Analysis: Protecting QBs from violent late hits like the one that leveled Trevor Lawrence isn't easyLOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Demarcus Robinson will not be suspended by the Los Angeles Rams this week after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Robinson will be available to play when the Rams (5-6) visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateDonald Trump Calls On Feds To Either Explain The Mystery Drones Or Shoot Them Down
Former Gov. Larry Hogan Claims He Saw 'Large Drones' Above Maryland Home
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s comments likening Kamala Harris’s election loss to an attack on women’s rights and progress earned him criticism from the country’s premiers and from American billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress are under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.” The comments also didn’t sit well with the country’s premiers, with whom Trudeau and several cabinet ministers met late Wednesday to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Incoming president Donald Trump has threatened Canada with a 25 per cent tariff on its imports to the United States unless the country meets his demands to improve security at the border. The Liberal government has been urging the premiers and opposition leaders alike to present a united “Team Canada” front to the Americans. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who chairs the Council of the Federation, said the premiers let Trudeau know his comments were “not helpful at all.” “Donald Trump was elected democratically,” Ford said. “If you like him or you don’t like him, that’s not our issue.” He added that he’s sure Trudeau “got the message loud and clear.” When asked about Ford’s criticism after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in French that Trudeau has always been a champion of women in politics. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at a dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago. In response to Trudeau’s concerns that a 25 per cent tariff would deal a massive blow to Canada’s economy, the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. He later posted an AI-generated image on social media of himself standing atop a mountain with a Canadian flag flying, with the caption “Oh Canada.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. — With files from Liam Casey in Toronto
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Former Portugal, Manchester United and Melbourne Victory winger Nani has announced his retirement at the age of 38. Nani joined United in 2007 and went on to make 230 appearances for the English Premier League club, scoring 41 goals. He won the Champions League in his first season and went on to win four EPL titles and two League Cups in eight seasons. Nani later played 10 games for A-League Men side Melbourne Victory in the 2022-23 season. "The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player," Nani wrote on social media. "It's been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories. Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!" Nani, who has been playing in the Portuguese top flight this season for his hometown club Estrela Amadora, played his last game against his former club Sporting last month. He also played for Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia and Adana Demirspor. Nani scored 24 goals in 112 caps for Portugal, winning the European Championship in 2016.
$1000 Invested In Carvana 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much TodayNew Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (YoY): -2.3% (November) vs previous -1.1%Donald Trump Jr. says he and Kimberly Guilfoyle will “never stop caring for each other.” The President-elect’s son exclusively told Page Six in a statement on Friday — after we exclusively reported that the couple has parted ways — “Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond.” He added of Guilfoyle, who is now headed to Greece as US ambassador under Donald Trump, “I could not be more proud of her and the important role she’ll continue to play in my father‘s administration.” Trump Jr. also defended Guilfoyle from some of the hits she’s allegedly taken in the media. And while she may not be marrying into the family, she still seems to be firmly part of the Trump universe. “Anyone taking baseless and petty fake news cheap shots at her in the tabloids are just embarrassing themselves,” Don Jr. continued of Guilfoyle. “She’s been an undefeated prosecutor, national TV news star, a leader of the MAGA movement and close advisor to the president. The people of Greece are getting an absolute star and now the whole world will see it more than ever.” Don Jr. also stated, “Since the very beginning, no one on Team Trump has worked harder than Kimberly to help elect and reelect my father — and no one deserves this ambassadorship more than she does.” We reported on Tuesday that Don Jr., 46, and Guilfoyle, 55, have ended their engagement of four years. In his statement to us, Don Jr. did not specifically confirm the split. On Tuesday, the Daily Mail published images of Don Jr. and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, 38, holding hands in public after a dinner at Buccan to celebrate her birthday. A source inside the restaurant also told Page Six that Don Jr. and Anderson were “kissing” and holding hands in front of fellow diners. The next night Trump Jr. and Anderson — a regular on the Palm Beach social circuit — were spotted together at private club Mar-a-Lago , and were even greeted by Donald Trump. A source told us that the couple mingled with the intimate crowd in the club’s buffet line, and they sat on a stage in a VIP area with velvet ropes. An insider said, “they are clearly in love,” but that they “remained discreet.” Don Jr. and Guilfoyle started dating in 2018, and got engaged in 2020. While Guilfoyle has not addressed the split, she posted of the ambassadorship on X: “I’m honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate. President Trump’s historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the American people and to freedom-loving allies across the world.” The ambassadorship includes a residence , Jefferson House, in the affluent Kolonaki district of Athens. Trump Jr. and Anderson were first photographed together in September looking “cozy” at Honor Bar in Palm Beach, though sources insisted to Page Six at the time that the Trump scion was still “100 percent” with Guilfoyle. Anderson was also spotted sitting behind Don Jr. and the former Fox News host at the Republican National Convention in mid-July — though a source told us that the socialite was there because she’s friends with Don Jr.’s ex-wife, Vanessa.
In Class 6 Region A, Oscar Smith is at home against Manchester.DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.A Delaware judge ruled on Monday that Tesla TSLA-Q CEO Elon Musk still is not entitled to receive a $56 billion compensation package despite shareholders of the electric vehicle company voting to reinstate it. The ruling by the judge, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Court of Chancery, follows her January decision that called the pay package excessive and rescinded it, surprising investors, and cast uncertainty over Musk’s future at the world’s most valuable carmaker. Musk did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment. Tesla has said in court filings that the judge should recognize a subsequent June vote by its shareholders in favour of the pay package for Musk, the company’s driving force who is responsible for many of its advances, and reinstate his compensation. McCormick said Tesla’s board was not entitled to hit “reset” to restore Musk’s pay package. “Were the court to condone the practice of allowing defeated parties to create new facts for the purpose of revising judgments, lawsuits would become interminable,” she said in her 101-page opinion. She also said Tesla made multiple material misstatements in its proxy statement regarding the vote, and could not claim the vote was a “cure-all” to justify restoring Musk’s pay. “Taken together,” the problems with Tesla’s arguments “pack a powerful punch,” she wrote. Tesla shares fell 1.4% in after hours trade, after the ruling. McCormick also ordered Tesla to pay the attorneys who brought the case $345 million, well short of the $6 billion they initially requested. She said the fee could be paid in cash or Tesla stock. “We are pleased with Chancellor McCormick’s ruling, which declined Tesla’s invitation to inject continued uncertainty into Court proceedings,” said a statement from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, one of the three law firms for the plaintiff. The law firm also said it looked forward to defending the court’s opinion if Musk and Tesla appealed. Musk and Tesla can appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court as soon as McCormick enters a final order, which could come as soon as this week. The appeal could take a year to play out. After the January ruling, Tesla shareholders flooded the court with thousands of letters arguing that rescinding Musk’s pay increased the possibility he would leave Tesla or develop some products like artificial intelligence at ventures other than Tesla. Attorneys for shareholder Richard Tornetta, who sued in 2018 to challenge Musk’s compensation package, had argued that Delaware law does not permit a company to use a ratification vote to essentially overturn the ruling from a trial. McCormick in January found that Musk improperly controlled the 2018 board process to negotiate the pay package. The board had said that Musk deserved the package because he hit all the ambitious targets on market value, revenue and profitability. But the judge criticized Tesla’s board as “beholden” to Musk, saying the compensation plan was proposed by a board whose members had conflicts of interest due to close personal and financial ties to him. After the January ruling, Musk criticized the judge on his social media platform X and encouraged other companies to follow the lead of Tesla and reincorporate in Texas from Delaware, although it is unclear if any companies did so. The judge in her January ruling called the pay package the “biggest compensation plan ever – an unfathomable sum.” It was 33 times larger than the next biggest executive compensation package, which was Musk’s 2012 pay plan. As of Monday, the pay package was worth $101.4 billion, according to Equilar, a compensation consulting firm. Musk’s 2018 pay package gave him stock grants worth around 1% of Tesla’s equity each time the company achieved one of 12 tranches of escalating operational and financial goals. Musk did not receive any guaranteed salary. Tornetta argued that shareholders were not told how easily the goals would be achieved when they voted on the package.
Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026The hits keep coming for the Philadelphia 76ers. Center Andre Drummond will be out at least for three games with a right ankle sprain, the team announced Monday. He will miss at least a week and be reevaluated this weekend. The 13-year veteran left Saturday’s win in Detroit after just 3:33 on the court. Drummond’s absence starts Tuesday night when the 76ers travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Drummond has, like the rest of the 76ers, struggled significantly this season around the in-and-out of star players, in particular fellow center Joel Embiid. In 17 games (11 starts), Drummond is averaging 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage has dropped to 52.4 after hitting 60.6 two years ago in Chicago. The 76ers are 29th in the league in rebounding. It’s the second game he’s missed this season, the other for an illness. Joining Drummond on the 76ers’ must-read injury report remains Embiid, out with left knee injury management/personal reasons. He’s stuck on four games played this year. But Kyle Lowry is listed as probable after missing the last five games with a right hip strain. Caleb Martin, who missed the last two games with a back strain, is also probable. It’s likely that the 76ers will have to go small against the Hornets. Guerschon Yabusele will likely start at center, with rookie Adem Bona getting an extended run off the bench. Expect some significant minutes as the de facto four for both Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Patriots turn their attention to the future after being eliminated from playoff contentionNick Rolovich is set for a return to college football three years after his dismissal at Washington State. Rolovich was hired Friday as a senior offensive assistant at the University of California, joining the staff of coach Justin Wilcox. Rolovich has been out of college football since being fired at Washington State midway through the 2021 season for not complying with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for state employees . Rolovich was 5-6 in his 11 games in charge of the Cougars during the 2020-21 seasons that were impacted by the pandemic. He was fired after Washington State beat Stanford 34-31 on Oct. 16, 2021, and was replaced by current Cougars coach Jake Dickert. Rolovich contended he should have been provided a religious exemption to a law requiring state employees to get the vaccine — a requirement that was later rescinded. WSU contended that Rolovich did not raise religious concerns about the vaccine’s development until the deadline approached to get vaccinated. The school said its denial of an exemption was based on its inability to accommodate his coaching under pandemic-related guidelines and skepticism about the sincerity of his beliefs. Rolovich filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Spokane against the university that was originally schedule to go to trial in December. The trial was struck from the court calendar this past summer as both sides filed motions for summary judgment. That is still pending. Rolovich's lawsuit originally included specific claims against Gov. Jay Inslee and then-Washington State athletic director Pat Chun. Those were dismissed in 2023. Rolovich was hired in Pullman as the replacement for the late Mike Leach when he left to take the head job at Mississippi State after the 2019 season. Rolovich was coming off a 10-win season at Hawaii where he went 28-27 in his four seasons in charge. Known for his offensive background and high-scoring teams, Rolovich's hiring at WSU was seen as a continuation of what Leach created during his tenure on the Palouse. But the pandemic arrived just a few months after Rolovich was hired and led to a truncated first season where the Cougars played just four games and the season didn't begin until November. His second season became defined by the lingering vaccine debate which came to light when Rolovich didn't show up in person for Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles where a vaccine mandate was in place. From there, his vaccination status clouded the Cougars season and whether the school would have to move forward with termination. It finally arrived on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, the day Inslee set as the deadline for state employees to be vaccinated or have an exemption. At the time of his firing, Rolovich was the highest-paid state employee with a contract paying more than $3 million. Rolovich has long connections in the Bay Area and began his coaching career as an assistant coach at San Marin High School in nearby Novato. With the Golden Bears, he'll work on a staff that includes former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin, who was hired as Cal's offensive coordinator earlier this week.
No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens.Apple Inc. AAPL and Sony Corporation SNE are reportedly joining hands to augment the gaming capabilities of the Vision Pro . Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman in his latest weekly “Power On” newsletter has said the enhancement will come through the addition of support for Sony’s PSVR2 controllers. Gurman has said that the partnership was initially scheduled to be announced weeks prior but “will still come at some point — unless it gets abruptly scrapped.” The collaboration entails Apple commencing the sale of Sony’s controllers, which are currently not available for individual purchase. Gurman believes this move could be a game-changer for Vision Pro users who are looking for an elevated gaming experience. Sony has been diligently working on this support for several months, while Apple has been engaging with third-party developers to gauge their interest in using Sony’s VR controllers. Apple approached Sony earlier this year, and the duo agreed to work together on launching support for the PlayStation VR2's hand controllers on the Vision Pro. Inside Sony, the work has been a monthslong undertaking, I'm told. And Apple has discussed the plan with third-party... Also Read: Apple Eyes Meta For Potentially Game-Changing AI Partnership: Report Gurman hints that Apple’s plans for the controllers extend beyond gaming. The controllers could be utilized to navigate visionOS and offer more accurate controls in applications such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Photoshop. Despite potential concerns raised by the Vision Pro’s sales figures and Apple’s past relationships with game publishers, the unique nature of VR and the evident demand from the community suggest a promising future for this collaboration. According to him, the partnership between Apple and Sony marks a significant step in the evolution of gaming on the Vision Pro. By integrating Sony’s PSVR2 controllers, Apple is not only enhancing the gaming experience but also expanding the functionality of the controllers to navigate its operating system and applications. This move could potentially attract more third-party developers to the platform, further enriching the ecosystem. The collaboration also indicates a shift in Apple’s approach towards gaming, hinting at a more inclusive and immersive gaming experience for its users. Read Next Apple’s Tabletop Robot: The Future Of Home Technology Or A Potential Misstep? © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
JJ Redick: LeBron James' Timeline for Return to Lakers Uncertain amid AbsenceCyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on biggest day for online shoppingEDITOR'S NOTE: On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, right, jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, bottom, during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens. When Caleb Williams took the field for the Chicago Bears' first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans, the anticipation for the rookie's debut game—possibly the most ever—was on full display. Despite a tough debut for the quarterback, the Bears secured a 24-17 win, a notable feat for the rookie. The victory made Williams the first #1 overall pick with a Week 1 win in over 20 years. Going forward this season, Williams is expected to eclipse C.J. Stroud's record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign with the Houston Texans. However, Stroud's success is an anomaly. Drafting a successful quarterback, especially one who is effective right away, is difficult. When teams have a high first-round draft pick, and they're coming off an unsuccessful few seasons, it's assumed that they will use their first pick on a quarterback . That player will assume the title of "the face of the franchise" and will get the central attention, win or lose. To see which quarterbacks have faced that challenge and triumphed, ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best rookie quarterbacks since 1960 using data from StatHead . Rookies were defined as players who are in their first season of professional football and have not been on the roster of another professional team. Quarterbacks were ranked according to adjusted net yards per pass attempt, which quantifies efficient passing skill. Ties were broken using passer rating. Only rookie quarterbacks with at least 10 games played and 200 total passing attempts were considered. Since 1967, 130 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. Of those drafted, only 61 have won a playoff game as a starter, according to The Athletic, which used data from NFL Research . The biggest reason this success rate is not guaranteed is because there are differences between college and pro offensive systems. In the collegiate game, the ball is snapped at different points on the field, passing windows are wider, and defenders and linemen are not as quick, making the adjustment to the pro level more difficult. NFL scouts and general managers are gambling on what skills can be transferable and how long those adjustments might take, which is why some teams prefer redshirt quarterbacks to ease the transition. However, just because a team may not want to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, doesn't mean they can't find a diamond in the rough later in the draft. Think about Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott, all of which were not first-round picks, but have gone on to make a name for themselves in the NFL. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.44 - Passer rating: 91.2 - Season stats: 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, 6 interceptions Coming out of college, Gardner Minshew was not a highly sought-after quarterback for NFL teams. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft—a draft that was headlined by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, and Daniel Jones. Nonetheless, Minshew's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was filled with many accomplishments. He won Rookie of the Week seven times despite not winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Minshew also had the highest passer rating of any rookie quarterback that started in 2019. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.77 - Passer rating: 93.7 - Season stats: 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions Pressure was high for Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. When he joined the Cleveland Browns, there was an expectation that once the team figured out the quarterback position, it could be playoff-ready. After trading for Jarvis Landry, a young wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins, in the offseason, the Browns were on their way. Mayfield's rookie season was filled with many firsts, and the Landry-Mayfield connection filled the stat sheet. Mayfield set the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in 2019 with 27 surpassing prior marks from Payton Manning and Russell Wilson. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.84 - Passer rating: 98.3 - Season stats: 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Justin Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL draft behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. As the No. 6 overall pick, expectations were high, but there was also an assumption that it would be a few years before Herbert's development would take shape. Then, Chargers starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was accidentally punctured in the lung by a team doctor administering a painkiller before the second game of the season, and it wasn't clear what Taylor's status would be moving forward. When Herbert was given the nod to start minutes before the game, fans didn't know what to expect. Herbert shocked viewers when he threw for over 300 yards and only one interception in that game. He continued his strong rookie showing throughout the season and went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.93 - Passer rating: 98.1 - Season stats: 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Ben Roethlisberger was the third quarterback selected in his draft class behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers—though fans wouldn't have been able to tell. From the moment Roethlisberger was called up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in his first game—Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens—it was clear he had a special arm, gaining the nickname "Golden Arm." While the next several games were bumpy for Steelers fans, it was clear that Roethlisberger was the future of the franchise. The Steelers had a solid running game and its receiving core, led by Hines Ward, was one of the best in the league . Once Roethlisberger gained his footing a few games in, he was unstoppable. He led Pittsburgh to its best record ever: 15-1. He also started the season on an eight-game winning streak, becoming the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 87.7 - Season stats: 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, there were high expectations on Matt Ryan's shoulders heading to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losing seasons and off-the-field legal troubles with its starting quarterback Michael Vick overshadowing the team's play. Ryan was expected to pick up the pieces. He did that immediately, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record in his rookie season and becoming the clear favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, which he went on to win. The tag team of Ryan and running back Michael Turner was one of the best offensive forces in the sport that season. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 100 - Season stats: 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Considering Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck headlined the NFL Draft that year, it was not believed that Wilson would be a starter come Week 1, but that quickly changed. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, and the team signed NFL veteran quarterback Matt Flynn as an insurance policy on the injury-prone Jackson . It was assumed in the short term that either Jackson or Flynn would lead the franchise. Once training camp arrived, however, the Seahawks' quarterback position was uncertain. Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Flynn was underwhelming at camp, forcing Head Coach Pete Carroll to take a gamble on his rookie quarterback, Wilson, in Week 1. Carroll, nor Wilson, ever looked back. Wilson was one of the best passing quarterbacks that season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.39 - Passer rating: 96 - Season stats: 2,210 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions When Dan Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, the NFL looked very different. Running the ball was the name of the game. The quarterback would either run the football himself at the line of scrimmage or hand it off to the running back, and the offensive linemen would claw and push the pile forward as the runner powered his legs. It was not a pretty sight. However, Marino took a different approach, throwing the ball with a unique quick release for that era. He led the Dolphins to a 9-1 record after replacing David Woodley midway through his rookie season, ending with a 12-4 record. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to start a Pro Bowl. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 100.8 - Season stats: 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions When C.J. Stroud was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans last year, there were a lot of questions, not about his ability, but about the organization that he would be playing for. The Texans were coming off of a 3-13-1 season in 2022, finishing with the worst record in the league, and a lot of volatility in its front office. The team fired its head coach and a top executive before the draft. Weeks later, the team hired former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as its next head coach. While Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, Stroud was seen as a key ingredient to the team's success since Ryans hired his coaching staff around the quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in yards and TD-to-interception ratio during his rookie season, which is an efficiency statistic considering he didn't get his first interception until his sixth regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints. While Stroud was a part of the league MVP conversation for most of the season, he didn't ultimately win the title. However, he was named 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his rookie season is seen as one of the best in NFL history. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 102.4 - Season stats: 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions Leading into the 2012 draft, it wasn't a matter of whether Washington would pick a quarterback, it was a matter of who. After several seasons of mediocre quarterback play and losing seasons from the likes of Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman, it was time for a new face to lead the offense. At No. 2, Washington selected Robert Griffin III making him the second quarterback selected in the 2012 NFL draft behind Andrew Luck. Griffin started his rookie year campaign with one of the best performances football fans have ever seen. He completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns, beating the New Orleans Saints. That game earned him the highest passer rating by a rookie ever, 158.3. He now shares that record with Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Griffin III went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.86 - Passer rating: 104.9 - Season stats: 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Dak Prescott is statistically the best rookie quarterback ever, racking up the best passer rating as a rookie. After losing his first game, he led the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak. That season, he led the team to its fourth-best season ever with a 13-3 record. Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the first NFL quarterback to be drafted in the fourth round or later to start all 16 regular season games. Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Shanna Kelly. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Southampton made light of Portsmouth's floodlight failure on Wednesday night by mocking their arch-rivals with a witty social media post. Pompey were due to host Millwall in the Championship at Fratton Park, but fans were left in darkness when the lights at the stadium cut out just minutes before kick-off. The hosts posted on social media that they were "looking into" a power issue just before 7:50pm. But it was almost an hour later before a further update was issued, with the game called off just after 8.40pm . And Saints made the most of an opportunity to rub salt into their rivals' wounds by sharing a picture of their own stadium lit up at night with the caption: " Football under the lights". The post went down a storm with fans of both Southampton and Millwall. One Saints supporter wrote: "Brilliant that," while another said: "Might be the best post ever from Admin. Superb". Southampton's posts echoed chants made by Millwall fans, who conjured up a chant of, "How s*** must you be, Southampton have lights". A Portsmouth fan even got in the act and begrudgingly admitted: "You know what, we deserve that". Portsmouth chief executive Andy Cullen spoke to the media after the match was postponed and explained that the club lost power in the stadium at around 7.35pm. He told BBC Sounds : "We were able to restore the floodlights just after 8pm and I have to give full credit to the match officials, who gave us every opportunity that we could to fix the problem and get the power back on. "We then got to a point where the floodlights back and the emergency lighting was on in most of the stands, however, there were still issues in terms of non-emergency lighting and other areas, such as CCTV which wasn't working to its full extent. So we had a decision to make in terms of crowd safety." He went on to explain that another issue was encountered at 8.30pm involving the Millwall fans and their ability to make it home safely. He added: "There's more to a match than just 22 players on a football pitch. We had a capacity crowd here tonight and we did not have the confidence that we could get through the whole game with other lighting not working. "We then got to 8.30 - we still felt there was an opportunity to push it through - but then there was a further problem in terms of the last trains going back to London for the Millwall supporters. They would not have been able to necessarily get those last trains back, so a decision at that point had to be made. "I'm really disappointed and upset that we've had to call the game off. But it was the only logical decision we could make at that particular time in the interests of everyone's safety." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
New Zealand Electronic Card Retail Sales (MoM) fell from previous 0.6% to 0% in NovemberNone