Darius Slayton | Getty ImagesWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. At the end of the 2025 season, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton told media that he hoped the team would hire a Coughlin-esque head coach. The Giants, of course, hired John Harbaugh, an old-school coach with a Super Bowl title and an 18-year track record filled with success.So, did Slayton get what he wanted?I would say so, Slayton told assembled media at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center on Friday. Yeah, absolutely. I feel like hes in that echelon, that ilk. He obviously came from arguably one of the most old-school divisions in football of the Ravens and the Steelers. I definitely think hes what we needed. Theres definitely been a sense of accountability off the rip, which has been huge for us. Im definitely glad Coach Harbaughs here.Slayton did not want to give specific examples of Harbaugh holding anyone accountable. That was a veteran move, smartly not throwing any teammates under the bus. He spoke in general terms.Already in this camp, hes already kind of expressed that at the end of the day, in this life, if somebodys not doing something up to the echelon that you want them to do, you go to them, you make that clear to them that thats not what were going to do around here, then they have a chance to respond, Slayton said. And thats something that hes already done in our first few days of camp and has gotten a positive response out of the individuals that hes done that with. So, I think thats really big for a football team.I need to be able to runSlayton missed spring practices after having offseason surgery for a double sports hernia. He admitted that last season, when he had the second-lowest production of his seven-year NFL career, he played through the issue.I pretty much started with it last season, and just kind of played that way throughout the whole season, he said. Just because I wasnt going to just cut the season short with the surgery or anything. I got through last year, and then I tried to kind of rehab it in the offseason, and it just didnt really work. So, I just went ahead and got the procedure done.Slayton admitted that the hernias had a good bit of impact on his season.Im not a big excuse person. So, at the end of the day, I could have played better regardless, but obviously its different when maybe youre used to being able to catch the ball a little easier, Slayton said. Youre having to strain a little more and maybe come up an inch short here or there. But at the end of the day, if youre out there, youve got to make it happen.Slayton has had a quiet start to training camp, but he has been on the field taking a full complement of reps every day.I need to be able to run. I need to be able to move how Im accustomed to being able to move, Slayton said. Honestly, once thats all done, I believe Ill play to a level that I need to play at.The old guy roleThe trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals left the 29-year-old Slayton, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, as the longest-tenured Giant.Everybody keeps trying to fit me in the old guy role, Slayton said. But you know Odells [Beckham] older than me, Braxtons [Berrios] older than me, JuJus [Smith-Schuster] the same age as me, Slayton said. So, Im trying to shake that narrative. But, no, other than that, I feel like Ive always just kind of been a glue guy. Kind of a do-it-all guy. Theres not really too much for a receiver position that Im not capable of doing. My plan is to fill whatever holes need to be filled and be successful at my role.Slayton has made a career out of exceeding expectations and always becoming a key part of the Giants offense. It wont be a surprise if he does it again.

Barcelona defender determined to earn permanent first-team spot Ive moved beyond the reserve teamBarcelona faced Birmingham City in a pre-season game that ended in a 2-2 draw, with the Catalan club losing on penalties.Hansi Flick was without most of his first-team and had to rely on youth to make up most of his team, and many youngsters caught the eye with their performances.Among them was Alvaro Cortes, who replaced Gerard Martin for the second half of the game and did not put a foot wrong.The Spaniard was handed his debut by Hansi Flick at the end of last season against Alaves, and it looks like he is ready for the first team.Cortes has first-team ambitions laid outFlick will be keeping a close eye on Cortes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Speaking about his future as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Cortes has made his ambitions clear, insisting his goal is to establish himself in Hansi Flicks first-team squad.Cortes believes the current training camp gives La Masia players the perfect platform to convince Flick.Yes, for me and for the other youngsters, this is a great opportunity, he said.Were here in large numbers, and we see it as a chance to stay with the first team, earn the coachs trust and secure our place. Thats what were all hoping for.The defender also mentioned that he is hoping for a bigger first-team role this season, making it clear that succeeding in Blaugrana is his dream.What the club has said about me is something I see as positive because my first wish is to stay here at Barcelona. Its what Ive dreamed of since I was a child. Whatever is said about me, Ill accept it and respect it, Cortes explained.Cortes leaves the reserve team behindAsked whether he would be prepared to return to Bara Atletic if required, Cortes gave an honest assessment of where he believes his career now stands.I think Ive moved beyond the reserve team. All I want is to stay here with the first team and earn my place, the 21-year-old said.Cortes also reflected on his performance against Birmingham City, where he produced an assured display despite facing experienced senior opposition.It was our first friendly of preseason and I felt very good. I settled into the game quickly and, although we didnt win the penalty shootout, it was a good test to begin our preparations, he said.Cortes stepped up to take the first penalty for Bara on the night, rifling the ball into the top of the net. It was a moment that showed his mentality.Inspired by Barcelona legendsDescribing his own game, Cortes highlighted his love of defending while stressing the importance of contributing in possession.Alvaro Cortes is impressing in pre-season. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alvaarocortes)Im a player who enjoys defensive duels and feels very comfortable in one-on-one situations. I like to be influential on the ball, play accurate passes and help the team in attack. Defensively, I also feel very comfortable with the system the coach uses, and I think I can contribute a lot, he explained.The young centre-back also revealed the defenders he has looked up to throughout his career.Ive always admired defenders like Pique and Puyol, Cortes said.But more recently, Inigo Martinez had an exceptional final season here. I often watch videos of him, both with and without the ball, to learn from his performances and try to reach the same level.A glorious opportunity for the SpaniardBarcelona have not made a move for a new central defender this summer, and the longer they do not, the bigger the door opens for Cortes.Every pre-season game is a chance for the 21-year-old to show Hansi Flick and the club that he deserves a fair chance.This could also prompt Bara to push the central defender signing until after this transfer window and give Cortes a run-out.The Spaniard is left-footed, excellent in possession and could solve a lot of problems for Flick should he come good.It is still early days, but Cortes has made an excellent impression in Flicks first team. It remains to be seen whether he is promoted officially ahead of the upcoming La Liga campaign.

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Iowa State junior Rachel Van Gorp has become the first player in program history to be named to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year Watch List, the organization announced Friday. Now in its third year, the watch list features 30 players from across the country, with Van Gorp being one of only two liberos selected.The recognition follows a record-breaking 2025 sophomore season where Van Gorp was named the inaugural AVCA National Libero of the Year. She was also a Second Team All-American, making her the first underclassman in Cyclone history to earn a spot on the first or second team. On the conference level, she was the unanimous choice for Big 12 Libero of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team selection.Van Gorps 2025 campaign included a career-high 33 digs during the first round of the NCAA Championship and a streak of 35 matches with double-figure digs. She finished the year with a .980 reception percentage on 543 attempts. This summer, she continued her success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with the U21 National Team at the Pan American Cup.As a freshman in 2024, Van Gorp showcased her versatility by transitioning from libero to a front-row hitter to help the team manage injuries, eventually totaling 323 digs and 92 kills. She earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors in October of that year and recorded three double-doubles.The AVCA plans to release a midseason update to the watch list in October, with semifinalists and finalists to be announced in November and December, respectively. Iowa State is scheduled to open 2026 on Friday, Aug. 14, with an exhibition match against South Dakota State at Hilton Coliseum.

The Big Ten and all other college sports conferences are tackling the topic of jersey patches in football and other sports. College Sports Wire picked up some of the latest details on this issue:"IllinoisandOhio Statewere two schools that jumped into lucrative deals, and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti was asked about the conference's stance on allowing individual programs to agree to such arrangements."'Does it make sense to allow the institutions to do it themselves? Are there certain sports you want to hold back? Should we have a conference policy?', Petittisaidat Big Ten Media Days, alluding to the thoughts the conferences had when they anticipated these deals coming down. 'Our analysis and the work we did with our members led to the decision that the conference should review those decisions at an institution-based level. That's where we are. It doesn't mean around championships you might do something different with an additional patch, but the core thing, we think it was best left up to the strength of our institutions, let them do the deals that they need to do and kind of go from there.'"We saw the Big 12 negotiate a sponsorship deal which included a company logo on jersey patches but had other components as well. That deal, however, did not prevent Big 12 member schools from negotiating their own separate deals. It seems the Big Ten is not in a fundamentally different place. It will be fascinating to see how this issue evolves in the coming years.Contact/Follow@TrojansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage ofUSC Trojansnews, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Where does Big Ten stand on jersey patches for member schools?

Nick Lorusso of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies celebrates a home run during a Minor League Baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, United States, on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTriple-A: Syracuse Mets (38-37/13-18)ROCHESTER 3, SYRACUSE 1 (BOX) 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-4, 2 K RF Nick Morabito: 0-4 2B Ji Hwan Bae: 1-4, K 3B Ronny Mauricio: 0-4, 2 K LF Mike Tauchman: 0-3 DH MJ Melendez: 0-3, K CF Cristian Pache: 0-3, K SS Zack Short: 0-3, K C Hayden Senger: 1-3, R, HR, RBI, K P Jonathan Santucci: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K P Dylan Ross: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K P Nate Lavender: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K P Dedniel Nez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K P Jefry Yan: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 KDouble-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (27-42/10-22)GAME ONEBINGHAMTON 10, READING 5 / 7 (BOX) SS Mitch Voit: 1-4, 2 R, BB, K, SB C Chris Suero: 1-3, 2B, RBI, K 3B Nick Lorusso: 2-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB 1B Corey Collins: 2-3, R, 3B, BB CF Jose Ramos: 0-4, 3 K LF DAndre Smith: 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI RF Matt Rudick: 2-4, R, HR, RBI, K DH Vincent Perozo: 1-4, 2B, K 2B Wyatt Young: 2-3, 2 R, 2B, BB, K P Noah Hall: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K P Zach Peek: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K P Brian Metoyer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 KGAME TWOREADING 5, BINGHAMTON 4 (BOX) CF John Bay: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K 2B Nick Lorusso: 0-4, K 1B Corey Collins: 0-3, 2 K DH Jose Ramos: 0-2, K SS Mitch Voit: 1-1, R 3B Billy Amick: 2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI C Kevin Parada: 0-2, R, BB, K RF Matt Rudick: 1-3 LF Vincent Perozo: 1-3, R, K SS-P Wyatt Young: 0-2, BB, K P Gabriel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K P Danis Correa: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K P Jordan Geber: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K P Wyatt Young: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 KHigh-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (25-40/16-18)WINSTON-SALEM 6, BROOKLYN 3 (BOX) LF Yonatan Henriquez: 2-5, R, SB 3B Jacob Reimer: 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, K 2B Andy Ibez: 2-4, RBI CF Trey Snyder: 0-4, K C Ronald Hernandez: 1-4, K DH Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-4, K SS Antonio Jimenez: 0-3, BB, K RF JT Benson: 0-4 1B Yohairo Cuevas: 2-4, R, HR, RBI, K P Jose Chirinos: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K P Parker Carlson: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K P Bryce Jenkins: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K P Rafi Vazquez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 KSingle-A: St. Lucie Mets (33-33/13-21)ST. LUCIE 6, DUNEDIN 3 (BOX) SS Elian Pea: 1-4, 2 R, BB, 3 K LF Wyatt Vincent: 0-4, RBI, K RF John Smith III: 1-3, 2 R, BB, SB 1B Cole Mathis: 1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K 1B Branny De Oleo: 0-0 C Ryan Tayman: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K DH Julio Zayas: 2-5, RBI, 2 K PR-DH Simon Juan: 0-0 CF Bohan Adderley: 0-5, K 3B Vladi Gomez: 2-4, K, SB 2B Kooper Schulte: 0-4, 2 K P Nathan Hall: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K P Jonathan Jimenez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K P Joe Scarborough: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K P Elwis Mijares: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K P Zack Mack: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 KRookie: FCL Mets (24-33)NO GAME (SEASON OVER)STAR OF THE NIGHTNick LorussoGOAT OF THE NIGHTSyracuse offense

Jacksonville Jaguars' running back Chris Rodriguez took part in team drills during Sunday's training camp practice for the first time.In the first three practices, Rodriguez had only done individual work, ramping up following his return from a foot injury that sidelined him during OTAs and minicamp.Chris Rodriguez Jr. with a carry in team drills. Step forward for the free agent signing at RB John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) August 2, 2026Without Rodriguez, Bhayshul Tuten has shouldered the first-team running back reps and took advantage of those opportunities. Rodriguez and Tuten were expected to compete for the RB1 role, but regardless of who owns that title, both backs are expected to play key roles this season.The addition of Rodriguez this offseason in free agency added another physical presence to the Jacksonville backfield. His ability to make defenders miss can be a real differentiator for him. Last season, Rodriguez ranked eighth among all running backs in average yards after contact. He would also rank 14th in rush yards over expected per attempt, according toNext Gen Stats.As Liam Coen said earlier in the week, we won't truly begin to see the impact that Rodriguez can have until the pads come on."What he brings to this team, I don't think any of us are going to see throughout the entire training camp, honestly," Coen said. "Until we play tackle football, it's going to be very difficult for all of us here to gain a true appreciation for who he is and what he does. I've seen it, so I do appreciate his skill set and what he brings. But just as a pro, he's a good dude. He doesn't say a ton, but he's tough. He's one of those glass-eaters. He is. He's going to run through a wall for his teammates, for his coaches, for this organization when the time comes."Rodriguez signed a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason to join the Jaguars.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Practice status update for Jaguars' RB Chris Rodriguez

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says the Celtic "pressure cooker" is the ideal environment for him to thrive.The England international signed a short-term deal with the Parkhead club in February and helped them win a league and Scottish Cup double last season.The 32-year-old signed a new deal earlier this summer and is hungry for more success, starting with Monday's Scottish Premiership opener against Dundee."When the opportunity to come here last year came up, the fact that it was going to be a challenge, I really enjoyed that," he said."The idea of just trying to do whatever I could to give some experience or, at times, a few moments of quality that could help the lads go on to achieve what we did. The way it ended up was like dreamland stuff."That's what I thrive off. I'm fortunate enough to have been in teams where there is an expectation to win but also, at the same time, the reality is there's a lot of really, really good teams that make it really hard to win. I thrive in that pressure cooker."That's exactly the same mentality that's here. I definitely need that and especially now, I think that helps me bring the most out of myself at this point in my career."Having that and having the hunger and young players pushing and striving to be the best they can and go and win as much as they can, that's massive."Then you see guys in the dressing room like Cal [McGregor] and Jamesy [Forrest] that have won lots that still want to win."Seeing that and being next to that helps you to keep pushing and keep that motivation, even at this later stage of my career. I think that whole environment is what I need and I definitely thrive off that."Oxlade-Chamberlain was without a club for the first half of last season after leaving Besiktas and is relishing a full summer-s preparation."This is probably actually my first proper pre-season in a good three years," he said."You still get that same buzz and I'm still running around with a few 16, 17-year-olds out there who are excited. So you feed off that energy and you feel the same age as always."Without the pre-season you can never 100 per cent know if you're fully fit or durable enough to last for the whole season. So that's really important. We'll have to see early on how that goes and how I'm feeling. But right now I feel great."

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