Nick Foles, the MVP of Super Bowl LII, was peppered recently with questions about potential trade destinations if the Bears decide to deal him, and he was clear he doesn’t want to start over in a place where he doesn’t know the coaches or the offense. In other words, Foles would choose to avoid the exact position Glennon is in as the second-stringer with the Giants.

“With the amount of teams I’ve been on, I usually know more coaches on a team than I do players,” Glennon told The Post. “This is rare for me.”

After four seasons with the Buccaneers (who drafted him in 2013 out of North Carolina State), Glennon had one-year stops with the Bears, Cardinals, Raiders and Jaguars before signing a (you guessed it) one-year deal, for $1.375 million, with the Giants. Glennon was a complete stranger to general manager Dave Gettleman, head coach Joe Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski.

“They showed the most interest,” Glennon said. “I understand what Nick is saying is nice, but I’ve gotten used to learning a new offense. This is my ninth year, and I’ve had eight different coordinators. It gets easier. I’ve seen just about every play.”

Last season, Glennon, 31, made his first five starts since 2017 and respectably completed 62 percent of his passes with more touchdowns than interceptions (7-5) and 214.4 passing yards per game for Jacksonville. It tied his season-high since starting 13 games for the Buccaneers as a rookie during Greg Schiano’s tenure — and Glennon has taken to his temporary New Jersey home enough to realize Rutgers is “doing a good job recruiting” under Schiano.

Schiano and Judge are acquaintances, by way of Bill Belichick.

“We just liked Mike from knowing the league,” Judge said. “He’s got physical tools that we think will fit into our system very well. We like his demeanor and his mentality coming in. We obviously looked at a lot of quarterbacks this offseason.”

Glennon’s experience is important, because Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has missed two starts to injury in each of his first two seasons. Both Eli Manning (in 2019) and Colt McCoy (last season) went 1-1 off the bench, so opportunity could knock.

“That wouldn’t make me sign here,” Glennon said. “The role of a backup is you have to be ready to go at all times to give your team a chance to win and be the guy in the room to have the starter’s back. You have to watch film and ask questions just like you do if you are playing.”

Jones is entering his third year, so it’s a slightly different case than when Glennon caddied for second-year Gardner Minshew (Jaguars) or rookies Josh Rosen (Cardinals) and Mitchell Trubisky (Bears).

“Daniel is really intelligent and eager to learn,” Glennon said. “It’s great to be around a guy that just wants to get better because you feel like your opinion is being appreciated. He’ll ask, ‘How did you guys do this over with that team?’ I’ve seen how some of the great minds think about a certain play, and that’s what I like to pass along to guys like Daniel.”

The Jaguars lost by a combined five points in Weeks 12 and 13 when Glennon-led wins would have interrupted a season-ending 15-game skid and might have ruined the franchise’s hopes of landing Trevor Lawrence. Jets fans know the feeling.

“The 53 guys on the team, plus about 20 on the practice squad, plus about 30 coaches or so were the only people who wanted to win in the Jacksonville area,” Glennon quipped. “I understand it, but it was really one of those things where all we’ve got is the guys in this room. It was a challenging year, but good to compete on the field again.”

In contrast to Jaguars fans, Giants fans couldn’t be more starved to win after one playoff game loss to show for the last 10 seasons.

“I live in North Carolina in the offseason, and I would have people coming up to me telling me they are fans of the Giants,” Glennon said. “You feel the large scale the Giants’ national brand brings. I wanted to be a part of that.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

That’s how Sills attached himself to the hip of Daniel Jones — a connection that has paid off during training camp because the receiver with zero games played over his first two NFL seasons is one of the favorite targets of the starting quarterback.

“Basically, this guy followed Daniel around the country,” Giants head coach Joe Judge said. “Wherever Daniel was, he was going to be there to catch passes. That’s someone who you can tell has really invested in himself to give it every shot he has.”

Jones spent most of his offseason in Charlotte, N.C., where Sills’ sister and brother-in-law happen to reside. So, the duo threw on local fields around the city. They also met up with Giants teammates to train in Scottsdale, Ariz., and went to see Jones’ private quarterback coach in Mobile, Ala.

“It was to build a relationship with him,” Sills told The Post. “I know how hard of a worker he is. Any time he needed someone to throw to, I was there to build timing with him so he can have trust in me that, when the ball is in there, I’m going to be able to make a play for him.”

The connection began to form last summer, when Sills was so impressive that he went from roster afterthought to possibly on the right side of the cut from 90 players to 53. And after a positive COVID-19 test entering camp, no less.

But, in the second-to-last practice of camp last year, Sills broke his foot. And the Giants broke his heart by putting him on injured reserve, rendering him ineligible to return during the season. He credits the training staff for a recovery timetable that allowed him to go into the offseason without restrictions

“It was an injury that I thought was more of a bone bruise,” Sills said. “Usually with a broken bone, you can’t really walk. I was like, ‘It’s probably fine, and I’m just getting an X-ray because of precautions.’ When they told me it was broken, my heart went into my stomach.”

Sills stayed around the team facility through the final week of last season, providing a boost of energy during the dog days. It gave him locker-room time to ingratiate himself into Jones’ inner circle with New Jersey residents Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard. That was another stop on the offseason cross-country tour.

“I definitely have airline miles I’m building up,” Sills said. “But I like driving, too.”

It’s not hard to picture the Giants driving down the field and Jones looking for the 6-foot-3 Sills in the red zone, not after he caught two touchdowns in a practice earlier this week, one of which required jumping over Adoree’ Jackson and tapping his feet in the back of the end zone. Offensive linemen Andrew Thomas and Will Hernandez ran down for celebratory shoulder bumps.

“He’s making a lot of plays for us,” Judge said. “Sills does everything you ask, and he does it 100 percent. He’s definitely a guy you’ve got to tell, ‘Hey, slow it down a little bit.’ ”

The Giants’ top four receivers are set, with Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Kadarius Toney and Darius Slayton. Because only Toney might play a big role on special teams and all have injury histories, the Giants probably will carry two more between Sills, John Ross, Dante Pettis and C.J. Board.

“One thing about me being a big receiver is it’s a friendly throw for the target,” Sills said. “He trusts that, when the ball is in the air, I’ll be able to adjust if it’s a little bit off because of my longer frame. But I try to be whatever kind of receiver they need me to be.”

Sills is a former prized USC quarterback recruit who became a receiver at West Virginia and went undrafted. He has taken the long road to the NFL — traveling a lot of miles.

“I tried to put my best foot forward every day last camp, and I’m trying to have the same approach,” Sills said. “I’m excited to have preseason games this year. Getting in that game-day environment will be exciting, but any time we’re out here is a time to show your skills.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

It started with an unexpected hit on running back Corey Clement and escalated when tight end Evan Engram shoved safety Jabrill Peppers. Cornerback Logan Ryan came flying in to push Engram in the back, which upped the intensity to the nth degree.

Daniel Jones was pulled from the bottom of the pile — a potentially season-altering place for a quarterback to be.

Judge had the entire team run sideline to sideline and do push-ups twice as punishment.

“There are consequences for that kind of stuff in a game,” Jones said. “That was the message.”

Of joining the fight, the quarterback said “I’m a part of the team, part of the offense, and I don’t see myself any different.”

Asked what he and Engram were going to say to patch things up in the locker room, Ryan quipped they would get lunch together.

“We’ll pay our dues,” Ryan said. ‘Me and Evan are locker buddies, so we’ll be fine.’

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

The Brooklyn Nets’ star became the all-time leading scorer for the United States men’s basketball team in Olympics play Saturday during a 119-84 victory against Czech Republic that clinched a spot in the knockout-round quarterfinals. It was a nice milestone in a career of many, but Durant’s 3 was more important on an immediate level.

You would never guess it by the final score, but Team USA trailed for the first 13 minutes of action and looked headed for more trouble before Durant surpassed Carmelo Anthony and put his team in front for the first time all on one shot.

Playing among NBA All-Stars, Durant, a three-time Olympian, looked like the best player in the world when it was needed. He collected 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists – all team-highs after three quarters – and he didn’t play in the fourth.

The US trailed by as many as 10 points and by seven at the end of the first quarter before Durant, Zach LaVine and Damien Lillard found the outside touch to build a four-point halftime lead.

The game turned to a blowout when the US closed the third quarter on a 16-2 run. The hot hand continued well into the fourth quarter, with the US making 20 of its first 24 shots from the floor in the second half.

Jayson Tatum led the way with 27 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.

The US finished the group stage 2-1, beating Iran and the Czech Republic after losing to France. 

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

What should have been an exciting first day of training camp instead was covered by a cloud of uncertainty because Wilson, the rookie quarterback and new face of the franchise, was not in attendance at practice.

Wilson and 49ers quarterback Trey Lance – the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively – are the only two of the 259 draft selections who haven’t signed contracts.

So, Mike White is expected to throw the first pass of training camp, which further exposed the Jets’ glaring need for an experienced backup quarterback regardless of when Wilson finalizes his deal and rides in to become the starter. White, a former fifth-round draft pick of the Cowboys in 2018, has not thrown a pass in an NFL regular-season game but the Jets didn’t follow the common NFL blueprint of getting a well-traveled mentor for Wilson, like former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold had with Josh McCown.  

The negotiations holdup is believed to be over offset language in Wilson’s contract. That is the legalese that allows teams to recoup money if a player is cut before his contract is over and signs with another team. If that rare scenario plays out – 2019 first-round quarterback Dwayne Haskins was cut by Washington before finishing his second season – Wilson and the Jets, of course, would have bigger problems.

Because of the rookie wage scale, Wilson’s four-year contract will be worth about $35.1 million with a $22.9 million signing bonus. Those preset numbers are supposed to make negotiations go smoothly, but the Jets and Wilson’s agent remain in a stand-off 90 days after his selection was made. Another sticking point could be the timing of paying out Wilson’s signing bonus, which is fully guaranteed.

The only other quarterback in Jets camp is James Morgan, who was the No. 3 or No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart as a rookie in 2020.

Darnold missed the first three days (two practices) of camp as a rookie in 2018, while his agent and former Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan negotiated the finer points. He was still the Week 1 starter.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

OK, he was surrounded by youth football campers. Not quite the same as his Giants teammates, who will report to training camp on July 27 with the mystery of whether their star running back will be cleared to practice after missing 14 games last season and undergoing ACL surgery in October.

“I guess that’s what the theme of the summer is going to be: When I’ll be back,” a shrugging and smirking Barkley said at West Essex High School.

“No, I don’t have an answer, to be honest. Not trying to build something up. It’s a fun process, but it’s a tough process at the same time. I’ll continue to listen to my body, listen to the trainers, listen to the coaches and take it day-by-day.”

Barkley was a non-participant in spring OTAs and minicamp. It would be stunning to see Barkley in any of the three preseason games: The Giants limited his appearances in years past, anyway, because of the contact injury risk for running backs. 

But his practice load will determine his availability for Week 1 of the regular season. Barkley interacting with campers was the first chance public eyes had to see his mobility on a reconstructed knee.

“[The knee] feels pretty good,” Barkley said. “Trying to get one percent better each day and getting ready for reporting to camp. Kind of have to play it by ear. Rehab is never a straight line.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

The arrest ended a night that included what police suspect was an alcohol-induced crash rendering his SUV not drivable, and subsequent threats to hang himself, according to audio of a 911 call Sherman’s wife, Ashley Moss, made and which was obtained and publicized by KIRO Radio.

A woman claiming to be Moss told the emergency operator that no weapons were involved, but Sherman “was being aggressive” with her uncle after drinking “two bottles” of hard alcohol. He was “threatening to kill himself … and sent text messages to people saying he is going to hang himself.” She is heard pleading with him not to drive off, to no avail.

Sherman, who is an unsigned free agent, also was booked for resisting arrest and malicious mischief for damage caused to a door while trying to force entry into his in-laws’ home shortly before 2 a.m., Redmond police chief Darrell Lowe said during an afternoon news conference.

The domestic violence component is because of the relation to his wife’s parents and “not due to him physically assaulting a significant other,” according to Lowe. That distinction could be important when it comes to how teams view the risk of signing Sherman and how the NFL penalizes him (if he joins a team) under its personal code of conduct separate from the legal system.

Sherman was denied bail, as reportedly is common practice in Washington before a person accused of a domestic-violence crime appears in front of a judge. His initial hearing is set for Thursday, at which point charges will be formalized.

“At this time we’re going to make no statements, except he didn’t harm anybody,” Moss, the mother of Sherman’s two children, told The Seattle Times. “My kids were not harmed in the incident. He’s a good person and this is not his character. We’re doing all right, just trying to get him out. I want people to know no one was injured.”

Prior to the incident at his in-laws’ home, Sherman’s vehicle hit a concrete barrier as it left a construction zone with active workers, one of whom called 911, police said. The SUV was found abandoned with significant damage to the driver’s side, Washington State Patrol captain Ron Mead told reporters. Sherman allegedly walked to the nearby residence.

Police observed signs of impairment and obtained a search warrant to draw blood from Sherman, Mead said. The results are pending and might not be known for months because of a testing backlog, according to an NBC Sports Bay Area report.

After the crash, Sherman, 33, did not gain entry to the house before police arrived on the scene. The interaction was “amicable” for about 10 minutes, until Sherman was informed he was being taken into custody, according to Lowe.

At that point, Sherman moved away from police, an altercation ensued and the K-9 unit was deployed to subdue Sherman, who suffered lacerations on his leg. He and a police officer were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said. Sherman was booked shortly after 6 a.m.

Sherman won a Super Bowl ring during seven seasons with the Seahawks and played the last three seasons for the 49ers, earning a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team and a future bust in the Hall of the Fame. He has expressed an interest in playing in 2021, and the Jets — who have a dire need at cornerback and are coached by the heavily Sherman-praised Robert Saleh — are a logical destination if he does not mind assisting a rebuilding process.

Sherman is a member of the NFL Players Association’s executive committee.

“We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved,” read a statement issued by the NFLPA, which does not typically comment on player arrests. “We will continue to monitor events closely as more facts are made available to us.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

For former Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, the answer was obvious: He practiced his pass sets while his wife was in labor.

Sara Zeitler published to Twitter on Friday a 13-second video of her husband shuffling his feet with his hands swinging in a blocking position while waiting in the hospital room. The hilarious now-viral clip ends with her rolling her eyes, as she laid in bed preparing to give birth to the couple’s second child.

The proud parents later posted a family photo including newborn daughter Parker, with Kevin wearing his Ravens gear.

Zeitler spent the last two seasons with the Giants, where he built a reputation as their top offensive lineman, a well-respected teammate and a coach’s favorite because of the work ethic he represented in the viral video. He is known to drill his footwork in downtime at home, or even while his wife is shopping.

Giants receiver Darius Slayton reacted to the video by writing, “If you know Zeit this is the most Zeit thing ever,” followed by five laughing emojis.

The Giants cut Zeitler for salary-cap savings in March, and he quickly resurfaced on a three-year, $22.5 million contract to start at right guard for the Ravens.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in New York, Pepitone claims the bat that has been on display at the Hall of Fame for 54 years was only on loan under the condition that it be returned to him if he ever requested, according to a report in The Athletic. Pepitone reportedly asked for the bat on Sept. 1, 2020 and the Hall of Fame has resisted, countering that he has no rights to the artifact.

“The bat that Mickey Mantle used to hit his 500th home run was donated to the Hall of Fame by the New York Yankees in May 1967,” the museum said in a statement released Friday. “The Hall of Fame owns this historical bat and for more than fifty years, the Hall of Fame has preserved it and proudly put it on display for millions of fans to see as they tour the Museum.”

The Brooklyn-born Pepitone, 80, claims in the suit that the bat was his through an endorsement deal with Louisville Slugger, and that Mantle borrowed it to make history on May 14, 1967. An eight-year Yankee during the 1960s, Pepitone says he was told that day by then-Yankees executive Robert Fishell that the bat would only be on loan and that Hall of Fame staff, including former public relations director William Guilfoile, subsequently confirmed to him many times over the years that the bat would be returned upon request.

Mantle, Fishell and Guilfoile are dead.

The suit alleges the bat is valued at more than $500,000. A memorabilia collector estimated to The Athletic that the bat would be worth more than double that amount in the current hot market for sports collectibles.

Pepitone’s recollection, as reportedly spelled out in the suit, is that he had a conversation with Mantle after hitting his own two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead over the Orioles.

“In the next inning of the game, Pepitone handed his bat … to Mantle and told Mantle that the bat ‘had another home run in it,’” the suit claims. “Mantle smiled at Pepitone and took the bat to the plate.”

It is unclear if there are any written agreements that support Pepitone’s assertion.

“This bat is where it belongs,” the Hall’s statement read, “on display in Cooperstown for fans everywhere to see.”

At the time, Mantle was only the sixth player in MLB history to reach the milestone of 500 home runs. As home runs have become more prevalent over the years, the club now has 27 members.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

From the time Dan Marino was named 1984 NFL MVP in his second season until recently, quarterbacks were expected to make their biggest improvements in Year 2. But the delayed Year 3 breakthroughs of Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield have NFL insiders rethinking the timeline.

The Giants are selling the narrative that fits their plan after Daniel Jones regressed in Year 2. The hopeless alternative is that the window has closed after Jones’ 8-18 record, 62.2 percent completion rate, 221 passing yards per game, 35 touchdowns, 39 turnovers and 84.1 quarterback rating over two seasons.

But has the rule of thumb really changed? One former general manager who believes it has suggested any quarterback introduced to new coaches and a new playbook amid the pandemic-restricted practice rules of 2020 — as Jones was — should get a total do-over in 2021.

Since Father Time didn’t stop, The Post analyzed the first three-year trajectories of the 20 quarterbacks drafted with top-12 picks from 2010-18. Removing five who were bona fide stars after two seasons and five whose third year was a total wash because of missed playing time offers this mixed bag of expectations for Jones:

Gold Standard

Josh Allen, Bills: The new beacon of hope for every franchise whose young starter struggled through two years. He completed 56.3 percent of passes and had a 78.2 rating after two seasons before he was united with receiver Stefon Diggs and those numbers jumped to an MVP-caliber 69.2 percent and a 107.2 rating.

Improvements Made

Baker Mayfield, Browns: Their personalities couldn’t be less similar, but Mayfield is the best comparison for Jones because he showed promise as a rookie, experienced a coaching change and took steps backwards in his turnover-prone second season. He cut his interceptions from 21 to eight in his third season while improving his completion percentage and maintaining his yardage and touchdown output.

Jared Goff, Rams: His big jump from Year 1 to Year 2 was backed by an incremental improvement in Year 3, when he threw for 293 yards per game, made a second straight Pro Bowl and led the Rams to the Super Bowl. It’s hard to explain the downward spiral and trade to the Lions that followed this March.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: His third season with the Dolphins (66.4 percent completions, 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) was the best of his six in Miami before he was traded to the Titans in 2019. There was a direct correlation to improved — but still below-par — pass protection.

No Clarity Gained

Sam Bradford, Rams: Followed up an Offensive Rookie of the Year season with a disastrous 1-9 season. Bradford’s third season resulted in a career-high 21 touchdown passes and then-best 82.6 rating — still not convincing enough.

Blake Bortles, Jaguars: Threw 35 touchdown passes in Year 2 and was a caretaker for Super Bowl contender in Year 4. But Year 3 revealed his true identity: Not enough big plays, careless turnovers and too much losing. The Jaguars ignored signs and offered a $54 million extension.

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers: He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, won nine games as his second act and had a strange Year 3, when a career-best 92.2 passer rating was offset by a 3-10 record. It has all been downhill since then, including a 30-interception season before the Bucs gave up, allowing Winston to sign with the Saints in 2020.

Alarm Bells

Marcus Mariota, Titans: One of two quarterbacks listed here who had more interceptions than touchdowns in Year 3. As the league adjusted to his dual-threat capability, Mariota’s passer rating plummeted from 93.8 over two seasons to 79.3 and he held back a good team.

Mitchell Trubisky, Bears: After a 2018 Pro Bowl selection, numbers regressed across the board. Ultimate reminder that teams finally are forced to reveal true feelings in an uncertain situation when staring at a contract option before Year 4. Support for Trubisky suddenly dried up and competition (Nick Foles) arrived.

Sam Darnold, Jets: He went 2-10, with more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (9), and failed to make more than 13 starts for the third straight injury-plagued season. But the Panthers blamed the Jets’ coaching and poor roster because they traded for Darnold in April to be their starter.

Summary: Unless Allen and Mayfield are the very beginning of a new trend, their Year 3 breakthroughs present as outliers. Recent MVPs Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson suggest Year 2 is still the time for improvement.

The Giants’ best-case scenario is Jones’ Year 2 in coordinator Jason Garrett’s offense takes the place of his Year 2 in the NFL.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

On the same day he was selected among the best pitchers in the American League by player voting, Chapman’s remarkable implosion reached new depths as he gave up a home run, did not retire a batter, blew a save and took the loss for the Yankees in the Mets’ 10-5 win to open a doubleheader. Cole’s less-dramatic nosedive continued with a second straight stinker as he squandered his own three-run lead and didn’t make it through the fourth inning.

These are the Yankees’ two best pitchers.

“It’s one of those opportunities that I think every player wants a chance to be part of,” Chapman said pregame through a translator. “To be selected means a lot.”

As shocking as it is to see Chapman joining Cole and fan-voted starting right fielder Aaron Judge as the Yankees’ only All-Stars, it is easy to understand how it happened. No, it’s not a typo. The flame-throwing left-hander converted his first 11 save opportunities and owned a 0.39 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 23 innings through June 6. Opposing batters were hitting just .097 — and they cast their ballots early for Chapman’s sixth career All-Star appearance (three in each league).

“The way I started the season and the performance those months gave me an idea that [selection] could’ve been a possibility,” Chapman said before the game, “but at the same time it’s surprising and nice given that the past couple weeks have been tough for me. It’s great to hear it.”

You can imagine it was less great to hear the vociferous boos — tempered only by some cheering Mets fans — when manager Aaron Boone pulled Chapman after failing to protect a 5-4 lead. He doubled over like he might join heat-exhausted Dylan Bundy as the second pitcher to puke on the Yankee Stadium mound this past week.

Boone — who was hoping Chapman’s struggles could be corrected with a simple mechanical tweak — almost has no choice but to relegate his $16 million-per-year closer to low-pressure situations. Hey, there’s nothing less meaningful than an All-Star exhibition, right?

Chapman has a 20.65 ERA over his last eight games, with batters hitting .482 against him in just 5 ²/₃ innings. Before his Subway Series disaster, he self-destructed against the Twins (four batters faced, four runs scored, two home runs allowed) and the Angels (five batters faced, four runs scored, one home run allowed), blew a save against the Royals and has been bailed out of jams twice since May 21 by triple plays. Not exactly All-Star-worthy despite 16 saves on the résumé.

MLB players and the Commissioner’s Office determined the All-Star pitchers and reserves for both leagues. Cole ranked among the top five in the AL in wins, ERA and strikeouts entering Sunday but he is 2-3 with a 5.24 ERA over six starts since MLB warned of the now-in-effect checks for banned foreign substances on the baseball. He only threw 49 of 80 pitches for strikes against the Mets.

“I’m always humbled because it’s a player vote,” Cole said. “That holds a special place for me. Hopefully we can get back to pitching to that type of level here soon.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

Moreover, it has left many of her clients “physically ill.”

“I think it’s outrageous,” attorney Lisa Banks said to 7News Sports in the nation’s capital. “I think we have seen that there’s been no transparency and no accountability here, and I have over 40 clients who are truly devastated.”

The NFL hired Beth Wilkinson to conduct a year-long independent investigation after The Washington Post revealed allegations of abuse and sexual harassment within the Washington Football Team. The findings confirmed “bullying and intimidation frequently took place and many described the culture as one of fear, and numerous female employees reported having experienced sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace,” according to a statement.

But the NFL reportedly did not ask for or receive a written report from Wilkinson, raising questions over internal concern of a paper trail.

“We asked the NFL to release this on multiple occasions, “ Banks said. “The league seems to be in the business of protecting the owners and that’s certainly what they did here. If [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell doesn’t have a written report in his hands. He doesn’t have the tough decision about whether to make it public or not.”

Washington owner Daniel Snyder handed over day-to-day operating control to his wife Tanya on his own accord. It was not a sanction enforced by the NFL and therefore Daniel Synder — one of the NFL’s least patient owners, who was found to have “paid little or no attention to these issues” — can resume command on his own timeline.

“I don’t take much comfort in his wife being named co-CEO, or apparently running day-to-day operations,” Banks said, “because I think it’s one in the same thing.”

Washington has undergone a significant front-office and coaching overhaul in the past 17 months. But the allegations extend back throughout Snyder’s more than two decades of ownership.

“They’re devastated, they are absolutely devastated,” Banks said of her clients. “I’m getting call after call, text after text, telling me that they’re physically ill hearing this news, and they are just feeling so disappointed and dispirited.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

“I hate golf,” DeChambeau reportedly mumbled after hooking a tee shot into the bunker Friday at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

If he was looking for a pick-me-up before continuing on with the par-3 fifth hole at Detroit Golf Club, caddie Tom Tucker wasn’t around to provide it.

It was a snapshot of a second straight day of misery for DeChambeau, who missed the two-round cut after totaling a 1-under par. Despite being one of sponsor Rocket Mortgage’s paid ambassadors, the highest-ranked player in the field and the tournament’s defending champion, he declined to speak to reporters after both rounds.

It’s safe to say DeChambeau is missing Tucker — who has been on his bag for all eight of DeChambeau’s career PGA Tour wins — after the two split earlier this week with the claim of a mutual decision. Even if the notorious long-hitter is avoiding talking about it.

DeChambeau was “blindsided” by Tucker’s departure earlier this week, according to Yahoo Sports. Tucker told Golfweek that he “wouldn’t be surprised to see [DeChambeau] win Rocket Mortgage. He is hitting it great.”

Well, that didn’t happen. Far from it. To add insult to injury, DeChambeau’s bitter rival Brooks Koepka not-so-coincidentally tweeted this week about how his caddie Ricky Elliott is his “best friend and greatest caddie to do it.”

Without Tucker in his corner, DeChambeau curiously decided Friday to wait for the green to clear on the 398-yard third hole. He was still chatting with fans throughout his round.

“I’ve never seen that happen on the PGA Tour,” said Kramer Hickok, who was part of DeChambeau’s group, “where you’re waiting for par-4 greens to clear of that length.”

DeChambeau birdied the fourth hole before bogeying the fifth and sixth — just as he had the first — and letting his frustrations spill over.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

Golladay is a non-party with no potential liability in a civil case in which his former NFL agent, Jason Bernstein, is suing memorabilia company Redland Sports and MVP Authentics for allegedly violating an exclusive rights contract by working with rival NFL agent Todd France to set up an autograph signing in 2019. Golladay played with the Lions at the time and later became a client of France’s at Creative Artists Agency.

Golladay has until July 22 — five days before the Giants are expected to open training camp — to explain in writing why he failed to comply with a subpoena in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, according to a petition filed by Bernstein’s Clarity Sports International and granted by a judge.

The document was first uncovered by Jason Morrin — a Hofstra law student and clerk at the firm Geragos & Geragos — and later obtained by The Post. Contempt is either considered direct or indirect in civil cases, and the sanctions vary by each case’s circumstances. Golladay has not replied to inquiries since a motion was filed on May 14, according to the court filing.

Bernstein is seeking damages of more than $1.7 million as he estimates he lost out on more than $10,000 in Golladay’s marketing deals plus his three percent commission from Golladay’s NFL contract, according to a report by The Detroit News. Golladay signed a four-year, $72 million free-agent contract, including $40 million guaranteed, with the Giants in March.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

With one foot on the road and a cardboard sign encouraging riders to “Go!” hanging onto the course, the spectator’s head was turned in the opposite direction of the cyclists when all hell broke loose.

Veteran rider Tony Martin crashed into the sign and tumbled to the ground, leading dozens of others behind the accident into a pile-up involving half of the riders.

Multiple bikes were damaged as a result of the crash but the injury toll to riders wasn’t immediately clear.

A bloodied Martin returned to the action but Jasha Sutterlin of Germany reportedly withdrew because of the crash.

The Tour cautioned fans to “respect the safety of the riders” and “Don’t risk everything for a photo or to get on television!”

A second pileup involved dozens of competitors — including four-time Tour champion Chris Froome — riding at full speed near the finish.

Alaphilippe became the third French world champion to take the yellow jersey on the opening day of the race after Georges Speicher in 1934 and Bernard Hinault in 1981.

— With AP

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

In a recent podcast with with Richard Deitsch of The Athletic, the longtime radio host equated his departure from ESPN earlier this year to when he was released by teams during his NFL career.

“When ‘Mike & Mike’ ended, they still felt there was value to having me there,” the 58-year-old Golic said. “That’s why the new morning show with me and Trey and my son [Mike Jr.] got going, but after that deal and contract was up, they just felt there wasn’t any worth. And, not even from a monetary point, because they didn’t even talk about taking less money. We knew everybody was taking pay cuts. We didn’t even talk about that.”

At ESPN, Golic co-hosted the popular “Mike & Mike” morning radio and simulcast show with Mike Greenberg for 17 years and then co-hosted a replacement show with his son and Trey Wingo until last July.

Golic said he previously took a pay cut when “Mike & Mike” dissolved and the new program began. He broadcast college football games last fall but revealed that was at his own urging to stay involved.

“They said, ‘Well hell, I guess he wasn’t going to work and was going to get paid anyways.’ So I did that,” Golic said. “And we’ve gone back to them since. There were probably three or four different entities we were talking about college and ESPN was one of them. And their last conversation with my agent was ‘No, don’t want it.’ Not even a talk of we can’t pay much. It was just nothing.”

ESPN has parted ways with several of its big names, most recently Kenny Mayne. Golic told The Athletic he is looking at a few options to return to broadcasting.

“Sh–, is it a blow to the ego? Sure. To anybody it would be,” Golic said. “When you are there for as long as you are, and all of a sudden it’s not even discussed to keep you there, yeah, that’s a blow to the ego. But that’s life. I can’t sit here and cry about it. You move on.”

Golic’s NFL career ended in 1993 and he began at ESPN in 1995. When Golic asked two executives to explain why he was no longer wanted, he says he didn’t gain much clarity.

“The first response was ‘We don’t have to tell you,’ ” Golic said. “And I was like OK, and then it was ‘Well we just felt it was time for a change.’ ”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

Five days after a teaser offered just a taste of Brady’s vengeance side, an extended version of the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback’s conversation was released by HBO’s “The Shop”.

And it ups the vitriol for the mystery team that expressed interest in Brady as a free agent in 2020 but backed off at the end.

“When I look back, I’m thinking ‘There’s no f–king way I would’ve went to that team,’” Brady said, the volume of his voice increasing and his finger pointing. “But they said they didn’t want me! And know what that means! I know what that feels like! And I’m going to f–k you up because of that.”

Well then.

Jordan and Brady often are compared as the G.O.A.T.s in their respective sports. Jordan’s infamous grudges were detailed during the 2020 docuseries “The Last Dance.”

Now we are getting a taste of Brady’s.

NFL social media was ablaze earlier this week when the first clip was revealed.

“There was a story in free agency: One of the teams was interested and then all of a sudden they weren’t interested at the very end,” Brady said. “I was sitting there thinking, ‘You’re sticking with that motherf–ker. Are you serious?”

Brady ultimately left the Patriots after 20 seasons to sign with the Buccaneers. The Chargers reportedly were the other finalist in his decision.

ESPN reported this week that the Saints were a quiet dark horse in the running for Brady but had to back out when Drew Brees surprisingly decided to play one more season before retirement.

It seems unlikely –- but anything is possible -– that Brady would speak of his Brees in such disrespectful terms. They are both headed to the Hall of Fame and rank No. 1 and No. 2 in career passing yards and passing touchdowns.

So, the only hope of figuring out the mystery might be to pay extra close attention to which team Brady beats on with a big lead in the future.  

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

Baylor guard Jared Butler, who named Lowry first when asked for his NBA player comparison, said he met with the Knicks and nine other teams Thursday at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. The Knicks’ longtime search for a point guard includes a 2013 hiccup, when they backed out of a deal with the Raptors that would’ve landed Lowry for Iman Shumpert, Metta World Peace and a future first-rounder.

Eight years later, what could Butler offer for the Knicks?

“Off the court, intangibly, just a winning mentality, expecting to win, habits that are conducive to winning, for sure,” Butler said. “On the court, a highly skilled guy that knows how to play. Not too many holes in my game. I can play defense, play on and off the ball, and shoot it at a high level.”

The 6-foot-3, 193-pound Butler also listed Jrue Holiday, Fred VanVleet and Seth Curry as players with similar games to his, but the late-blooming Lowry — a six-time All-Star beginning in his ninth season — is the most intriguing. The draft is set for July 29, just a few days before Lowry, 35, and other free agents hit the market on Aug. 2.

“My goal, if a team drafts me, is I want to fit their needs,” Butler said. “Whatever they’re lacking, what can I do to plug that gap or hole in their organization? That’s what I plan on doing. Just be reliable and be an impactful player.”

The Knicks are in the market for scoring and defense at the position. Butler, a 2021 First-Team All-American and the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, said he checks both boxes, “shooting especially” whether off the dribble or catch-and-release.

“It went great,” Butler said of the meeting. “They just really tried to get to know me and pick my brain about certain situations in the game. Asked about specific things about my time at Baylor, what I learned from that, and how I can translate to their team.”

Projected as a late first-round pick, Butler, 20, should be on the board if the Knicks do not package picks No. 19 and No. 21 to trade up. He was not on the court at the combine because he is ineligible to play or practice in the NBA until he is cleared by a Fitness-to-Play panel of physicians.

“My original plan was always to come here and just do interviews with teams,” Butler said. “It’s not something I didn’t expect. I genuinely believe God has a purpose for my life. Whatever that is, whatever outcome or circumstance I’m put in, I’m grateful for it. I’m sitting in that, being patient and trying not to worry.”

Butler declined to publicly discuss the “minor details” of his health to avoid any misinterpretations, but he reportedly was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2018 at Alabama before transferring. He played in all 94 possible games over three years at Baylor, averaging career highs across the board (16.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and two steals per game) and shooting 47.1 percent from the field (41.6 percent from 3-point range) last season.

In one two-minute span during his interview with reporters, Butler used some variation of the word “win” seven times. He combined with projected lottery pick Davion Mitchell and fellow 2021 draft hopeful MaCio Teague to lead Baylor to its first national championship this year.

“I know how to be in big moments and how to collectively, as a team player, win,” Butler said. “Being around other pros like Davion and MaCio is going to help me in the league. Tons of information and wisdom I got from winning.”

Butler said he will be “working out” and taking team visits between now and the draft as he awaits medical clearance.

“I remember when I was like 4 years old saying to my dad, ‘I’m going to play basketball on TV one day,’” Butler said. “When I first got to college, [the NBA] was always a dream, and I was getting closer and closer to it.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

No, Jacob deGrom did not do anything out of the ordinary to raise suspicion. This was about coincidence and baseball’s new normal.

Because the Mets were home and starting the first game of a doubleheader against the Braves about two hours before any other first pitch around the league, deGrom was the first subjected to the close checks that MLB warned teams went into place Monday.

After deGrom retired the Braves in order in the top of the first inning, three umpires, including home plate’s Ben May and crew chief Ron Kulpa, cornered him before he reached the dugout to look at his glove, hat and belt. The Citi Field crowd booed and then cheered when deGrom was cleared.

The inspections are a result of the firestorm over the last few weeks created by batters – namely, Twins slugger Josh Donaldson – reacting to the increase in pitchers’ spin rates and the decrease in scoring.

DeGrom and the Mets were thrown into the fire because the unusual 5 p.m. start time happened under the 84-degree sun.

“It’s been out there that the mix of sunscreen and rosin creates better grip,” manager Luis Rojas said before the game. “[Sunday] we played a day game in Washington and I’m sure a lot of guys were using sunscreen. Just the balance there of what’s going to happen if some of that just happens to find its way onto the ball, not necessarily with rosin. What if it gets to that point?”

Players deemed to be cheats are subject to a 10-game suspension. The rules in place for decades weren’t recently changed but the longtime handshake agreement to overlook textbook violations because pitchers supposedly use substances to enhance grip seems to be finished.

“I’m curious to see how the field umpires will go, ‘OK, this wasn’t on purpose,’ or a player doesn’t get the penalty,” Rojas said. “I’m curious to get through this outing one way or the other, and then we’ll have our say if we see something we don’t like.”

DeGrom made the start after leaving his last two early with elbow and shoulder pain, respectively. The two-time Cy Young Award winner’s 0.54 ERA was the lowest by a pitcher through 11 starts since earned runs became an official stat in 1912.

Rojas said he participated in multiple meetings with MLB last week that were clear about reinforcing rules prohibiting foreign substances on the ball. He relayed the message to his team to limit surprises.

“It’s going to be a little different than what’s been,” Rojas said. “They are going to check different areas where they figure some of the substances are being put throughout the game. The clarification I gave the guys was how things are going to be handled on the field and not to react to it but rather just go with it and let them do what they need to do.”

It is unknown how the random checks will interrupt the pace of the game, especially if an ace like deGrom is cruising. Was Rojas planning to ask umpires when his suspicions were raised?

“I can’t say yes, I can’t say no,” Rojas said. “When you are in games, you are just paying attention to so many different things. If it happens and I see it and it’s obvious, I’m going to say yes. But I don’t think it’s going to be something I’m going to be thoroughly looking at starting tonight.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy

Schwarber’s career resurgence in his first season with the Nationals reached new heights Sunday as he crushed three home runs (combined distance 1,174 feet) during a 5-2 win against the Mets. He tied a MLB record with five home runs over a two-game span covering just eight at-bats.

“To be honest with you, I don’t really know what’s going on,” Schwarber said. “I’m not going up there just trying to hit home runs.”

Long speculated as a possible left-handed fit for the overly right-handed Yankees lineup because of his ability to pull pitches over the short porch, Schwarber hit nine home runs on the Nationals’ 10-game homestand. At the time of his second home run Sunday and his eighth in that span, Schwarber had out-homered 11 teams since his bat caught fire on June 12. Four days earlier, he moved into the leadoff spot.

“He single-handedly beat us today,” Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar said. “When you see a guy being able to use the big part of the field and have success like that, there’s not a lot of places you can go to get him out. Sometimes you just leave here realizing you just witnessed something pretty special.”

A star of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series title, Schwarber hit .188 with 24 RBIs in 191 at-bats last season. Schwarber’s always-suspect defense in left field combined with suddenly dwindling power led the Cubs to non-tender him, and he settled for a one-year, $10 million contract as a free agent with a smaller market than once expected.

“I’m playing more with a chip on my shoulder because I know I’m better than what I was last year,” Schwarber said. “I’m trying to prove something to myself and trying to help the team win every day.”

Schwarber led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run for the second straight game. After a groundout in the third, he led off the fifth with a home run. He added a two-run shot in the seventh. Two of the three went out to the opposite field.

“He’s just locked in right now,” Mets starter Taijuan Walker said after serving up homers on a fastball and a sinker. “He was just hitting every fastball we threw at him.

“That first one was just a lazy fastball, but that third at-bat I almost have to just tip my cap to him. I threw a backdoor slider that I thought would’ve got him and he fouled it off, and he hit a pretty good fastball.”

Schwarber’s third home run was off a slider from Jeurys Familia. The Mets never considered an intentional walk with first base open and Trea Turner on deck.

“The ball ran back over the middle and a guy swinging the bat like that, he didn’t miss it,” manager Luis Rojas said. “Familia is a high-leverage pitcher. He’s gotten a lot of big outs.”

Schwarber’s Father’s Day explosion moved him into a tie for fifth in MLB with 18 home runs. And he did it on a balky knee that led to his removal for a double-switch in the eighth inning. His spot in the lineup didn’t come up again.

“Just trying to do right for what my dad has done for me my whole life,” Schwarber said. “Countless times I hit him with line drives with no net throwing batting practice out on the football field at the elementary school. A lot of credit goes to my family, especially my dad, for where I’m at today.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Ryan Dunleavy