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🏈 Good morning to all however particularly to …
NFL FANS
Even when the preseason is simply an appetizer for the common season — making the Corridor of Fame Sport … uh … amuse-bouche? — I am able to dig in. Week 1 of the preseason begins tonight with Colts-Ravens (I used to be there for his or her joint observe) in addition to Bengals-Eagles and Raiders-Seahawks.
Many starters will not see a lot if any motion this preseason, however notable exceptions come from Indianapolis, the place there is a quarterback competitors between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. And Cincinnati, which can play Joe Burrow in an effort to assist keep away from sluggish begins. Each quarterback conditions are amongst Tyler Sullivan’s high 10 preseason storylines.
- Sullivan: “In 2024, the Bengals misplaced their first three video games of the season and had been 1-4 by means of Week 5, which instantly contributed to them lacking the playoffs. In 2023, they had been 1-3 over the primary month and 2-2 to start the 2022 season. With these points in thoughts, utilizing the preseason to whip themselves up into form may show to be one of many larger developments of the 2025 season if Cincinnati can come out of the gate firing on all cylinders.”
A lot of the motion, although, will belong to backups and rookies. Josh Edwards has the 10 first-year gamers he is most excited to look at, together with two enjoying tonight.
Tyler’s high two storylines belong to Micah Parsons‘ and Terry McLaurin‘s contentious contract conditions. Jerry Jones says he hasn’t spoken to Parsons since his commerce request and is not positive he’ll even be prepared for Week 1. Yikes! No less than Dak Prescott has Parsons’ again.
😁 Honorable mentions
🤕 And never such an excellent morning for …
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MATTHEW STAFFORD AND THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Matthew Stafford is coping with again ache.
“So what?” chances are you’ll say. “I’ve again ache, too!”
However you are not going to be lining up throughout from a few of the world’s greatest athletes precisely one month from now, hoping to assist fulfill the hopes of one of many NFL’s most hyped groups. Stafford, the Rams hope, will probably be.
Information emerged Wednesday that Stafford, 37, has an aggravated disk in his again and acquired an epidural over the weekend to assist with the ache. Sean McVay described his sign caller as “week-to-week.”
Effectively, the Rams face the Texans — and their fearsome go rush duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. — in 4 weeks and three days. Stafford nonetheless hasn’t participated in coaching camp. Jimmy Garoppolo is the backup and one of many greatest backups within the NFL, nevertheless it’s a less-than-ideal spot for Los Angeles, which is anticipated to contend on the highest stage.
Even when Stafford is out there for Week 1, again accidents are nerve-wracking, and Stafford’s historical past with them will not ease any Rams’ followers’ fears, both.
For now, Garoppolo will hold getting first-team reps, and Los Angeles will hold hoping Stafford makes progress. But when the crew seems for outdoor assist, Cody Benjamin has some potential emergency choices.
Not so honorable mentions
🏈 Prime 10 NFL gamers at every offensive place
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Tuesday, we launched our high 10 NFL gamers at every defensive place. Wednesday, we flipped in over to the offensive facet of the ball, the place Patrick Mahomes stays No. 1 at quarterback — although it wasn’t unanimous. Here is the highest 5:
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens
- Josh Allen, Payments
- Joe Burrow, Bengals
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders
I feel we are able to all agree concerning the high 4 in some order; Daniels incomes the No. 5 spot is a serious testomony to his wonderful rookie yr.
Broad receiver has a brand new No. 1, although:
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
- A.J. Brown, Eagles
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
⚾ Roman Anthony indicators long-term extension with Pink Sox
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Roman Anthony signed an eight-year, $130 million extension with the Pink Sox, the most recent long-term extension Boston has handed out to its younger expertise.
- Anthony, 21, was CBS Sports activities’ high prospect coming into the yr and received referred to as up June 9. He has posted a .276/.392/.417 slash line with robust underlying numbers because the Pink Sox have surged into second within the AL East (4 video games behind the Blue Jays) and the primary AL wild-card spot.
- The deal may surge to $230 million in worth primarily based on sure accolades, like awards voting and All-Star picks.
- Now signed by means of 2034, Anthony joins Ceddanne Rafaela (24 years outdated), Kristian Campbell (23) and Garrett Crochet (26) as younger Boston constructing blocks signed by means of at the least 2031.
These tremendous early extensions can find yourself trying prescient — getting a participant means underneath the worth he’d finally get in free company if he retains progressing — or actually dangerous if the event halts. However Anthony has given Boston each purpose to imagine he’ll be a franchise cornerstone, Julian McWilliams writes.
- McWilliams: “Most rookies want time earlier than they’re thrown into the highlight. Batting them close to the underside of the order often feels just like the secure transfer. However Anthony’s a distinct cat. So Alex Cora has him hitting at or close to the highest of the lineup in entrance of a packed Fenway crowd that may really feel a playoff berth singing its means up Jersey Avenue. … Anthony does not attempt to impress. Each hey appears real. Purposeful. Identical to his at-bats. He is not making an attempt to slot in, both. He simply does, even together with his locker nestled between All-Stars like Alex Bregman and Jarren Duran, Anthony leaves sufficient elbow room for himself with out taking on house.”
📺 What we’re watching Thursday
⚾ Athletics at Nationals, 12:05 p.m. on MLB Community
⚾ White Sox at Mariners, 4:10 p.m. on MLB Community
⚾ Reds at Pirates, 6:40 p.m. on MLB Community
🏈 Colts at Ravens, 7 p.m. on NFL Community
🏀 Dream at Sky, 8 p.m. on Prime Video
⚾ Marlins at Braves, 7:15 p.m. on MLB Community
🏈 Raiders at Seahawks, 10 p.m. on NFL Community
🏀 Fever at Mercury, 10 p.m. on Prime Video
