Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl publicly backed Mike Babcock after the Edmonton Oilers hired him as head coach. However, former NHL defenseman Jason Demers thinks that support now places even greater pressure on the teams stars.Speaking with Tyler Yaremchuk on the Oilers Nation Everyday podcast, Demers admitted he remains unconvinced by the coaching hire.I cant get behind the Mike Babcock signing. I just cant, Demers said. I dont care what the top guys say.MORE: Jason Demers predicts Oilers will run away with Pacific DivisionHe acknowledged that McDavid and Draisaitl had to be comfortable with the decision.At the end of the day, those are the guys that have to be comfortable with the signing, Demers said. They are. So now that its done and its over, lets see what Babcock can do.Demers also questioned whether Babcock has changed since his previous NHL stop.If hes learned anything, and he clearly didnt really show any of that in the press conference, Demers said. Lets see if hes learned something in terms of being a coach and somebody that can come in and get the most out of these guys.The Oilers hired Babcock after a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Before his appointment, the NHL investigated his conduct following his 2023 departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The league later cleared him to return behind an NHL bench.Oilers star players now own the outcomeEdmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)McDavid, Draisaitl and Zach Hyman all voiced support after meeting Babcock. They emphasized his experience and his ability to improve the teams defensive structure.Demers found one part of those comments surprising.A few of the comments worried me about them saying they want somebody that can hold them accountable defensively, Demers said. When you are the best players in the world, arguably, you should be able to hold yourself accountable.Still, he understood why Edmontons leaders wanted a coach to enforce standards.I get that you dont want to have to police yourself and be a coach on top of being a player, he said.MORE: NHL fans roast Zach Hyman for backing Oilers Mike Babcock hireDemers thinks those endorsements shifted responsibility onto the players.Theyve almost put more pressure on themselves because I think no ones really going to catch flak if this doesnt work other than the players, because they really signed off on it, Demers said.That reality makes the 2026-27 season even more significant. If Babcock succeeds, McDavid and Draisaitl will be credited for backing the right coach. If Edmonton falls short again, their public support will remain part of the conversation.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Roydell Williams #24 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 02, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Indianapolis Colts announced on Friday that the team has signed running back Roydell Williams, who is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Florida State. we have signed undrafted free agent RB Roydell Williams. pic.twitter.com/ktcKb2MAmI Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 31, 2026The 510, 214 pound running back played for both the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida State Seminoles in his collegiate career. He had 275 total carries for 1,264 total rushing yards (4.6 ypc. avg.) and 13 rushing touchdowns, as well as 28 receptions for 217 total receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions for both programs collectively.He was a CFP National Champion for the Crimson Tide in 2020. Williams was among the offensive skill position players that the Colts reportedly worked out on Thursday.Per the IndyStars Nathan Brown, the Colts also worked out running backs Marcus Major and Kenny McIntosh a day later on Friday. The 5,11, 213 pound Major played for the UFLs Houston Gamblers this past season, recording 43 attempts for 242 total rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns during 8 games. Meanwhile, the 6,0, 204 pound pound McIntosh previously for the Seattle Seahawks from 2023-2025 and was a recent Super Bowl LX Champion for them, having previously been a 2x CFP National Champion for the Georgia Bulldogs as well. With Seattle, he has 31 carries for 172 total rushing yards, as well as 3 receptions for 22 total receiving yards during 20 career games.

Nearly two months to the day after the Browns surprised everyone by trading defensive end Myles Garrett to the Rams, Btowns owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the move in a Friday press conference.That was Andrews decision," Haslam told reporters, referring to G.M. Andrew Berry. "I dont know what Andrew shared with you yesterday or in the past, thats something that the conversations weve had for about a while before it was announced, and the Rams were a good partner there and kept it quiet. But, a decision like that, ownership is going to be involved, but its Andrews decision, Andrews recommendation in this case, ownership left it there."Haslam was asked why he accepted Berry's recommendation."Well, one, I think we got a really good player back, and I think you saw him today a really good player whos 25 years old and still on his rookie contract, so thats the biggest reason," Haslam said. "And then we picked up a one, a two and a three, and I think we all realize the three years we didnt have number one picks due to the Deshaun [Watson] trade one of those years I dont think we even had a second and the value of those picks, as weve proved the last two years, are tremendous. Myles [Garrett] is an unbelievable player. I was thinking the other night Jim Brown, Joe Thomas, Myles Garrett theyre all first-ballot Hall of Famers, world-class people, and so it was not an easy decision, but weve made it, were moving on and excited about Jared [Verse] and excited about those three draft picks.It was a surprising change of position by Haslam and the Browns after the 2025 season, one in which Garrett set the single-season sack record and was named the NFL's defensive player of the year.But, really, what did it do for the Browns? They won five games.Adding draft picks is a plus, given the draft picks that were squandered in the Watson trade. Those picks become cheap, young players who can (if drafted and developed properly) become key, long-term contributors.It was still a stunning shift by the organization. In 2025, Haslam said the team never gave the possibility of trading Garrett a "serious thought," even though he demanded a trade publicly in early February and wanted to meet with Haslam in early March. (Haslam declined to do so.)A year later, the Browns did much more than give it a serious thought. They arguably could have gotten even more for him in 2025, without having to sign him to a new, market-setting deal that made Garrett decide to stick around.

Jul. 31BEMIDJI The crowd at Liberty Park was abuzz on Friday evening as competitors paraded the shore of Lake Bemidji in the Parade of Teams for the 20th Annual Lake BemidjiDragon Boat Festival.Candy, water shooters and even flowers were tossed to the crowd as they cheered on their favorite teams.After the parade, members of Keg N' Cork's Wooly Irishmen the first team to win the Dragon Boat Festival race in 2006 "woke the dragon" as part of the opening ceremony to kick off the weekend's festivities.The Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup was also held Friday, giving the teams and the fans the first taste of Dragon Boat racing before Saturday's big race day. The Empty Cooler Band played live music after the Sprint Cup concluded.Here's a look at the remaining events:Saturday, Aug. 1* Dragon Boat 5K for BHS track and cross-country teams at 8 a.m.* Red Stu Race Day Breakfast with mimosa/bloody mary bar from 8 to 10 a.m. Proceeds will support the Bemidji Chamber's Young Professionals Network.* Dragon boat races set for 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.* Cornhole tournament set for 6 to 9 p.m. Proceeds will support Beltrami County Relay for Life.For more information, visitbemidjidragonboat.comor follow Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival on social media.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 23: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after warmups before a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)Getty ImagesA familiar face is back with the San Francisco 49ers. Veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel signed a one-year contract worth up to $7 million with the 49ers on Thursday. Samuel was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2019 and played the first seven seasons of his career with the franchise. Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders during the 2025 offseason for a fifth-round selection, but is back in San Francisco just one year later.The addition of Samuel was needed due to injuries at the position. Per The Athletics Matt Barrows, 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall currently has knee swelling and receiver Christian Kirk injured his calf in the 49ers first practice. Christian McCaffrey And Mike Evans React To 49ers Signing Deebo Samuel49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Dre Greenlaw all gave enthusiastic comments about the 49ers signing Samuel.Im so fired up, McCaffrey said, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. Deebo, he has such a presence on the field. When hes in the game, you have to account for him in so many different ways. I look at a guy like Dre Greenlaw on defense. When you get him back, its just something about that gives you a little bit of confidence, and its the same with Deebo. He gives us all so much confidence. When hes in the game, hes got your back, and hes such a fun dude to play with and a game-breaker.Samuel, 30, recorded 72 receptions for 727 yards with five touchdowns along with 75 rushing yards and one score. If 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan utilizes Samuel in the same manner he has in the past, itll mean hell be used in the passing game and running game alike. Samuel had 4,792 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns for the 49ers in his first seven years with the franchise along with 1,218 rushing yards and 21 rushing scores. Samuels skill set is a good contrast to what Mike Evans brings. Evans can beat the opposition vertically while Samuel will be an asset on mesh routes and underneath patterns. I love the way he plays the game, Evans said. I think hes going to bring what he brought before to the team. That energy, that versatility. Hell of a pickup for us.If the 49ers are to make a deep playoff run, his 12 games of playoff experience and presence as a locker room leader could prove to be major benefits for a team looking to get back to the Super Bowl after losing 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII during the 2023 season. Hes an incredible player, Dre Greenlaw said. The physicality, just the leadership, the swag, the charisma, everything. Hes one of them guys thats reliable. Played a lot of ball, hes going to be there week in and week out. To have somebody like that coming back, amped up, just motivated, it's going to add a big boost and a lot of juice to our team.This article was originally published on Forbes.com