Latest news with #MikeHughes
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jurassic Quest brings life-sized dinosaurs to Tampa fairgrounds this weekend
The Brief Jurassic Quest, the nation's largest dinosaur experience, is now open at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The exhibit features more than 80 life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs. The event runs through Sunday, July 20. TAMPA - A prehistoric adventure has arrived in Tampa as Jurassic Quest opens at the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend. The nationally touring exhibit is known as the largest and most realistic dinosaur experience in North America, featuring more than 80 life-sized, roaring, moving animatronic dinosaurs, from the towering T-Rex to the spiky Stegosaurus. "We're super-excited to bring you our live animatronic dinosaurs," said Brainy Beth, a Dinosaur Trainer with Jurassic Quest. "You will be able to walk through our dinosaurs, say hello to prehistoric creatures that are the accurate sizes and have an absolute blast while doing it." In addition to the massive creatures, Jurassic Quest includes interactive shows, fossil digs, science stations, and a soft-play area called "Triceratots" designed for younger dino fans. Families can also enjoy baby dino encounters and dinosaur rides. For more information, click here. The Source FOX 13 special project's photographer Mike Hughes gathered the information for this story. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons secondary receives mid ranking from Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus ranked the Falcons secondary 17th in the NFL ahead of 2025 season If the Atlanta Falcons hope to return to the playoffs in 2025, they need to become more consistent on defense. Last season, the team had a chance to clinch the NFC South with two games left to play. The Falcons nearly upset the Washington Commanders in Week 17, but their defense couldn't get a stop when it mattered. The following week, Atlanta turned in another disastrous defensive performance against Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, giving up 44 points in an overtime loss to close out the season. While most analysts will rightfully point to the pass rush as the team's biggest issue, the secondary also had its share of issues. Atlanta finished 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (224.5), and 17th in interceptions recorded (12 total). With limited funds, the Falcons did what they could to upgrade their secondary. The team signed veteran safety Jordan Fuller in free agency, re-signed cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Dee Alford, and drafted defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman. It's hard to say whether or not this unit will be better, but the team arguably has more depth and talent in the secondary. Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 NFL secondaries ahead of the 2025 season. Atlanta landed in the middle of the pack at No. 17 on PFF's list: Falcons secondary ranked 17th by Pro Football Focus: The Falcons have two cornerstone pieces in safety Jessie Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell, and they added several players this offseason to bolster the rest of the secondary. Jordan Fuller was signed, and Atlanta selected Xavier Watts in the third round of the draft to strengthen the safety spot opposite Bates. The team also hopes Mike Hughes and Dee Alford can deliver strong seasons at cornerback. -- John Kosko, Pro Football Focus Despite being ranked in the bottom half of the NFL, the Falcons secondary was still the highest-ranked unit in the NFC South. The New Orleans Saints (No. 20), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 22) and the Carolina Panthers (No. 30) were listed below Atlanta by PFF. The Falcons did not re-sign safety Justin Simmons, but the former Pro Bowler didn't have his best season. While Simmons is still a free agent, Fuller was probably a better option for a team low on cap space. Watts and Fuller should have a nice training camp battle for the starting safety job next to Jessie Bates. The Falcons report to training camp in roughly two weeks, with their first practice coming on July 24. - Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking every cornerback in the NFC South, from Mike Hughes to Jaycee Horn
Out with the old, in with the new Furthering our NFC South rankings, we now turn to the defensive backfield -- specifically the cornerback room -- where several top-tier talents have departed over the past eight months. While the division still features a few established names among the league's best, much of the spotlight this season will be on younger players stepping into starting roles for the first time. Development, depth, and scheme fit will be critical factors in determining who rises and who gets exposed. Teams that can quickly groom their new starters may gain a real edge in divisional play. Here's how the NFC South cornerbacks stack up heading into the 2025 season: 8. Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons A former first-round pick who struggled to find stability early in his career, bouncing from team to team, has begun to find his footing in Atlanta -- playing his best football this past season. 7. Isaac Yiadom, New Orleans Saints Yiadom returns to New Orleans this season after his breakout 2023 campaign, where he posted one of the highest forced incompletion rates in the league. 6. Mike Jackson, Carolina Panthers A physical corner with impressive size, Jackson made his presence felt last season -- finishing third in the league with 12 pass breakups. 5. Zyon McCollum, Tampa Bay Buccaneers A tremendous talent with rare physical traits, McCollum played the best football of his young career last season, recording 13 pass breakup -- good for second-most in the NFL 4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints A polished young corner whose greatest asset is his patience. His ability to consistently stay in phase throughout a route will be a trait that could soon set him apart from his peers. 3. Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dean is a seasoned, physical boundary corner known for his reliability, durability, and consistency in coverage. While not a flashy player, he brings stability to the back end of Tampa Bay's defense. 2. A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons A technically sound press corner with elite mirror skills, Terrell led the league last season with 14 pass breakup -- further cementing his status as one of the NFL's top cover guys. 1. Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers When healthy, Jaycee Horn is one of the most physically gifted corners in the league. Coming off a breakout 2024 season with 13 pass breakups and his first Pro Bowl nod, the former top-10 pick finally lived up to his potential.
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour should ignore Lord Kinnock and steer well clear of a wealth tax
SIR – You report (July 7) that Lord Kinnock is nudging Labour to implement a wealth tax. As Labour has already hammered the wealthy in so many areas – from VAT on private school fees to the abolition of non-dom status – such a tax would be the final nail in the coffin. It's often suggested that this Government is relatively centrist. With the introduction of a wealth tax, however, it would start to be perceived as a hard-Left administration. Labour would be wise to ignore a former leader who never knew what success was at a general election. Henry Bateson Whittingham, Northumberland SIR – Lord Kinnock, who previously supported Labour's mansion tax proposals, now wants to see a wealth tax. He has enjoyed a taxpayer-funded salary and pension for decades. He knows nothing of wealth creation. David Miller Chigwell, Essex SIR – The Labour Left's desire to clobber those it deems wealthy will bring negative consequences for growth, businesses and jobs. Wealth taxes haven't worked elsewhere, serving simply to scare away entrepreneurs and investors. Moreover, imagine the level of bureaucracy and intrusion involved in calculating the value of an individual's assets. Presumably Labour will have HMRC assessing every piece of jewellery, family silver, art and furniture. Mike Hughes London SW10 SIR – The wealthy might be more willing to pay such taxes if they felt confident that their contributions were not being used unwisely. Pamela Wheeler Shrewsbury SIR – Wealth taxes are politically easy: 'the rich' have always been a convenient enemy. However, what those who wish to squeeze this group don't realise is that its definition will change quickly. Wealth tax advocates say they 'only' want a tax of 2 per cent on assets over £10 million, but this 'modest' levy is just the thin end of the wedge. When it doesn't raise enough money (and it never will, because government spending is unlimited and statist politicians always want to spend more) it will become 20 per cent on assets over £5 million – and so on. People tend to assume that wealth is only something that happens to others. You might not consider yourself rich, but no one ever does. The decision will not be yours to make. Robert Frazer Salford, Lancashire SIR – If the Government chases all the 'givers' away, we shall be left only with 'takers' – who will have nobody to take from. Barbara Jackson Epping, Essex
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons starting lineup projection: New strong safety in Atlanta
Falcons starting lineup projection: New strong safety in Atlanta Atlanta Falcons post-free agency starting lineup projections for 2025 After splurging on the opening day of free agency each of the last two offseasons, the Atlanta Falcons exercised more patience this time around. The team re-signed a few key players and added a couple of potential starters without breaking the bank. Cornerback Mike Hughes returned on a three-year deal and the Falcons added edge rusher Leonard Floyd and safety Jordan Fuller to start in 2025. Here's a look at the team's updated projected starting lineups after the first wave of NFL free agency. The Falcons found their quarterback of the future last season in rookie Michael Penix Jr. The former top-10 pick enters the 2025 NFL season as Atlanta's clear-cut starting quarterback, even if Kirk Cousins is still on the roster. RB: Bijan Robinson Robinson made the Pro Bowl after an incredible 2024 campaign. The do-it-all running back should be a huge part of the Falcons offense next season. Last season, he finished third in rushing with 1,456 yards. WR: Drake London London is fresh off his first 1,000-yard season. Entering his fourth year, expect the former USC star to put up monster numbers with Penix throwing him the ball. WR: Darnell Mooney Mooney has become the forgotten man but the former Bears wideout nearly topped 1,000 yards in his first season in Atlanta. The speedster is a perfect complement to London. WR: Ray-Ray McCloud McCloud had his ups and downs last season but still produced at a career level. He's the clear-cut No. 3 receiver entering the 2025 season. TE: Kyle Pitts Pitts has been involved in trade rumors, but the Falcons would only be hurting themselves by getting rid of their starting tight end without a clear replacement. Perhaps a full offseason with Penix will bring out the best in Pitts next season. TE: Charlie Woerner Woerner is a solid blocker and a valuable piece to Atlanta's running game. You won't hear his name called much as a receiver, but there's more to playing tight end than catching passes. LT: Jake Matthews Matthews signed a two-year extension that keeps him in Atlanta through the 2028 season. The veteran left tackle has been a consistent anchor to the offensive line for most of his NFL career. LG: Matthew Bergeron Bergeron doesn't get talked about much, but he's quietly developed into a quality starting left guard. He's a monster in the running game and improving as a pass protector. C: Ryan Neuzil* (tendered) Neuzil received a right of refusal tender from Atlanta, meaning he's likely to return in 2025 and replace Drew Dalman. The former undrafted free agent has developed nicely and will finally get his chance to prove himself as the starting center. RG: Chris Lindstrom Lindstrom is arguably the best right guard in the NFL and Atlanta's best offensive lineman. He made the Pro Bowl again last season and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. RT: Kaleb McGary McGary, a former first-round pick, overcame some early career struggles to develop into a quality starter. He's dominant in the running game but still occasionally struggles in pass protection. We initially had Ta'Quon Graham starting in this spot, but Fox is more likely to start based on the contract he signed (two-year, $8.5 million). It won't be easy replacing Grady Jarrett, but Fox has some starting experience and I expect the team to use a heavy rotation up front this season. DT: David Onyemata Onyemata is still a quality interior defensive lineman but he'll have to step up this season to help mitigate the losses of Jarrett and Eddie Goldman. DL: Ruke Orhorhoro The 2024 second-round pick had an underwhelming rookie season but he didn't get much of a chance to prove himself. The former Clemson standout could play a key role in 2025, likely as a starter in Jeff Ulbrich's defense. Floyd may not be the player he once was, but the team desperately needs someone to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Floyd has at least 8.5 sacks in five straight seasons. He's a good short-term option to replace Matthew Judon. LB: Kaden Elliss Elliss was one of the breakout stars last season for Atlanta. The versatile inside linebacker can affect the game in a multitude of ways. He should be back in the middle of Atlanta's defense to kick off the 2025 season. Deablo isn't exactly a household name, but the Falcons felt confident in giving him a two-year, $14 million contract. It's not a guarantee he will start next season, but right now I have the veteran linebacker penciled in. OLB: Arnold Ebiketie Ebiketie was criticized early in his career but seems to be coming into his own. The former Penn State standout has recorded six sacks in each of the last two seasons. CB: A.J. Terrell Terrell had a nice season in 2024 and should continue to be a staple of the Falcons secondary again in 2025. The former first-round pick doesn't get a ton of interceptions, but he's someone who can neutralize the opponent's No. 1 wide receiver most weeks. Hughes played well for much of the season and was rewarded with a new three-year, $18 million contract to remain in Atlanta. He's not exactly an elite No. 2 cornerback, but he's an affordable option who can hold his own. Nickel CB: Clark Phillips III Assuming the team doesn't re-sign Dee Alford, I think Phillips will get his chance to start in the slot next season. Atlanta signed cornerback Mike Ford in free agency, but I don't think he will overtake Phillips for the nickel spot in 2025. FS: Jessie Bates III Jessie Bates is one of the best playmaking safeties in the NFL and should continue to be next season. While there may be some growing pains with whoever the team ends up starting at strong safety, Bates is a savvy veteran who the team can always rely on. According to a report from NFL Network, Fuller is signing with the Falcons to replace safety Justin Simmons. Fuller, 27, played for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in Los Angeles for three seasons, winning a Super Bowl together in 2021. This move to sign fuller likely keeps DeMarcco Hellams in a reserve/third safety role this season. K: Younghoe Koo Koo had an up-and-down season in 2024 as he fought through an injury. Considering the veteran kicker has been remarkably consistent throughout his time in Atlanta, it's a safe bet that he will bounce back in 2025. P: Bradley Pinion Pinion is one of the more underrated punters in the NFL. If you don't hear his name, that just means he's doing his job. KR/PR: Ray-Ray McCloud McCloud will likely take over both the kick and punt return duties next season since Avery Williams signed with the Philadelphia LS: Liam McCullough McCullough was the first player Atlanta re-signed in free agency. The veteran quietly does his job, which is all you can ask for out of a long snapper. Use our Falcons 2025 free agency tracker to stay up to date with every signing.
