Latest news with #SpencerBrown
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros get Shohei Ohtani news ahead of Dodgers series
The Houston Astros are in the middle of a very strong season so far. A huge reason for their success is their two staff aces in Spencer Brown and Framber Valdez. Both will be tested when they face the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. During that weekend Dodgers series, the Astros will send Valdez out on the mound on Saturday, July 5th. On the mound for the Dodgers is officially going to be Shohei Ohtani, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. While Ohtani doesn't go deep into games yet in his return from injury, the matchup against Valdez will be a very exciting one. Both, at their best, are among the best pitchers in the game. Advertisement This season, Ohtani has pitched just four innings, but has a 2.25 ERA and three strikeouts. In comparison, Valdez has 109 innings pitched with 108 strikeouts and a 2.72 ERA. MORE: Astros call up former Mets, Red Sox, Braves infielder Houston is no stranger to facing Ohtani, as the former Los Angeles Angels superstar made 13 starts against the Astros. In those starts, Ohtani had a 4.01 ERA and a 3-6 record. Across 67.1 innings pitched against the Astros, Ohtani struck out 88 batters and walked 25. He also isn't at his best as a hitter, as he has a .238 batting average and 15 home runs through 83 games against the Astros as a batter. Advertisement The Astros are set to face off against Ohtani for his fifth start since coming off Tommy John surgery. It's the first time Ohtani will face the Astros as a member of the Dodgers, a team the Astros have a deep connection with after their World Series win in 2017. While Ohtani likely won't match Valdez's innings pitched (barring a disaster), the matchup is one of the best in baseball over the weekend. MORE MLB NEWS:
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Tyson Fury slaps Usyk's face on SEX DOLL and sends rival X-rated message after performing retirement U-turn
TYSON FURY has been getting to grips with an Oleksandr Usyk faced SEX DOLL just hours after hinting a trilogy fight with his rival is in the pipeline. The Gypsy King seemingly performed a U-turn on his fifth retirement from boxing on Thursday by revealing an apparent date for a third showdown with his two-time conqueror. 4 4 4 Fury, 36, is adamant he was robbed of victory in the back-to-back Riyadh rumbles with the slick southpaw, which earned him a pretty penny. And he's seemingly trying to get an early handle on the elusive Olympian ahead of what would be a shock third showdown by plastering his face on a blow-up sex doll. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion posted a video of himself holding the clothes-less doll with a picture of Usyk's face on it to his Instagram account. After manager Spencer Brown claimed he'd been to the "sex shop", Fury replied: "I've got myself a little Usyk. "I'm getting ready for when we fight in April 26. In the meantime, he's gonna get f****d." His accompanying caption for the video read: "Just getting ready for @usykaa fight. "But in the meanwhile, i'll be at it 🤣😜🤣🤣🤣😎#livinglife." 4 Fury announced his fifth retirement from the sport in January, just a matter of weeks after his second straight defeat to Usyk. In the months which followed, the Wythenshawe warrior repeatedly shut down the prospect of setting foot inside the ring again and insisted he was content with his achievements. Tyson Fury and Jake Paul's text messages leaked with money brother Tommy has been offered for rematch revealed But earlier this week, he roared: I want my revenge (on Usyk) in England. "That's all I want, a fair shout. And I don't believe I've got a fair shout the last two times. "That's the one I want but if I don't get that then it will be Joshua, the biggest British fight that will ever happen. "It would break all records and sell out 100,000 at Wembley in an hour. "It's a fight that I think can happen for sure if I decide to come back and the deal's right." Discussing a third option of taking on Dubiois, Fury added: "If I was to return and fight Dubois, he wouldn't land a glove on me, it would be a one-sided beatdown. "But I wish him luck in his fight against Usyk, but I would annihilate him." Usyk will be back in action on July 19, taking on IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois at Wembley for all the heavyweight marbles.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Offensive line
The Buffalo Bills are moving into their next major offseason phase in due time: Training camp. The Bills will kick off their 2025 training camp on July 23 at St. John Fisher University. As with every offseason, Bills Wire will examine each position group ahead of this pivotal time on the football calendar. Advertisement Our 2025 offensive line preview can be found below: At the top Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) defends against Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Buffalo's offensive line will look identical to last year's starting quintet. Connor McGovern was tremendous after sliding over to the center position from left guard last year. At the guard position, the Bills will have veteran David Edwards on the left side, accompanied by third-year pro O'Cyrus Torrence. Dion Dawkins will secure Josh Allen's blind side for the eighth consecutive season, while Spencer Brown holds down the right tackle spot for the fifth year in a row. Depth chart Bills offensive line Keaton Bills and Alec Anderson work on blocking. Guard Alec Anderson was the Bills' sixth lineman in jumbo packages in 2024. He ended up playing in approximately 27 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps. Advertisement Behind McGovern, the Bills have 2024 draft pick Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and UDFA Jacob Bayer. Along with Anderson, former Houston first-round pick Kendrick Green. Mike Edwards, and Rush Reimer follow at the guard position. Tylan Grable, Ryan van Demark, Richard Gouraige, Chase Lundt, and Travis Clayton round out the tackle position. The depth at the offensive line position could be one of the more interesting position battles to follow this season. Anderson might see some competition from rookie tight end Jackson Hewes in the Bills jumbo packages. In addition, the next man up at tackle will be an intriguing spot to follow. In 2025... Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, carrying the ball, keeps low as teammate Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown blocks opening a spot for him during first half action at the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025. The Bills offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in 2024, and there's great optimism that the unit can repeat this feat. The unit gelled quickly, as McGovern took the helm at center seamlessly. Dawkins and Brown are one of the top tackle duos in the league. Meanwhile, the interior line should work well to produce another above-average season for the ground game and protect Josh Allen in the aerial attack. Advertisement The major interesting point this season will be who the Bills prioritize as part of their long-term plans on the offensive line. Depending on who makes the final roster, Buffalo could be setting up players for a starting role in 2026. We can look at the case of David Edwards as a litmus test for how the Bills could handle their long-term line concerns. Edwards did not start a game in 2023 but earned full-time starter reps when the left guard position opened up in 2024. This could be help predict who could be a starter in 2026. This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills training camp preview offensive line
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bills training camp 2025 offensive line preview: One battle could be brewing
Since this Bills regime took over in 2017, they have been attempting to find their way with the offensive line. Through many draft picks, free agent investments and tough decisions, it all finally clicked for the team in 2024. The Bills had a good starting unit in 2023 that took an even bigger step forward in 2024, giving franchise quarterback Josh Allen the best offensive line he's had during his NFL career. How do things stack up for the offensive line heading into yet another year that they'll be pushing for a Super Bowl? While many faces remain the same, an eye on the future is essential with this group. Here is a detailed outlook of the offensive line for when the Bills return for training camp in late July. For the most part, nothing. The Bills had one of the best offensive lines in football last year and returned all five of their starters for 2025. The Bills employed one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league in Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, and the expectation is for that to continue as a strength in 2025. On the interior, left guard David Edwards, center Connor McGovern and right guard O'Cyrus Torrence were well above-average players. Even the team's top three backups are the same, with Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. The Bills did use one of their late-round picks on Chase Lundt to bring in another developmental offensive tackle prospect, but outside of him, the continuity for most of the group is uncanny by NFL standards. Advertisement How are they prioritizing extensions for the three interior starters? The Bills starting five are all signed in 2025 as they hope to resume their stay as one of the best units in the league. However, 2025 may very well be the last time the entire starting group is together. There are two key free agents on the horizon in McGovern and Edwards. On top of that, Torrence is a free agent after the 2026 season, which complicates the future of their interior offensive line a great deal. Torrence took a big step forward during the second half of the 2024 season, and should he continue that progress into a full year, the Bills could look at him as their next substantial extension investment next offseason. Top-of-the-market guards are not as cheap as they once were, so if Torrence becomes one of their key pieces moving forward, the cap space needed to keep him on the team could cause them to move on from the combination of Edwards and McGovern. The money for Torrence might be what the Bills have usually set aside for their starting center since general manager Brandon Beane arrived. Between McGovern and Edwards, the natural inclination is to think the Bills would favor McGovern just because of their investments at center throughout Beane's tenure. Beane invested in a contract extension for Eric Wood. After Wood had to retire and the Bills went a year without an answer at center, they signed Mitch Morse to a long-term, top-of-market deal. McGovern settled in nicely in 2024 in his first year at center, and that will help their potential decisions. However, McGovern turns 28 during the season, they have some in-house candidates to start there should he leave, and the Torrence discussion complicates a potential new deal for McGovern entirely. Edwards has been a revelation for the contracts he's signed with the team. He was their trusted jumbo package sixth offensive lineman in 2023 and that earned him a low-cost two-year deal. In 2024, he not only became their starting left guard, but he was also one of the most consistent players on the team last season. Edwards has easily outplayed his originally signed extension of $6 million over two years, and nailing contracts like that is part of what helps a team get over the top. Given his impact, it would be a surprise for Edwards to sign an extension before the season anywhere near the value they got him on in this last deal. Plus, the 28-year-old Edwards could be their lowest priority between Torrence, McGovern and Edwards, given his age and position. But the big question remains: what are the Bills valuing most with this trio? Do they want to prioritize Torrence, even if it means assigning more cap space to one guard than they ever have before under Beane? Or will they want their most notable continuity to be at center, with McGovern remaining the man in the middle of the offensive line past 2025, even if it means watching Torrence walk in 2027? And what does that all mean for Edwards? The upcoming season will be paramount to all of their critical decisions for a part of their offensive line that has helped them get to greater success as both a rushing offense and pass-blocking unit. IOL Alec Anderson vs. IOL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger While this battle won't be at the top of everyone's list, the battle between Anderson and Van Pran-Granger could have long-term implications. They would be battling for the backup center role to McGovern, who, as we pointed out, is a free agent in March and may not be in their plans if their re-signing priorities are elsewhere. If their plan is to move on from McGovern, it opens up an opportunity for one of Anderson or Van Pran-Granger to be at the top of their mind for who would be the potential starter in 2026. Anderson is a restricted free agent, while Van Pran-Granger is signed through 2027. Anderson has more in-game experience, but there are questions about whether he's better suited to play guard than center. Van Pran-Granger struggled a bit in his lone extended opportunity in Week 18, but he's a center first, which helps his cause. It would be unfair to conclude what Van Pran-Granger's potential could be based on that one game. Because the starting positions are spoken for in 2025, how Anderson and Van Pran-Granger perform in their center reps during camp practices and the preseason could determine who McGovern's true backup is this season, and if they play well enough, maybe even the Bills' starting center in 2026. Advertisement OT Ryan Van Demark Van Demark has been a success story of the Bills' development abilities, graduating from a practice squad player to having two seasons on the 53-man roster — many of those games with him serving as the top backup offensive tackle. But a few things have put Van Demark on the bubble in 2025. The first was his performance at right tackle during camp and in opportunities last season. Now with three full seasons under his belt in Buffalo and similar concerns that he's a left tackle only, the lack of versatility hurts his cause. Second, Van Demark was passed on the depth chart by versatile rookie Tylan Grable, who has been trained at both tackle spots and inside at guard. And third, the team used a sixth-round pick on Lundt this April, which could take Van Demark's spot on the team. This is a big summer for Van Demark's future on the team. Tylan Grable Grable came through in his first summer and rose through the ranks rapidly. He made the 53-man roster outright as a late-round pick and took Van Demark's job as the top offensive tackle reserve to begin the year. Grable then landed on Injured Reserve in Week 4, allowing Van Demark another chance to reclaim his job, but with Van Demark's struggles at right tackle in Week 18, the Bills went back to having Grable as the top backup swing tackle for the playoffs, making Van Demark a healthy scratch for the entire postseason. The expectation is that Grable will be the favorite to retain that role this summer, but what makes him a sleeper is his versatility in giving the team reps at guard. With Grable signed through 2027, you can't rule out him being a contender for the starting left guard job in 2026 if the Bills move on from Edwards. Grable had an impressive rookie year, all things considered, so we'll see if he can continue his in-house ascent. Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Chase Lundt Because the Bills have so many of the same faces returning for 2025, there aren't that many difficult decisions ahead. The starters will remain the same, and the top three backups will likely remain the same. It really comes down to two questions. First, will they find enough room to keep 10 offensive linemen? They have in the past, but usually only go with nine, and have some different positions with many contenders to make the team, pulling them toward keeping nine again this year. Second, if they only keep nine, will it be the experienced Van Demark or the rookie Lundt, who is on a four-year deal, that they keep as their final offensive lineman? At this stage, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the rookie, as the Bills generally like to keep their picks on the team if they have the spot for them.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tyson Fury, 36, receives generous offer to return to boxing five months after retiring
TYSON FURY could walk straight into a shock world title fight if he reverses his latest retirement. The Wythenshawe warrior hung up his gloves for a FIFTH TIME following his second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk last December but has flirted with a ring return in recent months. 3 3 3 And WBC supremo Mauricio Sulaiman is willing to give The Gypsy King an immediate crack at their prestigious green belt should he decide to lace his gloves up again. The president of the Mexican sanctioning body told The Action Network: "Tyson is so special. "And when I talk to him, he is still upset about the Oleksandr Usyk fight because he believes he won the rematch. "But he is happily retired and enjoying his life. That's the perfect scenario for a fighter to make money. "To have a beautiful family and if he stays retired, that's a great success story. "If Tyson decides to come back to boxing, he always has a door open with the WBC. "He will always be number one so absolutely (we will give him a world title shot if he returns) because he is top of the top. "He carried boxing through the dark times of the pandemic. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "And Tyson is the one who elevated the sport and he's the one who got Saudi Arabia to look into boxing. "Spencer Brown is a tremendous influence, a great manager and now he's managing and promoting fighters. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals "It's a great team so it's a win-win (for everyone), and my love and my gold heart goes to Tyson Fury and his team." If Fury does unretire and Sulaiman sticks to his word, a trilogy fight with Usyk or a domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois could be on the cards for the fan favourite. The pair will renew their rivalry next month for all the heavyweight marbles in front of a packed crowd at Wembley. A long-overdue Battle of Britain with fellow former two-time heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua also awaits Fury, who is currently filming the second season of his hit Netflix show. ' At Home with the Furys '.
