Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws the ball over Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Young DT Caleb Banks did have a nice day today, though.
By no means a finished product, Mr. Banks flashed at various points. He boasts a unique frame that allows him to be a menace within the trenches but has so far struggled to stand out despite immense potential. Some of that potential turned into production from within the second day of joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens.
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The Vikings’ 1st-Round Pick Did Well Today
Perhaps the most basic reason for optimism rests in the reality that Banks got a lot of work with the first-team defense. Likewise, fellow rookie DT Domonique Orange got tossed into the mix quite a lot with the starters.
Banks gives the team more agility and upside for penetration. Orange is going to be somebody who is very difficult to move (but he’ll push back against the insistence that there’s no pass rushing in his game). Getting inserted into the mix is a positive development, especially with the Vikings announcing that a veteran DT got shown the door.
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Caleb Banks (95) looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A lot of my focus today was on Caleb Banks. Sometimes, the large lads can get lost in the shuffle, especially with a pair of teams doing battle. Seeing #95 run onto the field caused me to tune in. What he did was often impressive.
First, though, consider the negative.
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On several snaps, Banks got snagged up on his blocker. Sometimes he appears content to bench press his blocker but do little to shake free of the o-lineman’s mitts. At other times, Banks is just a hair slow, leaving him reaching his long arms for a tackle that aren’t yet quick enough to get the job done.
More positive is that Banks proved to be a handful on other snaps.
On a specific play in 11-on-11, Caleb Banks was working as a 3-4 defensive end. Andrew Van Ginkel was to the outside of him and chatting with the rookie DT prior to the play beginning. Sure enough, Banks dipped underneath his blocker to get into the backfield for a TFL on that precise play. Did Banks soak up a coaching point from Van Ginkel and then go make a play?
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) participates in a drill during spring football practice at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
On a different play, Banks didn’t get home for the sack on the passer. What he did do, though, was absolutely bully his blocker way into the backfield. Doing so crowds the pocket in a way that makes the quarterback very uncomfortable.
Banks gets moved to the left side and right side. He can be pushed outward and inward. Presumably, he’s nimble enough to get used on stunts. So, too, should he be capable of making a mess of a screen through hustle and be able to work as a backside tackler when scraping down the line. Suplexing the QB may be in his future, too.
Caleb Banks is going to be as good as he wants to be. He lacks for nothing by way of physical talent. DC Brian Flores is terrific at his job and Ryan Nielsen is super detailed when coaching up d-linemen. Banks needs to put in the work to unlock what appears to be limitless potential.
Many appear to believe that the Vikings’ EDGE3 position is unfilled. Or, perhaps, filled by somebody who isn’t particularly promising, such as undrafted talents like Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and/or Chaz Chambliss.
Does the team itself agree?
What has been so striking about the Minnesota Vikings’ approach to the edge rusher spot has been the near total neglect. Minnesota sent away Jonathan Greenard in a trade that now feels like it was a lifetime ago. Nobody got drafted at the position and the UDFA helping was modest for edge rusher help. Similar modesty characterized the free agency effort for the edge rusher spot. What gives?
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The Vikings’ EDGE3 Job May Be Settled Already
Do note, folks, that the worries about the edge rusher spot go beyond just Twitter (an online wasteland).
Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond offers his writing for Vikings Territory. Consider what he had to say on the matter: “If the Vikings are considering adding a veteran edge rusher, the market is getting thinner with Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Texans, Von Miller joining the Cowboys, and Za’Darius Smith headed to the Falcons.”
And another thought not long afterwards: “They probably want to see if second-round pick Jake Golday can prove he can be an impact edge rusher/outside ‘backer along with backing up at inside linebacker.”
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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
Truth be told, I’ve been wondering about the same issue. Where is Jake Golday at in his pursuit of edge rusher snaps?
After today’s practice, I asked Golday about his opportunities at edge rusher. “My primary position right now is just focusing on WILL,” Golday explained, “and I’m going to do whatever is asked of me everyday. But like today I got a couple reps on the edge. And I love to be versatile.”
Golday, in short, likes playing edge rusher but has mostly played as the weak-side off-ball linebacker (a.k.a. WILL).
In contrast, Eric Wilson sounds like a man who is pretty excited about playing edge rusher when we chatted for a few minutes after today’s practice. Golday sounded eager to play the position more but accepting of whatever his job is. Wilson, in contrast, sounded ready to roll with his assignment.
Wilson’s take on things: “I’ve done it before. I’ve done it before my first time around, I’ve been on the EDGE a bit, just playing like SAM. And I kinda like it, honestly. I kind of like it a lot. I remember playing in high school, I played on the edge a bit. I wasn’t a d-end but would be here and there.”
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Wilson likes dabbling in different spots on the field, describing it as being fun and good for the team overall. He even reaches back into his past to highlight some reps at the specific spot, seeming to suggest a longstanding confidence in his capacity to get the job done if he’s the Vikings’ EDGE3.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) tackles Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Indeed, the suggestion here is that Eric Wilson is the Vikings’ EDGE3. That much has been obvious for a little while but the inaction from the team reinforces the idea more and more.
Per PFF, Eric Wilson got put up onto the defensive line for 336 snaps last season. Might he see a similar helping of reps in that spot?
Otherwise, the plan is to see a healthier Andrew Van Ginkel alongside a meatier workload for the insanely-talented Dallas Turner. Moreover, Ty Ingram-Dawkins is a chess piece who can get flexed out while also being kicked inside.
Here’s how you should actually think about the edge rusher depth:
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EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel
EDGE2 Dallas Turner
EDGE3 Eric Wilson
EDGE4 Ty Ingram-Dawkins
EDGE5/6 Jake Golday?
EDGE5/6 Bo Richter or Tyler Batty or Chaz Chambliss
The possibility exists that what the Vikings are cooking up doesn’t work. Injuries can pile up quickly in a sport as rough as NFL football. Seeing even one or two top options lose time would be a major gut punch. Or maybe the plan all along has been to add a veteran, something they could do whenever they want.
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes against the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Given the promise that Wilson has shown as the Vikings’ EDGE3 last season, though, it’s not tough to follow how Minnesota is planning on attacking the depth issue.
Former WWE veteran Road Dogg recently caused a stir when he claimed on social media that he was refused a job in AEW because of his political beliefs. Now, a report has emerged questioning the validity of the Hall of Famer’s statement on the matter.
Following his retirement from in-ring action over a decade ago, Brian James aka Road Dogg held a number of backstage positions in WWE, primarily in writing, production and training roles. The New Age Outlaws member was appointed as the co-lead writer of one of the promotion’s flagship shows, Friday Night Smackdown, towards the beginning of last year. However, this past March, it was reported that the veteran was parting ways with the sports entertainment juggernaut.
On the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer questioned Brian James’ claim about the Tony Khan-led promotion not hiring him, noting that the company employs several individuals with conservative views, and that it supposedly does not discriminate with respect to hirings based on political philosophies.
“There are many people in AEW that have conservative viewpoints and I have never heard of anyone not being hired by AEW based on political viewpoints in one direction or the other,” Meltzer said. [H/T- Wrestling Inc]
Actually, I was turned away because of my political/ core beliefsThat happened IN AMERICA 🇺🇸 I didn’t donate to or vote for Trump, BUT his old man did, why was I punished ?
When were The Gunns last seen in action in AEW?
For the past several weeks, The Bang Bang Gang have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry with The Dogs and their allies, The Death Riders. Although Juice Robinson led his stable-mates Ace Austin and The Gunns to a victory against Jon Moxley’s crew on July 30, The One True King, along with Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta and PAC, defeated Robinson, Austin and Colten Gunn, and Jack Perry in a multi-person tag bout on the August 8 edition of Collision, thanks to interference from Clark Connors and David Finlay.
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It remains to be seen what lies next for The Gunns and the rest of the Collision Cowboys in All Elite Wrestling.
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For Welsh fans, the arrival of the tour offers a chance to watch a strong contingent of homegrown riders racing alongside some of the sports biggest names, including 2024 winner and two-time world champion, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx – Protime).
Among the Welsh headliners is British champion Zoe Backstedt who goes into stage 3 in 51st, 2 minutes 48 seconds behind leader, Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx – Protime).
The 21-year-old is competing less than three weeks on from making her highly anticipated Tour de France (TdF) Femmes debut, where she finished 50th overall.
Racing on home roads will offer Backstedt another exciting opportunity to build on what has already been a successful season.
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The Canyon-SRAM rider has won British road race and time trial titles plus a sprint stage at the Tour de Suisse Femmes, and retained the 2026 Baloise Ladies Tour title a year after becoming the youngest winner of the race.
And she has her elder sister, Elynor Backstedt who rides for UAE Team L’IMAD, for company, making this year’s race a family affair, with their father Magnus also taking on a sport director role for Human Powered Health.
Skirmishes are to be expected when NFL teams hold joint practices, but every now and then, they go a step too far. That was the case in Thursday’s training camp session with the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Multiple altercations built up to an all-out brawl between the two teams that led to multiple players’ removal from live drills.
Giants quarterback Jameis Winston, offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson missed parts of practice for disciplinary reasons. Giants coach John Harbaugh said Eluemunor threw a punch to an opponent’s face, which triggered his automatic removal, per the teams’ agreed-upon rules.
While Harbaugh had to pull a couple of his players out of action, he downplayed the extent of the fights, which are commonplace in the NFL at this stage of camp.
“It’s just football,” Harbaugh said after practice. “It’s not a game, so you don’t have quite the same guardrails on it. It’s a violent game. In this sort of an environment, you have these rules of engagement that aren’t really rules of the game. And then somebody perceives somebody else goes over the line — or they do go over the line — and then somebody needs to protect somebody, and that’s where it goes. As long as it doesn’t get out of control where you get a violent type of situation, it’s fine.”
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Joint practices are some of the first opportunities each season players have to make contact with someone wearing a different team’s jersey. Pent-up aggression often boils over in these settings, and small incidents can snowball into larger fights. That’s what occurred at the Dolphins’ complex.
Earlier in practice, second-year Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter took a swing at Dolphins offensive lineman Patrick Paul.
Another dust-up involved a couple of other big-name Giants defenders. After Jackson threw a punch at New York rookie Arvell Reese, edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux threw the Miami lineman to the ground in retaliation.
Giants, Dolphins could face league discipline for fights
The NFL made it clear to teams prior to training camp that violence will not be tolerated at joint practices. In a memo sent to all 32 franchises, the league emphasized “not promoting an atmosphere for fighting or escalation of incidents; instances of player fighting will result in individual fines, club fines, and/or loss of practice.”
At first glance, the fights between the Cowboys and Saints rose to a level perhaps more violent than the ones in the Giants-Dolphins practice. The NFL will undoubtedly review the footage from Miami, however, and determine whether things got out of hand enough to justify penalties.
Michael Vaughan gave Jordan Cox his seal of approval as a “proper player” after his maiden half-century helped England take control of the first Rothesay Test against Pakistan.
England ran up a lead of 195 at Headingley, with four of their top six passing 50 as they closed a rain-shortened second day on 366 for eight.
The world’s number one batter Harry Brook was top-scorer with 91 off only 93 balls, captain Joe Root was typically assured for 66 and Dan Lawrence battled through a mixed innings to post 51 on his return to the side.
Jordan Cox drives through the off side (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
But it was Cox, promoted to the cornerstone position at number three in just his second appearance, who caught the eye of former skipper Vaughan.
The Essex man hit 73 in exactly 100 deliveries, hitting 14 boundaries and showing a useful ability to go up and down the gears.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s Test Match Special, Vaughan said: “Jordan Cox was my pick of the day. He just looked a player.
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“He looks like he’s got all the time and he played two or three shots today that reminded me of (South African great) AB de Villiers.
“Those punches through the covers – and they’re decent balls he’s hitting – one or two clips through midwicket….he’s a proper player.”
Michael Vaughan had high praise for Cox’s innings (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)
Cox has had to wait for his opportunity on the highest stage, missing out on a scheduled debut in December 2024 after breaking a thumb in training and then seeing Jacob Bethell leapfrog him in the pecking order.
Now he has a second chance and appears ready to make the most of it, holding himself to even higher standards rather than settling for a strong first impression in the number three position.
“I think I let myself down a tiny bit but at the end of the day you take 70-odd don’t you? I’d have taken it at the start of the Test match,” he said.
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“But it’s about trying to put put your foot through that door as much as possible and bang it down. Once I got to 50 I moved to 60 quite quickly and I was thinking ‘there’s a chance here if can keep being disciplined, keep going ball by ball’.
“I definitely had it back of my mind, saying ‘you’ve worked so hard, don’t give this opportunity up’. That’s exactly what I do in county cricket – basically look at the runs I need to score and work down from there.”
Harry Brook was bowled by Ali Usman, not pictured, nine short of a century (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Cox suggested there was a collective feeling of a missed opportunity from those who got themselves in without killing the game off, but Pakistan are already in need of a huge turnaround to get themselves back in contention.
“Every team and every player wants to score Test hundreds and there’s four of us who got 50s today, so one of us could probably have kicked on,” he said.
“Instead of making just a hundred, let’s make it 150, 160, 170 and that puts us in a better position, definitely.
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“I’m not (happy) quite yet! Hopefully we can get another 50 then we’ll get to our work with the ball.”
It seems that Kenny Omega is going to be labeled as a heel moving forward, as he went full-blown heel last night on AEW Dynamite. He has now broken his silence following his actions.
Omega is currently feuding with Will Ospreay heading into All In, but after several developments, their friendship has faded, and the two have been at each other’s throats heading into their match. Last night, The Cleaner took things too far, even bringing up Ospreay’s son during their sit-down conversation. Later on in the show, he even abused his EVP powers and had security called on Ospreay.
Kenny Omega acted like a full heel throughout the show and didn’t bat an eye at anything he did. He even laughed maniacally after security escorted Will Ospreay out. Eventually they brawled, and Omega came out on top, hitting the One-Winged Angel through a table.
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He finally posted for the first time since attacking Will Ospreay, taking to X/Twitter and posting a close-up photo of himself after putting the Aerial Assassin through the table. He had a crazed look in his eye and seemed to be acknowledging that he had gone to a dark place in this feud.
Will Ospreay was recently candid about Kenny Omega
The Aerial Assassin was one of the first guests on AEW Spill the Tea with Rachel Bonnetta, and he opened up about this rivalry between him and Kenny Omega that has spanned years.
He mentioned how he has spent his entire career chasing Omega. Will Ospreay spoke about taking influence from him and trying to be like him. But ultimately, the two of them are now at each other’s throats in this feud heading into All In: London.
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“My whole life has been 10 years of chasing him. 10 years of just wanting to be better than Kenny Omega. He’s always been someone I can take great influence from. He’s a great inspiration, genuinely like a big hero to me, to be honest with you, because that’s who I want to be. It’s lovely, isn’t it? And now we are going to try and k*ll each other at Wembley Stadium. That’s the ultimate beauty, I think,” Ospreay said. (0:24 – 0:48)
When tasked with suffocating the man standing in the way of your dream Do you do it? This and more as @rachelbonnetta sits down with @WillOspreay in the first-ever AEW Spill The Tea!
This is arguably the hottest feud heading into the pay-per-view in Wembley Stadium given their history and all the recent developments. But there looks to be no clear winner and this match could go either way.
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After the shocking exit of Ilja Dragunov, multiple other WWE stars are also going to be leaving the company potentially, in mass exits. This comes based on reports that have emerged since the beloved star’s departure.
Ilja Dragunov is not the only star whose contract is expiring
Thanks for the submission!
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After the departure of Dragunov from WWE, following the expiry of his contract, Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live has confirmed that multiple other stars on the main roster are facing issues with their deals coming up. The deals are set to expire around October, with stars who have not signed new contracts yet. As a result, there are expected to be multiple exits, but with time to go, they may still sign new deals. At this time, several exits from RAW or SmackDown are potentially happening.
“I was told that there are a few other people that are currently on the main roster whose deals are coming up around October, and we might see more on their way out.”
It remains to be seen which other stars are going to be leaving, as at this time names have not been noted in the reports of those whose contracts will expire. Quite a few stars are not too active at this time, while others are out with injury, leaving no clues for fans as to who else could leave.
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As a result of Ilja Dragunov’s exit, there has been worry from fans about the situation of stars who are off TV. The star was well loved by fans, and his departure has been seen as a bad sign, as even though he had a promising run on NXT, his main roster run never really took off. Other than a title run, he did not have the same success on the main roster as he did on NXT.
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The Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes is Friday’s feature at York Racecourse.
With 18 horses declared for the five-furlong sprint, Wesley Ward’s unbeaten Bacio, winner of the Palace Of Holyroodehouse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June, is expected to go off as favourite for jockey Juan Hernandez.
Juddmonte reclaimed most of their sponsorship money on Wednesday when winning the Juddmonte International Stakes with Item, and Coolmore will attempt the same feat in the Nunthorpe with Mission Central.
Bred by Gigginstown House Stud, the gelded son of No Nay Never also won at Royal Ascot over five furlongs. He was a winner of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes from Rayevka, who also re-opposed today, and will provide a strong challenge, and Overpass.
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The Aidan O’Brien-handled Mission Central disappointed the last day when only seventh in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes at Newmarket, and it was noticeable that he faded in the final furlong. Back down to five furlongs on Friday, he should be more suited to the distance and should be in the final shake-up.
For last year’s winner, Asfoora, this may be her final race for trainer Henry Dwyer, who will hope to see her retire to the breeding shed on a positive note. She will again be the mount of Oisín Murphy.
Weatherby’s Lonsdale Cup
The Group 2 Weatherby’s Lonsdale Cup Stakes for the stayers goes to post at 2.25pm. The £250,000 contest sees the return of Cabelloa De Mar from his exertions in the God Cup at Royal Ascot in late June. The son of Phoenix Of Spain will represent George Scott and will be the mount of Oisín Murphy.
Amiloc has not won since the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2025, and was well supported the last day before jockey Hector Crouch was unseated leaving the stalls in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes. Rossa Ryan, the son of Postponed’s regular rider will take the mount on Friday.
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Illinois will represent Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, with the in-form Colin Keane teaming up with Willie Mullins’ runner, Columbus. The Paddy Twomey-handled Carmers is now a non-runner.
Irish-trained runners at York on Friday, 21 August 2026.
1.50 Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Krasimir (IRE) G M Lyons
2.25 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)
Columbus (GER) W P Mullins Illinois (IRE) A P O’Brien
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3.00 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
Marco Polo (IRE) A P O’Brien
3.35 Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)
Mission Central (IRE) A P O’Brien
4.10 Assured Data Protection Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
Truth Be Told (IRE) M C Grassick Zanndabad (IRE) A J Martin
4.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)
Benjamin Hornigold (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien Oklahoma (USA) A P O’Brien
Atalanta have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old Croatian defender Bartol Levačić from Varaždin, securing another promising talent for their academ byy.
Levačić, a centre-back born in 2010, has already represented Croatia at Under-16 level and attracted attention with his potential. The move is part of Atalanta’s continued strategy of investing in young players and developing them through their renowned academy.
The agreement was reported on August 6, with the defender expected to continue his development in Bergamo. Reports indicate that the transfer was set to be completed following the necessary formalities, including a medical and contract signing.
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Atalanta see Levačić as a long-term investment rather than an immediate first-team addition. The Croatian youngster will be given time to develop within the club’s youth system as he works towards potentially making the step up to senior football in the future.
The move further highlights Atalanta’s focus on identifying talented young players early and providing them with a pathway towards professional football.
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