Category: SPORTS

The Indian men’s hockey team has done it again—clinching a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, following up on their historic success in Tokyo. However, their journey to the podium was anything but smooth, marred by questionable umpiring decisions that could have easily derailed their campaign.

Despite these setbacks, the Indian team showcased remarkable resilience and determination, particularly in the face of adversity, to secure another Olympic medal.

Controversy in Semi-final: India vs Germany

India’s hopes of playing in the gold medal match were dashed by a narrow 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals. But the match was not without controversy. A highly disputed penalty stroke awarded to Germany in the 27th minute became the turning point, shifting momentum away from India.

Germany had already begun to find their footing after India’s early lead, thanks to Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty corner goal in the seventh minute. Despite dominating the first quarter with seven penalty corners, India managed to convert only one, missing crucial opportunities to extend their lead.

Germany’s equalizer came in the 18th minute through Gonzalo Peillat, exposing the void left by Amit Rohidas, who was serving a one-match suspension. But it was the penalty stroke that truly incensed fans and experts alike. The decision came after the ball hit Indian defender Jarmanpreet Singh’s foot near the goal line, leading to a referral. Despite the ball appearing to be off-target, the third umpire swiftly awarded Germany a penalty stroke, allowing Christopher Ruhr to give his team the lead.

Social media erupted in outrage over the decision, with many questioning the impartiality of European umpires officiating a match involving a European team. Former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha was among those who criticized the decision, pointing out that the ball was likely going wide when it hit Jarmanpreet. The controversial call shifted the game’s balance, and despite a valiant effort from India, including a second goal from Sukhjeet in the 36th minute, Germany sealed their place in the final with a stunning goal from Marco Mitcau in the 54th minute.

Quarter-final Drama: India vs Great Britain

The road to the semi-finals was itself fraught with challenges, particularly during India’s quarter-final clash with Great Britain. The match, which ended 1-1 in regular time, saw India triumph in a 4-2 penalty shootout. However, the game was overshadowed by multiple questionable decisions from the umpires, leading to Hockey India lodging an official complaint.

The most significant of these was the red card issued to Amit Rohidas in the 17th minute, leaving India to play the majority of the match with only ten men. The decision came after Rohidas’s stick accidentally struck Britain’s Calnan on the head. Despite widespread belief that the contact was unintentional, the umpires ruled it a deliberate foul, leading to Rohidas’s dismissal.

The match also saw other contentious moments, including inconsistent use of video reviews and the alleged coaching of Great Britain’s goalkeeper during the shootout. These incidents raised serious concerns about the fairness of officiating, prompting Hockey India to call for a thorough review by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Despite these challenges, India’s resilience shone through. PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper, was the hero of the shootout, denying Great Britain twice to secure India’s place in the semi-finals.

Defying Odds: India’s Triumph against Spain

Despite the heartbreak of missing out on the final, India regrouped and delivered a stellar performance against Spain in the bronze medal match. The match was fiercely contested, with Spain taking the lead through their captain, Marc Miralles. However, India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh rose to the occasion, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 victory and another Olympic bronze for India.

This triumph was particularly sweet given the obstacles India faced throughout the tournament. From the controversial decisions in the quarter-final and semi-final to the absence of key defender Amit Rohidas, the Indian team had every reason to falter. Yet, they defied the odds, showcasing the grit and determination that have become their hallmark in recent years.

Call for Better Officiating by Indian Hockey Team

As the Indian team basks in the glory of their Olympic bronze, there remains a lingering concern over the quality of officiating at the Paris Games. Hockey India’s President Dilip Tirkey, in a recent interview, emphasized the need for improved refereeing standards, particularly in high-stakes matches like the Olympics. The controversies surrounding India’s matches against Great Britain and Germany have highlighted the impact poor officiating can have on the outcome of games and the integrity of the sport.

While India can celebrate their hard-earned success, the hope is that future tournaments will see more consistent and fair umpiring, ensuring that no team is unfairly disadvantaged.

In the end, the Indian hockey team’s journey at the Paris Olympics is a story of resilience, determination, and triumph against adversity. They may have missed out on a chance to play for gold, but their bronze medal is a testament to their unyielding spirit—a quality that has once again made India proud on the world stage.

Editors pick

Brian Kelly has been actually good at this third-year stuff.

In every of his final three tenures, his program skilled a breakthrough within the third season. He hopes to proceed that pattern as he begins his third season as LSU’s head coach in 2024.

The Tigers might be the SEC’s large shock this season, and Kelly stated he’s targeted on the day-to-day course of “that’s normally been fairly good at my different stops.”

In Kelly’s third season at Central Michigan in 2006, the Chippewas improved from 6-5 to 9-4, gained the MAC West, and Kelly was off to Cincinnati.

In his third season with the Bearcats in 2009, Kelly’s group improved from 11-3 to 12-0 and reached the Sugar Bowl because the coach moved on to Notre Dame.

In his third season with the Preventing Irish in 2012, Kelly’s group improved from 8-5 to 12-1 and reached the BCS Championship Sport.

(By the best way, in Kelly’s first tenure at Division II Grand Valley State, his third group dropped from 8-3 to 6-3-2 in 1993, although he wound up profitable 77 % of his video games over 13 seasons).

As Kelly enters his third season at LSU, the Tigers try to enhance from a pair of 10-win seasons and seize one of many 12 spots within the expanded CFP.

LSU had simply 39 scholarship gamers readily available when Kelly arrived from Notre Dame, and the coach stated his third group would be the deepest group of Tigers he has had. The important thing as to whether LSU can break via is whether or not it may be extra balanced than it was a 12 months in the past.

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels led the best offense within the nation, however the Tigers pale from SEC title rivalry due to one of many poorest defenses in class historical past.

Kelly stated he believes this system has completed its low season purpose to “make the type of strides that convey our protection as much as the usual essential to play for a championship.”

He modified defensive coordinators, changing Matt Home with former LSU assistant Blake Baker, who was a key contributor to Missouri being the SEC shock group in 2023, because the coordinator for these Tigers.

Kelly additionally introduced in defensive position coach Bo Davis from Texas to try to improve a unit whose enchancment might be central to the fortunes of the protection and the group as a complete. 

A more practical efficiency on the line of scrimmage ought to allow linebacker Harold Perkins to be one of the dynamic defenders within the nation. Baker hopes to accentuate the protection’s aggressiveness if the cornerbacks reveal they will deal with extra man-to-man protection.

As for the offense, nobody is anticipating Garrett Nussmeier to duplicate what Daniels did earlier than shifting on to the NFL’s Washington Commanders. But when Kelly will get the defensive enchancment he expects, one of many prime offensive traces within the nation and a bevy of expert runners and receivers ought to allow Nussmeier to achieve success.

Nussmeier has performed in simply 18 video games in three seasons and made his solely begin when Daniels sat out the ReliaQuest Bowl in January. Nussmeier handed for 395 yards and three touchdowns in a victory in opposition to Wisconsin.

Joe Sloan has taken on coordinator and play-calling duties and retained his function as quarterbacks coach after former coordinator Mike Denbrock left for Notre Dame.

Nussmeier isn’t the working menace that Daniels was, however his arm power is phenomenal. Improved decision-making ought to allow him to be one of many extra productive passers within the SEC.

Along with the annual SEC gauntlet (which features a go to from convention newcomer Oklahoma within the regular-season finale), LSU additionally has difficult non-conference video games in opposition to USC (within the Sept. 1 season opener in Las Vegas) and UCLA (Sept. 21 in Tiger Stadium).

Kelly’s first two groups bought off to gradual begins by dropping their openers to Florida State within the Caesars Superdome two years in the past and in Orlando final season. If this group can break via with a victory within the opener, it may set the stage for a breakthrough season.

The Tigers host Vanderbilt and keep away from Georgia, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee, get Ole Miss and Alabama at residence.

Lilia Vu signed for a 2-under 70 for her first spherical of the 2024 Olympics.

She was the one Crew USA member to shoot underneath par, as Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang shot an even-par 72.

Vu bought off to a sizzling begin, being 4-under by way of seven holes, however she went chilly in the course of the center a part of her spherical.

Although she began sturdy, her warm-up was not excellent. Vu defined that it was a multitude and that she didn’t really feel nice about her sport.

“I used to be getting imposter syndrome just a little bit,” Vu mentioned. “I used to be like, how am I right here proper now? Nevertheless it’s okay. I’m going to strive my finest and hopefully can get higher. I get in my method. That’s like your personal enemy, principally… I’ll discover my method out. I at all times do.”

She dropped a shot on the par-5 ninth after which made 5 consecutive pars. The No. 2 ranked golfer bought again to 4-under on the day along with her last birdie at 15. Nonetheless, she went 2-over in her final three holes to file a 70.

Signing for an under-par rating is big on a course like Le Golf Nationwide. Nonetheless, these bogeys don’t matter within the grand scheme of issues.

This week marks Vu’s Olympic debut. The 26-year-old appears to take pleasure in each second of the journey. She smiled continuously and appeared virtually giddy about the entire expertise.

Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos

Forward of the competitors, Vu dropped the mic and hypothetically put profitable a medal as the last word achievement.

“To me, it will rank just a little larger than a serious. Within the sense that you just’re enjoying on your nation, and it’s extra than simply golf,” Vu mentioned on Tuesday. “It’s the Olympics, which is the perfect athletes everywhere in the world.”

The previous UCLA golfer is enjoying alongside Frenchwoman Celine Boutier. She at the moment leads the event after carding a 7-under 65 on day one. Vu noticed firsthand how unbelievable the French crowds had been for his or her countrywoman.

“It was so cool to see all her followers push laborious for her,” Vu defined. “I believe on gap 15, I sort of thought — modified my mindset. I used to be, okay, I’m enjoying for my nation that saved my household once we wanted to on the boat. So I’m enjoying for greater than me. I’m attempting to provide again to my nation and earn them a medal.”

She mentioned the crowds reminded her of The Open when she performed alongside Englishwoman Charley Hull.

Photograph by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP by way of Getty Photos

“There are extra followers as a result of it’s the Olympics,” she mentioned. “Like even non-golf followers are right here, I believe. In the present day was just a little extra further. Nevertheless it’s actually cool to see. They’re all pushing laborious for her. And it’s not like they’re rooting in opposition to me. They’re cheering for me too.”

The Olympics carry out individuals’s patriotism. They like to cheer for the athletes representing their nation. The crowds are huge, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.

Vu trails Boutier by 5 pictures heading into the second spherical of play. She sits tied third with three different girls, Gaby Lopez, Morgane Metraux and Mariajo Uribe. Ashleigh Buhai sits solo second after she shot a 4-under 68.

The Crew USA member is within the medal hunt however has 54 holes left to play. It has not been her finest season along with her preventing accidents, however Vu’s sport is coming into kind on the proper time. She is a particular participant who is aware of what it takes to compete on these big levels.

Now, the five-time LPGA winner should imagine in herself and belief that she has what it takes to grow to be an Olympic medalist.

Vu, Boutier and Amy Yang tee off at 3:55 a.m. ET for his or her second spherical of the girls’s golf competitors on the 2024 Olympics at Le Golf Nationwide.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may as well comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.

India’s aspiration for a gold medal in wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024 was shattered today as Vinesh Phogat, competing in the 50kg category, was disqualified from the finals. The Indian wrestler was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit, leading to her heartbreaking disqualification.

Official Statement from Indian Olympic Association

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released an official statement expressing their regret over Vinesh’s disqualification. The statement read, “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”

WFI President Sanjay Singh statement on Vinesh Phogat

Sanjay Singh, the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), expressed deep disappointment over the incident. “It is extremely unfortunate for our country that even after wrestling so well and qualifying for the finals, she was disqualified for being overweight by 100 grams,” he stated.

#WATCH | Paris: On Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from #ParisOlympics2024, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh says, “It is extremely unfortunate for our country that even after wrestling so well and qualifying for the Finals, she was… pic.twitter.com/4VaaDYeDfo

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024

Sanjay Singh highlighted the support provided to Phogat, including a coach, nutritionist, and physio, all present with her in the games village. “Her weight was constant for two days but increased overnight. The reason for this can only be given by her nutritionist and her coach,” he added.

Legal Action on Horizon for Vinesh Phogat

The WFI is now considering legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW) following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification. Singh mentioned that PT Usha, a prominent figure in Indian sports, has arrived at the games village to discuss the situation and decide on the course of action. “WFI is looking after the legal procedure. PT Usha has reached the games village, we will have a discussion and decide how to protest against IOC and UWW,” Sanjay Singh explained.

Disheartening Turn of Events

The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat is a significant setback for Indian wrestling at the Paris Olympics. Despite her excellent performance and determination, a minor weight discrepancy has dashed her hopes and those of her supporters. The WFI’s contemplation of legal action underscores the gravity of the situation and the determination to seek justice for their athlete.

As the Indian contingent continues to focus on ongoing competitions, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can determine success or failure in the world of elite sports.

BEIRUT — Hamas on Tuesday named Yahya Sinwar, its prime official in Gaza who masterminded the Oct. 7 assaults in Israel, as its new chief in a dramatic signal of the facility of the Palestinian militant group’s hardline wing after his predecessor was killed in a presumed Israeli strike in Iran.

The number of Sinwar, a secretive determine near Iran who labored for years to construct up Hamas’ navy power, was a defiant sign that the group is ready to maintain combating after 10 months of destruction from Israel’s marketing campaign in Gaza and after the assassination of Sinwar’s predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh.

It’s also prone to provoke Israel, which has put him on the prime of its kill checklist after the Oct. 7 assault, during which militants killed 1,200 individuals in southern Israel and took about 250 as hostages.

The announcement comes at a risky second. Fears are excessive of an escalation right into a wider regional conflict, with Iran vowing revenge towards Israel over Haniyeh’s killing and Lebanon’s Hezbollah threatening to retaliate over Israel’s killing of certainly one of its prime commanders in an airstrike in Beirut final week. American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators try to salvage negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage launch deal in Gaza, shaken by Haniyeh’ killing.

Hamas stated in a press release it named Sinwar as the brand new head of its political bureau to switch Haniyeh, who was killed in a blast that Iran and Hamas blamed on Israel. Israel has not confirmed or denied duty. Additionally final week, Israel stated it had confirmed the demise of the pinnacle of Hamas’ navy wing, Mohammed Deif, in a July airstrike in Gaza. Hamas has not confirmed his demise.

In response to the appointment, Israeli navy spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari informed Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya televsion, “There is just one place for Yahya Sinwar, and it’s beside Mohammed Deif and the remainder of the October seventh terrorists. That’s the solely place we’re making ready and intending for him.”

Israel’s killings of a number of senior officers in Hamas over current months left Sinwar as essentially the most outstanding determine within the group. His choice indicators that the management on the bottom in Gaza — significantly the armed wing often called the Qassam Brigades — has taken over from the management in exile, which has historically maintained the place of the general management to navigate relations with overseas allies and diplomacy.

READ: Fears of Center East conflict develop after Hamas chief’s killing

Haniyeh, who had lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019, had performed a direct position in negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza by way of US, Qatari and Egyptian negotiators — although he and different Hamas officers at all times ran proposals and positions by Sinwar.

Chatting with Al-Jazeera tv after the announcement, Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan stated Sinwar would proceed the cease-fire negotiations.

“The issue in negotiations will not be the change in Hamas,” he stated, blaming Israel and its ally america for the failure to seal a deal.

However he stated stated Sinwar’s choice was an indication the group’s will had not been damaged. Hamas “stays steadfast within the battlefield and in politics,” he stated. “The particular person main right this moment is the one who led the combating for greater than 305 days and continues to be steadfast within the discipline.”

Hamas’ allies Iran and Hezbollah issued statements praising Sinwar’s appointment.

Hamas’ consultant in Iran, Khaled Kaddoumi, referred to as Sinwar a “consensus selection” in style amongst all factions and concerned within the group’s decision-making all through, together with in negotiations. In a voice message to the Related Press, he stated Sinwar is aware of the political aspirations of the Palestinians for a state and the return of refugees however he’s additionally a “fierce fighter on the battlefield.”

Mediators have been struggling to push by way of a US-backed define for a deal, however talks have hit obstacles, significantly over its centerpiece phrases — a launch of all of Hamas’ remaining hostages in return for an finish to the conflict and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Hamas has demanded ensures from mediators that an preliminary cease-fire will proceed till phrases for that alternate are labored out. Israeli leaders have threatened to renew combating to eradicate Hamas after an preliminary partial hostage launch.

In Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Sinwar “has been and stays the first decider in relation to concluding the ceasefire.”

He stated Sinwar should “determine whether or not to maneuver ahead with a cease-fire that manifestly will assist so many Palestinians in determined want, ladies, kids, males who’re caught in a crossfire … It truly is on him.”

READ: Israeli strike kills 3 sons of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh

As Hamas’ chief inside Gaza since 2017, Sinwar not often appeared in public however saved an iron grip on Hamas’ rule over the territory. Near Deif and Qassam Brigades, he labored to construct up the group’s navy capabilities.

In certainly one of his few appearances, Sinwar ended a public speech in Gaza by inviting Israel to assassinate him, proclaiming, “I’ll stroll again house after this assembly.” He then did so, shaking palms and taking selfies with individuals within the streets.

He has been in deep hiding because the Oct. 7 assaults, which triggered Israel’s marketing campaign of bombardment and offensives geared toward destroying Hamas. The demise toll amongst Palestinians is now nearing 40,000, many of the inhabitants of two.3 million has been pushed from their houses, and huge swaths of Gaza’s cities and cities have been destroyed. In Could, prosecutors on the Worldwide Felony Courtroom sought an arrest warrant towards Sinwar on expenses of conflict crimes over the Oct. 7 assault, in addition to towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s protection minister for conflict crimes.

Hugh Lovatt, an knowledgeable on the Israeli-Palestinian battle on the European Council on Overseas Relations. stated the elimination of different prime figures cleared the way in which for Sinwar. “Two weeks in the past, few would have anticipated Sinwar to be the group’s subsequent chief regardless of the sturdy affect he exerts from Gaza,” he stated.

The killing of Haniyeh, a relative average, “not solely opened the trail for Sinwar to say full management of Hamas, but in addition seems to have tipped the group right into a extra hardline course,” he stated.

PHOTO USA At the moment Sports activities Pictures

It’s nearly medal time for Staff USA, with the Olympic model of the ultimate 4 and a location change from Lille to Paris forward within the semifinals. 

Earlier than they get to their subsequent recreation and the medal spherical, will the White Sox have their first win since July 10? 

Possibly if they’d a pitcher like, I don’t know, Padres ace Dylan Stop?

Let’s weigh in with Tuesday’s finest bets.

Staff USA males’s basketball vs. Brazil, 3:30 ET

Stability and depth are determined benefits for Staff USA. Seemingly with little to play for, head coach Steve Kerr insists he’ll preserve his foot on the gasoline to safe the No. 1 seed within the semifinals. However his penchant for flipping lineups and resting gamers for a full recreation in the course of the persevering with run provides us some pause. 

A blowout is probably going within the playing cards in Lille, France, however the combos Kerr would possibly use to perform the mission aren’t as sure. 

His ride-or-die combo within the Olympics has been LeBron James and Steph Curry, and each are doing way more harm outdoors than attacking the rim. 

Over 184.5 factors, James over 1.5 3s, Curry over 2.5 3s, +461 (FanDuel)

San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 p.m. ET

Don’t look now, however the Padres is perhaps the group to beat within the Nationwide League West. 

It actually has appeared that method for the reason that All-Star break. The Friars are 11-3 for the reason that break, and an enormous motive is right-hander Dylan Stop. Aspect notice: He have to be extraordinarily excited to not be suiting up for the woebegone White Sox proper about now. 

He tossed a no-hitter on July 25 and was 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA in July, successful 4 straight begins with one run and 4 complete hits allowed in his final 27-plus innings.

The Pirates are unable to position Paul Skenes on the mound Tuesday for a dream matchup, and dealing with Stop has been extra of a nightmare state of affairs for Pittsburgh. Stop is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA in two profession begins.

Taking the shutout prop is tempting. Stop has an ERA of 0.33 with 36 strikeouts in his previous 4 begins. However he’s not resistant to the ace clunker.

Nevertheless, the Pirates’ strikeout price stays woeful, at over 25 %. Pittsburgh strikes out greater than 9 occasions per recreation and is twenty sixth within the MLB in touch price. The Pirates have 1,019 strikeouts in 111 video games. 

Dylan Stop, 9-plus strikeouts, +142 (FanDuel) 

Chicago White Sox at Oakland A’s, 9:41 p.m. ET

We aren’t towards kicking a lifeless horse with regards to MLB data for futility, and the White Sox are displaying zero indicators of life.

With one other loss Monday, the White Sox carry a document shedding streak of 21 video games into Tuesday’s matchup and ship one other rookie pitcher to the mound. 

Jonathan Cannon will get the ball Tuesday, however just like the White Sox, it’s been some time since he skilled victory. Since he posted a win and a save in his first six appearances (5 begins), Cannon is 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA. 

After all, a little bit run help would possibly assist. Chicago has 353 runs in 111 video games and is the one MLB group with out 100 complete dwelling runs this season. 

We’re driving with the A’s—however extra precisely, towards the White Sox. 

A’s cash line and below 8.5 complete runs, +169 (DraftKings)

The following step in our journey to the 2024 common season has been handed with final week’s Corridor of Fame Sport and the weekend’s enshrinement of the most recent Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class. Subsequent up, three weeks of preseason soccer.

Let’s get into the present state of the NFL land with this week’s version of The Skinny Put up.

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The 2024 NFL Prime 100 completed their unveiling final week and Bears CB Jaylon Johnson known as it “bulls—” that he didn’t make it. Are there any gamers who have been snubbed that you simply really feel this obsessed with?

Michael:

When these lists are made, it’s fairly startling to see how completely different the opinions are between those that are enjoying on the sphere and people within the media or teaching on the sideline. I imply, have you ever see a few of the high 10 lists stuffed out by gamers that get posted on social media? They’re normally WILD. Guys that you simply or I might imagine can’t scratch the highest 50 are ending up in some gamers’ high 10s. Actually two completely different worlds.

However one participant I believe deserved to have been on the highest 100 however wasn’t is Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, who signed an enormous contract four-year, $84 million extension this offseason that made him the highest-paid participant at his place. Cash talks, and that ultimate quantity tells me he ought to have undoubtedly been on this 12 months’s high 100. Sadly, for those who’ve been following the tendencies of the highest 100 for some years now, you’ve observed that there’s an enormous lack of respect for the offensive line place. The very best of the most effective, even at a premium place like offensive deal with, are discovered primarily within the backside 50. The highest 50 has lengthy been reserved for the league’s high quarterbacks, receivers, and edge rushers. You understand, probably the most thrilling positions for folks to look at.

Each place alongside the offensive line has change into increasingly more pivotal to a workforce’s success, to the purpose that each elite franchise will need to have a number of high-impact gamers up entrance. Dickerson is one in all them for the Eagles and it’s powerful to see him get overlooked as a result of they wanted to slot in a gluttony of pass-catchers.

RJ:

To be completely trustworthy, my degree of ardour on the NFL Prime 100 dropped to nonexistent about 5 – 6 years in the past. I cherished the record when it first got here out and actually loved making an attempt to decipher who was or wasn’t going to make the record based mostly on remaining clues. Again across the 2012 or 2013 record I bear in mind at a sure level the panel (again then they’d an hour-long present after every episode to interrupt it down) noting that there have been one thing like six quarterbacks remaining. You could possibly depend the apparent ones (the Tom Brady and Peyton Manning varieties) after which debate who was or wasn’t going to make it. As an avid Tony Romo defender this considerably molded me in a manner that I’m nonetheless paying the value for emotionally.

All due respect to the record and the individuals who work laborious to place it collectively and whatnot… it’s actually troublesome to take critically as a result of it’s such a reputation contest. The Bears have been actually unhealthy final season which is why somebody like Jaylon Johnson doesn’t come to thoughts for gamers once they put collectively their lists. Contemplate that one of many publicly shared lists by NFL Movies featured Jared Goff because the Fifteenth-best participant in the whole NFL.

The record is blah to me.

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The Browns simply added one of many coolest facilities you’ll see at a workforce facility

RJ:

It amazes me that we ever used to reside with out a few of the expertise that we’ve got in our lives. Google Maps is the primary one which involves thoughts on this sense, however there are a variety of issues clearly.

Quickly sufficient we can be speaking about no matter we need to name the factor that the Cleveland Browns constructed.

Once I was a child it was the best factor on the earth when there could be some digital actuality machine in the midst of the mall that you possibly can play on for quarter-hour in case your dad and mom spent nevertheless a lot it was (not my drawback on the time). That is principally that, however within the NFL, which is much more sick.

Tony Stark was egocentric and constructed all of his expertise to avoid wasting the world. Whoever did this understood the project. If the Browns are good once more this season then we’ll probably have this to thank partly.

Michael:

If I have been knowledgeable soccer participant, this is able to be the software I’d use probably the most to get higher. They’d have to show the lights out on me to get me to depart. I’ve all the time been a visible learner. You could possibly discuss to me for hours about the way to do one thing, however nothing could be extra worthwhile than merely getting my arms soiled and giving it a shot, no matter how ready I’m.

The mix of the 25-yard display, on high of the particular turf put in in entrance of it, it will all be such a cool and nearly-surreal sensation proper out of a science fiction film. Because the man within the video notes, the power to attach visually and bodily to a particular scenario in a no-stakes setting like this can be a enormous assist for gamers who want any likelihood they will get to raised join what their studying within the classroom to what they’re doing on the sphere.

Everybody ought to instantly go pen a letter to the proprietor of their favourite workforce and demand they construct such a tool for his or her gamers. That is the long run and I wouldn’t be shocked if one thing like this turns into commonplace within the subsequent decade.

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How a lot preseason soccer do you watch that doesn’t embrace your favourite workforce?

Michael:

The preseason is all the time a combined bag for me. I get very excited when it arrives as a result of it positive is actual soccer being performed on tv however the high quality is clearly a lot decrease because of the plethora of second and third-string gamers taking many of the snaps. On the similar time, that’s additionally what makes it so attention-grabbing because you’re getting the possibility to see many gamers you’ve most likely by no means heard of play the vast majority of a 60-minute contest.

The variety of preseason video games I’ll watch will truthfully come down as to whether or not I can discover a recreation the place each groups are capable of finding relative success on the similar time. Watching a one-sided affair, or just having to ingest horrible soccer is an enormous buzzkill. I’ll undoubtedly be searching for the groups with the most effective depth to make sure I’m not bored stiff too shortly.

RJ:

Hand up: this was my query as a result of it’s a topic I grapple with each single 12 months. Like Michael (and everybody else) I get gassed up for soccer formally being again, however then the thrill fades just a little bit.

Greater than something the preseason is apply for me, too. I like to seek out my rhythm for the upcoming 12 months and take a look at out a number of meals on the smoker to know what’s good and what to drag out when the celebration/festivity correctly requires it.

We’re nearly to hit the most effective a part of the 12 months.

supply: Getty Photos

We’re just about one week via the 2024 Olympics, and what a enjoyable spectacle it’s been, particularly for us gamblers who simply can’t flip down a bit wager on some random athlete we’ve by no means heard of taking part in a weird sport we’ve by no means watched earlier than.

Congrats to those that, like me, had a couple of dollars on Noah Lyles to win the boys’s 100m at +500-ish, a worth that appeared unlikely earlier within the week when he was undoubtedly in minus territory. These odds had been simply too good to go up simply earlier than the race, and I’m glad I didn’t.

On to Monday, the place we’ll keep in Paris and deal with some extra monitor and discipline, a soccer semi (I believe that’s what Alexei Lalas walks round completely with), and a few discipline hockey!

Girls’s 5000m Closing, 3:15 p.m. ET

The outcomes from the heats for this occasion had been insane, as the highest six quickest girls all completed inside a second of one another.

The third-fastest qualifier was Italian Nadia Battocletti, who’s the reigning European champion at each 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

As the one European menace for a medal, it’s important to think about the group will likely be cheering for Battocletti very loudly in Paris, which may maybe give her simply sufficient oomph to take a bit of steel again to her close by dwelling nation.

Whereas the competitors is undoubtedly stiff on this ultimate, Battocletti’s instances this season recommend she could have an opportunity to sneak on to the rostrum right here, and I like the worth supplied because of this.

Nadia Battocletti to medal (+400 at DraftKings)

Males’s Olympic Soccer semifinal: France vs. Egypt, 3 p.m. ET

France are presently the general favorites to take dwelling the gold in Paris, however it’s important to think about that the fiery quarterfinal win over their current fierce rivals within the sport, Argentina, took one thing a bit out of Les Bleus each mentally and bodily. 

Plus, the stress will likely be on at dwelling to take dwelling a medal after the senior males’s group toiled to even get to the Euro 2024 semis earlier than shedding to eventual winners Spain.

Egypt wanted a late aim to squeak previous Paraguay within the earlier spherical, they usually haven’t precisely lit this event on fireplace offensively with simply 4 objectives of their 4 video games to this point. France themselves did put three previous each the USA and New Zealand, however these two groups disenchanted massively on this competitors, and Egypt held Spain to only a single aim in a 2-1 group stage win.

Due to this fact, I don’t count on the objectives to be flying in throughout the 90 minutes of this one.

Below 2.5 objectives (+100 at DraftKings)

Girls’s Subject Hockey quarterfinal: Belgium vs. Spain, 2 p.m. ET

I’m not an enormous fan of betting unders; it may be soul-destroying to root for an absence of offense, however I’ve feeling about this one.

Belgium ought to win, however Spain have been excellent defensively on this competitors to this point, permitting simply seven objectives of their 5 matches to this point. That included three in a disappointing ultimate round-robin sport loss to Australia, however I like them to bounce again right here and perhaps lose 2-0 or 2-1.

Below 3.5 objectives (+100 on DraftKings)