Sports

The hidden value of playing golf with a pro can endure for decades

Published

3 hours ago

7 August 2026

Baseball has fantasy camps but golf has something far better: the pro-am. Pro-ams give the duffing class an inside-the-ropes illusion that we play the same game the pros play. Which we do, in a limited way. Pros like to moan about the hardship of playing with us. Male pros in their golfing prime, I should say — PGA Tour stars and the like. LPGA pros have always had a better attitude about their pro-am obligations. The women seem to understand, maybe on instinct alone, that ams pay bills, and the pro-am itself connects amateur fans to their assigned pros forever.

In the early 1980s, I caddied in an LPGA pro-am on Long Island with Lori Garbacz as the headliner. She was personality-plus. I followed her in the agate type of various newspapers and magazines for the rest of her long career, and laughed out loud when I read that she had instructed her caddie to order a Domino’s pizza for on-course delivery during a crawling U.S. Open round at Colonial Country Club. So on brand, based on my half-day with Lori G. As a marketing tool, you can’t beat the pro-am. It comes right out of the long, rich history of human intercourse. People needing people, etc.

In 2024, in consecutive weeks in New Jersey, I played in two LPGA pro-ams. At the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club, our group — a foursome of press-tent escapees — was assigned Yealimi Noh for the front nine and Lucy Li for the back nine. Noh’s game looked spectacular. Her parents walked the entire nine holes with us, which took almost three hours, and Grant Boone, the broadcaster, came by in a cart, curious to see what Noh was wearing on this toasty afternoon, as she enjoyed (I learned that day) a reputation on tour for stylish dressing. Poor Lucy Li, with dusk and a first round approaching, was lost in swing confusion. She was grinding-grinding-grinding, and all that little-girl promise she had displayed as a junior golfer seemed gone. (She played in a U.S. Open as an 11-year-old.) The day was beyond sluggish, the heat was stifling, our pros were engaged with their own lives and travails — and still the day has had a long afterlife.

The next week, at the pro-am at the Mizuho Americas Cup, an LPGA event at Liberty National Golf Club, I was paired on the front nine with Bailey Tardy. Bailey is a trip, open and funny. She talked about winning an event on a remote Chinese island while dealing with a particularly indelicate case of food poisoning and she described the primitive on-course “bathroom” opps with memorable real-life language. On the back nine I was paired with Wei-Ling Hsu, a diminutive pro from Taiwan who grew up in a Buddhist home. She had (and has) a beautifully round and rhythmic swing and a quiet, pensive manner. She told me that Tiger Woods blended an Eastern and Western approach to his golf, and that she could relate.

I’ve been keeping an eye on how all four of these players have been doing for the past two years. Not in any sort of compulsive way but I’ll look them up now and again or look for their names in tournament results.

You can imagine my surprise when I turned on the TV early Sunday afternoon to watch the conclusion of the fourth round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham last Sunday and right there on our color television set were three of those four LPGA players I briefly shared fairways with two years ago. Bailey Tardy was not in the field. The other three were in different degrees of contention, with Ms. Noh in the lead. She was wearing navy blue slacks, gathered at the ankle like a bicycle pant, and a stylish shirt, matching in color but with white trim. I guess you could say it was statement dressing but I found myself paying attention to it only because of Grant Boone’s comment two years earlier. She finished one stroke out of the playoff and afterward talked about her rekindled love for the game.

Lucy Li’s four rounds, on the par-71 Lytham course, were 72, 68, 69 — and 76, leaving her in a tie for 16th. She was in the final day’s penultimate group. It’s so hard to finish in this game.

My rooting interest was with Wei-Ling Hsu. She was in Game 26 of 34 on Sunday. In other words, not in contention, one over for 54 holes. But she went out in one under, turned and made birdies on 10, 11 and 13. She was three under for the tournament, and if she could get to the house at four under — well, you never know. She could win from the car park or at least find herself in a playoff.

Two years earlier, at Liberty National, she was wearing various items, including a belt buckle, bearing Jack Nicklaus’s tidy signature and familiar emblem, the Golden Bear. I asked Wei-Ling if she had ever met Nicklaus. She said she had not, and would not want to, unless she had “earned” the chance to meet him by way of good play. What she was doing constituted good play. She made pars on 14, 15, 16 and 17, so she was still three under par standing on the 18th tee. A birdie and a four-under finish would get the attention of all the contenders playing in behind her. She’d be in the house. Lytham’s clubhouse is a showpiece of red-brick old-timey charm.

Wei-Ling had talked to me, two years ago, about Tiger’s play. Shots he played that looked audacious to us did not look that way to her. “You don’t take too much, but you don’t take too little,” she said, describing a Buddhist approach to shot selection. His best shots, like her best shots, were neither greedy nor modest. They were appropriate to the circumstance. I’m not sure I understand what she was saying but it was fascinating.

Wei-Ling hit driver on the final hole at Lytham. The hole was playing 400 yards and was baked out, but Wei-Ling is a short hitter and driving a ball, down the fairway and in play, was certainly her best chance to finish with a birdie 3. Her final tee shot was poised and beautiful, but links golf is links golf, and the ball finished almost against the wall of a fairway bunker. Bad luck. “I might look like this sweet girl,” she had told me two years ago. “But I could come off the course and want to punch something.” Hmmm. When she walked up and saw that ball in the trap, maybe “lost the head,” as players used to say. Maybe the 71 holes of links golf and the decade-plus of her long road game came gushing out of her. I don’t know, but it did take her two shots to get out of that trap. She doubled the last and finished in a tie for 6th at one under for the week. She earned $267,000.

I was watching from 3,000 miles and several time zones away. I was happy for her — that payday is the best of her career. (Her one LPGA win paid $195,000.) Of course, I felt for her, too. How could you not? But finishing is so, so hard. More than anything, I felt connected to her and her career in this difficult game.

In New Jersey, in 2024, Wei-Ling had missed the cut at Upper Montclair and made the drive to Liberty National. She was 10,000 miles from home and driving alone in a rental car across the Garden State. Those north-south byways can be a lot. Describing the drive to me, she said, in her quiet and modest way, that she felt a kind of happiness. I could relate to all of it, and to her. Nine holes together, and she had made a fan for life.

Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments at Michael.Bamberger@Golf.com

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Analyst deciphers Kevin O’Connell quote on QB battle

Published

8 minutes ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Anytime a coach speaks to the media, it can be hard to decipher exactly what it is they are trying to say. Some folks are able to cut through the noise, a lot of time it can be former players and coaches in the media, others are media members who have listened to things long enough.

The latest to throw his hat into the ring attempting this is Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox. He recently went through a handful og quotes from various players and coaches to let fans know what he thinks they are saying. One of those coaches was Kevin O’Connell, talking about the vision he has for his quarterback battle.

The quote was, “Just want to be able to articulate the vision and the plan. I feel very good about our plan. Both Kyler and J.J. will take reps with the first team. They’ll also take reps with the second group, and I think that gives different layers to the evaluation as well.”

Knox heard that and thought, “The Vikings aren’t prepared to hand their starting job to Murray without at least making him pretend to earn it. . .Don’t be surprised if Minnesota has more QB clarity ahead of its joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens in mid-August.”

It makes sense that O’Connell needs to see some juice from Murray, but once that happens, this battle may not take long to be over.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Analyst deciphers Kevin O’Connell quote on QB battle

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Pakistani Cricketer Handed 2-Year Ban Weeks After Joining Senior Team Camp

Published

21 minutes ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Cricketer Hamza Nazar has been handed a two-year ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from all domestic and international cricket activities over a breach of protocols. The PCB announced that the player not only failed to disclose complete and accurate information while applying for a visa, but also shared misleading details and withheld material facts during the process. The PCB further revealed that a three-member inquiry committee was formed, providing Hamza the opportunity to clarify his stance and respond to the allegations.

After Hamza presented his defense, the panel reviewed the case, took all relevant circumstances into account, and submitted its findings and recommendations to the Board.

Following a thorough review, the PCB decided to ban the player from all cricket-related activities for two years and imposed a fine of PKR 1 million (approx. Rs 3.42 lakh).

“The PCB takes matters involving misrepresentation, non-disclosure and the submission of misleading information extremely seriously. Such conduct is inconsistent with the standards of honesty, professionalism and responsibility expected from individuals associated with Pakistan cricket,” the PCB said in an official statement.

“The PCB will not allow any individual to tarnish the reputation of the Board, Pakistan cricket or the millions of supporters who follow and cherish the game,” the statement added.

Hamza, 27, has featured in 16 First-Class matches, 15 List-A games, and 10 T20s in his domestic career so far.

He made his professional debut with the Sialkot Stallions in 2014 during a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver League match against the Bahawalpur Stags.Across 41 domestic appearances, he has scored 1,005 runs and claimed 47 wickets.

Hamza last featured in competitive action earlier this year, representing Ghani Glass against Khan Research Laboratories in the President’s Trophy.

Last month, Nazar was added to Pakistan’s red-ball training camp in Lahore for the two-match Test series against the West Indies.

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Unnati Sharma: The Raw Emotion Of Winning A Judo Medal At Commonwealth Games 2026

Published

36 minutes ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

India’s success in judo at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 was a landmark moment, with the nation winning three medals in the sport. One of the architects of that success was 23-year-old judoka Unnati Sharma, who clinched bronze in the women’s 63kg category. In an exclusive chat with NDTV post-CWG 2026, Unnati revealed the raw emotion of winning a medal on the big stage, the unexpected messages of congratulations after her success, and the pioneers behind her rise to the top.

The Raw Emotion: Clinching Bronze At CWG 2026

For Unnati Sharma, the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 did not come easy. She had narrowly failed to qualify for the Games in 2022 after finishing second in the nation-wide trials. History was about to repeat in 2026, were it not for a retrial, which she won.

In Glasgow, Unnati’s win streak ended in the semi-finals, but she kept her composure to win bronze on a watershed day for Indian judo. What followed was pure joy.

“When I won the bronze medal, I was in a bit of shock. Then I felt very happy that I’ve finally won a medal. I got a bit emotional as well, but at the end of the day, I was just really, really happy,” Unnati said, in an interview with NDTV.

The joy was seemingly tenfold in her hometown in Uttarakhand. From sweets to dhols, elation erupted.

“My family was watching live at home when I won my medal. People in the neighbourhood also came to know when I won… Many came to our home with sweets. People from the neighbourhood brought a dhol, then the media came too. It was a full-on celebration. When I returned home from Delhi, I received a grand welcome. Even my school teachers came!” Unnati revealed.

Rising To Fame: The Unexpected Congratulations

Unnati and India’s success was met with a series of congratulatory messages, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A message of congratulations from the Prime Minister himself left the 23-year-old judoka in disbelief.

“Firstly, seeing Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) sir and President (Droupadi Murmu) ma’am wishing me with my name in their tweets was a shocking moment. That was very unexpected, just feeling that they’d taken time out of their own schedules to congratulate me,” she said.

More glory for India in Judo!
Congratulations to Unnati Sharma for winning the Bronze Medal in the Women’s 63 kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Her commitment and determination were clearly visible during the games. May she keep excelling in all her forthcoming…
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— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2026

Then followed a wonderful moment on her flight home

“On my flight from Delhi to Dehradun, I did not feel anyone would recognize me. But one person followed me from the business class, tapped me on the shoulder, and recognized and congratulated me. That felt really good, and then everyone on the flight got to know! That was a great moment,” she recalled.

A Bronze Won, Or A Gold Missed?

While acknowledging the importance and enormity of a bronze medal, Unnati also candidly admitted a bittersweet emotion that she experienced after losing her semi-final bout.

“It was a missed opportunity for me; I could’ve won gold had I not made a mistake (in the semi-final). When I lost, I did feel that the gold had slipped away. But I also wanted to ensure that I did not lose out on the bronze – winning bronze is also a big thing. I’m happy, but there’s also the sadness of not winning gold,” she said.

The Pioneers Behind Her Success

Hailing from humble beginnings in Uttarakhand, Unnati received the ultimate impetus for her development at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) in Karnataka. Joining the institute provided the 23-year-old the necessary training to take her game to the next level.

“Joining Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) was the turning point of my career. At my home in Uttarakhand, we have very basic facilities. When I came to IIS in 2018, I’ve been able to deliver the best performances of my career, as I was able to train with world-class facilities and under world-class coaches. If anyone apart from my family and coaches have a major role in this bronze, it’s Inspire Institute of Sports,” she explained.

Now, Unnati and the rest of the Indian judo contingent has set their eyes on LA 2028. Don’t put it past them to deliver the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal in judo!

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Chiefs coach Andy Reid hints Patrick Mahomes may sit out entire Chiefs preseason after knee surgery

Published

52 minutes ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that it is unlikely that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play in their preseason opener against the Rams next week, and it’s possible that the two-time MVP skips the three-game exhibition slate entirely.

That’s not necessarily a surprise given Mahomes underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee in December.

Mahomes has been ahead of schedule in his rehab work ever since the injury, though, participating in the entire offseason program before reporting to training camp on time. He was given the all-clear late last month by Dallas-based surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, who performed the procedure, to participate in practices without any restrictions.

“There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him,” Reid said. “Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I will play him the second or third game — I don’t know that — but percentages probably lean against doing that.”

On one hand, Mahomes hardly needs the work given his experience. On the other hand, the competitive nature of the quarterback may be enough to convince Reid to put him on the field at least for a couple of snaps in the second game against Tampa Bay.

Mahomes has said he’s looking forward to taking his first real hit to feel fully back to football.

The Chiefs have no shortage of quarterbacks in need of preseason work. They traded with the Jets for veteran Justin Fields to serve as their primary backup, and he could use some game experience in the new offense. So could Garrett Nussmeier, the once-heralded LSU quarterback, whom they chose in the seventh round of the draft as a project.

“We’ve got new people … behind (Mahomes) that need some work,” Reid said. “The more reps they get, the better.”

The Chiefs, who have another practice Saturday before taking Sunday off, have a number of players missing due to injuries.

The latest to join the list was two-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith, who was examined by a hip specialist as a precaution after it started to bother him this week. Reid downplayed the severity of the injury, saying “he’s going to be OK.”

In fact, none of the other injuries appear to be long-term problems. Defensive end Ashton Gillotte has a hamstring strain, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa a groin injury, linebacker Drue Tranquill some back pain and wide receiver Xavier Worthy a shoulder issue, while defensive back L’Jarius Sneed continues to manage a knee problem and cornerback Mansoor Delane a shoulder injury.

Wide receiver Cyrus Allen, the Chiefs’ fifth-round pick who had been turning some heads, was back at practice for the first time since bruising his shin during Monday’s workout. But he was held out of drills that involved contact with the defense.

“He did a good job when he was back in there, so that’s a positive,” Reid said. “He’s at all the meetings. He’s focused in. He wants to get out there. He doesn’t want to miss. He’s been working hard. We’ll just ease him back in, like I said.”

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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Brandon Clarke died from effects of heroin and cocaine, authorities say

Published

1 hour ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

LOS ANGELES — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died in May from the effects of heroin and cocaine, authorities said Friday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said the 29-year-old basketball player’s death was accidental.

Clarke was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on May 11. A person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press after the Grizzlies announced Clarke’s passing that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The person had spoken on condition of anonymity because those details had not been released publicly.

Clarke was under contract to be with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season.

About six weeks before he died, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. He was with Memphis for all seven of his pro seasons after finishing his college career at Gonzaga.

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Readers voted for top Cincinnati boys soccer players. See results

Published

1 hour ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Over the last month, The Enquirer has previewed the 2026 high school boys soccer season by listing the top players at each of the four position groups and allowing readers to vote for their favorite players.

Here’s who Enquirer readers voted as their favorites at each position.

Readers choose winner for Cincinnati’s top boys forward

Norwood freshman Cristian Dominguez (15) battles for the ball against Seven Hills sophomore Aidan VanderLaan as Seven HIlls boys soccer team defeated Norwood 10-0 Sept. 17, 2025 at Norwood's Shea Stadium to give head coach Mike Combs his 400th career win. — Norwood freshman Cristian Dominguez (15) battles for the ball against Seven Hills sophomore Aidan VanderLaan as Seven HIlls boys soccer team defeated Norwood 10-0 Sept. 17, 2025 at Norwood’s Shea Stadium to give head coach Mike Combs his 400th career win.

Cristian Dominguez, Norwood: Dominguez was off to the races in his first season with Norwood, leading the Miami Valley Conference with 18 goals in 2025. His efforts leading the Indians in both goals (18) and assists (10) secured him first-team All-MVC and all-city honors. Dominguez should be more dangerous in year two, making him a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

Readers decide winner for Cincinnati’s top boys midfielder

Summit's Forrest Cloran (15) celebrates after scoring during their 2-0 win over Seven Hills in the OHSAA regional final Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. — Summit’s Forrest Cloran (15) celebrates after scoring during their 2-0 win over Seven Hills in the OHSAA regional final Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

Forrest Cloran, Summit Country Day: Cloran turned in three goals and five assists during the 2025 title run. The midfielder was an all-district selection in addition to a first-team all-city selection.

Readers decide winner for Cincinnati’s top boys defender

Sam Viltro (9) of the Summit Country Day Silver Knights passes the ball in the second half during the OHSAA DV boys soccer state semifinal, between Summit Country Day and Fairbanks, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, Centerville Alumni Stadium.

Sam Viltro, Summit Country Day: The junior helped the Silver Knights to a 12-6-6 record and the Division V state championship. He helped a defense that allowed 25 goals and posted 11 shutouts, and contributed three goals on offense. He was an all-district honoree.

Readers decide winner for Cincinnati’s top boys goalie

Landen Darling, Mason: As a sophomore, Darling secured 10.5 shutouts in goal for Mason. The Comets allowed just nine goals all season en route to a 14-1-3 record, and Darling’s skills will only improve in his junior season.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Readers voted for top Cincinnati boys soccer players. See results

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Fantasy football rankings 2026: Busts by model that nailed Terry McLaurin’s down season

Published

2 hours ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

The Hall of Fame Game is now in the books, and the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The time has come for Fantasy football owners to begin draft preparations. Veterans like Josh Allen, Jonathan Taylor and Puka Nacua all headline the 2026 Fantasy football rankings, and will likely be among the top players on most Fantasy football draft boards. Meanwhile, running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are among those hold-ins angling for new contracts. Regardless, the key to fantasy success remains finding sleepers and rookies who outperform their Fantasy football ADP, and avoiding drafting players that end up being Fantasy football 2026 busts.

Who should you target in your fantasy football draft strategy, and which players should fall on your list of potential 2026 Fantasy football busts? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last year, the model accurately predicted that Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP. The result: A season after piling up nearly 1,100 receiving yards and a career-high 13 touchdown catches, McLaurin had career lows in receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (3). Injuries were a factor, but his per-game averages were down across the board as well, so anybody who avoided him in Fantasy drafts dodged a major headache.

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021 and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.

Top 2026 Fantasy football busts

One of the 2026 Fantasy football busts the model is predicting: New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. He’s going off the board around pick No. 37, but SportsLine’s model doesn’t even have him as a top-15 receiver. In fact, it has players such as DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and Zay Flowers above him.

Nabers isn’t a lock to be ready to at the start of the season after tearing his ACL last season and then undergoing a follow-up procedure in the spring. The Giants are also expected to lean heavily on the run game under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, making Nabers a risky pick in the second or early third round. See more busts at SportsLine.

Another bust that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 12 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. SportsLine’s model, however, ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players such as Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, saying that he should be more of a late-second or even third round pick.

Cook has stacked two impressive seasons and was the RB6 a year ago, so it’s understandable why he’s getting first-round consideration in many drafts. He did fumble at a higher rate last season, however, and he’s not an elite target out of the backfield. Also, Josh Allen always looms as a touchdown vulture for Buffalo, as these factors are why the model is leaning to other high-end backs early. See which other Fantasy football busts 2026 to pick here.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings

SportsLine is also fading one of the first five receivers off the board in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts. The model ranks this player barely inside the top 10 and is calling for him to be one of the biggest busts in the league this year. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2026 Fantasy Football busts should you be steering clear of, and which high-end WR should you completely fade? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that helped managers avoid a disastrous Terry McLaurin season in 2025.

2026 Fantasy football ADP

(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.48)
2. Bijan Robinson (1.80)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.12)
4. Puka Nacua (4.28)
5. Jonathan Taylor (5.68)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.36)
7. Christian McCaffrey (7.08)
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (9.00)
9. De’Von Achane (11.16)
10. James Cook (11.72)

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Colts’ Cam Taylor-Britt suspended by NFL for violating personal conduct policy

Published

2 hours ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Taylor-Britt served a five-day jail sentence earlier this year

Aug 7, 2026

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4:44 pm ET

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1 min read

Cam Taylor-Britt has been suspended for one game by the NFL after he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. Taylor-Britt, a veteran cornerback who signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, will miss the team’s Week 1 home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

In January, Taylor-Britt served a five-day jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and an unclassified no-license charge stemming from an incident in September of 2025. Taylor-Britt was driving recklessly following a Bengals game while pedestrians were still in the area, according to a Cincinnati police officer.

Taylor-Britt, 26, was the 60th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He cracked Cincinnati’s starting lineup as a rookie and helped the Bengals advance to the AFC title game that season. He then had a career-high four interceptions in 2023 and three the following season, while being a central part of the Bengals’ defense.

This 2025 was a setback for Taylor-Britt, however. He made two starts in eight games before he suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury that was sustained during Cincinnati’s Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Taylor-Britt has reunited in Indianapolis with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who served as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator during Taylor-Britt’s first three seasons in Cincinnati. During Anarumo’s first season in Indianapolis, the Colts’ defense ranked 21st in points allowed, 31st in passing yards allowed, 7th in rushing yards allowed, 26th in third-down efficiency, and 11th in red zone efficiency.

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Report: New Orleans native Deion Jones to sign with Saints

Published

2 hours ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Deion Jones (45) greets a fan before a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Linebacker Deion Jones will complete his tour of playing for each NFC South team by signing a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, ESPN reported on Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed in the deal with Jones, who is from New Orleans and attended LSU.

Jones, 31, played his first six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and topped 100 tackles in five of them, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017.

Jones had 29 tackles in 17 games last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He has totaled 761 tackles, 12 sacks and 13 interceptions — including five returned for touchdowns — in 128 career games with the Falcons (2016-21), Cleveland Browns (2022), Carolina Panthers (2023) and Buccaneers (2024-25). He was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

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Vikings Training Camp Sees 3 Players Emerge as Early Risers

Published

2 hours ago

7 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Minnesota Vikings helmet resting on the field before a game at Lambeau Field. — A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the turf during pregame warmups at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The scene captures a quiet moment before kickoff, with players preparing nearby as the NFC North rivalry matchup against the Packers approaches in crisp, late-season conditions. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Much remains to be determined at Vikings training camp. Later on today, the team will continue getting to work on the field, leading to more opportunity for players to assert themselves.

So far, there have been some players to catch the eye of onlookers. Doing so shouldn’t be understood as reason to overreact. Nobody in the list below is assured of much beyond just some initial enthusiasm. Nevertheless, consider some of the players who have done well at TCO Performance Center.

Vikings Training Camp
3 Risers from Some of the First Practices at TCO

Player No. 1 — Tight End Gavin Bartholomew

NCAA Football: Pittsburgh at Boston College — Nov 30, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images.

A lot of people have taken notice. Among them are Alec Lewis, Will Ragatz, and Lindsey Young.

As a rookie in 2025, Gavin Bartholomew didn’t play a single snap. The reason was due to a back injury that ended his rookie season before it could really get going. Prior to needing time in the infirmary, Kevin O’Connell had been saying some enthusiastic things about the newcomer. Needing time to get back to full health feels cruel, particularly for somebody who was so new to the NFL.

Ideally, Bartholomew can mirror Johnny Mundt. Be an underrated pass catcher who is a high-compete blocker. Better yet, be a monster for special teams coordinator Matt Daniels. The TE3 job is there for the taking.

Player No. 2 — Corner Chuck Demmings

NCAA Football: Senior Bowl Practice — Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National wide receiver Reggie Virgil (15) of Texas Tech grabs a pass over National cornerback Charles Demmings (16) of Stephen F. Austin during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Seemingly everybody is impressed by what Chuck Demmings is doing during training camp.

Look at what Thor Nystrom had to say: “Chuck Demmings is gonna force his way onto the field at some point this fall. Extremely aggressive/energetic presence on D — your eyes gravitate to him. Had a slick breakup today, and got under Jennings’ skin late on a short checkdown that Demmings screamed down on.”

Demmings comes in at 6’1″ and weighs 195 pounds. He ran a 4.4 forty. Putting that in baseball terms would mean describing a pitcher with a 98 MPH fastball and a nasty curveball. He was available in the 5th Round due to playing in a modest college program.

Keep an eye on the outgoing player who has been offering sticky coverage.

Player No. 3 — Linebacker Jake Golday

NCAA Football: Central Florida at Cincinnati — Oct 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) stiff-arms Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Consider former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond among those who think that Mr. Golday has been better than just okay.

“He’s a future starter on the Vikings defense, whether as an edge player or an inside linebacker,” Diamond writes. “Golday is athletic, versatile and looks smooth wherever he lines up. The second-round pick should be the third edge rusher as a rookie, providing relief for Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner and perhaps lining up with them as pass rushers at times. He appears destined to be a Van Ginkel clone who can rush the passer, stop the run and drop effectively into coverage.”

Earlier in the summer, the snaps that I saw of Golday made him look long and fast. He’s an active, involved player who appears to be an early chess piece for the front seven. Much to be enthused about with the young defender.

The final word goes to Diamond: “The Vikings personnel people and coaches obviously thought highly of him as they passed up quality centers and safeties to take Golday as a higher rated player on their draft board. It won’t surprise me if he winds up as the best player in this Vikings draft class.”

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

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