Latest news with #PEDs
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams training camp preview: How many roster spots are available for WRs in 2025?
Can Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield and other WRs make some noise in camp? The Los Angeles Rams' receiving corps looks like one of the best on paper entering 2025. Puka Nacua is back as a top playmaker, while Davante Adams joins the roster as a free agent – and a big one, at that. Tutu Atwell returned on a $10 million deal and Jordan Whittington is entering Year 2 after showing promise as a rookie, giving the Rams great depth at the position. That should make for some exciting and intriguing camp battles this summer as players not only jockey for a roster spot, but also for positioning on the depth chart. Here's a look at the receiver group heading into training camp. Roster locks Nacua, Adams and Atwell are all obviously going to make the team, being the top three receivers on the team. Nacua and Adams are 1a and 1b, while Atwell's $10 million fully guaranteed contract make him a lock. Whittington may not seem like a lock as a former sixth-round pick but there's no chance the Rams are going to let him go. He offers too much value as a WR4 and return specialist, as evidenced last season when he filled in admirably when the Rams were banged up. Likely to make it Mumpfield was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round this year but that doesn't guarantee him a roster spot whatsoever. Teams cut seventh-round rookies all the time, so Mumpfield will have to earn his place on the team. The Rams really liked him as a late-round prospect so he does have the benefit over the undrafted rookies, but he has work to do in order to carve out a role for himself. On the bubble Based on these projections, the Rams have five wideouts who are likely to make the team. They'll probably keep six or more wideouts when they trim their roster to 53 players, which means there might only be one player from this group who sticks around into September. Smith and Covey both have an advantage thanks to their special teams ability as returners, but will the Rams really keep both of them? Probably not. Edwards, Williams and Presley are undrafted rookies who have encouraging skill sets, and Stoops is facing a two-game suspension for PEDs, so that puts him behind the eight ball. Position battle to watch Whittington is a really exciting young player who plays similarly to Nacua in the fact that they're both physical and aggressive, putting their bodies on the line every play. Mumpfield has far more to prove as a late-round rookie but his route running is great and he's just a well-rounded receiver who does a lot of things well without being outstanding in one area. It's possible Atwell, Whittington and Mumpfield will all rotate on offense, but the most important position battle is the one between Whittington and Mumpfield. Potential sleeper Williams is an undrafted rookie who stands at 5-foot-9, but he's lightning quick and like Covey and Smith, he can be a return specialist for the Rams. He's still a long shot to make the team, given the depth Los Angeles has atop the depth chart, but he's someone who shouldn't be ruled out. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies 'Hoping To Acquire' Star Relief Pitcher From Struggling AL Club
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. The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in baseball, but they still need to hunt for some major upgrades ahead of the trade deadline. The biggest hole on the Phillies' roster is in the bullpen following Jose Alvarado's crushing suspension. Alvarado was dealt an 80-game suspension that'll also see him ineligible for the postseason following a failed drug test for PEDs. Luckily for Philadelphia, the trade block is set to have quite a few talented relievers available this year. Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently reported the Phillies were hoping to acquire at least one of Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins. ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 27: Jhoan Duran #59, Justin Topa #48 and Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins look on prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 27, 2025... ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 27: Jhoan Duran #59, Justin Topa #48 and Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins look on prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 27, 2025 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. More Brace Hemmelgarn/"The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them," Nightengale wrote. "The Twins also are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds." It would make sense for the struggling Twins to trade both of these relievers this year. For the Phillies, it would come down to how much prospect capital they're willing to part with to land the reliever they want. If Philadelphia is willing to trade a huge haul, it could secure Duran. Duran is one of the more talented relievers in baseball and has team control on his contract through the 2027 season. Jax is nearly as talented, but his trade value should be much less than Duran's. The Phillies could try to swing a monster trade to acquire both pitchers from the Twins if they're willing to put together a blockbuster prospect return. More MLB: Astros Listed As Landing Spot In Potential Trade For $45 Million Ace
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
More than 7 000 grade R teachers aren't qualified to teach their class
As the Bela Bill takes shape, the Department of Basic education admits 22% of Grade R teachers in SA are not qualified. As the Department of Basic Education (DBE) pushes ahead with the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill, it has admitted that more than 7 000 grade R teachers across South Africa are not qualified to teach the grade. This revelation came during a Basic Education parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday. According to the DBE, there are 25 944 qualified Grade R teachers in the system. However, when adding unqualified practitioners, 22% of all Grade R teachers are not suitably equipped to educate pupils in this critical foundation phase. KZN tops list of unqualified grade R teachers KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of unqualified Grade R teachers with 1 937, followed by the Western Cape with 1 416. The department also noted that KZN still has 198 schools without Grade R classes. In contrast, the North West had the fewest unqualified grade R teachers, just two, followed by Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga reported a total of 2 033 Grade R practitioners, but 280 of them remain unqualified. This accounts for nearly 14%, or about one in five grade R teachers in the province, who do not meet the required qualifications. ALSO READ: Payment delays for school assistants caused by DBE verification issues DBE oversight visits uncover policy gaps The DBE has been conducting oversight visits as part of the Bela Bill implementation and uncovered several systemic issues. These include outdated or incomplete admissions policies at many schools. 'School learner admissions policies have not yet been amended to include provisions of the amended South African Schools Act,' said the DBE. The department said some districts have not yet ratified these policies, and those that have adopted them must provide feedback to schools. Fee-paying schools were also found to be screening parents' ability to pay, although only to advise them to apply for exemptions. 'PEDs must work with district policy and planning units to ensure that admission policies comply with the amended Act,' the department said. ALSO READ: 'Renewed energy': New NYDA CEO gets to work as youth joblessness hits crisis point Questionable admissions The DBE also raised concerns about disparities in classroom sizes, particularly where some schools use Afrikaans as a medium of instruction to maintain class sizes as low as 24 pupils, while others remain overcrowded. 'PEDs are to introduce parallel medium schools in order to balance learner numbers across districts,' it added. In Gauteng, two unisex hostel high schools were flagged for admitting pupils outside the official online application processes. These schools reportedly identify pupils ahead of the application period. 'The PED must clarify how admissions at all hostel schools are handled and provide clear timelines for placement applications,' the department said. NOW READ: Western Cape school principal gets job back after demotion over 'kwedini' remark to his deputy
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Braves Gain Offseason Signing Back Wednesday Following PED Suspension
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. The Atlanta Braves signed Jurickson Profar to a three-year $42 million contract this offseason, and the outfielder played in just four games before receiving an 80-game suspension for PEDs. Profar earned the contract following a career-best season in WAR after once being the league's No. 1 prospect in 2013, according to MLB Pipeline. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Jurickson Profar #7 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 28, 2025 in San Diego, California. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Jurickson Profar #7 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 28, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo byProfar returns from his suspension on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, and manager Brian Snitker is trying to find out how his talents are best suited for the Braves' lineup. Since Profar's suspension was announced, the Braves have had five different left fielders and no one has stuck at the position. Gaining Profar back will be a boost to the clarity of Atlanta's day-to-day lineup. It is now time for Profar to prove to the fans that his career-best season last year was not due to PEDs and that he will be able to produce during the remainder of his contract with the Braves. Profar had a 12-game stint with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he had a batting average of .326 and a .991 OPS. While the talent in Triple-A is not the same as the majors, it is an uplifting sign that Profar had a good stint in his preparation to return to Major League Baseball. While Profar can help the Braves get back into the mix of October talks if the team were to make it that far this season, Profar will be ineligible to play in the postseason for the Braves as a result of the PED suspension. It is time for Profar to return and prove that he is able to earn his contract without the help of PEDs. More MLB: Should Dodgers Consider Shohei Ohtani As Lights-Out Closer?
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Hall-of-Famer Demetrious Johnson Questions Jon Jones GOAT Status Over Failed Steroid Tests
UFC Hall-of-Famer Demetrious Johnson Questions Jon Jones GOAT Status Over Failed Steroid Tests originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Performance-enhancing drug usage has long been an issue in sports, but especially in the world of combat sports like boxing and MMA. While some fighters have built untarnished reputations, others have seen their accomplishments overshadowed by doping scandals. The question of how PED violations should impact an athlete's standing in the "greatest of all time" conversation remains controversial. A clean record should, however, be a non-negotiable trait when deeming someone the GOAT as cheating in such an egregious way sullies the integrity of a sport. Advertisement Demetrious Johnson, UFC hall-of-famer and one of MMA's most decorated champions, recently weighed in on the debate during an interview with Ariel Helwani in Las Vegas heading into Saturday's UFC 317 fight card. Jon JonesChris Unger-GettyImages "Mighty Mouse," who has never failed a drug test, emphasized the importance of a clean career when discussing all-time greatness, saying, "I've never failed a drug test. Khabib has never failed a drug test. GSP has never failed a drug test. We've never been stripped.' Johnson drew a clear line between fighters with clean records and the record of Jon Jones, who has multiple PED violations. He argued that evidence of PED usage should disqualify him from GOAT consideration. Advertisement "If you go back and peel back the onion, and you look at the whole entire career, I'm not saying Jon Jones didn't do great things, he was an amazing athlete.' Johnson said, acknowledging Jones' undeniable talent. Despite admitting Jones' achievements, Johnson listed athletes considered the GOATs of their respective sports and noted that they were never found guilty of using any PEDs. 'When you start talking about the greatest of all time, you look at Muhammad Ali, I don't think he's ever failed a drug test. You look at Floyd Mayweather, he's never failed a drug test. You look at [Oleksandr] Usyk, He's never failed a drug test. When you start looking at the greatest athlete, Usain Bolt, he's never failed a drug test,' Johnson said. 'Name one athlete that's considered the greatest of all time in a sport that's failed a drug test.' Jones' history includes multiple suspensions, overturned results, and controversies that forced the relocation of UFC 232, and even forced Dana White to strip him of the UFC light heavyweight championship belt. Advertisement This debate, however, isn't just about Jones. It's about the standards UFC fans and media analysts should uphold when evaluating legacies. Demetrious Johnson's career is the ultimate counterpoint to Jones' case as a GOAT. DJ proves that longevity and success can coexist with accountability. Related: Dana White Makes Massive Announcements About Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall Related: Jon Jones Faces Serious Allegations Shortly After Retiring, Ends UFC Career With Shame and Scandal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
