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The 'Houston Texans head coaches' quiz
Can you name every head coach in the history of the Houston Texans? Quiz clue: Years active. Good luck!
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- Browns reunite with QB Joe Flacco on one-year deal
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Scout has stunning Chicago Bears NFL Draft prediction
The Chicago Bears are well-positioned to add an immediate starter and key contributor in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, which starts April 24 in Green Bay. Slated to pick No. 10 overall, on the heels of one of the more disappointing draft classes across the league in 2024, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears have some pressure to add marquee playmakers across the roster throughout this year’s draft. After fortifying both lines of scrimmage earlier this offseason thanks to the arrivals of Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo on the defensive line and Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson along the offensive line, Poles and Chicago have set the stage to be able to select the best player available in each round. How NFL scout believes the Chicago Bears will approach the NFL Draft ESPN’s Matt Miller spoke to anonymous NFL scouts to get their thoughts on how the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft will play out, including a scout surprisingly linking the Bears to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson at No. 10 overall. “I believe in using a top-10 pick on premium positions,” the scout told Miller. “Quarterback, left tackle, pass-rusher or cornerback. Johnson’s tape the last two years is of an elite cornerback.” While Johnson is certainly one of the premier cornerbacks in this class, it’s worth questioning if cornerback is as pressing a need for the Bears as edge-rusher linebacker, tight end or running back are at this stage of the rebuild. There’s even an argument that one of the top wide receivers or offensive tackles could be in play before taking a cornerback. However, Johnson pulled down two interceptions last season while holding opposing quarterbacks to a pedestrian 52.6 passer rating when throwing his direction. If Johnson is the best player on the board, and Poles believes that adding a cornerback would elevate a defense that’s tasked with slowing the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams twice each season, taking one of the top cornerbacks could be in play. How cornerback and Johnson fit Chicago’s hierarchy of needs, though, won’t be revealed until the Bears send their pick in.
Matthew Tkachuk may be in trouble with Panthers head coach Paul Maurice after recent comments
Matthew Tkachuk's return is on the horizon, and after his latest comments, it appears he could be back for Game 1 despite recent comments from Paul Maurice. The Florida Panthers have a massive first-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning looming in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it appears they may be on the verge of getting a major boost. Earlier this week, head coach Paul Maurice had some slightly optimistic comments to make about Matthew Tkachuk's potential return, and while he didn't confirm a timeline, he revealed that Game 1 remains the target. "This week is really important for him. He's not that far off, If he's not ready for Game 1, he's very, very close. We're not missing this by two weeks." Now, Tkachuk himself was a guest on the "Up and Adams" show with Kay Adams, and during the appearance, he was much more optimistic about a return, revealing how he's been feeling as of late. "I think I'd get in trouble if I said (when I'll play again). I will say it's been very good the last probably few days on the ice. I've really only been on the ice for a couple days with, like, legit skates, so I'm just trying to peak sometime around Game 1. So, I'm looking forward to it." With Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett and Aleksander Barkov all expected to be at 100% for the Stanley Cup Playoffs after recent injuries, the Panthers will come into this series with plenty of hope, but they'll do so against a team that many see as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Ultimately though, Maurice may not be happy with how much Tkachuk revealed in his recent media appearance. At the end of the day, though, it's positive news from Tkachuk, who is feeling good and should be ready for Game 1. Even if he's not at 100%, his presence on the ice will do this team much more good than harm as they look to make it three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
Duke Expected to Make Big Transfer Portal Move Amid Cooper Flagg Decision
Duke will be losing one of its star players and Cooper Flagg could soon follow him into the NBA draft, but one analyst believes the team could be making a big transfer portal move to replenish the roster. Freshman Kon Knueppel announced on April 16 that he would be entering the NBA draft. Knueppel is ranked as the No. 8 prospect in ESPN's draft projections and averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game last season while hitting 40.6% from behind the 3-point arc. Flagg has not yet announced his plans for the upcoming season, but the No. 1-ranked prospect is widely expected to enter the NBA draft as well. Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports noted that Duke will have some big holes to fill on the roster, but expects them to start making moves in the transfer portal soon. "Duke has yet to make an addition via the transfer portal, but that is expected to change shortly," Salerno wrote. While Salerno did not reveal any specific transfer portal targets for Duke, The Athletic's Adam Zagoria reported that the team showed interest in Princeton transfer guard Xaivian Lee. The Blue Devils will have some tough competition for Lee. The other teams expected to show interest include Florida, St. John's, UNC, BYU, and Stanford, Zagoria reported. Duke will have a big hole to fill if Flagg follows Knueppel into the NBA draft. The winner of the John R. Wooden Award averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while leading Duke to a 35-4 record and a trip to the Final Four.
Ta'Niya Latson has short message for MiLaysia Fulwiley after her emotional goodbye
Browns GM's claim about Jalen Milroe may raise eyebrows
On Thursday, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry offered a bold take regarding Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. "[Milroe has] got rare physical talent," Berry told the media. "When he gets in the NFL, he may be the only quarterback who's faster than [Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson]. Don't tell Lamar I said that, please." Milroe's wheels are one reason he has been compared to two-time MVP Jackson throughout the predraft process. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder ran an unofficial 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day in March. In four seasons with the Crimson Tide, he rushed for 1,577 yards and 33 touchdowns. However, questions about his ability to develop into a consistent passer remain. In his final season with the Crimson Tide, he tossed just 16 touchdown passes and a career-high 11 interceptions in 13 games. "He has an NFL arm, but he might need to fine-tune his footwork to improve his accuracy on all three levels," wrote NFL.com's Lance Zierlein in his scouting report. Milroe should sit for a year and develop. The Browns may be in a position to do that. Cleveland signed QB Joe Flacco to a one-year deal in free agency and acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in March. (Starting QB Deshaun Watson is expected to miss most of the season with an Achilles injury.) "Patrick Mahomes sat his whole first year," Berry said. "Josh Allen, it really took to year three for him to become Josh Allen. You know, Lamar probably hit the ground running pretty quickly (but) Jalen Hurts, like there were doubts about him until he probably hit year three. So, quarterbacks mature and grow at their own pace and our thought isn't in terms of immediacy but making the best long-term bet." The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. The Browns probably won't take Milroe with pick No. 2 but could take him later in the draft, as Berry seems high on the QB.
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