Latest news with #Conner
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Projected starting offense for Arizona Cardinals in 2025
Training camp starts in less than a month for the Cardinals, but here is their projected starting offense for now. The Arizona Cardinals will open training camp in just under a month and we will be able watch roster battles, position battles and starting battles. But even a month away from that, we can project what the starting lineup will look like, on both sides of the ball. While it is early, here are some early projections for the offense. Projected Arizona Cardinals starting lineup: Offense Quarterback: Kyler Murray This is no question. He is the unquestioned starter. Running back: James Conner While 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson believes he and Conner can be a combined pair of RB1s, Conner is still the starter. Benson's role should be greater, though, and Emari Demercado should be seen as their third-down back for now. Wide receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson (Zay Jones as WR3) The Cardinals' base offense is "12" personnel, or two receivers and two tight ends. Harrison and Wilson were the top two last year and nothing appears to have changed. When they go with three receivers, it was Jones getting more playing time at the end of the season instead of Greg Dortch. Why? Wilson was getting snaps in the slot, and that means three receivers at least 6-foot-2. Tight end: Trey McBride, Tip Reiman Elijah Higgins will play a lot, but Reiman played more snaps than Higgins, even as a rookie, Higgins is a versatile tight end, but Reiman is that traditional No. 2 blocking tight end. McBride is unquestionably the No. 1 TE. Offensive line: Paris Johnson, Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jonah Williams Four of the five were starters last year. Adams is the newcomer. Barring injury, the only real reason this might change is if the Cardinals bring back Will Hernandez, still a free agent and recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 last year. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
RB James Conner can move up Arizona Cardinals' all-time list in 2025
Conner could move up to No. 2 in franchise history in rushing yards and set the record for rushing touchdowns in 2025. Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner begins his fifth season with the team in 2025. He already is among the best and most productive running backs in franchise history. Through four seasons with the Cardinals, he has 3,668 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. He is fourth in franchise history in running yards and second in rushing touchdowns. He has had over 1,000 yards in the last two seasons. With another solid season, he will move up to second place in one category and No. 1 in another. Conner will pass Stump Mitchell for second place all-time with 981 rushing yards in 2025. Mitchell had 4,649 career rushing yards for the Cardinals from 1981-1989. Will Conner be able to reach No. 1? Ottis Anderson is the team's all-time leader with 7,999 career yards. He needs 4,332 more rushing yards. That seems like a tough ask. However, he can set the franchise record with touchdown runs. Conner has 37. Anderson holds the franchise high with 46. With 10 rushing scores, he will set the new record. He had eight, seven and seven in each of the last three seasons, but he had 15 in 2021, so he does have it in him. With the potential emergence of second-year running back Trey Benson, it could be more difficult for Conner to reach those milestones. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals RB Trey Benson believes he, James Conner can be 'two RB1s' in 2025
Arizona Cardinals RB Trey Benson believes he, James Conner can be 'two RB1s' in 2025 Second-year RB Trey Benson envisions a bigger role and more opportunities for him in the run game in 2025. The Arizona Cardinals had one of the league's top rushing attacks in 2024, led by James Conner's nearly 1,100 yards. Trey Benson, a rookie drafted in the third round last year, contributed more in the second half, although missed the final three games with an ankle injury. The clear backup to Conner, he finished his first NFL season rushing for 291 yards and a touchdown on 4.6 yards per attempt. He also had six receptions for 59 yards. In Year 2, Benson believes he will make a much bigger impact. "I feel like I'll get more opportunities and help James out more," Benson said during mandatory minicamp this past week. "I feel like we can have two RB1s on this team, and that's my mindset this year is two RB1s." Head coach Jonathan Gannon has spoken highly of Benson in terms of the type of playmaker he and the team believe Benson can be. He added about seven pounds in the offseason and wants to add some power and force to his already elite speed, trying emulate more how Conner runs. Getting more from Benson would be huge. Conner is now 30 years old and, while he has had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, he has never played every game in a season in his career and set a career-high in rushing yards (1,094), total yards (1,508) and in touches (283). Imagine Conner and Benson combining for 1,500 rushing yards and 1,800 total yards from scrimmage with double-digit touchdowns. That, combined with the production the Cardinals should get from tight end Trey McBride and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and that offense could be lethal in 2025. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Conner Smith knocks down pedestrian in fatal accident
Conner Smith was involved in a fatal accident on Sunday (08.06.25). The 24-year-old country singer is at the centre of an investigation by police in Nashville after his pickup truck struck Dorothy Dobbins, 77, who appeared to be walking inside a marked crosswalk at the time. She was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center but tragically passed away shortly afterwards. According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Conner showed "no signs of impairment" but the preliminary contributing factor to the fatal accident was the I Hate Alabama singer's failure to give the pedestrian the right of way. No charges have been filed in the case. Conner has sent his condolences to Dorothy's family. His attorney, Worrick G. Robinson, told E! News: 'On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. "His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time. 'Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.' Earlier in the weekend, Conner had performed at the CMA Fest in Nashville, and the singer - who married Leah Thompson last year - admitted getting on stage was a career highlight because of his fond memories of attending the event in previous years. He told American Songwriter: 'I just remember coming down here and watching people on that stage and dreaming about it, and looking up to the guys on that stage. "And then when you get to be up there and see people come in and pack out that lawn for you, it feels really cool.' And having his family in attendance made the concert even more special. He added: 'We always have family and friends out here as well. [It was] a really special moment.' Conner shot to fame with his viral single I Hate Alabama in 2021 and he released his debut album, Smoky Mountains, last year.
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Perseverance pays off for Prairie State College photography students
Two young photographers from vastly different backgrounds had a chance to share the spotlight at Prairie State College as the spring semester wrapped up. Jamel Conner, of Chicago Heights, who won the school's Photographer of the Year award for his commercial art, and Huynh Vinh Duc Le, who has won various awards and scholarships for his serene portraits and other images, both share a love of the camera and what it can portray. Neither could afford a good camera when they came to the community college in Chicago Heights, but their work was featured in the school's Christopher Gallery in April and May. Both students are working on associates degrees in photography. Conner's featured photos were of a wedding dress, pages from magazines, glassware, jewelry and a percolator, all in calm, artsy settings. The images, he said, were the results of his efforts to bring objects to life. 'The idea of it being almost like a painting but it's real life,' he said. 'The ability to capture a moment to stop in time is something I wanted to be able to do myself.' He started toying with the idea of assembling a still life photo, but it morphed into something more commercial. 'It's almost editorial in a way,' he said. Conner's teacher, Rebecca Slagle, a professor of visual communications and multimedia arts, said there was much to like about Conner's work. 'It's very clean, he put a lot of thought into it,' she said. 'I like that it's quirky and fun and not boring still-life.' Duc, whose photos also were on display, said he'd loved taking pictures of landscapes and people ever since he was a middle schooler in Hue, the city where he grew up in Vietnam. Photography, drawing and journalism were required courses. But cameras were pricey, so he had to borrow one from a friend at school. 'I loved it and decided to get into it,' said Duc, who continued photography at the University of Education in Vietnam. He immigrated here with his mother in 2022, both sponsored by his grandmother, who has lived in Oak Lawn for 15 years. He's working toward his work visa. 'My mother wanted a new life,' he said. 'She's helped me a lot. She pays the rent and everything so I can focus on my studies.' He started helping out at a nail salon where his mom worked to help pay bills. 'When I came to the United States, I felt like I didn't belong here,' said Duc. But he persevered and made a home for himself at the college and started doing wedding photo gigs with another photographer. These days, one of his favorite subjects for pictures is his friend Ngoc, who he met at Tinley Park Community Church. 'She really liked the way I took her picture,' he said. Many other people have shared her enthusiasm for his work and he has received a number of scholarships and awards, including the Arts Unleashed Scholarships from the Prairie State College Foundation's Nicholas & Jacqueline Rinaldi and John B. Abate' Prize in the Arts recently. He has a full ride scholarship to Columbia College, which he'll attend in the fall. For Duc, the beauty of an image is in the details. 'I want to express my personality through the color grading,' said Duc. 'You can see my color is not that bright,' he said, pointing to his portrait shots displayed in Prairie State's gallery. Slagle, his photography professor, is one of his biggest supporters. 'Duc is an amazing photographer,' she said. 'Just the artistry and the connection I see with him and all the people he photographs. He has a way of making people comfortable.' Photography is making Duc more comfortable, too. 'When I take a photo, it makes my life happier — better. I'm improving myself,' he said. 'I want to tell people a boy from Vietnam came here to improve himself and to do things to gain experience and achieve a better life,' he explained. That sentiment isn't lost on fellow photographer Connor. Though always a hard worker, Conner said he was taken aback when he discovered he'd won the Photographer of the Year award, which includes a $1,500 scholarship to PSC. 'I felt like the other competitors were more talented than me, me being my own worst critic,' he said. But then he just felt grateful, not only for the award but for his own perseverance. 'Never assume you're not good at anything,' Conner said. 'After taking photos more and more, I gained more confidence and skill. It was that willingness to experiment and take risks.' He aims to use that confidence, skill and perseverance to do more commercial work, perhaps within a company's marketing department. Slagle, who also is coordinator of photography and graphic communications at Prairie State, said she was proud of the students' accomplishments as she 'watched them grow and the confidence they gain through the two-year program.' 'They're like your kids,' she said.
