Latest news with #Lamb
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cowboys Standouts Named Among NFL's Top Homegrown Duos
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. While they have made significant upgrades through trades and free agency over the years, the Dallas Cowboys have also done a fine job creating talent in-house. Ahead of the 2025 season, two key members of the roster received high praise amid their emergence as star-level talents. Back in 2020, luck fell the Cowboys' way when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb slid in the draft. Dallas managed to nab him at pick No. 17, and since then, he's blossomed into a core piece for the franchise. Lamb has racked up at least 1,000 yards in each of the last four seasons and landed All-Pro honors in 2023 after leading the league in receptions (135). Fast forward to 2021, and the Cowboys secured a pillar for the other side of the ball. Following a strong college career at Penn State, Dallas drafted Micah Parsons 12th overall. He was brought in to raise the Cowboys' floor on defense, but has done so much more than that. Parsons has developed into one of the league's top defensive stars, finishing top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting three times in four seasons. CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys signals for a first down after a play during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023... CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys signals for a first down after a play during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. More Photo byAlso read: Former Champion Sets High Bar For New-Look Cowboys Offense Ahead of training camp, Nick Shook ranked the top homegrown duos in football right now. Parsons and Lamb made an appearance on this list, securing the No. 1 spot. "Parsons entered the NFL from Penn State with plenty of deserved attention, but even the most avid Nittany Lions supporters likely didn't expect him to be this good at the next level. The true transformation into a game-wrecking pass rusher occurred once the Cowboys committed to playing him on the ball, sacrificing his sideline-to-sideline range in favor of sending him on repeated quarterback hunts," Shook wrote. "Lamb has been a star since his days at Oklahoma, yet he remained available until the middle of the 2020 NFL Draft's first round. Dallas happily scooped him up at No. 17 overall and immediately bestowed great expectations upon him by handing him the franchise's venerated No. 88 jersey. He's done nothing but meet those expectations, even when the circumstances surrounding him haven't been ideal." Also read: Dallas Cowboys Named Among NFL's Most Underrated Teams In light of becoming two of the top players on the roster, the Cowboys have deeply invested in their homegrown talents. Last year, Dallas inked Lamb to a four-year extension worth $136 million. Parsons is now due for a new contract, and based on his production and impact, could end up landing a record-setting deal on par with that of Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt. Following a down year in 2024, Lamb and Parsons will attempt to help the Cowboys return to prominence in the NFC this season. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Fox Sports
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Which 10 Players Have The Best Odds to Win 2025 Offensive Player of the Year?
Last season, Saquon Barkley dazzled the NFL world in his debut season with the Eagles, helping Philadelphia win Super Bowl LIX and earning 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors along the way. However, 2025 is a new year, and anything is possible. That said, who's the favorite to win 2025 OPOY? Here are the 10 players with the best odds to do just that, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Top 10 Players With Best Odds to Win NFL Offensive Player of the Year 10. San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (+2200) McCaffrey's 2024 campaign was a disaster, with the superstar running back playing just four games due to calf, Achilles and knee issues. At the same time, the two-time All-Pro is just one season removed from rushing for an NFL-high 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry, while tallying 67 receptions for 564 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which helped him become a finalist for the 2023 NFL MVP Award and win 2023 Offensive Player of the Year honors. The slippery back has electric speed, is elusive and also an essential element of San Francisco's passing game. A healthy McCaffrey has been arguably the best running back in the NFL in recent memory. T-8. Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (+2000) Lamb continues to make No. 88 shine bright. A four-time Pro Bowler and 2023 All-Pro, Lamb has totaled 1,100-plus receiving yards in each of the past four seasons and 100-plus receptions in each of the past three. Last season, Lamb logged 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games in a year that saw quarterback Dak Prescott miss nine games due to a hamstring injury. Lamb has led Dallas in receiving yards in four consecutive seasons and is entering the first season of a four-year, $136 million deal. T-8. Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua (+2000) Nacua missed six regular-season games in 2024 (five due to a knee injury and one due to rest) but was still sharp in the 11 games that he did appear in, totaling 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns. He then logged 11 receptions for 141 yards in the Rams' two playoff games. Nacua was first among wide receivers with a 92.8 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Just one year ago, Nacua was a Pro Bowler, totaling 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns during his rookie season. T-6. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (+1700) Jefferson is arguably the best receiver the game has to offer. He's a menace in space, gets behind secondaries like nobody's business and produces consistently. A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Jefferson totaled 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Jefferson, the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, has totaled 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his five seasons in the sport and ranked eighth among wide receivers with an 87.2 overall grade last season, per PFF. His production could be difficult to forecast for next season, though, as the Vikings are rolling with QB J.J. McCarthy, who they traded up to select at No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. T-6. Houston Texans WR Nico Collins (+1700) Collins has become one of the most reliable receivers in the sport. Last season, Collins totaled 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, helping him earn his first career Pro Bowl nod. He then logged 12 receptions for 203 yards and one touchdown in Houston's two postseason games. Collins was second among wide receivers with a 91.6 overall grade, per PFF. He did all that despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury. The receiver has posted 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. T-4. Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson (+1600) After a plausible and efficient 2023 rookie campaign, Robinson shouldered a larger role in Atlanta's backfield in 2024 and answered the call. Rushing for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry and reeling in 61 receptions for 431 yards and one score, Robinson, who got the call on the run 90 more times than he did the year before (304 carries in 2024, compared to 214 carries in 2023), earned a Pro Bowl nod. Robinson, who's the focal point of the Falcons' offense, ranked second among running backs with a 92.8 overall grade last season, per PFF. T-4. Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry (+1600) The Ravens brought in Henry to strengthen an already potent running game, and the 252-pound back did just that and then some. In what was his ninth NFL season, Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns on a career-high 5.9 yards per carry. Henry, a one-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, ranked first among running backs with a 94.0 overall grade, per PFF. The star running back projects to remain the No. 1 source of offense for Baltimore next to quarterback and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. T-2. Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (+950) Gibbs is one of the most balanced running backs in recent memory. He has blazing speed, makes quick cuts and is a tremendous pass-catching back. Last season, Gibbs rushed for 1,412 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry, while totaling 52 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns. Gibbs, who ranked sixth among running backs with an 88.5 overall grade, per PFF, has been an integral part of Detroit's offense and a Pro Bowler in each of his first two NFL seasons. T-2. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (+950) Like his former LSU teammate Jefferson, Chase has a reputable case for being the NFL's top receiver. Last season, Chase logged 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns, all three totals leading the sport. A one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler in each of his four NFL seasons, Chase has tallied 1,000-plus yards in each of his four seasons and has consistently been star quarterback Joe Burrow's No. 1 target in the Bengals' passing game. Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension with the Bengals earlier this offseason. 1. Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (+550) Full-blown hurdling a defender, setting NFL rushing records and becoming part of the Eagles' DNA, Barkley had a special debut season in Philadelphia. Rushing for an NFL-high 2,005 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns on a career-high 5.8 yards per carry, Barkley earned All-Pro honors and was an MVP finalist. Already becoming just the ninth player all-time to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, Barkley later set the NFL record for combined rushing yards in a single season (regular season plus postseason), finishing with 2,504 yards on the ground. To top it off, Barkley and the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Lamb lauds Stokes for instilling belief in England team
Ben Stokes led from the front as England went on to register one of its most thrilling wins against India in recent times at Lord's. As things got tough and India tried its best to seize the initiative, Stokes extracted every bit from his team-mates and ensured the side put up a spirited show to secure a crucial lead in the five-match series. Former England captain Allan Lamb believes that while England has slowly realised it's important to adopt the horses for courses approach, instead of getting into Bazball mode every time, it's Stokes, who has instilled that belief and a positive mindset in the dressing room. 'When it comes to even chasing 180 on the last day, it is still a big thing in the mind, especially with India losing those wickets the night before. The pressure was always on India. Stokes had motivated the team. I think everything came down to Stokes, because the night before, he was so fired up. He wanted to bowl as he was fired up. And, he got his whole team behind him,' Lamb told The Hindu. 'They are a team that believes they can win anything. That brought a real positive approach to it…' Moving on from its Bazball approach, wherein England would invariably ask the opposition to bat first and then chase down a target, the team decided to bat first, and that proved crucial. 'Everyone thinks that England is going to play Bazball. But now, they've learned when the wicket is not right for the Bazball approach, they have to get in. I don't think it was a great wicket at Lord's. It was the right wicket to bat first. It was very difficult to score runs,' he said. And, England eventually managed to win the Lord's Test. While his captaincy has impressed Lamb, he wants to wait before passing a judgment on whether Stokes is one of the finest skippers to have led England. 'It's a little bit early, but his approach is great,' he said.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Ceedee Lamb Ranked Among NFL's Elite WRs in Latest Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb dealt with quarterback instability and a nagging shoulder injury last season, but he's still viewed as a top-five pass-catcher around the NFL. ESPN released their latest receiver rankings after surveying league executives, coaches, and scouts, slotting Lamb at the No. 4 spot heading into the 2025 season. Here is the full top 10 from ESPN's poll: Ja'Marr Chase Justin Jefferson Tyreek Hill CeeDee Lamb A.J. Brown Amon-Ra St. Brown Malik Nabers Nico Collins Mike Evans Garrett Wilson CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys waves prior to the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys waves prior to the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.) "Lamb has checked many boxes required by an elite receiver. He had a banner season in 2023, with 135 receptions (league-high), 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has had no true down years. He's a perennial All-Pro first- or second-teamer. And he can produce through adversity, including multiple injuries to Dak Prescott and a bad running game. "Excellent out of the slot, easy mover, can sink and bend," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "Very good after the catch and excellent ball carrier vision." Lamb has 496 career receptions, the second most through a player's first five seasons behind Michael Thomas' 510. His 12 career games with at least 10 receptions are already the most in Cowboys history. And his 101 catches for 1,194 yards last season was impressive considering Prescott missed significant time and the lack of a true No. 2 receiver in Dallas. About 45% of Lamb's yards came after the catch, producing 235 receiving yards after first contact. His red-zone production was modest last year, with nine catches for 57 yards and three touchdowns." Lamb has recorded four straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Cowboys, catching 101 passes for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns last year before being shut down with a sprained AC joint. He has four Pro Bowl nods to his name and was named first-team All-Pro after a stellar 2023 campaign. With the offseason acquisition of George Pickens, who also received votes in ESPN's poll, Lamb should have more room to operate in the short-to-intermediate passing game. The Cowboys will likely maintain a pass-heavy offense (given their minimal investment at the running back position), setting Lamb up for a strong bounce-back season in 2025. "You can't cover everybody," tight end Jake Ferguson said after the Pickens trade. "Having him [Pickens], No. 88 and Jalen [Tolbert], and some of the young guys like myself, Brevyn [Spann-Ford] and [Luke] Schoonmaker, you physically can not cover everybody. I think it's going to be really hard for defenses against our pass game, but then we'll run the ball, too." CEEDEE TEEDEE 55 YARDS#DALvsNYG on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2024 For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb announces acting retirement
Lamb, who is now 77, has had an extensive career that has spanned five decades. He said that the character of Mick is the "closest to my heart", with the role being in the latest Christmas special likely being his last TV role. Larry Lamb played Mick Shipman in Gavin and Stacey (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb retiring from acting Speaking to The Mail, Lamb said he will be focusing on a new novel. While suggesting he will be taking a step back from acting, he did say he may still take on small stage parts to "keep my face in". He said: "I have had a very fortunate career. I've done so much that I am really proud of that maybe not so many people know. 'I have worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, I have been in 12 West End shows, I have done all the principal fringe theatres in London, on Broadway, I have been very lucky and now I am quite happy to let someone else play the big roles." The iconic actor has been playing Mick Shipman on Gavin and Stacey since its inception in 2007. Top 10 Best British TV Series The BBC sitcom, created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, first aired in 2007 and tells the story of two families from Billericay in Essex and Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Lamb played Mick in three series and three Christmas specials, being the father to the titular character Gavin. He added: "You get so involved with these characters that they become your favourite at that time, they are the focus of your life, but to finish up in my 70s playing a character like Mick who is beloved by millions of people, you have to give the writers credit... at this stage in my career Mick is the closest to my heart." Who is Larry Lamb? Larry Lamb has had an extensive acting career over a large number of years, appearing in many TV series and theatrical shows. In his early career, he was a regular in the BBC's North Sea ferry-based soap Triangle. He also appeared in shows such as Lovejoy, A Touch of Frost, Taggart, Casualty, Midsomer Murders and The Bill. Many will know him for his role as Mick Shipman in the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, a role he played for more than a decade, including in the 2024 Christmas special. In 2008, Lamb began playing Archie Mitchell, the father of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, in EastEnders. He left in 2009, but returned later the same year, and was killed off that Christmas. Despite several great roles, he will likely be remembered for playing Archie Mitchell and Mick Shipman. Recommended reading: On being remembered for certain roles, he said: "If you have been through a life in entertainment and people don't all know you, to suddenly be where pretty much everybody knows you as a character. "I find it's a reward, it's better to be known than unknown as far as I'm concerned. "Particularly if you are known as a character that people really love... what a way to finish your working life."
