“Ruthless” San Diego FC Spoil Son Heung-Min Home Debut

A sold-out crowd at BMO Stadium came to celebrate Son Heung-Min long-awaited home debut for LAFC. Instead, San Diego FC made sure the night belonged to them. Major League Soccer’s newest club silenced the buzz and stunned the hosts with a 2-1 comeback victory on Sunday, leaving thousands of Black & Gold supporters heading home in frustration. “Impacting the flow of the game was going to be really important,” head coach Mikey Varas said afterward. “They’re a top team. We knew the environment was going to be tough, Son’s first home game, so there was going to be a lot of electricity around this game… “In these games, you’ve got to be ruthless in both boxes. It’s not just about attacking plays, but it’s also about making big blocks, big defensive actions. And if you think you’re not going to have to do that, you’re not going to win very often.” A sold-out crowd at BMO Stadium came to celebrate Son Heung-Min‘s anticipated home debut for LAFC. San Diego FC crashed the party. Major League Soccer’s newest team sent that raucous crowd home in disappointment on Sunday night with a 2-1 comeback victory. “Impacting the flow of the game was going to be really important,” explained head coach Mikey Varas postgame. “They’re a top team. We knew the environment was going to be tough, Son’s first home game, so there was going to be a lot of electricity around this game… “In these games, you’ve got to be ruthless in both boxes. It’s not just about attacking plays, but it’s also about making big blocks, big defensive actions. And if you think you’re not going to have to do that, you’re not going to win very often.”

Read More »
jabril peppers

Jabrill Peppers Sends Confident Message Amid Free Agency

Veteran safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for NFL teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, as the regular season approaches. “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The 28-year-old, a former first-round pick, was released by the New England Patriots last week. He spent the past three seasons in New England. With Cincinnati introducing new defensive coordinator Al Golden and fielding a safety group of Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson, adding an experienced playmaker like Peppers could be an option. For now, the veteran is making it clear he believes he can contribute in any scheme. Former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for the Bengals and any other NFL team that may want to sign him with the start of the regular season looming.  “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The Bengals are one of many teams that could be interested in a proven veteran like Peppers, who was surprisingly released last week.  Peppers is a former first round pick. He’s played for the Browns, Giants and Patriots. Peppers is a proven talent that won’t cost significant money and would give the Bengals’ secondary a major boost. However, it’s unclear if the Bengals have interest in Peppers, but adding a veteran to a safety room that includes Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson would make a lot of sense. 

Read More »
micah parsons

Packers’ Micah Parsons has facet joint sprain

Micah Parsons‘ back injury continues to linger following his trade to Green Bay. Parsons is dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, according to sources informed of the situation. The Packers star pass rusher might be able to play Week 1 against the Detroit Lions by taking an epidural, Rapoport added. Parsons passed a physical to complete last week’s blockbuster trade from Dallas to Green Bay and participated in practice Monday. Both the Cowboys and noted orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins confirmed the diagnosis. Parsons will continue physical therapy in Green Bay. During his hold-in in Dallas, He cited a back issue that kept him out of practice. The issue was previously believed by most to be overstated, possibly as a negotiation tactic. It turns out it wasn’t completely fabricated. After signing a massive $47 million-per-year contract with the Packers, He is likely to do everything he can to get on the field against a division rival. Taking a pregame injection could allow him to play through any discomfort.

Read More »
jaylen-warren

Steelers Lock In Jaylen Warren With Extension Through 2027

Jaylen Warren , now the lead back in Pittsburgh, has secured his future with the Steelers. The team announced Monday it had signed Jaylen Warren to a two-year extension worth $17.5 million over three years, including $12 million guaranteed. NFL Network reported the deal will pay him more than $7 million this season. Warren, who originally joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022, had been set to play on a one-year, $5.35 million restricted free agent tender. Instead, he now remains under contract through the 2027 season. In three years behind Najee Harris, Warren carved out a reputation as a playmaker despite never starting a game. He has averaged 4.8 yards per carry since 2022, sixth-best among running backs with at least 300 attempts. Last season, he forced 30 missed tackles and averaged 3.2 yards after contact, according to PFF. With Harris departing for Los Angeles, Jaylen Warren takes over as Pittsburgh’s RB1. He is expected to lead the backfield rotation alongside rookie Kaleb Johnson and veteran Kenneth Gainwell, with his new contract underscoring the team’s confidence in him.

Read More »
tj hockenson

T.J. Hockenson on J.J. McCarthy: ‘A Lot Like Stafford, a Little Like Cousins’

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson believes rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy reminds him of a mix of two familiar passers. “He is a lot like Matthew Stafford, a little like Kirk Cousins,” Hockenson told the Minnesota Star Tribune, drawing comparisons to his former Detroit Lions teammate and the Vikings’ longtime starter. Hockenson, who missed the first seven games of the 2024 season recovering from a knee injury, admitted it took time to feel like himself again. In 10 games, Hockenson finished with 41 catches for 455 yards and one touchdown. Now healthy, he’s expected to play a central role in Week 1, with the Vikings’ receiver group already thin. Justin Jefferson is nursing a hamstring strain, Jordan Addison begins the year suspended, Rondale Moore is out for the season, and Jalen Nailor is sidelined with a hand injury. The team also re-signed veteran Adam Thielen on the eve of the opener.

Read More »
nico collins

Nico Collins Confident in Texans’ Revamped WR Corps

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins  is optimistic about what the team’s retooled passing attack can accomplish this season. “I feel like we could be dangerous, man,” Collins told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson at a charity event. “I feel we all just go out there and be us. That’s the main important thing, is go out and be you. Don’t make the moment bigger than what it is and go out just have fun. Make plays for the team and that’s what we’re doing for sure.” Houston’s wide receiver room looks different heading into 2025. Stefon Diggs left in free agency for New England, John Metchie III was dealt to Philadelphia, and Tank Dell continues to rehab from a knee injury suffered late last season. The Texans added veteran slot option Christian Kirk, along with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, while Xavier Hutchinson returns after an encouraging preseason. Nico Collins remains the centerpiece. Despite missing five games with a hamstring injury last year, the 26-year-old still led Houston with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing fourth in the NFL at 83.8 receiving yards per game. He opened the year on fire, averaging 113.4 yards per game through the first five weeks. At this stage, Collins believes his timing with quarterback C.J. Stroud is as sharp as ever

Read More »
daaron bland

Cowboys Lock Up CB DaRon Bland With Four-Year

The Dallas Cowboys have secured one of their defensive stars for the long term, agreeing to a four-year, $92 million contract extension with cornerback DaRon Bland , including $50 million guaranteed. The deal, confirmed Sunday, makes Bland the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid cornerback at $23 million per year. Bland, 25, became a household name during his breakout 2023 season, when he recorded nine interceptions and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes. The one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler now forms one of the league’s most dangerous cornerback tandems alongside Trevon Diggs. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Bland’s rise: “Shot onto the scene a couple years ago and made an immediate impact as a rookie. … He’s such a humble young man, but so well-deserved. You love him as a teammate and as a competitor.” A 2022 fifth-round pick, DaRon Bland has totaled 14 interceptions, 164 tackles, 27 passes defensed and one forced fumble in his career. Though he missed the first 10 games of last season with injury and failed to record a pick after returning, his early production has far outpaced expectations. The extension comes just days before Dallas faces the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Kickoff Game, fulfilling Bland’s stated wish to get a deal done before Week 1.

Read More »
jeremy lin

NBA veteran Jeremy Lin announces retirement from professional basketball

Former NBA point guard Jeremy Lin announced his retirement from professional basketball in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday night. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to compete against the fiercest competitors under the brightest lights and to challenge what the world thought was possible for someone who looks like me,” he wrote. “I’ve lived out my wildest childhood dreams to play in front of fans all around the world. I will forever be the kid who felt fully alive every time I touched a basketball.” Undrafted in 2010, Lin averaged 11.6 points and 4.3 assists across a nine-year NBA career spanning 2010-19. Lin catapulted himself into international fame while playing for the New York Knicks in 2011-12, including an 11-game span in February in which he averaged 24.6 points, 9.2 assists  and 4.1 rebounds. The shocking stretch earned the nickname “Linsanity.” Lin became a full-time starting point guard the following two seasons in Houston before logging short stints with the Lakers, Hornets, Nets, Hawks and Raptors. He also played for teams in the Chinese Basketball Association, Taiwan Professional Basketball League and the NBA G League.

Read More »
matthew calsdwell

Wolves, Lynx name Matthew Caldwell as next CEO in Minnesota

Matthew Caldwell is stepping down as the business operations president of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. He is accepting a 10-year deal as CEO of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The teams announced the deal on Wednesday. Caldwell will begin overseeing “day-to-day business operations and high-level strategic initiatives for the Timberwolves, Lynx, and (the G League’s) Iowa Wolves” on Sept. 2. It’s a major move by new Timberwolves and Lynx owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who assumed full control of those franchises earlier this summer. “I love the NHL. I’ve enjoyed hockey and I’m a big fan of it,” Caldwell said. “But the NBA is just a much bigger, global platform. I really believe in Marc and Alex and their vision and what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to make Minnesota best in class.” Caldwell joined the Panthers in 2014 as chief operating officer before being promoted to CEO in 2016.

Read More »
max strut

Cavaliers’ Max Strus to miss start of season after foot surgery

Cavaliers forward Max Strus is expected to miss at least the first month of the season after having surgery Tuesday on his broken left foot. The Cavaliers said Strus suffered a Jones fracture during offseason training. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Porter at Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Indianapolis in consultation with team physician Dr. James Rosneck. The Cavaliers said Strus is expected to resume basketball activities in three to four months. Strus averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 50 games, including 37 starts, during the regular season to help the Cavs finish atop the Eastern Conference.

Read More »