Jamie Carragher said the major issue Arsenal have been dealing with recently is fatigue rather than a lack of mental composure
Arsenal defeated Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday to return to the top of the table. But the Gunners were the second-best in most attacking stats against the Magpies.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher claimed Mikel Arteta’s men looked leggy against Newcastle and lacked their usual high-pressing intensity. He argued that it was ‘too easy’ for Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to dictate the game at the Emirates, which he found ‘worrying’.
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“My worry watching Arsenal is not nerves – it hasn’t been for a few weeks – mine is fatigue,” Carragher said. “It was far too easy for Newcastle to make passes and get to the edge of the box. They couldn’t create too much when they got there which is a sign of the Arsenal back four but it looked leggy to me. It was too easy for Tonali and Guimaraes to dictate the game. To see Newcastle play with ease at the Emirates, I thought was a little worrying. It smacked of fatigue for me.”
Meanwhile, the former Liverpool defender insisted that Arsenal are still the best team in the league and attributed their fatigue to fixture congestion, saying they play three games in six days.
Carragher picks game that could cost Arsenal the Premier League title
Speaking further, Carragher said he is worried that the Gunners will throw away their Premier League title hopes when they face Fulham this weekend. For Carragher, the hectic schedule could cost them the title when they face the Cottagers in their next league outing.
“I feel Arsenal have been unfortunate, and I know this playing Champions League semi-finals, when you play Wednesday then Tuesday that’s a big difference between Tuesday then Wednesday,” Carragher continued. “You’re actually playing three games in six days, rather than three games in eight days. It’s a massive difference at this stage of the season.
“That’s why I really worry for Arsenal about this (the Fulham game). You play away and have to travel, Fulham are a good and decent side and then you’ve got to go again on the Tuesday night. They’ve been very unfortunate the way the games have fallen. Three games in six days is really tough.”
Next up for the Gunners is a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, April 29.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s heartwarming gesture for young fan (Screengrab/X)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to face the in-form Punjab Kings at their home ground in Mullanpur, arriving on the back of a brilliant century against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite the surge in confidence, he has remained grounded and humble.In a video shared by the Rajasthan Royals on social media, Sooryavanshi, who recently slammed a 35-ball century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, was welcomed at the team hotel with a garland. However, he presented it to a young kid waiting with other fans to catch a glimpse of the Riyan Parag-led side.
Match Preview: PBKS vs RR
Punjab Kings’ opening duo Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have been the most explosive pair in IPL 2026, scoring 323 runs at a blistering run rate of 14.9. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals’ openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, currently behind them, will be eager to respond, especially against a Punjab bowling attack that has struggled in the powerplay.Rajasthan, after a strong start to the season, have lost three of their last four matches and need a turnaround. Their hopes rest heavily on the top order, while captain Riyan Parag will look for better contributions from himself and Shimron Hetmyer.Punjab Kings, unbeaten at their New Chandigarh home this season, come in with strong batting momentum but have concerns of their own, including poor powerplay bowling and sloppy fielding. The contest is likely to be defined by the battle between the two opening pairs, although Rajasthan will also rely on Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger to make early inroads and shift the game in their favour.
Nov 8, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) reacts after a touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
A few Minnesota Vikings fans enjoy the undrafted free agent process about as much as the draft, and once again, the purple team added a bevy of UDFAs this cycle. One such offensive weapon is Dillon Bell of the University of Georgia.
Minnesota still needs receiving depth, but Bell brings enough versatility to make the summer interesting.
Like all UDFAs, there’s no sure thing that Bell will pan out, but he does have the versatility to flirt with a roster spot in September.
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A New Summer Lottery Ticket Joins the WR Room
Get to know Bell, the newest Vikings wideout.
Dillon Bell stands on the field before kickoff, scanning the scene as the Georgia Bulldogs prepare to face the Charlotte 49ers on Nov 22, 2025, at Sanford Stadium in Athens. Wearing No. 86, the wide receiver readies for action during a late-season matchup with teammates and fans filling the stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
Vikings Add Bell
Minnesota added 19 undrafted free agents on Saturday evening, and because folks just love wide receivers, Bell turned heads.
The Athletic‘sAlec Lewis wrote, “You can see what the Vikings were going for here. Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon who doesn’t just look like a running back. The 6-foot, 210-pounder averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a runner at Georgia.”
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“The route running is the primary hurdle, but that’s precisely why the Vikings would make this type of bet. How Minnesota uses the spring and summer to find the right role for him will be telling. His frame and traits are enticing.”
If Bell makes the active roster or practice squad, it won’t be because of his prowess as a route-running wide receiver. It will be because of his gadget tendencies.
The Scouting Report
Bell is 6’1 and 210 pounds with 4.50 speed. So, decent metrics for both. He’ll be best served as a Swiss Army knife commodity if he makes the Vikings’ regular season roster or latches on elsewhere.
Bell is a former four-star receiver with a background in both track (100 and 200 meters) and basketball. In high school, he played both running back and wide receiver, and during his first two seasons at Georgia, he saw some usage at both positions, though primarily at receiver. He went on to become a consistent starter for four seasons. Despite that role, his production remained limited, with a low career yards-per-route-run average.
He is a decent linear athlete, but his lack of change-of-direction ability shows up in lower separation metrics and receiving grades against man coverage. Bell has good size and extensive experience as a blocker, though his technique can be inconsistent. He also does not consistently catch the ball cleanly, with occasional body catches and bobbles. Started his Georgia career with some reps at running back. Solid overall size allows him to be a more consistent blocker. Arm length appears to be a plus.
The easiest way to think of it? If Minnesota wants a Deebo Samuel-style weapon — very diet Samuel, of course — Bell would be the guy.
Dillon Bell secures a touchdown catch in the end zone, finishing a scoring play for Georgia during second-quarter action on Dec 6, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The wide receiver, wearing No. 86, completes the reception against Alabama in the SEC Championship game under bright lights. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Bell: “He’s a positionless player. He can play tight end. He can play Wildcat quarterback. He can play tailback. He’s certainly a good receiver. He’s a great returner. That’s what people are moving to in the NFL, guys that can go out there and create matchups.”
“He does that. He can be in the backfield and create some problems for the defense. But more important than that, he’s a great person. He led by example here. He never complained once about snaps and touches and that says a lot about what he brought into the team.”
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The Current WR Group
Overall, the Vikings’ WR room is in great shape. Anytime an offense has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison headlining the enterprise, there just can’t be too much reason for concern.
After Jefferson and Addison, though, the unit lacks dependability. Here’s the WR depth chart in late April:
WR1: Justin Jefferson WR2: Jordan Addison WR3: Tai Felton WR4: Myles Price WR5: Jeshaun Jones WR6: Dontae Fleming WR7: Joaquin Davis WR8: Dillon Bell WR9: Luke Wysong WR10: Marcus Sanders WR11: Shaleak Knotts
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If Felton isn’t ready to roll as the uncontested WR3 this summer — the Vikings hardly played him on offense as a rookie — and Price hasn’t shapeshifted into more than a special teamer, Minnesota could pursue a free agent like the aforementioned Samuel, Stefon Diggs, Jauan Jennings, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyreek Hill, or Keenan Allen.
Not Much Depth after Jefferson + Addison Creates a Vacuum
The reason to track Bell throughout the summer is evident. Suppose the Vikings don’t spend the cash on a Jennings or Diggs, a couple of free agents listed above. Jefferson, Addison, Felton, and Price will make the 53-man roster, but Minnesota would need an extra WR4-WR5.
Dillon Bell looks on after the final whistle, reflecting on the outcome as Georgia finishes its game against Alabama on Dec 6, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Wearing No. 86, the wide receiver stands among teammates following the SEC Championship matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Because Bell is a willing blocker, offers special teams versatility, and has the size + speed for the NFL, he could be a dark horse to monitor at training camp and in the preseason.
Harlequins have signed Wales international prop Sisilia Tuipolotu from Gloucester-Hartpury for the 2026-27 season.
The 22-year-old has won three consecutive Prem Women’s Rugby titles with the Circus.
Tuipolotu has scored 20 tries in 67 appearances for Gloucester-Hartpury since her debut in 2021 and has been capped 33 times by her country, appearing in two World Cups.
“I’m really excited to be joining Harlequins. I’m excited for the experience, to meet the team and learn from even more world-class players,” she said.
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“I can’t wait to get going in the quarters.”
Gloucester-Hartpury are top of the PWR table, with 70 points from 14 games, as they chase a fourth straight title. Harlequins sit sixth with 37 points.
You may have heard that the 2027 NFL Draft class could be an all-timer. I’ve been doing year-out mocks a long time, and 2027 has the highest number of preseason blue-chippers of any class I can remember.
That being said, injuries and prospects returning to school can always change how it looks a year from now.
I went through the top prospects at each position to compare how they’d fare against the top prospects in this year’s class as it stands right now.
I broke down Manning’s 2025 season in January and thought he finished looking like the prospect we were promised. Given he brings a stronger arm and better mobility than Mendoza, there would have been a real debate about who to take at the top of the draft had Manning declared.
Thankfully, we get another season of tape to properly evaluate the Texas quarterback. I’m staying out of the fray on this one.
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Advantage: Too close to call
Hardy is stylistically much closer to Ashton Jeanty than Jeremiyah Love. The Missouri junior has elite contact balance and refuses to go down. While I wouldn’t put him in the same breath as either of the top-10 picks from the past two seasons, Hardy has the talent to be a first-rounder in his own right.
Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy and Louisville’s IIsaac Brown could join him among the top 32 as well. The only question is whether all the rising juniors will declare — or if playing out eligibility becomes the new norm for running backs not going in the top 10.
Advantage: 2026
Do I even need to debate this one? Smith should surpass Malik Nabers and Ja’Marr Chase as the top WR1 prospect I’ve ever scouted. Heck, new Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman should easily clear the grade I gave Concepcion this draft cycle. Next year will have some serious high-end talent.
Advantage: 2027 (by a mile)
I went with Green for the sheer shock value he brings as a prospect. The 6-foot-7 tight end will likely measure with the longest wingspan ever for the position. He looks like a power forward on the field and is used like one. I doubt he’ll be considered in a similar vein to Sadiq, though, who went No. 16 overall.
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There’s a good chance the top option next year is Sadiq’s former Oregon teammate Jamari Johnson, who has a massive 6-foot-5 frame himself.
Advantage: 2026
This one was already settled on my initial big board before final declarations. Trevor Goosby would have been my OT1 in the 2026 class but decided to return to Texas for a fourth season. If he improves on what we saw down the stretch, he’ll be a top-five pick.
Advantage: 2027
Because interior offensive line play demands so much strength, projecting a year out can be difficult. Comparing Pieper to Ioane is also like comparing apples to oranges, since Ioane is a guard only while Pieper is a center only.
Still, Pieper is a bit of a project, but he’s the most athletic interior offensive lineman I’ve ever scouted. He’ll thrive taking over for Logan Jones at center this year.
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Advantage: 2026
While Bain was never going to be for everyone, Simmons will be. He is the prototype for the EDGE position in today’s NFL. He has the length and twitch to be a nightmare to protect against. He’s already racked up 105 pressures in two seasons at Texas, and I can’t wait to see what he does for an encore.
South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart deserves a shoutout as well, as he may be even more physically impressive than Simmons, albeit less refined. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has freakish burst and bend for his size.
Advantage: 2027
Similar to the edge comparison, Stone is far more prototypical in his physical makeup. He’s incredibly powerful for a true sophomore, with bull-rush reps all over his tape. He has the body type to play anywhere along the defensive interior, whereas Woods will be more limited to 3-technique.
Defensive tackle is another position that demands a high level of strength, so when you see a youngster like Stone who already looks like a man among boys, you know he’ll be drafted highly when he comes out.
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Advantage: 2027
We’ve got a long way to go in the 2027 linebacker class. Viliamu-Asa is the most prototypical box player right now, but Tennessee’s Arion Carter, South Carolina’s Fred Johnson and Clemson’s Sammy Brown are all intriguing athletes who could develop into top picks at the position.
None are as intriguing as Styles, though. The Ohio State linebacker is a true one-of-one athlete who will be tough to top anytime soon.
Advantage: 2026
As great as McCoy’s sophomore tape was, Moore’s was even better. He allowed only 201 yards all season while following the opposing team’s top receiver more often than not. Moore dominated 20th overall pick Makai Lemon in their matchup last fall. A fully healthy Moore is a likely top-five pick next year.
Advantage: 2027
I went back and forth between Georgia’s KJ Bolden a and Benefield, the Boise transfer, but ultimately went with Benefield’s more prototypical safety traits.
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It doesn’t matter either way, because neither hold a candle to Downs, whose tape as a true freshman was better than these players’ as sophomores and juniors.
Alvarez, 26, has scored 20 times across 52 appearances for Atleti this season and is due to line up against the Gunners in the opening leg of their last-four clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday.
“I just suppose it is normal. He is an extraordinary player. There is interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and other teams. But it is nothing we are concerned about.”
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for £64million last summer and, despite hitting 18 goals so far in his debut campaign, he has struggled for consistency.
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Gyokeres was benched for Arsenal’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month, and then again in their following fixture at home to Newcastle last weekend.
However, Kai Havertz picked up an injury in the opening half of Arsenal’s win, and he did not train at London Colney on Tuesday, meaning Gyokeres will likely start in Madrid.
Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi (left) and Eberechi Eze during a training session (John Walton/PA)
Eberechi Eze was also unable to continue against Newcastle, but in a boost to Mikel Arteta, did join his team-mates for training.
After seeing off Tottenham in the round of 16, Atleti beat Barcelona to secure their place in the semi-finals. But Simeone’s side have lost six of their last nine games.
Like Arsenal, Atleti have never won the Champions League, and Simeone continued; “In terms of pressure, I don’t feel the pressure and it is exciting to be as close as we are and we have never achieved it before.
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“It is a special excitement. Leadership defines these games and we need to be ready and take the game to where we believe we can punish them. We will have a very tough game, against a fantastic rival and we are very excited about it.”
Atleti captain Koke, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is set for his fourth and possibly last Champions League semi-final, with the Spanish club.
He said: “In the lead-up to these games, we are always excited. We feel butterflies in our stomach. It is just like a first date. Then once you start warming up it is all gone, it is just a football game, and you would be as excited as you would be for any semi-final.
“We expect a very strong Arsenal side and this is a Champions League semi-final and that is how we approach it.”
I play in a weekly league whose leaders have decided that the ball may be moved one club-length without penalty both in the general area and penalty areas. We don’t post our scores — but we are adhering to the league’s rules, and this doesn’t seem much different from the “ball in hand” played in many competitions due to course conditions. If we can’t post our scores, can the “lift, clean and place” crowd? – Clint Humphrey, Union, KY
Is it called “The Fast & Loose League”? Because it sounds like that’s how the powers that be are playing with the rules.
For starters, there’s a relief procedure to get out of penalty areas for one stroke and nothing that lets you just move a ball a club-length there.
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But the real crux of the question seems to be: Are scores using preferred lies acceptable for posting purposes? The answer: The Committee at the golf course may adopt a Local Rule for preferred lies when course conditions warrant it. This Rule should be limited in duration and reviewed daily. Scores made while it’s in effect must (!) be posted for handicap purposes — unless score posting has been temporarily suspended.
You should check with the course before teeing off. Should you and your group adopt preferred lies on your own, your scores are still postable. That said, preferred lies should only be used when conditions justify it, because frequent use may yield a Handicap Index that’s too low, or what some people refer to as a “vanity-cap.”
For more score-posting guidance from our guru, read on …
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The pace of play was really slow the other day, but the starter squeezed me in as a single. To kill time between shots, I played two balls, using the same ball first every shot and scoring only that ball. Can I post the round for handicap purposes? – Ray Mainville, McKinney, Texas
Rules Guy has been there, done that and bought the T-shirt, as the kids like to say nowadays. (Do they still say that? RG hopes so.)
What he didn’t do is post his score, because for a score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, the round must be played under the Rules of Golf — and playing two balls is not considered to be doing so.
The other fly in the ointment is that you also must play in the company of at least one other person for a score to be acceptable for handicap purposes. That was a somewhat controversial rules change but, remember, Rules Guy doesn’t make the rules — he’s just a guy who tries to elucidate them.
Virat Kohli completed 9,000 IPL runs on Monday during the match against Delhi Capitals, finishing the game with back-to-back sixes. His next target is the special milestone of 10,000 IPL runs, which remains far away for other current players, even those in the top five. Although Kohli is already 37, raising some questions about longevity, former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan believes he can achieve the feat without any doubt.Mitchell McClenaghan praised Virat Kohli’s remarkable consistency after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s emphatic nine-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 clash.RCB’s dominant win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday was set up by a fiery new-ball spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who dismantled Delhi’s batting line-up and bowled them out for just 75, the lowest total of the season. The chase was completed with ease, highlighting RCB’s all-round supremacy.Reflecting on Kohli’s sustained excellence in the tournament, McClenaghan highlighted the discipline and adaptability that have defined the veteran batter’s journey over the years, speaking on JioHotstar.“Virat Kohli has been incredibly consistent. Scoring 9000 IPL runs against the world’s best bowlers is no easy task. It’s about hunger, discipline, and adapting every year, and that’s what brings the best out of him. He has been in the IPL since 2008, and the best part is that he didn’t start his career as an opener. He batted in the lower middle order, fought for his place, then moved to number three. Later, he opened with Chris Gayle. That changed his game completely. He will soon reach 10,000 runs, without a doubt. Kohli is the greatest batter the IPL has ever seen, not just for the runs, but for how he has evolved and dominated across different eras,” McClenaghan told JioStar.
Here are the top 5 leading run-scorers in IPL:
Rank
Player
Team(s)
Total Runs
1
Virat Kohli
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
9,012
2
Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers
7,183
3
Shikhar Dhawan
PBKS, DC, SRH, MI, Deccan Chargers
6,769
4
David Warner
Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad
6,565
5
KL Rahul
Delhi Capitals, LSG, PBKS, RCB, SRH
5,580
“Instead of reinventing, he has been doing the same stuff consistently, over and over again, and he is just getting better at it. The time off from international cricket is now helping him structure his time better throughout the year. He’s getting enough time to work on fitness and stay fresh. He has enough experience and knows how to deal with pressure situations. It is just about being able to do what you have been doing. That means hitting those areas with the ball which trouble batters the most, and having control over swing, which we are seeing right now. That is why his impact has always been great with the new ball,” he added.
Upcoming matches of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
“Simply Balanced™ over the last 18 months has been our most talked-about putter tech, but it’s only ever been available in center-shaft,” Bettinardi Golf President Sam Bettinardi said in a release. “The Hexperimental #7 and #9 opens that up to more players, with the same zero-torque advantage, on a design they are most familiar looking down at.”
The #7 is a compact mid-mallet, while the #9 is a wide-body blade with a high toe. Both models were teased with prototype versions on the PGA Tour, debuting at the Cognizant Classic.
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Keep reading below for more on the Bettinardi Antidote Hexperimental putters, including my take on the release.
What’s actually new with Bettinardi Antidote Hexperimental putters — and why you should care
Bettinardi was one of the first legacy manufacturers to enter the U.S. low-torque market after L.A.B. Golf with its Antidote SB1 and SB2 back in the fall of 2024, and since then two more models have joined the family. But all have been center-shafted.
With the new Hexperimental putters, Bettinardi offers perhaps one of the most traditional-looking hosels for a low-torque putter by utilizing a long neck design.
Instead of being moved in front of the neck, as in a traditional plumber’s neck, the shaft enters the middle of the neck on the Herperimentals and is then oriented through the center of gravity of the putter.
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Both Hexperimental additions have a new black armour finish.
Bettinardi
Like the rest of the Antidote line, the Hexperimental additions will feature the company’s F.I.T. face, which removes 30 percent of the face material for a soft and responsive feel at impact.
The Bettinardi Antidote Hexperimental lineup
In a departure from the rest of the Antidote lineup, both Antidote Hexperimental putters are finished with a Black Armour TPT on the topline and flange and have distressed blue accents on the face and sole.
Hexperimental #7
The Bettinardi Hexperimental #7.
Bettinardi
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What is it: A compact mid-mallet shape with a rear window designed to push mass out to the perimeter and increase stability. A unique long-neck design gives the putter toe-up properties to stay square through the putting stroke.
Who it’s for: Players who have resisted low-torque putters because of center-shafted designs and want the alignment and forgiveness benefits of a mallet.
Hexperimental #9
The Bettinardi Hexperimental #9.
Bettinardi
What is it: A traditional high-toe wide-body blade with squared off angles and asymmetrical shape. A unique long-neck design gives the putter toe-up properties to stay square through the putting stroke.
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Who it’s for: Players who want the most traditional look in a low-torque putter.
My take: Low-torque putters are evolving
A year ago, no putter from a major OEM offered you both a heel-shafted design and low-torque, but that’s all changed quickly.
In what is seemingly the next frontier of low-torque putters, everyone seems to be rushing to debut an option that appeals to those who have thus far eschewed the category.
Bettinardi is a brand that prioritizes looks and feels, something that often gets forgotten in other low-torque offerings and that’s clearly evident here. From a looks standpoint, these might instantly become some of the most visually appealing low-torque putters from any angle.
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The low-torque putter space is often divisive, but I wouldn’t be shocked to find people discover these Hexperimental putters, rolling them, then realizing they are low-torque.
I’m interested to get my hands on one of these, especially the #9, as I’ve recently stopped using a low-torque putter, but with a more traditional release, could these pull me back in? They certainly look the part.
Bettinardi’s new Antidote Hexperimental putters are available for pre-order starting April 28 in a limited run and will arrive at selected retail locations on June 3.
The putters cost $550 each.
Each putter will have a matte black shaft and have the option of a Bettinardi Black Hex PU grip in either jumbo or standard size.
Harrison Smith walks into U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of kickoff, focused and locked in as the Minnesota Vikings prepare to face the Green Bay Packers on Dec 31, 2023, in Minneapolis. The veteran safety, wearing No. 22, leads by presence before the game even begins, setting the tone for a key NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 draft class is in the books, a group nine men deep and headlined by Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in Round 1. Now, with attention turning toward the summer, ESPN has identified the top remaining question for Minnesota before the start of the regular season: Harrison Smith’s status.
Minnesota drafted safety help, but Smith’s decision still affects the back end of Kevin O’Connell’s roster.
O’Connell’s team may arguably have graver concerns than that, but Smith’s retirement or return takes the cake for ESPN.
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The Safety Room Still Revolves around One Decision
Was that really it for Smith?
Harrison Smith lines up on defense before the snap, scanning the formation as the Minnesota Vikings face the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Wearing No. 22, the veteran safety prepares for another postseason rep in a high-stakes matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Vikings’ Top Question after Draft? It’s Smith, Says ESPN
ESPN raised one question per NFL team on Monday, and for Minnesota, Kevin Seifert wrote, “Will safety Harrison Smith return? At the end of the season, all signs were pointing toward the longtime Vikings safety retiring after 14 seasons. But free agency and now the draft have come and gone, and Smith hasn’t made any public pronouncements.”
“The Vikings released him March 11 but have let him know that they would welcome him back if he decides to play in 2026. The team drafted safety Jakobe Thomas in the third round, but there have been no other notable additions at the position. The Vikings will move on if they have to, but they know they will have a better defense with Smith back on the field.”
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That question, indeed, has been on Vikings fans’ minds for over three months.
The Latest on Smith
The Vikings drafted Miami safety Jakobe Thomas in Round 3 on Friday night, swerving from a widely expected Dillon Thieneman selection in Round 1. If Smith was waiting to see the fruit of Minnesota’s draft, there’s no Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren waltzing in on Day No. 1 to take his job.
O’Connell also updated the Smith return-or-retire agenda last week, saying, “It’s been a few days, but now that you remind me, I’ll probably bug him today. It’s something where we’re still trying to give Harrison as much space as possible, and I think he’s earned that. If it’s anything at this point, it’s seeing how he’s doing, seeing how his family is, seeing how his golf game is.”
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Most onlookers expected that Smith would’ve retired by now — if he planned to retire in the first place this offseason. It’s also worth noting that Smith has joked in the past that no one would know when he retired because he wouldn’t be overly vocal about it. Perhaps that’s unfolding before your very eyes.
Harrison Smith signs his jersey for George Kittle after the game, sharing a moment of respect following the Vikings’ matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Oct 23, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The veteran safety, wearing No. 22, connects with the opposing tight end after the final whistle. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman on Smith’s future: “As continuing to play has become a year-to-year proposition for him, Smith has usually made a decision to return well before now. It’s never an easy decision to call it a career, of course, but that he still hasn’t decided means retirement is possibly on his radar more legitimately than it has been in previous years.”
“The Vikings surely know which way Smith is leaning, and drafting Thomas isn’t necessarily an indicator that he’s going to retire in the coming weeks or months.”
The Safety Group without Him
Sans Smith, here’s the state of play at safety in Minnesota from head to toe:
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S1: Josh Metellus S2: Jay Ward S3: Theo Jackson S4: Jakobe Thomas S5: Tavierre Thomas S6: Kahlef Hailassie
And to get you familiar with Thomas, the newcomer, here’s the scouting report from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “A productive, fifth-year safety prospect, Thomas is wired to play forward and race into the action wherever it is present. He overflows pursuit and has too many missed or broken tackles on his stat sheet, but his impact against the run is a net positive.”
“He has good ball production but is fairly average in coverage. He can be way too quick to overlap or bite on bait, which allows receivers to get behind him from single-high and split-safety alignments. Thomas has the potential to develop into a starter as a likely middle-round pick.”
Other Concerns
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While Smith’s return is a fair question for Minnesota, the club might have more pressing concerns, or at least ones with similar magnitude. These are examples:
Who will the Vikings sign to play an OLB3 role after the Jonathan Greenard trade?
Who will the Vikings sign to compete for or play WR3 after drafting no wide receivers?
How is Christian Darrisaw’s longstanding ACL recovery coming along?
Which players will get extensions this summer?
Harrison Smith shares a lighthearted moment off the field, referencing a Prince meme he posted alongside Chris Tomasson, signaling his intent to return for another season on June 15, 2022. The image reflects Smith’s personality and connection to Minnesota culture while engaging fans during an offseason update. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Smith-Instagram.
Smith has been a Viking for 14 seasons. Folks will closely monitor his return, probably until Week 1 arrives in the off-chance that he isn’t on the field or hasn’t expressly retired.
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