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Watch: Incredible rally aids Jasmine Paolini in Wimbledon finals second set
Italy's Jasmine Paolini flipped the women's Wimbledon final on its head with a strong second set after losing the first to Barbora Krejcikova.
Arguably, the best point Paolini won was during a nine-shot rally with the world's No. 7-ranked player already up 4-2 in the set.
The determination from Jasmine Paolini #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/s7abFvATgp
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2024
Paolini extended for an incredible save to keep the point going and won it with a massive forehand.
Krejcikova, ranked No. 32 on the WTA Tour, came out firing with a 6-2 first-set win. Per Wimbledon's IBM Slamtracker, Krejcikova was the early aggressor, with a 29 percent attack rate to Paolini's 18 percent.
She was masterful on her first serve, winning 16-of-19 first-serve points (84 percent). She also held the advantage on returns, winning 16-of-31 receiving points (52 percent).
Paolini altered the script in the second, holding Krejcikova to only 8-of-15 on her first-serve points (53 percent) and 8-of-26 on receiving points (31 percent).
Ultimately, Krejcikova recorded her second grand slam title, winning the third set to win the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
They met one time previously, in a qualifier for the 2018 Australian Open.
The stakes were much higher for this match, but the moment wasn't too big for either Krejcikova or Paolini.
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Browns HC confirms Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders whispers
A previous report suggested that the Cleveland Browns want to start 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback for this coming Saturday's preseason game at the Philadelphia Eagles over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders as long as Gabriel is healthy enough to play at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. While speaking with reporters ahead of Wednesday's joint practice involving the clubs, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel began the day on track to start Saturday's contest. "The plan was always to give both of those guys a start in the preseason, so we’ll see how it shakes out," Stefanski explained, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Neither Gabriel nor backup Kenny Pickett played in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Friday as they continued to recover from lingering hamstring injuries. Sanders received the bulk of the meaningful reps in that game and completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over Carolina. While Gabriel is doing 11-on-11 work during joint practices this week, Pickett remained relegated to 7-on-7 drills as of Wednesday. That said, FanDuel Sportsbook continued to list 40-year-old Joe Flacco as the betting favorite at -310 odds to be the Browns' starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals as of Wednesday. Pickett was at +360 odds, followed by Sanders at +1060. Gabriel was a +1800 underdog to get the nod for the Cincinnati matchup at that time. Gabriel began Wednesday as the Browns' unofficial QB3 ahead of Sanders. Meanwhile, Sanders did not get any reps in the opening few periods of the Browns' joint practice with the Eagles on Wednesday morning after suffering an oblique injury. Earlier in the month, the former Colorado star missed some practice time due to arm soreness. Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Stefanski added that he wants "to get through" Thursday before he finalizes his plans for the Philadelphia game. Unless Gabriel experiences a setback ahead of the weekend, it seems he will receive an opportunity to silence critics while serving as Cleveland's temporary QB1 against the Eagles.
Commanders have major hang-up preventing them from paying Terry McLaurin what he's due
It’s been two weeks since Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin publicly revealed his trade request, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. Thanks to ESPN’s John Keim, we’re starting to get more insight into how the Commanders are approaching negotiations…and how they run counter to their star wide receiver’s financial desires. As we’ve assumed all along, the Commanders are wary of giving McLaurin a lucrative contract that would extend well into the player’s 30s. As Keim notes, the Commanders “rely heavily on analytics,” and those numbers aren’t particularly kind to receivers on the wrong side of 30. They may be onto something. Per ESPN Research, over the past five years, only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game (that number jumps to six players if you adjust for 60-plus receiving yards). Further, the team can simply point to the NFL landscape, as other teams are also clearly wary of paying aging wideouts. Among the 24 active wide receivers who are attached to the most guaranteed money, only Tyreek Hill was older than 30 when the deal was signed. McLaurin has continually pointed to his lack of mileage despite his age; he barely played during his first two years at Ohio State, meaning he may not have the same wear and tear as similar players his age. McLaurin is also naturally pointing to the stat sheet, as the receiver has continually produced despite uncertain QB play, uncertain ownership and a handful of different coaching staffs. Per Keim, the Commanders don’t want to pay McLaurin based on his past performance, with the front office preferring to shape any future contracts based on his projections for age-31-plus seasons. The organization also doesn’t want to set a new precedent by paying McLaurin, as it could convince future veterans to push for lucrative deals in their 30s. While McLaurin has taken the drastic measure of requesting a trade out of Washington, the organization is still convinced they have leverage in this showdown. After all, the player is still under contract for the 2025 campaign, meaning McLaurin will have to forfeit game checks if he sits out games. The team could even choose to slap him with the franchise tag next offseason (which could come in north of $30M), meaning they’re in full control of the player’s fate moving forward. The team is also skeptical that another suitor is going to willingly pay McLaurin the type of money he’s seeking. Per Keim, there are doubts around the league about whether another team would be willing to meet the receiver’s demands. Even if a clear suitor does emerge, Keim makes it clear that Washington’s front office won’t give the star away without receiving a haul. We heard recently that McLaurin wasn’t necessarily seeking a deal that matched fellow 2019 draftee D.K. Metcalf‘s deal with the Steelers. However, Keim says Metcalf’s contract has generally served as a guide for McLaurin, but it’s uncertain whether the Commanders wideout is looking to match the AAV ($33M) or total guarantees ($60M). Ultimately, one source believes the Commanders may agree to pay McLaurin a contract that will pay $28M per year. Of course, it’s uncertain if the player would even accept that offer. If that hypothetical maximum offer doesn’t end in a signing, a divorce may be the logical next step.
Green Bay Packers: Rise Of Lukas Van Ness Attributed To New Assistant Coach
When the Green Bay Packers hired DeMarcus Covington as their new defensive line coach this offseason, the hope was that his presence could ignite a resurgence in a defensive front that had underperformed for much of 2024. What few could have anticipated, however, was how quickly his guidance would have a tangible effect—especially on players like Lukas Van Ness. The former Iowa standout and Packers’ 2023 first-round pick entered training camp in need of a reset after a frustrating sophomore season in the NFL. Two weeks into camp, Van Ness is turning heads and looking every bit like the player Green Bay envisioned when they drafted him 13th overall. Here’s how Covington’s influence is driving Van Ness’ impressive turnaround and what it could mean for the Packers’ defense as a whole. Green Bay Packers Lukas Van Ness’ Struggles Before Covington Expectations were sky-high for Lukas Van Ness when he arrived in Green Bay. With his rare blend of size (6-foot-5, 269 pounds) and athletic ability, Van Ness was seen as a prototypical edge defender capable of creating havoc in opposing backfields. He showed flashes of his potential as a rookie in 2023 but struggled to maintain consistent impact, finishing the season with just 3 sacks and 6 quarterback hits across 17 games. Those struggles only deepened in 2024, as Van Ness found it difficult to adapt to the Packers’ transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. His sophomore regressions led many to question if he could live up to his draft pedigree. Far too often, Van Ness looked hesitant at the line of scrimmage, as though unsure of his assignments or angles. He struggled to fully utilize his physical gifts, often getting neutralized by more technically sound blockers. Coming into 2025, the pressure was mounting for him to prove his worth in a defense looking to rebound. Enter DeMarcus Covington With Jason Rebrovich out as the Packers’ defensive line coach, the hiring of DeMarcus Covington brought a fresh energy—and a track record of success—to Green Bay. Covington’s pedigree includes an eight-year stint with the New England Patriots, where he developed versatile defensive fronts and worked closely with star pass rushers. The Packers hoped that Covington’s detail-oriented coaching style and NFL experience could work wonders for players like Van Ness. Just two weeks into camp, that gamble appears to be paying off. General manager Brian Gutekunst has been effusive in his praise for both Covington’s coaching impact and Van Ness’ progress, calling it “a natural growth” under a mentor who brings out the best in his players. Van Ness’ Transformation The most noticeable difference in Van Ness’ play this year? Confidence. Under Covington’s guidance, Van Ness has embraced a more aggressive approach, attacking offensive linemen with a renewed focus and improved technique. “He continues to stack days,” Gutekunst said of Van Ness. “He’s productive and he’s been really, really consistent. I think DeMarcus has done a fabulous job not just with Lukas, but with the entire group.” What stands out most in Lukas Van Ness’ camp performance is his utilization of leverage and hand placement—two areas he appeared to struggle with previously. Covington has emphasized refining Van Ness’ pass-rush arsenal, teaching him to set up blockers with greater precision and react more dynamically to changes in protection. The results speak volumes. Across practices and Green Bay’s preseason opener against the Jets, Van Ness has consistently disrupted the pocket, generating pressure and setting the edge effectively against the run. Coaches have praised his energy, effort, and ability to translate practice reps into game situations. What Covington Brings Beyond Van Ness While Van Ness is a high-profile example of Covington’s influence, the ripple effect extends throughout the Packers’ defensive front. Fellow edge defender Brenton Cox Jr., a former undrafted free agent, has reportedly turned heads in camp with his improved consistency under Covington’s coaching. Rookie defensive end Barryn Sorrell also credited Covington’s leadership for his strong debut against the Jets, during which he recorded a team-high two quarterback hits. Perhaps more importantly, Covington’s impact could unlock greater potential from veteran stars like Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark. Both players have expressed enthusiasm for the accountability and technique-focused culture he’s brought to the defensive unit. It’s clear that Covington’s arrival hasn’t just elevated individuals—it’s raising the collective standard of the group as a whole. What This Means for the Packers’ 2025 Defense The Green Bay Packers’ defensive struggles last season weren’t limited to their inability to generate a pass rush, but it’s clear that improving in this area is key to their hopes of contending. The addition of Covington and the emergence of players like Van Ness as high-level contributors could be the catalyst Green Bay needs to turn things around. For Van Ness in particular, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If his transformation under Covington continues, he has the potential to not only justify his lofty draft selection but to become a foundational piece in a defense looking to redefine itself. Meanwhile, the collective improvements along the defensive line could bolster Green Bay’s ability to complement a young and evolving offense led by Jordan Love. If the defense can consistently generate pressure and force mistakes, the Packers could be a far more balanced and dangerous team in 2025. Final Thoughts Rarely does a positional coach make headlines, but DeMarcus Covington’s impact on the Packers has been impossible to ignore. His ability to reignite Lukas Van Ness’ potential, coupled with his influence across the defensive line, has already injected optimism into a unit that needed it most. As Green Bay’s season approaches, all eyes will be on the continued growth of Van Ness and his teammates under Covington’s watchful eye. If training camp is any indication, the Packers’ new defensive line coach could end up being one of their most important acquisitions of the offseason.
Chiefs get positive update on Rashee Rice's potential suspension
The Kansas City Chiefs may have their primary pass-catcher on the field to start the 2025 season. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the date for Rashee Rice's disciplinary hearing with the NFL has been set to Sept. 30. That makes him available for the first four weeks of the campaign. Nevertheless, as NFL insider Mike Florio notes, the Chiefs might be in a bit of a hurry to resolve this, as they don't want it to drag further into the season. "An agreement as to a punishment under the Personal Conduct Policy can be reached at any time," wrote Florio. "If it doesn’t happen, the hearing will transpire. Depending on the time necessary for a final decision and any appeal, Rice could be available for roughly half of the season, before a suspension would commence." This essentially means that if both parties can't reach a resolution soon, Rice could be suspended late into the season or even in the playoffs. However, he likely won't face a lengthy suspension, and could be looking at a 4-6 game ban, based on prior similar incidents. Rice pleaded guilty to multiple felonies after his involvement in a multi-car crash in Texas in 2024. He then suffered a season-ending leg injury just four games into his second year in the league. Rice is projected to be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' primary weapon in the passing game after his breakout rookie season. Second-year pro Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown will round out the receiving room.
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