Ask Nolan Teasley. He’ll say that the Vikings’ QB1 has gotten better at the line of scrimmage.

When talking to reporters yesterday, Teasley explained that Kyler Murray has improved in this facet of his game: “I think Kyler has really grown in his ability to manage the line of scrimmage. I think we’ve seen constant improvement throughout the preseason, throughout training camp.”

More from the GM: “And, again, I’ve said this from the beginning, I’m really bullish on where he’s headed in playing in this system with this level of coaching from KO, to Josh McCown and everybody else on that side of the ball.”

Kyler Murray Improving at LOS

Usually, the conversation surrounding Mr. Murray begins with the physical.

For starters, there’s his status as a shorter quarterback. Some of the concerns about height (or lack thereof) have been sanded down by the level of success that Drew Brees and Russell Wilson achieved. Each of these guys, though, are taller than Minnesota’s QB1. Does Murray struggle to see over his guys in the upcoming season? Does that lead to issues getting the ball to Justin Jefferson over the middle of the field?

Next up for the normal commentary is the praise for his athletic ability. Murray throws lasers, accurately delivering the ball on a consistent basis. As a runner, he regularly leaves defenders tackling air as he manages to elude their grasp. Few, if any, are as shifty.

And then there’s the negative end of things: his work habits.

Most infamously, there was that ill-fated clause in a previous version of his Cardinals contract mandating that he study a certain amount. Looking back further might involve hearing echoes of a similar concern going into the 2019 NFL Draft since he had to fend off questions about his commitment to football. The reason was due to being chosen very high in the MLB Draft, leading to speculation about whether he’d become a pro baseball player.

Since then, Kyler Murray has been through a lot. He’s now the top passer for the Minnesota Vikings, successfully holding off J.J. McCarthy.

What has impressed the Vikings’ GM is that Murray has gotten better and better at the line of scrimmage. In identifying that area, Teasley is taking direct aim at what has generated so much criticism for Murray.

Earlier in the offseason, Adam Thielen addressed what takes place prior to the snap within the Kevin O’Connell scheme. Circle back around to the clip above to see what the GM is getting at as it relates to managing the line of scrimmage.

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Nobody questions whether the O’Connell offense is difficult. Players have been making note of that difficulty for several years. In fact, OC Wes Phillips even said that the team put too much onto the passer in previous iterations of the offseason program.

Kyler Murray, per Teasley, has been impressive in this particular area.

A major part of O’Connell’s appeal is that he’s looking to equip his offense with the answers to the test in real time. The emphasis is on Murray to correctly diagnose what the defense is looking to do before then finding the correct answer for the problem that is being presented.

In the past, Murray has generated no shortage of criticism for his willingness to fully commit himself to football. Coming to Minnesota then brought a fresh round of concern, largely in relation to the veteran’s scheme fit. I, for one, have openly wondered whether he could adjust to playing under center more than in the past.

The Vikings’ GM thinks that Kyler Murray has grown over these past several weeks. Assuming good health, Murray should shine given the weaponry that’s out there for him.

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The Green Bay Packers are on the schedule for Week 1 of Minnesota’s 2026 season. Watch for how Kyler Murray manages the challenge of Green Bay’s defense prior to the snap.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

World football governing body FIFA took a lash at Europe’s UEFA for starting a “smear campaign” and “fishing expedition” against FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino.

This comes after a dispute between the two organizations due to FIFA’s plan to sell a stake in its commercial rights, with UEFA submitting an ex parte application to the US District Court in New York to obtain testimony and documents from US-based entities. These documents will be used in potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland, where both FIFA and UEFA are based.

“While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership,” FIFA said in a filing in US District Court in Colorado on Thursday.

FIFA’s filing in Colorado was a motion to intervene, requesting that the discovery process be postponed or dismissed.

According to UEFA, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), an entity which would have had the commercial rights linked over the FIFA World Cup to investors was developed without adequate consulting FIFA’s 211 member associations, as well as FIFA’s own governing bodies.

UEFA threatened to boycott the FIFA World Cup should the move go ahead.

The move would have affected both the men’s and the women’s tournaments.

FIFA argued that the association representing European football had tried to scupper the proposal with a bid to keep European football’s dominance as is.

Demands for Infatino’s resignation

Pressure has been mounting on both FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino since the FFE plans were made public.

This resulted in several countries saying they will not support Infantino’s reelection for a fourth term as president in March 2027, when the Swiss-born FIFA boss looks for a fourth term in office.

Aside from UEFA, two other continental confederations demand Infantino’s resignation.

Both CONCACAF, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) voiced their objections to Infantino. Only the South American and African confederations still support him.

UEFA also demanded a “genuinely independent external review” of how the proposal came about.

“FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community to simply accept its conclusions,” UEFA said.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi does find it hard to leave out India and the Indian cricket team from his conversations with journalists. When questioned over Pakistan’s harrowing performance on the England tour, which saw them lose the first two Tests, Naqvi played down the debacle, saying that even the Indian team lost to Ireland recently. Naqvi, who brought sweeping changes to the Pakistan senior team after the Babar Azam-led side lost the first couple of Tests, has been at the centre of severe criticism for playing musical chairs at almost every position in the team, as well as in the support staff. 

Speaking to the media in London, Naqvi cited other teams’ losses to weaker opponents to assert that a few setbacks do not define an outfit. Clearly irritated by the criticism from all quarters, Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, said it was unfair to claim that the country’s cricket is at its worst right now.

“Let me ask you one thing: South Africa lost to Namibia, and India lost to Ireland. Has cricket ended there as well?” Naqvi said over questions around the Pakistan team’s credentials 

“You used to be ranked eighth in ODIs, which has now gone up to fifth. You have had six ODI series, out of which you have won four, but still, our cricket is finished?” he said.

“Our success rate has gone up from 24 per cent to 73 per cent, and I’m not talking about just one or the other specific match, but still, our cricket is finished?”

Naqvi, however, admitted that the Pakistan team doesn’t have the star power that they once used to have. Hence, he said that the task of taking the current team to the highs of the old times, is going to take time.

The Pakistani team has drawn criticism from former stars such as Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Yousuf and Rashid Latif among others 

“Those players who have never achieved anything in their lives, when they talk along these lines, that’s unreasonable,” he said, adding that he sought opinions from ex-players constantly.

“Sometimes there are mistakes made in selection as well. I am answerable for that, and we need to work on it,” he said, adding that sometimes it was necessary to remove players if they do not perform.

“Yes, one thing is important: whoever we need here, we will definitely bring in. If someone is not clicking or not performing, then what can we do? Every match and every series is important for us,” he added. 

With PTI Inputs

Featured Video Of The Day

Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver, Yashvir Singh Bronze As India Seal Double Podium In CWG Javelin

Hugh Jackman wants to join his fellow Hollywood star and friend Ryan Reynolds in owning part of a soccer club in the English leagues.

Jackman has long been a fan of Norwich, his mother’s home city in the east of England. The Wolverine star was asked in an interview broadcast on Thursday if he would like to “buy a bit” of the club which is majority owned by Mark Attanasio, the Milwaukee Brewers principal owner.

“I’m very, very interested in talking about it right now,” he told British broadcaster TalkSport while promoting his new movie, “The Death of Robin Hood.”

“You’re the first one to know that. There’s a little exclusive,” Jackman said when asked if he would “follow suit” with Reynolds, who put Wrexham on the global soccer and culture map after buying the club with Rob Mac in 2021.

Norwich and Wrexham are now rivals in the English second-tier Championship, though Jackman’s team has the more illustrious history. Norwich last played in the Premier League four years ago, and had perhaps its finest moment in 1993, eliminating German power Bayern Munich in the old UEFA Cup.

“Good on Ryan, you do your thing, I’m all about the Canaries,” Jackman said, citing Norwich’s nickname linked to the team’s distinctive yellow and green uniform.

Norwich and Wrexham both are expected to be contenders this season to earn promotion to the Premier League, the world’s most valuable club soccer competition.

“I think it’s an exciting team and it’s going to be an exciting year,” Jackman said, praising Norwich’s turnaround since hiring Belgian coach Philippe Clement last November.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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The biggest fantasy draft weekend of the year is upon us and we want you prepared for your most important drafts this holiday weekend. Matt Harmon, Josh Norris and Justin Boone share their final pieces of fantasy advice, the last things they want you to hear, before you draft over the next few days. Later in the show. Chris Allen joins Harmon to answer your last minute draft questions and hit on the players we haven’t talked about enough this draft season. If there was a pod to listen to right before you draft, this is the one.

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(4:30) – Boone advice #1: Draft RBs early

(8:50) – Harmon advice #1: Don’t punt TE

(13:15) – Norris advice #1: Identify the bottom three offenses and avoid them

(17:50) – Boone advice #2: Make QB the last starter you draft

(21:30) – Harmon advice #2: Don’t be afraid to say “yes” over and over to concentrated elite ecosystems

(24:45) – Norris advice #2: You are drafting the OL

(31:15) – Boone advice #3: Don’t draft Defense or Kicker until the last 2 rounds (if at all)

(33:15) – Norris advice #3: To draft or not draft your own RB handcuff

(37:40) – Harmon advice #3: If you say “we know who this guy is” after you’ve only seen them play 3 or fewer seasons in the NFL, you are probably wrong. 

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(44:30) – Toyota Fantasy Hotline: Harmon and Chris Allen answer your last minute draft questions 

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Barry-Murphy took the reins at Cardiff during a difficult period for the club after their first relegation to the third tier in 22 years.

The former Rochdale manager exceeded the average 277-day tenure of his predecessors by March of this year, when the Bluebirds were second in League One.

And like Warnock he delivered a promotion, although his came in the first season, to get Cardiff back into the Championship at the first attempt.

By winning 34 of his 62 games in charge of the Bluebirds thus far, Barry-Murphy has achieved that goal more often than not.

Average attendances for home games increased in League One – despite relegation the previous season – and will likely do so again this campaign.

The emergence of several talented youngsters and the style of play adopted during his spell has rejuvenated the feeling among Cardiff fans.

And after three draws and a defeat to start the campaign, the question now is whether he can maintain the positive feeling in the Championship.

Barry-Murphy is confident of it, even after a quiet transfer deadline day, during which Cardiff were unable to sign the targets their head coach wanted.

Many fans have voiced their concern about a lack of squad depth, with only four players recruited at the Cardiff City Stadium this summer.

But Barry-Murphy feels he has been backed in the transfer window and is pleased with the players at his disposal for a gruelling Championship season.

There would be no better way for the Irishman to mark his latest Bluebirds achievement than to claim his first Championship win on Saturday.

Andy Ruiz Jr has underlined the seriousness of his latest comeback by weighing in at his lightest for eight years ahead of Friday night’s fight with Damian Knyba.

The former unified heavyweight world champion tipped the scales at 254.3lbs in Newark, New Jersey, ahead of his first fight since drawing with Jarrell Miller in August 2024, during which the Mexican-American broke his hand.

It is the leanest Ruiz has been on the scales since his July 2018 win over Kevin Johnson, when he weighed 252lbs.

MAIN EVENT WEIGH-IN RESULTS

⚖️ @Andy_destroyer1 – 254.3lbs
⚖️ Damian Knyba- 255.5lbs#RuizKnyba live on @DAZNBoxing & @TNTSportsUS tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/z5k8ohCSkU

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 3, 2026

‘The Destroyer’ weighed 268lbs when he shocked Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in June 2019 to capture the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, before coming in considerably heavier at 283.7lbs for the rematch six months later.

Joshua regained the belts on points in Saudi Arabia, with Ruiz later admitting he had come into the contest too heavy after not taking his preparations seriously enough.

Ruiz has fought only three times since that defeat, beating Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz before his majority draw with Miller.

He has now reunited with Manny Robles, the trainer who guided him to the career-defining first victory over Joshua.

Knyba weighed 255.5lbs, leaving barely a pound between the heavyweights despite the Pole boasting a considerable advantage in height and reach. The 30-year-old stands 6ft 7in and enters the contest looking to claim by far the biggest victory of his career.

The fight takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark on Friday, September 4, with Ruiz returning to the venue where he last fought more than a decade ago.

For the 36-year-old in his first fight under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing banner, the aim is to prove that another run towards the top of the heavyweight division remains possible.

Whatever follows, arriving at 254.3lbs gives Ruiz a notably different look from the fighter who contested the two defining bouts of his career against Joshua in 2019.

Soccer teams across Argentina will pay tribute to Lionel Messi with a mid-game minute of applause during their next match following his decision to retire from international duty.

Referees will pause play at the 10-minute mark of every match in the upcoming round of the Clausura tournament, as well as in other men’s and women’s leagues in Argentina, in appreciation of Messi’s career with the national team, the Argentine Football Association said late Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Messi, who wore the No. 10 jersey for Argentina, announced on Monday he will no longer play for the national team after 21 years of service. He led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 as well as two other World Cup finals, and made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals — both national records.

Messi, who is idolized in Argentina, has never played professionally in his home country. He moved to Barcelona at the age of 13 to began a once-in-a-generation career and is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time.

Messi is continuing to play at club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Reporting by The Associated Press.