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JONESBORO The Arkansas State University Faculty Association will recognize 28 individuals, whose names have been selected for inclusion on the Distinguished Faculty Wall of Honor, during the fall Faculty Conference Wednesday, Aug. 17. The recognition is scheduled to begin about10 a.m.in Centennial Hall of the Reng Student Union.

Recognition of Distinguished Faculty began during the universitys Centennial Celebration in 2009-10, when the Faculty Association selected the First 100 Distinguished Faculty.

Through a faculty committee nomination process, the association selected the retired faculty who have made long-term significant contributions to Arkansas States success. A second group of 31 was selected and recognized in 2014; selection of the current group was delayed by the pandemic.

As president of the Faculty Association, it has been a pleasure to work with the historical committee to receive nominations from each college for the Distinguished Faculty awards, said Donna Caldwell, associate professor of medical imaging and radiation sciences and Faculty Association president. This is the highest honor bestowed to faculty by Arkansas State University and the Faculty Association. I am honored to be a part of honoring and recognizing these 28 amazing key faculty members.

Dr. John D. Hall, chair of the Faculty Association Historical Committee, cited former history professor Lee A. Dews book,The ASU Story: A History of Arkansas State University 1909-1967, as the source of a line reproduced on the Wall of Honor: The most vital part of any college is the faculty, for without a skilled and competent faculty no college can function effectively. The Wall of Honor is in front of Centennial Hall.

These 28 retired faculty members who have most recently been nominated by their colleagues and selected by the Faculty Association Executive Committee according to the Faculty Association by-laws represent a most distinguished group of skilled and competent faculty, Hall added. These faculty, like those selected before them for this high honor, have moved their departments, colleges, university and disciplines forward in an exemplary manner.

During the brief ceremony, each newly Distinguished Faculty member, or a representative, will receive a certificate signifying their selection for the prestigious recognition.

Here are the 28 newly designated Distinguished Faculty:

Thomas M. Adams, Ed.D., Professor of Exercise Science, 1981-2016

Neale K. Bartee, Ph.D., Professor of Music, 1973-2014

Sandra K. Bevill, Ph.D., Professor of Business Communications, 1991-2021

Lew E. Brinkley, Ph.D., Professor of Agricultural Economics, 1969-2005

David W. Cox, Ed.D., Professor of Educational Leadership, 1992-2014

Carole L. Cramer, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology, 2004-2018

William R. Crumpton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering, 1980-2006

Robert D. Engelken, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical Engineering, 1982-2016

David E. England, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, 1988-2006

Richard K. Freer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social Work,1994-2014

Anne A. Grippo, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, 1995-2021

Julie J. Isaacson, MSN, Associate Professor of Nursing, 1987-2016

Craig H. Jones, Ed.D., Professor of Psychology and Counseling, 1977-2017

James Howard Keene, Ph.D., Professor of Animal Science, 1964-1995

Coy N. London, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Accounting, 1970-1996

Gregory B. Meeks, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Teacher Education, 2003-2018

Richard A. Neeley, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Disorders, 1987-2018

William C. Payne, MS, Associate Professor of Microbiology, 1988-2019

Jeffrey R. Pittman, J.D., Professor of Business Law, 1983-2021

Daniel F. Ross, DMA, Professor of Music, 1973-2018

Robert F. Rossa, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, 1969-2004

Ralph Ruby Jr., Ed.D., Professor of Computer Information and Technology, 1979-2020

Pat S. Shackelford, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering, 1976-1998

Russell E. Shain, Ph.D., Professor of Journalism, 1990-2010

Robert P. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mathematics, 1969-2008

Curtis E. Steele, MFA, Professor of Graphic Design, 1978-2017

Dennis W. White, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech Communication, 1974-2007

Raymond F. Winters, M.S., Associate Professor of Radiological Sciences, 1995-2018

Nameplates, complete with each individuals academic title and years of service, are being added to the recognition wall for public view beginning Wednesday.

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A-State Faculty Association Will Salute 28 Additions to Distinguished Faculty Wall of Honor - NEA Report

Brody Malone

Though bonus was a big factor in how the rankings ended up playing out in the first night of senior mens competition at U.S. Championships last night, it didnt matter much for Brody Malone, who relied on clean, consistent gymnastics to finish his first night separated by more than three points ahead of the rest of the field, with or without bonus.

Malone leads the field with an 88.942, which is 3.462 points ahead of second-place Asher Hong, competing in his first national competition as a senior. But without the bonus (given to athletes as a way to reward higher-difficulty skills that are inherently riskier and which the athletes would otherwise be less likely to perform), while the rankings below Malone shift pretty drastically, he actuallyincreases his lead to 3.55 points, with an 86.750 to Yul Moldauers bonus-free 83.200.

Starting on rings, Malone performed what is a pretty low-difficulty routine for him well enough, he hit a very strong Kaz 1 on vault, looking just slightly off directionally with a hop to earn a 14.45, and he did beautiful work on p-bars. His work on both high bar and floor was very strong, getting him to first- and second-place finishes on these events, and while some of his floor landings could use some tidying up which held his execution back a bit his skills overall look so solid and dependable. To cap off his night, he hit one of his better routines on pommel horse, with no major mistakes or even slight hesitations there, getting him a third-place finish.

Hong ranked second with an 85.480 with bonus, though drops slightly to third with an 83.000 without the additional help. He got off to a massive start on vault, where he scored a 16.630 (1.78 bonus) for his tsuk full-in double tuck. Its one of the most difficult vaults being done in the world right now, and he followed it up with an equally difficult Kaz 2, making him the only gymnast who has competed two 6.0-rated vaults this year. The latter came up a bit shy in rotation and is definitely at risk of being downgraded, and he could use a little clean-up on both, but its very impressive work, especially given his age.

Vault aside, Hong had pretty great routines, including an impressive combination of high difficulty and mostly brilliant execution on floor to top the field there, and he looked super solid on both rings and p-bars, but his weakest events pommel horse and high bar both got to him here. On pommels, he struggled a bit throughout with form breaks in addition to falling, while on high bar, he started his routine with a hard fall very early on the Kolman, though I was glad to see him get back up and finish strong with no other major issues.

Donnell Whittenburg placed third with an 84.774 with bonus, picking up a significant amount thanks to his difficulty on floor, rings, and vault. However, without the bonus, he came in at just an 81.950, falling to ninth place. This is largely because of his lower difficulty on his weaker events pommels, p-bars, and high bar, though he hit all three relatively well here but also due to a rough floor routine.

One of his key apparatuses, Whittenburg put his hands down on his opening front double full to double front and then again on his arabian double front half-out, in addition to some otherwise hoppy landings. Thankfully, he got over that quickly enough to come back with the best rings routine in the field by a mile, and he hit a super powerful tsuk full-in on vault with a bounce to the side on the landing, though he looked great in the air.

In fourth, with or without bonus, was Shane Wiskus (84.423 officially, 82.950 with bonus removed). It was an okay meet for Wiskus, who started with clean work on his Kaz 1 and in a mostly beautiful p-bars set, though he started to lose focus a bit after that, beginning on high bar. He was a bit rushed there, with a couple of his releases barely scraping by and his Tak full finished under the bar, and he also had some weak landings on floor, coming up shy of an execution score wed usually expect from him. He continued to be plagued by some form issues on pommels making him look a bit off there, but he finished strong on rings and should be happy to have made it through his day without any falls, though I hope he can tighten up a bit to show more of what hes capable of on day two.

Maybe it was a little surprising to see Moldauer down in fifth place with an 84.276 after hes spent the past five years as one of the leaders of the national team, but unlike a lot of the guys here who were trying to impress with difficulty here, his focus was on hitting clean, leaving behind some of the harder skills he tried out at classics a few weeks ago. When you remove everyones bonus, he jumps up to second place with an 83.200, showing that his simpler but cleaner work is still going to add major value to the U.S. team at worlds.

It wasnt Moldauers best day, with little things on almost every routine holding him back slightly, including on all of his best events floor exercise, pommel horse and parallel bars, with a fall on the latter. I think overall, his gymnastics looks tight and strong, and thats going to be what keeps him afloat this season, but I do think the lack of consistency this year especially on his key events where the team will need to rely on him most is something that needs attention. Again, hes good enough that he can rank second with a fall, so the situation isnt dire and hell be at worlds pretty much no matter what, but a fall-free competition could be helpful in his preparation.

Rounding out the top eight in the official standings are Fred Richard in sixth with an 83.880, Colt Walker in seventh with an 83.846, Ian Lasic-Ellis in eighth with an 82.950, Taylor Burkhart in ninth with an 82.573, and Khoi Young, who is dealing with an injury and not at a hundred percent, in 10th with an 82.444. But again, when you remove the bonus here, quite a few of these standings shift, with Richard dropping all the way to 11th, while the rest of the guys climbed, including Lasic-Ellis who had no bonus added to his scores ending up fifth, Walker in sixth, Young in seventh, and Burkhart in eighth.

One of the most exciting additions to the senior national field this year, Richard had a few mistakes throughout his day, including several mistakes in addition to a fall on pommels, a few rushed skills on high bar, and some short landings on floor, where he opened with a double double half-out, but thanks to the difficulty bonuses, he still managed to finish second on high bar and third on floor.

Among the specialists finishing in the top three on each event, Ian Skirkey was first on pommels with a 15.743 (a 14.55 without bonus), ahead of world champion Stephen Nedoroscik in second with a 15.693 (a 14.7 without bonus), while Curran Phillips finished first on p-bars with a 16.999 (a 15.35 without bonus) ahead of Blake Sun in second with a 15.992 (also a 15.35 without bonus), and Alex Diab was second on rings with a 15.245 (a 14.35 without bonus).

Day 1 Rankings With Bonus

1. Brody Malone 88.9422. Asher Hong 85.4803. Donnell Whittenburg 84.7744. Shane Wiskus 84.4235. Yul Moldauer 84.2766. Fred Richard 83.8807. Colt Walker 83.8468. Ian Lasic-Ellis 82.9509. Taylor Burkhart 82.57310. Khoi Young 82.44411. Dallas Hale 81.85012. Riley Loos 81.50413. Garrett Braunton 81.22214. Landen Blixt 79.65015. Cameron Bock 79.55016. Isaiah Drake 79.20017. Daniel Simmons 78.25018. Evan Hymanson 78.05019. Michael Artlip 77.90020. Kameron Nelson 77.72921. Jeremy Bischoff 77.10022. Garrett Schooley 76.95023. Toby Liang 76.65024. Matt Cormier 76.56925. Colin Flores 76.40026. Taylor Christopulos 75.80027. Joshua Karnes 75.75528. Asher Cohen 73.60029. Anthony Koppie 72.45030. Landon Simpson 72.00031. Cole Partridge 70.80032. Maxim Bereznev 70.05033. Caleb Melton 68.666

Day 1 Rankings Without Bonus

1. Brody Malone 86.7502. Yul Moldauer 83.2003. Asher Hong 83.0004. Shane Wiskus 82.950 Ian Lasic-Ellis 82.9506. Colt Walker 82.9007. Khoi Young 82.2008. Taylor Burkhart 82.1009. Donnell Whittenburg 81.95010. Dallas Hale 81.85011. Fred Richard 81.30012. Riley Loos 80.80013. Garrett Braunton 80.70014. Landen Blixt 79.65915. Cameron Bock 79.55016. Isaiah Drake 79.20017. Daniel Simmons 78.25018. Evan Hymanson 78.05019. Michael Artlip 77.90020. Kameron Nelson 77.50021. Jeremy Bischoff 77.10022. Garrett Schooley 76.95023. Toby Liang 76.65024. Colin Flores 76.40025. Taylor Christopulos 75.80026. Joshua Karnes 75.65027. Matt Cormier 75.45028. Asher Cohen 73.60029. Anthony Koppie 72.45030. Landon Simpson 72.00031. Cole Partridge 70.80032. Maxim Bereznev 70.05033. Caleb Melton 68.300

Article by Lauren Hopkins

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Malone Takes Sweeping Lead at U.S. Nationals, Bonus or Not - The Gymternet

Nelson Agholors first year in New England did not steal the show. After signing a two-year, $22 million contract last offseason, he posted just 473 yards and three touchdowns.

Entering Year 2, Agholors future with the Patriots was questionable due to his contracts structure. Plus, with the addition of second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, who shares a similar skillset as the veteran, many thought Agholor could be moved.

While trading him would help the Patriots in the finance books, hes proving a potential move could hurt them on the field. Agholor has been the teams best receiver at times throughout training camp. That was again the case against the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, where he highlighted his strong showing by hauling in a slot fade over three Carolina defenders in the end zone.

Mac gave me an opportunity and put the ball in the air, and I just went to go get it, Agholor said after practice. Thats what we talk about in the receiver room and as an offense. If the quarterback gives you an opportunity, you got to do whatever to get it. Its you or nobody.

In their second year together, Agholor and Jones continue to show their chemistry, one they have spent the last calendar year building.

Weve been having conversations since last year continuously. How do things look? Whats going on? We also have a really good friendship that allows us to talk about things like what went right, what couldve been better. I love the fact that we have an open line of dialect back and forth, Agholor said.

As for Jones, he spoke highly of Agholors football knowledge.

I dont know if Ive seen a receiver who understands football as well as he does in terms of just general knowledge, Jones told reporters Wednesday. Hes almost like a quarterback out there. We put in a lot of work together in the offseason. He was at all the throwing sessions. Thats what we are trying to grow from.

On Wednesday, the highlight-reel snag was just the start of his day. Agholor caught another touchdown from Jones on a similar route out of the slot, beating Myles Hartfield. He also shook free from a pair of Panther defenders in 1-on-1 drills and drew a hold later on.

After lining up in the slot for just 65 snaps last year, compared to 691 out wide, Agholor has often worked out of the slot this summer. Hes had success working out there as of late as his familiarity within the system continues to increase in his sophomore campaign as a Patriot.

Whatever I need to do to help out and show versatility. Inside, outside, it doesnt matter, Agholor explained. I think Im more comfortable this year than last year. More familiar. But just like any other year Im just trying to get better.

Despite the strong early returns of offseason additions DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton, trading Agholor may not be the best move for New England. While the $14.9 million cap hit is one thing, the 29-year-old has proven his ability to make plays at an important position in the NFL. He should also continue to be a prime benefactor of the Patriots streamlined offense.

Agholor does not see the crowded wide receiver room as competition, but rather as a chance to elevate his growth as a receiver.

Its actually what you need, Agholor said. Growth happens when theres competition within the group and competition across the ball. I know those guys are going to make a play every opportunity they get, so it reminds me any opportunity I get to make a play.

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Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor looks primed for second-year leap - Pats Pulpit

Update (3 p.m., CDT): The Titans formally announced the deal. To make room on the roster, tight end Briley Moore was released.

Original story

NASHVILLE The Tennessee Titans have tried to plug holes at safety since the start of training camp.

Tuesday, they found what looks to be a more permanent fix.

Tennessee acquired Tyree Gillespie from the Las Vegas Raiders in trade for a conditional late-round pick(seventh round) in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in 2021 and played 11 games as a rookie with the majority of his playing time on special teams. He was credited with two tackles on defense and six on special teams.

Gillespie (6-foot, 207 pounds) becomes the fourth safety the Titans have added in less than a month. They brought back Josh Kalu three days before the start of camp and last week signed free agents Adrian Colbert and Elijah Benton (Benton was released Tuesday).

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It's been a thin position for us, coach Mike Vrabel said Monday.

The early additions were meant to plug holes in the training camp roster so that no one would be overloaded in practice or in the preseason.

The decision to trade for Gillespie suggests that franchise officials expect him to be around beyond camp.

His arrival comes amid a continuing shortage of safeties. Starter Amani Hooker has been out for more than a week with an injury and rookie Theo Jackson, a sixth-round pick in this years draft, sat out workouts earlier this week. The Titans do not release specific injury information during training camp.

Gillespies first work with Tennessee will come in joint practices with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which take place Wednesday and Thursday. The same teams will meet in a preseason game Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

Colbert, a sixth-year veteran, played more than half of the defensive snaps in last Thursdays preseason loss at Baltimore despite having been with Tennessee for a matter of days. He was credited with three tackles.

I liked his speed, man, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. You see him flying around. It might be a credit to having some fresh legs, but hes done a good job. Hes trying to learn.

Now, he no longer is the new kid in class.

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Second-Year Safety Acquired in Trade - Sports Illustrated

Aug 18, 2022

NFL NationESPN

ESPN polled over 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players in order to rank the top 10 at each position, and of the top five wide receivers, two will be wearing new uniforms this season, including No. 1 Davante Adams, who's now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders.

It was an offseason of receivers on the move, from huge trades to free agent signings. Six wide receivers were also taken in the first 18 picks of the draft, the most ever taken through No. 18.

That means there will be new No. 1 receivers lining up for nearly half of the teams in the NFL, and that's not counting Michael Thomas' return from injury to resume his role as the New Orleans Saints' top wideout. Some of the new No. 1s will flourish, some likely will struggle as they try to fit in with new quarterbacks and offenses.

NFL Nation reporters who cover teams with new No. 1 receivers break down why the move could work and what could go wrong.

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: It is likely rookie Drake London, the No. 8 pick in this year's draft.

Who was No. 1 last season: Calvin Ridley was expected to be Atlanta's No. 1 receiver last season, but he missed 12 games to deal with personal issues. He's since been suspended indefinitely for gambling.

What prompted the change: Ridley was never a lock to be with the Falcons in 2022 -- there was consideration of trading him before the suspension -- but the suspension, combined with tight end Kyle Pitts' emergence, and drafting London brought on the switch.

Reasons to believe the change will work: The 6-foot-4, 213-pound London is the big-bodied receiver coach Arthur Smith has used successfully in the past, plus he provides a target for quarterback Marcus Mariota with a good catch radius and the ability to win contested balls in the red zone.

What could go wrong? There are questions about how Mariota will play this season, and with rookies, there is always a bit of the unknown. But London is a high-level prospect with the potential to be a game-changing receiver who shouldn't have too much pressure on him early because of Pitts.

-- Michael Rothstein

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: Rashod Bateman

Who was No. 1 last season: Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. On the first day of the draft, the Ravens traded Brown and a third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick (which Baltimore used to select center Tyler Linderbaum).

What prompted the change: Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Brown requested a trade at the end of the season, saying he was unhappy with the team's run-heavy offense and wanted to play elsewhere.

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Reasons to believe the change will work: Bateman, a first-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft, is an extremely polished route-runner who exudes confidence. Teammates rave about his ability to get open and his deceptive speed. Over the final 12 games last season, Bateman nearly had as many receiving yards (515) as Brown (557).

What could go wrong? Hands and health. Last season, Bateman missed a chunk of training camp and the first five games of the regular season after undergoing groin surgery. This offseason, he's been dealing with dropped passes. But catching the ball wasn't a problem for Bateman last season, when he dropped 2.9% of passes thrown his way (sixth-lowest among rookies).

-- Jamison Hensley

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: Amari Cooper, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys for draft picks.

Who was No. 1 last season: Jarvis Landry was released by the Browns after they traded for Cooper. Landry signed with the Saints.

What prompted the change: The Browns' receiving corps underwhelmed last season as Landry battled injuries, while Odell Beckham Jr. was released following the trade deadline after his father ripped quarterback Baker Mayfield in an Instagram video. The Browns, just three years ago, had high hopes for the OBJ-Landry pairing. But after the offense cratered down the stretch of last season, Cleveland sought a change.

Reasons to believe the change will work: Cooper could bring a big-play threat that was desperately lacking last season. During his time in Dallas, which dates back to the 2018 season, Cooper ranked fourth among NFL wide receivers with 17 TD catches on vertical targets, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

What could go wrong? The unit around Cooper is mostly unproven, which means all the attention from opposing defenses will be squarely on him. That will be a stark change from all the talent he played with at receiver in Dallas.

-- Jake Trotter

1:50

Tyreek Hill reveals he probably would have stayed with the Chiefs if their offer was closer to the one from the Dolphins.

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: CeeDee Lamb

Who was No. 1 last season: Amari Cooper

What prompted the change: The Cowboys didn't believe Cooper was worth the $20 million price tag, and they selected Lamb in the first round of the 2020 draft for a reason -- to be a No. 1.

Reasons to believe the change will work: In his first two seasons, Lamb has a 1,000-yard season and a Pro Bowl to his credit. He and quarterback Dak Prescott have established a strong chemistry in their short time together, with Lamb leading the Cowboys in targets (146) and receptions (100) since joining the team, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

What could go wrong? How will Lamb adjust to the extra attention? He doesn't have Cooper around anymore, and Michael Gallup will miss at least the first few games of the season because of a torn ACL in his left knee injury. Defenses will key in on Lamb, but the Cowboys plan to counter by moving him around the formation as much as they can.

-- Todd Archer

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: TBD. The Packers don't have a true No. 1. Allen Lazard will get the first crack at it. Randall Cobb has the most experience, but he's mostly a slot receiver. Sammy Watkins was the only veteran addition in free agency, and second-round pick Christian Watson was the highest pick of the three receivers they drafted, but fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs has made the most plays of anyone in camp.

Who was No. 1 last season: Davante Adams. He was traded to the Raiders in March for first- and second-round picks.

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What prompted the change: Adams wanted out. The Packers put the franchise tag on him after the two sides failed to come to a long-term extension. Adams then decided he'd rather play with his college quarterback, Derek Carr, and orchestrated a trade to Las Vegas.

Reasons to believe the change will work: The Packers went 7-0 in games Adams missed over the past three years. Perhaps this will force Aaron Rodgers to spread the ball around a little more after Adams was targeted 169 times last season. Lazard was wide open on the final play of the final drive of the playoff loss to the 49ers, yet Rodgers threw to Adams, who was double-covered, and it went incomplete.

What could go wrong? Lazard doesn't make the jump. Cobb and Watkins can't stay healthy. Watson and the rookies don't gel with Rodgers. History says any or all of those things could happen.

-- Rob Demovsky

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: Christian Kirk, whom the Jaguars signed in free agency. He isn't a true No 1 receiver in the mold of Adams, Cooper Kupp or Justin Jefferson, but he is by far the Jaguars best receiver.

Who was No. 1 last season: Marvin Jones Jr. He was the best receiver on a team that didn't have very good receivers. He's still with the Jaguars but is now the No. 3 behind Kirk and Zay Jones, whom the Jaguars also signed in free agency.

What prompted the change: The Jaguars needed to get more playmakers around second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, so Kirk and Zay Jones were the team's top two receiver targets in free agency. Marvin Jones had 73 catches for 832 yards and four TDs last season, but he played 92% of the team's offensive snaps last season and is 32 years old. The team wants to ease some of his workload.

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Reasons to believe the change will work: Kirk had the best season of his career in 2021 (77 catches for 982 yards), and the Jaguars believe he's an ascending player. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor moved Kirk around during OTAs, and while Kirk's best spot is in the slot, the Jaguars believe he can be effective outside as well. Adding Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram, along with the healthy return of running back Travis Etienne Jr., gives the Jaguars more playmakers than they've had in a while. That should mean teams won't be able to focus only on Kirk.

What could go wrong? Though he led Arizona in receptions last season, Kirk has not had to be the top receiver in his first four seasons in the NFL. He played alongside Larry Fitzgerald (who is almost certainly headed for the Hall of Fame) and DeAndre Hopkins (who seems to be on the same trajectory). Last season he also played with A.J. Green and tight end Zack Ertz. The Jaguars' supporting cast isn't at that level. Can Kirk handle the pressure of being No. 1?

-- Mike DiRocco

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates and spent the offseason and training camp sorting through this issue. JuJu Smith-Schuster seems to be the logical choice. He's been moved around to a variety of spots and is at home in a more versatile role than the one he filled largely as a slot receiver the past couple of seasons with the Steelers.

Who was No. 1 last season: Tyreek Hill, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins.

What prompted the change: The Chiefs and Hill were headed toward a contract extension, and then they weren't. Hill wanted to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the league, and the Chiefs weren't going there.

Reasons to believe the change will work: The Chiefs are unlikely to have one wideout as productive as Hill, but they're hopeful the combination of returning Mecole Hardman, free agent additions Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round draft pick Skyy Moore will be enough to cause problems for opposing defenses.

What could go wrong? None of the four has ever been a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Smith-Schuster had 111 catches and 1,426 yards for the Steelers one season, but that was four years ago, when Antonio Brown was Pittsburgh's top wide receiver. Hardman was also carted off the field Tuesday with a groin injury and Smith-Schuster didn't practice for the second straight day because of a sore knee. The pair will need to stay healthy for this to work.

-- Adam Teicher

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: Davante Adams, acquired in a trade with the Packers for the Raiders' first- and second-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

Who was No. 1 last season: Hunter Renfrow caught 103 passes last season, basically out of necessity with tight end Darren Waller missing six games due to injury. Renfrow went to the Pro Bowl and remains one of the most dangerous slot men in the NFL.

What prompted the change: When the best receiver in the league becomes available and he actually wants to join your team, you make the trade, no?

Reasons to believe the change will work: Adams is in his prime and already has chemistry with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, as they were college teammates at Fresno State, and Las Vegas has a new, some say elite, playcaller in coach Josh McDaniels.

What could go wrong? The chemistry between Carr and Adams is overblown; the O-line can't protect Carr long enough to give him time to find Adams downfield; McDaniels did not learn from his last head coaching stint in Denver; there's simply not enough balls to keep Adams, Renfrow and Waller happy.

-- Paul Gutierrez

1:40

Field Yates breaks down why he would not move A.J. Brown lower than 14 in rankings.

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: The Dolphins traded six draft picks, including first- and second-round picks in 2022, to the Chiefs for wide receiver Tyreek Hill -- and immediately made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.

Who was No. 1 last season: Jaylen Waddle was Miami's leading receiver in 2021 and returns as the 1B to Hill's 1A.

What prompted the change: Miami's new staff under Mike McDaniel wanted a large-scale change to its group of playmakers and acquiring Hill helped achieve that goal.

Reasons to believe the change will work: Hill is the most talented home run hitter in the NFL and joins an innovative offensive coaching staff that will find ways for him to get the ball in space. With Waddle on the field, defenses can't afford to send too much coverage in Hill's direction.

What could go wrong? With a new head coach, new talent on offense and a quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, who has something to prove this season, Miami will need time to develop before it starts to see a return on investment. If those growing pains are tougher than expected, it could lay a rocky foundation for this team to build on.

-- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: It's a close call. Jakobi Meyers has led the team in catches and receptions each of the past two seasons, so technically he's the No. 1. But part of that was a result of the Patriots not having as many traditional No. 1-caliber pieces around him. Trading for DeVante Parker, and with big-money free agent Nelson Agholor looking more comfortable in his second season with the team, they are also in the conversation with Kendrick Bourne.

Who was No. 1 last season: Meyers returned to the team after signing his $3.96 million restricted free agent tender.

What prompted the change: Parker became available in Miami when the Dolphins had the unexpected opportunity to trade for Tyreek Hill. The Patriots offered the best trade compensation (a 2023 third-round pick in exchange for Parker and a fifth-rounder).

Reasons to believe the change will work: More options for second-year quarterback Mac Jones, who had an offseason goal of building better chemistry with every player on offense, especially the wide receivers.

What could go wrong? The Patriots are in transition on their offensive coaching staff with former coordinator Josh McDaniels moving on to become the Raiders head coach. So while the Patriots look deeper and more diverse at receiver, they need to ensure they have the right plan of attack.

-- Mike Reiss

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: The Jets don't have a true WR1 -- yet. Elijah Moore and rookie Garrett Wilson have WR1 potential, but they haven't come close to reaching that status. Corey Davis is their most experienced wide receiver, but it's hard to label someone a WR1 when he doesn't have a 1,000-yard season.

Who was No. 1 last season: Jamison Crowder, their leader in receptions for three straight years, signed with the Bills ... but he wasn't a No. 1 receiver. Not even close. They went through the season without one.

What prompted the change: There were no significant losses; the Jets didn't even try to re-sign Crowder. They believe Davis will be better in Year 2 -- he's healthy after missing eight games due to injury -- but his production could be impacted by Wilson and Moore.

Reasons to believe the change will work: The Jets tried to trade for Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel and looked into A.J. Brown, but decided to go young with Wilson, who might have a higher ceiling than those vets.

What could go wrong? If Wilson and Moore don't develop as quickly as hoped, and if Davis stays what he is (a solid WR2), the Jets' offense will lack a dynamic playmaker on the perimeter.

-- Rich Cimini

Who is the new No. 1 wide receiver: A.J. Brown. He was acquired from the Tennessee Titans on the first night of the 2022 NFL draft for a first- and third-round pick.

Who was No. 1 last season: DeVonta Smith. The Eagles see Brown and Smith as wide receivers 1 and 1A. Smith, the 10th overall pick in 2021, is coming off a strong rookie season in which he led Philly in catches (64), receiving yards (916) and receiving touchdowns (five).

What prompted the change: The Eagles have been hovering near the bottom of the league in passing offense the past couple of seasons and want to get that corrected. They looked at multiple options this offseason, including Calvin Ridley (prior to his announced suspension) and Christian Kirk, before landing Brown.

Reasons to believe the change will work: The off-field connection between Jalen Hurts and Brown is well-established -- they're good friends -- and it's a safe bet that Brown's tackle-breaking, yards-after-catch style of play will vibe with Hurts as well, while complementing Smith's skill set. With Smith, Brown and tight end Dallas Goedert to account for, defenses will have a tough time keying on one player.

What could go wrong? Brown has dealt with multiple injuries over his first three seasons in the league, including calf, hamstring, chest and knee injuries in 2021 that cost him four games. Philadelphia gave Brown a four-year, $100 million extension after acquiring him in April and needs him to stay relatively healthy in order for that to be viewed as a sound investment.

-- Tim McManus

Link:
Which NFL teams added new No. 1 wideouts this offseason? Why 12 moves could work out -- or fail - ESPN

A look at Kansas football's schedule for the 2022 season

Who do the Jayhawks play in 2022? Here's a closer look at Kansas football's schedule this season.

Adam Hensley, Wochit

LAWRENCE When Rich Miller transferred to join Kansas football last year, he didnt expect to become the leader he has.

Miller, a senior linebacker this fall for the Jayhawks, cautioned Wednesday that it wasnt as if he doubted himself. Miller, among those who followed head coach Lance Leipold from Buffalo, noted he just wanted to be the best version of himself. Miller had never really been much of a vocal leader, and instead led by example which he described as akin to breathing.

But as the months went by, Miller has assumed a more significant role on and off the field at Kansas, and is now someone who he said teammates look to during player-led meetings to say something. Whether its then, or maybe in the weight room, Miller has seen teammates respond to what hes had to say. And according to his position coach, Chris Simpson, Miller is a catalyst for their defense and kind of the heart of what they are trying to do.

RELATED: Kansas football hasnt quite found its O-line depth, but Lance Leipold says it's developing

As much as anybody, I think (Miller) is, Jayhawks defensive coordinator Brian Borland concurred. And just, playing the centerpiece position there at the MIKE linebacker spot a lot of the times. Although, I think he could play any of our linebacker spots equally well. Knows the defense well. Knows what our expectations are.

"I think on the field, off the field, I think hes the kind of a good, model citizen. So, in that respect, I think he, Rich Miller, certainly would be kind of at the center of what were trying to do.

RELATED: Heres where things stand with Kansas footballs special teams units as opener approaches

Leipold praised how Miller carries himself off the field and pointed to his ability to do anything they ask of a linebacker, too. Miller is someone who Leipold feels understands the expectations of how Kansas players should practice and handle their business.

The degree to which Miller has expectations for himself and his teammates is what Leipold explained they are striving for as a program.

To hear that type of praise means a lot to Miller, because it shows him the confidence a coach like Simpson who described the MIKE as the guy who runs the show defensively has in him. But Miller added he doesnt take any pressure from it. It actually meant more to him when he missed practice because he was sick and he had teammates reaching out to him to tell him they needed him back soon.

More: Where Kansas football quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski sees the separation at his position

Miller is a part of a position group thats much more competitive than it was a year ago, something coaches have said will help with special teams as well, because of improvements made by those who returned and the additions of transfers like super-senior Lorenzo McCaskill (Louisiana), redshirt senior Eriq Gilyard (UCF) and redshirt junior Craig Young (Ohio State). Its something that had Simpson saying there could be five or six guys hed feel comfortable starting.

And Miller indicated hes taken it all in stride.

Miller, who finished second on the team in tackles and sacks in 2021, said he has approached it as a learning opportunity. McCaskill has taught him how to be more efficient using his hands. Gilyard has taught him how to better drop into coverage during a play-action situation.

If you want to play youve got to step your game up, because its next man up, said Miller, who also tied for second in tackles for loss among Jayhawks last season. Like, that man can do the same thing you can do or maybe even better on some days. So, everybody knew that. Everybody knew you just step your game up.

More: Why Kansas football linebacker Taiwan Berryhills position coach was singing his praises

Miller also played a role in helping Kansas add quality transfers from the Detroit area, where hes from himself. Redshirt junior safety Marvin Grant, whose college career began at Purdue, attended the same high school as Miller. And in addition to those efforts meaning a lot to Leipold, theres also no doubt its helped Miller become more comfortable in his second year with the Jayhawks.

Miller said hes opened up more than he did in 2021 because there are more people around from where he grew up, like Grant. Miller wanted to bring in athletes from where hes from because he knows how passionate they are and what theyve had to go through to reach this point. If Kansas can have a locker room thats as close as his was in high school, he thinks thatll only raise the bar of how good the Jayhawks can be.

Weve got five dudes from Detroit here, like, thats all I needed, said Miller, who noted time helps as well and hes also more comfortable with the locker room as a whole. Like, not to say that I couldnt do it without them or anything like that, but, like, that just sparked even more. Because those guys already know who I am.

"They already know how I am. They know what I stand for, what Im about. So, it was just so much easier for me to be comfortable.

Jordan Guskey coversUniversity of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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Rich Miller has become 'kind of the heart' of what Kansas football's defense is about - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Aug 18, 2022

Adam Rittenberg

Tom VanHaaren

After a summer of significant news -- the expansion additions of USC and UCLA, followed by a record new media rights deal -- the Big Ten swaggers into the season. The league has proven it can compete with the SEC in revenue and realignment. National championships? That's a different story.

Ohio State has been the only Big Ten program to win a national title during the College Football Playoff era, and the only one to win a playoff game. Although the Buckeyes missed the CFP and saw their Big Ten title streak end at four last season, they are the overwhelming favorites to win the league. Anything short of a national championship -- and perhaps a Heisman Trophy for quarterback C.J. Stroud -- would be deemed disappointing. Michigan isn't getting as much respect as the defending league champ, but coach Jim Harbaugh's team returns a lot on offense and should start strong. Michigan State also aims to reload after a top-10 finish, and Penn State enters a key season after struggling since 2019. The West Division should be very competitive as top contenders Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Purdue return quarterbacks and other key pieces.

1. Will Ohio State end its national title drought?

2 Related

When Ohio State won the inaugural CFP eight years ago, the Buckeyes looked likely to pile up titles. While they've continued to dominate the Big Ten, they have just one CFP victory -- and only three playoff appearances -- since winning it all. Ohio State has a title-worthy team, led by an offense that could score at will. Stroud returns alongside top wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, running back TreVeyon Henderson and a host of other playmakers. Coach Ryan Day wisely hired coordinator Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to improve a defense that didn't consistently threaten opponents. Ohio State has enough talent and motivation after last year to reach SoFi Stadium on Jan. 9 and win it all.

2. What will Michigan do for an encore?

Michigan finally has reference points for what it can achieve, both in the Big Ten and nationally. Last fall, the Wolverines beat Ohio State for the first time since 2011, won the Big Ten outright for the first time since 2003 and reached their first-ever CFP. They return quarterback Cade McNamara, explosive running back Blake Corum, a host of receivers and several pieces from the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. Still, Michigan isn't a popular pick to repeat, as it lost two first-round draft picks (Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill) and a second-round pick (David Ojabo) on defense, plus coordinator Mike Macdonald. This fall, the Wolverines get a chance to show they will be regular CFP contenders -- and a problem for their archrivals.

3. Which quarterbacks will step up to propel their teams?

Starting quarterbacks return at all the projected Big Ten division contenders, but there are questions about who will join Ohio State's Stroud on the elite tier. Purdue's Aidan O'Connell has a good case after completing a team-record 71.8% of his passes last season. Penn State's Sean Clifford has records but wants to cement his legacy with a title run as a senior, while Michigan State's Payton Thorne set a team record for touchdown passes in his first season as the starter. Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa has steadily improved and will throw to a gifted group of receivers. Will Michigan's Cade McNamara keep his job, or is J.J. McCarthy the answer in Ann Arbor? Minnesota's Tanner Morgan reunites with playcaller Kirk Ciarrocca. Iowa and Wisconsin each could win the West Division if they get marginal improvement from quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Graham Mertz.

Defending champ Michigan should rightfully feel disrespected, but Ohio State returns too much sizzle on offense -- plus a defense we see upgrading significantly under Knowles -- not to occupy the top spot. Things get interesting afterward, as four or five teams could make a case for the No. 3 spot.

Michigan State must improve significantly on defense, while Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State and Minnesota are looking for a jolt on offense. Purdue and Maryland both return dynamic quarterbacks and could be sleepers if they get enough on defense. Nebraska likely must rise for coach Scott Frost to keep his job.

1. Ohio State2. Michigan3. Michigan State4. Iowa5. Wisconsin6. Penn State7. Minnesota8. Purdue9. Maryland10. Nebraska11. Illinois12. Northwestern13. Indiana14. Rutgers

Michigan State at Michigan, Oct. 29

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Michigan State handed Michigan its only regular-season loss last season, a 37-33 Spartans victory. Running back Kenneth Walker III scored five touchdowns in the game while running for 197 yards. Walker is no longer on the roster, and Michigan is going to be looking for revenge at home. This is always a pivotal game for both teams, and this season will be no different.

Ohio State at Penn State, Oct. 29

The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have been part of some of the more exciting Big Ten games in recent years. The Buckeyes are going to have College Football Playoff aspirations, and Penn State is hoping to rebound from its 7-6 season to prove that was more anomaly than the norm.

Michigan State at Penn State, Nov. 26

This feels like a battle for position within the Big Ten. Both teams are trying to prove themselves and trying to get back to the conference championship. Ohio State is the clear leader in the conference, but the winner of this game could show us who is on the rise.

Minnesota at Wisconsin, Nov. 26

Both teams are coming off of 9-4 seasons, and both teams are hoping to take a step forward in 2022. This game could end up being the deciding factor on which team represents the Big Ten West. Iowa will be in the conversation as well, but the winner of this game could either propel themselves into the game or play spoiler.

Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 26

This will be one of the most nationally anticipated games of the entire season. Michigan beat Ohio State in 2021 to put itself into the Big Ten championship game and eventually the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes have focused on that loss all offseason and have vowed it won't happen again. This is gearing up to be one of the best games to end the season if both teams collide with everything on the line.

The Big Ten is returning some household names that have already proven to be stat leaders for their teams and all-conference players. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud leads that list as a Heisman finalist last season, returning to try to duplicate his success from 2021. There are some new faces, though, and some potential breakout stars, including Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen, who came on strong late in the season, and Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith, who is poised for a big year. In what might be the most Big Ten thing the conference could do, one of the strengths within the conference will be at punter. If it weren't for number constraints, there very well could be more than one punter on the all-conference team with Rutgers' Adam Korsak, Iowa's Tory Taylor, Michigan State's Bryce Baringer and Michigan's Brad Robbins. Only one will survive, though, so may the best leg win.

OffenseQB C.J. Stroud, Ohio StateRB Braelon Allen, WisconsinRB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio StateWR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio StateWR Jayden Reed, Michigan StateWR Rakim Jarrett, MarylandTE Sam LaPorta, IowaOT Peter Skoronski, NorthwesternOG J.D. Duplain, Michigan StateC John Michael Schmitz, MinnesotaOG Zak Zinter, MichiganOT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

DefenseDL Mazi Smith, MichiganDL Jacob Slade, Michigan StateDL P.J. Mustipher, Penn StateDL Ochaun Mathis, NebraskaLB Jack Campbell, IowaLB Nick Herbig, WisconsinLB Garrett Nelson, NebraskaS Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn StateS Ronnie Hickman, Ohio StateCB Riley Moss, IowaCB DJ Turner, MichiganCB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Special teamsP Adam Korsak, RutgersK Jake Moody, MichiganR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Ohio State over Wisconsin.

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Big Ten college football preview - Breaking down the conference's best storylines, games and more - ESPN

Hours before President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the Energy Department released reports yesterday on the state of U.S. wind power that raise questions that may linger despite the new laws policy supports.

The three reports focused on onshore, offshore and distributed wind power, respectively outlined the wind industrys struggles over the past year while concluding that its healthy. The reports did not consider the IRAs possible effects on wind growth.

Thirteen gigawatts of wind came online last year, enough to power 4 million homes, DOE noted. That was the second largest amount ever, according to industry figures.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm predicted in a call with reporters the IRA would breathe new life into this industry and trigger a larger boom.

For all the fantastic growth wind energy has seen over the last decade, Im confident that the best years in this sector are ahead of us, Granholm said.

That rosy view has been backed by energy system modelers from Princeton Universitys REPEAT Project, who found American wind installations could double by 2025-2026 due to the IRA, which contains new and extended tax credits for wind production and domestic manufacturing of turbine parts (Energywire, Aug. 8).

But DOE researchers outlined problems in their reports that have acted as a drag on the industrys growth.

One problem is how long it can take to connect new projects to the grid, which can rack up development costs.

At the end of 2021, the reports say, a record amount of wind power, 247 GW, was waiting in transmission interconnection queues, including 73 GW that came onto the queue last year and 77 GW from offshore wind.

Speeding up interconnection queues may prove to be an enduring challenge for wind, despite the IRAs passage, said Ryan Wiser, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and corresponding author of DOEs report on onshore wind.

Were going to need to figure out how to properly move projects through the interconnection process in a faster way than we have in the past, Wiser said during DOEs media call.

New transmission lines would also be needed to connect high-quality wind resources to load centers, he added. Transmission and interconnection are key remaining barriers that are still to be resolved, he said.

An investment tax credit for transmission projects, which was promoted by transmission advocates, was left out of the IRA by congressional negotiators (Energywire, July 29).

The DOE reports also took note of market uncertainties that have plagued wind and other energy sources since the pandemic, including supply-chain disruptions and rising commodity prices.

Those reversed a decadelong trend of falling turbine prices and prompted outside analysts to predict a slower year for onshore wind additions in 2023, DOE researchers noted.

Corporate demand for clean energy contracts, state-level renewable goals and competition from cheap solar power could also change the trajectory of winds growth, among other factors, DOE researchers said.

The IRA itself may not directly address supply shortages and inflationary pressures, but the laws incentives could entice developers to invest in wind projects anyway, according to analysts from Wood Mackenzie who acted as peer reviewers for early versions of the DOE reports.

Whats important is the long-term policy horizon. Thats really critical for the industry to plan the business, invest in manufacturing and invest in projects, said Aaron Barr, the firms head of onshore wind research.

The laws policy supports would likely begin to drive winds growth beginning in 2023, said Samantha Woodworth, senior analyst for North American wind markets at Wood Mackenzie.

That could include a renaissance in U.S.-based production of turbine parts, something that could help wind developers skirt shortages of supplies from overseas, she and Barr said.

In 2021, U.S. production capacity for many wind parts declined. Blade manufacturing was hardest-hit, declining 50 percent due to the shuttering or idling of three American facilities.

But U.S. plants could launch or reopen to take advantage of the manufacturing tax credits, particularly to serve new offshore wind projects, Barr said.

The wind industry in general its mature, its become globalized, its well-established in the U.S. Its ready to go, he said. Its just been waiting on this policy signal from Washington.

Read more:
DOE outlines challenges for wind. Will the IRA help? - E&E News

Liverpool are gearing up for their trip to Old Trafford to face rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday and the build-up contained a strange confrontation

Image: Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

Liverpools trip to Old Trafford is now just two days away, but Jurgen Klopp is not busy exchanging words with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, like you might expect.

Klopp has instead been sticking up for Uniteds under-pressure manager following two successive defeats and his comments have sparked a war of words with somebody very different. The Liverpool managers pre-match press conference on Friday did contain some of the more unusual content, with injury updates and team news also on the agenda.

Meanwhile, the Reds do not need to worry about facing Uniteds 60million new midfielder Casemiro, despite a deal being agreed with Real Madrid on Friday evening. Here Mirror Football brings you all the latest Liverpool news.

Liverpool have been hit hard by injuries of late, so the news that Roberto Firmino is fit and ready to replace the suspended Darwin Nunez against Manchester United comes as a relief.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Jurgen Klopp said: "Bobby has trained completely normally and is ready."

The Brazilian missed Mondays 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace with a muscle complaint, but is very likely to start at Old Trafford, with Nunez out for three games after headbutting Joachim Andersen.

Firminos return is a boost, but Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate all remain unavailable.

Read the full story here.

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Friday saw a strange spat emerge between the Liverpool manager and former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

Klopp had been annoyed listening to Agbonlahors analysis on talkSPORT of Manchester Uniteds 4-0 defeat by Brentford last weekend, in which he called Erik ten Hags players "amateur" and their performance "a shambles". I was close to calling in! Klopp said. He wasn't a mentality monster when we beat Villa 6-0."

Agbonlahor responded to the dig about the defeat in February 2016 by posting on Instagram about Villas 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield the year before Klopp became manager.

Read the full back and forth here.

Image:

Manchester United announced on Friday evening that they had agreed a deal in principle to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, but he will not feature against Liverpool.

The 30-year-old will reportedly fly into Manchester by private jet on Saturday after United agreed to pay an initial fee of 60m plus a further 10m in potential add-ons. The five-time Champions League winner will become the clubs fourth summer signing.

However, he will not be eligible to make his debut at Old Trafford on Monday because he still has to undergo a medical and complete all the paperwork. United will therefore have to try and turn around their rotten form without him.

Read more here.

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Liverpool news: Reds get Roberto Firmino boost as Jurgen Klopp spars with Gabby Agbonlahor - The Mirror

Actor and stuntman Kane Hodder is the man who has spent the most time behind the hockey mask in the "Friday the 13th" franchise. Hodder made his debut as Jason Voorhees in "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" and reprised the role three more times until Ken Kirzinger took up the machete for "Freddy vs. Jason." Hodder, who later reprised Jason for the 2017 "Friday the 13th" video game, has also played or provided stunts for a dizzying array of other movie killers, including Leatherface in "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III," Victor Crowley in the "Hatchet" series, and even took up Freddy Kruger's gloved hand in "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday."

In addition to his most iconic roles, Hodder has essayed dozens of other maniacs, tough guys, and bad-to-know types in films ranging from the 2003 "Daredevil" and "Monster" with Charlize Theron to "House II: The Second Story" and "2001 Maniacs." As with most genre pics, some titles are better than others, but in the case of "City Limits," it's safe to say that most, if not all movies are better than that 1984 sci-fi pic

A post-apocalyptic thriller set in a Los Angeles where a plague has eliminated most of the adults, "City Limits" features a sizable of then-up-and-coming performers, including John Stockwell, Rae Dawn Chong, and future "Independence Day" writer-producer Dean Devlin as survivors who have formed motorcycle gangs. Kim Cattrall and Robby Benson are also on hand as members of a mysterious corporation sent to rebuild the city at the expense of the bikers.

Sounds confusing and poorly conceived, you say? Well, you're right and Joel and the 'bots on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" agree, since they torched the film in their original run but if you look carefully, you'll see Hodder as a member of the DAs, a hostile biker gang. Hodder is billed as one of the Unfriendly DAs, and with his powerful build and glowering face, he's more believable than anything else in the picture.

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Early Roles That Friday The 13th Actors Would Like You To Forget About - Looper