavers 0-2 before blowing a 100mph fastball past the rookie outfielder to secure Boston’s win.
Outside of the two mistakes to Rutschman, Young was excellent for 6.2 innings on Thursday. He struck out the first two batters he faced, fanning Roman Anthony and Mickey Gasper on low splitters. He’d get two quick outs in the 2nd before punching out Jarren Duran on a splitter just off the outside corner.
After Rutschman’s first homer, Young set down the next six Red Sox he faced, with the streak ending on a two-out walk to Anthony in the 3rd. BY would cap that inning with a Gasper flyout to finish the first three innings with only two baserunners and three strikeouts.
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The Orioles’ big right-hander ran into his first real jam in the 4th thanks to a brief lapse of control. After two flyouts to start the inning, Nick Sogard walked on four pitches to extend the frame. Young then tried to run a sinker in on the hands of Caleb Durbin, but clipped the Red Sox’s 3B to give Boston two on with two outs. The big Texan got out of the jam by getting Duran to fly out on a high fastball, stranding both runners.
Young breezed through a 1-2-3 5th inning on just 12 pitches. Rutschman’s second homer of the night snapped a streak of 17 straight Red Sox plate appearances without a hit. Young rebounded from that blast by striking out Wilyer Abreu looking on a curveball at the knees. Sogard then lined out to close out another strong frame from the 28-year-old righty.
Having only thrown 81 pitches through six innings, Young got the green light from manager Craig Albernaz to go back out for the 7th. At first, it looked like the right decision, with Durbin lining out after two pitches and Duran striking out on a 3-2 splitter at the knees. However, with two outs, Boston outfielder Eli White poked a first-pitch fastball down the right-field line to put the tying run on second. Albernaz let Young pitch to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who bounced another ball through the right side. The single scored White, tied the game at three and chased Young from the game.
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The Orioles’ most reliable starter finished with a line that doesn’t accurately reflect how good he was Thursday. Finishing with 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB and 7 Ks, his stats paint the picture of a good but not great start from BY. At times, however, he was untouchable, generating 12 swings and misses and producing 5 Ks on his splitter alone. If not for two mistakes to Rutschman, Young might have earned a win; instead, he finished with a somewhat unjust No Decision.
Thanks to Cleveland losing Thursday, the Orioles remain 1.5 GB of the last Wild Card spot in the AL. Shane Baz takes the mound tomorrow night looking to end Baltimore’s three-game skid.
Ronan O’Gara is reportedly moving closer to a new long-term agreement with La Rochelle amid speculation surrounding the Leinster head coach position.
Ronan O’Gara is reportedly close to agreeing a four-year contract extension that would keep him at La Rochelle until 2031.
The former Ireland and Munster out-half had been widely discussed as a possible candidate to replace Leo Cullen when the Leinster head coach steps down at the end of the 2026-27 season.
However, reports emerging from France suggest O’Gara is preparing to commit his future to La Rochelle and continue his pursuit of a first Top 14 championship.
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O’Gara at La Rochelle
Joined coaching team: 2019
Champions Cup titles: 2022 and 2023
Current deal: Runs to 2027
Reported extension: Four years, to 2031
European success in France
O’Gara joined La Rochelle in 2019 following coaching spells with Racing 92 and the Crusaders. He subsequently established the French club as one of Europe’s leading sides.
La Rochelle defeated Leinster in consecutive Champions Cup finals in 2022 and 2023, with O’Gara’s tactical influence and competitive personality becoming central to the club’s identity.
The Top 14 title remains the major prize missing from his La Rochelle record. The club have twice reached the domestic final during his tenure, only to be denied by Toulouse.
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What it could mean for Leinster
Cullen’s planned departure has already prompted considerable discussion about who might succeed him in Dublin. O’Gara’s success in France and his familiarity with Irish rugby made him an obvious name to include in that conversation.
A new agreement with La Rochelle would make such a move considerably less likely, although no appointment process has reached a public conclusion.
Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan has said the province is working with the IRFU to identify Cullen’s successor but has declined to discuss individual candidates.
O’Gara has also spoken previously about his ambition to coach Ireland at some point in his career. A contract running until 2031 would not necessarily end that possibility, but it would place any return to Irish rugby much further into the future.
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Until an extension is formally announced, O’Gara’s future will remain the subject of speculation. The latest reports nevertheless indicate that La Rochelle are determined to retain the coach who delivered the greatest successes in the club’s history.
The proposed contract extension has been reported but had not been formally confirmed by La Rochelle at the time of publication.
One of the biggest punishments from the NBA was the $30 million fine it imposed on LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The league concluded its probe into the Clippers’ salary-circumvention scandal involving star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Ballmer has also been banned for a year and will not be able to participate in any team and league activities. The NBA punished more than just the owner of the team. The Clippers’ president of business operations, Gillian Zucker, is suspended for a year without pay, and its president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, is suspended for six months without pay.
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The Clippers must forfeit five consecutive first-round draft picks spanning from 2029 through 2033. Lastly, Leonard must pay a $700,000 fine.
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On Thursday, Filipino-American journalist Pablo Torre gave his candid thoughts on the NBA’s punishments.
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“I thought that it could have been more,” Torre said about Steve Ballmer.
“$30 million is change for a guy with $145 billion … but the thing about the scope and the vastness of it, the five first-rounders. I think it was unprecedented in that regard, but also because it was narrow in scope.”
Torre, the journalist who broke the news about the Clippers’ salary circumvention in September 2025, also hinted that investigations might not be over.
“It’s only the beginning, somehow.”
Steve Ballmer has a net worth of $152.7 billion, according to Forbes. As the ninth-wealthiest person in the world, Torre pointed out that $30 million isn’t a massive fine.
After the news about the NBA’s probe findings on Wednesday, the Clippers addressed it through a lengthy statement. The organization wants to “vigorously challenge” the findings and penalties. The team also penned a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, condemning the findings.
Stephen A. Smith Calls Steve Ballmer Lucky for His Punishments
Due to the NBA’s penalties, Steve Ballmer will not be allowed to attend any team meetings or be with the players for a year. On Thursday’s episode of “First Take,” the longtime analyst commented on the Clippers owner.
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“Number one, let’s hope that they don’t recover from this for a while,” he said. “Steve Ballmer is lucky that he hasn’t been banned and he’s not being forced to sell the team, if this is true, and it appears that it is. He’s lucky because the fact of the matter is a year suspension, he’s getting off light.”
Smith also addressed the entire salary circumvention as “stupidity” for the Clippers. The ESPN analyst pointed out that the two-time champion collected over $291 million from them, while the Clippers got the worst end of the NBA’s penalties.
Pádraic Joyce has stepped down as manager of the Galway senior footballers, bringing his seven-year spell in charge to an end.
Galway GAA have confirmed that Pádraic Joyce is leaving his position as senior football manager after seven seasons at the helm.
The Killererin clubman had been contracted until the end of the 2028 season and indicated following Galway’s Championship exit in June that he intended to remain in charge.
However, Joyce has now decided to step away, leaving Galway GAA to begin the search for a new senior football management team.
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Pádraic Joyce’s Galway Record
Appointed: October 2019 Seasons in charge: Seven Connacht titles: Four All-Ireland final appearances: Two Final season: 2026
Joyce calls time on Galway tenure
Joyce described managing Galway as both a privilege and an honour. He thanked the county’s players, supporters, backroom personnel and their families for the commitment they had shown throughout his time in charge.
He also confirmed that he intends to return to the stands as a supporter and wished the next management team well.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to manage my county.”
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Pádraic Joyce
Galway restored as Championship contenders
Joyce was appointed in October 2019 ahead of the 2020 season, having previously managed the Galway under-20 footballers.
After a difficult beginning to his senior tenure, he rebuilt Galway into one of the leading teams in the country and delivered four consecutive Connacht championships between 2022 and 2025.
Galway returned to the All-Ireland final in 2022, their first appearance in the decider for 21 years. They pushed Kerry throughout a closely contested final before eventually losing by four points.
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Joyce brought Galway back to the final two years later. On that occasion, Armagh prevailed by a single point after a tense encounter at Croke Park. It was a dramatic game with the Galway players running up and down the field but the weren’t able to peg Armagh back.
Those two defeats meant Joyce was unable to add an All-Ireland title as a manager to the medals he won as one of Galway’s greatest players, but his team remained consistent contenders during the latter part of his tenure.
Disappointing end to 2026 campaign
Galway’s 2026 season did not reach the heights of the previous campaigns. Roscommon ended their run of four consecutive provincial titles before Dublin eliminated Joyce’s side at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
Speaking after the Dublin defeat, Joyce said that he still had two years remaining and believed Galway were moving in the right direction.
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Speculation about his future continued during the summer. Galway officials initially dismissed reports that he was preparing to leave, but his departure has now been formally confirmed.
Galway to begin search for successor
Galway GAA chairperson Paul Bellew praised Joyce’s leadership, commitment and influence during his seven seasons in charge.
Bellew said Joyce had returned Galway to the biggest stage on a consistent basis and helped create an environment in which players could develop and perform at the highest level.
John Concannon, John Divilly, Micheál Ó Domhnaill and Sean Rhattigan were also thanked for their contributions to the outgoing management structure.
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No immediate successor has been identified. Galway GAA confirmed that a process to appoint the county’s next senior football manager will be established shortly, with further information to follow.
What happens next? Galway GAA will put a process in place to appoint the next senior football manager, with the successful candidate inheriting a squad that reached two All-Ireland finals under Joyce.
Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones both fell to seeded players as British interest in the US Open singles ended in the second round.
Dart said she felt “under the weather” during her 6-2 6-2 defeat by Czech 25th seed Marie Bouzkova as temperatures reached around 30C in New York.
Her loss meant Jones was the last Briton standing in either singles draw, and she acquitted herself well before falling 6-4 6-4 to 14th seed and rising American star Iva Jovic.
Nine British players competed in the US Open main draws – the most since 1981 – with four coming through qualifying.
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Five of them reached the second round, but Jacob Fearnley was the only player to win a set as they all fell to seeded players.
Lucky loser Fearnley fell in four sets to 27th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, while qualifier Toby Samuel was beaten by 18th seed Jiri Lehecka.
Katie Boulter lost to Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova in only 58 minutes on Wednesday.
In the men’s draw, Cameron Norrie, Arthur Fery, Harry Wendelken and Jan Choinski exited in the first round.
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Jones, ranked 90 places lower than Jovic, made the American work for one hour and 54 minutes to reach the third round.
Humid conditions meant both players frequently dashed to the back of the court between points to dry their hands and face.
It was Jovic who started on the front foot, opening up a double break and a 3-0 lead as the 18-year-old controlled the rallies with some deep hitting from the baseline.
Jones snatched a break back and kept in touch with Jovic – but she could not make the most of a break point as Jovic served for the set.
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After wrapping up the opener, Jovic raced into a 4-1 lead in the second, only to once again be dragged back by Jones.
The Briton saved three match points on her own serve but Jovic produced one of her best service games to seal victory and set up a meeting with good friend Alexandra Eala.
September can be one of the hardest months to judge NFL teams.
Offseason expectations remain fresh, yet every new game provides evidence that can challenge what bettors thought they knew before kickoff. Small statistical samples can also distort early trends.
That uncertainty makes early NFL lines particularly interesting to follow. Instead of allowing a single September result to reshape an entire outlook, bettors can focus on the information that appears repeatable as the opening weeks reveal more about each team.
Understanding the Limited Data Behind September NFL Lines
Week 1 arrives after months of projections built around last season’s performance, offseason roster moves, coaching changes and expected player development. Those assumptions provide a starting point, but meaningful current-season evidence is initially scarce.
Preseason football only fills part of the gap. Starters play limited snaps, personnel constantly change and coaches rarely reveal their full plans. Even after Week 1, statistics can mislead, with strong turnover or third-down numbers potentially reflecting one unusually productive game.
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September therefore requires patience. Coaching continuity, quarterback experience and offensive-line cohesion can provide useful context while the sample grows. Early games should update preseason expectations rather than immediately erase them.
Opening Lines, Current Lines and Market Movement
One of the clearest things bettors can monitor is how a market changes between its opening number and kickoff. A spread that begins at -2.5 and reaches -3.5 before the weekend games begin tells a different story from one that barely moves all week.
Opening numbers provide a reference point, while current markets show how expectations have changed. Bettors can get the latest NFL lines to check spreads, moneylines and totals before assessing how far a number has moved and what influenced the adjustment.
Why a line moves matters as much as how far. Injuries, depth-chart changes and broader betting market activity can all contribute. Key NFL margins also matter, particularly three and seven points, making a move from -2.5 to -3.5 especially significant.
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Closing line comparisons can add further context. Consistently noting where a chosen number finishes by kickoff can help bettors assess whether their timing is producing stronger numbers over time. This can reveal whether early market reads are proving accurate.
Early Results and the Danger of Overreaction
Opening weekend produces sweeping conclusions every year. A preseason contender loses and suddenly looks broken, while an overlooked team wins convincingly and attracts attention as a surprise package. Neither reaction necessarily reflects the full performance.
A lopsided score can result from turnovers, special-teams touchdowns or explosive plays. A narrow loss might hide a strong performance where a team moved the ball but struggled in the red zone. Looking deeper helps separate unusual events from persistent problems.
Before allowing an early result to reshape an assessment, check:
● Turnover margin,
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● Explosive plays,
● Pass protection,
● Red-zone performance,
● Special teams scores,
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● Garbage-time scoring.
The next matchup matters too, especially during the opening weeks. Personnel developments, opponent strengths and individual player usage can change the context considerably.
Analysis of upcoming NFL games and props can provide another layer of information as the early season develops and expectations evolve, when deciding whether an early performance represents an emerging pattern or simply one unusual Sunday.
New Coaches, Quarterbacks and Offensive Systems
September is when offseason changes meet regular-season pressure for the first time. A new playbook can look polished in practice, yet communication becomes harder as the play clock runs down and opposing defenses disguise their intentions.
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New coaches and coordinators may need time to establish their systems under game conditions. Rookie quarterbacks must adjust to defensive pressure and disguises, while new veteran starters can face similar timing and chemistry issues during September games.
Offensive lines and receiving groups also deserve attention. Protection mistakes, pre-snap penalties, poorly timed routes and assignment errors can suggest a transition remains unfinished, while communication problems can quickly disrupt offensive rhythm.
Change should not automatically count against a team, though. Sometimes a new system clicks faster than anticipated. The important question is whether September performances are beginning to reveal a functional and repeatable identity.
What Early Games Reveal About NFL Totals
Point spreads are only part of the September picture. Early games can also provide useful clues when assessing totals, particularly as offenses establish their timing and preferred style. Scoring patterns often become clearer as teams settle into their systems.
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Points scored rarely tell the full story. Quarterback-receiver chemistry, offensive-line cohesion, play-calling pace and red-zone execution can indicate whether production is sustainable. Penalties and stalled drives also matter, especially for teams installing new systems.
Early offensive rust can make lower-scoring games worth examining, but September Unders are not automatic. Markets adapt as regular-season evidence grows. A struggling offense may improve quickly, while a fast starter can face tougher defensive matchups.
Watching how an offense functions is ultimately more informative than assuming September football must follow one scoring pattern. Efficiency and execution provide important context as the season develops. Matchup quality can also shape early results.
Injuries, Weather and Late-Week Information
Some of the most important information arrives after the opening line is posted. Checking player availability closer to kickoff matters, as practice participation and injury reports can shift expectations around quarterbacks, offensive linemen and key defenders.
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Conditions deserve similar attention. September heat and humidity can test conditioning, while wind and rain may affect passing and kicking. Travel demands and scheduling circumstances can also provide useful context when assessing a matchup.
Bettors should also check what the market has already done before making any decision. Important news does not automatically create an opportunity, particularly when the spread or total has already moved enough to reflect the latest development.
The final question should therefore go beyond whether an injury, weather forecast or other update matters before the game begins. Bettors should consider how significant the information is and whether the current line has already accounted for it.
Let September Build the Picture
September rewards observation over sweeping conclusions. Each game reveals more about quarterback play, coaching changes, offensive cohesion and defensive strengths, showing whether preseason expectations remain justified or need adjusting.
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By October, several weeks of meaningful football will have reduced much of the uncertainty surrounding Week 1. September is about refining expectations as evidence accumulates, allowing genuine patterns to emerge and separate themselves from early-season noise.
Nolan Teasley was asked about possibly trading J.J. McCarthy. Given that it’s a pertinent topic, the question is a good one to ask (at least if you ask me).
Part of the problem is that Mr. Teasley didn’t appear particularly keen about digging into the issue. His answer about whether teams had been calling: “That’s something I’ll probably keep internal. We get calls all the time but it’s not something I would directly comment on [in] regards to any player.” Teasley, in short, opts to keep his cards close to his chest. Maybe teams called; maybe teams didn’t. All that he’s saying is that front offices talk commonly about trades but he wouldn’t go any further.
Does J.J. McCarthy Get Sent Packing Via Trade?
Of course, the possibility remains that Mr. McCarthy will get sent packing. Any trade needs a pair of partners to do business.
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Presumably, there are teams out there willing to send out a draft pick(s) to snag the 23-year-old quarterback. The issue is simply that nobody in their right mind would hand over anything close to what the Vikings had to pay to get him in the first place: the No. 10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Minnesota can therefore hang onto the young fella or sell for pennies on the dollar.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 14, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. McCarthy continued his strong rookie-season momentum while leading Minnesota’s offense in a high-profile road matchup against one of the NFC’s most recognizable franchises. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“If another team offered a first round pick for McCarthy,” Diamond writes, “it would be hard to pass up. That’s certainly not going to happen after his injury-prone and inconsistent play last year (although he did end the season with better play and four straight wins) and in preseason this year with his accuracy still a major concern.”
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More from Diamond: “There’s no way Teasley and O’Connell would trade McCarthy for the minimal return of probably a fourth round pick at this point (which is what the 49ers received from the Cowboys for Trey Lance in 2023 and Lance was the third overall pick in 2021 but was often hurt and inconsistent and he was beat out for the starting job by Brock Purdy).”
Similarly of note is the work of Tom Rudelius, a math nerd who ventured into the precedent of recent NFL history to gauge what J.J. McCarthy could demand on the trade market.
After spilling some digital ink, Rudelius writes that “it’s hard to imagine that McCarthy could net more than a 5th Round pick at this point. Part of the reason why the price for former 1st Round QBs has dropped in recent years is probably because none of the QBs in the table above have brought any meaningful value to the team that traded for them.”
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Would Nolan Teasley move on from J.J. McCarthy if the offer involved recouping a 4th or 5th? That’s a good question, but it’s hard to know if there has even been some trade discussions happening at all.
In 2025, McCarthy went 6-4 as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. Pushing his team to that winning record came despite completing a horrible 57.6% of his passes while only climbing up to 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns. Keep in mind that he had 12 interceptions alongside 6 fumbles.
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At 23, J.J. McCarthy still has a lot of football in front of him. Whether that football gets played in the North Star State is an open question.
David Benavidez is set for one more fight in 2026 before heading into ablockbuster clash in early 2027. However, while many fight fans are hoping to see Benavidez take on Jai Opetaia, one reigning cruiserweight world champion is hoping to disrupt the plans.
Benavidez is on a mission to claim the undisputed cruiserweight world title after halting and dethroning WBA and WBO Gilberto Ramirez for the WBO and WBO on his debut in the division.
Meanwhile, Opetaia, who has long called for a fight with Benavidez, was stripped of his IBF world title after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Next weekend, the Aussie is set to collide with WBC cruiserweight titleholder, Noel Mikaelian.
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With Mikaelian having been mandated to face Benavidez himself, it seems as though the WBC could soon strip the Armenian champion of his belt.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Mikaelian said that he doesn’t care if that happens.
“I asked them [the WBC] for my voluntary defence back, since I got it at the beginning of the year and then the contract was withheld from me from my promoter, for the Jai Opetaia fight since March.
“I haven’t heard from them, I always acted in good faith towards my promoter and towards the WBC. At this point, I have already been a two-time world champion, they took it away from me before, I don’t even care anymore.
“They got to do what they have got to do, everybody has to do their job. I don’t care if I defend my belt or not, I am just focussed on the fight and being victorious on September 12, to put on a great show and give my best performance so far.”
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It is understood that Benavidez will face WBC Interim champion, Michal Cieslak in December – with Cieslak poised to be installed as the new full WBC world champion if Mikaelian is stripped – before an in-demand showdown against Opetaia in the first half of 2027.
However, Mikaelian went on to deny suggestions that Benavidez is the boogeyman of the division and vowed to take ‘The Mexican Monster’ on himself if he is able to overcome Opetaia.
“Why is he the boogeyman of the division? Why would somebody say that he is a boogeyman? He had one fight at cruiserweight, against Ramirez, who is also a former super-middleweight, he was also not a real cruiserweight.
“He is a great fighter, he is very entertaining, he throws a lot of combination punches and he is great. He is young, he is hungry, definitely a good fighter, but I wouldn’t see him as a boogeyman.
“The winner of this fight, me or Jai, will fight him next.”
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Opetaia-Mikaelian is the co-main event of the Garcia-Benn card next Saturday, whilst Benavidez-Cieslak is being touted for Saturday, December 12.
We got a good taste of college football in Week Zero, but this week the season kicks off in full.
The best conference in the nation gets things started on Thursday with a trio of games at Rutgers, Minnesota, and Illinois.
The conference that has claimed the last three national championships enters 2026 with several teams at the top with Playoff aspirations and no less than four teams that could realistically be the last team standing in January.
Among them are three from the West.
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Oregon and USC certainly have teams capable of winning the whole thing, while Washington has a team that could crash the Playoff party.
The fourth West Coast Big Ten team, UCLA, might just be one of the most improved in the league.
Each week, I preview the games of the four West Coast schools plus two other games that intrigue me to get to our six.
This week, those two are Notre Dame at Wisconsin and Toledo at Michigan State.
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The Irish look to be one of the best in the nation, and I think the Badgers could be much improved. The return of Pat Fitzgerald makes the Michigan State game worth watching, and with Petros Papadakis on the call, it almost seems like a West Coast game.
Here are my previews of the six games in broadcast order.
Toledo at Michigan State
Friday, September 4 5:00 PM PT, FS1 (Noah Reed and Petros Papadakis)
Line:Michigan State -10 Over/Under:46.5
The Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing gets underway as the Spartans play host to Toledo.
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The Rockets could be one of the better teams in the MAC this season, while the Spartans will have a steep learning curve.
One advantage Michigan State has is Alessio Milivojevic at quarterback. The redshirt sophomore should be better than he was a season ago when he threw for 10 scores while completing 64.2% of his passes in nine games.
If Milivojevic develops as expected, it will help MSU down the line, but at this moment the Spartans probably only have a handful of wins on the schedule, and they can’t afford to let this one slip away.
Winner:Michigan State ATS:Toledo O/U:Under
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Fresno State at No. 14 USC
Friday, September 4 6:00 PM PT, FOX (Connor Onion, Robert Griffin III and Alexa Landestoy)
Line:USC -21.5 Over/Under:51.5
USC looked super for three quarters of the opener, then the fourth quarter got a little bit ugly.
Thankfully for the Trojans, the game was out of hand, and the San Jose State scores at the end against the backups really just made it look a lot closer than the game was.
Still, you would like to see a team with Playoff aspirations keep the pedal to the medal, even with backups entering the game.
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The SC offense had no trouble moving the ball against SJSU as they racked up 505 total yards and the passing game looked like a well-oiled machine.
That passing attack is particularly pleasing, given the number of new pass catchers that Jayden Maiava is working with this season.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt | William Liang/AP
The youth certainly delivered for the Trojans as the freshmen quartet of WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, TE Mark Bowman, WR Trent Mosely, and WR Tron Baker accounted for 214 of the 341 receiving yards.
Moving the ball will be much more difficult this week against a Fresno State unit that was stingy last season and looks to be equally as difficult to move the ball on in 2026.
The Fresno State defensive front will provide more pressure, and the secondary will force more than six incompletions.
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Matt Entz has named Jayden Mandal the starter for the Bulldogs, and the similarities to his SC counterpart begin and end with the first name. Mandal has only attempted nine passes in his injury-riddled collegiate career.
Better defense or not, this USC offense is going to be one of the best in the nation this season, and they will put up a ton of points. The Bulldogs will score some also, but the Trojans pull away with a comfortable win.
Winner: USC ATS:USC O/U:Over
Boise State at No. 2 Oregon
Saturday September 5 12:30 PM PT, CBS (Brad Nessler, Charles Davis and Jenny Dell)
Line:Oregon -24.5 Over/Under:51.5
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We have a Pac-12 vs. Big Ten showdown in Eugene, one of three for the two conferences in Week One.
Boise State is a better team this season than they were last season, and the Broncos are hardly a program that will be fazed by traveling to the No. 2 team in the nation.
Maddux Madsen is healthy and should be able to make some plays.
The Broncos should also be able to create some pressure on Dante Moore with their edge rushers, especially in the form of Jayden Virgin-Morgan.
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The past two seasons, the Ducks have rarely struggled, but when they have, it was in games where they failed to keep the pocket clean. Getting pressure on Moore is the first step to pulling off the huge upset.
This Oregon offense will be deep enough to move the football, but the real edge for the Ducks will come on the defensive side of the ball.
Evan Stewart | Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
The UO secondary is among the best in the nation, and they will make it very tough for the Broncos to move the ball through the air.
Last season, Fernando Mendoza was the only QB to complete more than 60% of his passes against the Ducks, and the unit should be even better this season.
And I have not even mentioned the front four yet. A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander will be difficult for the Broncos to run the ball against. And when Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti pin their ears back and meet the QB—look out.
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As good as BSU may end up being this season, they could be in for a long afternoon on Saturday.
Winner:Oregon ATS:Oregon O/U:Over
UCLA at California
Saturday September 5 7:30 PM PT, ESPN (Tom Hart, Roddy Jones, and Quint Kessenich)
Line:UCLA -2 Over/Under:53.5
The instate rivalry is renewed in the opener for Cal and UCLA.
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The Bruins return 67% of their offensive production from last season, the ninth most in the nation. But is that a good thing?
Jokes aside, the UCLA offense should be pretty good this season, and the addition of Wayne Knight in the backfield gives UCLA a do-everything weapon they lacked in 2025.
UCLA also has Nico Iamaleava back directing the offense, and the QB is healthy and ready to go. But for UCLA to take the next step and show significant improvement, they need their QB to be a lot better than he was in 2025. I think he will be.
Nico Iamaleava | Aidan Sun/Daily Bruin
Cal has significantly upgraded their roster in 2026, and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele should have a lot more weapons at his disposal. Adam Mohammed will give the Bears a weapon out of the backfield.
I think this game will be close, and the two-point spread for the visitors would indicate Vegas also sees a tight one in Berkeley.
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I think the Bob Chesney era gets off on the right foot with a big road victory in an exciting game between a pair of teams that both should be much improved over last year’s versions.
Winner: UCLA ATS:UCLA O/U:Under
Washington State at No. 17 Washington
Sunday September 6 1:00 PM PT, NBC (Paul Burmeister, Yogi Roth and Zora Stephenson)
Line: Washington -23.5 Over/Under: 50.5
Obviously, with conference realignment, we lose certain traditions, but for me, there is something special about opening the season with your archrival.
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For 100+ years, this game was played in November or late October, and for the third season in a row it will be a September game. But never before has it been played this early.
The Apple Cup coming in Week One of the season is a pretty cool way to kick things off.
The Huskies enter this one as big favorites and for good reason. UW is poised for a breakout season while the Cougars will be looking to make waves in the new Pac-12.
I think if the Cougs just stay afloat in the league, they will be in good shape.
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So, this season opener for the rivals could very well mirror the season to come for each school.
Demond Williams Jr./The Seattle Times
For Washington, the offense will run through Demond Williams Jr., and despite the rocky offseason, the product on the field is unquestioned.
Williams is coming off a season in which he threw for over 3000 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 69.5% of his passes and adding another 611 yards and six TDs on the ground.
He is a playmaker and will be an issue for the Cougars on Sunday.
WSU will turn to Caden Pinnick at QB. The last time he faced Washington he was playing for UC-Davis and completed eight of his 16 passes for just 15 yards in a 70-10 loss.
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This week the numbers and the score should be better, but it will still be a big win for the Huskies.
With apologies to my SuperWest Sports colleague and Wazzu alum Nick Bartlett, UW rolls in the Apple Cup.
Winner:Washington ATS:Washington O/U:Under
Notre Dame vs Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
Sunday September 6 4:30 PM PT, NBC (Dan Hicks, Jason Garrett, and Caroline Pineda)
Line:Notre Dame -20.5 Over/Under:47.5
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Notre Dame seems to be the trendy pick to win the national championship.
While I may not be quite that high on Marcus Freeman’s unit, I think they will be a very good football team and certainly should make some noise in the Playoff this season.
I think Wisconsin, along with UCLA, might be the most improved teams in the Big Ten. This is certainly a make-or-break season for Luke Fickell, and being much improved this season would go a long way towards making the season rather than breaking it.
Last season was a struggle for Wisconsin, but as bad as the offense was, the defense kept them in some contests. This season the defense should again be good, but I think QB Colton Joseph could be a difference-maker.
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The Badgers will need to keep him healthy, however, and that has been an issue the last two seasons.
Despite the Badgers’ expected improvement this season, Notre Dame is just too tough. If the line was 22 points, I might take Wisconsin with the points, but 20.5 seems like an Irish cover.
Winner:Notre Dame ATS:Notre Dame O/U:Under
Straight-Up Staff Picks for Selected Games
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writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
Nick Kyrgios is eligible to return to tennis after accepting a one-month ban for testing positive for cocaine.
The Australian, 31, was provisionally suspended on 4 August after a sample he submitted during the Mallorca Open in June was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Kyrgios told investigators from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that he used cocaine at a nightclub in Magaluf in the early hours of 20 June.
He played his first-round match at the Mallorca tournament two days later, losing in straight sets to compatriot Adam Walton.
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The ITIA accepted he used cocaine outside of competition after consulting with an an independent expert.
Kyrgios could have faced a maximum three-month ban but it has been reduced to one month after he entered a treatment programme.
His one-month ban ended on Thursday, 3 September.
Kyrgios, who has fallen to 918 in the world rankings, will also lose his prize money and ranking points from Mallorca.
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When the positive test was announced, Kyrgios said he would step away from social media and public life for the next 28 days to “focus on getting myself right”.
The former world number 13 has played just four singles matches this season, having struggled with knee and wrist injuries in recent years.
He last played in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
After his initial suspension was announced, Kyrgios said the past few years of injuries had taken “a huge toll on me, both mentally and physically”.
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“My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do,” he wrote in a lengthy statement on Instagram.
“Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.
“None of that excuses what I did.”
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
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Kyrgios has long been a controversial figure in tennis.
His behaviour on court has been widely criticised and he has been given numerous large fines for smashing racquets, making audible obscenities and arguing with the umpire.
In 2023, he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend two years earlier. He avoided a criminal conviction.
He was criticised further for making a series of comments which have been considered misogynistic.
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In 2024 he shared a post from controversial influencer Andrew Tate. He later said he had gone “to all lengths” to distance himself from the self-proclaimed misogynist.
Kyrgios was also critical of the handling of two high-profile anti-doping cases involving top players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, calling them “disgusting” for tennis.
Kyrgios has won seven ATP Tour singles titles and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
He and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis won the Australian Open men’s doubles title together in 2022.
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Kyrgios has also spoken about his struggles with mental health, saying he “genuinely contemplated” suicide and spent time in a psychiatric hospital in London after losing at Wimbledon in 2019.
The conference that has claimed the last three national championships enters 2026 with several teams at the top with Playoff aspirations and no less than four teams that could realistically be the last team standing in January.
Toledo at Michigan State
Fresno State at No. 14 USC
Boise State at No. 2 Oregon
UCLA at California
Washington State at No. 17 Washington
Notre Dame vs Wisconsin (in Green Bay)
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