Month: January 2025

One Raiders rookie Antonio Pierce thinks is not getting enough mention

The Raiders have found their new right tackle in rookie third round pick DJ Glaze. Antonio Pierce thinks that hasn’t gotten enough notice.

The Raiders have a bonafide Rookie of the Year candidate on their team. Brock Bowers has claimed the spotlight as not only the best rookie on the Raiders, but arguably the top rookie in the league.

After Bowers, it’s second round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson who gets some discussion as he was pegged to be a starter at the beginning of the season and has performed well at both guard and center.

But it’s another offensive lineman with whom Antonio Pierce has been consistently impressed. And in his final press conference of the regular season, he was sure to call attention to him.

“DJ Glaze,” Pierce called out by name. “I’m going to keep talking about him. Just consistent, going back to training camp. It’s just impressive. Blocking Malcolm [Koonce], blocking Maxx Crosby and then going out throughout the season and just be consistent.”

Glaze was the team’s pick in the third round out of Maryland. he was behind Thayer Munford at right tackle throughout the offseason and going into training camp. But when Munford got banged up in camp, Glaze got some reps with the first team and held his own, even against the likes of Crosby.

So, when Munford got injured in week three of the season, the team put in Glaze and never looked back.

Even when Munford recovered and was healthy enough to return to the field, they stayed with Glaze at right tackle.

And in the 13 starts since, Glaze has given up just three sacks. That is impressive for any rookie, let alone a third round pick.

He’s showed he may just be their answer at right tackle moving forward.

Texans vs. Titans injury report: Final updates, news for Friday

Here’s the injury report from Friday’s walkthrough as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans in the season finale.

Here are the full injury reports from Friday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans ahead of their matchup at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.

Following walkthroughs, both teams have determined which players are out for Sunday’s regular-season finale.

With a win, the Texans would secure a 10-win season for the second consecutive year under DeMeco Ryans since being hired.

It would also mark the eighth 10-win season in franchise history.

Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Houston Texans (9-7)

OUT

Alontae Taylor has been one of the worst tacklers in the NFL

Alontae Taylor has more missed tackles than any cornerback this season, with the highest miss rate of any defender. He must clean it up if he’s going to be someone they can rely on:

You never want to be on the wrong side of this stat. Alontae Taylor has been one of the worst tacklers in the NFL this year, and the New Orleans Saints have felt the impact in both the running and passing game.

The cornerback has a 22 missed tackles, for a missed tackle rate of 20.2%. His 22 missed tackles are the most for any cornerback. His missed tackle rate, however, is higher than any defender with at least 100 tackling attempts.

When you think about a bad run defense, you typically think about the defensive lineman not getting push or linebackers not filling the gap efficiently.

While that’s at play as well, Taylor is a physical player who spent about half of the season in the slot. That put him in the run game more than his snaps at outside corner. Missed tackles on the perimeter can easily lead to a runner getting the edge and gives more of an opportunity for a big play.

In the passing game, that adds more yards after catch. Tackling has been one of the bigger issues for the New Orleans Saints. In Taylor’s case, both are prone to lead to big plays. We all know that’s another issue that has plagued the Saints. He must clean it up if he’s going to be someone they can rely on in a starting role.

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IMSA releases garage assignments for Rolex 24

IMSA has published the garage assignments for the 63rd annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, and all 61 entries that were on the provisional entry list released on December 12th are listed and assigned garages. That’s good news for fans hoping to see the …

IMSA has published the garage assignments for the 63rd annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, and all 61 entries that were on the provisional entry list released on December 12th are listed and assigned garages.

That’s good news for fans hoping to see the Lamborghini SC63 at Daytona. According to RACER.com’s Marshall Pruett, Riley Technologies is set to take over as the service provider of the No.63 Lamborghini (main image), pending official confirmation from manufacturer and team.

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The late change in service partner had put the car’s participation at Daytona in doubt, but a garage slot for the Lamborghini entry – now under the entrant name of Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse – suggests it will race in the first leg of the five-race Michelin Endurance Cup.

Lamborghini’s former WEC drivers Mirko Bortolotti, Daniil Kvyat, and Edoardo Mortara are scheduled to drive alongside Romain Grosjean at Daytona.

It’s also good news for supporters of the No.5 Proton Competition Porsche 963, which has a garage space next to its two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs (including the Iron Dames-branded entry).

The Proton 963 was previously announced in October as a Michelin Endurance Cup entrant, but recent comments from Porsche during the Night of Champions event suggesting that the manufacturer would only support a single customer 963 – that of JDC-Miller MotorSports – had caused some worry about the project.

But it does seem that Daytona is now back on the table at least, with Gianmaria Bruni and Neel Jani already listed to drive the No.5 Proton Porsche at Daytona. Will the car see its original Endurance Cup commitments through?

Reigning GTP champions Porsche Penske Motorsport will get the No.1 and No.2 garage spaces, with the title-winning No.7 Porsche getting the coveted No.1 garage space.

These 3 Chargers players could earn contract incentive bonuses for their play in 2024

These three players are close to earning some extra cash for their play in 2024.

Players on new contracts are given incentives, which allow them to earn more money for reaching specific statistical milestones.

Three Chargers players can cash in due to their performances from 2024 when they close out the regular season against the Raiders: Cornerback Kristian Fulton, running back J.K. Dobbins and edge defender Bud Dupree.

Fulton needs one more interception to earn an additional $125,000. He already has one on the season.

Dobbins needs at least 58 rushing yards to get an extra $150,000. He is at 842 yards, and probably would have already surpassed this mark had he not missed four games due to an injury.

Dupree needs one more sack to get an extra $250,000. The veteran is at six sacks on the season.

Los Angeles plays Las Vegas this Sunday at 1:25 pm PT.

Report: Wisconsin to host Miami transfer cornerback on official visit

Wisconsin in pursuit of another experienced transfer cornerback

Wisconsin is set to host Miami transfer cornerback D’Yoni Hill on an official visit, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Zenitz reports that Wisconsin, West Virginia and Missouri are the three schools with a visit scheduled, with Kansas State and Oklahoma State also in the mix. Hill is looking for a new destination for his final year of eligibility.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments

The veteran cornerback began his career at Marshall after joining as a three-star recruit in the class of 2022. He played in 10 games as a true freshman, appearing primarily on special teams. He then broke out as a sophomore in 2023, totaling 55 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and 10 pass deflections as one of Marshall’s top cornerbacks.

Hill transferred to Miami for the 2024 season. He appeared in 11 games (five starts) for the Hurricanes and finished the campaign with 33 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection.

Wisconsin remains in pursuit of experienced cornerbacks after losing most of the room’s production and depth after the 2024 season. Hill likely rises to the top of the team’s priority list given his track record of experience and production.

The Badgers recently landed their 18th transfer commitment of the offseason: former LSU defensive tackle Jay’Viar Suggs. For more on the Badgers’ remaining top targets, bookmark our 2024 transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The New York Knicks (24-10) take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-5) Friday. Tip-off from Paycom Center is set for 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Knicks vs. Thunder odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; OKC swept 2-0 last season

The Knicks have won 9 straight as C Karl-Anthony Towns continues his path toward the league MVP. They took down the Utah Jazz 119-103 New Year’s Day as KAT had 31 points and 21 boards. He’s averaging 24.9 PPG and career highs with 13.7 RPG and 44.0% from downtown. The Knicks were without G Jalen Brunson (calf), and he’s questionable for this one.

The Thunder have won 8 straight after a 116-98 victory over the LA Clippers Thursday. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a team-high 29 points with 8 assists. He has gone for 30+ points in 4 of the last 6 games — and 5 of the last 8 — but it’s what he’s doing from the 3-point line that is making him even more dangerous. He has gone 5-for-10 from 3-point land the last 2 games.

Knicks at Thunder odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 3:19 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Knicks +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Thunder -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +4.5 (-110) | Thunder -4.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Knicks at Thunder key injuries

Knicks

  • G Jalen Brunson (calf) questionable
  • G Miles McBride (hamstring) questionable

Thunder

  • G Alex Caruso (hip) out
  • C Chet Holmgren (hip) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Knicks at Thunder picks and predictions

Prediction

Thunder 128, Knicks 124

Moneyline

The Thunder are on a back-to-back, but they’re 6-0 on no rest this season. They’ve won 8 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Brunson’s availability could change things, but the Thunder will be the best team the Knicks have played in the last 10. They don’t have the answers offensively if Brunson is out or limited.

That said, the Thunder are too expensive at -190. Instead, I’m taking KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS OVER 39.5 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS (-120). He has 30+ points and 13+ boards in 3 straight games.

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Against the spread

I like the KNICKS +4.5 (-110) to cover here mostly because they’ve averaged 122.8 PPG over the last 8. The absence of Holmgren underneath is a big deal, but the Knicks at face value just don’t have enough to top the ninth-highest scoring (115.4 PPG) team in the league.

But the Thunder are on a back-to-back, so there is a possibility the KNICKS +4.5 (-110) win outright.

Over/Under

I like OVER 223.5 (-110) here. As mentioned, OKC averages 115.4 per game, and the Knicks have averaged 122.8 PPG over their last 8.

This should be a shootout.

TAKE OVER 223.5 (-110).

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Saints make their decision on Week 18’s starting QB

The Saints have made their decision on Week 18’s starting QB. The next question is whether we’ve seen the last of Derek Carr in New Orleans:

The New Orleans Saints will start Spencer Rattler, not Derek Carr, in Week 18’s regular season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the quarterback’s injury, interim head coach Darren Rizzi announced Friday. Carr attempted a game simulation at practice this week but wasn’t able to functionally grip the football after fracturing his left hand several weeks ago.

And Rizzi pointed out that this is a big loss for the team when asked how significant Carr’s loss was for the team: “It’s a huge impact. The obvious answer is we haven’t a game he hasn’t started. We were 5-5 with him as our starting quarterback and we haven’t won a game without him as our starting quarterback. So the results there are pretty telling and tangible.”

The next question will be whether Carr returns to the team in 2025. The Saints already lead the league in dead money taken up by players no longer on the team next season, and cutting Carr would double it. He controls his own destiny to an extent thanks to the no-trade clause his agent negotiated into his contract. Whether or not the Saints will keep Carr is sure to be a big topic of discussion this offseason and it may impact their interviews with head coach candidates in the weeks ahead.

Carr hasn’t delivered on the expectations that general manager Mickey Loomis and ex-head coach Dennis Allen set when they signed him to a four-year, $150 million contract two years ago. He’s gone 14-13 as a starter and missed a lot of time with injuries. A new head coach may want to go in a new direction at quarterback — justifiably. Either way, we’ve seen the last of Carr in the 2024 season. We’ll just have to wait and find out whether he’ll return for 2025.

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Pat Surtain’s dad didn’t like ESPN putting Parker Jones on blast

Pat Surtain Sr. did not appreciate ESPN’s coverage of the Parker Jones penalty during Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

In the first quarter of Thursday’s Sugar Bowl showdown between Georgia and Notre Dame, Bulldogs walk-on player Parker Jones was penalized for making contact with an official who was running down the sideline.

That 15-yard penalty nullified Georgia’s 67-yard pass that had the Bulldogs down inside the Fight Irish’s 10-yard line with the game tied 0-0. Georgia ended up not scoring any points on that drive and Notre Dame went on to eventually win 23-10.

The ESPN broadcast referenced the penalty multiple times during the game and cameras circled back to Jones several times. Former NFL cornerback Pat Surtain Sr. — the father of Denver Broncos star Pat Surtain II — did not appreciate ESPN’s coverage of the penalty.

“They wrong for showing #39 saying it was a key play,” Surtain tweeted on Thursday. “The guy is already devastated, his penalty had no outcome on the game!!”

In a follow-up tweet, Surtain added: “I actually thought the guy was in the green, and what happened to the warning?!”

Surtain certainly was not alone in his stance.

Following their win against the Bulldogs, the Fighting Irish will now face the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.

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Cain Velasquez announced as team manager in new Global Fight League, names Javier Mendez coach

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is the latest big name to be snatched up by the fledgling Global Fight League.

Former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] is the latest big name to be snatched up by the fledgling Global Fight League.

But Velasquez won’t be fighting. The 42-year-old will serve as a manager in the team-based league, the GFL said Friday in a news release.

Velasquez named his longtime trainer at American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez, as his team’s head coach. Mendez’s pupils include Velasquez and UFC champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev and Daniel Cormier.

The expectation is that the GFL will start as a six-team league with events around the world. Ultimately, there will be playoffs and a championship card. The teams will be made up of both male and female fighters, and the promotion’s early back-pat is that the revenue stream will be shared equally among the fighters and promotion.

A draft is set for Jan. 24, which for Velasquez represents an interesting situation. He is scheduled for a sentencing date the same day in Santa Clara County (Calif.) court for charges including attempted murder.

Velasquez has been out on bail since November 2022. A full list of charges includes attempted murder (one count), shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count) and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).

Velasquez initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his plea to no contest in August.

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Velasquez was arrested nearly three years ago after he allegedly pursued and shot at a man, Harry Goularte, accused of molesting Velasquez’s then 4-year-old son at a daycare. Velasquez allegedly chased a car carrying Goularte and family members during a high-speed chase with a bullet striking Goularte’s stepfather, causing injury.

Goularte faces a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor that still is in the trial setting and motion hearing phase. There also is a coinciding civil lawsuit by the Velasquez family against Goularte, his family and their businesses.