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Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb sends strong message after tempers flare at training camp
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb reminded teammates to keep their cool after the team had multiple skirmishes during the first two days of training camp. Rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford got involved in a brief scuffle on Tuesday. At the following practice on Wednesday, a fight broke out between safety Markquese Bell and TE Tyler Neville. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer then stopped practice and pulled the whole team together. He said the next player who threw a punch would be kicked out of practice (via Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News). "We've got to be professional," Lamb said of the incident after practice, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I get it that we have a lot of animosity and tension between us and understanding that we want to proclaim our dominance and show like aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, but then again, to what extent?" Fighting in training camp isn't uncommon. It's an intense environment. Many are trying to prove themselves before teams trim their rosters to 53 players. However, too much brawling can threaten to tear a locker room apart. A lack of discipline was also one reason the Cowboys replaced Mike McCarthy with Schottenheimer this offseason. According to NFLPenalties.com, Dallas drew the league's sixth-most flags (128) last season. Per Archer, there were no more fights after Schottenheimer pulled the team aside. Still, the incidents raise questions about his ability to maintain control. The coach spent Wednesday morning's meeting discussing two plays where DE Sam Williams was too physical and sent to the sideline. His players must not have received the message. It's good for Dallas that Lamb seems to be echoing Schottenheimer's sentiments, but the rookie HC still must get through to his team. Rebounding from a 7-10 season could already prove challenging for the Cowboys. As of Wednesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Dallas a 34.5% chance to make the playoffs. Infighting will make that even more difficult.
Nationals OF makes Catch of the Year candidate to rob home run
Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young delivered a Catch of the Year candidate with a spectacular grab he made on Wednesday. Young’s Nationals lost 5-0 to the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, and the score could have been worse if not for Young. Will Benson was batting for Cincinnati with a runner on third base and two outs in the top of the eighth inning with his team leading 3-0. He belted a first pitch 96 mph fastball to deep center, but Young climbed the wall in center field to rob Benson of a 2-run home run. Here is a slow-motion version of the catch that shows Young climbing the wall to make the catch. What a catch by Young. Although Benson gave that pitch quite a ride, the metrics suggest it would have been a home run in only five MLB ballparks, so a flyout was an anticipated outcome. You just wouldn’t expect that ball to become an out in the manner that it did. Holy cow.
Penn State QB Drew Allar gets candid about team's struggles against top opponents
It is no secret that Penn State has struggled to win big games under head coach James Franklin. While the Nittany Lions have finished with double-digit wins in six of the past nine seasons, including a 13-3 season in 2024 that culminated with a loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals, they have struggled to beat quality opponents. Quarterback Drew Allar, who enters the 2025 season with the fifth-shortest odds (+1600) to win the Heisman Trophy, per FanDuel, was honest about Penn State's lack of success during his appearance at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday. "We definitely need to get over the hump," Allar said, per ESPN's Jake Trotter. "There's no question about it." Penn State is only 4-20 against top-10 opponents under Franklin, although the three losses last season were all by one score. Allar is 23-6 as a starter, but threw a costly interception against Notre Dame that ultimately led to the game-winning field goal from the Fighting Irish. With experience on its side and lofty expectations entering the season as the No. 1-ranked team in ESPN's offseason poll, Allar pointed to better execution as a key to Penn State's success. "We definitely need to find different ways to come out with different results in those games," Allar said. "We haven't really been blown out of the water by any team. ... it's just about execution. ... finding those areas to make one or two more plays throughout those games. ... That's going to be our focus." One key for Penn State is the return of its two leading rushers from last season, Kaytron Allen (1,108 yards) and Nicholas Singleton (1,099 yards), who combined for 20 TDs. That experience, along with Allar's improved accuracy (66.5%) and career-high 3,327 passing yards from 2024, gives the Nittany Lions a lot of upside going into 2025. Allar did have an uptick in interceptions (eight) and was sacked 19 times last season, which are two concerning areas, especially against top-ranked opponents. That must improve for Penn State to reverse course and finally win meaningful games. For now, the focus is on its lack of success in those games under Franklin. If Penn State can execute and not beat itself, perhaps one of those games will eventually go its way. Until then, it will face the same questions as it looks to put its past struggles in big games behind it.
Four teams that should be buyers at the trade deadline
Only a week away from the July 31 MLB trade deadline, teams are starting to determine if they are going to be buyers or sellers over the next seven days. Despite a messy playoff picture, there are a few teams that have to buy at the deadline and capitalize on the season they are having. Here are four teams that should be buyers in 2025. San Francisco Giants (54-49) After already making a big splash when they acquired designated hitter Rafael Devers earlier this season, the Giants are a team that needs to go all in at the deadline. Currently six games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and one-and-a-half games out of a wild-card spot, the Giants have a team that could be a problem to face in a playoff series. Acquiring another piece to the rotation to pair with starters Logan Webb and Robbie Ray should be the main focus, while adding another solid bat to the mix would give them one of the deepest teams in the league. Positions of need: Starting pitcher, second base and a fourth outfielder. Philadelphia Phillies (58-44) Looking to make their fourth-straight postseason appearance, the Phillies have one of the best rotations in baseball and a potent lineup, but still have weaknesses that need to be addressed. With designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Bryce Harper and pitcher Zack Wheeler all continuing to age, the Phillies are a team that needs to make a splash at the deadline if they want to be considered a threat in the postseason. While the top of the lineup is set, the Phillies desperately need to find production at the bottom of the lineup. With their outfielders struggling and a bullpen that is among the worst in baseball, the Phillies will look to make some additions as they prepare for another long run in the postseason. Positions of need: Relief pitchers, center field and left field. Boston Red Sox (55-49) Not expected to be in this position after trading their star player away mid-season, the Red Sox find themselves in the middle of the playoff picture and should be looking to capitalize on their strong play. Home to one of the best bullpens in the league and a lineup that is a mix of young talent and veteran hitters, the one thing the Red Sox lineup is lacking is a true power bat that can put fear in opposing pitchers. With one of baseball's best pitchers in Garrett Crochet leading the rotation, the Red Sox desperately need to find him some help at the deadline. Positions of need: Starting pitchers and a power bat Seattle Mariners (54-48) With what can be considered the deepest rotation in baseball and a potential 2025 American League Most Valuable Player in catcher Cal Raleigh, the Mariners head into the trade deadline needing to be buyers to take advantage of their first-half success. While the bullpen isn't a glaring issue, adding another left-hander to pair with Gabe Speier would be a big boost to their late-game situations. Adding bats to the lineup should be the main focus for the Mariners. With the production they have received at third base and right field amongst the worst in baseball, upgrading those spots could give the Mariners a team capable of making the postseason for just the second time in the last 24 years. Positions of need: Left-handed relief pitching, third base and right field.
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