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Alessandro Buongiorno explains why he turned down approaches from Juventus and Atalanta, because he was won over by the ‘passion for football’ he feels at Napoli.
The Italy international made his mark at Torino, coming up through their youth academy to wear the captain’s armband.
He had several opportunities to leave the Granata before finally accepting the move to Napoli for €35m plus bonuses in the summer of 2024.
“The city is beautiful, joyful and passionate. You can feel the passion for football the moment you set foot on the street,” Buongiorno told La Stampa newspaper.
“When I walk out onto my terrace and look over the view, that panorama takes your breath away.”
Buongiorno rejected others before choosing Napoli
There had been other alternatives too for the centre-back, who had been linked with Atalanta as well as a move across the city to Torino’s bitter rivals Juventus, where he’d reunite with former Granata teammate Gleison Bremer.
“It’s true, there was interest from Juventus before Napoli stepped forward. I spoke to Juve, but I also spoke to myself. I couldn’t betray my history, as I was born and raised a Granata,” confessed Buongiorno.
“I explained that to Thiago Motta, who in my view is a great coach. When Atalanta stepped up, I had decided to remain at Toro after discussing it with my family and friends. However, when Juventus made the offer, I had already made that decision myself.”
How Conte convinced Buongiorno
It was Antonio Conte who finally convinced Buongiorno to cut the umbilical cord with Torino and try a new experience with Napoli.
“I ran into Conte entirely by accident, but something just clicked. I know, it is difficult to believe, but it’s true.
“Luciano Spalletti had given the Italy squad a day off before the Euros, so I went out to a restaurant in Turin and the waiter said ‘your new coach is over there.’
“It was no secret that Napoli wanted me, but it was the first time I had spoken to Conte. It’s all true, he really does get into your head with the way he works, the advice he gives, the motivation that he inspires.”
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Former top-10 pick expected to be released by Packers
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons has never been able to find his potential in the NFL. As a "concept player," he's arguably one of the greatest. He's an uber-athletic 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker who can fly sideline-to-sideline. He's versatile as a defender, and as a college prospect, he was elite. Simmons was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 at Clemson and a unanimous All-American. There was a lot to like about Simmons in the NFL Draft, which is why he went No. 8 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Now, five years later, he's expected to be released by the third team that has taken a shot on him. He's been with the Green Bay Packers for the majority of training camp, but he's not expected to make the team, according to reports. Again, Simmons, as a concept, is everything you want in an NFL linebacker. The problem is, and has been, that when the pads go on and it comes time to play NFL football, he's neither physical enough nor mentally disciplined enough to live up to his immense potential. He looked great at the beginning of camp for the Packers, but as soon as the preseason games started, he ended up looking like a lost sheep who was constantly out of position and constantly run over by players on offense. That won't work in the NFL, no matter your draft pedigree. He may get another opportunity in 2025 out of desperation alone, but this is not great news for Simmons' career prospects moving forward.
Zachary Yager, Veteran NASCAR Pit Crew Member, Dies Aged 35
Zachary Yager, who had served as an over-the-wall pit crew member in the NASCAR National Series ranks since the 2014 season, has died at the age of 35. TobyChristie.com had the initial report of Yager's death. Yager, a New York native, had pit crew stints with Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, RFK Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing (now known as HYAK Motorsports), where he won the 2023 Daytona 500, from 2014 to 2024. Ahead of the 2025 season, Yager moved to Elite Race Services, a Mooresville, NC-based company that specializes in assembling teams of pit crews for NASCAR National Series race teams. This season, Yager had been serving as the Jack Man for the No. 39 RSS Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as well as the No. 88 ThorSport Racing team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The loss of Yager was absolutely unexpected for Elite Race Services, which is grieving the loss of one of its own, while issuing its deepest sympathy to Yager's family. “Obviously, nobody saw this coming and we’re in total disbelief,” Cory DeMarco, owner of Elite Race Services said in a statement given to TobyChristie.com. “All of the guys send our thoughts and prayers out to his dad and family, right now.” ThorSport Racing, likewise, expressed grief over the sudden and unexpected loss of Yager. “We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and teammate, Zachary Yager,” said ThorSport Racing in a statement. “He was an important part of our family, and our hearts are with his loved ones and community as we grieve this loss together.” While he was serving as a Jack Man this season, Yager was well-known as a well-rounded pit crew member, who could perform at nearly every position on an over-the-wall pit crew. Yager previously served as a Tire Carrier and Fueler in addition to the Jack Man role. No details surrounding Yager's death have been released, but the veteran pit crew member had been missing since Monday, August 18, according to various social media posts from members of Yager's family.
Cowboys rookie CB to miss significant time after roster designation
The Dallas Cowboys have already been ravaged by injuries so far throughout training camp and the preseason slate. And now, thanks to injury, it appears that fans are going to have to wait to see one of the team's top draft picks in the 2025 season. According to reports from Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr., rookie cornerback Shavon Revel has been added to the Non-Football Injury List ahead of the team's Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. In corresponding moves, the Cowboys will place both defensive end Peyton Turner and receiver Jonathan Mingo on Injured Reserve Designated To Return. Running back Phil Mafah will also be moved to injured reserve. Revel was placed on the NFI list as a result of a torn ACL, which was suffered during practice in Week 4 of his final season in college with the East Carolina Pirates. Because that injury occurred in college, and away from Dallas Cowboys facilities or team activities, Revel was placed on the NFI list instead of the PUP list. By being placed on the NFI List, Revel, who was selected by Dallas with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, will miss at least the first six weeks of the season. Fortunately for the Cowboys, it appears that starting corner Trevon Diggs should be back sooner rather than later. In other words, the team will have both he and DaRon Bland - their top two corners - as well as Kaiir Elam for their season opener, allowing Revel plenty of time to continue his recovery. In his career at East Carolina, Revel played in 24 games, making 70 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three interceptions, with 15 pass breakups. He also earned an 83.5 PFF coverage grade in his last full season in 2023, and an 85.4 coverage grade in 2024 in the three games in which he appeared. In other words, whenever he does return to the fold for Dallas, he should be able to come in and be an immediate contributor to the defense. —
Dolphins agree to deal with one-time Super Bowl champ
Frequent communication between Rasul Douglas and the Miami Dolphins has produced a deal. The veteran cornerback is headed to Miami on a one-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This pact is worth $3M, Rapoport adds. A notable role in the secondary should await Douglas upon arrival, despite the timing of this agreement. Cornerback has been an area of need all offseason, and the Dolphins somewhat surprisingly cut Mike Hilton on Monday. Hilton expected to wind up in Miami this offseason, but after arriving, he did not spend much time practicing with the starting defense. His release came about after Kendall Fuller was cut in the spring, a move that was eventually followed by the Jalen Ramsey trade. Kader Kohou and Artie Burns have since suffered season-ending injuries, leading to increased concern about the secondary for 2025. Douglas will aim to provide Miami with a veteran starting presence over the coming campaign. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has been on the Dolphins’ radar for much of the offseason, so this agreement comes as little surprise. Douglas was dealt from the Packers to the Bills midway through the 2023 campaign, and he handled starting duties with Buffalo. No new Bills accord was worked out, however, and Douglas made it known earlier this offseason that he did not foresee a return to Green Bay. Those factors pointed further to a Miami accord being worked out at some point, and with training camp and the preseason now finished, that has proven to be the case. Douglas has 80 starts and 120 appearances to his name, and he totaled 14 interceptions from 2021 to 2023. He was held without a pick last season, but the Dolphins would welcome a return to form from the former third-rounder. A strong campaign would help Miami’s defense for 2025 while also preventing a free agent from staying deep into August next offseason.
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