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Texas QB Quinn Ewers on NFL wait: 'Want to be remembered'
Quinn Ewers considered entering the 2024 NFL Draft before returning to the Longhorns and a crowded quarterback room at Texas based on a self-assessment that kicked back a decisive verdict. He wasn't ready. "I think one of the main things for me was getting more experience under my belt," Ewers said Wednesday in Dallas at SEC Media Days. "There is a line of demarcation for guys who really have success in the league and, obviously, there are some guys that have rare accounts of it not being this way, but there is a line, kind of 25. Twenty-five (college) starts...
Former Gonzaga G Luka Krajnovic to play in native Croatia
After one seasons at Gonzaga, Luka Krajnovic will return to his native Croatia to continue his basketball career. Krajnovic announced on his Instagram account that he will play next season for KK Cedevita's junior club team in his hometown of Zagreb. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound guard averaged 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 8.7 minutes in 15 games as a true freshman for the Bulldogs in 2023-24. He shot 46.7 percent from the floor, including 33.3 percent (3 of 9) from 3-point range. Krajnovic missed nine games early in the season because of a broken hand injured and was sidelined for the Sweet 16 game against Purdue because of illness. He was a reserve behind starting guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman, as well as freshman wing Dusty Stromer. Krajnovic and 6-9 freshmen forward Pavle Stosic of Serbia were the only Bulldogs on scholarship from last season's team to enter the transfer portal, with Stosic committing to Utah State. --Field Level Media
NCAA Basketball: Portland at Gonzaga
Feb 7, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Luka Krajnovic (3) celebrates a three-pointer against the Portland Pilots in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 96-64. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs arrive to camp early for extra work with Patrick Mahomes
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and several rookies reported to training camp as Kansas City sets the course for a bid at history. Mahomes and the Chiefs are chasing a Super Bowl three-peat and clocked in for the 2024 season well before the official start of Kansas City's training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. Mahomes and the other quarterbacks on the roster know the benefit of getting extra reps with rookies and newcomers, including wide receivers like first-round pick Xavier Worthy and free-agent addition Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Worthy could be cast for a bigger role with second-year receiver...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson back to throwing daily
After playing just six games last season and not taking the field after Week 10, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said Wednesday that he has resumed a daily throwing program in advance of training camp. Watson added that his throwing sessions have included passes to wide receiver Amari Cooper, who did not participate in mandatory minicamp in June amid a contract dispute. "For me to even be back throwing the football is my top point that I've been locked in with," said Watson, who participated in the minicamp. Watson did not say if he has been cleared as a full...
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe unlocking next level in new scheme
DALLAS -- Jalen Milroe was down to three suits and still a little worried about whether he selected the right fit for SEC Media Days on Wednesday. A relatively tiny decision made Wednesday morning stands out as a big example of how things have changed in one year for the Alabama starting quarterback. "It came down to the shoes. You got to start with the shoes when you start your outfit off so I got the black Pradas on and then you build up from there," Milroe said of his selection of attire at the Omni Hotel on the third...
Texans sign former Lions WR Quintez Cephus
The Houston Texans have signed free agent wide receiver Quintez Cephus, according to his agents. SportsTrust Advisors announced the deal on Tuesday but did not disclose any contract terms. Cephus, 26, missed the entire 2023 season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy. He was reinstated by the league in April and signed with the Buffalo Bills, who released him on May 16. Cephus was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in 2020 and caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) from 2020-22. The Lions released him after his suspension. --Field Level Media
Kalen DeBoer embraces elevated expectations at Alabama
Nick Saban coached at Alabama for 17 seasons. Successor Kalen DeBoer has had the job for about six months, but knows there is no honeymoon period for a program with perennial national championship aspirations. "This program is special, and I take it as a great honor to be the one that gets to do everything we can to carry on the great tradition," DeBoer said Wednesday at SEC media days in Dallas. "... It's been just an awesome blessing to be a part of this program, to continue to have that expectation on us. The alternative is to be at...
Reports: G Quinn Meinerz lands 4-year extension with Broncos
The Denver Broncos are signing guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year, $80 million extension, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday night. Meinerz will be with Denver through the 2028 season, and the deal includes $45 million guaranteed, per ESPN. In three seasons with the Broncos, the 25-year-old Meinerz has played in 45 games, making 39 starts. He was a third-round pick (98th overall) by Denver in the 2021 draft. Training camp starts on July 26 for Denver. --Field Level Media
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos
Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) scores a touchdown against Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) after being pushed into the end zone by guard Quinn Meinerz (77) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Local leaders react to Trump assassination attempt
The attempted assassination Saturday, July 13, of former President Donald Trump left many people in shock. Here are what some local, state and national leaders had to say about the incident: Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis: “After the despicable events of today, we are more determined than ever to support Donald J. Trump for President. We are on our way to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to serve as a delegate to officially cast Tennessee’s vote for OUR President. It is an honor...
Ex-finance director responds to lawsuit
The former finance director for the Cocke County Partnership has filed her answer to a $250,000 lawsuit by her former employer, vigorously refuting the lawsuit’s allegations. Sommer White remains the only defendant in the civil suit after other parties, including Cocke County Commissioner Rick Vassar, were dropped from the lawsuit. A significant allegation in the Partnership lawsuit is that White had stolen a hard drive. It is just one of...
Greene one of three finalists for circuit court vacancy
SEVIERVILLE — Newport attorney Jeffrey Greene has been announced as one of three finalists to fill a newly created vacancy in the Four Judicial District. The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met July 11 in Sevierville to consider eight applicants for a circuit court vacancy in the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. The vacancy was created when it was announced in April that state funding...
Early voting continues in Cocke County
Early voting in Cocke County continues at Western Plaza in Newport. Cocke County Administrator of Elections Josh Blanchard advised the first three days of early voting has seen 261 early and absentee voters cast their ballots through Monday, July 15. Early voting began Friday, July 12, and continues through July 27 for the August state primary and Cocke County general election. ...
Mizzou's Eliah Drinkwitz: Hall of Fame incomplete without Mike Leach
When the SEC returns to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta for SEC Media Days in July 2025, Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz hopes he can celebrate the induction of late coach Mike Leach. Drinkwitz said on the second day of conference media days in Dallas that it's time for college football to "do the right thing" and enshrine Leach despite not meeting the established criteria. Leach, who coached at Texas Tech, Washington State and was at Mississippi State when he died unexpectedly from heart complications in 2022, is one win short of the .600 win percentage prerequisite for...
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