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Panthers' Dave Canales addresses fixing Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers officially introduced new head coach Dave Canales to the media on Thursday, and Canales spoke about getting quarterback Bryce Young on the right track following Young's rough rookie season.
"There are certain challenges,'' Canales said about working with shorter signal-callers, as shared by David Newton of ESPN. "I'm not going to tell the whole NFC South what those advantages are. That's kind of a proprietary deal that we're going to own here. But I will say there are certain things you can do to help. There are ways to find what that quarterback is comfortable seeing.''
Canales worked with Russell Wilson (listed at 5-foot-11) as quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks before the 42-year-old helped Baker Mayfield (6-foot-1) become a Comeback Player of the Year candidate while serving as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. Young measured at 5-foot-10 1/8 at last year's scouting combine and, in the eyes of some, appeared too small to play the position at the highest level across his first 16 regular-season games.
"Whether you're 5-11 or 6-1, you can't really see over any of the alignment,'' Canales explained. "So, there's an approach to it.''
According to ESPN stats, Young finished the 2023 regular season ranked 29th out of 30 qualified players with a 33.3 adjusted QBR. He was also 34th among qualified quarterbacks with a 73.7 passer rating, 34th with an average of 5.5 yards per pass attempt and 33rd with a 59.8% completion percentage.
Per Newton, Young was 24th in the league with a 2.9-second release time.
"In the pass game it's getting that ball out in 2.7 seconds or less," Canales pointed out. "That's a critical deal for me.''
Canales insisted that "we are going to become what Bryce is good at in the pass game. We are going to grow to the capacity that he can handle.''
It's important to remember that Canales had nothing to do with the Panthers making Young the first overall draft pick last spring, so the coach could look to distance himself from the quarterback if the 22-year-old fails to impress in a new-look offense this coming fall.
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FRISCO — Suddenly the quarterback position is a hot topic when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys. No, there is not a controversy about the starting job that franchise centerpiece Dak Prescott maintains. Rather, the conversation centers around the play callers behind him or in a worst case scenario, an insurance policy if injury befalls him. The Cowboys essentially cleaned house behind Prescott. Cooper Rush left for the Baltimore Ravens and they have reached the end of the road on the Trey Lance experiment. Will Grier is the lone quarterback on the roster, but the team has a plan of attack to generate some competition down the depth chart. "Yes, still an option that we're looking at," Cowboys COO and co-owner Stephen Jones told the team website. "We can do it via trade, what can do it via what's available out there… trade is one of them and certainly signing available guys are one of them. "I think we look at the full package, you're probably not going to get all things just right or exactly what you want, but at the same time you want to get the very best guy that we think gives us the best chance to go out and compete with [Will] Grier and be good in that room with Dak and Grier and whoever else we add." Now there is certainly a belief that the team will attack this need through the draft with a late-round selection. But ESPN has floated around murmurings that the Cowboys could have interest in New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III. "One team to potentially watch is the Dallas Cowboys because they are looking for a good backup," Fowler said during a recent appearance on NFL Live. "A young backup with upside they may not get in the draft, maybe they get in a trade." The asking price of a third-round pick may sour Dallas' interest here, assuming there is any such conversation to begin with. But if the Cowboys are set on solidifying this area of the roster as Jones describes, Milton may be the most fascinating option. More than just upside, Milton is something of a happy medium between two extremes. He is a young quarterback that has seen some action on an NFL field already without treaded tires of a veteran player. Milton is more than just a quick-fix backup though. Some around the league believe he could develop into a starter down the line. From the Cowboys' perspective, that may be looking a little too far ahead. Combined with the rumored price, the reality of them getting Milton may be closer to a pipe dream more than anything. However, it's hard to deny the qualities that Milton would bring to this quarterbacks group.
JJ Redick Tears Up About $50 Million Rebuild After L.A. Fires, Wants To Coach Lakers For 15-20 Years
An emotional JJ Redick spoke to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times about the recent wildfires and losing his home and community in the Palisades. He noted that he wants to help rebuild the community and is dedicating a lot of his effort to it. Redick added that he was here to stay, wanting to coach the Los Angeles Lakers for the next 15-20 years of his career. "The personal loss is one thing, and that's hard. But it's the loss of an entire community. That's like the hardest part to process. I talked with the mayor about this as well. part of the urgency in getting this going and her agreeing to fast-track everything - there needs to be an optimism and hope." "I mentioned what the rec center represents to the community. I'm hopeful that we can get this done in a timely fashion and have people back. We're in it for the long haul. I would love to be the Lakers' coach for the next 15-20 years. This is important to me." Redick was one of the many people who tragically lost their homes in the L.A. wildfires at the start of the year. He revealed at the onset of the disaster that he would be evacuating his home, but he did maintain that he is still in a privileged position compared to many others and didn't want people to feel sorry for him. Several within the NBA community showed support to him, including Stephen Curry, who gifted his sons two signed jerseys as they lost their collection in the fires. However, there was some genuine concern that the emotional toll of losing their house would be too much for Redick and his family. Jeanie Buss openly talked about worrying that Redick's wife would want him to resign as Lakers coach after the situation. But luckily for her and Lakers fans, Redick wants to stay long-term while simultaneously helping the community that lost so much due to the fires. Redick has been a revelation as the head coach. Despite not having any coaching experience at any level other than his young sons' little-league team, JJ has completely transformed the Lakers into a juggernaut. They are having their best season in the NBA since 2020 and look like legitimate title contenders after a very long time. Of course, Redick has had some things go his way. Rob Pelinka making trades to land Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, and several others has significantly improved the quality of this Lakers side. Currently, they sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 45-29 record. They have a genuine chance to surpass the Nuggets and Rockets, who sit ahead of them in the standings, before the season is over. Redick seems to have figured out how to make this roster work. And they should be able to make a very strong run in the playoffs should all the chips fall the right way.
Jakub Mensik makes history by defeating Novak Djokovic at Miami Open
Jakub Mensik made history with his first Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open, defeating Novak Djokovic 7-6(3), 7-6(4). The 19-year-old frustrated Djokovic's hopes of winning his 100th career title. If there were any doubts about the teenager's ability, he silenced them with an unstoppable victory, in what is his very first title as a professional. Mensik also will secure his best ranking as World No. 24 on Monday. Mensik's first set dominance shines Having a strong service game was key for both players, especially considering it was crucial to their paths to the final. Djokovic had been above 75% effectiveness with his first serve throughout the week, while Mensik surpassed 80% in the tournament. The Czech player came in more focused, starting strong with a winning streak, breaking Djokovic and going up 3-0. This lead seemed large, especially as Djokovic struggled to break his opponent's serve. The Serbian finally got his first break chance in the seventh game, leveling things up in a critical moment of the set. The good service games continued throughout the rest of the set, with Mensik hitting 66% of first serves and winning 84% of them, while Djokovic served 79% first serves and won 73%. The set went to a tie-break, a situation Mensik thrives in with an impressive career record. In one of the best points of the match, Mensik earned the first mini-break with a backhand smash. The Czech took a commanding 5-0 lead, and although Djokovic mounted a small comeback, the 19-year-old finished the set 7-6[7-4], further improving his remarkable tie-break record (55-14). Mensik finishes the job, claims historic Miami Open title At the start of the second set, Djokovic showed better things with his serve, winning his first service games comfortably. With the score at 2-2, Djokovic faced two break points but managed to fight them off with poise. On the other side, the Czech, again, showed the cool-headed mentality he is known for, hitting crucial first serves under pressure (15-30 or 30-30), even scoring several aces during the toughest moments. Until 5-5, neither player faced major difficulties, with several long rallies where Mensik showed great character, going after the points and keeping the match even against the 24-time Grand Slam champion. A couple of aces allowed Mensik to send the match to a tie-break, where once again, an early mini-break gave him the advantage as Djokovic started making mistakes. The Czech finished the job when it mattered, and with an enviable mentality for a 19-year-old, he sealed the victory against the former World No. 1, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(4) in a match where Djokovic exited the court visibly exhausted. Mensik claimed his first career title and guarantees his best ranking so far as World No. 24. Djokovic, on the other hand, remains on 99 titles for now and will stay at World No. 5 on Monday. Reaching the final also allowed him to rise to fourth place in the ATP race, pushing Carlos Alcaraz down to fifth. He now sits just behind Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Jack Draper. Match statistics Mensik vs. Djokovic
Brian Snitker gives murky response on managing Braves beyond 2025
Brian Snitker is entering his 10th full season managing the Atlanta Braves—and possibly his last. Snitker, who turns 70 in October, signed a one-year extension through the 2025 season, but he hasn’t committed to managing beyond this year. When asked recently by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale about his future, the Braves skipper didn’t offer clarity, only reflection. “I still feel really good,” Snitker said. “The 50-number is something I think it’d be kind of cool. But right now, I’m leaning towards getting through today. We’ll play it by ear and see what happens.” Snitker is in his 49th year with the Braves organization. He began as a minor league player in 1977 before shifting to coaching in 1980. Over the decades, he’s managed at nearly every level of Atlanta’s farm system and has held roles on the big league staff including bullpen and third base coach. He took over as interim manager in May 2016 and was named full-time skipper after that season. Will Brian Snitker retire or return to the Braves after the 2025 season? Under his leadership, the Braves have experienced sustained success, winning six consecutive division titles from 2018–2023 and capturing a World Series title in 2021. His 735 managerial wins rank third in franchise history behind Bobby Cox and Frank Selee. Yet despite the accolades, Snitker remains humble and grounded in relationships over results. “I still pinch myself,” he said. “I drive to the ballpark in the summer, and I can’t believe this is my 10th year. This wasn’t even in the stars. I was proud of my career, and not getting to manage in the big leagues was not going to define my career.” General manager Alex Anthopoulos echoed the admiration, praising Snitker’s trustworthiness and steady leadership. “I didn’t know who he was when I got here,” Anthopoulos admitted. “Now, I have the highest level of trust from a personal standpoint, a professional standpoint. He’s authentic and has tremendous integrity.” If Snitker does step away from the dugout, it may not be a full goodbye. He’s hinted at staying involved in an advisory role—visiting minor league parks, attending spring training, and spending time with his grandchildren. “Hopefully, I’ll just stay around here,” he said. “Be one of those advisor guys.” Snitker’s measured approach to retirement mirrors that of Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who is also in the final year of his contract and undecided on his future. Both managers, born six months apart, are beloved within the game and among their peers. Said Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch: “When you talk about being a lifer in the sport and giving your time and expertise to the same organization—that’s just a remarkable achievement. He is part of the fabric of the Atlanta Braves.” Whether 2025 is truly Snitker’s final ride or just another chapter remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: whenever he steps aside, Atlanta—and baseball—will miss him dearly.
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