Latest news with #Ward
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alternate NFL universe: What if Tennessee Titans traded No. 1 overall pick?
Now that the NFL is in the home stretch before training camp, it's always fun to look back at some of the what-ifs that were spawned from rumors throughout the offseason. Whether it was phantom free agent signings or trades that never developed, there were quite a few storylines that could have been, but never came to fruition. The Tennessee Titans sat at the center of a few of those, but none more so than the mystery surrounding the first overall selection and whether they would stay put and make the selection. At one point, immediately after the NFL Scouting Combine, it appeared as if trading away the pick was a foregone conclusion, but in the end, they stayed at No. 1 and selected Cam Ward, and the rest is history. Cody Benjamin wondered the same thing and listed the potential trade of the first overall pick as one of the five what-ifs that could have changed the face of the NFL in 2025 and beyond. Cam Ward to the Giants Embattled general manager Joe Schoen lived up to his promise to "look under every rock" for quarterback help this offseason, adding not one but three new passers in Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart. The thing is, he may have settled for just one, had he gotten his wish. After failing to acquire Stafford in a blockbuster trade, Schoen's Giants were reported as front-runners to land the No. 1 pick in the draft, with Miami's Cam Ward the anticipated target. What if the Tennessee Titans hadn't been smitten with Ward -- or just so desperate for their own new signal-caller -- and actually dealt the top pick to Big Blue? We might be preparing for Ward to open the 2025 season as the new face of the Giants with head coach Brian Daboll finally set to deploy a gunslinger with long-term promise. Although no official details were released, NFL insiders reported that the Titans declined an offer from the New York Giants for the top pick. This means that the Giants did not meet the requirements of the historic haul that general manager Mike Borgonzi was searching for. Ward has been everything that the Titans expected since landing in Nashville, and there is no doubt he would have made the same impact if he had made his way to New York. The Giants eventually took Jackson Dart, but Ward would have been a no-brainer. He was the top quarterback in the class, and with his college experience and football acumen, he appears ready to take over the offense. Had the Titans traded out of the spot, it is likely that their entire draft strategy would have changed, and that Abdul Carter would have been the selection. This also means that they would likely be riding with Will Levis as the starter heading into the season. While fans may freak out with that proposition, Levis has had a tremendous offseason and looks like a different quarterback. The extra work he put in with Jordan Palmer appears to have paid off. What they would have done with the rest of the selections, and what those selections would have been, may be a mystery. Still, they would not have selected Femi Oladejo in the second round if they had taken Carter, and their haul would have been entirely different. Looking back, if he had gone to New York, Ward would have made for an interesting competition between Russell Wilson during the offseason and training camp. Instead, he is in Nashville preparing to be the face of the franchise. Now that the dust has settled, Titans fans are excited that this was a what-if and not a reality.
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Some government backbench TDs will not attend US embassy's July 4 celebrations
It comes as a number of opposition TDs said this week that they would boycott the annual event, with one planning to participate in a protest on the night. Politicians are among a host of guests invited to the celebration, including business leaders and civil groups. While many in opposition have chosen to boycott the event in recent years, TDs in both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have said they will also not go this year. Fine Gael TD Barry Ward said he felt it was not appropriate for him to go, citing a number of reasons, including changes to the rules around J1 visas. From this week, applicants for J1 student visas are required to set their social media accounts to public so authorities can examine them. It's not something I'd be comfortable with this year 'In the context of now asking people, the so-called land of the free, to give up all their private information in relation to social media and then possibly refusing people entry because they said something they didn't like,' Mr Ward said. 'They have first amendment rights that extend beyond Americans and yet they don't seem to respect their own constitutional basis. 'So I just decided I'm not going to go this year.' Fianna Fáil TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere said he received an invite but would not attend because of the current geopolitical situation. 'I'm not anti-US, but I just think in the current environment, it's not something I'd be comfortable with this year,' Mr Cleere said. Another Fianna Fáil TD said they were aware of a number of party colleagues who were choosing not to go this year, which they said was not something that would have happened in previous years. Similar conversations are also happening within the backbenches of Fine Gael, one TD said. Some TDs who spoke off the record said they did not consider their decision not to go as a boycott. Instead, it was down to them feeling uncomfortable attending the event. Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne said he would be attending this year but added that there were 'many policies' from the US administration that he did not agree with. Irish companies employ as many people in the US and US companies do here 'Like the overwhelming majority of Irish people, I have family and friends in the United States and I value those relationships. 'Irish companies employ as many people in the US and US companies do here. 'This has nothing to do with government policy. There are many policies of Donald Trump's presidency with which I strongly disagree,' Mr Byrne said. Fine Gael TD John Clendennen said while he had accepted the invite for now, he may not attend due to other events that night. However, he said it was important for politicians to take the opportunity to convey during these events Ireland's message both on Gaza and in relation to trade tariffs. I've never been and I'm not going this year Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said he will not be attending the July 4 bash in the US embassy, adding that he has not gone in previous years. He was unable to say if all party colleagues would be boycotting it. 'I've never been and I'm not going this year, I don't know what the view of other folks are but it's not an event that I've attended,' he said. 'Certainly this year, given what's going on, particularly in the Middle East, that gives me more reason not to go.'
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada scores four late goals to defeat Costa Rica 4-1 in women's soccer friendly
TORONTO – Late goals by Shelina Zadorsky, Holly Ward, Zara Chavoshi and Emma Regan helped Canada to a 4-1 comeback win over a resolute Costa Rica in an international women's friendly Friday. The goals came in the 70th, 74th, 82nd and 86th minute as the eighth-ranked Canadians finally found an answer for No. 43 Costa Rica. A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered Canada on at BMO Field. But while the Canadian women had 81 per cent possession in the first half, they were unable to unlock the Costa Rican defence and went into the break trailing 1-0. Some desperate Costa Rican defending and errant Canadian attacking kept it that way until the 70th minute when Zadorsky, from the penalty spot, ended the Canada misfiring. It was goal No. 7 in 112 appearances for the veteran centre back. Substitute Mimi Alidou won the penalty, taken down by Costa Rican defender Fabiola Villalobos. Ward made it 2-1 in the 74th minute, turning and curling in a lovely shot after fellow substitute Annabelle Chukwu, an 18-year-old Canadian youth international star in her first senior appearance, headed a Jade Rose cross her way It was a second goal in three appearances for Ward, a 21-year-old Vancouver Rise forward who became the first Northern Super League player to score for Canada — in the 3-1 win over Haiti on June 3 in Montreal. Chavoshi made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner for her first Canada goal in her second appearance. Regan's first international goal, an elegant shot from just outside the penalty box, padded the lead in the 86th minute The Canadians now head to Washington, D.C., for a high-profile friendly with the top-ranked U.S. on Wednesday. Costa Rica's Maria Paula Salas opened the scoring against the run of play in the 27th minute off a free kick. Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan failed to get a hand to the well-flighted delivery from captain Katherine Alvarado, allowing an unmarked Salas to head the ball home at the far post. Chavoshi committed the foul that led to the free kick, pulling back Priscila Chinchilla after the Costa Rican attacker nutmegged her just outside the Canadian penalty box. The goal prompted a Canadian team huddle in front of goal, one of several on the night. Canada had won all 17 previous meetings with Costa Rica, outscoring the Central Americans 52-6. But they needed a 104th-minute goal to win 1-0 the last time they met, in March 2024 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in Los Angeles. Canada had blanked Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stage at the tournament. Prior to the game, coach Casey Stoney was quick to stress before the game that her players were not looking past the Central Americans to the U.S. 'There will be absolutely no complacency,' she said, noting Costa Rica had held the Americans to a scoreless draw last summer. Stoney was true to her word, fielding a strong lineup that included Sheridan, Zadorsky, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Adriana Leon, Evelyne Viens and Julia Grosso. In all, the starters had a combined 756 caps going into the game. It was 22 C, feeling like 26 C at kickoff at BMO Field. There were danger signs early as Alvarado banged a shot off the goalpost in the fourth minute. But Canada began to find its feet, backing up Costa Rica, which was playing in a 4-5-1 formation. Canada had its chances with Leon angling a shot just wide in the 33rd minute. Four minutes later, Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez made a diving save to deny Grosso. Canada could have had three goals in first-half stoppage time with headers from Leon and Zadorsky and a Fleming shot all missing the target. Costa Rica lost midfielder Alexandra Pinell to an injury just before the break. Canada outshot Costa Rica 8-3 (3-2 in shots on target) in the first half. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Coming off a pair of wins over No. 50 Haiti, the Canadian women came into the game 5-1-1 under Stoney, whose first games in charge were at the Pinatar Cup in Spain in February. The lone loss was a 1-0 setback at the hands of No. 32 Argentina in April in Langford, B.C. The Canadians had defeated the South Americans 3-0 four days earlier in Vancouver. Canada was missing injured defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins and Jayde Riviere, and forwards Olivia Smith and Cloé Lacasse. Friday's game was a special 'Pride Celebration' match, the third in as many years for the Canadian women who wore a special kit featuring Pride-themed numbers. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch Coen Carr-Cam Ward convert highlight dunk play at Moneyball Pro-Am
Ward to Carr. Heeeeeey. The second night of Moneyball Pro-Am featured some more fireworks from the Spartans' walking highlights machine -- Coen Carr. Carr threw down some massive dunks on opening night of Moneyball Pro-Am earlier this week, and he was back again on Thursday with some more impressive plays. One of the most notable highlight dunks from Carr came on a dish from incoming freshman Cam Ward. In the highlight play you'll see Ward put the ball between his legs and then purposely throw the ball off the backboard for a trailing Carr to slam. It's quite the play from both Ward and Carr. Check out the highlight dunk from Carr off the backboard pass from Ward in the video below -- video courtesy of Spartans Illustrated: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cam Ward's Rumored Madden 26 Rating Revealed
Cam Ward's Rumored Madden 26 Rating Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. EA Sports' Madden video games have captivated many football fans since they were children. They get to play with their preferred teams and do incredible things with their favorite players. Advertisement However, as time has passed and these kids have grown up, the game has gained even more attention. The ratings of individual players being publicly released for everyone to see have almost taken center stage more than the game itself. One player whose initial rating Tennessee Titans fans are interested to see is rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The former University of Miami quarterback has captivated many Titans fans with his confidence, ability and incredible study habits since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward (1).Steve Roberts-Imagn Images It was unknown, however, if his impressive offseason with the team would transfer into a strong Madden 26 rating. Advertisement According to Justin Graver, Ward has been rated as a 71 overall in Madden 26. This relatively low score even surprised his fellow rookie teammate, offensive lineman Jackson Slater, who is reportedly rated a 75 overall. This rating may be shocking to some Titans fans, but it is important take a look at where rookie quarterbacks, especially those who were drafted first overall, have been rated in the past. Caleb Williams was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and his rating was a 76 overall in Madden 25. For a player who was considered by some to be a generational quarterback, this was a surprisingly low rating. Advertisement Bryce Young, who was taken first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, was given an initial 74 rating. He was the highest-rated quarterback in that year's rookie class, but Young had an up-and-down rookie season. When Trevor Lawrence was drafted number one overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft, his rating started off at 78 overall. Ward is the lowest-rated of the four most recent number one overall quarterbacks. This may be understandable considering the hype that the other three garnered ahead of their first seasons, but there is something special about Ward as well. This rating may be puzzling considering the things Ward did on the field and the way he carried his offense at the University of Miami and the other stops along his journey. But, just like he always has, Ward will get the opportunity to prove he deserves better on the field. Madden is fictional, but what Ward can do on the field is real, and maybe EA Sports has to see him prove that at the professional level. Advertisement Related: What Cody Barton Brings To The Tennessee Titans Related: Former Titans Offensive Lineman Talks JC Latham's Position Change This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
