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In this occupation, and with the surf world being what it is in today’s day and age, moving more and more towards the promise of artificial, landlocked surf spots, I hear a lot about wave pools. New projects are popping up constantly, new technologies, all inching towards a synthetic surfing future.
But there’s one pool that’s been pinging my radar recently that doesn’t quite fit the mold with other surf parks currently on the market. This one comes from West Virginia – of all places – and it features not one, but two entry points, with a concave rectangle design. Per reports, it sounds like the city of Princeton has approved the pool for construction, and it has a price tag of $4 million. Yet questions remain: What is this thing? Two entry points? Is it designed for surfing? Alas, no it is not.
Upon further investigation, the pool is a product of Aquatic Development Group (ADG), and it’s more akin to those “wave pools” in waterparks, before wave pools of the modern surf-focused boom, and it features bathtub ripples for folks in innertubes, rather than rideable waves via surf craft.
Per ADG’s website:
“As a twist on a water park classic, Twin Tides® Dual Entry Wave Pool is a one-of-a-kind water ride design and water park experience – unlike any other on the market. Twin Tides® will make your park stand out with a truly unique attraction that offers something for every member of the family.
“Flanked by beachfront on both ends, Twin Tides® takes advantage of a unique design and wave system configuration that enables you to double the capacity of your attraction without expanding your footprint.”
Sorry, West Virginia. No real wave pool for you. At least not yet.
But still, according to Aquatics Supervisor David Allacher of Splash Cove, a waterpark in Kansas that features one of these wave pools, “Guest response to the Twin Tides pool is astronomical, they love this wave pool! Any time they walk in, they see the waves rolling - they are ready to get in and rock and roll!”
[Insert devil horns hand gesture.]
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Insider Claims Steelers Are Furious With Former 2nd-Round Pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot to prove to fans and media pundits alike as a Week 3 contest against the New England Patriots approaches. One of the main concerns thus far has been the defensive front not being able to stop the run. Through two games, the unit has allowed 149.5 yards per game, which is an absolutely ridiculous number for a defense that is labeled as the highest-paid in the NFL. The organization won't have a chance to be competitive in an AFC full of firepower unless Teryl Austin's unit can figure out how to stop opposing offenses. An asterisk can be put next to the first two matchups because rookie first-round selection, Derrick Harmon, hasn't had the opportunity to play, but what has been the most worrisome has been the individuals filling in for him that haven't been able to perform at an encouraging level. One of those players is Keeanu Benton, a former second-round pick who has not blossomed into the player that the team wanted him to be. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo appeared on a practice report show with the Patriots game on the horizon, and went into some more detail about the defensive line. While the team is high on the other rookie in Yahya Black, Dulac noted that there are some real concerns internally about what has happened with Benton over the years. "The key is being able to be physical and be aggressive, but still being able to make the play, and that's what they're hoping to see from [Yahya] Black," Dulac said. "You know, they really like this guy and he's only going to improve in time. The converse of that Ray, and you mentioned Keeanu Benton, was told to me from inside the building, that they actually think he's regressed." There is not a single member of the Steelers' coaching staff or front office that can be pleased if the feeling is that Benton is getting worse. Spending a second-round selection on a member of the front seven on defense is supposed to provide stability, but it has done the exact opposite. It shouldn't surprise anyone if Benton begins to see the field less and less, while Black finds more opportunities to show that he should be playing more often. It's not time to hit the panic button yet in Pittsburgh, but many are very close to doing so. If the run defense continues to get shredded on the ground, there are not going to be many chances to stop any offense that is on the other side of the ball. The Steelers also preach winning the time of possession, something that will be extremely difficult to do if running backs are having their respective ways with Pittsburgh's front seven. It would be exciting to see Harmon and Black in action together. It's possible that they could be the future on the defensive line for the Steelers. Benton's regression can't be looked at as positive in any way, so Dulac's words hint at the very possible fact that the franchise is not happy with the University of Wisconsin graduate. Austin and co. won't tolerate a player getting worse, and then performing poorly on top of it. Steelers Won't Last In The AFC North With Poor Rushing Defense All teams within Pittsburgh's division have capable rushing attacks, even the Cleveland Browns now that rookie Quinshon Judkins is in the fold. It is imperative that the defense in the Steel City figures out how to stop the run, as it will lead to more passing attempts and a better chance to get to quarterbacks. It shouldn't come as a shock if Benton is soon watching from the sidelines more so than he is playing on the field.
Bombshell report expands on culture issues within 0-2 Dolphins
A Wednesday report shared that the Miami Dolphins "did a lot of work in the offseason to try to transform their team culture" before they opened the ongoing campaign with back-to-back losses. For a lengthy piece published on Thursday, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN expanded on alleged culture issues that have impacted the Dolphins under head coach Mike McDaniel, who has been in his role since 2022. Mike McDaniel hasn't run a tight ship with Dolphins "Multiple sources in and around the team said tardiness was an issue throughout this past season," Louis-Jacques revealed. "...One current Dolphins player said he believed some captains this past season took advantage of the role. [Cornerback Jalen Ramsey] and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who were two of the eight players voted captains in 2024, were among repeat offenders who received numerous fines throughout the season. Players were often late to practice and meetings, with multiple team sources suggesting it reflected a lack of respect for the first-time coach McDaniel -- who was hesitant to publicly admonish players outside of posting fines." On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Dolphins players "believe the culture is better after the franchise moved on from several key players, many of whom did not appear happy there." Specifically, Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap in June. Safety Jevon Holland left the Dolphins and signed with the New York Giants in free agency. As for Hill, questions about his dedication to the cause arose when he subbed himself out of Miami's regular-season finale and then told reporters that he was "out" this past January. He later publicly apologized for his actions but has remained the subject of trade rumors through September. Are McDaniel and Dolphins general manager Chris Grier on the hot seat? Whispers throughout the offseason suggested Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could part ways with McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier if the club finished this season without at least a playoff appearance. McDaniel has yet to guide the Dolphins to a single postseason win, and his team was coming off an 8-9 campaign before it dropped two straight games this month. "A source familiar with Ross' thinking told ESPN this offseason they don't believe McDaniel's and Grier's job security is as simple as 'playoffs or bust,' and reiterated that sentiment after Week 1," Louis-Jacques wrote. "...Although there is a limit to [Ross'] patience with the team's results. After a winless start to the 2025 season, and prime-time games against division opponents coming, there will be increased outside attention on how far Ross' patience will stretch." As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the winless Dolphins as massive 11.5-point road underdogs for Thursday night's game at the 2-0 Buffalo Bills. One can't help but wonder how Ross may react if Miami gets blown out at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium.
Chargers star Khalil Mack's outlook is better than expected
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack will be out for a few weeks after dislocating his elbow during Monday night’s matchup with the Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Who will take Khalil Mack's place for the Los Angeles Chargers? The injury is not season-ending, but Los Angeles will need one of its depth outside linebackers to take Mack’s place for the time being. That will likely be veteran Bud Dupree, who replaced Mack on Monday and has significantly more experience than third-year UDFA Caleb Murphy or fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard. At the moment, it seems unlikely that the Chargers will make a signing to bolster their OLB depth. Mack’s injury is not expected to be long-term, and the pool of free-agent edge-rushers has suddenly dried up after both Preston Smith and Jadeveon Clowney signed with new teams this week. The Chargers did host their rival's former draft bust on a visit. Instead, the Chargers’ plan will likely be as follows: Dupree will start, with Murphy receiving a bump in snaps as the No. 3 edge-rusher and Kennard making his NFL debut after two healthy scratches to start the year. The team was comfortable with only four active outside linebackers in Weeks 1 and 2, so it may not feel the need to make an elevation from the practice squad. Mack, 34, was quiet in Week 1 against the Chiefs but looked better on Monday with one sack and one tackle for loss in Las Vegas. He re-signed with the Chargers this offseason on a one-year, $18M deal after six sacks in 2024.
Commanders' under-the-radar veteran is stepping up to fix massive weakness
Daron Payne missed the NFC Championship game in 2024. He had battled through a dislocated thumb to help the Washington Commanders win their first two games in the postseason. Standing just one game away from the Super Bowl, a bad knee dashed his hopes of getting another shot at the Philadelphia Eagles. Looking back, we can now see how Washington’s brain trust viewed their roster moving forward, though it may not have been immediately apparent at the time. Payne had been the one constant on the defensive line interior, playing on almost 70 percent of the snaps. Four other players logged between 23 and 48%. Jonathan Allen was a unique case because he was hurt most of the year. Though he played fewer than 30% of the snaps, once healthy, he resumed his regular starting role. He would be playing significant minutes in that final Eagles game. But without Payne, who would be lining up next to him? On paper, Payne’s primary replacement should have been Johnny Newton, the highly-touted second-round draft pick who had been showing improvement since getting fully healthy. He was next on the depth chart and had been Allen’s primary replacement when the veteran was injured. Commanders are getting some good early returns from free-agent signing Eddie Goldman Or it might have been Sheldon Day, another veteran journeyman who had filled in admirably when Allen was out. He graded out as Washington’s best defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus, although that wasn't a high bar. That’s not entirely true because another veteran journeyman, who only played a handful of snaps during the year, did have a higher grade than Day. That was Carl Davis Jr., who signed with Washington in midseason and played a total of 43 snaps heading into the playoffs. When it came time to choose Payne’s primary replacement, Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. went with Davis. He played almost as many snaps as Newton and Day combined in that championship game. Why? It isn’t hard to make a guess. Day is 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds. Newton is listed at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds. Davis is 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds. When going up against the Eagles' massive offensive line, Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. recognized they needed more size. They were overpowered anyway, but the takeaway was not that size didn’t matter. They needed more quality size on the defensive front. Adam Peters made his first move in that direction by paying above-market for Javon Kinlaw. Around the same time, he signed Eddie Goldman. Goldman’s signing didn’t raise many eyebrows at first. A Washington native who had sat out 2020 due to COVID and the 2022 season after announcing his retirement, he made a return to the Atlanta Falcons for the 2024 campaign. He also played well enough to draw Peters’ interest. Still, he seemed like a long shot to have any real impact. After all, since the 2019 season, Goldman had recorded a total of 38 tackles in the NFL. But as training camp merged into preseason, it seemed as if Goldman had a spot on the roster. Day and Davis were still around. Rookie Ricky Barber flashed potential. But more often than not, he was sharing snaps with Kinlaw, Payne, and the rest of Washington's starters. That has continued in the regular season. Payne and Kinlaw are the clear starters, but Goldman has been on the field for almost 40 percent of the defensive snaps, playing more than Newton through the first two games. When the Commanders go to a three-man front, he is lined up at nose tackle. Goldman currently boasts an elite Pro Football Focus grade of 83.5, fourth best among all defensive linemen in the league. He is rated fifth best against the run. Those numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt. Goldman is not the fourth-best defensive lineman in the NFL. But they do indicate he is playing very well. Last season, Washington’s run defense was a liability, surrendering almost five yards per carry. This season, they have that number down to under four. The real tests are still to come. Most importantly, we will have to see how well the new line holds up against Philadelphia. But the early results for Goldman, who was essentially finished with football two years ago, are looking promising.
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