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Shreyas Iyer, closest to Ranji ton: No matter what society thinks, I have to listen to my structure

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The pace of 2024 has been like a candy field for Shreyas Iyer. 10 months ago you wouldn’t have realized everything you had committed to achieving.

 

With back problems bothering him early on, Iyer’s big challenge this home season was to be patient, play long innings matches and maintain compatibility by playing a red-ball game closer to any other. And in five first-class matches starting with the Duleep Trophy in early September, Iyer began a run of four fifty-plus scores in 11 innings that culminated with a Ranji Trophy century against Maharashtra on Saturday: 142 off 190 studded balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes, along with a couple of shorter balls. It was Iyer’s first century in first-class cricket in just three years, since his debut hundred against Untouched Zealand in Kanpur. Iyer says he is “absolutely eager to get back” with runs behind him and his back 100% pleasing.

 

Terming the century “special”, Iyer mentioned: “Coming back after a long time, obviously I was feeling a bit down because of my injuries, but now to complete a century after a long time, it’s a great feeling.”

 

“I am completely willing to [Test] I return but yes, as we say, regulate the controllables and my activity is to store the performance and store the participation as much as possible and also see that my body is in perfect weather. So I will make the most efficient resolution imaginable consistent with that.”

 

Iyer revealed that after his back surgery last year, he went through a phase where he had doubts that the injury would recur. He returned from an injury break in the Asia Cup last year, followed by the ODI World Cup at home before playing the two Tests in South Africa earlier in the year and then two more against England at home. Iyer had said at the end of IPL 2024 that he was “surely suffering” with his back in the longer format, but “negatively used to agree” when he raised the concern. Do you still feel that sometimes those doubts about your back invade you?

 

“Not now,” he said. “But there was one section where I felt like it would happen again. But yeah, I trained a dozen to check that I’m in peak condition and it clearly comes here and there, but now my ability has advanced a dozen.”

And how did his body get there?

“Training. Yes, I clearly developed my long-term work and that’s what I was looking for. You know, developing my perseverance so well in the case of long-term structure and according to that I used to be a coach. [I did] Extensive training as if I was stressing my body, like pushing my body between 400 and 800 meters of running and looking to push my limits and optics to be in the best condition possible.

[Earlier]”Even if I could sit for a long time, stand up for a long time, my back would automatically stiffen and yeah, that’s basically what I wanted to strengthen.”

Did the fitness issues and the way he thought “no one used to agree” create an inaccurate perception about him for Test cricket?

“Look, I had addressed my feelings throughout the longer structure and things didn’t follow my approach,” he said, hinting that he was willing to put it behind him. “But I have also addressed it in the previous interviews I have given and I am at an adequate level at the moment. I am doing what I am supposed to do, which is training and playing suits constantly.” and I think all the suits I’ve played at the event today have helped me reach that level of condition as well, along with my training.”

Playing his sixth consecutive first-class match in the last six weeks, Iyer said: “The frame has taken a dozen charges at the same time. So we have to govern here and there and work out what strategy I have in mind.” In the case of how I play. Now I have to be sneaky about the selections I make, I want to make sure my frame is in the most efficient climate imaginable. As I mentioned above, too. I have to make a decision according to that, regardless of what society thinks about the outdoors. I have to listen to my structure because I know the amount of threshold transferred over the last few years and according to that, I. I will make the appropriate resolution and hope that my group can achieve it again. [that]”.

 

“You win three championships in one year, and what more could you ask for? All I see here are the positive things and that’s winning the trophy, and that’s what I want.”

 

Shreyas Iyer on missing out on India A team for Australia tour

 

 

Iyer further said that upon returning from injury for the longer format, he also had to change the way he approached the red-ball format. Iyer faced 190 deliveries during his knock spread over Friday and Saturday, and the last time he consumed so many deliveries in first-class cricket was in December 2022 at Chattogram, scoring a patient 86 for 192 in the first innings of the first proof. Since then, there have only been two occasions when Iyer faced more than 100 deliveries in a first-class innings in 28 overs.

 

“Nowadays, when teams emerge, they immediately put in a defensive field from the first ball,” he said. “So I was just looking to snatch at some point, between playing games more balls than scoring shots, so that was my plan. Play games from check to check and fight to see how much my body can Snatch When I said I played some clubs in the event, that was the reason I was given to understand that I would break every ball, but at the same time I have to bat longer if I need to. My structure was prepared for any position provided by the opposition And yes, we faced many situations. difficult at the event.

 

“Like the previous game, Baroda gave us a change of rank and they performed brilliantly and put us under pressure. So you know, different occasions, different demands and we have to make sure we are in the best mentality possible.”

 

Then the game against Maharashtra, Iyer will play games, 3 additional league games. Mumbai are scheduled to play games at this pace before the Ranji Trophy season pauses for the 50-over and 20-over white-ball tournaments. It might be a bit of a stretch to say that Iyer would be a strong contender for the tour of Australia as he has not been named in the Bharat A squad for the start of the two red-ball games on October 31.

Does Iyer really feel like he has eaten a combo bag of sweets at this speed?

“You win three championships in one year, and what more could you ask for? All I see here are the positive things and that’s winning the trophy, and that’s what I want.”

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WATCH: Lakers rookie Quincy Olivari will be excited after meeting Stephen Curry in preseason contest against the Warriors.

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SAN FRANCISCO — The NBA preseason doesn’t always offer the best basketball, but it never fails to generate moving stories. Dating stars and established players are sharpening up and shaking off the rust, dozens of alternative hopefuls are fighting and fighting each and every one of them with the goal of fulfilling their NBA dream. We have perceived former UPS employees, Uber drivers and most recently a bartender signed with promise out of training camp, and really makes clear what a privilege it is to compete under the brightest basketball lights in the business.

We got another dose of healthy content on Friday night when, thanks to many of the Los Angeles Lakers regulars being rested, Quincy Olivari got the nod for the starting-level barricade spot in the preseason finale against the Blonde Shape Warriors in San Francisco. The undrafted freshman from Xavier performed well, posting 22 points and seven rebounds in the 132-74 loss, but the spotlight of his night came outside of the competitive action.

That’s because Olivari was handed over to satisfy his basketball idol, Stephen Curry. The Warriors superstar didn’t like the game, but he took the time to introduce himself to Olivari, who later became emotional when talking about the meeting.

“It’s crazy because I’ve liked him since I was in sixth grade. I don’t even know what to say, man. He’s my favorite player,” said Olivari, 23. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘I’m a big fan of your game,’ and the truth is, I’m a big fan of him. I had his jersey, he signed it twice. I used to sleep under that jersey. And I had so many I want to be like him.

“Just so you could meet him, so he could have a little appreciation for me, and then we talked in the back, he gave me a pair of his sneakers and he signed them. That meant the industry to me, kid. My dad “You know, my mother knows, it just means an amount, I don’t know, it just means an amount.”

Olivari also posted a video of a younger version of himself getting his jersey signed by Curry.

It was obviously a great experience for Olivari, who reportedly acted a bit like his idol on Friday night. He made 5 of 9 3-point shots, including this one where he made a Curry-style move to the corner for a noticeable look.

It remains to be seen if Olivari will make the Lakers’ opening night roster, but he certainly took advantage of his opportunity by averaging nearly nine points in four games and hitting 8 of 14 three-point shots. . Although his progress in basketball takes him away from the NBA, Olivari will always remember the night he was given to meet the player he emulated as a child.

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NFL Odds, Las Vegas Strains, Options, Spreads, Sports Predictions: Pick Type Vikings, Chargers at Hour 7, 2024

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The NFL’s Hour 7 schedule is arguably the most packed of the day, highlighted by a Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and 49ers at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. Kansas Town is a 1.5-point road underdog, according to the new Hour 7 NFL odds, with the closest also being a 1.5-point underdog in “The Big Game” in February. The 49ers vs. Chiefs is Vikings vs. Lions (+1.5, 50.5) at 1 pm ET, which could be a preview of the NFC Championship Sport. Seven NFL spreads on Sunday are covered inside a grass field.

That’s not all football enthusiasts can look forward to on Sunday, as the alternate peak matchups are Packers vs. Texans (+3, 48.5) and Giants vs. Eagles (-3, 42.5). As part of a Monday Evening Soccer doubleheader, the Ravens will face the Buccaneers, with Baltimore favored by 3.5 points according to Hour 7 NFL spreads and an over-under of 49.5, five more than the first game. All NFL Hour 7 lines are indexed below, and SportsLine’s complex computer format has all the NFL making betting recommendations and NFL predictions you need to form the best NFL Hour 7 picks now.

The style, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, has risen to well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL options since its inception. The guy enters Hour 7 of the 2024 NFL season on a fantastic 11-3 run on top-rated NFL picks today. Long-term, he has a 192-132 streak on top-rated NFL picks dating back to the 2017 season and a 46-24 streak on top-rated NFL picks dating back to Hour 7 in 2022.

The guy also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch 4 for six years in straight NFL picks and beat over 94% of CBS Sports Soccer Pick out’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has adopted this method approaches betting houses and betting applications.

Now, your attention has been turned to the new Hour 7 NFL odds and NFL bets are tightening up and setting options for each and every NFL matchup. Head here to see each and every selection.

Manage 7 Hour NFL Predictions

We can tell you that one of the biggest Hour 7 NFL decisions of the most important type is the Vikings (-1.5, 50.5) protecting the spread against the Lions. Minnesota wins via a touchdown, depending on style, as it has some sunny leads in this matchup. The Vikings will be well-rested, coming off a bye, Detroit gained age compared to Dallas, but lost arguably its best player in defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. He leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks, but suffered a leg injury against the Cowboys, significantly hampering Detroit’s cross-court speed.

Even with him, the Lions were right in the middle of the pack in terms of strength-to-sack ratio, ranking 13th in each. He has accounted for part of the team’s 15 sacks, so his absence will allow Sam Darnold to find Justin Jefferson. Darnold already ranks fourth in the league in touchdown passes and sixth in passer rating, and SportsLine projects he will have approximately 300 passing yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. That can allow the Vikings to defend more than 60% of the time. See which alternative groups to select right here.

Another one in each of your Hour 7 NFL betting predictions: the Chargers (-1.5, 44) defend on the road against the Cardinals as part of a Monday Evening Soccer doubleheader. Then, with plenty of running through their first four games, the Chargers showed a more balanced offensive attack closer to their bye. Justin Herbert had 237 passing yards in a win over Denver and averaged 144.5 yards in his first four games. The runners were still main elements, since J.Ok. Dobbins and Kimani Vidal combined for 153 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

As for the Cardinals, they were defeated by three touchdowns to the Packers, and Arizona has a -48 point differential in their last three games. The cards committed three surrenders in the loss, and that makes it impossible to win, especially if you have the last-ranked third-down defense in the league. Kyler Murray has one or fewer touchdown passes in 11 of his last 14 games, and that simply won’t provide enough offense to negate a rejuvenated Chargers attack. Los Angeles (-1.5) covers over 60% of the time, and the guy also calls over hits in about 60% of simulations. See which alternative groups to select right here.

How you can form NFL Hour 7 picks

The guy has also made the call on who wins and covers in each and every alternative sport on the NFL’s Hour 7 schedule and has only identified three coveted A-rated options, potentially giving him a big day payment. Best of all, you get all the picks for all the sports at SportsLine.

So what NFL options can you confidently line up and what three can’t-miss teams should you include now? Take a look at the new NFL odds below, then check with SportsLine to see which teams win and protect the spread, all from a confirmed computer model that has returned more than $7,000, and to find out.

Hour 7 NFL Betting: Odds, Tensions and Spreads

Get Hour 7 NFL picks at SportsLine

Sunday October 20

Patriots vs. Jaguars – in London (-6, 42)

Seahawks vs. Falcons (-3, 51)

Titans at coast (-9.5, 41)

Bengals vs. Browns (+5.5, 41.5)

Texans at Packers (-3, 48.5)

Dolphins at Colts (-3, 43.5)

Lions against Vikings (-1.5, 50.5)

Eagles against Giants (+3, 42.5)

Raiders at Rams (-7, 43.5)

Panthers at Commanders (-9.5, 51.5)

Chiefs at 49ers (-1.5, 47)

Jets at Steelers (+1.5, 38.5)

Monday October 21

Ravens at Buccaneers (+3.5, 49.5)

Chargers at Cardinals (+1.5, 44)





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Sutton’s Premier League predictions against legendary boxing supervisor Kellie Maloney

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Maloney tells her story in ‘Knock Out Whitewashed – The Approved Kellie Maloney Documentary’, which is now available on virtual platforms.

She is a lifelong Millwall fan, but is also a season ticket holder with Portuguese team SC Farense, who are based near her home in Portugal.

“I follow two teams,” Maloney told BBC Sport. “Millwall, because they have been my team since I was three years old, and Farense, because I spend a lot of time at my club in the Algarve.

“Unfortunately, Farense are last in the league at the moment, although we got our first win of the season before the international break – the winner came in the last kick of the match and it was like winning the World Cup.

“We don’t win many games, but we certainly have the second best goalkeeper in the Portuguese league, Ricardo Velho, who was in the new Portugal squad. That’s why he was the simplest on the bench. Porto’s Diogo Costa is their number one , but it used to be the first date in the club’s 114-year history in which a Farense player had been called up by Portugal.

“And everyone should be wary of our former players like Mohamed Belloumi, who left to join Hull for €5.5m in August. It is the highest fee Farense has ever received for a player, and he recently scored a couple of goals against Cardiff.

“Before he left, I sent a message to Mark Dazzling, who is an envoy at Crystal Palace, and also to Millwall saying they would have to come and see this kid, because he’s just grown up. “He’s 22 and he’s going to be making a fortune soon. “.



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Pakistan News: It’s October 19 and there is still negative clarity on Quaid-e-Azam 2024-25 schedule

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It is not known when the 2024-25 Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy season will begin, even though Pakistan’s excellent World Test season is underway. A schedule provisionally released through the PCB in August stated that Pakistan’s premier first-class event would begin on October 20, but as of now, the fate of the event remains uncertain.

Month, the dates for all local competitions announced by the PCB in August have been tentative and subject to change, a PCB official informed ESPNcricinfo not long ago, last week that the QeA was ready to accumulate in its plan of the October 20. . ESPNcricinfo understands that no one, not even those responsible for internal affairs at the PCB, knows when the event schedule will finally be announced.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the event is all set to get the green light from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The PCB declined to comment on what is holding the favor at this time, even though the budgetary favor operationally comes from the president, and is known to be one of the most important factors in the extension. Still, the lack of information about the QeA contrasts sharply with the fanfare with which the One-Occasion Champions Cup, which was held in September, used to be marked on the board.

The verdict of hosting that one-day event in September, in Pakistan’s remotest and most significant window until May, used to be significant as it meant the players would not be able to return home with red-ball cricket before the current competition. of England. Three check excursion in October. It is understood that participants in the national testing program privately expressed frustration with the situation, despite there being an acceptance that the timetable was beyond their control.

The QeA has never managed to accumulate into a schedule or structure, but denying details about its start so late in a season is something unheard of. In each of the last 15 years, at least two, the event began before October 26, and the schedule is usually published clearly before October. Each and every one of the last two seasons began in September; The latest generation of the event began on September 10 and ended on October 26.

The situation is even more jarring in a season where Pakistan are scheduled to play games with more Test suits than any other option this century. They are already more than halfway through the seven home Check teams that will play between August 2024 and January 2025, with two Check teams in South Africa at the generation change.

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Patriots vs. Jaguars Odds, Spread, Prediction and Start: London 2024 NFL Game Options on 11-3 Streak Form

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The Pristine England Patriots (1-5) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) will meet on Sunday in the final NFL game in London of 2024. The Patriots are on a five-game losing streak. In the final moment, the Houston Texans defeated the Patriots, 41-21. Meanwhile, the Jaguars were at the close in London, but lost to the Chicago Bears, 35-16. Pristine England is 1-4-1 against the spread this season, beyond Jacksonville they are 2-4.

Kick-off from Wembley Stadium in London is set for 9:30 a.m. ET. Jacksonville is a 6-point favorite within the original Patriots vs. Jaguars SportsLine Consensus, beyond the over/under for overall points scored is 42. Before locking in any Jaguars vs. Jaguars option. Patriots, be sure to check out the NFL Predictions and Betting Recommendation from the SportsLine Projection Style.

The model, which simulates every single NFL matchup 10,000 times, has earned more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The guy enters Class 7 of the 2024 NFL season on a fantastic 11-3 run on top-rated NFL picks today. Long-term, he has a 192-132 streak on top-rated NFL picks dating back to the 2017 season and a 46-24 streak on top-rated NFL picks dating back to the 2022 Class 7.

The guy also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch 4 of the generation six years in direct NFL picks and beat over 94% of CBS Sports Soccer Select’em players four times during that span. Someone who has adopted sportsbooks and has betting apps is head and shoulders above.

Now, the guy has simulated Patriots vs. Jaguars 10,000 times and simply open up your coveted NFL and Jaguars vs. Betting options. Patriots with betting predictions. Head over to SportsLine now to check out the guy’s options. Listed below are some NFL odds and NFL betting lines for Jaguars vs. Patriots:

  • Patriots vs. Jaguars: Jacksonville -6
  • Patriots vs. Jaguars up/down: 42 numbers
  • Patriots vs. Cash Form Jaguars: Jacksonville -257, Pristine England +209
  • JAX: Jaguars are 0-3 ATS favorites this season
  • NE: The Patriots are 6-15-2 ATS since Bill Belichick retired, second-worst in the league in that span.
  • Patriots vs. Jaguars options: See the options at SportsLine
  • Patriots vs. Jaguars streaming: FuboTV (Fight for the isolated)

Why Jaguars Can Make Barricades

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has resumed playing the last two games. Lawrence is athletic enough to gain yards with his legs and has the arm ability to push the ball downfield. The Clemson product ranks 12th in the league in passing yards (1,334) and ties for 12th in passing touchdowns (12). At the end, he was 23 of 35 for 234 yards and two pass ratings.

Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is an explosive weapon in the passing game. Thomas Jr. makes use of his great speed to stretch the ground vertically. The LSU product currently ranks ninth in the NFL in receiving yards (424) with 25 receptions and three touchdowns. Long surpassed 90 receiving yards 3 times in 2024. See who to return to at SportsLine.

Why the Patriots can barricade themselves

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye was given the nod to close the formation and confirmed the word of honor despite being eliminated twice. Maye is capable of throwing the ball to all three levels on the floor. The North Carolina product can also expand the function of the toes. Down the stretch, he was 20 of 33 for 243 yards and 3 touchdown passes. He also led the team in rushing yards (38).

Receiver DeMario Douglas is a shifty, agile weapon who has unclouded chemistry with Maye. The Sovereignty product leads the workforce in receptions (24) and receiving yards (245) with a ranking on the day. On his final day, Douglas caught six passes for 92 yards and one touchdown, the most of his career. See who to return to at SportsLine.

How to make options between Patriots and Jaguars

SportsLine’s guy is leaning downward overall, projecting the groups will combine for 41 issues. The guy also says that one aspect of broadcasting has all the value. Head to SportsLine to check out your NFL options.

So Who Wins Patriots vs. Jaguars in the third NFL game in London in 2024 and what aspect of the distribution has all the value? Check with SportsLine now to see what aspects of Patriots vs. Jaguars developed again, all of the type that has returned more than $7,000 in top-rated NFL options, and to find out.





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Bournemouth vs. Arsenal lineup, prediction and alternatives: The place to watch Premier League is live stream, TV channel and odds

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The Premier League returns from the global crash on Saturday with Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth to complete one of the vital moves in what should be a rogue clash. Mikel Arteta’s side won a combined 7-0 last season, but no one in north London can expect an easy ride from Andoni Iraola and company. For the rest, during the last week Bournemouth’s number of problems is closer to that of Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle that this is an aspect that seeks to remain in the middle of the table.

Arteta has already warned his team that he is prepared for a “great challenge” from a team that is “very well trained,…, super intense, very competitive and [have] a clear idea of ​​how they want [play]”. Arsenal will start on the south coast as favorites, but this is usually a difficult trip for them. Here’s how you should protect the match and what you should know:

Knowledge visualization

  • While: Saturday October 19 | Future: 12:30 pm Eastern Time
  • Location: Dean Court File — Bournemouth, United Kingdom
  • TV: NBC | They are living the flow: Fubo (aim to separate)
  • Odd: Bournemouth +400; Draw +300; Arsenal -150

Workforce information

Bournemouth: Tyler Adams can play his first minutes since June and Iraola has shown that he has an absolutely compatible team to choose from. The US men’s world team will almost certainly have to take a long-overdue vacation against voluminous minutes this month, having played just 138 minutes of American football in four appearances since leaving Leeds in August 2023. In Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez is likely to come in at left back, a branch where they will need all the backing they can get against Bukayo Saka, should he be healthy enough to start.

Imaginable Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kirkez; Christie, prepare dinner; Semenyo, Tavernier, Outtara; evanilson

Arsenal: Arteta has even more complications to believe. Martin Odegaard is clearly recovering and will surely return before the nearest world star, but Takehiro Tomiyasu has suffered an unspecified setback which means he is closer to playing his first minutes of the season. There are several avid players who took hits about the global responsibility (Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli) or ignored it, that team along with Jurrien Wood, Kai Havertz, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey.

Saka and Wood are expected to be available, Martinelli and Havertz appear to be shadow cases where Partey may have a fit. The winger is especially mischievous with Mikel Merino in position and eager to deal with his personal shock problems. Who will accompany Declan Rice with the Liverpool team to the Emirates Stadium in just eight days?

Arsenal’s imaginable eleven: stripe; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli

Prediction

Don’t expect this to be an easy ride for Arsenal, however, they must have the property to pull off a decent win. CHOOSE: Bournemouth 1, Arsenal 2





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Tottenham weigh 4-1 on West Ham due to daring half-time substitution: why Ange Postecoglu roped in James Maddison

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LONDON — A past present, Ange Postecoglu, may make a negative mistake in those parts, but even one of Tottenham’s most bought-in supporters would no doubt have raised a questioning look in James Maddison’s eye by departing mid-attack in which his side was visual. sufficient amount of ball, but suffering to cross it.

Surely, those are the times when you want them to put the ball on a Deny.10 postage stamp to use the safe puck, peeling back the layers of protection, every attacking outlet covered in your fingerprints. Not this age anymore. The verdict to withdraw Maddison and introduce Pape Matar Sarr used to be a masterstroke by Ange Postecoglu. Spurs had the same amount of ball, but at this age it moved through West Ham at twice the speed. The result was to show what had been a good duel stagnated at 1-1 on the right side to a 4-1 Spurs victory.

In the space of 8 minutes, this game went from a fiercely contested grudge match to a rout, the kind that not only repairs all the momentum Julen Lopetegui used to have before West Ham’s win over Ipswich, but also provides a lots more. about his supremacy. There are profound questions for those above the Hammers boss to consider, not least how David Moyes’s solid defensive structure evolved, creaking even though it had been in its final years and was gone.

For the Spurs, there are less pressing, but more mischievous, issues to address. Which lets us know that they become much more threatening as an attack warning after Maddison’s attack? The England international has most likely rarely lost color this season. Entering this weekend’s round of play, he had two goals and two assists for his title, and he added to the final tally with a cross for Dejan Kulusevski’s equalizer midway through the first half. His 2.97 expected assists (xA) are the third-best mark in the league.

Given these statistics, it’s no surprise that there are moments when the Spurs feel modestly codified by Maddison. For much of the first half on Saturday, they gave in to the temptation of giving the ball to their most talented playmaker and letting him cook dinner. That means getting up around the left corner, placing tempting balls against the back post. Get a proper goal and it will be a goal on a plate for Dominic Solanke or Brennan Johnson. In fact, only an impressive cleared header from Lucas Paqueta prevented the shot from being a possible goal. Once again, those crosses are handled more frequently than ever, even through a defense as haphazard as West Ham’s.

That may be the problem with Maddison. On their good days, Spurs have hosted two of the five games so far this season with the best individual xA recorded by a player. But if those higher-value opportunities don’t come out of Maddison’s boot, the signs are that there are only so many alternative avenues for higher-value openings. Through seven games, Spurs had had a remarkable four non-penalty shots over 0.5 xG. They were of no importance in what can be considered a detailed bread-and-butter field of possibilities between 0.2 and 0.24 xG. Don’t confuse them with anything other than an excellent offense. However, to become a splendid one, it would help if there were more between the mountain of low-volume opportunities and the high-level vacancies that will inevitably become more frequent.

Photographs taken by Tottenham in the 2024-25 Premier League before their victory over West Ham

TruMedia

It was the same story in the first half, a great opening, created when Spurs’ Deny.10 reduced West Ham’s flying lines to the tape and finished off the exceptional Kulusevski, and not as much as it should have. had been in opposition to this real opponent.

Postecoglu undoubtedly perceived that he had learned the lessons from his team’s draw. West Ham might have looked like a threat if they had put their men ahead (or indeed at any point goalscorer Mohamed Kudus had been given the ball), but they were no threat themselves. Win ownership and there will be additional stretches of land to attack against a back five that looks irresistible and used to be thrown together quickly in the summer. Sarr was usually the person who kept Spurs going, a contrast to Kulusevski who brought selection into the engine room.

“West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield,” said the Tottenham manager. “I felt like Pape’s power would help us in the second half. Obviously they worked hard in the first half just to keep us going, I thought he could give us a little energy. I thought he did really well and that gave us a platform to be really threatening every time we move forward and are clinical in our football.

That advantage used to be obvious when Spurs started using the left flank differently. Instead of making crosses against the back post, they attacked his signature. Three lengths converged on Future Udogie, opening territory for Yves Bissouma to roll in from the edge of the field to position Spurs forward.

It shouldn’t have immediately become a story of West Ham’s downfall, but it did. With and without the ball, they left differentiated territory in their midfield unprotected. First, Heung-Min Son and Kulusevski passed through him, the former forcing a personal objective that both Alphonse Areola and Jean-Clair Todibo will avoid saying is no longer theirs. There were negative doubts about the scorer of the goal, Sarr crossed the West Ham midfield with a cross that hit Son in that place where it is so disastrous. Ney’s defender may actually know what this disastrous advance means, but Todibo’s lack of balance determined the splendid guy, who flashed I’m fed up down the left before riding home in the same position.

As if things could get any worse for West Ham, an apparent palm collision from Kudus on Sarr led to a VAR review and a red card. Or maybe it was because of the frenzy on Micky van de Ven’s face. Either way, Lopetegui could have a hand on the back of his back in his near future in his latest and longest fight for a permanent job with Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag.

For Postecoglu, denying such considerations, rather probabilities. It was obvious that his team could do something quite remarkable with their star Deny.10 in the side. They now have evidence to show that they might be able to act differently without it.





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Women’s T20 International Cup 2024/25, Ultimate Fit preview between NZ-W and SA-W

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Voluminous image: a look at history

Some images speak more than words can express.

Like Siya Kolisi looking up at the sky and roaring towards the Parisian sky, before lifting the last-minute International Rugby Cup.

Like Handover Elliott, a South African of descent, who lent a hand to a despondent Dale Steyn and then hit the winning six to seal New Zealand’s last in the 2015 ODI International Cup.

Like Katy Perry joining Meg Lanning’s victorious Australian team on the winners’ podium in front of a record 86,174 fans at the MCG in 2020.

Or, more recently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, standing side by side, like brothers in hands, with the Indian flag, their medals and the International Cup trophy, before walking off into the sunset.

On Sunday, South Africa and New Zealand will go head to head to earn the right to add to the unforgettable images and moments of the game, which one works hard for years – or decades, in the case of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. and Marizanne Kapp.

New Zealand have a shot at glory over the next 14 years, South Africa their second in two years, having beaten Australia, the team that breaks their hearts on a sparkling afternoon in Cape Town at the end of February.

Their last trips to the International Cup had been quite coincidental. Full of admirable victories that warmed hearts. And losses that challenged – with a transition looming – the buildings along the way that have not been able to exactly copy the landmarks eager for Australia and England. That’s why her emergence at the top offers hope for women’s sport and the growth of the sport.

Dubai has great value for both groups. South Africa lifted the best trophy in their history, whether senior or youth, in an International Cup here in 2014 under the captaincy of Aiden Markram. For New Zealand, this was the epicenter of their latest final woes in the Men’s T20 International Cup in 2021.

Without reference to what happens in Sunday’s brilliant final, the winner of the Women’s T20 International Cup could have a new winner.

Method information

New Zealand WWWLW (last 5 T20Is, most updated first)
South Africa WWWLW

In the highlights: Sophie Devine and Anneke Bosch

Fourteen years ago in Barbados, Ellyse Perry’s boot intercepted a veritable rocket from Sophie Devine to block a boundary that would have sent the International T20 Cup final to a Super Over. An era has come and gone, but Devine has strived to fight through the ups and downs. On Sunday, he has an unprecedented opportunity to end his captaincy tenure completely.

Anneke Bosch’s batting until the semi-final was the subject of smart complaints from various quarters as she was hanging one run short. Crew control was aware of this, but persevered to back her up because they believed a massive hit was just around the corner. On Thursday, Bosch made an effort to pack his bags for Australia: his unbeaten 74 was a knock full of effort and innovation. After one performance for the ages, expect another impactful entries.

Workforce information: not many changes expected anymore

There are slight indications that both teams will alternate with their eleven from the semifinal. South Africa has remained unchanged throughout the event.

New Zealand (possible): 1 Georgia Plimmer, 2 Suzie Bates, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (captain), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (week), 8 Rosemary Mair, 9 Lea Tahuhu, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Fran Jonas

South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (captain), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Chloe Tryon, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sune Luus, 6 Annerie Dercksen, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Sinao Jafta (week), 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba , 11 Ayabonga Khaka

Sound and situations: Spin to win

The build-up to the last two major ICC finals was governed by talk of sound and situations. In Ahmedabad, in the last hour of the International Cup for over 50s, it was not known until a week before the general which floor was deteriorating. In Barbados this June, hail was forecast all week with the ultimatum of a typhoon – which would ultimately delay Bharat’s withdrawal – looming. There may be a lot less drama in the last round.

The launches in Dubai have changed and taking a week off has been a ploy that the captains have been able to implement frequently. Pakistan took advantage of this quite fantastically against New Zealand. Bharat realized the dangers of playing with three seamers when they conceded 160 in their first match against New Zealand.

The lack of dew has been one of the reasons the spin has been effective. Dew had reduced the draw to a lottery in the 2021 Men’s T20 International Cup in the United Arab Emirates, but his impact has been minimal in the past. While temperatures have dropped significantly over the past two weeks, it will still take a toll on players’ health, especially as nights remain muggy.

Statistics and trivia

  • Bates is set to become the most capped player in women’s internationals, surpassing Mithali Raj’s tally of 333 caps.
  • Wolvaardt has overtaken Dane van Niekerk to become South Africa’s highest run-scorer in a T20 International Cup.
  • New Zealand have only lost one wicket in the powerplay in this tournament.
  • Amelia Kerr’s 12 wickets in this T20 International Cup are the third-most by a bowler in a single version. Two wickets on Sunday will draw their moment from the joint document of Anya Shrubsole and Megan Schutt.
  • Bosch’s 74 in the semi-final is the best individual score of the tournament to date.

Quotes

“Playing that final, we got behind the eight ball. In those games, you have to be 200% and stay calm. We got a little nervous, sometimes we get nervous. But throughout this tournament, we have “Calm and clear about how we want to do things. That shows the growth of this team.”
all terrain Chloe Tryon about how South Africa has changed since the last hour

“We are the grandmothers of this team and we are still standing. Leah [Tahuhu] With her bionic knees, Sophie has dealt with a lot as captain and I’m moving on, it’s truly a special moment. There have been hard moments, we have gone through ups and downs, but the fact that we have reached the final is special. “We take care of each other.”
Suzie Bates on New Zealand’s deteriorating reserve having another split in glory

Shashank Kishore is Senior Deputy Editor at ESPNcricinfo



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Rugby megastar Rees-Zammit’s NFL dream lives on with Jaguars

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“The first game of American football I ever played was a month ago,” Rees-Zammit stated to these journalists in early September. “It’s very challenging. I can feel that, but at the same time, this is my dream. I’m very determined to make this dream a reality and try and break into this team.”

His 2024 has up to now clear Rees-Zammit, 23, uproot his era as a world-class rugby participant, and residential in Penarth — a the city 3 miles south of Cardiff in Wales — to chase his dream of cracking the NFL. It already has taken him from the Global Participant Pathway in Florida to signing with the Chiefs and going from that prime to the unhappiness of being waived 5 months then. And now the exit has taken him to Jacksonville, as one in every of 17 gamers at the Jaguars’ apply squad. Rees-Zammit is within the U.Okay. this presen for the second one of Jacksonville’s two world video games (vs. the Patriots, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Community), however isn’t anticipated to fit up. “It’s been a whirlwind of a couple of months, but I’m here now and I’m trying to improve as much as I can every day to be a better player and person. I’ve got to stay patient and trust the process,” he advised ESPN.

Rees-Zammit’s exit elicits the query: Why? He may just’ve stayed in rugby and established himself as probably the most game’s superb fashionable wingers; there have been alternative choices past the U.Okay.: He may just’ve signed a monster offer in Japan or long past to France for bulky cash to win the game’s largest trophies.

But it surely at all times has been about community for Louis Rees-Zammit. He has a silhouette of his community tattooed on his wrist, along Zeus and alternative symbols of Greek mythology. When requested about his “why,” he says all of it comes again to his dad, Joe. The pair bonded over a mutual love of soccer, spending their Sundays at the sofa, observing the NFL RedZone channel and younger Louis dreaming of 1 presen working out of the tunnel ahead of an NFL recreation.

He recalls Joe’s tales about his favourite NFL group, the Washington Commanders, and his personal enjoy of enjoying American soccer for the Cardiff Tigers and Oxford Saints of the British American Soccer League within the Eighties.

“Making this switch to the NFL was a dream my dad would’ve loved to do. He couldn’t, but he’s out here with me every step of the way,” Rees-Zammit advised ESPN in September. He needs to turn it’s imaginable to advance from rugby to the NFL. “I’m just ready to show everyone what I can do.”


There weren’t meant to be any surprises on the Vale Lodge on Jan. 16. It was once Wales’ Six International locations squad naming presen at their bottom 10 miles outdoor of Cardiff — it’s the presen when the rustic’s plans are laid out for the yearly combat for northern hemisphere top between England, Italy, France, Wales, Eire and Scotland. However as midday ticked round, the squad announcement was once behind schedule. Normally, journalists would obtain the e-mail with the 34 or so names written ailing, and upcoming head trainer Warren Gatland would seem and solution all method of questions about his concept procedure.

At 12.37 p.m. that presen, Rees-Zammit posted on his social media channels that he’d leave rugby. He was once one in every of Wales’ brightest abilities — the younger winger was once probably the most easiest on this planet in his place and probably the most few assured starters on Gatland’s group. Rees-Zammit made the verdict on Jan. 12 that he sought after to provide the NFL’s Global Participant Pathway Program (IPP) a advance. Refer to presen he scored in Gloucester’s 21-20 win towards Edinburgh.

It was once a seismic announcement — the type that makes a reporter’s telephone trifle away. up from contacts in search of the “real” explanation why Rees-Zammit had leave rugby to attempt his hand on the NFL.

Gatland won the inside track of Rees-Zammit’s defection an pace ahead of he was once moving to approve the squad announcement and upcoming stated to Rees-Zammit at about 12.30 p.m. “It was a little bit of a shock,” Gatland stated. “Things happened quickly.” Nearest that night later the injury of the announcement had quelled, Gatland advised ESPN: “He will surprise a few people. He wants that dream.”

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Wales trainer Gatland ‘a modest bit surprised’ by means of Rees-Zammit’s NFL transfer

Wales rugby union head trainer Warren Gatland reacts to winger Louis Rees-Zammit quitting rugby to pursue a profession within the NFL.

Rees-Zammit felt the timing was once very best — regardless of his brilliance at rugby. He excelled within the 15-man code, scoring 38 tries in 69 for Gloucester, 14 in 31 for Wales and toured with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa in 2021. It was once a prolific file, the type that may put a participant the most effective within the game. However there was once at all times this itch.

“I’ve always known about the [IPP] program, the program’s always known about me, but it was just about figuring a time out for me when I thought leaving rugby was the right time,” Rees-Zammit advised ESPN in March. “I’ve kind of done everything I’ve wanted to do in rugby. I maybe haven’t won everything, but … this was the perfect time for me.” Worst-case situation, if it didn’t determine within the NFL, he’d come again to rugby the place he’d have his select of golf equipment.

4 days later he made his announcement, Rees-Zammit was once off to Florida and the IPP.

“I didn’t have time to even think about the decision. I was on a plane and straight into training,” he stated. “I haven’t looked back since.”


When he arrived within the U.S., Rees-Zammit immersed himself within the game. He shared an condominium with Honour Olatoke, a Nigerian-Scottish sprinter and budding broad receiver, on the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. “Whenever we were at home, we just put the football on immediately and tried to continue to learn because we were playing catch-up,” Rees-Zammit stated.

There have been 16 hopefuls within the 2024 IPP program, every realizing the 32 NFL golf equipment had a seventeenth roster justified apply squads for a world participant. Golf equipment had been additionally allowed to advertise a world apply squad participant to their energetic rosters a most of thrice in step with season, so the possibilities of recreation hour had been tangible, albeit thin.

Rees-Zammit isn’t the primary to change rugby for a anticipation on the NFL. Naas Botha — the ex-South Africa fly-half — had a tribulation with the Dallas Cowboys in 1983. Hayden Smith performed for Saracens and the U.S. nationwide group, along a season with the Untouched York Jets as a good finish within the 2012 season.

Probably the most noteceable graduate from the IPP is Jordan Mailata. He performed second-grade (second-level) rugby league in Sydney, graduated during the IPP in 2018 and is a staple at the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive take on. Others who went from the IPP to assemble energetic rosters come with Jakob Johnson (Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders), Efe Obada (Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Expenses, Washington), Sammis Reyes (Washington) and David Bada (Washington).

Others from rugby union have graduated from the IPP to be signed equivalent to Alex Grey (Atlanta Falcons), Christian Scotland-Williamson (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Christian Wade (Buffalo Expenses) however none performed within the NFL. Wade’s exit as a working again lasted from April 2019 thru to April 2022, and although he scored a 65-yard landing in a preseason recreation towards the Indianapolis Colts, he’s now again in rugby union enjoying in France. However the enjoy was once jarring — he was once clear of house, studying a fresh game that others had performed since formative years. “You do have to go to a dark place,” Wade stated. “It is not about going to a dark place once — it is for months and years. And to be honest, the whole experience can be very lonely.”

For Rees-Zammit, who stands 6-foot-2 and 207 kilos (1.88m, 94kg), probably the most largest questions was once about his eventual place. “There’s a lot of transferable skills from rugby that I can bring to the game,” he advised ESPN in March. He discussed particular groups, working again and broad receiver as choices. He pored over clips of DeSean Jackson, previously with the Eagles, Deebo Samuel Sr. and Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and the way they created unpredictable havoc with the ball of their fingers. “I think the best thing is to be versatile and be able to play multiple positions.”

There have been early demanding situations, equivalent to studying the playbook and run routes, at the side of the power to scan the discipline amid the confines of a helmet. When Rees-Zammit penniless the order in rugby, ceaselessly it might be a sweeping progress, dancing thru defenders in a phenomenal, damaging arc. His pace was once one in every of his biggest strengths, working 100 meters in 10.44 seconds. However within the NFL his position was once extra start-stop-start. “In rugby, you’re never having to accelerate fully and then decelerate immediately. I love running routes. I’m getting way smoother. You need to have your body under control.”

One of the crucial focuses for the pinnacle of the IPP program James Cook dinner and his group was once to show the gamers to evolve their carrying instincts to their fresh craft instead than “unlearning what made them exceptional,” as Cook dinner places it.

Amid the serious 10-week camp, the gamers all had March 20 turned around. That was once the professional presen after they’d hope to provoke scouts. The theme of the 2024 category was once the want to be “uncommon.” At the eve of the professional presen, they got hoodies. At the again was once written: “Uncommon: 1. Not ordinarily encountered. 2. Remarkable, exceptional.”


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Hamilton: Rees-Zammit seeking to assemble NFL dream a fact

Tom Hamilton reacts to Welsh rugby megastar Louis Rees-Zammit’s injury announcement that he’s quitting the game to tied the NFL world participant pathway.

On March 20, the crowd headed to the indoor apply facility on the College of South Florida, the place 31 scouts from the 32 groups had been in attendance (the Los Angeles Rams weren’t there).

Rees-Zammit didn’t get frightened ahead of bulky rugby suits, however on that morning he says he felt butterflies. “I’ve always loved playing rugby, and I just play with no fear,” he stated on the hour. “If I’ve got no fear, I know I’m going to task well. Now I’ve got to take the next step, get to the next thing.”

The professional presen began with taking the gamers’ measurables: peak, weight, wingspan. After got here the beginning of the bodily assessments with the bench press first up, as they had been examined on what number of reps they might do at 102.5kg (roughly 225 kilos). Rees-Zammit appeared visibly annoyed later jumping 9 toes, 7 inches within the large leap (which might have left him outdoor the manage 30 for broad receivers on the NFL’s annual scouting mix and nineteenth for working backs) and he reached 29 inches within the vertical leap.

However upcoming got here Rees-Zammit’s uniqueness: the 40-yard sprint. His nickname is “Rees-Lightning”; he has a lightning bolt tattooed on his proper wrist. In 2021, he reached a pace of 24.2 mph pace enjoying for Wales towards Fiji — the third-fastest recorded hour in males’s rugby. In his first effort on the 40-yard sprint amid the humidity of South Florida, he clocked a hour of four.5 seconds. He knew he may just advance quicker. In his moment run, he sprinted a hour of four.43 (one that may have ranked him because the fifth-fastest working again on the mix, or the Fifteenth-fastest broad receiver). “Last week, I was getting some really good times,” he advised journalists on the professional presen. “I was getting low 4.3s, high 4.2s. So it is what it is. It’s just what happens on the day. But I know I can run that fast.” He was once additionally examined over the cut trip, three-cone drill and upcoming the positional drills as he ran routes in entrance of the 51 scouts in attendance.

Upcoming the gamers completed, the scouts flocked across the athletes. Rees-Zammit was once requested about his community, whether or not he’d ever had surgical procedure or sustained a concussion, had an agent, was once on any fix or if he’d ever been in bother with the legislation. He responded each and every query. After the telephone began ringing.

In keeping with a supply similar to him, “over a dozen teams” confirmed pastime in Rees-Zammit. When he stated to ESPN in March ahead of his professional presen, Rees-Zammit laid out what he was hoping for from a group: “That dream looks like finding a team that’s right for me and has a plan. I think that’s the biggest thing for me is having a plan with a team and being on the same page.” He returned to the IMG bottom later the professional presen overdue within the night. By way of 2:45 the after morning he was once in a automobile to the airport making ready to journey to groups. He visited the Untouched York Jets and Cleveland Browns, pace the Jacksonville Jaguars had been prepared to fulfill him, in step with a supply with wisdom of his marketplace.

He had 3 alternative group visits deliberate however upcoming got here the decision from the Kansas Town Chiefs. Each Andy Reid and basic supervisor Brett Veach were involved. In keeping with Cook dinner, Veach advised Rees-Zammit: “Coach Reid doesn’t call everyone, he doesn’t even call everyone on their 90-man roster when they go into training camp. So believe that we’re all-in on this and we’re committed to you.”


“Rees-Lightning has arrived” learn the publish from the Chiefs’ Instagram account on March 29. Their “newest Chief from across the pond,” as they put it, had signed a three-year offer. The back-to-back reigning Tremendous Bowl champions introduced Rees-Zammit as a working again, dressed in jersey Disagree. 9. Whilst he arrived at Arrowhead Stadium and the Chiefs’ facility, there was once nonetheless pastime from the Denver Broncos to peer if they might convince a overdue alternate of middle. Franchises had been neatly conscious about his doable.

“He first got on our radar at the end of the season,” one AFC government, whose group closely scouted Rees-Zammit, advised ESPN. “He was supposed to visit us before Kansas City signed him.

“The velocity and athleticism is there. Obvious-field working and warding off guys, that’s what I noticed as a power. He’s quicker than the rugby guys he was once working with.”

He signed the contract in Kansas City alongside his father, Joe, mother, Maxine and older brother, Taylor. He was shown his seat in the locker room, positioned in between wide receiver Justyn Ross and linebacker Darius Harris. He received messages from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce welcoming him; he told Kelce — who called him “tremendous artful” on the New Heights podcast — he was ready for the lateral pass whenever there was an opportunity. Jason Kelce said he hoped Rees-Zammit would take the world by “f—ing typhoon”, and said if it worked out, he could be the most “marketable participant of all hour” while also talking up his appreciation of Rees-Zammit’s immaculate teeth.

After it was once again to the U.Okay. — again to regroup, and prolong his visa, pace coaching to get quicker and more potent with an organization referred to as “Kaizen Rugby” ahead of becoming a member of the Chiefs for his or her offseason exercise program.

Upon his go back to the U.S., Rees-Zammit immersed himself in Chiefs era. He going to Mahomes’ casual camp at his house in Texas and spent hour operating one-on-one with the quarterback’s mentor, Bobby Troupe. In early Might, he opposed by means of the NFL draft in Detroit, upcoming it was once directly to the 74-player rookie camp from Might 4-6. Rees-Zammit was once indexed as a working again and made a noteceable contribution right through an 11-on-11 length on Might 5 when he recommended himself during the protection for an noteceable acquire.

“It was amazing,” Rees-Zammit stated. “When there’s open fields, I feel like I’m playing rugby again. I can use my awareness. When I am in space then, that’s where I can cause the most damage.”


Coaching camp at Missouri Western Shape College began on July 16. Upcoming a complete presen of coaching, Rees-Zammit would spend two hours within the night, between 8-10 p.m., studying the playbook, and fast-tracking the method as easiest he may just. “For me, he’s been great,” Dave Toub, Chiefs workman head trainer and particular groups coordinator, stated forward of the preseason recreation towards the Jaguars. “I mean, he’s doing a good job as a returner. He’s got to continue to get better as a running back. He’s got to learn stuff and pass blocking.

“We’re moving to attempt to do the whole thing we will to deliver him up to the mark. I don’t assume there’s any query he may just do it. It’s now not about his toughness or the rest like that.”

Three dates were circled in Rees-Zammit’s diary with the Chiefs facing the Jaguars on Aug. 10, the Detroit Lions on Aug. 17 and the Chicago Bears on Aug. 22. There was speculation over when Rees-Zammit would play — in the end, he did a bit of everything. Against the Jaguars he played as a running back, kick returner and place-kicker, alongside being part of the punt coverage team. He finished with two carries for one yard, and also caught the only pass thrown his way for three yards while making a solo tackle on special teams. In the week leading up to the Lions’ matchup, he was nursing a back injury but returned a punt for 27 yards and played some snaps as a wide receiver, though he made no catches in his debut at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I cruel, enjoying with arguably the best quarterback of all hour, biggest tight finish of all hour, the best trainer of all hour, simply with the ability to be told beneath the ones gamers and coaches was once what I wished,” he told ESPN.

He reflected on his progress after that game, telling reporters about how he was fine-tuning his pass blocking. “I’m now not moving to be the most productive participant on this planet in a single day, so I’ve were given to be affected person and the extra reps at the discipline I am getting, the simpler I’m moving to get,” Rees-Zammit said. “Crowd attempt and put me ailing and stuff like that as a result of I’ve had one recreation in my era, however I’m moving to proceed to paintings sun-baked each and every presen.”

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Louis Rees-Zammit: It’s time to make my NFL dream a reality

Former Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit says the time has come to make his NFL dreams a reality after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It was in that final audition against the Bears on Aug. 22, that he recorded a career-high return of 36 yards. He had four carries as a running back for 21 yards. “We attempted to get him the ball a modest bit this night, and he had some actual sure yards,” Reid said after the Bears matchup. “He’s a heck of an athlete. It’s only a topic of having extra habitual with it as he is going right here. We’ll see how the whole thing works out for him.”

But a day before the Chiefs’ squad announcement on Aug. 27, footage emerged of JuJu Smith-Schuster wearing Rees-Zammit’s No. 9 jersey. When the final 53 was revealed, Rees-Zammit was part of a group of players who were waived by the Chiefs.

By Aug. 28, he’d been signed to the Jaguars practice squad as their 17th spot, reserved for IPP graduates. Back at Chiefs headquarters, Veach faced reporters and explained what happened with Rees-Zammit.

“Yeah, we stored it perceivable [the practice squad spot]. We needed the child to have a look at perhaps some other alternatives as neatly,” Veach said. “Good-looking impressive while you consider a participant that doesn’t have any professional American soccer enjoy. We had been roughly desirous about it going thru camp: Believe now not having any kind of foundational background, simply to be thrown in and be doing one-on-one go execs with a Drue Tranquill or a Nick Bolton. I cruel that’s nice-looking improbable.”

Veach stated Rees-Zammit’s after step was once to slim in on a place. “For him, it will be just finding out that exact position, running back, maybe a big slot receiver. Think he does have some potential as a returner. I’m not so sure he couldn’t be a kicker. I mean, he has an outstanding leg and with this new role [the NFL’s newly introduced dynamic kickoff], he can do some different things, provide some versatility.”

Over in Jacksonville, Rees-Zammit was once adjusting to era in a fresh house and place. They Jaguars shifted him from working again to broad receiver. As he picked up the playbook, offered himself to his teammates, and attempted to whisk keep, it appeared he was once nonetheless processing his exit. When the Chiefs had been introduced up, Rees-Zammit gave the slightest wince. It harm him, however upcoming got here that resolute self belief in what he’s doing.

“Maybe they just didn’t see me as a running back and they didn’t have time to see me as a wide receiver,” he advised ESPN in mid-September. “We’ve started the season, they’re going for the three-peat and maybe they just didn’t have time to develop me into a wide receiver, but it is what it is. They gave me my first opportunity to be in the NFL, so I’m forever grateful for that.

“Now I’m at Jacksonville, humming as a result of I am getting to play games a place that I’ve at all times sought after to play games and so they’ve allowed me a chance to do this and I’m operating sun-baked each and every presen to be the most productive participant I will.”

When Rees-Zammit spoke to ESPN in the week after the Jags’ regular-season opener against the Dolphins, he was talking near the apartment he shares with his brother overlooking the beach. His parents have their apartment in the same block. It’s a family effort, and their support is unconditional. They shared a moment on the Arrowhead Stadium field after his last game there, taking stock of what he’d achieved, but also taking a breath before the next push.

“My dad has been there through every moment of my career so far,” Rees-Zammit stated. “There’re always ups and downs no matter what you do in life, but it’s just about getting through those downs and creating more ups and being able to just be consistent.”

Regardless of the Chiefs setback, Rees-Zammit’s dream remainder the similar: He needs to fracture the NFL. Earlier than the Jaguars’ first London recreation towards the Chicago Bears extreme presen, Rees-Zammit was once at the sideline, clear chatting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and a montage performed of him at the bulky display screen at Tottenham’s stadium. However as soon as the motion began, he was once nonetheless a spectator within the community, simply as he was once at a Packers matchup with the Untouched York Giants in 2022. In a game the place he’s required to run swift, Rees-Zammit wishes to stick affected person.

“We’re just going with the flow and I’m working my arse off to make this dream come true and make the team,” he stated. “So it’s going to take a bit of time. I’ve got a bit of patience and got to stay patient with the process and hopefully, everything will work out fine. I know how far away the end goal is, how much work that’s going to take and what it’s going to take to reach that. I’m working as hard as I can every day and then we’ll see what happens in the end.”

NFL journalists Adam Teicher and Michael Di Rocco contributed to this document.

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