Latest news with #Riddick
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dolphins Receive Concerning Outlook Following Series of Wild Trades
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 Miami Dolphins had plenty of question marks heading into the 2025 season, but the team pulled off a series of trades that have certainly confused fans and pundits alike. More news: Dolphins' Tyreek Hill Has Perfect Response to Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith Trade On Monday, the Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL world, as All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick were sent to the Dolphins in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Initially, everyone believed the Dolphins lost the trade, and grades were given out that favored the Steelers' side of things. However, Miami did get Fitzpatrick back, who is one of the best safeties in the entire NFL. Despite two wild trades, that was not the end of the Dolphins making moves. On Tuesday, the NFL world was again shocked when it was announced that the team traded for former New York Giants tight end Darren Waller, who is ending his retirement to join Miami. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 22: Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Miami will be... SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 22: Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Miami will be starting a new quarterback this week. More Photo byMore news: Darren Waller Shockingly Ends Retirement to Play for Dolphins Waller retired in June 2024 to pursue a career in music, but has decided to give the NFL another shot. He reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who helped him have three breakout years with the Las Vegas Raiders. Considering these wild moves, the Dolphins now have received a concerning outlook from one of their biggest supporters, ESPN's Louis Riddick. Riddick often voices support for the team, along with Tua Tagovailoa, but his outlook on the Dolphins' recent moves might sound a bit concerning. #Dolphins the very definition of uncertainty going into 2025. Have zero idea what this team will look like, play like, come together like chemistry wise. Zero. Fascinating to me. — Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) July 1, 2025 #Dolphins the very definition of uncertainty going into 2025. Have zero idea what this team will look like, play like, come together like chemistry wise. Zero. Fascinating to me," Riddick posted to X. While Riddick's post can be taken as positive, considering he used the word "intriguing," the fact that he also led with the Dolphins being the "definition of uncertainty" is far more concerning. Riddick has a major point. Fitzpatrick is a major upgrade at safety, especially after the Dolphins lost star safety Jevon Holland in free agency to the Giants. However, losing Ramsey means the team has a glaring hole in their secondary. Storm Duck, Kader Kohou, and Jason Marshall Jr. are the presumed starters, but Duck and Kohou are certainly not of the caliber that Ramsey is, and Marshall is a rookie. A veteran is needed, and the Dolphins need to look to Stephon Gilmore, Asante Samuel Jr., or even give Xavien Howard a call. The same can be said for the tight end position. Waller is nobody to scoff at, but he has not played in the NFL for over a year. His 2023 season ended with 552 yards and one touchdown, which pales in comparison to Smith, who got 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Waller was one of the best tight ends with the Raiders, posting over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, but his production has taken a big dip since the 2021 season. The Dolphins don't necessarily need Waller to become George Kittle, but they do need a tight end who can catch and block. Waller might be that, but the team is taking a sizeable risk on his return. Miami could surprise the league and be one of the best teams, but with questions at corner, the offensive line, and even tight end — Riddick's assessment of uncertainty is something that should be felt by everyone. More NFL: Aaron Rodgers and Steelers OC Haven't Figured Out Offense For more on the Dolphins and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn football 2025 player profile: LB Demarcus Riddick
Riddick will look to anchor the Auburn linebacker room as a sophomore in 2025. One of the few areas of question this season for the Auburn Tigers will be at linebacker. Who will anchor the unit? A worthy candidate would be sophomore Demarcus Riddick, who burst onto the scene quickly in his career. After making two total stops in his first two games, Riddick broke out against Oklahoma with six tackles and a sack in just 23 snaps played. He went on to make at least two tackles in each of the final six games, with his next top performance coming against Vanderbilt, when he made five stops. In all, Riddick created 16 pressures last season with 11 quarterback hurries and three sacks. Riddick, along with Robert Woodyard and LSU transfer Xavier Atkins, are expected to run the linebacker corps this season, which will allow younger players such as Jakaleb Faulk, DJ Barber, and Bryce Deas to develop. Here is a look at Demarcus Riddick's 2025 player profile. Demarcus Riddick's personal profile Demarcus Riddick as a recruit Demarcus Riddick's career numbers Demarcus Riddick's PFF report card The best photos of Demarcus Riddick's career Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-NFL executive doubles down on Cam Ward-Patrick Mahomes comparison
Leading up to and after the NFL draft, experts have debated who the Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward shares similarities with. While there are many comparisons out there, one sparks more debate than the others: comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Former NFL executive turned analyst has been one of the leading proponents of this comparison and continues to voice his opinion. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick is a staunch believer in Ward and has continually spoken about him turning the Titans franchise around in much the same manner that Mahomes has done with the Chiefs. Riddick recently joined 104.5 The Zone's The Buck Reising Show and broke down what he sees in Ward. 'Yeah, no, I think from a stylistic standpoint, Cam has a lot of things that look very similar to the way Patrick likes to play the game," said Riddick. "Patrick always described it as being like he's playing baseball, like he's just throwing the ball at first base. And that's why his feet sometimes are parallel. The ball sometimes comes out sidearm, three-quarter sidearm. It's a little unorthodox as far as how quarterback traditionally was played. Well, Cam Ward does the same thing. He can do the same types of things. He has very similar arm horsepower to Patrick. He just does. I've seen it up close in person, both of them, so I know. So I'm speaking from experience.' Riddick is uniquely qualified to make this comparison, having spent seven years in the league as a player with multiple organizations after being a ninth-round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers, and following that with another 13 years in front offices with the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, rising from the scouting department to director of player personnel. After his years in the NFL, he transitioned into media, working with ESPN as a college and pro football analyst. But his role as a talent evaluator heading into the draft allowed him to dissect players like Ward and Mahomes and recognize the similarities in their games. While the comparison to Mahomes may be a bit premature, there are many reasons why it has some merit, and Riddick continued to break them down. 'He's exactly what Tennessee needs," Riddick said. "That's the kind of personality in that position that Tennessee needs. That's the kind of skill set that Tennessee needs to take that offense and really level it up. He comes from a great family, super supportive people, super nice people, and he is just uniquely zeroed in on trying to be the best damn quarterback he can be. And that's it. That's all he cares about." "Why wouldn't everybody in Tennessee go and put their arms around him and go, just lead us, man. We're going to ride your coattails. That's exactly what you want. And he's built for it. He's just simply built for it. I'm as convicted on this young man in terms of his makeup as any, whether it was Jayden Daniels last year or CJ Stroud the year before. I'm very much so Team Cam Ward.' Ward has a long way to go before he can be held in the same regard as Mahomes, but he does have some of the characteristics needed to match that comparison. One of the hardest workers so far through OTAs, his confidence and leadership qualities have been raved about throughout the offseason. Next stop: training camp.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Retired shop owner earns degree to honor victims of the Orangeburg Massacre
Orangeburg, South Carolina — New York native Linwood Riddick could have spent his golden years in Summerville, South Carolina, tickling the ivories or whatever else tickled his fancy. But instead, the 79-year-old retired shop owner has spent the last six years poring over textbooks and dragging himself to class at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, relentless in his pursuit of a college education. "I just stepped on the accelerator and didn't stop," Riddick told CBS News. "…I was determined to complete what I started." To understand why it mattered so, we need to go back to 1968, when protests against segregation were erupting across the country. One of the deadliest protests occurred at South Carolina State University, where three unarmed Black students were shot and killed by police in what became known as the Orangeburg Massacre. The three killed were Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond Jr. and Delano Middleton. Smith and Hammond were students at SCSU, and Middleton was a high school senior whose mother worked at the university. More than two dozen protesters were also wounded. Nine South Carolina Highway patrolmen, all White, were indicted on federal charges in the shooting, but were all acquitted. Linwood Riddick had never heard of the Orangeburg Massacre until a few years ago when he stumbled on a campus memorial. He says he knew right then what he had to do. "I said, you know, I'm coming here…because I want to put my contributions to their sacrifice,' Riddick said. "And when I get my degree, it's going to be in their name." "In his mind, he was completing their mission," SCSU President Alexander Conyers told CBS News of Riddick. "...He started here in 2019 with zero credits, you know, driving from Summerville every day, which is almost an hour to class and back home." That patience and persistence earned him a bachelor's degree in music industry. And earlier this month, he walked across the stage to a standing ovation. But the more important walk was yet to come, one done alone and without any pomp or circumstance to the Orangeburg Massacre memorial. With that, Riddick's mission was complete. And although it started as a symbolic gesture, Conyers says it'll have a very real impact. "Mr. Riddick has brought this back to the forefront for this university, for this community, for this state — to remind us of our solemn duty to never forget." Here's how much Qatar's plane gifted to Trump administration will cost to retrofit Biggest takeaways from RFK Jr.'s MAHA report What is Trump's message to the European Union amid new tariff threats
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran
Linwood Riddick didn't enroll at South Carolina State University, an Orangeburg, South Carolina, HBCU, in pursuit of a career. Instead, he came seeking clarity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a way to honor a legacy that deeply moved him. This month, the Vietnam War veteran and longtime member of the SC State Concert Choir received his bachelor's degree in music industry-just weeks before his 80th birthday in July. His journey to that diploma was far from traditional, but it was firmly grounded in personal conviction. "I was walking through campus one day and overheard some men discussing the Orangeburg Massacre," Riddick recalled, referring to the tragic 1968 police shooting that claimed the lives of three unarmed Black students at SC State. "I thought to myself, 'I need to come here, leave my mark on this institution in honor of those young men.'" Now, with his academic journey complete, Riddick hopes his story will inspire others. "People will see me and hopefully understand the purpose behind my being here," he said. A Moment of Recognition SC State President Alexander Conyers made a special pause during Friday's commencement ceremony to honor Riddick as he stepped down from the choir risers. "Mr. Riddick, at 80 years old, has been fully immersed in the student experience-singing in the choir, performing at events," Conyers said. "You inspire us all." Later in the ceremony, Conyers personally handed Riddick his diploma, and the arena erupted in applause from his fellow graduates and the audience. From Service to Song Born in New York and raised in Virginia, Riddick began his college journey at Norfolk State University before being drafted into the U.S. Navy and serving in Vietnam. After returning home, he built a successful business selling souvenirs and various goods for over 30 years. "I did my time in the military, came back, got some help from the VA, and started my own business," he said. "I ran that business until I retired at 72." Instead of settling into retirement, Riddick began commuting from his home in Summerville, South Carolina, to Orangeburg for classes. "I wanted to keep my mind and body active," he said. "The brain is like a spiritual muscle-it needs to be used. Mind, body, soul, and spirit-all must be engaged." An HBCU Voice and a Mentor At SC State, Riddick became a familiar face in the Concert Choir, performing at commencements and special occasions. But his impact extended far beyond the stage. His presence brought inspiration and wisdom to a younger generation of students. Riddick hopes to continue supporting his HBCU. He plans on working with faculty and students to build stronger intergenerational connections and spark greater student engagement. "We need to bridge the gap," he said. "Sometimes, one must teach one. With all I've been through, I want to mentor these students. Hopefully, the faculty and I can foster more connection. We need innovation." A Message of Hope Riddick's advice to others, particularly seniors, is simple but powerful: "If I can do it, you can do it. Nothing's impossible if you try." As for the future? He jokes, "The only thing left for me now is to get computerized-but I've got everything else covered." The post HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
