Latest news with #No.17
Fox Sports
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Expect A Shiftier Puka Nacua As He Takes On Larger Role For Rams In Year 3
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is already one of the league's best when it comes to making highlight-reel-worthy contested catches on a weekly basis. Now, it's time for him to level up in Year 3. "I would say definitely movement off the line of scrimmage," Nacua told me on what he's worked on this offseason. "The opportunity to work with Davante Adams, if you can get off with a clean release it makes the play work a lot better. So, I would say Coach [Sean] McVay would like how I'm moving at the line of scrimmage. "But also, just to clean up the picture for Matthew Stafford. His ability to put the ball anywhere gives me a lot of confidence that I can run a route and put my foot in the ground anywhere and know that I'm going to be in the right spot. So, the lateral quickness and the ability to move people – whether it's at the line of scrimmage or at the top of the route – has been something that I've been trying to work on." Nacua, who spoke with me courtesy of Gatorade as he welcomed the Gatorade National Players of the Year in an event in Los Angeles last week, has already proven in his young career that when he wants to improve one area of his game, he does so. The BYU product finished with 13 drops during a historic rookie season in 2023, in which he set an NFL rookie record at that time with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. After that impressive season, Nacua worked on improving the consistency of his hands and had only one drop in 2024. While Nacua improved in that area of his game, he dealt with injuries during the 2024 season. He was slowed by a knee injury suffered during training camp, missing five games, but still finished with 79 catches for 990 yards and three touchdowns. As he looks to be more elusive in 2025, Nacua said he has benefited from having the 32-year-old Adams on the roster and learning from one of the best route runners in the NFL. "His ability to take care of himself and the preparation is very awesome to watch," Nacua said about Adams. "And it gives you a blueprint to follow for the rest of my career. You've seen Cooper Kupp do it and Davante Adams do it now, and it's super cool. His change of pace on the football field is something you don't see from a lot of receivers, so it makes it super fun because after practice, when you watch the tape, you're seeing some bodies fall all over the field. And it's because of No. 17." Even though he's no longer teammates with Kupp (who was released by the Rams and signed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason), Nacua and Kupp still worked out together this offseason in Los Angeles. Nacua said he appreciates the two remaining close and credits the Eastern Washington product for the productive start to his career with the Rams. "I know he was probably a little upset when I said we ran routes, and he didn't end up showing up at the facility," Nacua joked about Kupp. "So, it's probably something that we're both still getting used to, but it's been such a blessing that we built a relationship off the field as well. "And to be able to see his boys coming around at our workouts and hanging out with him. To be able to talk ball again and check in on him. He's been someone who's helped me in my career. He was right next to me from the moment I stepped into the NFL, so it was someone I enjoy picking up the phone and calling him." Despite the fact that he's produced at an elite level, Nacua still considers himself as the same guy who was drafted by the Rams with the last pick in the fifth round at No. 177 overall in 2023. And even with the departure of one of the strongest voices in the receiver room in Kupp, Nacua said he'll continue to lean on more veteran voices on the team like Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee, Stafford and Adams to lead the offense. "I definitely want to be the best and I'm chasing every opportunity when I go out there," Nacua said. "And I want every ball to come my way, as a receiver should say. But I know that I'm going to go out there and just do whatever the coach asks me to do because that's what I'm prepared to do." That said, Nacua does expect improved physicality from L.A.'s offense. McVay said during the offseason that he would like his offense to be more adaptable and versatile for the upcoming season. Part of that means running the ball more consistently. The Rams averaged 104 rushing yards a contest during the regular season last year, which was 24th in the NFL. Even worse, Los Angeles averaged 3.92 rushing yards per play, which was 31st in the league. "For me there's something I love about the game of football, and that's the physicality," Nacua said. "I've mentioned his name a couple times because I see him twice a year, and that's Nick Bosa. When you have an opportunity to block a guy like that, or you get to run a route against Jalen Ramsey or Darius Slay or whoever the corner might be, it makes Sundays really fun. "I enjoy Coach McVay's ability to put guys in different spots and put us in the right place on the football field to succeed. It makes the game of football really fun. Matthew Stafford doesn't miss any opportunity to let the football fly. So, we're going to be all over the place. People are going to be moving around and it's going to look like a well-organized show when the Rams are on offense." Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on X at @eric_d_williams. 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! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
NBC Sports
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
NASCAR penalizes Hendrick Motorsports Xfinity team for Pocono violation
NASCAR has penalized the Hendrick Motorsports Xfinity team Chase Elliott drove for last weekend at Pocono for a violation. The team was fined $40,000 and docked 40 car owner points and 10 playoff points Wednesday. Crew chief Adam Wall has been suspended for the next three Xfinity events (through Sonoma) for the L1 violation. The No. 17 team is not entered for Friday night's race at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The car is scheduled to compete next on July 12 at Sonoma with Corey Day as the driver. The team was cited for a violation related to main frame rail conical receivers. The No. 17 car was one of two taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further evaluation after the Pocono race. Elliott finished fourth in that race. NASCAR cited Section 14.3.3.2.1.1.K of the Xfinity Rule Book, which states: 'Main frame rail conical receivers will not be permitted to be moved without having the chassis re-certified prior to the Event at which that chassis will compete.' NASCAR also cited 14.3.3.2.1.1.L of the Xfinity Rule Book, which states: 'Modifications to main frame rail conical receivers that were made to circumvent NASCAR inspection processes, measurement equipment, and/or gauges will not be permitted.'
Chicago Tribune
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Route 66: A rainy day at the Hackberry General Store
HACKBERRY, Arizona — The mayor stretched on the couch under the air conditioner in the Hackberry General Store and looked slightly annoyed at the tourist who woke him from his nap. In addition to his duties as the unofficial leader of the unincorporated former mining town's 334 residents, Charlie the 10-year-old cat is also the store's night security guard and its exterminator. 'He was dropped off as a kitten,' remembered store clerk Eva Rodriguez, 66. 'He was feral, just a mess. But he decided he liked this place.' Located on Route 66 about 30 miles east of Kingman at the edge of the Peacock Mountains in northwest Arizona, the general store was perhaps destined to become another crumbling ruin when the route was decommissioned in 1985. That is, until Bob Waldmire came to town. Waldmire's family opened the Springfield, Illinois, institution Cozy Dog, which is located on Route 66 and claims to have invented the corn dog. Born in St. Louis, he became a legendary figure of the route's lore with his hand-drawn postcards, maps and murals. Both he and the van he took on his frequent route trips served as the inspiration for the character Fillmore in the Disney Pixar film 'Cars.' In the early 1990s, Waldmire purchased the store and turned it into a Route 66 tourist shop. A map he drew along the length of one wall depicts the full route from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, it's barely visible behind currency from around the world tacked up by the shop's visitors. Waldmire's tenure was brief. Before the decade was up, he sold the store. An Associated Press story said the decision was due, in part, to a feud with a local rancher over granite quarries in the area. 'I'm here, I'm an old hippie nature lover, the easiest target in the world,' Waldmire told the AP. 'To be caught alone in unfamiliar territory has been very traumatic.' The store is now owned by Amy Franklin, a former Chicagoan who, according to an Arizona Republic profile, retired to Hackberry and worked as a store clerk until she bought it in 2016. A steady stream of customers browsed the shop's aisles of Route 66 souvenirs — magnets, shirts, luggage and the like — snacks and other memorabilia on a Thursday morning in June. 'They come from all over the world,' said Rodriguez, a retired human resources generalist who lives in town and has worked at the store for the last five years. 'It's amazing. The majority of our guests are non-American … they have to make the trek here.' Almost as if on cue, a couple from Valencia, Spain, approached the counter to purchase Route 66 magnets. Rodriguez excitedly directed the couple — Tiziana Da Pieva, 29, and Carlos Oliver, 32 — to the white and green No. 17 Real Betis jersey hanging from the wall, signed by Spanish soccer player Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez, whom she said visited the store some time back with his family. 'He's handsome too,' she told the couple. 'Muy guapo.' Later, she rang up Route 66 duffle bags for a group from France that decided to travel a portion of Route 66 on their three-week exploration of America's West (other stops included the Grand Canyon and San Francisco). 'We love it,' Murielle Fressancourt, 61, said of her initial impressions of the United States. '.' Outside, at least a dozen people hid from a downpour under the store's awning. A group of older men stood eating ice cream as they inspected the vintage cars in the store's parking lot. Austrian native Mike Antosch, 56, and his wife, Galina Schultes, 46, rode their rented Harley-Davidson from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and then visited a trio of national parks — Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon — before riding a portion of Route 66 from Kingman to Hackberry. Schultes, originally from Ukraine, marveled at the size of America. 'It's not big,' she said, 'it's huge.' Nearby, perched on a chair close to the entrance, guitarist Ray Rose finished the last verse to John Prine's 'Spanish Pipedream' and got ready for his next song, 'Good Hearted Woman,' by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. The 75-year-old local started playing guitar at 13. In his 20s, he made a habit of going to a bar a day before he was scheduled to play there so he could record the songs people picked on the jukebox. That way, he said, he could learn songs people liked. Later in his musical career he performed four nights a week for Grand Canyon tourists. For the last three months, he's set up his microphone, amplifier and iPad full of lyrics outside the Hackberry General Store. He usually starts at 8 a.m. and will wrap up around 1 p.m., before it gets too hot. 'I didn't want to play the clubs,' said Rose, 75. 'Now I busk for tips.' The rain eventually dissipated, as did the audience. While they walked to their cars, Rose played them one more song. 'Get your kicks,' he sang, 'on Route 66.'
Arab Times
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Arab Times
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ascends the podium once again at Rally de Portugal
LISBON, June 9: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) is celebrating its sixth successive Rally de Portugal victory since 2019 and an unbroken streak of five wins in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season. Sébastien Ogier, alongside co-driver Vincent Landais, conquered 24 punishing gravel stages across northern and central Portugal in the No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 to take first place. This victory also marks Ogier's record-breaking seventh win in the country. Teammates Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen added to the team's dominance with a strong third-place finish in the No. 69 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. TGR-WRT now holds the top three positions in the drivers' championship, while Toyota has extended its lead in the manufacturers' standings to 55 points. Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: 'Congratulations to Seb and Vincent for winning Rally Portugal for the second year in a row! It was a rally where we were all impressed once again by Seb's adaptability. This was Seb's first gravel rally in a long while, and his first event with the Hankook gravel tyres. Moreover, he had only one day of testing in the rain before the rally.' Toyoda added: 'I'm also very grateful to all the engineers and mechanics who immediately responded to Seb's feedback. His feedback gave new insights to everyone, and the whole team became even stronger. Six more gravel rounds are coming, including Rally Finland, which is an important home event for us. We hope to make use of what we learned here in Portugal and drive our new silver-coloured GR YARIS Rally1 through the summer gravel rallies that await us from here on!' Rally de Portugal was the first of three consecutive hot and rugged gravel events in southern Europe that put vehicles, tires, and drivers to the test. The first full day of the rally was one of the longest of the season so far, featuring 10 stages interrupted only by two brief remote service halts. Ogier and co-driver Landais ended the day in second place, just seven seconds off the lead. Ogier engaged in a close battle the following day with the leader and took control after his rival was slowed by an issue during the rough afternoon stages. Ogier then carefully managed his advantage through a relatively long final day to ultimately seal victory by 8.7 seconds. Rovanperä and Halttunen completed a double podium for the team with a third-place finish. They also claimed second place in the Super Sunday classification and third in the Power Stage, earning valuable additional points toward the championship. Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota's participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota's belief that 'the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,' TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota's commitment to making 'ever-better' cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone. Round 6 of the 2025 FIA WRC calendar takes the championship to Rally Italia Sardegna (June 5-8). Known for its fast yet narrow gravel stages lined with exposed rocks and roadside trees, the rally presents constant challenges for drivers. High temperatures and the event's abrasive surfaces place significant stress on both vehicles and tyres.
The Mainichi
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Baseball: Ohtani goes 2-for-4, Dodgers kept quiet in loss to Mets
LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Shohei Ohtani's 2-for-4 outing was one of the few bright spots for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 6-1 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday. The reigning National League MVP registered multiple hits for the first time in June, lining a single off former Los Angeles Angels teammate Griffin Canning (6-2) in the bottom of the third and reaching with a grounder in the eighth at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani directed some good-natured taunting from first base at Canning, who had gotten the Japanese star to fly out as he led off the game for the Dodgers. Pete Alonso homered twice for the Mets, putting them ahead 3-0 with his two-run blast in the first, then doubling the lead with a three-run shot in the eighth. The Dodgers did not get on the board until Andy Pages homered in the ninth as he went 3-for-4. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts earlier presented a ride-on toy Porsche to Ohtani for his baby daughter, referencing previous car-related pranks between the pair. After breaking Roberts' franchise record for home runs by a Japanese-born player last May, Ohtani made good on a promise to buy the manager a car by gifting him a replica model Porsche. Ohtani had previously made headlines by giving Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly's wife a real Porsche in exchange for the pitcher's uniform No. 17. "We have a little running practical joke situation going on, but this was a gift for the baby," Roberts said.
