The Philadelphia Eagles entered training camp with what many assumed would be a straightforward competition for the backup quarterback job. There were also theories about one of the parties that was involved. Tanner McKee was seen as the organization's best trade piece outside of A.J. Brown. Also among the most popular discussions were the reports stating the Eagles wanted a second-round pick for his services. Obviously, there hasn't been any movement, and McKee finds himself lodged in a battle with Andy Dalton. Five practices into camp, this all remains intriguing. That has forced the obvious questions. Where do things stand as we settle into August? Who has the upper hand? Both are certainly interesting topics of conversation. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are embracing the competitionVeteran Andy Dalton has consistently played well throughout the opening week of training camp, showing the arm strength, timing and command that have kept him in the NFL for nearly two decades. Rather than serving strictly as a veteran presence, Dalton has positioned himself as a legitimate contender for the No. 2 role behind Jalen Hurts.Both quarterbacks addressed the competition following the Eagles' second padded practice. Neither sounded interested in anything beyond earning the job. McKee acknowledged that competing for a roster spot has become part of life in the NFL."It's the NFL. Every year that I've been here, we've had four quarterbacks. You gotta compete for a job, that's nothing new. As an athlete, you have to love competition. You have to love to compete."Dalton echoed that mindset. He embraced the challenge while continuing to let his play speak for itself. Full quotes from both are below.Eagles backup QB Tanner McKee on the Eagles trading for veteran Andy Dalton, and their competition for the No. 2 job behind Jalen Hurts. pic.twitter.com/xYD7OvOxkw Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 4, 2026Andy Dalton on the competition for QB2 pic.twitter.com/AN7o4fYVWH PHLY Eagles (@PHLY_Eagles) August 4, 2026The competition has become increasingly intriguing because Dalton continues backing up his experience with production on the practice field. He has delivered several impressive throws during team periods, including a touchdown to Hollywood Brown, a strike to Johnny Wilson over the middle and another highlight-reel touchdown pass to Darius Cooper during Tuesday's goal-line work.McKee has shown flashes of his own, but Dalton has consistently made the conversation more difficult than many anticipated entering camp. There's still plenty of football remaining before the Eagles settle on a backup quarterback.Joint practices and preseason games carry far more weight than training camp sessions. Still, one thing has become increasingly clear through five practices. This competition is real, and Andy Dalton has ensured it won't be decided by expectations set before camp began.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Andy Dalton is refusing to concede Eagles backup job to Tanner McKee

Aces surge up new WNBA power ranking as A'ja Wilson continues to dominate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Las Vegas Aces got back on track Monday night following a surprise loss to the Chicago Sky.The Aces walked into State Farm Arena and blew out the Atlanta Dream to improve to 21-9 on the season. Jackie Young recorded a triple-double, and A'ja Wilson dropped an efficient 23 points in 30 minutes as Las Vegas secured a 109-87 win over a fellow WNBA title contender.Wilson on Tuesday was named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the 10th week of the regular season -- and her recent displays have powered the Aces to third in ESPN's latest power ranking.MORE:Angel Reese turns heads with Barbie Game Day look before Dreams blowout lossFor the week ending Aug. 2, Wilson averaged 32.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. She has extended her lead atop the scoring chart and now sits at 26.6 points per game; the record is 26.9, a mark Wilson herself set in 2024.Averaging 32.3 PPG with 12.0 RPG on 52.5% shooting? Can we get a round of a'pplause for the M'P pic.twitter.com/303kiqNG6w Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 4, 2026The Aces have just tipped off a brutal stretch of games against likely playoff teams that should get Vegas ready for another championship run.Wilson and the Aces visit Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday before continuing their road trip through Minnesota on Saturday and New York on Sunday.Though the Aces are unlikely to catch the Lynx for the No.1 overall seed in the WNBA playoffs, Las Vegas won the WNBA title as the second seed in 2025 and seem poised to repeat as the No.2 seed in 2026.With Wilson and Young playing this well, no one will want to see Vegas come the end of September.More WNBA news:One key stat explains Valkyries' choice not to make Kelsey Plum tradeKelsey Plum reveals emotional Mercury welcome after whirlwind trade: Gods grace on meWings' Arike Ogunbowale had fans agreeing with 5-word response to big future updateCaitlin Clark and the Fever stay put in latest WNBA power ranking despite Lynx loss

In today's fast-paced world, finding a reliable source of energy that doesn't come with the unwanted side effects of jitters or a dreaded afternoon crash is a top priority for many. Traditional energy drinks often rely on excessive caffeine and sugar, leading to a cycle of spikes and slumps. This has driven a growing demand for more natural, balanced alternatives that support sustained focus...

Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam is confident his team will surpass Vegas expectations, and the easiest schedule in the NFL suggests he might be right

The Rapids secured a record $17 million fee for defender Lucas Herrington, but the real test is whether Colorado can convert this massive payday into on-field wins

There are a couple of ways you can look at Dukes football schedule for the 2026 season: the Blue Devils dont have the challenge of facing SMU or Louisville, but do take on the two conference favorites, Miami and Clemson, in back-to-back weeks.And, with Illinois and Tulane on the non-conference slate, Manny Diazs squad will be tested outside of ACC play.Can the Blue Devils make another run at the ACC title? I wouldnt say no, but things will be tough sledding for Duke to bring back another trophy.Here are the 12 opponents on Dukes 2026 schedule ranked from easiest to most challenging.12. William & MaryThe only FCS opponent on the schedule, the Tribe should be some easy competition in Week 2 and give Diaz a chance to rest some starters in the second half.11. StanfordPicked to finish last in the ACC, the Cardinal come to Durham to begin ACC play in a game that the Blue Devils should win easily.10. North CarolinaThe disaster that is going on in Chapel Hill has been riveting to watch, but the product on the field is lacking.If things continue to spiral downward, Bill Belichick's job could be in serious jeopardy.9. Boston CollegeYet another former NFL coach, Bill OBrien, enters the season on the hot seat for BC after going 9-16 in his first two seasons back with the Eagles.8. Wake ForestJack Dickert led the Demon Deacons to a 9-4 record in his first season in Winston-Salem, but not much is thought of how Wake will do in an encore.7. NC StateOutside of Dabo Swinney, no conference coach has been at their school longer than Dave Doeren, who enters his 14th season in charge of the Wolfpack.6. TulaneThe season opener in Wallace Wade Stadium is a rematch of last years Green Wave win in New Orleans. Unlike last year, the headline story wont be focused on Darian Mensah (more on that later), but if the Blue Devils can get off to a good start against a team that made the College Football Playoff last season.5. Georgia TechThe Yellow Jackets got the best of Duke last season in a 27-18 victory. Winning in Atlanta in 2026 will be even more of a challenge.4. IllinoisThe Fighting Illini took advantage of four turnovers by Duke last season to pull away in the second half. Now, the Blue Devils travel to Champaign to battle a team looking to improve on a 9-4 season.3. VirginiaA rematch of the 2025 ACC Championship Game, the Cavaliers will have revenge on their minds after losing to Duke in overtime.2. ClemsonAfter a 7-6 season, can Dabo Swinney turn things around at Clemson? The Tigers come to Wallace Wade also with revenge on their minds after a 46-45 loss to Duke last season.1. MiamiThe game marked on everyones schedule after Mensah and Cooper Barkate departed Duke for the Hurricanes this past offseason at the last second. There will be a lot of talk surrounding this one, especially after Mensahs comments at ACC Media Days.This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Ranking Duke's 2026 opponents from easiest to hardest

At age 49, Brock Lesnar has finally put a bow on one of the most decorated combat sports careers of all-time.The former WWE and UFC champion announced his retirement from combat sports Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show following his much-celebrated WWE program with Oba Femi, which culminated in a Hell in the Cell loss at this past Saturdays SummerSlam Night 1 main event in Lesnars home state of Minneapolis, Minnesota.Said Lesnar:"I'm here today to do this interview, to let the world and everybody know that I am retired. And I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody. Saturday was a very emotional day for me. Kind of weird because I did when Oba Femi slammed me a WrestleMania, I was like, I cant do this again. So I was like, I think Im done. But the business [wanted me back] and I still had some fuel in the tank. But Saturday, for Brock Lesnar, thats it. Thats it for me in the squared circle and for everything else too.So I just want to give a shoutout to everybody in this universe who has followed since I was a little kid all the way until Saturday. I was just a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream and a big heart and a big-ass chip on my shoulder, and Im just grateful. Grateful to be 49 years old and to have been able to do what I did in this lifetime. I thank God and everybody that supported me.I want to thank all my coaches, and I want to especially say to the little kids I was just a farm kid with a bunch of lint in my pocket, and I had big dreams, and I just worked. And I think a lot of people nowadays with social platforms platforms, athletes [post themselves] doing things, but they leave out the hard work. And if kids just stay focused on work and putting the time in, good things will happen.More on this story in a moment

The Tennessee Titans wore pads for the second time this week during training camp practice, and things got intense. During Robert Saleh's press conference on Monday, he said something to the effect of, "as long as you're not throwing punches," he's okay with the banter and some shoving. Well, on Tuesday, things escalated.During practice, things got heated between defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and right tackle J.C. Latham. Punches were thrown, and practice ended early. Afterward, Saleh addressed the media and spoke on the incident.Titans coach Robert Saleh on skirmishes that stopped practice early and Jeffery Simmons being taken out of practice after throwing a punch towards JC Latham. @NC5pic.twitter.com/rrwzfe4lSC Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) August 4, 2026"They did a good job," Saleh said. "It's the second day of pads. It's hot, it's muggy, you're expecting it, especially with the way the O-line and D-line get after it. So it's just a reminder that we've got work to do. I've got brothers, and we fight all the time; we just have to make sure we're getting the work in."He was then asked if Simmons left practice on his own, and Saleh replied, "No, it's our policy that if you throw a punch you're ejected from the game; same thing with practice, you throw a punch, you're out of practice. But rather than go to the locker room, he went to the other field and still got his work in. So, the projected reps and the work that he would have gotten in, he got in off to the side."This isn't the first time Simmons has been involved in a skirmish during practice. Last season, during one of the Titans' first practices as a team, he and Cam Ward shared words and shoves with each other and had to be separated. But you know what happened next? Nothing. Because both players understood what happened, and they moved forward instead of dwelling on it.The same thing will happen with Latham and Simmons. Simmons is an incredibly intense football player, and when those pads are on, he's going full-force on every snap he plays. He and Latham have faced each other on the field for two years now, so we can expect the same response as the one with Ward. They'll shake hands at the end of the day, and everything will be fine.This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans' Jeffery Simmons ejected from practice after scuffle

The Falcons got their deal done with Bijan Robinson on Tuesday, locking up the running back with a lucrative four-year contract extension. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in his Tuesday press conference that the vibe between Robinson and the team remained "very amicable" as Robinson staged his hold-in while awaiting his second pro contract. "I know you guys saw the news on Bijan, obviously very excited for him, for us," Stefanski said. "[We] just knew throughout this process that there would be a process and felt good about where we were. But, I think everybody understands how we feel about Bijan the person, Bijan the player." Robinson has not been practicing, which means he'll need a little time to get up to speed. But that shouldn't be much of an issue with over a month before Week 1. "Hes eager beyond eager to get out there," Stefanski said. "So, on that note, well slowly get him back in there. It wont be full go and let him go well have a plan here over the next, call it, week to ramp him up." Robinson led the league with 2,298 yards from scrimmage last season, having recorded 1,478 yards rushing and 79 catches for 820 yards.

The Boston Celtics need to extend point guard Payton Pritchard when it becomes possible to do so this October. Or at least that is the point of view of the hosts of the "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, who took some time on a recent episode of their show to take a deep dive into the extension situation when it comes to the former Sixth Man of the Year.Right now, Pritchard is on one of the best value deals in the NBA, but Boston can't keep him on it forever. What sort of salary do we think the Oregon alum could command as a free agent, and is there a number that makes sense for all involved here?Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about why Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and company need to lock the Oregon native up on a new extension.Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: The Boston Celtics need to extend point guard Payton Pritchard