Tennessee set a goal of winning an SEC title in every sport in the next five years.

Thats the overarching expectation in the Vols five-year strategic plan. But athletics director Danny White acknowledged thats harder for some teams than others.

There are obviously programs here, whether historical success or opportunities we have competitively, that probably have a better opportunity to compete year in and year out for championships than others, White said.

Some of them are really positioned well right now. Some of them arent as much.

So which UT sports have the best and worst chances at winning an SEC title in the next five years? Heres a breakdown.

ADAMS: Here's what I like about Danny White's 5-year plan and what it means for Vols football

UT FOOTBALL FANS: Tennessee wants to sell 70,000 season tickets by 2026, like it did under Butch Jones

UT baseball should be in contention as long as Tony Vitello is the coach. The Vols have been a contender for the past three seasons and swept the SEC regular-season and tournament titles this season.

The same goes for mens basketball under Rick Barnes. The Vols won the 2022 SEC Tournamentand finished secondor better in the standings in three of the past five regular seasons.

The Lady Vols have the unenviable task of winning an SEC womens basketball crown amid a pool of national title contenders. But theyve finished third place in each of Kellie Harpers three seasons, and shes built a roster that should be in the mix.

Mens tennis won the 2021 SEC title and advanced to the NCAA Final Four in back-to-back years under coach Chris Woodruff. The program is in greatshape.

Women's soccer won the 2021 SEC Tournament title, lost head coach Brian Pensky to Florida State and promoted long-time assistant Joe Kirt to head coach. Kirt helped build the program, and he was given a five-year contract to keep it at this level.

UT track and field won four national championships in the 2000s. The men captured the 2001 outdoor and 2002 indoor titles, and the women won the 2005 and 2009 indoor crowns.

'I'M UNFORGIVING': New UT track coach Duane Ross won't settle for less than complete dominance

Neither track program has won an SEC title in more than a decade, but the mens team finished third at the 2022 NCAA outdoor championships. With most national title contenders in the SEC, the odds of winning a conference title or a national title are about the same.

That means new track coach Duane Ross, the 2021 NCAA Coach of the Year at North Carolina A&T, inherits a program with tremendous tradition but steep competition. His track record says the Vols will rise to the challenge.

Matt Kredich, director of UT swimming and diving, was given a contract extension to 2027 after the womens team won its second SEC title in three years. Expect additions to that trophy case.

Kredichs mens swimming and diving team hasnt won the SEC title since 1996, but it finished third in 2019 and 2021 in a loaded field. A new obstacle will come when Texas joins the SEC no later than 2025 because the Longhorns have been the NCAA champion or runner-up in 13 of the past 14 years.

Similarly, Lady Vols softball hasnt won an SEC title in a while (2007 regular season, 2011 tournament), but it routinely finishes in the top three. Karen Weekly has built one of the best programs in the sport, but soon-to-be SEC members Oklahoma and Texas just played head-to-head in the national title game.

Mens golf has been consistency competitive as one of just four teams to advance to match play in each of the SEC Championshipssince coach Brennan Webb arrived in 2018. But continuing that upward trajectory toward a title will be a bigger challenge.

In four seasons, coach Eve Rackham Watt has rebuilt UT volleyball into an NCAA Tournament team and occasionally top-25 squad. Contending for its first SEC title since 2011 will be tough but notfar-fetched.

TENNESSEE VOLLEYBALL: Who will and won't be back in 2022season

Another goal in the five-year plan is for each sport to achieve at least one national top-16 finish in the next four years. For some UT programs, thats more attainable than an SEC title.

It's certainly the case for Vols football, which has not won an SEC title since its 1998 national championship. And when Oklahoma and Texas join the SEC, surviving the conference gauntlet will become more daunting.

Winning an SEC title isnt impossible for UT under coach Josh Heupel, but an upward trajectory should be the initial goal.

New coach Sean Carlson takes over UT cross country. Arkansas has won 27 of the last 31 SEC mens titles and 12 of the last 16 womens titles.

Diana Cantu (womens golf) and Alison Ojeda (womens tennis) coach the UT programs in which they were once standout athletes. Neither program has ever won an SEC title.

Ojeda has made the Lady Vols a perennial NCAA Tournament team to earn a contract extension through 2026. Cantu, the 2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year at Maryland, enters her second season at UT.

UT rowing is a top-20 team under coach Lisa Glenn. But it competes in the Big 12, where Texas has won seven straight conference titles and back-to-back national championships.

Judging success in those sports requires context of the competition and the programs' history.

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

Here is the original post:
Tennessee aims to win SEC title in every sport, but that's harder for some teams - Knoxville News Sentinel

Theres been plenty of change with the Chicago Bears roster since the new regime under general manager Ryan Poles took over. The Bears added 54 new players to the 90-man roster since the end of the 2021 season.

A lot of those additions have been one-year, prove-it deals as Poles rebuilds the roster. Hes not tying himself to most players beyond this season, but there are certainly a lot of new faces.

So who are all these newcomers? The Bears added 11 draft picks, signed or claimed 29 veterans and signed 14 undrafted rookie free agents.

Heres a look at the newcomers to Chicago this summer, listed by jersey number:

The Bears recently took a chance on former Patriots wide receiver NKeal Harry, sending a 2024 seventh-round pick to New England. Harry gets a fresh start in Chicago, where hell look to earn a roster spot in an unproven receivers room.

Kyler Gordon was Chicagos top draft selection in the second round, and hes expected to make an immediate impact as a rookie. The Bears are starting him off on the outside, where hes expected to start opposite Jaylon Johnson and hopefully solidify a cornerbacks room that was one of the worst in the NFL.

The Bears other draft selection in the second round, Jaquan Brisker is expected to start at strong safety opposite Eddie Jackson, which should benefit Jackson. Brisker already impressed during the offseason program, and he could be their most impactful rookie when all is said and done.

Third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. was the lone wide receiver drafted by the Bears, and theres already been a lot of excitement about his potential in this Luke Getsy offense. Jones is expected to serve as Chicagos WR3 behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle.

Speaking of Pringle, the speedy playmaker comes to Chicago from Kansas City after being buried on a loaded depth chart. Pringle was the Bears top free-agent addition at receiver, where hes poised to be the beneficiary of Mooneys WR1 status.

The Bears signed Nathan Peterman to a one-year deal this offseason to serve as their third quarterback. Peterman isnt going to make the final roster, but hes certainly a practice squad candidate.

Chicago signed Trevor Siemian to a two-year deal to serve as Justin Fields backup quarterback. Shortly after, the Bears released Nick Foles so he could find a new home. Its hard to argue that Chicago upgraded at backup quarterback this offseason. Lets hope we dont have to see much of Siemian.

Following Pat ODonnells departure in free agency to the rival Packers, the Bears went out and selected rookie Trenton Gill in the seventh round of the NFL draft. They released veteran Ryan Winslow shortly after, an indication this appears to be Gills job moving forward.

The Bears signed undrafted rookie free agent Jon Alexander, a safety out of Charlotte. While Alexander is a special teams contributor and has made some plays this offseason, hes not likely to make the roster, where theres some nice depth at safety.

The Bears claimed Chris Finke off waivers this offseason, reuniting him with Ryan Poles in Chicago. Finke, an undrafted free agent in 2021, hasnt played a regular season game in the NFL. Finke will be among those competing for one of the final wide receiver roster spots.

David Moore, a former seventh-round pick in 2017, is another veteran wideouts that Poles signed this offseason. Moore will be among those competing for the final receiver roster spots in a wide-open competition. Moore was arrested earlier this offseason for substance and weapon offenses.

Following Dakota Dozier landing on injured reserve, the Bears went out and signed veteran cornerback Jayson Stanley. Stanley is likely just a camp body and doesnt factor into the completion for roster spots at cornerback.

The Bears second wide receiver move this offseason was the addition of Equanimeous St. Brown, who comes from the Packers. St. Brown has experience in Getsys offense from Green Bay, which makes him valuable. He projects to serve in a depth role at receiver for Chicago.

The Bears claimed former Titans running back Darrynton Evans off waivers earlier this offseason. Evans missed most of the 2021 season on injured reserve. Hes expected to serve in a depth role behind starters David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.

The Bears signed undrafted rookie free agent safety A.J. Thomas following a tryout at rookie minicamp. Thomas doesnt factor into Chicagos roster plans at safety, but he could earn a spot on the practice squad.

One of the Bears under-the-radar additions was cornerback Tavon Young, whos the favorite to start at nickel cornerback this season. When he hasnt been limited by injuries, hes been impactful in the slot. But Young will have to beat out second-year corner Thomas Graham Jr. for the starting role.

The Bears added another veteran in the secondary who could be a sneaky-good signing in Dane Cruikshank. While Chicago is set with Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker as starters, Cruikshank will serve as key depth and a special teams contributor.

Undrafted rookie free agent running back DeMontre Tuggle signed with the Bears following a tryout at rookie minicamp. While he doesnt factor into their plans at running back, hes certainly a candidate to make the practice squad.

While running back wasnt a need heading into the draft, the Bears drafted Tulanes Trestan Ebner to serve as a playmaker both on offense and special teams. Ebner has been compared to former Bears running back Tarik Cohen, and Ebner could carve out a nice role for himself on offense.

Cornerback Allie Green IV signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie free agent this offseason. Theres certainly some competition for roster spots at cornerback, but Green looks to be a camp body at this point. But if he impresses, he could earn a spot on the practice squad.

The Bears signed fullback Khari Blasingame this offseason, which makes it the first time in four years that theyve carried a fullback. Blasingames addition is a clear indication of the director of Chicagos run-heavy offense. Blasingame has been a solid blocker, but he can also contribute in the ground game as a runner.

The Bears signed undrafted rookie free agent Jaylon Jones this offseason, where he has the potential to make an impression. Jones faces an uphill battle in terms of locking down a roster spot, but he could be a prime practice squad candidate with a strong training camp.

The Bears drafted another defensive back in the seventh-round of the NFL draft, adding safety Elijah Hicks. Hicks will be looking to lock down a roster spot in a deep safety group, where hell have to out-duel a veteran in Cruikshank to do so.

The Bears signed veteran Noah Dawkins to serve as depth at linebacker. Dawkins will be among those competing for that starting strong side linebacker role alongside Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow. At the very least, he should contend for a roster spot.

The Bears signed veteran cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. to serve as depth in the secondary. Stroman found early success in his NFL career, but hes been hampered by injuries. Hell look at compete for a roster spot in a crowded cornerbacks room.

The Bears signed undrafted rookie free agent linebacker Christian Albright out of Ball State. Albright, a converted defensive end, will be looking to make a strong impression. While its not likely he makes the final roster, he could carve out a role for himself on the practice squad.

The Bears signed Matthew Adams to compete for the starting strong side linebacker job. Adams has the advantage of playing under Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis, so he has a good understanding of the defense and his role. Adams is the favorite, but hell have to hold off others for the starting job.

The Bears added another veteran linebacker in Joe Thomas.Thomas has served as a core special teamer throughout his career, but hes solid depth at the linebacker position, where he can step in when called upon. Hell be looking to earn a roster spot with the Bears.

The Bears signed tight end Jake Tonges as an undrafted rookie free agent this offseason. Tonges is coming off a career year during his redshirt senior season at Cal. Assuming four tight ends make the roster, Tonges will be competing with the likes of fellow UDFA Chase Allen and veteran Rysen John for the role.

Speaking of Chicagos other undrafted rookie free agent tight end, Chase Allen will be looking to earn a roster spot in camp. Outside of Cole Kmet, theres no lock for the roster at tight end. But itll likely come down to to Allen and Tonges for a potential fourth spot.

The Bears dont have a lot of depth at the linebacker position, which gives someone like undrafted rookie free agent C.J. Avery an opportunity to contend for a roster spot. Hell have the battle the likes of some fellow UDFAs and veterans. But hes also a candidate for the practice squad.

The Bears signed veteran Nicholas Morrow to serve as a starter alongside Roquan Smith at linebacker. Morrow has played all three linebacker positions in a 4-3 defense with the Raiders. Morrow is expected to serve in the middle linebacker role while Smith serves as the weak side linebacker. But those roles could certainly be interchangeable.

Following the Khalil Mack trade, the edge rusher position is going to look a little different for the Bears. The addition of veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad is a big one for Chicago, especially as he comes to the Bears with a knowledge of Eberflus defense. Muhammad will compete with veteran Trevis Gipson for the starting role opposite Robert Quinn.

Jack Sanborn is easily Chicagos most notable undrafted free agent rookies, and hell be looking to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The good news for Sanborn is that its a relatively unproven linebacker group behind Smith and Morrow, so theres an opportunity for him to carve out a role for himself.

There will be plenty of competition when it comes to edge rusher depth in training camp. Quinn, Gipson and Muhammad are the only locks, and there are roster spots up for grabs. Taylor made a strong impression during the offseason program, and hell need another strong performance to garner consideration for a roster spot.

Chicago found their new starting center in free-agent addition Lucas Patrick, who comes to the Bears with an understand of Getsys offense. Patrick replaces Sam Mustipher, who will be competing for the starting right guard role. While Patrick will serve as the center,he also has experience playing both guard positions.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel returns to the Bears for his second stint in as many years. Pennel was on the roster last summer before landing on injured reserve and was released as part of final cuts. Pennel gets a second chance to compete for the starting nose tackle job, where hell battle Khyiris Tonga.

The Bears signed offensive lineman Willie Wright to areserve/future contract back in February. Wright is a swing offensive lineman who will be asked to play guard. Wright will have to outperform Chicagos rookie offensive linemen for a spot on the roster.

One of those rookie offensive linemen wont be sixth rounder Doug Kramer, who looks to be Patricks backup at center. Kramer is a homegrown product who grew up a Bears fan and played college ball at Illinois. The hope is Kramer develops into Chicagos future center, and hell learn behind Patrick for now.

The Bears drafted JaTyre Carter in the seventh round, where the hope is hell develop into a contributor down the line. Carter projects to serve in a guard role at the NFL level, but hell need some time to develop.

The Bears mightve gotten a steal in fifth-round offensive tackle Braxton Jones, who made a strong impression during the offseason. Jones has emerged as a contender for the starting left tackle role after seeing time with the first team during the final week of OTAs and the entirety of mandatory minicamp.

The Bears added veteran offensive tackle Julin Davenport this offseason. Its a reunion with Eberflus, as Davenport appeared in nine games, including four starts, with the Colts last season. Hell be looking to lock down a roster spot as a potential swing tackle.

Speaking of former Colts, Shon Coleman is one of Chicagos newer additions following the release of punter Ryan Winslow. Coleman comes to the Bears looking to earn a roster spot, but he faces an uphill battle with the players already on the roster.

The Bears selected offensive lineman Zachary Thomas in the sixth round for he NFL draft, and he appears poised to occupy the role of Cody Whitehairs backup at left guard. Thomas saw reps with the first team during minicamp when Whitehair had an excused absence.

The Bears signed Jean Delance as an undrafted rookie free agent where hes a developmental player for now. Delance wont factor into a roster spot, but he could certainly be a candidate for the practice squad.

The Bears tight ends room certainly underwent a transformation this offseason, where Cole Kmet is the only player left on the roster from last season. Chicago signed James OShaughnessy to provide key depth, as well as serve as a run blocker in the Bears run-heavy scheme.

Kevin Shaa is yet another undrafted rookie free agent that joined the Bears this offseason. While theres plenty of competition at the wide receiver position, Shaa likely wont factor into the battle for a roster spot. But he might impress enough to garner consideration for the practice squad.

Free-agent acquisition Ryan Griffin is poised to serve as the second tight end behind Kmet. Griffin will likely split reps with fellow newcomer OShaughnessy.While Griffin isnt a lock, its a safe bet to assume hell make the roster given the lack of depth and his experience at the position.

The Bears added veteran wide receiver Dante Pettis to compete for a depth spot on the roster. Pettis, who played with the Giants last season, reunites with new receivers coach and passing game coordinator Tyke Tolbert. Pettis is a favorite to land one of the final receiver spots on the roster.

Another former Giant to reunite with Tolbert in Chicago is tight end Rysen John, who was claimed off waivers by the Bears. John will be competing for whats likely the fourth and final tight end roster spot with UDFAs Tonges and Allen.

Another veteran wide receiver that has a chance to earn a roster spot is Tajae Sharpe, who signed with Chicago shortly before Pettis. Sharpe, a former fifth-round pick, saw significant action in his first four seasons with the Titans. Sharpe is also considered a favorite to earn one of those final receiver spots.

The Bears selected edge rusher Dominique Robinson in the fifth-round of the NFL draft as a developmental player who could become a significant contributor down the line. Hes been compared to Trevis Gipson including by Gipson himself and he should earn a roster spot to serve as depth at defensive end.

Following Larry Ogunjobis failed physical, the Bears signed Justin Jones to a two-year deal to serve as Chicagos 3-technique. Jones, who is a solid run defender, will be relied upon to be a disruptor along the defensive interior in one of the most important roles in Eberflus defense.

The Bears signed undrafted rookie free agent Micah Dew-Treadway following the NFL draft. Dew-Treadway probably wont factor into Chicagos plans along the defensive line, but hell get a chance to prove himself in training camp.

Originally posted here:
Bears training camp preview: Who are the newcomers in 2022? - Chicago Bears Wire

After Cucho Hernndez was introduced as the Columbus Crews record-signing striker, the narrative of the transfer window quickly shifted away from the former Watford forward to LAFC signing Gareth Bale and D.C. United returning Wayne Rooney as a head coach. Since debuting Saturday against the Chicago Fire, Hernndez has been hard to ignore and on Thursday received the rare distinction of earning his second MLS Team of the Week award in the span of four days.

After a match-winning goal against the Fire, MLS put Hernndez on the bench for the Team of the Week, playing a hair over 30 minutes in his debut.

On Wednesday at Audi Field, the Crew looked like a different team entirely when Hernndez and midfielder Lucas Zelarayn each entered to play the final 45 minutes. Against a United team that dominated the offensive chances in the first half, Hernndez scored twice in the Black & Golds 2-2 draw.

Hernndezs first goal came in the 62nd minute. The striker was part of winning possession in the Columbus defensive midfield, and ran up in attack. Playmaker Lucas Zelarayn found his fellow Designated Player on the corner of the penalty area, where Hernndez put the ball on his left foot and curled in a tough-to-convert shot into the top right corner of the net.

In the 80th minute, United attacking midfielder and key player in the D.C. offense, scored his 10th goal in 10 starts with the MLS original club and Hernndez and the Black & Gold responded immediately.

Less than a minute after United tied the match, Hernndez and Zelarayn linked for the second time on the evening. This time, Zelarayn sent a pass into the six-yard box from outside the right penalty area line, and Hernndez went to ground and headed in Columbus second goal before the home crowd could stop celebrating the goal at the other end of the field.

Ultimately for the Crew, it was an upsetting evening giving up two leads and that resonated even with the new Black & Gold forward who has three goals in 75 minutes on the field.

Im irritated because we wanted to win, and it was a game that we should have won, said Hernndez. But the point is good, and well take it and move on to the next one.

Even though all three team points didnt come Columbus way, the league is noticing his quick contributions, as the fastest Black & Gold player in 27 years to reach three goals.

Hernndez joins three other Columbus players to receive multiple Team of the Week awards in 2022. Goalkeeper Eloy Room, midfielders Zelarayn and Darlington Nagbe and winger Derrick Etienne Jr. also share the distinction. Of the five, only Hernndez and Zelarayn have earned the honor in consecutive match weeks, with Zelarayn starting the season with three straight additions to the weekly award, on his way to winning MLS Player of the Month for March.

Originally posted here:
The Columbus Crews Cucho Hernndez earns his second MLS Team of the Week - Massive Report

Illinois athletics are going to be seeing some new faces in the coming years.

Big News

A few weeks ago, it was announced that two PAC-12 institutions in USC and UCLA would be joining the Big Ten in time for the 2024 football season.

Following this announcement, rumors arose around the status of the Big Tens ongoing negotiations with their upcoming TV deal. It had been announced earlier this year that the Big Ten was nearing an agreement with FOX Sports to finalize a new media rights deal.

Then, silence on the matter.

We went months with no new updates, and we now know why. The conference put negotiations on hold to add two new teams into the fold. With the addition of the two major brands in USC and UCLA, the Big Tens TV deal valuation is now worth significantly more than it was prior. This also means larger potential payouts for all the member institutions.

Big Ten History

Lets have a quick history lesson for our younger Illini fans. The reason the Big Ten is the most desirable conference to land in has to do with a few key reasons. A good part of it can be traced back to one man though, former Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney.

Back in 2005, the conference was accepting bids for a new media rights deal. Historically, the Big Ten had partnered with ESPN, however, negotiations with ESPN in 2005 did not go well.

ESPN executives gave Commissioner Delaney what was considered to be a low ball offer for all of the conferences TV rights. Additionally, they planned to relegate the non-revenue sports to be shown on less accessible channels, limiting the sports exposure to fans and capping potential growth in their viewer base.

Commissioner Delaney unsurprisingly did not accept ESPNs offer. Instead, he came up with the idea of packaging Big Ten sports together and selling them on their own platform. This of course later came to be known as the Big Ten Network.

Originally, the network wasnt marketable as it didnt include football or basketball. After further negotiations, however, the Big Ten Network was also set to include the two sports. Now with a marketable TV package, the Big Ten was able to secure an extremely lucrative media rights deal with FOX Sports.

This deal dramatically increased revenue for the Big Ten member institutions while also giving better exposure to all the sports programs in the conference. Speaking of revenue, lets take a look at how the Big Ten stacks up against the other Power Five Conferences.

Revenue and Payouts

Per Steve Berkowitz of USA Today on the Big Ten.

Payouts to schools:Ranged from $43.1 million to $49.1 million. (In 2020, they were about $54.3 million for each of its 12 longest-standing members, $27.6 million for Maryland and $11.4 million for Rutgers.

As we can see, pre-COVID, the Big Ten paid out $54.3 million to each of its member institutions (excluding Maryland and Rutgers.) This sum led all conferences in team payouts in 2021. Additionally, the Big Ten has had the largest payout to each of its members every year since their last media deal went into place.

Expected Increases

Going into negotiations for the next media deal, the Big Ten expected a big increase in value before the new team additions had been announced. Following USC and UCLA entering the fold, the estimated value of the Big Tens new media rights deal increased significantly.

It is now expected that the new TV deal will be at least worth over $1 billion a year. While there isnt a hard number yet, member payouts are estimated to possibly be anywhere between $80-95 million a year depending on the yearly revenues of the conference.

Worth noting, that this is with the 16 teams expected to be a part of the conference in 2024. Adding more teams would increase the total TV deal value, but depending on the popularity of the schools brand, this could either increase or decrease the estimated payouts per member institution.

Regardless of how it shakes out, the Illinois athletics department is in for a huge payday. This additional money will put all the Illini sports programs miles ahead in funding as compared to similar institutions in other conferences.

We can reasonably expect to be able to pay more to retain winning coaches for our best programs. This means we could afford to win a bidding war if any blue-bloods from the ACC, PAC-12, Big-12, and even SEC ever try to poach any of our coaches again.

For our non-revenue sports, this additional funding solidifies their futures in collegiate athletics at Illinois. Programs like mens gymnastics shouldnt have to worry as much about budget cuts and down years in revenue sports income.

Additionally, with intelligent investment from the administration and the support of the Urbana-Champaign community, Illinois could possibly afford to add a few more sports. Perhaps this could mean taking a second look at adding a hockey program.

It could also mean funding the construction of an indoor training facility for the track team that is also accessible for the nations best collegiate wheelchair track team to train at. Additionally, wrestling may also benefit from having a new location.

All these are possibilities that the athletic department and the university can now explore with an additional $25 million or more a year. As we improve our facilities, we will be more competitive to land better recruits in the future as well.

Regardless of your opinions on conference expansion, we can all agree that it is an exciting time for Illinois athletics. This additional money is a game-changer for our athletic programs as we continue to build for the future under the guidance of athletic director, Josh Whittman. Safe to say, this move will make Illini athletics pockets a lot deeper in the future.

Read more here:
What Illinois athletics looks to gain with the addition of USC and UCLA - Writing Illini

The Browns appear they are going to be relevant this year. And that all may depend on QB Deshaun Watson. Not only is he facing a suspension which may be for the entire season, but he hasnt played in 18 months.

Past that, the offense is poised for great things with a good mix of run-first then pass. The defense has improved with the additions of DT Taven Bryan, CB Martin Emerson, DT Perrion Winfrey, DE Chase Winovich and re-signing DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Plus, the Special Teams unit is totally revamped with new kicker Cade York, newly-signed punter Corey Bojoquez and speedy return man Jakeem Grant.

There are several players on the roster who have been given time to develop into either a starter or as quality backup. Most have come through with their time learning the trade at this level and found their niche or became a valued roster member and even the starter.

Young bucks who have stepped-up include Donovan Peoples-Jones, JOK, Sione Takitaki, Harrison Bryant, Greg Newsome and DErnest Johnson, to name a few.

Then there are others who should break out this year such as Tommy Togiai, Nick Harris, Jacob Phillips, Richard LeCounte, Miller Forristall and Anthony Schwartz.

Next up is the list we are here for: young guys who were drafted or signed to become significant roster members, and have struggled.

Elliott was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Missouri where he was named First Team All-SEC. While at Missouri, he was considered a defensive force who was very flexible and powerful. With the Browns being an analytics team, the mid-rounds are where they expect to obtain their defensive tackles.

Armed with good size (6-4, 303 pounds), Elliott saw very little game action in the first part of his rookie campaign before being inserted more into the rotation down the stretch. In the end, he played in just under 29% of snaps on defense and 3% on special teams. He finished with 15 total tackles with no other stats except one start.

In Week 11 he was graded the highest defensive tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus (PFF) at 90.2:

At the conclusion of his rookie year, he graded out at 55.3 by PFF. Not bad for his first year.

Before the 2021 season, Cleveland cut DT Sheldon Richardson and allowed DT Larry Ogunjobi to seek other employment in free agency. Suddenly, not one but two starting defensive tackle starting slots were wide open.

Going into training camp, Elliott was projected as one of those starters while veteran Andrew Billings was expected to claim the other spot.

Signed as DT competition was savvy veteran Malik Jackson who had won a Super Bowl. Others brought in were free agents Damion Square and Sheldon Day, while Ohio State rookie Tommy Togiai was drafted in the fourth round plus undrafted free agent Marvin Wilson of Florida State which the team had given an increased signing bonus. The Browns also took a flier on the troubled Malik McDowell who was another three-tech guy with huge talent.

It was no surprise that Jackson rose to the top of the heap being a nine-year veteran with Pro Bowl hardware and a Super Bowl ring as evidence of his abilities. But when Billings did a COVID opt-out for 2020 and showed up out-of-shape and heavy, the scene was set for Elliott. However, McDowell had an excellent camp with a renewed focus on football and took control of the final starting slot instead.

Billings was eventually cut in November. But even players such as Day were getting more snaps than Elliott. As the season wore on, Togiai became the favorite in the rotation as well. In Week 11 against Detroit Elliott had just 25 defensive snaps.

Elliott garnered just under 42% of defensive snaps for the year while his PFF rating dropped to a paltry 41.6.

Now Elliott enters his third season. He was drafted to start sooner than later, and now it is much later.

His strengths are he has shown some quickness while able to disengage from offensive linemen. Can he be an anchor at the point of attack? At times. He can also create a baseline that he can be a very good run defender.

Negatives? There are many.

For one, his play is just too inconsistent. One game he is a game-changer while invisible for the next three contests. And while he has good size, he may need to bulk up a bit. His body size is more in line with the defensive end position, but his speed (5.02) eliminates this option.

This season the exact same scenario has occurred in that the franchise did not re-sign both of their starting DTs in Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell.

And while Elliott had all the green lights to start in his second year, this years competition is veteran and former first round talent Taven Bryan plus highly-touted rookie Perrion Winfrey. The Wild Card in this group is how fast Tommy Togiai came on at the conclusion of last year.

Elliott will be not only fighting for a starting role this year, but if he regresses like he did from Year 1 to Year 2, he most likely will be fighting to remain on the roster going forward. So far, the club has not seen enough of their efforts with their time and investment in him.

The signing of Weaver was supposed to be the greatest theft in the history of thieves.

The former Boise State product was the Mountain West Conferences Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and set the conferences record for career sacks with 34. He had 13.5 alone in his final season.

When he became injured while a member of the Miami Dolphins, they placed him on waivers with the idea that usually no clubs will claim an injured player. Except Browns GM Andrew Berry did just that. And to top it off, Weavers rehab occurred in Berea which gave the player a full year under the teams roof to recover and become acclimated to the playbook.

Weaver had a sub-par training camp and was a last day cut. He was then re-signed to the practice squad where he languished for most of the year. Just before the game against Green Bay in Week 16, he was elevated to the main roster. He did not play but was active the following week against Cincinnati to which he netted six snaps with one tackle.

So what happened with Weaver?

Seems he doesnt have the necessary bend for an EDGE rusher and has issues dropping back into coverage when placed as an outside linebacker. His 40 time is 4.93. And while he may have blown up a lesser conference such as the Mountain West, he possesses an average athletic profile.

His size of 6-2 and 260 pounds is that tweener stage where he plays too light for defensive end and is far too heavy to play linebacker in todays NFL.

College production is one thing, but NFL players need explosiveness and Weaver falls short in that category. His college numbers may have been skewed in that Boise State did not play a scheme that translate well into the NFL. Look at traits, not production.

And being a beast in college does not bode well in this league with athletic limitations.

Currently, Weaver is listed fourth on the depth chart at left defensive end behind Myles Garrett, rookie Alex Wright and journeyman Stephen Weatherly.

This years training camp is make-or-break for Weaver.

When the Browns selected Wills with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, former Cleveland great Joe Thomas exclaimed that one pick would soon place the franchise into the Super Bowl.

Not so fast.

As a true right tackle for Alabama, he was thrust into playing the other side immediately. Wills has shown the ability to get out in front of plays and has great hand placement with a strong body.

He has also shown the ability to improve after a lackluster rookie campaign. An exceptional run blocker, his pass blocking skills have come a long way although he still has issues with speedier defensive ends.

Wills has dropped his penalties from 11 in his rookie year to just four last year which is a huge plus. However, his play is inconsistent. His pass protection is spotty and at times he struggles to get into his spot or hold his ground. He needs to sink his hips more in order to maintain some sort of control over his attacker.

Yes, he has had only 15 penalties the past two seasons, but 11 are false starts. Nothing kills a drive more than a player who knows what the snap count is yet jumps early.

Then there are the issue of injuries.

A shin injury set the tone in his rookie year. That has been followed by an ankle injury in Week 1 last year that required X-rays. He was subsequently pulled from the following week against Houston. The lingering issue caused him to miss three games. Later in the season he was a COVID scratch.

Wills health has been linked to the teams success. He is a mainstay on one of the best offensive line units in the league. His position is one that requires being very physical and being able to maneuver.

Last year he played a total of 763 snaps, or 69% of offensive plays. He did not play a full game until Week 5.

So far Wills has been good but not great. He does come into training camp completely healthy this year so we will see if his development continues or if he flatlines and does not elevate his game to the elite tackle he was drafted to become. Last year, he declined in his productivity and was deemed a disappointment. His PFF grades were 61.5 in run blocking and 67.9 in pass protection. Needless to say, both of these are subpar.

Couple this with the fact that in the 2020 NFL draft there were five offensive tackles predicted to be taken in the first round. When the New York Football Giants selected Andrew Thomas, Cleveland had their choice of the others. Three picks after the Browns took Wills, Tampa Bay nabbed Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa, a traditionally good offensive lineman factory. Wirfs has since been named to the NFL All-Rookie Team, earned First Team All-Pro honors, gotten a Pro Bowl berth plus is a Super Bowl champion.

If this is the last year the Browns retain the services of RT Jack Conklin, the obvious move would be the slide Wills back over to his natural position and see if he will shine.

So far he has shown flashes of greatness followed by inconsistent play.

The potential has always been there. He has the blessing of one of the best to ever coach the offensive line in Bill Callahan. And Joe Thomas.

Come to think about it, how are we to argue with either one of these men?

See the article here:
3 Browns under the most pressure in 2022 - Dawgs By Nature

Today marks the end of the first half of the 2022 season and as the All-Star Game festivities get underway, it only seems fitting that we look back on the season thus far and highlight some of the good, some of the bad, and some of the ugly that I took away from the season at this point. So put on your best Clint Eastwood grimace, clench that jaw, and get ready to stare down each other, and lets get to it.

With some obvious holes heading into the 2022 season, the Colorado Rockies needed to make some moves in several key areas. In a bizarre twist we arent typically accustomed to, the majority of new additions to the team have turned in fairly adequate to fantastic performances thus far.

Despite injuries taking a toll, we have seen bits and pieces of Kris Bryants offensive potential in the past couple of weeks and he is continually getting more comfortable with the team, and now that he is active on the roster you can tell the difference his leadership on the field makes a difference in the clubhouse. Randal Grichuk hasnt been the powerhouse we hoped he would be, but he is still hitting .250 on the season with nine home runs and 41 RBI and gradually hitting the ball in the air more.

Weve seen Jos Iglesias and his bat become a nice surprise this season and he is one of the best hitters in baseball on the road this season with a .363 AVG which is a welcome attribute for the Rockies. For a guy just meant to warm the seat at his position for prospects, he has gone above and beyond at the plate and has cleaned up his defense even though its still not as good as you want it to be.

Chad Kuhls emergence as the best starting pitcher for the Rockies this season thus far is an unexpected development. He has the lowest ERA in the rotation at 4.11 and a 4.46 FIP. He has filled in nicely for Jon Gray and is now a candidate to be a valuable trade trip or could even be an extension target for the team. In addition, Alex Colom has also settled in nicely in the bullpen, despite being one of the slowest pitchers in baseball, his 2.67 FIP is the best in the ole arm barn currently.

Its difficult for new players to make an immediate impact with the club, but the crop of guys that joined the Rockies this season have done so admirably and Ive enjoyed having them all on the team.

Other Notables: C.J. Cron became an All-Star, Daniel Bard returned to dominance, Tyler Kinley was unhittable, Chuck Nazty is back

Outside of Kuhl, its been a rough season for the Rockies rotation regulars returning in 2022. The egregious difference in 2022 has been Germn Mrquez. After being named an All-Star in 2021, Mrquez completely changed his approach this season. He changed up his pitch arsenal usage and the results did not follow, especially when it came to his fastball, and he has pitched to a 5.47 ERA. Hes begun to return to form in his last few starts to end the first half as he has gone back to what made him dominant in the first place, but they need Mrquez to continue to get back to his ace status.

Much like their teammate, both Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland have taken some steps back in 2022. Both were recipients of long-term extensions with the Rockies and have had similar results this season. They each have an ERA of a little under five while struggling to string together a strong stretch of quality starts. Injuries have hindered Senzatela this season in addition to returning to an old pitching approach that wasnt effective, and Freeland just cant seem to find the magic of his 2018 season again but keeps on chugging along and battling in every start.

Lastly, Austin Gomber just hasnt looked comfortable all season. His 6.11 ERA is the highest on the team and at times his curveball has not been as dominant as it has been before. Much like the rest of the rotation, walks have been a problem and missed locations on pitches have resulted in an abundance of home runs and extra-base hits surrendered.

Other notables: Lack of power, Injuries decimating the roster, Bullpen struggles, We hit too many ground balls

If you look up ugly in the dictionary its just going to show you the Rockies' defensive stats on the season and their offensive road numbers.

Its almost a given nowadays that the Rockies are going to be terrible offensively on the road. They lack power on the road, and despite leading all of baseball in batting average, thats a misleading stat because as a unit the club is quite flawed, especially on the road. They have 344 strikeouts away from Coors Field to just 110 walks and have a .292 OBP. They struggle to get on base and sometimes cant even hit the ball and generate some offense. Its torture to watch the Rockies on the road.

However, what isnt a given is the defensive miscues the team has had this season. Sure, they have cleaned things up quite between the end of June to now, but that still doesnt erase how bad things were the months prior. Their 59 errors are tied for second in all of baseball which has helped lead to a -11.5 Def according to FanGraphs. Sure, the team has turned a ton of double plays, but they have played so much sloppy baseball and given up roughly 43 unearned runs this season. Its been bad, and luckily they have addressed it and hopefully contained it from getting any worse.

So, the Rockies have been a bit more mediocre this season than any of us hoped they would be. There are definitely some highlights and lowlights, but I still see a team with more potential than what they are producing. Hopefully, everyone involved in the decision-making can address all aspects and not just focus on one good thing, but rather on all areas that can help the team reach its potential.

Juan Soto rumors: What it would take for the Colorado Rockies to get him | Rox Pile

So it sounds like Juan Soto is going to be heading to the trading after rejecting a huge offer from the Washington Nationals. Now, we are more likely to see George R.R. Martin finally finish his last Game of Thrones book before the Rockies land a huge star like Juan Soto. However, our pal Noah Yingling tries to answer the question that we are all thinking because playing out hypothetical scenarios in our minds are lot more fun than reality sometimes.

Futures Game: AL Futures 6, NL Futures 4

Zac Veen got the start in left field for the NL Futures in Los Angeles during the Futures Game. He was the only NL Future with multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Notably, Veen showed off his speed on the base paths by swiping both second and third in the same inning. Overall a great showing by the highly anticipated Rockies prospect.

The Isotopes utilized six pitchers on the night to navigate nine innings of one-run ball against Sacramento. Karl Kauffman started on the hill and have up the lone run to the River Cats in 3 23 innings while walking five and striking out four before giving way to the bullpen to carry it the rest of the way. The Isotopes had nine hits come from the top four spots in the lineup thanks to Sean Bouchard, Elehuris Montero, and Carlos Perez each knocking two hits, and Wynton Bernard had three hits. Montero notched a triple in the game, while Bernard blasted his 15th long ball of the season.

Mitchell Kilkenny got the start for Hartford tonight and tossed 6 23 strong innings of work, but was stung for three runs in the seventh as the Yard Goats took home the victory on Saturday. The Hartford offense came alive in the fifth inning as they trailed 1-0, thanks to a pair of home runs from Willie MacIver and Michael Toglia. They would add five more in the seventh to make it a 9-4 final. Toglia provided plenty of offense on the night going 4-for-4 with a three-run homer.

Despite tallying 10 hits as a team, Spokane managed just two runs in the ninth innings as they dropped the game 6-2 to Eugene. Joe Rock started on the hill and delivered 5 23 strong innings, allowing three runs, but the offense couldnt string together hits to back him up. The team went 2-for-12 with RISP, while Braiden Ward, Hunter Goodman, and Colin Simpson each had multi-hit nights.

Victor Juarez has continued to get roughed up a bit over his past few starts after allowing six runs in four innings of work during his loss to Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday night. Fresno also struggled to string the bats together, after they scored four runs in the first two innings but would be held scoreless until adding one in the top of the ninth. Juan Brito had the most notable night for Fresno, going 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.

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Colorado Rockies news: The good, bad, and ugly of the 2022 first half - Purple Row

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-8)

CAMP SITE: Santa Clara, California

LAST YEAR: The Niners bounced back from an injury-plagued 2020 season to get back into the playoffs and make it all the way to the NFC title game before falling to the eventual champion Rams. San Francisco traded three first-round picks to draft Trey Lance third overall as the future franchise QB but kept the team in veteran Jimmy Garoppolo's hands in 2021. Garoppolo ran an efficient offense taking advantage of do-everything receiver Deebo Samuel but also showed the limitations that led to the move for Lance. A return of a healthy DE Nick Bosa helped revive a defense that had an overpowering pass rush at times but it wasn't enough to get back to the Super Bowl.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: CB Charvarius Ward, DE Drake Jackson, DE Kerry Hyder, LB Oren Burks, S George Odum, DL Hassan Ridgeway, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, DL Kemoko Turay.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: G Laken Tomlinson, CB KWaun Williams, DT D.J. Jones, S Jaquiski Tartt, DE Arden Key, RB Raheem Mostert, CB Josh Norman, LB Marcell Harris.

CAMP NEEDS: The Niners have serious questions on the offensive line, especially on the interior. Williams was an All-Pro last season and has Lance's blindside protected but there are questions at the other spots. Mike McGlinchey is returning from a quadriceps injury but should be ready at the start of camp at right tackle. The three interior spots are up in the air with last year's second-round pick Aaron Banks having a shot at one of the guard spots and Jake Brendel getting the first chance at center. Daniel Brunskill played right guard last season but might be better as a versatile backup if second-year player Jaylon Moore can earn a starting spot.

KEY CAMP COMPETITIONS: The Niners didn't use a draft pick at safety even after letting longtime starter Jaquiski Tartt leave in free agency. Instead they are hoping the answer to finding the safety to line up with Jimmie Ward is already on the roster. Last year's fifth-round pick Talanoa Hufanga showed flashes last year and could get a shot at the full-time role. Odom has experience as a starter in Indianapolis and Tarvarius Moore is also in the mix after missing last season with an Achilles injury.

EXPECTATIONS: The Niners are counting on Lance to make a seamless transition as starting quarterback and expect that will make them contenders again in the NFC. The team is filled with stars supporting Lance with Samuel one of the most dynamic playmakers in the game, George Kittle one of the top tight ends and Williams the best left tackle in the league last season. The defense has Bosa, insider rusher Arik Armstead and linebacker Fred Warner leading the way. If Lance can be a slight upgrade on Garoppolo, San Francisco should be one of the top teams in the conference. If he struggles in his first full season since 2019 at North Dakota State, it could be a long season.

FANDUEL SUPER BOWL ODDS: +1600

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See original here:
49ers turn team over to QB Trey Lance in 2022 - USA TODAY

According to Rick Gosselins 2021 special teams rankings, the Chiefs had the fourth-best special teams squad overall last season. Thats no surprise among the NFL they ranked third in punt returns, fifth in kickoff coverage, first in punt coverage and third in net punting. Butker also had the second-best field goal percentage in the division.

Gosselin ranked the Raiders 11th thanks to Carlsons 93 percent field goal percentage (good for fourth-best in the league) plus Coles first-ranked punt average at 50 yards per punt. The Raiders dont have their returners solidified for 2022 but have some talented options.

Gosselins rankings have Denver at 27th. The Broncos had the worst kickoff return and kickoff coverage units in the league last year, although the addition of Washington as a returner should help Denver in the kickoff return game a bit. Denver also has Martin who was one of the better punters in the league last season.

Gosselin ranked the Chargers all the way down at 31st. L.A. was the best in the division at kick returns last year but somehow was the worst in the league at punting and punt returns. The additions of Scott and Carter should help L.A.s special teams squad climb league rankings.

Continued here:
AFC West Weekly: Ranking the division's defensive, special teams position groups - Chiefs Wire

The All-Star Game is in the books, and just five weeks remain of the 2022 WNBA regular season. And as the playoff race heats up, the best players will continue to have an impact around the league.

Before play resumes Tuesday, ESPN's Mechelle Voepel, Kevin Pelton and Alexa Philippou once again rank the top 25 players in the WNBA. Five former MVPs dominate the top of our update, although No. 1 is now unanimous. Six players who weren't on our preseason list break into the rankings, including Kelsey Plum, who climbed all the way into the top 10. Teammate Jackie Young also makes her debut, putting the entire Las Vegas Aces' starting five on the list.

The league-leading Chicago Sky, No. 1 in the WNBA standings and in Monday's WNBA Power Rankings, have four players featured. Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream is the lone rookie on the list, landing at No. 25.

The New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu (No. 10), the Dallas Wings' Allisha Gray (No. 19) and the Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell (No. 24) also break into the rankings.

Forward | 6-foot-42022 stats: 21.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 SPGPreseason rank: 1

Stewart also was No. 1 in the preseason, edging reigning MVP Jonquel Jones, who got one vote. But Stewart was a unanimous pick this time. Our midseason pick for MVP, Stewart is playing perhaps the best basketball of her career after winning the award in 2018 and Finals MVP twice. In addition to leading the WNBA in scoring, Stewart is also second in steals per game, a key reason she was also our midseason pick for Defensive Player of the Year. Despite Stewart's heroics, the Storm started slowly, but they've moved into third in the WNBA standings at the All-Star break and are just 1 games out of first place. -- Pelton

Forward | 6-foot-42022 stats: 18.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.1 BPGPreseason rank: 3

Wilson was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game and is a perennial MVP candidate. Plum and Young have upped their offensive production this season, but it hasn't negatively impacted Wilson's stats. She is shooting 49% from the field and has an effective field goal percentage of 52.0, both career bests. She is also averaging career highs in rebounding and blocks while continuing to be a strong presence defensively. The Aces have cooled after a hot start but as long as they have Wilson, 25, they are a championship contender. -- Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-62022 stats: 14.6 PPG, 8.9 RPGPreseason rank: 2

Jones -- who went off in Sunday's All-Star Game with 29 points -- continues to cement her status as one of the league's best, even as she has assumed a slightly less prominent role on the Sun with Courtney Williams and Alyssa Thomas back into the fold. DeWanna Bonner and Williams are taking the most shots on the team -- Jones' 10.9 field goal attempts per game are her fewest in three seasons -- and Connecticut will need to work on getting her the ball, especially in late-game situations. But her value to the Sun, including on the glass and on the defensive end, cannot be disputed: Jones' plus-13.3 on/off court net rating is comfortably the best on the team. -- Philippou

2 Related

Forward | 6-foot-22022 stats: 18.4 PPG, 7.1 RPGPreseason rank: 14

Ogwumike has had a hell of a past two years on and off the court navigating the demands of leading the players' union, the disappointment of being left off the U.S. Olympic team for the Tokyo Games and difficulties stemming from a knee injury. Finally healthy and in a renewed mental space, Ogwumike has been the bright light in an otherwise tumultuous Sparks season. Los Angeles, which started the season with a brutal schedule and fired coach Derek Fisher midseason, wouldn't be in playoff contention -- the Sparks currently are seventh in the WNBA standings at 10-12, with the best eight teams making the postseason -- without Ogwumike's heroics. Her field goal percentage (.571) would be the second best of her career if the 2016 MVP can keep it up. -- Philippou

Forward/center | 6-foot-42022 stats: 13.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 5.0 APGPreseason rank: 9

Parker's numbers are very similar to last year's, when she joined Chicago after 13 seasons in Los Angeles and helped the Sky win a championship. She turned 36 in April and has said she isn't sure how much longer she will play. But she doesn't look near retirement in regard to how good her game still is, and that has Chicago leading the league. Parker's versatility always has been a hallmark, and she has two triple-doubles this season. Her assist average this season is the highest it has been since 2015 (6.3). -- Voepel

0:28

Kelsey Plum is named the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game MVP as Team Wilson defeats Team Stewart 134-112.

Guard | 5-foot-82022 stats: 19.9 PPG, 5.7 APG, 42% 3FGPreseason rank: NR

Unranked when the season began, Plum has played her way into the league's highest echelons after winning the sixth player of the year award a year ago. In a larger role, Plum has literally maintained her efficiency (her .579 true shooting percentage is identical to last year's mark) while pushing her scoring to second best in the WNBA. Plum leads the league in 3-pointers and has become a three-level threat, as she was at Washington, where she finished as the NCAA's all-time-leading scorer. Plum winning MVP in her All-Star debut Sunday only confirmed that she belongs among the league's best players. -- Pelton

Center | 6-foot-62022 stats: 14.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.2 BPGPreseason rank: 4

Fowles will be 37 in October, and looks as if she easily could play a few more years. But she is ready to move on with her life and pursue other things, and will retire at the end of the season. Fowles is shooting almost 60% from the field for her career (59.9), and with every rebound she adds to her WNBA career record total (3,878). Fowles missed five games because of a knee injury but returned to help the Lynx climb back in the standings. They are 4-2 since her return to the lineup June 23. -- Voepel

0:23

Sylvia Fowles gets a steal and throws down a slam dunk as Team Wilson pads its lead versus Team Stewart.

Guard | 5-foot-82022 stats: 11.3 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.0 RPGPreseason rank: 7

The Chicago Sky were on a roll heading into the All-Star break, surpassing the Aces as the top team in the league standings, and floor general Vandersloot has a lot to do with that. Vandersloot is No. 2 in the league in assists -- behind only Natasha Cloud -- while continuing to live up to her reputation as a go-to bucket when the Sky need one (see: her winning buzzer-beater 3 to lift Chicago over the Lynx a few weeks ago). The Sky's depth and balance are huge assets, but there's no question that if the Sky are to become the first franchise to repeat as WNBA champions since the Sparks in 2001-2002, Vandersloot's fingerprints will be all over such a run. -- Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-92022 stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.0 RPGPreseason rank: 5

Little has gone well for Phoenix on or off the court this season -- that is, aside from the stellar play of Diggins-Smith. With Brittney Griner detained in Russia, the Tina Charles experiment having gone horribly wrong and an aging Diana Taurasi beside her, Diggins-Smith has had to shoulder even more of the offensive load, attempting the second-most shots of her career (15.1 per game) on one of her higher field goal percentages (44.1%) since being drafted into the WNBA. Her on/off court differential is plus-14.4 per 100 possessions, the best mark of any of the Mercury's regular rotation players this season. -- Philippou

0:17

Skylar Diggins-Smith hits a big 3-pointer over Sabrina Ionescu to put the Mercury up by four with just over a minute to play.

Guard | 5-foot-112022 stats: 17.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 6.3 APGPreseason rank: NR

As recently as the end of May, it wasn't clear this would be the season Ionescu delivered on the potential that made her the best player in college basketball at Oregon. Ionescu was held to 10 points or fewer in five or her first eight games as the Liberty started 1-7. Since June 1, Ionescu has been as good as anybody in the WNBA, averaging 20.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists with a pair of triple-doubles -- matching Candace Parker as the first two players in league history to record two triple-doubles in the same season. If Ionescu can lift New York in the playoffs and continue producing at this level, there's a case for her to jump even higher on the list. -- Pelton

Forward/guard | 6-foot-52022 stats: 16.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APGPreseason rank: 12

Delle Donne has played 15 of the Mystics' 24 games, and she is coming off her top scoring performance of the season: 26 points in a July 6 victory over Atlanta. The two-time MVP is still one of the league's elite players -- even if she wasn't chosen as an All-Star -- and the most important thing for the Mystics will be getting her to the postseason in the best shape possible. -- Voepel

0:42

Sabrina Ionescu sinks a 3-pointer to seal a win in the 2022 WNBA Skills Challenge for herself and teammate Zoe Brooks.

Forward | 6-foot-32022 stats: 13.5 PPG, 4.8 RPGPreseason rank: 19

Jones -- the only player named an All-Star despite coming off the bench for her WNBA team -- appears poised to take home the sixth player of the year award after winning most improved in 2021. She continues to be an efficient presence on the offensive end (shooting 56.1% from the field), is smart defensively, and her overall impact cannot be overstated: Jones' 4.1 win shares are second best in the WNBA, per Her Hoop Stats, and she ranks seventh in Pelton's WARP/G (.152). -- Philippou

Guard | 6-foot-02022 stats: 17.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.9 APGPreseason rank: NR

Young is having the best season of her career, which reflects all the work she has done to improve her shooting mechanics. She is hitting 46.9% from 3-point range, with an effective field goal percentage of 55.9. She is taking nearly three shots more and averaging five points more per game than last season. Young has made 30 3-pointers in 2022, compared to 22 combined in her first three WNBA seasons. Add that to her getting to the foul line more, and you see why she has become a more dangerous offensive player. She has always had the skill. -- Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-102022 stats: 16.4 PPG, 3.9 APG, 38%, 3FG%Preseason rank: 6

As compared to 2022, when she earned All-WNBA first-team honors, Loyd has taken a slight step back inside the arc. She's making a career-low 40% of her 2-point attempts, worse than you'd expect based on her shot profile and historical accuracy. Loyd remains a valuable scorer based on her high-volume 3-point shooting, and is a strong two-way contributor even though she no longer has to take the most difficult defensive assignments with the additions of Briann January and Gabby Williams. -- Pelton

Forward | 6-foot-22022 stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.6 APGPreseason rank: 15

Thomas hit the ground running in her first (full) WNBA season back since tearing an Achilles prior to the 2021 campaign, earning WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in May. With Jasmine Thomas out for the year (ACL tear), Alyssa Thomas has had to take on even more of a facilitator role, where she's averaging a career-high (and team-best) 5.6 assists per game. Her attacking ability and grit nonetheless remain important for the Sun, as her 23 points helped Connecticut overcome a 17-point, second-half deficit to defeat Washington last week. -- Philippou

Forward | 6-foot-42022 stats: 12.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.0 APGPreseason rank: 24

After spending her first seven WNBA seasons in Washington, which included winning the 2019 title and WNBA Finals MVP, Meesseman went to Chicago. She has been a really good fit for a Sky team that lost Diamond DeShields and Stefanie Dolson to free agency. Meesseman is valuable in part because she is so consistent and reliable. She isn't shooting as well from 3-point range as she has in the past but is still at 58.5% from 2-point range. -- Voepel

2:02

Check out some of the best moments from Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young as they continue to bring the heat to Atlanta.

Guard | 5-foot-82022 stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.6 APGPreseason rank: 10

Arike Ogunbowale continues to do Arike Ogunbowale things, as she's top five in the league in scoring this summer -- as she has been in each of her previous three seasons with the Wings -- while also attempting the most 3-pointers of her pro career (8.2 per game). Dallas floundered a bit after its strong start, holding on to the eighth spot in the standings heading into the All-Star break. Ogunbowale will need to stay efficient offensively and hold up defensively for Dallas to build upon last year's first-round exit. -- Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-82022 stats: 15.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 38%, 3FG%Preseason rank: 20

An All-Star for the second consecutive season, Atkins has established herself as one of the league's best all-around guards. Capable both of creating her own offense and posing a threat spotting up, Atkins is also sneaky good in terms of avoiding turnovers (bottom 10 in the WNBA in turnover rate, per Basketball-Reference.com). Having made the All-Defensive second team each of the past three seasons, Atkins is a key part of the Mystics' defensive rating, which ranks second in the league. -- Pelton

Guard | 6-foot-02022 stats: 14.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.3 APGPreseason rank: 10

Gray is a quiet person, and she's quietly having the best of her six seasons thus far in the WNBA. She is averaging career highs in scoring and rebounding, and is shooting a career-best 41% from 3-point range. Often overshadowed by Ogunbowale's big-time scoring, Gray is third in the league in offensive rating and eighth in offensive win shares. -- Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-112021 stats: 12.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.0 APGPreseason rank: 17

In her second season in Las Vegas, Gray remains one of the WNBA's most dependable point guards. She is fourth in the league in assist average this season, and she is averaging a career high in steals at 1.6. Like the other Aces starters, Gray has a lot on her shoulders and is expected to log many minutes. But she is the type of player who doesn't have many ups and downs. Her steadiness is one of her talents. -- Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-32022 stats: 11.9 PPG, 7.9 RPGPreseason rank: 21

Las Vegas' Wilson, Plum and Young might capture the majority of onlookers' awe, but Hamby continues to prove herself critical to the Aces' success, as indicated by her 2022 All-Star bid and her recently announced contract extension with the franchise. Her shooting percentage (50.3%) is the best of the Aces' core players, her rebounding numbers rank second (7.9 boards per game) and, finally in a starting role, she's playing the most minutes of her eight-year career. -- Philippou

Guard/forward | 6-foot-12022 stats: 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPGPreseason rank: 22

The Sky kicked it into high gear once they had all their pieces back, including 2021 Finals MVP Copper, who arrived late due to overseas commitments. Across their past 15 games (around the time that Copper returned), the Sky boast a league-best 12-3 record and 7.7 net rating. Copper's length and quickness as a slasher -- not to mention her ability to hit from deep, where she's taking more shots than all but one other season of her career -- continue to solidify her as one of the most promising young stars of the league, further showcased by her earning her second consecutive All-Star bid this season. -- Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-92021 stats: 8.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 40% 3FG%Preseason rank: 16

When Bird started the season slowly, including a 1-of-11 shooting performance against Phoenix, observers inevitably wondered whether she might no longer be as effective in what is now officially her final WNBA season. Bird bounced back and is now hitting 40% of her 3s to go along with the second-highest assist rate (8.1 per 36 minutes) of her 19-season career. At age 41, Bird's minutes (26.1 per game) have been limited, but make no mistake: She's still crucial to Seattle's success. -- Pelton

Guard | 5-foot-82022 stats: 19.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 4.0 APGPreseason rank: NR

Mitchell is having the best of her five seasons in the WNBA, with her scoring and assist averages being career highs, along with her 42.2 3-point shooting percentage. She is fourth in the league in scoring but didn't get selected to the All-Star Game. That suggests the Fever's struggles as a team can impact the way Mitchell is evaluated individually. But she seems committed to Indiana's attempt to reestablish the franchise, and she's doing her part. -- Voepel

Forward/guard | 6-foot-22022 stats: 15.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPGPreseason rank: NR

The WNBA's first rookie All-Star since Napheesa Collier (an injury replacement in 2019), Howard has delivered ahead of schedule as the No. 1 pick. Carrying a heavy offensive load on an Atlanta team that has played much of the season without veteran guards Tiffany Hayes and Erica Wheeler, Howard has compensated for low shooting percentages (38% from the field) with volume 3-point shooting and few turnovers. And Howard's activity on defense is a factor in the Dream's improvement from ninth to third in defensive rating. -- Pelton

Fell out: Tina Charles, Liz Cambage, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride, Diana Taurasi

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WNBA 2022 - Ranking the top 25 players in the league 2.0 - ESPN

With the additions of Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase, the Cincinnati Bengals not only improved their performance on the field, but also in the stands.

Among teams that stayed in the same stadium the Bengals had the second-biggest attendance growth in the NFL from 2019 to 2021, per Greg Auman:

The only team the Bengals lost out on in attendance gains just happened to add one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The Bengals themselves are no slouches with the Super Bowl appearance at the end of last season they should see those numbers continue to rise going forward.

Also, unlike the Buccaneers, the Bengals core players are extremely young, most importantly Joe Burrow, who at this point is one of the most exciting young players in the league.

With better play the Bengals attendance will continue to rise, and as long as Joe Burrow keeps being Joe Burrow, the Bengals should be able to maintain an exciting offense. They took another step in maintaining it this past offseason as well with the additions along the offensive line to protect Burrow.

With better protection in the pocket, Burrow should take fewer hits, get more time, and throw up more Chase and Tee Higgins bombs for touchdowns.

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Bengals had one of the biggest attendance growths in the NFL of the last 2 years - Cincy Jungle