Why Bengals are changing preseason approach, giving Joe Burrow playing time

Why Bengals are changing preseason approach, giving Joe Burrow playing time

TheCincinnati Bengalshave typically afforded their top players sparing preseason action during Zac Taylor's six seasons in charge of the team. That approach is poised to change in 2025. The Bengals are playing their preseason opener Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Star quarterbackJoe Burrowis expected to play in that contest, as are several other key playmakers likeJa'Marr Chase. Why are the Bengals changing their approach and giving their starters more action during the 2025 preseason? Here's what to know about Cincinnati's strategic shift. Taylor explained he is hopinggetting his players exposed earlier to "game atmosphere"will allow the Bengals to get off to a faster start during the 2025 NFL season. "Going on the road like we are Week 1. We do have a road primetime game early in the season,"Taylor told reporters Tuesday. "So, the lights are on, you're in a road environment. That's great… As much as we practice it and do it, it's not the same feel. So, I think just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball and all the communication that's got to occur. It's just a good opportunity for those guys to get some additional reps." The Bengals have typically gotten off to a slow starts under Taylor. They sport a 1-5 record under his leadership in Week 1 and have started three consecutive seasons with a mark of 0-2 or worse, including an 0-3 start to the 2024 NFL season that played a critical role in their missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season. NFL POWER RANKINGS:As preseason arrives, who are Eagles' main threats? That's why the Bengals are experimenting with giving their top players more preseason reps, a decision that has been received positively by their best players. "Yeah, I'm excited for the chance to get better," Burrowsaid about the preseasonin late July. "Those are valuable reps that we haven't had in the past for good reason, but I think we're making the right decision this year, and I think that's going to benefit us in the long run." Still, while Burrow and Co. will see increased action in the preseason, they aren't targeting the Eagles matchup as their biggest workload of the preseason. "We don't have this targeted for our biggest play time for all of our guys. We really picked Washington to be able to do that," Taylor explained. So, how much will the Bengals top players be on the field in preseason Week 1? "Another thing, I hate to put it in stone," Taylor said. "A couple series. Several series. Several series is what we'll give those starters." That may not seem like a lot. However, Burrow has attempted just eight preseason passes since 2021. As such, playing "several series" would represent a major uptick in tune-up opportunities for the Bengals starting offense. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why Joe Burrow, Bengals starters are playing more in 2025 preseason

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

Why Bengals are changing preseason approach, giving Joe Burrow playing time

Why Bengals are changing preseason approach, giving Joe Burrow playing time TheCincinnati Bengalshave typically afforded their top players s...

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The Wildest Sports Conspiracy Theories That Might Actually Be True

The Wildest Sports Conspiracy Theories That Might Actually Be True

Sports are packed with secrets and stories that refuse to die. Fans love debating what's real and what's a rumor. Whether true or not, these tales make sports more thrilling, unpredictable, and more human. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Back then, Major League Baseball didn't need a written rule to keep Black players out—it was done with a handshake behind closed doors. Owners simply agreed not to sign them. This locked them out of MLB until Jackie Robinson broke the "color line" in 1947 and changed baseball forever. Credit: Wikipedia During the 1950s, whispers grew louder about NBA teams secretly limiting how many Black players they'd keep on rosters. The goal was to appease white fans and sponsors who supposedly weren't ready for fully integrated teams. While never officially admitted, this "quota system" was part of the league's awkward early history with race. Credit: Wikimedia Commons MLB owners secretly collaborated to freeze out free agents and keep salaries low from 1985 to 1987. Arbitrators later ruled them guilty of collusion, which cost them $280 million in settlements. The scandal changed free agency forever and proved the owners could play dirtier than any player ever could. Credit: Wikimedia Commons People still debate whether Sonny Liston intentionally quit in both fights against Muhammad Ali. The first ended with him staying on his stool; the second with the infamous "phantom punch." Rumors linked to the mob and fear of retaliation persist. Yet, no hard proof has ever surfaced to solve this mystery. Credit: Youtube The Knicks winning the 1985 draft lottery felt too perfect for conspiracy theorists. Patrick Ewing was the prize, and New York desperately needed saving. Fans joke about "frozen envelopes" and rigged ping-pong balls. Whatever the truth, Ewing's arrival gave the Knicks a superstar and the league a ratings boost. Credit: Youtube Joe Namath's famous guarantee came true when the underdog Jets stunned the mighty Colts. That upset won a trophy and helped legitimize the AFL. The win silenced doubters, paved the way for the AFL-NFL merger, and gave the former QB a permanent seat at football's most swagger-filled table. Credit: Youtube Despite his résumé, Isiah Thomas didn't make the Dream Team. Tension with Michael Jordan and shaky chemistry with other stars kept him out. Scottie Pippen later admitted this. Even today, Thomas calls it the one glaring hole in his Hall of Fame career. Credit: Youtube Michael Jordan stunned fans by retiring in 1993 at his peak. Officially, he cited burnout and a desire to try baseball. Unofficially, rumors swirled about gambling, his father's murder, and a secret suspension. None were ever proven. Seventeen months later, MJ returned with the simplest press release in sports: "I'm back." Credit: Youtube Alan Eagleson was a players' rep who was also accused of helping owners keep wages low. His shady backroom dealings, coupled with the rise of the rival WHA, sparked major change. He eventually faced criminal charges. Credit: Youtube Stakers tried to bribe Giants players, Frank Filchock and Merle Hapes, to throw the 1946 title game. Hapes got suspended, Filchock still played, and the Bears won. The scandal embarrassed the league and led to harsher rules against gambling. Bribery convictions followed, because in football, crime rarely stays hidden long. Credit: Wikimedia Commons In 1989, Pete Rose accepted a lifetime ban from baseball through a deal with Commissioner Bart Giamatti. The agreement kept the league's gambling evidence under wraps. Rose denied betting then but admitted it years later. The deal wasn't exactly "secret," but it sure kept plenty of dirty laundry hidden. Credit: Wikipedia After Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker were accused of betting on games, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis cleared them. Some say public sentiment helped; others think Cobb's threats to expose more widespread gambling forced Landis's hand. Either way, both legends skated past scandal and returned to baseball without lasting punishment. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Late-race cautions, razor-thin finishes, and surprise winners fuel NASCAR conspiracy chatter. Critics point to "manufactured drama," while fans argue that luck and strategy are part of racing. The officials deny any funny business, and no smoking gun has ever surfaced. Those green-white-checkered finishes do keep people guessing. Credit: Youtube Baseball's history of cheating is as old as the game itself. The Astros' trash-can scandal revived the debate. Cheating might not always win championships, but it certainly leaves a mark on history and gives fans plenty to argue about for decades. Credit: Wikimedia Commons From 1994 to 2004, steroids turned MLB sluggers into home-run machines. McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds—they chased records while questions grew louder. The Mitchell Report blew things open. Baseball's numbers may never look the same again, and fans remember those long balls, no matter how they got launched. Credit: Youtube With the Lakers down 3–2, Game 6 saw them shoot 27 fourth-quarter free throws while scoring 16 of their final 18 points from the line. They won by four. Years later, disgraced ref Tim Donaghy hinted at a fix. He didn't officiate the game, and his claims remain unverified and second-hand. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Horse racing's oldest joke? "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying." Naturally, the Derby has seen its share of eyebrow-raisers. Some claim results are nudged for the betting public. Even though nothing has been confirmed, just ask any old-timer hanging around Churchill Downs. Credit: Wikipedia After Masanori Murakami's brief MLB stint, a U.S.-Japan agreement locked down talent in their home leagues. It wasn't until Hideo Nomo found a loophole in 1995 that the doors reopened. That move changed baseball's global future and gave us Ichiro's sweet swing. Credit: Wikimedia Commons MLB's color barrier denied Black players record-book opportunities for decades. From Satchel Paige to Josh Gibson, legends were left out. Even post-integration, hostility and bias didn't vanish overnight. While no direct sabotage is demonstrated, baseball's history shows how barriers—official and unofficial—can shape whose names we remember. Credit: Youtube Several New Zealand players fell ill before the World Cup Final. Coach Laurie Mains blamed a mystery waitress named "Suzie." But a team official later said the real cause was spoiled milk after a big night out. South Africa's win remains historic, but it may not have been fueled by sabotage in the kitchen. Credit: Wikimedia Commons John McGraw's friendships with gamblers like Arnold Rothstein raised eyebrows, but no solid evidence tied him to fixing games. Some of his players, yes, but for McGraw himself, it's never been proven. In an era swimming in shady deals, his fierce reputation keeps this conspiracy alive, but history hasn't found him guilty. Credit: Wikimedia Commons The USFL sued, and a jury found the NFL guilty of antitrust violations, but the damages were just $3.76. That's not exactly a smoking gun for conspiracy. The NFL's grip on football was already strong, and while they played hardball, there's no clear proof they schemed to destroy rivals illegally. Credit: Wikipedia Shoeless Joe Jackson's ban over the 1919 Black Sox scandal kept him out of Cooperstown. That changed in May 2025, when MLB lifted bans posthumously. Jackson's stats finally get a second look, but whether the Hall of Fame ever opens its doors to him remains baseball's lingering moral question. Credit: Youtube After the Patriots were caught filming Jets signals, the NFL destroyed the tapes they turned in. That fueled suspicions they were hiding more, especially with rumors they taped the Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI. But the Boston Herald retracted that claim, and a Senate inquiry found no evidence of videotaping. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Every time a new champion crosses the line in the women's 100 meters, rumors start swirling—someone, somewhere, is convinced there's a hidden scandal waiting to be exposed. Doping suspicions and whispered stories follow many gold medalists, even though no specific athlete has ever been unmasked for a major secret in this event. Champions like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Gail Devers keep their medals, but the cycle of speculation and gossip never really disappears from the conversation. Credit: Youtube UNLV entered the 1991 Final Four undefeated and unbeatable until Duke shocked them. Conspiracy theories say point-shaving or mob pressure played a role, but no proof ever surfaced. Sometimes, Goliath just loses. To date, fans talk about that game like it's basketball's version of Area 51: unexplained, unforgettable. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Fresh off near-bankruptcy, the Penguins won the 2005 draft lottery and selected Sidney Crosby. The pick revived the team and helped secure a new arena. It was suspicious, but Pittsburgh was one of four teams with top odds, and grabbing Crosby would've arguably benefited bigger markets like the struggling New York Rangers. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Spygate, Deflategate—Patriots' haters keep a running list. Some think the NFL covered for them to protect its golden franchise. The team calls it jealousy, and the NFL says punishment was served. Titles keep piling up either way, and speculations remain just another chapter in New England's playbook. Credit: Youtube After LeBron bolted for Miami, Cleveland won the 2011 lottery and selected Kyrie Irving, then won again in 2013 and 2014. Coincidence? Probably. The Cavs had high odds, and the NBA lottery is designed to prevent the worst team from always winning. The math checks out, even if the timing feels uncanny. Credit: Wikimedia Commons In 1997, Camden Yards lights mysteriously failed the night Ripken was rumored to miss a game after a spat with Kevin Costner. Did the Orioles sabotage the lights to protect his streak? Officially, it was just a coincidence. The story just seems too juicy to ignore, and way more fun.

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

The Wildest Sports Conspiracy Theories That Might Actually Be True

The Wildest Sports Conspiracy Theories That Might Actually Be True Sports are packed with secrets and stories that refuse to die. Fans love ...

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Redistricting War Scrambles Loyalties

Redistricting War Scrambles Loyalties

Several prominent Trump loyalists have been conscripted into compliance, while others are in outright rebellion. At least two Republican House members are in the unusual position of putting their necks out and resisting President Trump in his drive to redraw new congressional maps before the 2026 midterms. They say they have their constituents best interests at heart, but they are also looking out for their own. Theyre trying to stop a retaliatory war to save their seats in Congress and retain what GOP congressional representation theyre clinging to in predominantly blue states like California and New York. On the other side of the partisan divide, at least one prominent Democratic-leaning group, Common Cause, which for years has fought against all types of gerrymandering across the country, is in transition. Once a reliable voice of opposition to gerrymandering, the group is now reconsidering its redistricting mission. Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers in blue states are reluctantly being forced to relinquish the safety of their seats for the good of the cause - hitting back against Trumps redistricting power move in what has quickly become a nationwide gerrymandering race to the bottom. On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who appears to be betting his political future and White House ambitions on the redistricting push, held a press conference vowing to "fight fire with fire" if Texas attempts to redistrict and eliminate at least five Democratic congressional seats. If Texas moves forward, California will do the same, Newsom vowed, even as he acknowledged the Lone Star State Republicans arent playing by the rules and Trump is "dialing for seats." The League of Women Voters, usually a Democratic-leaning group, reacted to Newsoms tit-for-tat response by thoroughly condemning it. "We have in California the gold standard for non-partisan redistricting, and we dont think were going to save democracy by burning down another small-d democratic process in the state," Helen Hutichison, interim executive director for the League of Women Voters of California, told RealClearPolitics. "This kind of fighting with fire means that everyone gets burned." But another group, which typically fights against gerrymandering, is now on the fence. A representative of Common Cause on Tuesday told RCP that it was too "swamped" to weigh in this week but could potentially "circle back at a later time." That position seemed odd, considering Common Causes position as the most prominent anti-gerrymandering organization in the country. The next day, the Christian Science Monitorreportedthat the organization, which has fought Democratic and Republican gerrymanders in court for years, was in the midst of an internal debate over whether to change its position when it comes to opposing all partisan redistricting in the face of the Trump-led drive to redraw the lines in Texas and other red states. On Monday night, after a meeting of Common Causes governing board, the groups president and CEO, Virginia Kase Soloman, emailed other leaders of the nonprofit asking them not to issue any new statements on gerrymandering until the board issues further guidance, the paper reported. In California, Newsoms pledge to redraw the lines to eliminate five of the nine GOP seats also woke an aging political giant. In the mid-to-late 2000s, Californias last GOP governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, fought hard alongside the League of Women Voters and Common Cause to create the independent commission in an attempt to depoliticize the states congressional maps. Critics on the right have argued for years that the effort wasnt all that successful - that the process remained heavily skewed to the Democratic advantage. But handing the task back to the Democratic super-majority-controlled legislature is the last thing Republicans across the state want. Newsoms aggressive threats to bypass the commission drew immediate fire from the aging "Terminator" actor, who signaled he would wade into the fight to save his legacy. "Schwarzenegger has a 20-year history of battling gerrymandering, taking power from politicians and returning it to the people where it belongs," said Daniel Ketchell, the former governors spokesman. "He believes gerrymandering is evil, no matter who does it. He still stands by the rule we learned in pre-school that two wrongs dont make a right." The former governor, he concluded, "will continue to be on the side of the people and not politicians - from either party - on this issue." Rob Stutzman, who served as chief of staff to Schwarzenegger during his time as governor, predicted an active opposition campaign by his former boss could help thwart Newsoms efforts to eliminate Republican congressional seats. "Voters [in California] will have to be convinced that the Texas gerrymander is so egregious that they must respond in kind - thats uncharted territory," Stutzman said. "Arnolds opposition would complicate a path to [Newsom] winning." Amid the inter-state turmoil, San Diego Democratic Reps. Scott Peters and Sara Jacobs, who represent strong Democratic areas, have both come forward, albeit reluctantly, to offer to increase the Republican voters in their districts if Newsoms push to redraw the lines is successful. "This is bigger than me and my seat," Jacobs told Politico on Wednesday. "This is about the survival of democracy and our country. I dont think any of us want to go forward with this, but its the only way to respond to what theyre doing in Texas." California GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley, who represents a swing district that could be radically redrawn to favor a Democrat, has launched a crusade to outlaw all redistricting. Kiley agrees that democracy is under assault but argues that the new gerrymandering war is the culprit. Kiley is urging congressional leaders to end the redistricting war before any seats become casualties. "Gerrymandering is a problem regardless of which party does it, and it certainly shouldnt be done in the middle of the decade," he said in an X.com post. "But what Gavin Newsom is attempting in California goes beyond that. It is a full-fledged assault on democracy itself." Both Kiley and New York GOP Rep. Mike Lawler have offered House bills to nullify any state mid-decade redistricting attempts across the nation. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, like Newsom, has also threatened blue-state retaliation if Texas moves forward. Kiley argues that some type of compromise can be reached between two issues that a majority of Americans support: opposition to redistricting and requiring voter ID. The California Republican is urging Speaker Mike Johnson to take up the bill, but the House GOP leader has so far declined to take a position on the measure. Trump and many other voices on the right argue they are simply responding to years of unfair efforts that have skewed the lines in Democrats favor. Democrats, they argue, have hidden behind so-called commissions made up of left-leaning independents that utilize unconstitutional race and ethnicity mandates and inevitably disadvantage Republicans. "Democrats keep saying theyre in favor of gerrymandering bans, but their proposals to date do nothing more than enshrine pro-Democrat gerrymandering nationwide," Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, said in arecent X.com post. Kincaid doubts California and other blue states will be able to quickly clear the administrative and legal hurdles it will take to respond to Texas redistricting efforts. California, he points out, has a constitutional ban on mid-decade redistricting while Texas does not, and Newsom and the state legislature would need to pass measures to change that law as well as pass ballot language to approve the redrawn maps in a special election Nov. 4. Under state law, the California state legislature would need to convene on Aug. 18 and finalize the maps and the ballot language by Aug. 22. Then a ballot initiative would need to win 50% of the vote and survive an inevitable onslaught of legal challenges. "Theyve got so many hoops they have to jump through to even get this thing done," Kincaid remarked. "Newsom is making a really big bet on this. If he gets it done, he looks like the savior of the Democratic Party, but if he fails, he falls flat on his face … and looks pretty weak heading into the presidential primary." Meanwhile, Trump is demanding Texas continue their redistricting efforts before 2026 because "Democrats will do it anyway." "Ive watched this morning as Democrats have been complaining, and theyre complaining from states where theyve done it, like in Illinois and Massachusetts," he told reporters Wednesday. Vice President JD Vance plans to take the same message to Indiana on Thursday, where hes set to meet with Gov. Mike Braun and Republican leaders. Republicans already hold seven of Indianas nine House seats. But in the national GOP effort to increase the House GOP majority in 2026, they will need all the advantages they can get. Despite its GOP control, Indiana lawmakers have shown little interest in calling a special session to redraw the states lines. The state is facing a budget crunch that they and Braun likely want to avoid exacerbating with a potentially costly and chaotic redistricting effort. Braun said any discussion about that with Vance would be strictly "exploratory" with no commitments made. Braun, however, appeared hesitant to defy the White House outright. "Im going to listen and see where theyre coming from," he told reporters earlier this week. "And again, Im going to be listening along with the other two leaders in the legislature, and everybodys going to probably have a different view." Susan Crabtree is RealClearPolitics' national political correspondent.

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

Redistricting War Scrambles Loyalties

Redistricting War Scrambles Loyalties Several prominent Trump loyalists have been conscripted into compliance, while others are in outright ...

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Ohio to play key role in national fight for Congress as redistricting battle rages

Ohio to play key role in national fight for Congress as redistricting battle rages

Across the nation, the redistricting arms race is on to secure control of the U.S. House of Representatives. President Donald Trump has floated using the FBI to retrieve Texas Democratswho fled voting on a Republican-drawn congressional map.Vice President JD Vance is asking Indiana Republicansto consider adding another GOP seat there. Meanwhile,California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic governorshave threatened to redraw their maps to add more Democratic seats if Republicans move forward with their plans. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently said:"This is a war. We are at war." More:Trump says FBI 'may have to' force Democratic lawmakers back to Texas Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio said she would be "very concerned" about Democrats' response in a normal world. "This is not normal," said Antonio, D-Lakewood. "It appears we have to do everything we can to fight back." More:Redistricting: Ohio must draw a new congressional map. Republicans hold all the cards In Ohio, the fight over a new congressional map has yet to begin. But it will play out over the next few months under tremendous political pressure from Washington, D.C. Here's what to expect: Unlike other states, Ohio's political leaders don't have a choice on whether to redraw the state's congressional map. Ohio Republicans approved the state's current congressional map in 2021. But the map lasted only four years because no Democrats voted for it. Ohio's leaders must now draw a new map for the next three elections. Ohio's current congressional delegation includes 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats. That means Republicans control 66% of seats even though Trump won 55% of the votes in the 2024 election − a decisive 11-point victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. Republicans are likely to target two competitive congressional seats held by Democratic Reps. Marcy Kaptur, of Toledo, and Emilia Sykes, of Akron. They could try to rearrange the 1st congressional district in Cincinnati, currently held by Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman. That would be more of a stretch because the city of Cincinnati must be kept whole under anti-gerrymandering rules approved by voters in 2018. Ohio must approve a new congressional map by Nov. 30 to use in the 2026 elections. But there are other deadlines before that final one. Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to pass a congressional map with support from at least three-fifths of lawmakers in each chamber and half of the Democrats. Legislative Republicans and Democrats each get up to $200,000 to spend on mapmaking. Then, the Ohio Redistricting Commission has until Oct. 31 to pass a map with bipartisan support. That commission includes three Republican statewide officials, two Republican lawmakers and two Democratic lawmakers. The pen returns to lawmakers, who can approve a map with support from three-fifths of members and one-third of Democrats on board. The final option is for Republican lawmakers to pass a map without any Democratic support. If Republicans take that route, they must follow some rules: they cannot "unduly" favor a political party or incumbents or "unduly" split counties, townships and municipalities. Any map approved by lawmakers will be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature or veto. After that, voters could collect signatures via the referendum process to put the map up for a vote. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman,who was a powerful figure in the last redistricting cycle, said through a spokesperson that he supports "a fair and data-driven redistricting process that accurately reflects Ohio's political landscape and provides consistency for voters." "The Speaker is focused on delivering a durable outcome for Ohio, not on meeting external expectations." Antonio said she wants to take Republicans at their word: "in spite of the national landscape, that Republican leaders are going to do their best for the people of Ohio." Still, Antonio is troubled by how the White House has influenced redistricting across the nation. "This is an authoritarian government that is in control of the United States, and they are dictating, and that's something we should all be concerned about." Former President Barack Obamajumped into the nation's cross-country redistricting fight, calling Texas Republicans' push to add five new GOP congressional seats "a power grab that undermines our democracy." Obama's remarks,made in a statementposted Aug. 5 on X, come as PresidentDonald Trumphas pressured Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the GOP-controlled Texas state legislature to approve new congressional maps to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House during the 2026 midterm elections. Read more here Vice President JD Vance is visiting Indianapolis on Aug. 7 to speak with Gov. Mike Braun and Republican legislative leaders about the possibility of redistricting the state's congressional districts amid the Trump administration's push to increase the GOP majority in the House. Vance plans to meet with Braun, House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tempore Rodric Bray. The group expects to discuss several topics, Braun said, but any discussion about redistricting would be "exploratory" and no commitments have been made at this point. Read more on what's happening in Indiana here. USA TODAY and The Indianapolis Star contributed to this article. State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch:As redistricting fights heat up nationwide, Ohio is up next

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

Ohio to play key role in national fight for Congress as redistricting battle rages

Ohio to play key role in national fight for Congress as redistricting battle rages Across the nation, the redistricting arms race is on to s...

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US gymnastics championships: TV channel, time, stream and what to know

US gymnastics championships: TV channel, time, stream and what to know

USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. "The Pommel Horse Guy" is back for another spin. Stephen Nedoroscik returns to competition for the first time since the Paris Olympics this week, looking to win a fifth consecutive title on pommel horse at the U.S. gymnastics championships. Fellow Paris Olympians Hezly Rivera, Brody Malone, Frederick Richard and Asher Hong are also planning to compete at nationals, which are Thursday through Sunday at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans. Results at nationals will help determine who makes the world championships in October in Jakarta, Indonesia. There is no team competition at this year's worlds, with only individual titles — all-around and events — at stake. In addition to the usual all-around and event titles awarded at nationals, there will be a "squad showdown" this year. Each rotation group will be considered a "squad," and their highest three scores on each event on the first day of competition will be counted in the "showdown." The squad with the highest score wins. Here's everything you need to know about the U.S. gymnastics championships: The U.S. gymnastics championships are being held at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's the first time the national championships have been in New Orleans since 1995. The state first hosted the event in 1977, when nationals were in Baton Rouge. Competition is Thursday through Sunday, with the men and women alternating days. Here's the schedule (all times Eastern): Thursday, 8-10:30 p.m., men's competition, day 1. Friday, 7:45-10 p.m., women's competition, day 1. Saturday, 6:30-9 p.m., men's competition, day 2. Sunday, 7-9 p.m., women's competition, day 2. The U.S. gymnastics championships will be shown on Peacock, NBC and CNBC. Here's the schedule: Thursday, 8-10:30 p.m., Peacock. Friday, 7:45-10 p.m., Peacock. Saturday, 6:30-9 p.m., CNBC. Sunday, 7-9 p.m., NBC. Watch the US gymnastics chamoionships with Peacock Stephen Nedoroscik, aka "The Pommel Horse Guy," became afan favoriteat the Paris Olympics when he was seen looking positively Zen-like on the sidelines as he waited to compete in his one event with a rare medal for the U.S. men on the line. He and the U.S. menwon the bronze, their first Olympic medal since the 2008 Games. Nedoroscik then added anindividual bronzeon pommel horse. Olympic teammates Frederick Richard, Asher Hong and Brody Malone are also competing, though Malone is not expected to do the all-around. Hezly Rivera, who was the youngest member of Team USA at the Paris Olympics, and Paris alternates Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson are all expected to contend for their first all-around title. Skye Blakely, a favorite to make the Paris team until she ruptured her Achilles at the Olympic trials, is expected to do theuneven bars and balance beam. Also keep an eye on up-and-comers Claire Pease, Simone Rose and Jayla Hang. No. The seven-time Olympic champion is taking time off, just as she did after the Rio and Tokyo Games. Biles has said repeatedly that she still hasn't decided whether she'll compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Biles is the most-decorated gymnast in history, male or female. In addition to 11 Olympic medals and 30 medals at the world championships, Biles is a nine-time U.S. all-around champion. Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, all two-time Olympians, will not compete at the U.S. championships this week. But don't rule out seeing Carey and Chiles in the future. Both Carey and Chiles are taking breaks after competing in NCAA gymnastics this season, Chiles for UCLA and Carey for Oregon State. Chiles won a national title on uneven bars while Carey won bronze on balance beam. Chiles has already said she intends to return to UCLA for her senior season. Carey's collegiate career is over, and she toldOlympics.comshe thinks the time off will help her decide whether she wants to compete elite again. "Right now, (I'm) taking time and going to see where things end up," she said. "So, it's not a no, but it's not a yes." As for Lee, the all-around champion at the Tokyo Olympics, she said in Paris that she was content with her career. Health issues had sidelined Lee for the better part of a year before Paris, getting so bad she was struggling to get out of bed seven months before the Games. But after doctors got her medications right, Lee was able to resume training. She won three more medals in Paris: a gold with Team USA, and bronzes in the all-around and on uneven bars. "If I don't (come back), I feel like I had a really good run. I'm super proud of everything that I was able to accomplish. Especially this year, not even knowing if I would be able to make it here," Lee said in Paris. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US gymnastics championships schedule: Time, TV and streaming

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

US gymnastics championships: TV channel, time, stream and what to know

US gymnastics championships: TV channel, time, stream and what to know USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. P...

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Seven under-the-radar NFL rookies who could surprise in preseason games

Seven under-the-radar NFL rookies who could surprise in preseason games

NFLpreseason games are often shrugged off by fans, and sometimes even by coaching staffs themselves. Yet while the exhibition slate seldom features an extensive run for the league's biggest stars – or even many of its starters–the contests can often be a vital proving ground for those entering the league without a massive buy-in from their respective teams. Competition for the last roster spots can be fierce, and the final cutdown date looms on Aug. 26. That window leaves only so many chances remaining for players to make an impression after organized team activities, minicamps and training camp. And for the players and coaches who have slogged through an array of practices, the preseason offers at least an approximation of a game setting while shining a new light on the skills that have been on display throughout the spring and summer. Every year, at least a handful of players seemingly take advantage by building on strong training camp performances. With the first week of preseasonset to kick off Thursday,here are seven under-the-radar rookies who could surprise in games: From a massive change at coordinator to a surprising shift behind center and a full-blown overhaul of the receiving corps, perhaps no other offense underwent as stark of a transformation this offseason as the Seahawks. Yet amid all the change, the figure making the most noise in camp has been a fifth-round rookie. Horton arrived in the Pacific Northwest as a potential depth piece, but he might exit the summer as a Day 1 contributor. After the Colorado State product repeatedly wowed during first-team reps in camp, coach Mike Macdonald said Saturday that Horton is "making multiple plays every day." Teammates have fed into the hype as well, with cornerback Riq Woolen playfully calling out "Jerry Rice Jr.!" after walking by the receiver's meeting with the media. And fellow rookie Nick Emmanwori, a second-round safety from South Carolina, went as far as to call Horton "the steal of the draft." While there's still plenty left for Horton to prove, his emergence could hold weight in the regular season. With DK Metcalf traded to thePittsburgh Steelersand Tyler Lockett cut, the deep passing game didn't seem to be in a particularly promising spot after Cooper Kupp was brought aboard to fill a void at receiver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who averaged 22.6 yards per catch last season while playing under new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the New Orleans Saints, was signed to help stretch the field. But the veteran will turn 31 in October, and Horton – who recovered from a knee injury that cut his final season short – has proven adept at tracking downfield shots. Now, the rookie's workload indicates he might be poised to rocket as high as the No. 3 role behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kupp. If there's one under-the-radar rookie who can match Horton in camp buzz, it might be Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round pick has been one of the main attractions for Washington's offense in the early going, as he has routinely reeled off long runs. The 5-11, 208-pound ball carrier's slashing style is enabled by his instantaneous cuts, allowing him to shake defenders at the second level with ease. That has drawn a sharp contrast with the rest of the Commanders' backfield options, with starter Brian Robinson Jr. and other backups employing a steadier but less explosive approach. NFL preseason players to watch: 32 who should catch your eye in exhibition games Yet experience matters for a team that has invested heavily in veterans as it tries to seize on its ahead-of-schedule arrival as a contender. And despite turning 24 in April, Croskey-Merritt isn't a finished product as a runner after the two-time transfer sat out all but one game of his final college season at Arizona due to eligibility issues. His atypical college career trajectory has only heightened the boom-or-bust element inherent to his game, with his pass protection proving to be particularly wild at times. So long as he establishes a bit more stability in the preseason, however, Washington might find it hard to keep him stuffed on the practice squad or the end of the depth chart – he's currently fifth behind all the veterans – given the jolt he could provide for the ground game. Dallas' decision to wait until the fifth round to draft a running back seemed to firm up the notion that Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders would take the lead in revitalizing one of the league's worst rushing attacks. Indeed, the two veteran newcomers were the top two backfield options on the unofficial depth chart released this week. But after a shaky introduction to the pro game in organized team activities and minicamp, Blue is coming on strong in camp – and the Cowboys staff has taken notice. The 5-9, 198-pound speedster out of Texas has slowly accumulated more first-team reps and showcased his big-play ability. First-year coach Brian Schottenheimer responded by likening him to a "larger version of Darren Sproles." To that end, Year 1 success for Blue might entail providing a spark as a third-down back and weapon in the passing game rather than taking on a more traditional bell-cow role. Reliability, however, remains somewhat of a concern for a player who had five fumbles in 2024 and has run hot and cold throughout his collegiate career. For many late-round rookies, seeing the field early beyond special teams often depends on having one elite trait. For Brooks, however, the comprehensiveness he offers as a runner could be his superpower. Having rushed for 4,560 yards and 45 touchdowns over five years at Texas Tech, the sixth-round pick arrives in the NFL with a rare level of comfort across all assignments. The 5-9, 214-pounder is equally adept at breaking tackles by slipping past defenders or powering through them. With extensive experience in the passing game as both a receiver and blocker, he seldom needs to come off the field. Though Brooks lacks the speed to break big gains with any regularity, his well-rounded skill set makes him an appealing fit as a backup. With the team having cut veteran Zack Moss last week, the rookie could push Samaje Perine to be the primary alternative to starter Chase Brown, who looks in line for a heavy workload. No one can accuse the Panthers of not taking their shortcomings at wide receiver seriously this offseason. From adding Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick to signing former Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow, Carolina made it clear that it wouldn't stand pat after 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, veteran Adam Thielen and surprising undrafted rookie Jalen Coker only could take Bryce Young so far in the quarterback's second pro season. Yet even with that newfound depth, a sixth-round pick has managed to squeeze out some time in the spotlight. Horn has strung together a series of strong showings, with the latest coming in a Saturday scrimmage in which he notched two touchdown grabs on passes from Andy Dalton. Coach Dave Canales, who first broke into the NFL as a receivers coach, has made special note of the Colorado product's tenacity, describing his playing style as "all gas." And though the 5-8, 174-pound is known for his speed, Horn hasn't been afraid to attack a jump ball or operate in traffic. In the short term, Horn might have trouble cracking the receiver rotation. But the preseason could help him stick as a player who can add value in the return game. Latching on with a team as a late-round draft pick typically entails making the proper impression with the right people. Mumpfield already appears to have done just that. Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams recently marveled at how the Pitt product could adapt his game and "kill some of our better corners on some amazing routes," adding that he feels "like a proud dad watching him out there." Sean McVay, meanwhile, lauded him as a "mature" rookie who is "wired to be able to separate." Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick. The preseason might be only for show given how little value the Rams place on player performances in the setting. Mumpfield, however, can continue to solidify his standing for the 53-man roster if he keeps up his pace. Regular-season targets likely will be hard to come by with Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington all ahead in the pecking order, but Los Angeles sizes up as a good forum for Mumpfield to ply his trade. Mumpfield isn't the only wideout creating a stir in Los Angeles this summer. A fifth-round pick out of Auburn, Lambert-Smith wasted no time in affirming himself as a trustworthy deep threat for Justin Herbert. Lambert-Smith's appeal was readily evident in the Hall of Fame Game, when he evaded Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.'s attempted jam and tracked down a fade from Trey Lance for a 28-yard gain. Later, he again dusted his defender at the line of scrimmage on a slant rant that he took for a 15-yard score. For all of the promise the 6-1, 182-pound target has displayed thus far, any bold proclamations for his rookie season might have to be tabled after the Chargers brought back Keenan Allen. But taking on a smaller but more specific role as a designated deep threat could be a fitting recalibration for a player who should be brought along slowly. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL preseason games: Seven under-the-radar rookies who could surprise

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

Seven under-the-radar NFL rookies who could surprise in preseason games

Seven under-the-radar NFL rookies who could surprise in preseason games NFLpreseason games are often shrugged off by fans, and sometimes eve...

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Planned dinner for Trump officials to discuss Epstein appears to have been moved amid media scrutiny

Planned dinner for Trump officials to discuss Epstein appears to have been moved amid media scrutiny

Adinner planned for Wednesday nightat Vice President JD Vance's residence was seen as an opportunity for Trump administration officials to realign amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal, according to four people familiar with the situation. That included a potential chance for Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, who had been at odds over the response, to clear the air. The meeting appeared to have been moved or rescheduled Wednesday night. Some officials who were expected to attend the meeting, including Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi, were spotted leaving the White House on Wednesday evening. Administration officials told CNN earlier in the day that there were discussions about moving, canceling or rescheduling the meeting amid intense media scrutiny. Participants were told that the meeting was being shifted and canceled at various points throughout the day following CNN's original reporting that the meeting was happening, a source familiar with the planning said. Bondi and Patel's tense relationship was thrown into the spotlight last month after a contentious White House meeting with chief of staff Susie Wiles over the handling of the Epstein case. That meeting also prompted questions about FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino's future with the administration. In the hours and days after the blowup,Vance tried to smooth over the conflict, fielding calls from Bondi, Patel and Bongino in between rides with his family at Disneyland. The vice president achieved his mission, one person familiar told CNN, and Bongino went back to work the next Monday — though three administration officials said they believe he will likely eventually leave his post and return to hosting his podcast once the Epstein blowback subsides. Vance was expected to reprise his peacemaker role again Wednesday. Sources told CNN the dinner would be a good opportunity to realign. "It's a way to get everyone together in an informal, low-stakes situation," one source briefed on the dinner told CNN. CNN previously reported that Wiles, Bondi, Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were expected to gather at Vance's residence Wednesday evening as the administration weighs whether to publish an audio recording and transcript of Blanche's recent conversation with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The administration's handling of the Epstein case, as well as the need to craft a unified response, was expected to be a main focus of the dinner. Vance's office denied such a meeting was taking place. "As we've said publicly, there was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President's residence to discuss Epstein Strategy. Any reporting to the contrary is false," William Martin, Vance's communications director, said in a statement. During an unrelated Oval Office event Wednesday afternoon, Vance himself said "We're not meeting to talk about the Epstein situation." The Justice Department declined to comment, deferring to the vice president's office. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The planned group sitdown comes after Patel had been traveling for several weeks, opening field offices in New Zealand and Australia. Some officials said they believe this could be the ideal time for a reset, as the White House seeks to reclaim the narrative around the Epstein case and present a unified front after weeks on the defensive. Months before the Department of Justice released a memo on the Epstein case that contradicted many of the conspiracy theories surrounding the investigation,tension was already quietly building between the FBI and Department of Justice, multiple sources told CNN. FBI leadership griped behind closed doors that Bondi was spending more time on Fox News talking about the Epstein files than actually reviewing them, despite the agency having delivered the files to her office weeks prior, those sources said. FBI officials cringed when Bondi indicated in a Fox News interview in February that the Epstein client list was sitting on her desk, those sources added, as it had already been determined that there was no official client list that would be released. And when the memo — which contradicted many of the conspiracy theories circulating in far-right circles about Epstein — was finally released, it was Patel and Bongino who bore the brunt from the MAGA right, after they'd repeatedly promised full transparency. During the meeting with Wiles last month, Bondi, Patel and Bongino clashed over the handling of the investigation and Bongino was accused of leaking negative stories about Bondi. The deputy director denied the allegations and stormed out of the meeting, later telling Patel and others that he might not return to his post. This headline and story have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byMario Satorik

in

August 07, 2025

Planned dinner for Trump officials to discuss Epstein appears to have been moved amid media scrutiny

Planned dinner for Trump officials to discuss Epstein appears to have been moved amid media scrutiny Adinner planned for Wednesday nightat V...

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