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MLB cancels another week of games as talks to end lockout break down

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MLB cancels another week of games as talks to end lockout break down

One other week disappeared from the shrinking baseball schedule Wednesday, with negotiations that had been whittled to 1 main problem abruptly erupting right into a cascade of recent points that might make for a protracted, chilly spring between homeowners and gamers.

For the second time in two weeks, talks on a brand new collective bargaining settlement collapsed beneath the burden of a league-imposed deadline. Now, the league says, no video games might be performed till no less than April 14.

With any future delays, MLB would lose video games on April 15, the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s main league debut.

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In a press release, the gamers’ union referred to as the cancellation of extra video games “fully pointless” and stated the league had declined to answer the union’s most up-to-date proposal.

On March 1, three months after homeowners locked out gamers, Commissioner Rob Manfred referred to as off the primary week of the common season. When homeowners and gamers resumed discussions this week, the league supplied to reschedule these video games as a part of a brand new settlement, offering a full 162-game season and full pay for gamers.

Now, with what the league in all probability considers too many video games to reschedule, the gamers’ union would ask {that a} new deal pay gamers and credit score them with service time for unplayed video games. The union beforehand has warned the league it could not approve an expanded postseason this 12 months if gamers are usually not paid for a 162-game common season.

On the similar time, the homeowners in all probability would cite the income losses from canceled video games and will provide much less favorable phrases in key areas the place the 2 sides had been practically in settlement Wednesday: how a lot to pay gamers not eligible for wage arbitration, and the way a lot a workforce may spend with out paying a luxurious tax.

All of these considerations wouldn’t have come into play had a deal been reached Wednesday, however the two sides couldn’t attain settlement on one last core problem: a world draft.

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The homeowners proposed launching one in 2024, in order that a young person from the Dominican Republic would enter MLB the identical means a young person from Los Angeles would. Now, worldwide amateurs are free brokers.

The league beforehand capped how a lot groups may spend on worldwide amateurs, however particular person gamers nonetheless could make unofficial agreements a few years earlier than the official signing age of 16, usually with native trainers demanding a reduce of any signing bonus.

Latin American main leaguers endorse reform however are cautious of the league with a historical past of cost-cutting imposing its personal system, even because the league projected groups would spend extra money on worldwide amateurs than they do now. David Ortiz, who stays notably influential amongst Dominican gamers even in retirement, advised to ESPN that a world draft might be worthy if it was mentioned among the many league and the union over quite a few years.

Within the Dominican Republic, in contrast to in america, baseball is the undisputed nationwide sport, with goals constructed on the shoulders of such nationwide heroes as Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez and Albert Pujols.

“Taking time — that makes extra sense,” Ortiz stated. “OK, guys, let’s sustain this tempo to do it three, 4 years from now. We sit down with the big-time gamers. We take heed to what they must say. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it proper. Dashing it like this isn’t proper.”

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Amid resistance throughout the union, the league supplied three choices. If the union had been to simply accept the worldwide draft, the homeowners would enable free brokers to be signed with out their new workforce dropping draft picks. If the union had been to say no, the draft-pick compensation would stay.

The third possibility would have been to finalize a brand new collective bargaining settlement now, together with the elimination of draft-pick compensation, then give the union till Nov. 15 to conform to the worldwide draft. If the union nonetheless declined, the league may reopen the collective bargaining settlement following the 2024 season, basically turning a five-year deal right into a three-year deal.

The union countered with a unique provide keyed to Nov. 15: If the gamers didn’t conform to a world draft by then, the events would revert to the present system, with the qualifying provide again in power.

The homeowners promptly canceled one other week of video games.

“In a last-ditch effort to protect a 162-game season,” Manfred stated in a press release, “this week we now have made good-faith proposals that deal with the precise considerations voiced by the MLBPA and would have allowed the gamers to return to the sphere instantly.”

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He added: “I’m saddened by this example’s continued affect on our recreation and all those that are part of it, particularly our loyal followers. Now we have the utmost respect for our gamers and hope they’ll finally select to simply accept the truthful settlement they’ve been supplied.”

Inside two hours, the league determined to contemplate the union’s provide in any case, with discussions going down late Wednesday night time, in accordance with an individual accustomed to the talks.

Mentioned the union in its assertion: “Gamers need to play, and we can not wait to get again on the sphere for the perfect followers on the earth. Our high precedence stays the finalization of a good contract for all gamers, and we’ll proceed negotiations towards that finish.”

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College football All-America teams 2024: Who joins Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty?

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College football All-America teams 2024: Who joins Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty?

The first 12-team College Football Playoff bracket has been selected, and now awards season is upon us before the games kick off.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Miami’s Cam Ward and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel have been named Heisman Trophy finalists ahead of Saturday night’s ceremony, and all four are represented among the 50 players on The Athletic’s two All-America teams. Who joins them? Thirty-five schools have at least one selection, led by three each from Texas and Oregon and two each from Miami, Boise State, Penn State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Michigan, Iowa, Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana and Pitt.

First-team offense

Pos. Player Team

QB

Cam Ward

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RB

Ashton Jeanty

RB

Cam Skattebo

WR

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Tetairoa McMillan

WR

Xavier Restrepo

TE

Tyler Warren

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OL

Kelvin Banks Jr.

OL

Will Campbell

OL

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Wyatt Milum

OL

Josh Conerly Jr.

C

Seth McLaughlin

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QB Cam Ward, Miami: The Hurricanes just missed the Playoff, but the Washington State transfer was by far the biggest reason they were in the hunt all year. He’s passed for 4,123 yards in 12 games, averaging 343.6 yards per game and 9.5 yards per attempt while throwing a national-high 36 touchdown passes to seven interceptions. Ward repeatedly delivered in big moments as the Hurricanes stayed undefeated into November, and even in the two November losses he totaled 697 yards, five TDs and zero picks. He’s set to be Miami’s first top-five Heisman Trophy finisher since 2002.

RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: Jeanty has had one of the most prolific seasons in college football history, chasing Barry Sanders’ remarkable 1988 season with 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. He averages 7.3 yards per rush, with 12 rushes of 50-plus yards — eight more than any other FBS player and the most since Bryce Love had 13 in 2017. Jeanty was the driving force behind Boise State’s run to the Mountain West title and a Playoff bid, and he’s heading to New York as a deserving Heisman Trophy finalist.

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RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State: After three years at Sacramento State in the FCS, Skattebo was solid in coach Kenny Dillingham’s first season at Arizona State, rushing for 783 yards and nine TDs for a team that went 3-9 in 2023. This year? Skattebo helped propel a breakthrough in which the Sun Devils won their final six games, captured the Big 12 title and earned a surprise Playoff bid. Skattebo rushed for 170 yards, had 38 receiving yards and finished with three total TDs in the Big 12 championship blowout of Iowa State, giving him 2,074 yards from scrimmage (1,568 rushing and 506 receiving) for the season.

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WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: The Wildcats may not have met soaring preseason expectations, but McMillan posted his second consecutive big season to deliver on the preseason hype after he elected to stay at Arizona following the departure of coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. As a junior, he caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, including 304 yards in the opener against New Mexico and 202 yards against West Virginia. He continues to show a knack for highlight-reel catches.

WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami: Ward gets the most credit for Miami leading the nation in scoring and yards per play, but don’t discount Restrepo’s contributions as the QB’s favorite target. Restrepo has 69 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 100-plus yards in six of 12 games, to give him 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. According to TruMedia, he’s dropped just two passes, and he has 20 catches of at least 20 yards.


Miami is scoring 44.2 PPG behind Xavier Restrepo and Cam Ward. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

TE Tyler Warren, Penn State: Warren is the versatile go-to weapon in an offense that has jumped from 75th to sixth in yards per play despite having a lack of go-to playmakers at wideout. Warren is one of two 1,000-yard receivers in the Big Ten, catching 88 passes for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns — including a staggering 17 catches for 224 yards and a TD in a comeback win at USC. He’s also completed three passes for 35 yards and a TD and rushed 23 times for 191 yards and four TDs, lining up as a traditional tight end, out wide, at quarterback and in the backfield.

OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas: Banks has made 39 starts in three years after signing with Texas as a five-star recruit. A stalwart at left tackle, he’s allowed a total of four sacks in his career, per PFF, including just one sack and six pressures this year. He’s projected to be an early first-round draft pick.

OL Will Campbell, LSU: It is likely to be Banks or Campbell as the first offensive tackle off the board in the NFL Draft. And like Banks, Campbell was one of the top tackle prospects in the 2022 class, instantly earning a starting role upon arrival in college. He’s made 38 career starts and, according to PFF, has allowed one sack this season and four in three years.

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OL Wyatt Milum, West Virginia: The Big 12’s offensive lineman of the year has been a four-year starter at tackle for the Mountaineers. Per PFF, he’s given up zero sacks and just eight pressures this season — in fact, he hasn’t given up a sack since he was a freshman.

OL Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon: Conerly emerged as a standout tackle for the Ducks last year and blossomed into a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a junior in Oregon’s first year in the conference. According to PFF, he’s allowed one sack and just six pressures — tied with Banks for the fewest among Power 4 tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps.

C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State: Can a player validate his All-America status by not playing? The Alabama transfer overcame the snapping problems of last year to be a midseason All-America pick by The Athletic in October, and his standout play continued until he was injured before the final two games. According to TruMedia, Ohio State averaged 2.79 yards before contact per rush in its first 10 games, with McLaughlin in the lineup, which ranked fifth in the FBS. Without McLaughlin? It averaged 0.21 against Indiana and 0.54 in the loss to Michigan. He was a first-team All-Big Ten pick by conference coaches despite the late injury.

First-team defense

Pos. Player Team

DE

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Abdul Carter

DE

Kyle Kennard

DT

Mason Graham

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DT

Walter Nolen

LB

Anthony Hill Jr.

LB

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Jay Higgins

LB

Shaun Dolac

CB

Jahdae Barron

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CB

Nohl Williams

S

Xavier Watts

S

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Caleb Downs

DE Abdul Carter, Penn State: The junior moved from outside linebacker to defensive end and thrived as the season progressed. Despite some early inconsistency, he developed into one of the most disruptive players in the country, showcasing his speed and athleticism in racking up 60 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

DE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina: The Gamecocks are tied for third nationally with 40 sacks, with a ferocious defensive front helping to lead their surge into the top 20 in the polls. Though five-star freshman Dylan Stewart has had a big season as well, Kennard has stolen the show with 15.5 tackles for loss, including 11.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles after transferring from Georgia Tech.

DT Mason Graham, Michigan: The Wolverines defense wasn’t as dominant as in their national title season, but Graham erased any doubt about his All-America status with an individually dominant performance in the upset of Ohio State. The 320-pound junior has 45 tackles, including seven TFLs. He’s strong, physical and disruptive and appears destined for the top 10 in the NFL Draft.

DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss: Nolen signed with Texas A&M as the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2022, and after a stellar two seasons, he transferred to Ole Miss and blossomed into an All-American. The Rebels own one of the nation’s most disruptive defenses, ranking No. 1 in tackles for loss and No. 5 in yards per play allowed, and the 305-pound Nolen has been a key force at tackle. He shares the team lead with 14 tackles for loss and has 6.5 sacks and three pass breakups.

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Walter Nolen leads Ole Miss’ fourth-ranked scoring defense. (Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: He’s the best player on one of the nation’s best defenses. Texas leads the FBS in yards per play allowed, and the sophomore has been the centerpiece as a disruptive and versatile linebacker. He has 90 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks and an interception, taking a step up from a Freshman All-America season in 2023.

LB Jay Higgins, Iowa: Another stout Iowa defense has allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season, with Higgins the backbone of the unit. He’s second in the Big Ten with 118 tackles and has forced two fumbles, and he has also shined in coverage, racking up four interceptions and five pass breakups.

LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo. It’s hard to stuff the stat sheet as much as Dolac has. A former walk-on, Dolac had his 2023 season cut short after four games by an injury. He returned this season to lead the nation with 153 tackles while also finishing with 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks — plus five interceptions, including a pick six.

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas: Barron has shifted from primarily a slot corner to playing outside this season as a fifth-year senior. According to PFF, he hasn’t allowed a touchdown while intercepting five passes and breaking up nine more for a Texas defense that has allowed the fewest passing yards per attempt (5.1) and per game (143.1) in the FBS.

CB Nohl Williams, Cal: A fifth-year senior who started his career at UNLV, Williams leads the nation with seven interceptions, including a pick six against Miami, and has also broken up nine passes, forced a fumble and returned a kick for a touchdown.

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S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame: Watts has earned All-America recognition for the second year in a row as a ball-hawking weapon in the secondary for the nation’s top pass efficiency defense. He has 49 tackles, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and five interceptions, including a 100-yard pick six to break open the Irish’s win over USC.

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State: A former five-star recruit, Downs shined as a freshman at Alabama last year, then carried over that success as a transfer to Ohio State. He has 62 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception and three pass breakups, showcasing a well-rounded skill set as the best player on a loaded defense that ranks No. 2 in yards per play and No. 1 in points allowed.

First-team specialists

Pos. Player Team

K

Dominic Zvada

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P

Eddie Czaplicki

AP

Travis Hunter

K Dominic Zvada, Michigan: An Arkansas State transfer, Zvada has gone 7-for-7 on field goals of 50-plus yards this season, including a 54-yarder in the 13-10 upset of Ohio State. He’s 17-for-18 on field goals, his only miss being a kick blocked by Illinois.

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P Eddie Czaplicki, USC: Czaplicki leads the nation in net punting average at 45.45, per TruMedia. Nine of his 40 punts (22.5 percent) have been downed inside the 10-yard line, and he has just one touchback.

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AP Travis Hunter, Colorado: Few players can make a case for “all-purpose” All-American without gaudy special teams stats, but Hunter is unlikely anyone else. He plays full-time on offense, where he had an All-America season at wide receiver. He plays full-time on defense, where he also had an All-America season. He could be a top-10 pick at either position. He’s caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he has four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. According to PFF, he allowed just 205 passing yards, fourth fewest among FBS cornerbacks who played 700-plus defensive snaps.

Second team

Pos. Player Team

QB

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Dillon Gabriel

RB

Kaleb Johnson

RB

Dylan Sampson

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WR

Nick Nash

WR

Jayden Higgins

TE

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Harold Fannin Jr.

OL

Aireontae Ersery

OL

Kage Casey

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OL

Tyler Booker

OL

Willie Lampkin

C

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Cooper Mays

DE

Donovan Ezeiruaku

DE

Mikail Kamara

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DT

Derrick Harmon

LB

Danny Stutsman

LB

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Kyle Louis

LB

Jihaad Campbell

LB

Jackson Woodard

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CB

D’Angelo Ponds

CB

Chandler Rivers

S

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Malaki Starks

S

Nick Emmanwori

K

Kenneth Almendares

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P

Alex Mastromanno

AP

Desmond Reid

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Heisman straw poll: Ashton Jeanty changes several minds late, but is it enough?

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(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos of Anthony Hill, Travis Hunter and Tyler Warren: Tim Warner, Ed Zurga, Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

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Drew Brees discusses Saints’ disappointing season, Sean Payton’s rebound, and latest business venture

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Drew Brees discusses Saints’ disappointing season, Sean Payton’s rebound, and latest business venture

The New Orleans Saints have yet to make the playoffs in the post-Drew Brees era, and that stretch will likely continue into a fourth year this season.

After a recent loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Saints fell to 2-7 and fired Dennis Allen as their head coach.

Brees knows what it takes to win. He is a Super Bowl champion and was 172-114 in his record-breaking Hall of Fame career. 

And unfortunately, that’s why axing Allen was a move that “needed to be made.”

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Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton of the Saints talk prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers, Dec. 8, 2019 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

“You never want to let a coach go midseason, but at the end of the day, the business is about winning. And if you’re not winning, there’s disappointment and changes made,” Brees told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. 

However, Brees has confidence in the veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, saying the franchise is still a “very functional organization.”

“An organization that knows what it means to put the best product on the field, have a great culture, be able to overcome adversity. Unfortunately, they were on a trend where they had a lot of losses in a row, it wasn’t working, a change needed to be made. Those things happen, but if you ask the leadership on the team, they’re all trending in the right direction right now if they can stay healthy.”

Health has been a huge issue. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have both been out, and now Derek Carr is slated to miss the rest of the season. As Brees says, “You take the starting two receivers off the team, you’re going to struggle.”

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Drew Brees

Drew Brees (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images/File)

And for the Saints, Brees says they are close to getting back to the glory days.

“When you look at the entirety of a season, it’s going to come down to one or two games where you look back on and say, ‘We missed the playoffs because of those two. If we got the job done, we could have potentially made the playoffs and totally changed the complexion of the entire season.’ And within those two games, it’s one play here, one play there,” he said.

In retirement, Brees has become an owner, investor and ambassador for Sports Illustrated Tickets, with his goal to make it the best secondary marketplace in the ticketing industry.

Launched in 2021 as the exclusive licensed operator of Sports Illustrated’s live events vertical, Sports Illustrated Tickets struck a deal with the New York Red Bulls to have the SI name on its stadium, and Brees, who was on six Sports Illustrated covers, wants to make it easier for fans to get to sporting events by nixing hidden fees.

“It’s one of the most iconic brands in all of sports. I think it’s something that resonates with all of us, especially for my generation and beyond. …” Brees said. “I think what we saw is a great need and opportunity in the ticketing marketplace, both in the primary and secondary ticketing marketplace. … So we felt like there was an opportunity to step in and create a clean and transparent ticketing process that would allow people to see exactly the price they’re going to pay, no hidden fees, never trying to trick anybody. We want to be that ticketing solution across every live sporting event, every live concert at every venue in the country behind an iconic brand like Sports Illustrated.”

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“I think there’s some incredible nostalgia that comes with the brand,” he added. “It stands for credibility and something that people can trust. So, while Sports Illustrated started off as a publication, now there’s a lot of different avenues that it’s going. It’s being licensed to groups that are great operators.”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees runs off the field after a game against Washington, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Orleans.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees runs off the field after a game against Washington, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Orleans. (Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports)

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While the Saints have not found success post-Brees, the quarterback’s former right-hand man, Sean Payton, has with the Denver Broncos. After winning just eight games with Russell Wilson in 2023 in his return to the sidelines, Payton is now 8-5 with rookie Bo Nix, and Brees loves what he sees.

“It’s been awesome. I know the way Sean Payton wants to build a program. He’s an incredible teacher, and what Sean always does a great job of week to week is just creating the key to victory, the vision to win this game. And each game might be a little different, but he creates that vision and gets everyone to buy in and recognize what it’s going to take and just kind of narrow the focus and block out the noise,” Brees said.

“He takes the young quarterback who you’re going to have growing pains with – to watch Bo continue to progress and gain a level of comfort, you see a guy who’s mature beyond his years, very poised, can do everything, great athlete, highly competitive, but make him process the game. Defense has played well, you have playmakers emerge on offense, they’re going to be tough down the stretch.”

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Bo Nix throws

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Brees will be eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, and with his 80,000-plus passing yards and 13 Pro Bowls, he is all but ensured of a bust in Canton.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Meeting in unfamiliar territory, UCLA and Arizona may feel like perfect strangers

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Meeting in unfamiliar territory, UCLA and Arizona may feel like perfect strangers

Long each other’s biggest basketball rival in the Pac-12, UCLA and Arizona will meet again Saturday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix as newly estranged.

It will be a nonconference game. On a neutral court. In an NBA arena that as of midweek was not sold out.

“The whole thing’s weird,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said Wednesday of a game that always drew one of the biggest home crowds of the season for each team but is now being staged elsewhere as a name, image and likeness fundraiser. The teams are scheduled to meet again next season at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and in 2027 in Los Angeles at a site to be determined.

Adding to the bizarre-ness is Arizona’s early season stature. The Wildcats (4-4), now members of the Big 12 Conference, fell out of the national rankings last week for the first time since November 2021 and briefly had a losing record for the first time since early in the 2009-10 season.

Basically, they’re feeling the same sort of pain UCLA did a year ago amid massive roster churn. Guard Caleb Love is the only returning starter on an Arizona roster heavy on transfers that will be seeking its first quality win when it faces the No. 24 Bruins (8-1).

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“They’ve had a lot of change in their personnel,” said Cronin, whose latest roster makeover has been an early success. “But they’re still the same, nothing really different as far as what they run offensively and the things that they do and how they play.”

Cronin said Arizona’s struggles are largely a function of a brutal schedule that has included Wisconsin, Duke, Oklahoma and West Virginia, not to mention a lengthy trip to the Bahamas for the latter two games.

Some metrics support Cronin’s assertion that the Wildcats remain a top-25 team despite their record. According to basketball analyst Ken Pomeroy, Arizona’s offensive efficiency is No. 24 nationally and its defensive efficiency is No. 37. (By comparison, UCLA’s offensive ranking is No. 48 and its defensive ranking is No. 4.) Pomeroy projects the Wildcats to win the game, 75-74.

UCLA is agonizingly familiar with Love. A transfer from North Carolina, his late barrage of three-pointers lifted the Tar Heels to a come-from-behind victory over the Bruins in the 2022 NCAA tournament after a quiet first half. He continues to be an erratic shooter in his second season at Arizona, making 18 of 61 three-pointers (29.5%).

But there are other signs that the Wildcats are trending in the right direction. Forward Trey Townsend, a transfer from Oakland University, has averaged 14.5 points over his last four games after a slow start. Center Motiejus Krivas appears to be rounding into form following a preseason foot injury. And guard Anthony Dell’Orso, a transfer from Campbell, has provided a reliable weapon off the bench by making 50% of his three-pointers.

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The crowd inside the Footprint Center likely will skew heavily in the Wildcats’ favor but probably won’t resemble what the Bruins are used to facing inside the McKale Center.

“The old days, that just didn’t happen, right?” Cronin said of playing a familiar opponent in unfamiliar territory. “You played home-and-homes. But the old days, that’s why they’re called the old days.”

Etc.

Cronin on forward Eric Dailey Jr. making 47.4% of his three-pointers: “He’s as dedicated a player as I’ve ever coached, so [it’s] a product of … his work ethic.” … Cronin said a breakdown in fundamentals by guard Sebastian Mack contributed to the failed box-out on a free throw late in the Oregon game that led to a Ducks offensive rebound and three-pointer. “He didn’t pinch,” Cronin said of Mack. “Little things, which are not little things, they’re big things.”

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