Of all the new head football coaches in New Mexicos high school ranks, no one is going to be under closer scrutiny this year than Stephen Johnston.Which, for a former Artesia Bulldog player and coach, is routine.Johnston, 39, changed jobs in the offseason, leaving Manzano for Los Lunas. And this is the highest profile new hire among the states coaching ranks for the 2026 season.His two predecessors, Jeremy Maupin and Greg Henington, combined to take Los Lunas to three state championship games, all in Class 5A.After a handful of seasons in 6A, the Tigers have returned to 5A, and Johnston will make his Los Lunas debut Aug. 21 at Mayfield.I think there are certainly high expectations, Johnston said. Its been expressed by a lot of folks around here. And I actually kind of appreciate that.Los Lunas went to three straight title games, 2018-19 and 2021 (there was no 2020 season). The Tigers were undefeated in 2021 under Henington, whose contract was not renewed following last season, when Los Lunas fell in the state quarterfinals to Las Cruces.And this change atop the program has lingered a bit around the village during the offseason.Hes in a little different place than I was when I went over there, said Maupin, now Artesias head coach. He and Johnston were teammates at Artesia. I dont think everyone wanted Henington gone; a lot of kids and parents really liked Greg.Henington landed a plum role as an assistant coach with defending Class 6A champion Cleveland following the messy split with Los Lunas.All of which adds up to a job for Johnston that will have many eyeballs squarely focused on it during the next several months.At Manzano, expectations were very low, Johnston said candidly of the early time at Manzano when he first got that job and the Monarch program was struggling. Expectations here I think thats what makes it fun a little bit, that the community has high expectations.Los Lunas (62-22 over the last seven full seasons) most definitely should be a major piece in the 5A puzzle this year, as the Tigers look to challenge the two strongholds in this division, Artesia and Roswell. Those two fierce rivals have met in each of the the last three 5A title contests.Johnston said Los Lunas is equipped to challenge anyone and everyone.Players coming up have high expectations, he said. We get to hold them to a high level of accountability. We can compete with anybody in our class and we can beat anybody in our class.Class 5A is once again divided into two large districts, but Los Lunas northern league looks different than it did a year ago.Cibola, Piedra Vista, Los Alamos, Miyamura, Highland, Capital and Santa Fe are the other seven teams in District 1-5A. Cibola, PV and Santa Fe, like Los Lunas, were 6A members the last few years.And even if the Tigers, whose numbers are robust with about 125 players out for football, have left the likes of La Cueva, Cleveland and Las Cruces behind, the elite 5A programs present their own mountainous challenges. Los Lunas, after facing Mayfield, visits Rio Rancho and then plays host to Goddard before it segues into league play.Johnston knows plenty about the demands of wearing Artesia orange, where he played from 2002-04, and where he later coached from 2010-21. Then he headed north to coach Manzano, which had been in some tumult but Johnston had them in the 4A playoffs in each of the last two seasons.Los Lunas dropped a 20-point decision to Las Cruces last November, a game that was far closer than the final score would lead you to believe.And after having a few months in Los Lunas, Johnston said the Tigers will surely be a major part of the 5A conversation.It is as legit of a group as I can think of to compete for a state championship, he said. I dont see a situation where we couldnt be in that (final) game or shouldnt be in that game.James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe had some nerves and some good stuff in his first big league outing in more than 14 months.Returning to the majors after having Tommy John surgery last year, Jobe uncorked a 100-mph fastball on a 3-2 pitch past to strike out San Francisco leadoff hitter Bryce Eldridge on Saturday.That was the first of four strikeouts for Jobe, who limited the Giants to one hit in five shutout innings as Detroit rolled to an 8-0 victory.The 24-year-old Jobe had made four rehab starts in the minors over the past month, and his performance Saturday was particularly gratifying.I had some good nerves, Jobe said. I was just excited to come in (and) show everyone what the past 14 months were for and how hard I worked. Yeah, its a good feeling.The Tigers first-round pick, third overall, in 2021, Jobe hadnt pitched in the majors since a start against the Giants in a 4-3 win in Detroit on May 28, 2025.On Saturday, he allowed only one walk (to Drew Cavanaugh in the third) and a single by Willy Adames with one out in the fourth. Jobe threw 71 pitches, 46 for strikes.Detroit manager A.J. Hinch was pleased with what he saw.Almost a perfect outing when it comes to what we were trying to accomplish, Hinch said. It was a big step for him to get back to this level. He had electrifying stuff.Jobe went 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA as a rookie last year. He believes he has used his rehabilitation period to improve in multiple ways.I do feel very different, Jobe said. Im definitely stronger physically. Mentally, I feel sharper, just more of a mature pitcher. And then Ive just cleaned up my throw a bit. I made some minor tweaks that are going to help a lot.After his outing, Jobe received a big compliment from Detroit pitching coach Chris Fetter.Jobe said that Fetter told him, Thats the best hes ever seen me look.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

MIAMI (AP) Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute to help Monterrey to a 2-1 win over Inter Miami, which played without Lionel Messi, in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night.Messi returned to his native Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in the day. It is not known when the 39-year-old star forward will return to the club.The 39-year-old Messi took a two-week break after leading Argentina to a runner-up World Cup finish. He made his first appearance as a reserve when Inter Miami tied Columbus 2-2 in an MLS match Aug. 1. Messi then had two goals and an assist in Inter Miamis first Leagues Cup match a 4-2 win against Atletico San Luis on Wednesday.Miami (1-1-0, 3 points) won the 2023 Leagues Cup and reached the final last year, but its chances of advancing to the knockout stage appear bleak with one match remaining in its 18-team group.The strike by Rossi, who was acquired July 3 from the Columbus Crew, capped a two-goal second half for Monterrey (1-1-0, 3 points). Rossi won the 2022 MLS Golden Boot for Los Angeles FC and he helped Columbus to titles in the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup. Monterrey erased a 1-0 halftime deficit on Hugo Cuypers equalizer in the 47th minute. Cuypers was an 2026 MLS All-Star and scored 13 goals in 11 games this season for the Chicago Fire before his transfer to Monterrey on July 23. Rodrigo De Paul put Inter Miami on the board with a strike from 25 yards that landed inside the left post in the 32nd minute.As he celebrated the goal, De Paul temporarily removed his No. 7 jersey to reveal Messis No. 10 in support of his national team and club teammate, which resulted in a yellow card. Monterrey defender Carlos Salcedo went off due to an injury in the 15th minute and was replaced by Jorge Rodrguez. Both clubs conclude the group phase on Wednesday. Miami will host Len while Monterrey will visit Nashville.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Later this month, members of the Los Angeles Lakers will head to Slovenia to take part in a four-day minicamp that is being held there by Luka Doncic. It will be an opportunity for these players, especially the many new ones, to build chemistry and camaraderie ahead of the official start of training camp several weeks from now.The Lakers are now fully centered around Doncic and Austin Reaves, and the two have developed a legitimate friendship with each other. Reaves has been in China on a tour with Rigorer, the company he has a signature sneaker with, and he was asked about that upcoming minicamp. He responded by trash-talking Doncic a little.Im going to feel great. Im gonna kick his [expletive] in golf. Thatll be a lot of fun. But itll just be good to get around everybody. We got a fairly new team, a lot of new guys, so itll just be good to be around them, get to know one another off the court and just build that chemistry there.Just about everyone knows that Reaves is a huge fan of golf and that he plays the game quite often. He recently took part in the American Century Championship, an annual celebrity golf tournament, and he finished in a tie for 16th along with NFL wide receiver Adam Thielen.Doncic has also picked up golf, but it is pretty safe to say that he isn't as avid a golfer as Reaves is.Still, this coming season will be a big one for Reaves. With LeBron James gone, he will have to carry the Lakers offensively a little more, and it seems like he will be up to the task. He averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 assists a game last season, and he was seemingly on his way to his first All-Star berth before he suffered a gastrocnemius strain in late December.When James missed the first 14 games of the schedule with sciatica, Reaves put up 28.3 points and 8.2 assists a contest.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Austin Reaves talks trash ahead of Luka Doncic's minicamp

Atlanta banking on Bates-Watts tandem to spark more takeaways in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Atlanta Falcons believe they have one of the NFLs premier safety tandems, and veteran linebacker Divine Deablo isnt shy about saying it.Speaking during training camp, Deablo praised the pairing of Jessie Bates III and rising star Xavier Watts, calling them the best safety duo in football. Its a bold statement, but one the Falcons hope will prove true as they enter the 2026 season with one of the leagues most talented defenses.Bates has already established himself as one of the NFLs elite defensive backs. Since arriving in Atlanta, he has consistently been the leader of the secondary, combining outstanding instincts with the ability to create game-changing turnovers.The excitement, however, continues to grow around Watts.The former Notre Dame All-American has impressed coaches and teammates throughout the offseason with his range, football IQ, and ability to make plays on the ball. If his development continues on its current trajectory, Atlanta could indeed boast the most complete safety tandem in the NFL.That possibility becomes even more important when looking back at last seasons numbers.Falcons see elite potential in Bates-Watts safety combinationDespite fielding one of the leagues more talented secondaries, the Falcons struggled to consistently take the football away. Atlanta finished the 2025 campaign with just 16 interceptions, a total that fell well below expectations for a defense loaded with talent in the back end.Creating turnovers has become a major emphasis throughout training camp.Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has repeatedly stressed the importance of turning tight coverage into takeaways, knowing that interceptions can dramatically change the outcome of games.With Bates serving as the veteran leader and Watts emerging as one of the NFLs promising young safeties, the Falcons believe those numbers will improve significantly.If Deablos confidence proves accurate, Atlanta wont just have one of the leagues best safety duostheyll have a defense capable of creating the splash plays needed to compete deep into January.More NFL news:Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coens pointed Caleb Williams commentLamar Jackson is already predicted to be a Hall of Fame QB for Ravens per ESPNEagles' Jalen Hurts 'shouldn't have trouble' reaching Hall of Fame if he can continue to have playoff successPackers edge Micah Parsons already predicted to be on cusp of Hall of FameWhy Sheduer Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson QB competition is taking so long for Browns

New Mexico closed its third practice of fall camp Friday, capping the Lobos first week out under second-year head coach Jason Eck.Here are two things I liked and one thing I didnt from the Lobos first three days of practice:Things to likeA promising youth movement at receiverAs the well-worn cliche goes, spring showers bring May flowers.In UNMs case dont wince! they might be blooming in August instead.Through three days of practice, theres been plenty to like from Massiah Mingo and DJ Darling, a pair of freshman receivers that enrolled over the winter. Thats not to say they had bad springs if anything, Mingo was a real bright spot. But there were some practices towards the end where it looked like theyd lost a little steam, two young players adjusting to the rigors of college football on the fly.I dont know if thats going to be the case over the next few weeks. For starters, they look like theyre physically up to the task: Darling said he gained 10 pounds in the offseason while Mingo says hes up six.A summer to get better conditioned didnt hurt, either.Id never seen nothing like that, Mingo said of the desert hills UNM has made a staple of its conditioning program. I promise you, Ive never seen anything like that.Both have consistently made plays, too. Where they might have been relying on raw ability during the spring, it appears that some real comfort with the playbook is starting to translate onto the field.(Spring practice), it just gave me a head start on everything, Darling said.Around this time last year, I thought Zhaiel Smith (eight catches for 112 yards after enrolling in the summer) was going to have a bigger season than he did, especially given how banged up UNMs receiver room was. It turns out that predicting the productivity of most true freshman receivers isnt an exact science.Ill venture to say that those spring reps have already paid dividends for Mingo and Darling, though. Nothings set in stone, but at this point Id be terribly surprised if at least one of them isnt a productive member of the rotation this season.(And while UNMs young receivers are the focus here, another early enrollee pass catcher deserves some recognition: tight end Max Leeper. The 6-foot-7, 228-pound Claremont, Calif. native had a good Friday, catching a team period touchdown pass from quarterback James Laubstein to help earn the hammer, awarded to whoever Eck deems the player of the practice.)The pass rush might not be that big of a concern after allStating the obvious: UNMs efforts to harass opposing quarterbacks this season instantly became a brighter endeavor with the return of Brett Karhu.After making 7.5 sacks last season, the All-Mountain West honorable mention defensive end is currently eligible for a fifth year following a class-wide preliminary injunction one that doesnt seem like its fully sunk in for Karhu yet.Theres no place Id rather be no place, he said. I mean, I low-key get emotional just talking about it.Whether he makes it to the season remains to be seen. If the NCAAs appeal is successful, that injunction could be reversed. In that case, UNM stands to lose a true plug-and-play edge rusher.To be clear, it certainly wouldnt help the Lobos contend for a conference title.But it might not be the end of the world.Through three practices, Ive liked what Ive seen from this pass rush. Beyond Karhu, defensive ends Albert Tuakalau and Darren Agu the frontrunner to start at the Jack, UNMs boundary end position have had good moments. Linebackers Jaxton Eck and Clay Martineau have also been plenty active, with the latter starting to really shine as a rusher on late downs.Those were all expected, though. What wasnt entirely sure was if transfers like Trenton Rocker and Jalen Charles would be playing at full speed and bringing real pressure. Or if Elijah Brody would look like he did at the start of last season.That all appears to be happening. It needs to be said that this isnt an uncommon occurrence after all, the defense is almost always ahead of the offense at the start of camp.But at least were seeing real pressure, and not just from a few guys. That should go a long way towards answering some of the questions surrounding UNMs pass rush this offseason.Something to not likeJack Laynes absence from the quarterback competitionDont interpret that as an outright absence from practice, though. Layne, UNMs fifth-year quarterback, is still out on the field, wearing a helmet and gray jersey. Hes going through drills. Hes locked in on plays. Hes even throwing short passes with his left arm.Hes just not throwing with his right arm a sordid, but familiar note from an otherwise terrific year-and-a-half stretch for UNM.Wednesday, Eck dropped far and away the biggest news in UNMs first week back: Layne will be out for the near future as he recovers from a nagging elbow injury. Even before practice started, the original frontrunner to start for UNM saw another specialist and received a second opinion, Eck added, for an ailment thats hounded him for large sections of his Lobo tenure.But as of now, near future is the only timeline thats been provided for Laynes return. And while hes the best player Ive ever seen in terms of staying engaged while recovering from an injury, hes not going to do much of anything in this quarterback competition until hes healthy.The good news? The Lobos have options good ones, too beyond Layne.UNM was wise to bring in Oregon transfer Luke Moga, an impressive insurance policy and a player of truly tantalizing ability all in one. It was lucky to return sixth-year senior James Laubstein, Laynes run-first backup last season, via an NCAA waiver. And it deserves credit for developing Toa Faavae to the point where hes competing to start as a true sophomore.Three practices in, Id say Laubstein and Moga are on somewhat level ground in this competition. Perhaps Moga is still trying to do a little too much with his legs, something Eck has wanted to see less of. But this secondary and the defense at large hasnt made it easy on anybody sometimes all you can do is run.By my count, Faavae is lingering a little behind Laubstein and Moga in the pecking order. Occasionally, it looks as if hes holding the ball a second too long. A few interceptions here and there havent helped his case either.(Then again, its practice. Where else are players supposed to make mistakes?)Through the first week of camp, Ill suggest that the only definitive statement to be made about this competition is that it should be a good one. Theres enough talent and experience on hand to suggest as much. This staff gets the benefit of the doubt for its previous success with second- and third-string quarterbacks, too.Ill also contend that Layne when healthy is more of a sure thing than anybody else in this quarterback room. And this competition would benefit significantly from a healthy Layne giving everybody else something to measure themselves against.Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.

JENNERSTOWN Drivers paid homage on Bill Awtey Tribute Night at Jennerstown Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 8.Somerset's Cash Shaulis collected his second win of the season in the 25-lap Integrity Coatings Charger feature, which he led start to finish. Despite cautions with 18 and 11 laps to go, Shaulis fended off the hard-charging Donald Lybarger Jr. and Brian Ready.Points leader Rick Meehleib grinded out his third victory in the Ron's Collision Center Street Stock division. The Stoystown driver started on the pole and led the first three laps before Casey Fleegle kissed Meehleib's bumper.New hall of fame class Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers induct 11 into '26 Hall of FameTaking the checkered flag 2 Somerset County drivers visit victory lane at Jennerstown SpeedwayJohn Fama took advantage and held a short lead before Richard Meehleib Jr. made contact with Fama, bringing out a caution with 17 to go.Fleegle regained the lead with nine to go. However, Rick Meehleib got Fleegle loose and took the top spot with four to go. He maintained the lead and claimed the win in the 7-car feature.Jake Gracan won a thriller in the Central PA Trucks Crown Vic Northeast Series. He edged Johnathan Haburcsak in the 20-lap feature, as the two battled throughout.Brent Bickerstaff collected his first One Stop Auto Sales Pro Stock victory. He gained an early advantage and never looked back in the 20-lap feature.The defending division champ topped Kyle Burkholder and points leader Josh Dunmyer for the triumph.Boswell's R.J. Dallape won a dandy in a 6-car Martella's Pharmacies Late Model feature.Dennis Wenner started on the front row and led until the final lap. Both Dallape and points leader Jarred Barclay closed the gap on Wenner in the latter stages of the 30-lap race.With one to go, Dallape gained inside position on Wenner and the two drivers made contact, sending Dallape partially airborne. Sparks flew and Dallape crossed the stripe sideways for his second win of the season.Seth Nedrow collected his fourth Somerset Trust Fast & Furious 4s victory of the season. After a crash on lap one, points leader Cameron Ruggles took the lead out of the caution. As it has been most weeks, Ruggles and Nedrow dueled for the top spot. Nedrow passed Ruggles for the race lead and distanced himself slightly to capture the win.Jennerstown Speedway will induct its newest hall of fame class, Saturday, Aug. 15. The Ohio Wheelman will race a pair of 30-lap features. The pro compacts, late models, pro stocks, chargers and modifieds will also be in action. Fireworks close the evening.Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Dallape's wild win headlines Bill Awtey Tribute Night at Jennerstown

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesTanner McDougal had just walked home from Triple-A Charlottes game against the Durham Bulls on Friday when he got a call from team trainer Carson Wooten that he needed to come back to the ballpark. The White Sox number four prospect was told something had gone wrong with his drug test from the previous night, which struck McDougal as a little odd.Back at the stadium, McDougal was also surprised to see his teammate Hagen Smith there too. Apparently Smith had gotten a similar message from Wooten. The truth, of course, was that the two of them were there so Charlotte manager Chad Pinder could break the news to the number two and four prospects in the White Sox system that they needed to head to Chicago.I think its one of the cooler ways to be told youre going to big leagues, especially when you know its with somebody else and with somebody that youve kind of been day in and day out with the whole year, McDougal said.The two of them are needed because as the White Sox are navigating the dogs days of the baseball season, their pitching staff has been taxed, especially the bullpen. In Smith and McDougal, the reinforcements have arrived.Given their high prospect rankings in the Sox system, the move to call them up has been anticipated for some time. But the decision to call up either of them, much less the pair together, has to balance their readiness in terms of player development with a point in the season when they can come up and contribute.Really excited about Hagen and Tanner coming, White Sox manager Will Venable said. Obviously theyre working out of the pen. Trying to find spots for them as far as good timing, making sure theyre in a good spot, and they are.The events of the last two days hastened the decision. First, the 13-inning slog in Boston on Thursday night took a toll on the Sox relievers, and manager Will Venables gaffe on Friday forced Noah Schultz out of the game after just one out in the first inning. Schultz was optioned to Triple-A along with David Sandlin to make room on the big league roster for Smith and McDougal, and even without Fridays early struggles, Schultz has looked due for a reset in the minors for some time.Venable said the hope is to give Schultz time in Triple-A to work to work through some issues with his mechanics that have contributed to Schultz putting runners on base to the tune of a 1.423 WHIP.I think it really starts with the fastball. Just saw some of the velo not be there and not getting some of the performance on the fastball. That makes things tough, Venable said. Youre not getting the swings and misses, youre not getting the quick outs with the fastball. Youre going to have to lean on some other stuff and you cant get that in the zone. You get into trouble pretty quickly in this league. Weve got to get the stuff to tick up and hopefully we can do that in Triple-A.Schultz absence opens a spot in the rotation, one that could be filled by Erick Fedde, but Venable said a decision on that wont be made for another day or so. The White Sox rotation is otherwise in sturdy shape.Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesNeither Smith nor McDougal factored in Saturdays 6-3 win over the Guardians. With the win, the Sox halted their losing streak at four games. They were swept in Boston and then dropped the series opener with Cleveland on Friday. Another loss would have put the division lead in reach for the Guardians in Sundays game.But despite the teams recent struggles, the White Sox still have their sights are still set on the postseason. The four straight losses they had reached was a season high, but Venable said before Saturdays win that he wasnt at a point where he thought rallying the troops for a special team meeting was necessary. Key to the White Sox success this season has been the ability to keep losses from stacking up. They were the last team in baseball this season to have a losing streak run to four games. With 46 games left to play, the guys in the clubhouse arent quite watching the standings yet, but they can at least sense the importance of games like this weekends against Cleveland.The excitement of jumping into a late-season playoff push is palpable with the rookie pitchers, and their presence could help galvanize a team that had been going through one of the toughest stretches of the season.Its awesome. To go out there and compete its the biggest thing for me. Love going out there and compete and go out there and attack the hitters, Smith said.There isnt much that can prepare a player any player for their first taste of the pressure of a division race and playoff experience. Only a few guys on the White Sox roster have been in the postseason in their careers. Venable didnt use either of his new arms in a close game with a significant impact on the division race on Saturday, but there will come a time in the next six weeks when Smith and McDougal are needed for important outs.And then beyond that, either of the two or both pitchers could get the ball in a playoff game.I dont see any problem. It excites me. That kind of stuff fires me up, McDougal said. Ive pitched in the postseason the past years, so I get it. Obviously, its way different in the minor leagues, but at the same time, the game doesnt change up here. I think you just got to attack hitters, not get starstruck on whos in the box or whos doing what. I think your job is to go out and get three or six or nine outs, however many outs you got to get, and thats your job. So I dont think theres that big of a disconnect between that. But Im excited to go out there and compete, and you know, hopefully help win a pennant back here.

WASHINGTON Chase Burns was on the ropes. And deep down in his heart, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona did not want to throw the towel.The Reds are grooving at the moment and Burns, by far, is the best thing theyve had going all year. On this Saturday, Aug. 8 evening, he was aiming to become the first Reds pitcher in 70 years to win 13 straight decisions.Yet in a tie game in the sixth inning, Burns mislocated three fastballs that resulted in hits for the Washington Nationals, the major leagues highest-scoring offense this season. After a walk and strikeout, Burns needed just one more out to escape with a one-run deficit.In the dugout, Francona stewed. And sighed. And fetched reliever Sam Moll, whod give up a two-run, game-breaking double to pinch-hitter Andrs Chaparro. The Reds would lose consecutive games for the first time since July 11.Yet Saturdays 8-2 defeat at Nationals Park created a win of a different sort: Burns got one start closer to the finish line of his first full season, one in which he hardly takes a back seat to Jacob Misiorowski or Chris Sale or any of the National League pitchers having Cy Young-caliber seasons.The birth of the ace is nearly complete. Even if setbacks are inevitable along the way.The hope was have a nice, good inning, get him through six, tie game, go to our bullpen, said Francona, ruminating on the decisive sixth inning, which Burns started at 72 pitches and a 2-2 tie. And it just ended up being a long inning and he couldnt get through it. And I got uncomfortable. Thats my biggest concern with him right now, at the end of his outing, trying to reach back for more when hes near 100.Thats, to me, where it starts to"Francona paused momentarily, the pitfalls of growing and sustaining a young starting pitcher seemingly caught up in that brief silence.Starts to get a little iffy. I actually think he couldve got out of it. I always feel like that with him. Its just, theres more to balance than the sixth inning of todays game.And thats a responsibility I take very serious.For so many reasons.Chase Burns contract: Reds commit $105 millionIt took Burns exactly a year from his June 25, 2025 major league debut to earn a berth to the All-Star Game. And in the days after rubbing elbows with the games elite, his life would change in a far more drastic fashion.He and the Reds agreed to a seven-year, $105 million contract extension July 18, a significant leap both for pitcher and franchise, the Reds committing nine figures to a right-hander with just a year under his belt.But oh, what a year.Even after his loss at Washington, Burns ranks third in the National League with a 2.61 ERA, and his 13-2 record leads NL starters in both wins and winning percentage. Entering Saturday hed gone 12-0 over 17 starts and allowed two or fewer runs in 17 of his 22 starts, tied for most in the majors.The gaudy statistics come wrapped in whats largely a two-pitch package, a fastball that averages 97.7 mph and a slider he leans on to put hitters away or induce weak contact.Hell show a changeup here and there, but his two moneymaking offerings largely comprise his 32% whiff rate, ranking in the 92nd percentile in the majors.Its very impressive, and also easy enough to get lost in the haze of what The Miz is doing up in Milwaukee, or what Paul Skenes pulled off his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, winning Rookie of the Year and then the 2025 Cy Young Award.Perhaps not for long.People underestimate Chase a little bit, Reds veteran catcher Jose Trevino tells USA TODAY Sports. This dude is prepared. This dude is very strong-willed, strong-minded.He is the aggressor. Hes ready to go at all times.It is all that and more than what the Reds expected when they drafted him second overall out of Wake Forest in 2024, a draft in which the top 15 may rank among the most valuable dozen-plus picks ever.His 2025 baptism was predictably uneven, striking out eight Yankees in five innings of his big league debut, then recording just one out against the Red Sox in his second start. He made six starts and then worked out of the bullpen to keep his innings count low, producing a 4.57 ERA.A solid base to grow on, albeit over just 66 innings between Cincy and three minor league levels. The goal this year: Go pole-to-pole in the big leagues.Its been a grind. But Im loving it, Burns tells USA TODAY Sports. Im loving the growth and process. Im at the most innings Ive ever thrown. Im feeling great.Im excited how far Ive come and how far this teams come.After Saturdays start, Burns is at 124 innings this season, 24 more than he threw in his junior season at Wake Forest. The Reds, though, have been very thoughtful in deploying him.He has worked on the standard four days rest in just seven of his 22 starts. Hes received five days rest before nine of them and six or more six times.The Reds used the All-Star break to give him 13 days between starts, and he responded by giving up just two earned runs over his next three outings.We want to get him to a certain point, Francona said. You dont want to go into next year thinking, 'we need to slow play this.' Theres common sense involved, but I think hes doing fine.You cant expect someone who hasnt done something to know. But hes a very intelligent, very thoughtful kid. Hes aware of where he is. He asks good questions.Digging deeperThere remains no formula for how to best handle young pitchers. Every arm is different, and even the industrys well-established best practices cant produce healthy, let alone ideal, outcomes.Burns was the Reds highest draft pick since 2017, when they used the No. 2 overall pick on two-way prep superstar Hunter Greene. He went the pitching route, and the Reds took great care to limit his innings and build him up as best as possible.Yet two years later, Greene underwent Tommy John surgery as a minor leaguer. He did the hard work of getting back to the majors, made the 2023 All-Star team and signed a $53.5 million extension.So little is guaranteed, though. Friday, Reds general manager Nick Krall announced Greene would have elbow surgery next week, perhaps a second Tommy John procedure but at least, odds are, an internal brace procedure.Greene likely wont figure in the Reds rotation plans until 2028. It is Burns, then, whos the undeniable ace and whose competitive spirit evokes love from his teammates and that concern from Francona he may try to do too much.Like any ace in the big leagues, a runner gets on, were trying to win this game, he digs his spikes in a little bit deeper into the ground and gets going, says Trevino. He knows the important thing is winning.And he doesnt like to give up runs.Good thing he doesnt give up many, then. While the Reds are among nine teams within five games of an NL playoff berth, the focus figures to lean more toward 2027 with each week. If all goes well, Burns will enter that campaign as their undisputed ace, with few if any innings limits.And a sense of security that can only come when a club commits a significant sum to his and their future.Im super thankful for the Reds and the organization and the front office to have faith and confidence in me to see me here long term, says Burns. It takes a lot of pressure off me with the money and the other variables.Just being able to forget all the other stuff and build roots here and be a great leader for this team.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chase Burns is pitching like a $105 million man. The Reds aim to keep it that way.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton missed Broncos training camp on Saturday to present his longtime quarterback and friend Drew Brees at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Brees selected Payton to be his presenter last week, an honor which Payton was humbled by. "It caught me off guard," Payton said of Brees' invitation after theBroncos' second day of pre-camp acclimation. "It was just a lot being 15 years together. Honestly, I remember talking to him later, a lot of times for a number of reasons, those quarterback-head coach relationships, you kind of always take for granted, and yet sometimes oftentimes they dont end like youd want them to end. I was really proud that it ended the way he wanted it to, so Im excited for him. As a coach, its an honor that someone would ask you to do that.Payton shared an emotional three-minute message presenting Brees for enshrinement. "He was the smartest player I've ever coached," Payton said in his tribute. "We were better coaches when he was our starting quarterback. We were a better team with him as a leader... You made my job easy." You can view the full video below. Brees shared what he loved about Payton in his enshinement speech. "To Sean Payton I miss our dot meetings the night before every game, talking thru every play, every situation, every matchup in the greatest of detail," Brees said in his speech. "Coach, you were brilliant. I saw myself as an extension of you on that field. I always had something to prove to you, and I always wanted to make you right. And I know you trusted me, and that allowed us both to be great... Im not sure if this is how you envisioned my journey, or how big a role you would play in it, but I love you for it." Payton helped reveal Brees' bronze bust into the Hall of Fame as well. Longtime @saints head coach Sean Payton helps welcome @drewbrees into the Hall of Fame @ProFootballHOF Enshrinement on ESPN/NFLNStream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/oIZ1Uc9661 NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2026There's little doubt Payton will one day also receive his gold jacket and bronze bust at the Hall of Fame. For now, it's back to business with the Denver Broncos and training camp. The Broncos will resume practice on Monday after an off day on Sunday. Social: FollowBroncos WireonFacebookandTwitter/X!Did you know:These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos coach Sean Payton presents Drew Brees at Hall of Fame