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Sri Lanka 355 for 6 (Mendis 78, Samarawickrama 73, Naseer 2-44) beat UAE180 (Waseem 39, Aravind 39, Hasaranga 6-24)

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis led a quartet of half-centuries from Sri Lanka as they dominated UAE and enjoyed a winning start to their World Cup Qualifier campaign in Zimbabwe.
Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka also struck fifties as Sri Lanka posted 355 for 6. Their attack was without Dushmantha Chameera, who was sidelined with a shoulder strain, but Wanindu Hasaranga bagged career-best List A figures of 6 for 24 to wreck UAE's chase. Maheesh Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva backed Hasaranga up as UAE were rolled over for 180 in 39 overs.
Allrounder Ali Naseer stood out amid the UAE rubble, following up his sharp spell of 2 for 44 in his ten overs with a sprightly cameo. Since making his ODI debut against West Indies earlier this month in Sharjah, Naseer has made scores of 58, 57, 13, and 34 in four innings in addition to fronting up to bowl the difficult overs.

On Monday, Sri Lanka's top four saw him off and lined up the other bowlers. Mendis treated wristspinner Karthik Meiyappan with contempt, taking him for 36 off 18 balls. Having sussed out that Meiyappan was repeatedly dipping into his wrong'un and not threatening the stumps enough, Mendis attacked him with a variety of sweeps. Contrastingly, Hasaranga and Theekshana didn't give up the stumps and didn't give UAE's batters as many chances to employ the sweep.

Samarawickrama also played a number of inventive strokes during his 64-ball 73, the pick of them being a ramped four off Naseer in the 44th over. Samarawickrama had initially shaped to scoop the ball over short fine leg, but Naseer shifted his line even wider of off. Samarawickrama was so switched on that he changed his shot at the last instant and ramped it over wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind. He had forged a 105-run partnership for the third wicket with Mendis off 77 balls, which formed the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's innings.

Before they had got together, Nissanka and Kartunaratne had also done their bit by countering the early-morning swing and seam movement. Karunaratne was the more fluent of the two openers and was responsible for six of the nine fours Sri Lanka had scored in the powerplay.

But Sri Lanka had to wait until the 48th over for their first six. Charith Asalanka injected greater urgency into the innings when he shanked Muhammad Jawadullah over wide long-on for six. Then in the next over, he launched Rohan Mustafa for another imposing six. Hasaranga joined the hitting spree in the final over, thumping Zahoor Khan for three fours off four balls.

Hasaranga then ran rings around UAE in their chase, though some of their players have played with - or against - Hasaranga during the inaugural ILT20. They struggled to pick his wrong'un in particular as the wristspinner went on to record his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.

Naseer aside, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (39) and vice-captain Aravind (39) were the only batters to pass 30 in the chase.

When the two teams last met at the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, Meiyappan picked up a hat-trick, and overshadowed Hasaranga, who was his senior during his IPL stint as a net bowler at Royal Challengers Bangalore.

On Monday, it was Hasaranga, the master, who bossed his protégé and UAE.

Oman 285 for 5 (Prajapati 72, Maqsood 59, Ilyas 52, Adair 2-47, Little 2-47) beat Ireland 281 for 7 (Dockrell 91*, Tector 52, Bilal 2-64, Butt 2-65) by five wickets

On just the second day of the World Cup Qualifier, Oman brought about the first upset of the tournament by chasing down 282 against much-fancied Ireland with five wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare in Bulawayo.

Kashyap Prajapati, Aqib Ilyas and captain Zeeshan Maqsood all scored crucial fifties as Oman went about the chase with utmost professionalism. At no point did they look hurried, they stitched partnerships at every corner and registered a historic maiden ODI win against a Full Member nation to spark off delirious scenes in the dugout .
That Ireland reached 281 was down to George Dockrell's career-best 89-ball 91 after Oman's spinners had the Ireland batters on a leash in the middle overs.

Sent in to bat, the new opening pair of Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling hit their straps immediately, adding 51 runs in nine overs. With the 9am start, there was a lot of movement on offer for the fast bowlers, but the Oman quicks Fayyaz Butt and Bilal Khan failed to capitalise and gave away too many freebies.

However, almost against the run of play, Ireland lost both openers off consecutive balls. Having just nailed a pull the previous ball off Bilal, Stirling went for the same shot to a similar ball. The difference being a fielder had just moved to deep backward square leg and Stirling toe-ended his pull straight down his throat. The very next ball, McBrine picked out mid-off to an innocuous short ball outside off.

Things got worse for Ireland, with captain Andrew Balbirnie falling for a 19-ball 7 as they lost 3 for 18 in seven overs. It was a trial by spin for Ireland, with the trio of Maqsood, Ayaan Khan and Jay Odedra tying them up.

Lorcan Tucker was cleaned up by Ayaan, but Dockrell and Harry Tector added 79 runs for the fifth wicket. Tector fell after his fifty, but Dockrell took the innings deep. He helped Ireland slam 86 runs off the final ten overs. But the fact that they faced 157 dot balls in their innings was always going to haunt them.

At no stage did Oman look out of depth in the chase. The bright sunshine did make things easier for batters, but the nervelessness with which Oman got about the chase was a sight to behold.

Mark Adair got the ball to hoop around up top, and had Jatinder Singh edging to second slip. Prajapati and Ilyas, however, made sure the required run rate never got out of hand. They kept the good balls out and capitalised on the loose ones. Ilyas targeted Graham Hume by slamming him for three successive fours in the seventh over. The duo added 94 runs off 88 balls for the second wicket before Ilyas top-edged Dockrell to short fine leg.

Maqsood came in at No. 4 and added a 63-run stand with Prajapati and then a 56-run partnership with Mohammad Nadeem. At no point did the required rate go above six an over as the Oman batters got the boundaries regularly and rotated the strike brilliantly.

Maqsood reached his fifty off 58 balls and while he fell soon after, there were no flutters in the Oman camp. Nadeem (46 not out), Ayaan (21) and Shoaib Khan (19) all played their part as Oman cantered home.

Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo

Matt Parkinson will leave Lancashire at the end of the season to join Kent on a three-year-deal.

The 26-year-old leg-spinner has found his opportunities limited at his boyhood county, despite starting the season with a five-wicket haul in the first round of this season's County Championship against Surrey. He then played one match on loan at Durham before returning for Lancashire's Vitality Blast campaign.

Parkinson made his Test debut last summer as a concussion substitute for Jack Leach during the Lord's Test against New Zealand but has since fallen down the pecking order for club and country. That remains the last of 12 international caps as other spin bowling options, such as Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks, came to the fore over the winter.
Parkinson's travails were compounded when he was overlooked for the Hundred Draft, despite taking 20 wickets for Manchester Originals across the first two seasons of the men's competition. In the end, a move suited all parties, with the emergence of finger spinner Tom Hartley at Lancashire, who also offers greater value with the bat.

Nevertheless, Parkinson still boasts exceptional first-class and Twenty20 records, with 151 dismissals at an average of 25.92 and 139 at 18.96 respectively.

"The time is right for me to embrace a new challenge and environment," said Parkinson in a Kent statement. "I'm so excited that this will be at Kent.

"I'm proud of my record in the game so far & I believe my best years as a leg-spin bowler are ahead of me. I've heard very positive things about the squad and I'm looking forward to working with Matt Walker and the other coaches.

"I promise my new teammates and the Kent supporters that I will throw myself into this new challenge and I can't wait to get down to Canterbury to get started.

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the Lancs members for the support they have given to me during my time at Old Trafford. I thank my teammates for their friendship and wish them the best."

Kent's Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: "Everyone at Kent is really excited that Matt has decided to join the club on a long-term contract.

"To have a proven match-winning leg-spinner in our ranks will be a major boost to the squad. Matt is also a feisty competitor who will bring a lot to our dressing room. We look forward to welcoming him to Canterbury."

Mark Chilton, Lancashire's Director of Cricket Performance, said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Lancashire Cricket, I would like to thank Matt for all of his commitment and efforts since making his first-class debut in 2016, having progressed through our academy.

"Matt has found first-team opportunities limited this season and we respect the decision that he has made to move on at the end of his contract, in order to seek a new challenge elsewhere. We would all like to wish Matt well for the next stage of his career at Canterbury."

It seems unlikely Parkinson will move on loan for the remainder of the season, as is usually the way with these sorts of deals. The fact Lancashire (seventh) and Kent (ninth) are separated by 20 points at the foot of Division One makes that an awkward proposition.

Ex-Dutch striker sentenced for stabbing cousin

Published in Breaking News
Monday, 19 June 2023 10:22

A Dutch court has sentenced Spartak Moscow striker Quincy Promes in absentia to 18 months in jail for assault in connection with a fight in 2020 in which he stabbed his cousin in the knee.

Dutch broadcaster RTL reported Promes will appeal, citing his lawyer.

Promes, 31, is living in Moscow, and it is not certain he will return to the Netherlands.

Promes was charged in May with importing several hundred kilos of cocaine through the Belgian port of Antwerp in 2020 after he was wiretapped in a drug investigation. His lawyer is arguing against the use of those conversations in this investigation.

He has previously had spells at FC Twente, Go Ahead Eagles and Ajax. He also has 50 international caps for the Netherlands.

Wyndham Clark climbed to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking and stands a fraction of a point behind Brooks Koepka on the heels of a breakthrough victory at the U.S. Open.

Clark was 241st in the world the day after the 2022 U.S. Open but has a pair of victories -- and more than $8 million in earnings -- the past six weeks.

Clark held off Rory McIlroy at Los Angeles Country Club. With a final total of 10-under 270, Clark won by a single shot. At the 72nd hole, Clark lag-putted from 60 feet to set up a tap-in par, unleashing a fountain of emotion amid his celebration Sunday.

McIlroy came up short in his bid to end a nine-year major drought and is third in the latest rankings behind Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. Scheffler has 608.43 total points, Spain's Rahm has 473.78 and Northern Ireland's McIlroy is at 425.27.

Patrick Cantlay is No. 4 followed by Viktor Hovland (Norway), Xander Schauffele and Australia's Cameron Smith.

Hovland, 25, won the Memorial Tournament last week and finished second at the PGA Championship.

Rickie Fowler is up to No. 35 -- a jump of 10 spots -- with a points gain of 86.88. He tied for fifth at the U.S. Open and has a run of three consecutive top-10 finishes (Charles Schwab Challenge, Memorial).

Watson questions PGA Tour commish on LIV deal

Published in Breaking News
Monday, 19 June 2023 10:22

LOS ANGELES -- Eight-time major champion Tom Watson wants answers on the PGA Tour's new business partnership with Saudi backers of LIV Golf, asking in a letter Monday to commissioner Jay Monahan whether the deal was the only way to solve the tour's financial hardship.

That was one of several questions posed by Watson in the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press and was sent to Monahan, the PGA Tour board and "my fellow players."

He said the questions were "compounded by the hypocrisy in disregarding the moral issue."

On the day after Wyndham Clark became the latest major champion by winning the U.S. Open, focus shifted back to an issue that has consumed golf for the past few years. It took a stunning turn June 6 when the PGA Tour announced it had joined with Saudi Arabia's national wealth fund and the European tour to put the commercial businesses under one roof.

Monahan has referred to it as a "framework agreement," and he had few answers for players in a meeting two weeks ago at the Canadian Open. A Player Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday ahead of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

Monahan, who stepped away for a "medical situation" Wednesday, is not expected to attend. Two of his top executives are in charge of the tour's day-to-day operations.

The tour said in the June 6 announcement that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund, would be chairman of the new company and Monahan would be the CEO. Two PGA Tour board members, Ed Herlihy and Jimmy Dunne, would join them on the executive committee.

The deal contains assurances the tour would keep a controlling voting interest in the new commercial entity regardless of how much the PIF contributes, according to a person who has seen the agreement.

The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been made public, said the agreement allows for a financial investment from PIF and pooling the three parties' current and future golf-related investments. That would include LIV Golf.

The agreement said the new company's board would have majority representation appointed by the PGA Tour, the person said. The PGA Tour would still have full authority on how it runs its competition.

Still missing are key details such as the future of LIV Golf. Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau have said they are planning for a 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., suggested Sunday that congressional hearings could be held within weeks.

Blumenthal is chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that the subcommittee wants facts on what went into the deal and who was behind it and details on the structure and governance of the new company.

"There are very, very few details," Blumenthal said. "But remember, what we have here is essentially a repressive, autocratic foreign government taking control over an iconic, cherished American institution for the clear purpose of cleansing its public image," he said.

One key to the agreement was ending all litigation. The PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf filed a motion Friday to dismiss with prejudice the antitrust lawsuit LIV players filed in August, the countersuit the tour filed in September and even a PIF appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to avoid having to give depositions in the lawsuits. They cannot be refiled.

Monahan has said the lawsuits -- a trial date was not expected until at least the middle of 2024 with plenty of filings in between -- had contributed to a "significant" hit to the tour.

Watson said in his letter: "Is the PIF the only viable rescue from the Tour's financial problems? Was/is there a plan B? And again, what exactly is the exchange?"

He mentioned hypocrisy twice, especially as it relates to criticism from groups such as 9/11 Families United on the tour's reversal.

"My loyalty to golf and this country live in the same place and have held equal and significant weight with me over my lifetime," Watson said. "Please educate me and others in a way that allows loyalty to both, and in a way that makes it easy to look 9/11 families in the eye and ourselves in the mirror."

Watson isn't alone in having questions. The Justice Department's antitrust division has been reviewing the golf landscape since last summer and now is starting to look at the tour's agreement with the Saudis and whether it violates federal antitrust laws. The inquiry is in its early stages, as the agreement is barely 2 weeks old and still is being finalized.

Monahan has said everything in the framework agreement would be subject to board approval.

Blumenthal told CBS he thought a hearing would be possible "within weeks."

"The American people deserve a clear look at the facts here," he said. "Again, not prejudging what the conclusions will be. But what the Saudis are doing here is not taking control of a single team or hiring one player. They are, in effect, taking charge of the entire sport, and it's not just a Saudi individual. It is the regime."

A few big-name NFL veterans stole the spotlight at mandatory minicamps by showing up, or not showing up, or delaying showing up. And it kept the news cycle humming.

But we also asked our NFL Nation reporters to keep a close eye on their team's first-round draft picks the entire offseason. Who looks ready to deliver on his potential? Who might be better than advertised? Who is struggling so far to get up to speed?

Naturally, there was a great deal of chatter about the three first-round quarterbacks, all of whom were taken in the first four picks. Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick, already has ascended to starter in Carolina. When will Houston's C.J. Stroud and Indianapolis' Anthony Richardson do the same?

What about the defensive linemen? How about the four wide receivers taken in a row? They're all here. The answers are listed in the order of how Round 1 played out:

1. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers (via CHI)

How he has fared so far: Young has been as advertised, living up to all the expectations the Panthers had when they selected him No. 1. From his ability to process information, to making all the throws, to earning the respect of his teammates, he's on a clear path to be the Week 1 starter. He already has been elevated to QB1 over Andy Dalton, a clear sign the staff and teammates have confidence in him.

"Everybody is here for him,'' wide receiver DJ Chark said. "And we believe he can take us to some really high places.'' -- David Newton


2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

How he has fared so far: Stroud's ball placement has stood out throughout the spring, as his passes have rarely been off target. Veteran quarterback Case Keenum has been impressed with Stroud's presence and said, "I would have thought he had been here a year, been in the league, been a four-, five-year vet."

Stroud has yet to run exclusively with the first-team offense, as he has split reps with Davis Mills, but it's only a matter of time. -- D.J. Bien-Aime


3. Will Anderson Jr., LB, Houston Texans (via ARI)

How he has fared so far: Anderson has run with the first-team defense, but only so much evaluation can be done on a player at his position without pads. He has displayed explosiveness throughout practices with his ability to rush upfield and contain the edge. We'll learn more during camp, but he's on track so far. -- D.J. Bien-Aime

Read more: Seifert: Inside Texans' costly plan to draft C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr.


4. Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

How he has fared so far: Consistency was always the biggest concern for Richardson coming into the NFL draft. And that has proved to be a fair assessment throughout spring practices as he works to perfect his mechanics. But what also stands out are the physical gifts Richardson brings. "It's crazy," linebacker Zaire Franklin said. "Even just in the walkthrough against him, it's like, 'OK, when [No.] 5's in there, you've just got to be aware.' It's just like a whole other element to an offense that you don't necessarily have to think about with more of a traditional quarterback."

Look for the Colts to lean into Richardson's running ability from day one -- whether he's the starter or not. -- Stephen Holder


5. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

How he has fared so far: Non-padded and no-contact practices haven't provided Witherspoon the setting to show off his physicality and ball skills, two of the traits that made him the Seahawks' highest draft pick of the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era. But he's proving to be a quick study. After being limited early by a hamstring injury, Witherspoon progressed to full-speed reps with the No. 1 defense. The Seahawks have also taken a look at Witherspoon sliding inside in nickel situations, where he has impressed Carroll.

"When we gave him the chance, he jumped right on it," Carroll said. "He's a really good football learner. He gets it, man. It makes sense to him, and he does things naturally really well, and that expedites the process." -- Brady Henderson


6. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Arizona Cardinals (via LAR through DET)

How he has fared so far: Johnson got a significant number of reps this offseason at both left and right tackle, with incumbent LT D.J. Humphries out rehabbing his back and incumbent RT Kelvin Beachum not around for the voluntary practices. Johnson impressed coaches and teammates with his skills, size and intelligence.

"I like him a lot, man. He's a student. He got a lot of student to him," Humphries said. "He's not a young hunk that's kind of like, 'I got this figured out. You old guys get out the way and hold my water.' He doesn't have any of that to him. He's very like, 'I want to know, am I doing this right? How can I do this better? How do you do this? What are you thinking about when you're doing this?'" -- Josh Weinfuss


7. Tyree Wilson, DE, Las Vegas Raiders

How he has fared so far: Wilson, recovering from surgery to his right foot in November and a follow-up procedure in March, did not take the field during OTAs or minicamp, so there's no way to say how the edge rusher has looked thus far. Wilson, though, has impressed his new teammates with his classroom work and his 6-foot-6, 271-pound profile.

"I've seen a bunch of highlights, but just from his physical gifts alone he can be a great player," defensive end Maxx Crosby said. "You can have tools, you can have every bit of talent -- that's the NFL, everybody's talented -- but it's what you do when you get in the building. He's had a great attitude so far. He seems like a great kid." -- Paul Gutierrez


8. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

How he has fared so far: Robinson has been exactly as Atlanta anticipated. The Falcons have shown they'll use him as a running back and a receiver, all over the formation. Were there questions from pundits about how the Falcons used this pick? Yes. When coach Arthur Smith was asked whether the traits they saw in Robinson have translated to the NFL, he made his answer very clear: "We do not have buyer's remorse, if that's what you're asking."

An example? On Tuesday, Robinson was the last player off the field, signing autographs and then getting extra work on the JUGS machine. -- Michael Rothstein


9. Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (via CAR through CHI)

How he has fared so far: There were no overt signs during the OTA sessions open to the media that Carter, who couldn't finish position drills at his pro day in March, was struggling with his conditioning. One of the most gifted players in the 2023 draft class, Carter has a fluidity to his motion that is rare for a defensive tackle.

"I think you just see their athletic ability and the drill work," coach Nick Sirianni said of Carter and fellow former Georgia first-round pick Nolan Smith. "You're seeing the things that we saw, obviously, on tape of what they do well and the power, their athletic ability, their personalities." -- Tim McManus


10. Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears (via NO through PHI)

How he has fared so far: The game of musical chairs along the offensive line has taken the Bears well into training camp in past offseasons. That's no longer the case, as Chicago exits minicamp knowing its projected five starters, including at right tackle, where Wright has been running with the first-team offense since his arrival. Bears coaches are impressed with how well Wright has adapted to the speed of the game and his eagerness to learn the playbook. His physical traits have been a talking point among teammates.

"He fell down [during an OTA practice] and did this somersault," tight end Cole Kmet said. "And it was the most graceful somersault I've ever seen a 330-pound player do. It was pretty impressive. I was like, 'Damn, that's pretty good.'" -- Courtney Cronin

Read more: Cronin: How the Bears knew Darnell Wright was the right fit


11. Peter Skoronski, OL, Tennessee Titans

How he has fared so far: Even though they're not in pads, Skoronski is getting valuable reps going against Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Skoronski has already stepped into the starting lineup at left guard, which is a position he hasn't played since he was in the sixth grade. The Titans have also given him snaps at left tackle. But Skoronski's likely spot this year will be as an interior lineman.

"He's a guy that we think can play any position up front," Titans offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling said. "He's continuing to hone in. It doesn't really matter what the position is. It's just getting the skill set and trying to perfect his craft." -- Turron Davenport


12. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions (via CLE through HOU and ARI)

How he has fared so far: Without pads, Lions coach Dan Campbell often refers to this offseason period as a "pajama party," but Gibbs' speed and pass-catching ability have already been on display. The Lions' coaching staff is lining him up at wide receiver in addition to his responsibilities in the backfield to really capitalize on his versatility. So far, so good for the No. 12 overall pick.

"He can catch it; he can run it," Lions quarterback Jared Goff said on the first day of mandatory minicamp. "We're excited about him. He's done a hell of a job as well as a rookie, learning, picking things up, asking the right questions and can do some special things with the ball in his hands, so we're excited about that." -- Eric Woodyard


13. Lukas Van Ness, DE, Green Bay Packers (via NYJ)

How he has fared so far: Van Ness has shown both power and speed as a pass-rusher, but it's nearly impossible to know if that will translate from non-padded and supposedly non-contact practices into the real thing. But with Rashan Gary still rehabbing last season's knee injury, Van Ness has gotten plenty of reps with the No. 1 and No. 2 defensive fronts. -- Rob Demovsky


14. Broderick Jones, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (via NE)

How he has fared so far: Evaluating a rookie offensive lineman while he's still in shorts is a fool's errand, but we'll give it a shot. Though Jones isn't getting first-team reps, he's earning solid reviews from his coaches and teammates. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer spoke highly of Jones during minicamp, while also acknowledging a steep learning curve for rookie linemen.

"He's talented, he's young, he's athletic, he's got all the tools," Meyer said. "The thing is he wants to be great, so he stays with that, and he wants to be great, and he has that attitude to do that. And when the time's ready for him, he's going to be in there." -- Brooke Pryor


15. Will McDonald IV, DE, New York Jets (via GB)

How he has fared so far: McDonald's biggest challenge will occur in training camp when the pads go on. At 240 pounds, he needs to show he's big and strong enough to be a quality edge rusher. In non-contact practices, he showed the speed and agility that prompted the Jets to pick him this high. Defensive end Solomon Thomas said McDonald has "the super rare ability to bend on a dime." He projects as a pass-rushing specialist as a rookie, part of a deep defensive end rotation. -- Rich Cimini


16. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington Commanders

How he has fared so far: Forbes was always around the ball and got his hands on numerous passes throughout spring practices -- intercepting a few. He impressed teammates and coaches with how he handled workouts, giving them hope that he'll create big plays for the defense. Forbes worked mostly on the outside with the starters, though the Commanders did use him inside on occasion -- in part to help him read routes even better and just in case they get in a pinch because of injuries. Forbes' size was noteworthy; he's a skinny 166 pounds. He showed he can adapt, however, by using quickness and length to prevent receivers and tight ends from bullying him.

"He's got a great anticipation of routes," defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer said. "The other thing is you watch him get in and out of breaks. He does a great job. His transition of his feet is so quick." -- John Keim


17. Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots (via PIT)

How he has fared so far: The 6-foot-2, 201-pound Gonzalez was lining up as a first-unit left cornerback and caught the eye of teammates. "He's very athletic. It's pretty effortless the way he does everything -- the way he moves in and out of breaks. He runs easy. It looks very light and fluid," safety Kyle Dugger noted.

Questionable physicality is one reason Gonzalez might have slid to No. 17, so the team will wait for a more complete evaluation once players are in full pads in training camp. -- Mike Reiss


18. Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit Lions

How he has fared so far: As expected, Campbell is still adjusting to the nuances of the NFL game. Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard is challenging him regularly. Lions coach Dan Campbell said the rookie has been hard on himself, which can be a "blessing and a curse," because they want him to move past his early mistakes. Detroit is throwing a lot at Campbell as an inside linebacker, and it is asking him to play with vision, but he's growing daily.

"I think like with any young player, he's smart enough to understand what's going on, but he's not processing it fast enough because he's young," Dan Campbell said. "It gets on him fast. The speed of the game's different, and that'll come." -- Eric Woodyard


19. Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

How he has fared so far: There's only so much you can take from watching a defensive tackle without pads and actual hitting, but Kancey's quickness off the ball has been apparent in drills and should serve as a nice complement to big-bodied Vita Vea. And Kancey has not only the desire but the ability to understand what goes on around him in the defense and not just his respective role.

"He's smart. He's a lot smarter," coach Todd Bowles said. "He's not just a lineman trying to line up and do things, he's trying to understand everything on the defensive line and the offensive line, so he knows how to play. I'm very impressed with that." -- Jenna Laine


20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

How he has fared so far: After being limited early by the hamstring injury that sidelined him for most of last season, Smith-Njigba has looked exactly as advertised -- a skilled route-runner who excels at getting open from the slot. Despite not being known as a burner, he showed he has plenty of speed when he got behind fellow first-rounder Devon Witherspoon on a wheel route to haul in a long touchdown, perhaps his top highlight of the spring.

"He's so impressive," quarterback Geno Smith said. "Very smooth route-runner. Natural hands. Also, the game is not too big for him. You can see he's got that self-confidence that you look for." -- Brady Henderson


21. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

How he has fared so far: Star safety Derwin James Jr. minced no words when describing Johnston. "He's that guy," James said. "Him being able to get open, him being able to have the confidence to be able to go through his drills and be able to -- every catch, he's finishing his runs." Throughout the offseason program, Johnston demonstrated an ability to make plays across the middle of the field and stretch a defense down the sideline.

"His range is really, really tremendous," said first-year coordinator Kellen Moore, whose scheme is intended to create more explosive opportunities. "The other thing that we've highlighted is his ability to make plays after the catch. You can certainly see that, his suddenness to get in and out of breaks once he catches the ball, the transition to a runner, that will be really big for him." -- Lindsey Thiry

Read more: Thiry: Chargers rookie makes good on draft-night promise: His mom's officially retiring


22. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

How he has fared so far: Flowers has been impressive with his ability to consistently get open. The Ravens have drafted six wide receivers in the first round in their history, but none has shown this type of route-running as a rookie. Teammates and coaches have raved about his sharp change of direction, which has caused plenty of separation this offseason. "Zay is shifty," quarterback Lamar Jackson said. "Zay is very fast, explosive. He can stop on the dime."

Flowers has had the occasional drop, which was a problem in college. But Ravens officials have shown no concern over his hands. Flowers is projected to be among Baltimore's top three wide receivers alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman. -- Jamison Hensley


23. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

How he has fared so far: Addison participated in rookie minicamp two weeks after the draft, displaying the versatility the Vikings hope he can bring to their offense as a playmaker at both outside positions as well as in the slot. But Addison was sidelined for the remainder of the offseason program because of what coach Kevin O'Connell called a minor injury. He is expected to be fully recovered by the start of training camp.

In the interim, O'Connell said that Addison "has been phenomenal in meetings and out here asking great questions when they come up." -- Kevin Seifert


24. Deonte Banks, CB, New York Giants (via JAX)

How he has fared so far: Banks was working with the second-team defense at the first OTA open to the media this offseason. That quickly changed, as his talent is evident. The Giants were impressed with the way he worked and moved, and they promoted him to starting defense for the rest of spring. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale used a "Ted Lasso" line to describe Banks: "He lives life like a goldfish. He's got a short memory when things don't go right."

That's useful because, like most rookie cornerbacks, Banks had his ups and downs on the field this spring. -- Jordan Raanan


25. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills (via JAX through NYG)

How he has fared so far: Von Miller said, unprompted, during mandatory minicamp that "this Dalton Kincaid kid is insane." Quarterback Josh Allen has referred to him as a "very bright kid." So, so far, so good. Kincaid has put in solid work during the offseason, and there have been moments when Allen has taken a moment to discuss a route with the tight end. Kincaid seems to be off to a strong start, with the Bills hoping he has a big role.

Training camp will show more, with offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey saying they won't get "a great feel" of how he can best be used until then. -- Alaina Getzenberg


26. Mazi Smith, DT, Dallas Cowboys

How he has fared so far: The Cowboys did not do any 11-on-11 work during the organized team activities or minicamp, so making any judgment on Smith is difficult because so much of what he will do is about his size (6-3, 325) and strength. But what the offseason work allowed Smith to do was learn what the coaches will want from him technically, and they have said he has picked everything up fast. He has a willing mentor in veteran Johnathan Hankins.

"You can tell on tape for a big man, [Smith] bends extremely well and obviously very strong. Everyone knows that," All-Pro guard Zack Martin said. "He's going to be a great addition to our team. We should have some good battles in training camp." -- Todd Archer


27. Anton Harrison, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars (via BUF)

How he has fared so far: The Jaguars have put Harrison at right tackle, and the expectation is he'll be the opening-day starter if left tackle Cam Robinson is suspended for violating the PED policy and Walker Little moves from right tackle to left. Harrison got some solid reps against outside linebacker Josh Allen in minicamp and more than held his own, but the bigger test will come when the pads come on in camp.

"He just stands out," Allen said. "Quick, good feet. That's one thing you want to look into is how good his feet are, and he's real good at his feet. So I think once he gets comfortable in the scheme and gets comfortable working with all four of the other guys up front, I think he's going to be a heck of a player." -- Michael DiRocco


28. Myles Murphy, DE, Cincinnati Bengals

How he has fared so far: The combination of size and speed that Murphy displayed at his Clemson pro day has been evident during offseason workouts. He has looked as explosive as advertised in the team's position drills. Murphy's reps have predominantly been with the backups, but the Bengals had a handful of 7-on-7 reps during mandatory minicamp. Cincinnati wants Murphy to be on the field for key pass-rushing situations as the Bengals try to increase their pressure rate. Murphy already has an approval stamp from receiver Tee Higgins, a fellow former Clemson player.

"Lot of my friends that played with him say he's a good guy," Higgins said. "Hopefully he can come in and make an impact early." -- Ben Baby


29. Bryan Bresee, DT, New Orleans Saints (via SF through MIA and DEN)

How he has fared so far: Bresee has gotten snaps with the first-team defensive tackles at times, and he'll likely continue to be swapped into the rotation throughout the summer. While it's no sure thing he'll be a Day 1 starter yet, he'll certainly get his share of first-team reps in training camp and into the season if he stays healthy. He's already settling into New Orleans and has been taking advice from veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan.

"He's probably a little more sudden, a little more quick than maybe I anticipated," Saints coach Dennis Allen said at the conclusion of minicamp. "The things I've been most pleased with is really his intelligence level and his work ethic. He's worked extremely hard throughout this offseason, and I'm looking for him to be a key contributor for us." -- Katherine Terrell

Read more: Terrell: 'Ella Strong': How Saints rallied around death of Bresee's sister during draft


30. Nolan Smith, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles

How he has fared so far: Smith is a high-energy player, something that is obvious even during 7-on-7 drills. With some of the top edge rushers missing from practice, Smith got plenty of run with the first unit. His quickness stood out and so did his motor. It's clear he'll be in full pursuit of the ball carrier until the whistle is blown. -- Tim McManus


31. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

How he has fared so far: Anudike-Uzomah practiced little for much of the offseason after having thumb surgery and fighting a sore hamstring. He returned to practice about the time the Chiefs were finishing up, leaving his coaches with little time to evaluate him. "He's worked through [the injuries], and he's back in the swing and looks like he's feeling better every day, which is a good thing," coach Andy Reid said.

The Chiefs have George Karlaftis, who had six sacks as a rookie last season, and free agent addition Charles Omenihu at defensive end, so they don't expect Anudike-Uzomah to become an immediate starter. They do expect him to play and be a contributor, however. -- Adam Teicher

Read more: Teicher: How Anudike-Uzomah went from lifelong Chiefs fan to their first-round pick

Draymond declines option, to become free agent

Published in Basketball
Monday, 19 June 2023 10:22

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is declining his $27.6 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.

"We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options," Paul told ESPN.

It was expected Green would opt out; now he can talk with the Warriors as well as explore sign-and-trades and free agency.

The Warriors, though, have been motivated to sign Green to a new deal, sources said.

The four-time All-Star has been a pillar of the Warriors' dynasty over the past decade after being drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2012. He has often been referred to as the team's heart and soul, while also anchoring the defense.

This past season, though, called some of Green's leadership into question. After Green punched Jordan Poole at training camp -- an incident Warriors coach Steve Kerr called at the time the franchise's biggest crisis during his tenure, later saying it had left a cloud over the season -- Green struggled to fully regain the trust of his teammates.

Green admitted that the altercation impacted his ability to be the vocal, and sometimes abrasive, leader who has energized Golden State in the past. He said he felt this prevented the team from being able to perform at its full capabilities. But there is a strong belief that all parties would be able to move forward and have both Green and Poole on the team next season.

Green averaged 8.5 points on 52.7% shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game this season.

With Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers leaving the organization earlier this offseason, newly appointed GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. will be tasked with finding a new deal with Green.

Longtime Orioles pitcher Dick Hall dies at age 92

Published in Baseball
Monday, 19 June 2023 11:10

Longtime Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dick "Turkey" Hall, a member of the team's Hall of Fame, died Sunday at the age of 92.

The Orioles announced his death on Monday. Hall was inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame in 1989.

Hall began his career as an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1952 before evolving into a two-way player in 1955. He became a full-time pitcher two years later, earning the nickname "Turkey" for his unusual pitching motion.

Hall was traded to the Orioles ahead of the 1961 season and would pitch in 342 games (22 starts) for the club across two stints -- 1961-66 and 1969-71.

He won World Series rings with the Orioles in 1966 and 1970, though he didn't appear in a game in the '66 series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He went 2-1 without giving up an earned run in five career postseason games, earning two saves.

Hall went 93-75 with a 3.32 ERA and 71 saves in 495 games pitched for his career with four teams overall, also including the Kansas City Royals (1960) and Philadelphia Phillies (1967-68).

Hall batted .210 with four home runs in 714 career at-bats as an outfielder.

Cardinals outfielder Nootbaar returning from IL

Published in Baseball
Monday, 19 June 2023 11:10

The St. Louis Cardinals reinstated outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the 10-day injured list Monday.

He has been out since sustaining a lower back contusion when he crashed into the outfield fence on May 29.

Nootbaar, 25, went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs on Sunday in his final rehab game for Triple-A Memphis.

He is batting .266 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 42 games in the majors this season.

The Cardinals optioned first baseman Luken Baker to Memphis in a corresponding transaction.

Baker, 25, made his MLB debut on June 4 and went 4-for-14 with five strikeouts in four games.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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