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Kirby Smart still expects greatness out of Alabama under Kalen DeBoer
Perhaps nobody knew Nick Saban the coach better than Kirby Smart.
Smart won multiple championships as one of Saban's most prominent assistants. He was the defensive coordinator for Alabama from 2008 to 2015 before Georgia swooped him up to be head coach. True to his championship form, Smart then built the Bulldogs into a contender and he and Saban had several noteworthy battles — including national championship game matchups in 2018 and 2022 (which they split).
Saban is now retired and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer is at the helm in Tuscaloosa after finishing as last season's College Football Playoff runner-up.
It would be easy to predict a natural drop-off from Alabama, going from a legendary head coach like Saban and his seven championship rings to a coach in DeBoer who is still relatively unproven, but speaking at SEC Media Days, Smart revealed that he's not expecting any let-up from the Crimson Tide.
“I don’t expect them to change,” Smart said, per On3. “That is two great universities. You’re talking about two teams that have been at the forefront of college football, and it’s probably going to be that way for a long time. Both great universities, both committed. The commitment to excellence at both places is really high. The standard that coach created there at Alabama and the standard we’ve created, those two are going to be matching up for a long time, and I think that’s what is great about college athletics.”
To Smart's point, DeBoer has already been recruiting up to Saban's level (his 2025 class is ranked No. 2 nationally) and while he doesn't have Saban's track record, he did quickly build a contender at Washington.
Considering the talent Alabama already has plus the existing infrastructure in Tuscaloosa, it does make sense that Smart still feels the Crimson Tide will remain a massive threat.
More must-reads:
- Georgia HC Kirby Smart makes joke about Oregon's NIL funding
- Paul Finebaum says this college coach reminds him of prime Nick Saban
- The 'Alabama Crimson Tide players inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame' quiz
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Steelers are growing concerned over Aaron Rodgers' alarming performance
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot to work on after the first couple of weeks of training camp have concluded and they prepare for a preseason game. The offense has not played well throughout these early practices. Even though they have to go against the highest-paid defense every day, it's not a good sign when the third-team offense has consistently been the most exciting and inspiring unit on that side of the ball. There are lots of things that need to be fixed before Week 1 kicks off — or else it will be a long season. As usual, these problems start with the quarterback position. Insider Mike DeFabo reported on a big problem that Aaron Rodgers has had with his receiving core. "While Rodgers’ quick release has married well with DK Metcalf’s ability to win on slants, the QB hasn’t been able to unlock his big-play threat downfield," DeFabo said. "During Sunday’s practice, Rodgers did find Metcalf on a deep cross thanks to some blown coverage. But that touchdown is the outlier in an offense that’s relied overwhelmingly on short, quick passes or checkdowns. During a 7-on-7 period, Rodgers overthrew Metcalf on a pair of vertical routes. This comes days after Rodgers and Metcalf failed to connect on a go route during the two-minute drill to end 'Friday Night Lights.' The only other memorable deep ball between the two in team periods also fell incomplete about a week ago, when Rodgers’ pass fluttered out of bounds as Joey Porter Jr. stayed in Metcalf’s hip pocket." While DK Metcalf has never been a polished route-runner, he was still brought in to make life easier on the quarterback. Multiple reports from training camp continue to express similar analysis, indicating that the connection between Metcalf and Rodgers, especially downfield, has been far from perfect. If the chemistry between Metcalf and Rodgers continues to stall, someone else will have to step up. As DeFabo also reports, no one else has been able to take an alpha role in this receiver room thus far. "On Sunday, Rodgers looked for [Roman] Wilson on a corner route. The uncatchable ball skipped well in front of the receiver," DeFabo said. "Either the throw was errant or they weren’t on the same page. It was a similar story last week, when Rodgers looked for Wilson along the sideline and threw it well out of bounds. After that misfire, Rodgers walked Wilson through how to run his route the way the QB wants. Meanwhile, [Calvin] Austin missed his second consecutive practice with an injury." After essentially being redshirted due to injury in his rookie year, Roman Wilson has been given multiple opportunities to run with the first-team offense and prove that he belongs on the field. So far, he appears to have absolutely zero chemistry with his new quarterback, which could cause him to lose reps as time goes on. The injury to Calvin Austin III has not helped at all, either, as he was named WR2 earlier in the offseason. While Rodgers wants everyone to thrive, he is known for being very particular and demanding of his receivers. With Metcalf not being a great route-runner and Wilson still trying to learn the system, the veteran quarterback is having a hard time getting what he wants out of them. Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni was also brought in to be a no-nonsense type of coach who forces his players to be the best that they can be. He'll need to earn his keep this offseason as he continues to prepare his unit for the regular season. If 2025 is as much of a struggle as training camp is so far, the whole position could see a massive overhaul.
Brewers righty deserves consideration as dark-horse Cy Young candidate
The Milwaukee Brewers' trade with the Boston Red Sox early in the season flew under the radar. The Brewers acquired former top prospect Quinn Priester from the Red Sox, sending outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez to Boston on April 7. Pitching prospect John Holobetz was sent to the Red Sox on May 5 to complete the trade. Priester had been expected to be a top-of-the-rotation arm, lauded for his athleticism and plus fastball and curve. However, he struggled during his time in the majors in 2023 and 2024, posting a combined 6.23 ERA and a 1.555 WHiP over 99.2 innings, striking out 69 batters with 41 walks while serving up 19 home runs. Despite a solid outing in his only appearance for the Red Sox, Priester remained in Triple-A as nothing more than pitching depth. That changed with his arrival in Milwaukee. He has exceeded expectations, either as a traditional starter or following an opener. Priester has posted a 3.15 ERA and a 1.190 WHiP over his 114.1 innings for the Brewers, striking out 93 batters with 38 walks. Opponents have mustered a meager .228/.294/.382 batting line in 471 plate appearances with just 13 homers. The Brewers' 64-48 record entering Tuesday is the best in the majors despite a nondescript rotation. While Freddy Peralta is a top-of-the-rotation arm in his own right, staff ace Brandon Woodruff missed all of 2024 and most of the first half of 2025. Pitchers such as Chad Patrick, Tobias Myers and Jose Quintana are back-of-the-rotation arms at this point. The Brewers needed someone to step up with Priester being the unlikely hero. Pitchers Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler are the prohibitive favorites to win the National League Cy Young Award. BetMGM does not have Priester listed as one of the 10 most likely candidates to take home the hardware. However, Priester's performance, coupled with the Brewers' success this season, is worthy of attention. If he can continue to perform at this level, Priester deserves at least some consideration on the ballot.
Kevin Love reportedly has preferred buyout destination
Kevin Love is eyeing a return to his roots. The five-time NBA All-Star big man Love has a preferred destination on the buyout market, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Tuesday. Love would like to end up in Los Angeles. Now 36 years old, Love spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat. He averaged just 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per game in 2024-25 but still managed to shoot 35.8 percent from three on the year. Earlier this summer however, the Heat traded Love to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team blockbuster deal. Now Love, a 17-year NBA veteran, is pursuing a contract buyout from the rebuilding Jazz. Though he is a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Love played his college ball in Los Angeles at UCLA. He also has ties to both L.A. teams — he won an NBA championship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and was also coached on that team by Tyronn Lue, who is now head coach of the L.A. Clippers. Both the Lakers and Clippers are currently sitting at 14 guaranteed contracts each. While they still have spots for two-way and Exhibit 10 players, that means the Lakers and Clippers are both down to their final open roster spot. The ex-rebounding leader Love still has some value, though probably more so as a jokester than as a contributing rotation piece. While Love clearly wants a homecoming to Los Angeles, he may have some convincing to do for either the Lakers or the Clippers to give him that final open roster spot.
Green Bay Packers: Strong Reactions Erupt After Unofficial Depth Chart Release
The Green Bay Packers have finally updated their 2025 depth chart, and there’s a lot to unpack about it. There are unsurprising details like Jordan Love being the No. 1 quarterback and Josh Jacobs being named as the top option in the running back room. Those are simply giveaways. At the same time, there is also compelling information from the depth chart that may or may not leave fans surprised. For one, the wide receiver pecking order has exciting rookie Matthew Golden behind Jayden Reed, who is listed as a starter alongside Dontayvion Wicks. Meanwhile, the left tackle depth chart has Rasheed Walker in front of Jordan Morgan. Of course, it is worth reiterating that this is an unofficial depth chart and that there are still big possibilities of changes on it, as the 2025 NFL season nears. Fans react to Green Bay Packers’ first unofficial 2025 depth chart Rob Demovsky of ESPN also shared the depth chart, and it’s garnered quite a reaction from fans online. “Golden should be starting, wicks and Doubs are average at best,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Forgot we signed Hardman. Have heard absolutely nothing on him this camp” From a commenter: “Bob I just woke up from a 2 month coma why is Bo Melton under the CBs” “Why tf is Golden a backup slot wr…,” a triggered social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “Jordan Morgan still can’t crack the starting lineup. Awesome waste of a first round pick ” Said another: “Why do the packers always try so hard to phase their rookies in instead of just playing them. They did the same with cooper was last year when all the fans were begging to play him. Golden better be a starter week 1”
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