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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Google Reaches Deal With Developers on Play Store - Bloomberg

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Google Reaches Deal With Developers on Play Store  Bloomberg

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Markets Post Worst First Half of a Year in Decades - The Wall Street Journal

Global markets closed out their most bruising first half of a year in decades, leaving investors bracing for the prospect of further losses.

Accelerating inflation and rising interest rates fueled a monthslong rout that left few markets unscathed. The S&P 500 fell 21% through Thursday, suffering its worst first half of a year since 1970, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Investment-grade bonds, as measured by the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond exchange-traded fund, lost 11%—posting their worst start to a year in history.

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2022 NBA free agency: Start time, top players, teams with most cap space and everything else to know - CBS Sports

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NBA free agency is here as the 2022 offseason kicks off Thursday evening. The speculation and rumors that surround NBA free agency are what make this time of the year truly entertaining, as fans try to envision players on their favorite teams, and the top players around the league get courted by any team with cap space. This summer may not have some of the biggest names available as we've seen in the past, but that doesn't mean things won't get truly chaotic. 

In preparation for free agency, here are some key questions and answers about what to expect, who's available and when all the chaos starts. 

When is free agency?

NBA free agency will start on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. At least, that's when teams can start negotiating contracts with players. Contracts won't actually be official until the moratorium period is lifted on July 6.

Who are some top free agents this summer?

If you want a list of some of the top players who could be available, check out James Herbert's breakdown of the 45 top players who teams could be vying for. Some of those names include Zach LaVine, who will be an unrestricted free agent, and whose return to the Chicago Bulls isn't a sure thing. Some top guys who have player options that they could opt out of which would make them unrestricted free agents are Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal and James Harden. On top of that, there are restricted free agents who could be looking at big paydays like Deandre Ayton, while unrestricted free agent Jalen Brunson is expected to be courted by several teams, including the Knicks.

What's the salary cap for the 2022-23 season?

The NBA has reportedly told teams that the salary cap for next season is projected to be set at $123.6 million and the luxury-tax line will be $150.2 million. That's slightly higher than what the league previously told teams, which was a $121 million salary cap and a $147 million luxury-tax line. That slight increase isn't groundbreaking by any means, but it does give the franchises who are already projected to have significant cap space a bit more to play with, and for the teams who are pushing close to the tax line, it gives them slightly more breathing room. 

Which teams will have significant cap space?

Don't expect a wide number of gaudy deals to be made this summer, because as it stands right now, only five teams are projected to have significant cap space to work with. The Detroit PistonsIndiana PacersOrlando MagicPortland Trail BlazersSan Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks are all projected to have more the most cap space available, with the Magic and Pistons set to have the most at over $27 million apiece. Several of those teams are in a rebuilding phase with young pieces, so it will be intriguing to see how teams like Orlando, San Antonio and Detroit use their cap space this summer, while the Blazers will have a real opportunity to try and retool around franchise star Damian Lillard. Indiana, who shipped off its All-Star forward in Domantas Sabonis at the trade deadline, could make more moves this summer with Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon as potential trade targets depending on what direction that team wants to go in. 

Who will be in line for maximum rookie-scale extensions?

Last summer we saw both Luka Doncic and Trae Young get significant pay raises as they signed their rookie extensions worth over $207 million apiece. That's a lot of bread for two of the league's brightest young stars -- deservedly so! --, and we will surely see the same happen again this offseason with some more talented, young players up for rookie extensions. 

The two biggest names, Ja Morant and Zion Williamson are at the top of the list, with Morant in line for a five-year, $186 million rookie scale extension. If he earns All-NBA for the 2022-23 season as well, that number could jump up to $222 million for a supermax deal. Williamson's contract might be a bit trickier, given New Orleans may want to put some provisions in place due to the No. 1 overall pick's injury history. Williamson will be able to sign a similar deal to Morant's, but we'll have to see if the Pelicans show some hesitation in offering him that large of a contract considering he's played just 85 games in three seasons. Other names who will be up for rookie extensions are Knicks forward RJ Barrett, newly-minted Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and All-Star guard Darius Garland. All three players show significant improvement this season and should be in line for a hefty payday this summer. 

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California late start law aims to make school less of a yawn - KPBS

When Hansika Daggolu’s junior year of high school starts in the fall, she’ll be watching to see if a later first bell under a new California law means fewer classmates are heads-down on their desks for afternoon naps.

The overall mood, she suspects, will lift as well if her classmates at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont aren't quite so sleepy.

“I’m really excited and I am so happy this is happening,” said Hansika, 15, who said she will no longer have to get out of bed before 7 a.m. to get to school by 8 a.m.

Beginning this fall high schools in the nation’s most populous state can’t start before 8:30 a.m. and middle schools can’t start before 8 a.m. under a 2019 first-in-the-nation law forbidding earlier start times. Similar proposals are before lawmakers in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Advocates say teens do better on school work when they're more alert, and predict even broader effects: a reduction in suicides and teen car accidents and improved physical and mental health.

“We know that teenagers are the most sleep-deprived age group, and the cause is our own public policy,” said Joy Wake, who helped lead the efforts of the “Start School Later” group in California.

The average start time for the nation's high schools was 8 a.m. in 2017-18 but about 42% started before then, including 10% that began classes before 7:30 a.m., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Middle school start times in 2011-12, the most recent available from NCES, were similar.

That's too early for adolescents whose bodies are wired to stay up later than at other ages because of a later release of the sleep hormone melatonin, scientists say. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eight–10 hours of sleep per night for 13- to 18-year-olds.

After finishing eighth grade and doing all of ninth grade remotely because of COVID-19 closures, Hansika said it was hard enough to transition from the shortened, less structured days to more challenging courses in a new school without also battling to stay alert. Remote learning allowed her to sleep until signing in for school in her robe and to take naps after classes ended around 12:30 p.m. That changed when schools reopened this past year.

“Being sleep-deprived in some parts of the year was also a problem for me so there’s a lot of factors that come together,” she said. She doesn't anticipate staying up any later because of the shift next year.

Opponents of changing start times often bring up logistical challenges like shifting bus routes and afterschool schedules and disrupting family routines built around existing school and work schedules.

As California debated the change, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares worried it would disproportionally hurt students from working-class families and single-parent households.

“While it may be easy enough for some families with flexible schedules to adjust, in some communities, parents who are working just to make ends meet don’t have the luxury of delaying the start of their workday,” he wrote in a 2019 opinion piece for the nonprofit Cal Matters.

Wake responds that it's impossible to start school at a time that fits everyone's work schedules, “but you can pick a time that doctors say is healthier and safer for teenage kids.”

Bills related to school start times have been introduced in at least 22 U.S. states in recent years, according to Start School Later, though with limited success.

“Adolescents who do not get enough sleep are faced with several health risks including being overweight, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and using drugs, as well as poor academic performance,” according to New Jersey legislation introduced in April by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Sen. Vin Gopal, chair of the Education Committee.

It calls for start times of 8:30 a.m. or later statewide.

The New Jersey School Boards Association has opposed the effort in favor of letting local districts set their own schedules.

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Spartans to Play in Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship - SJSUSpartans.com

TOURNAMENT BRACKET

NASSAU, Bahamas 

– San José State men's basketball will spend this Thanksgiving at Baha Mar playing in the "Baha Mar Hoops" tournament's Nassau Championship. The Spartans open play against North Texas on Nov. 25, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. PT with the tournament going from Nov. 25-27. All games of the Nassau Championship will be streamed on FloHoops.

"The Spartans are very excited to play in the Bahamas and such a terrific tournament with a great field of teams," said head coach Tim Miles. "We are always looking to play in different tournaments and give our players the best experience."
 
Along with North Texas, the field in the Nassau Championship includes Long Beach State, Vermont, Ball State, Missouri State, UNCW and Oakland University. 

"We are thrilled to once again host Baha Mar Hoops and the tournament's dedicated fans at Baha Mar for the second annual college basketball event," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "Last year's event brought undeniable energy and excitement to the resort, and we look forward to introducing new experiences and amenities to the players and guests returning in 2022."
 
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has identified sports as yet another segment in our suite of marketing products, and recognizes bdG Sports for its continuing support of our tourism industry," said Latia Duncombe, Director General (Actg.) of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation. "Mr. Graeme Davis and his team at Baha Mar ought to be congratulated for their sporting accomplishments to date, in addition to their unwavering commitment as joint promoters of destination Bahamas. With excited anticipation, we look forward to welcoming teams with family and friends, enthusiasts, promoters, media and all spectators to The Islands of The Bahamas."

In total, 24 games will be played across three different championships between Nov. 18-27 at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center and the collection of teams hail from 16 states throughout the U.S., from California to Vermont.

Click here to build your One Spartan Nation membership.

#AllSpartans

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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Nationals burned by quirky 'fourth-out rule' as Pirates score despite lining into inning-ending double play - CBS Sports

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You never know what you're going to see at the ballpark on any given day, and Wednesday afternoon the rare "fourth-out rule" came into play in the series finale between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park (GameTracker).

The scene: Pittsburgh had runners at second (Hoy Jun Park) and third (Jack Suwinski) with one out in the fifth inning when Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a soft line drive at first baseman Josh Bell. Park and Suwinski both went on contact, Bell made the catch, then threw to third so the tag could be applied to Park, who did not tag up at second. Here's the play:

Seems straightforward, right? Bell made the catch for one out, then Park was tagged for another out to complete the inning-ending double play. The confusion stems from Suwinski. He crossed the plate without tagging up at third base and his run counts despite not tagging up. That's because the Nationals never appealed Suwinski leaving early.

This is covered by MLB Rule 5.09(c), the section covering appeal plays, and is colloquially known as the "fourth-out rule." From the rulebook:

(c) Appeal Plays

Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when:

(1) After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged;

...

Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play. If the violation occurs during a play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team leaves the field.

Nationals players all left the field before the team could appeal Suwinski left third base early (which he obviously did), so Washington lost its chance to appeal. Suwinski's run counted even though he never tagged up at third base on the Hayes line drive. The umpires on the field did check with the replay crew in New York to confirm the rule.

Had the Nationals appealed in time, Suwinski would have been called out and his run would not have counted, and he would have been the "fourth" out of the inning. Alas, fourth outs do not roll over into the next inning or anything like that. It's just a rulebook quirk that rarely comes into play. It nearly did Wednesday, but the Nationals did not appeal in time.

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Lamprecht to Play in 2022 World Amateur Team Championship - Georgia Tech

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech’s Christo Lamprecht continues to see his profile grow both on the collegiate level and internationally.  The rising junior from George, South Africa has been named to represent his home country in the World Amateur Team championships, which will be played in late August in France.

Coming in at No. 50 in the latest World Amateur Golf Ranking, Lamprecht is preparing to compete for the International Team at the annual Arnold Palmer Cup this weekend in Geneva, Switzerland, an achievement made possible by being ranked No. 27 nationally among United States collegiate players at the end of the spring season. The Yellow Jacket junior also competed for South Africa in the annual Spirit International matches last fall and has represented his home country twice in the Junior Presidents Cup (2017, 2019). He tied for ninth last week at the European Amateur Championship in Valencia, Spain.

The South African team is composed of Lamprecht, Christiaan Maas and Aldrich Potgeiter, all of whom have won the South African Amateur championship.

In the 2021-22 collegiate season, Lamprecht posted six top-10 finishes in 12 events, including a tie for third place and two match victories at the ACC Championship. He also tied for fourth at The Calusa Cup (214, -2), eighth (203, -7) at The Goodwin and second at the Southern Highlands Collegiate (205, -11). In the fall, Lamprecht was runner-up at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate with a program-record 54-hole score of 194 (-16) and tied for 10th at the Windon Memorial. He led the Yellow Jackets in stroke average at 70.22, the sixth-lowest average for a single year in program history.

Lamprecht has represented his home country of South Africa in international competition three times, including the 2021 Spirit International.

Conducted by the International Golf Federation (formerly the World Amateur Golf Council), which comprises the national governing bodies of golf in 146 countries, the World Amateur Team Championships are a biennial international amateur golf competition. Each team has two or three players and plays 18-holes of stroke play for four days. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores from each team constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day (72-hole) total is the team’s score for the championship.

The French Golf Federation will play host to the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) on two courses near Paris. The 29th women’s championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy will be held Aug. 24-27 and the 32nd men’s championship for the Eisenhower Trophy from Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

Lamprecht will be the sixth Georgia Tech player to participate in the event. David Duval (1990, 1992), Matt Kuchar (1998) and Bryce Molder (2000) have represented the United States, while Mauricio Muniz (1994, 1996, 1998, 2008) played for Puerto Rico, and Minghao Wang (2010, 2012) competed for China.

Alexander-Tharpe Fund

The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.   

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF

Georgia Tech’s golf team has completed 27 years under head coach Bruce Heppler, winning 70 tournaments in his tenure. The Yellow Jackets have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 31 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GTGolf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.

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Mayor Bowser Celebrates the Start of Summer Camps and Summer Meals for District Youth | mayormb - Executive Office of the Mayor

(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) celebrated the kickoff of summer programming initiatives and investments, including the first day of summer camp, the start of the summer meals program, the beginning of weekday outdoor pool operations for the summer, and the launch of summer.dc.gov, a comprehensive list of free or low-cost activities for young people. 

“With the start of summer, that means the start of fun, engaging opportunities for our youth at camp, at a summer job, at the pool, at their library, and so much more,” said Mayor Bowser. “We know how critical it is to keep young people engaged during the summer, and we also know that it is a community-wide effort. I’m grateful that our team at DPR has made it a priority to expand camp options, to host more activities at our pools and rec centers, and to create safe spaces for kids and teens to play and learn in all eight wards. Let’s have a safe, fun summer.”

This summer, DPR is providing over 12,000 camp opportunities to DC residents with in-person offerings, including swimming, specialty sports, culinary, therapeutic recreation, and traditional camps. In addition, DPR Boost Camps are offering accelerated learning with school-based camps and new unique camps like robotics, journalism, and more for District youth ages 11-13. Boost Camp opportunities are still available; to register, visit dprboostcamps.splashthat.com.

Families can also visit summer.dc.gov or text SUMMER to 69866 for a list of activities across the District for residents ages 18 and younger. This one-stop-shop features a calendar of events, community-based resources, and nonprofit organizations that provide young people with services and programming to help keep them engaged.

With camp in session, DPR also officially began its DC Youth Meals program. This year, the District launched a new youth meals partnership with SodexoMagic, a joint food venture with Magic Johnson Enterprises, to provide two meals per day to 106 sites — either breakfast and lunch or lunch and a snack — offered at no-cost to all youths ages 18 and under.

“We are committed to delivering the highest quality food and services to the people of Washington D.C., and we look forward to sharing the ‘Magic’ with these communities,” said Selena Cuffe, president of SodexoMagic.

As the largest sponsor of meals in the District, DPR provides meals for DC children with support from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). DPR will be providing meals at 53 recreation centers and 53 other partner sites under DPR's sponsorship. Additionally, DC Central Kitchen will be providing mobile meals at eight DPR Outdoor Pools. Meals are available from June 28 – August 27. For more information on available meal sites and times, visit dpr.dc.gov/youthmeals.

“Securing a new meal partner means an appealing new menu for residents and we are thrilled to team up with SodexoMagic to provide access to balanced and nutritious meals to the members of our communities who may otherwise go without,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter.

Additionally, the DCPS DC Youth Meals Program will begin on July 5, 2022. Through this program, DC youth 18 and under may receive free breakfast and lunch meals at multiple DCPS sites throughout the summer. Families should visit bit.ly/summermealsatdcps for summer locations and menus. DCPS emergency meal site services ended in June.

Starting this past Monday, DPR’s outdoor pools are now open six days a week. For the operating hours of each pool, visit dpr.dc.gov/outdoorpools.   


Social Media:
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos

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Over 360 newspapers have closed since just before the start of the pandemic. - The New York Times

The pandemic has been bad for the country’s local newspapers. But maybe not as bad as some people have feared.

Over 360 newspapers in the United States have gone out of business since just before the start of the pandemic, according to a new report from Northwestern University’s journalism school.

That same pace — about two closures per week — was occurring before the pandemic. Many newspaper analysts had thought that the economic conditions created by the coronavirus, especially a decline in advertising, would cause the rate to increase considerably.

“The good news is there were a lot of fears as the pandemic set in and we had a very severe economic constriction that it was going to be kind of the death knell for many newspapers,” said Penelope Muse Abernathy, the author of the report and a visiting professor at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. “The good news is it didn’t occur. The bad news is, or the concerning news is, we are continuing to lose newspapers at the same rate we’ve been losing them since 2005.”

The closures have perpetuated the problem of so-called news deserts — places with limited access to local news, the report said. Over one-fifth of Americans now live in such a place, or in a place that is at risk of becoming one.

Overall, 2,500 newspapers in the United States — a quarter of them — have closed since 2005. The country is set up to lose one-third of its newspapers by 2025. And in many places, the surviving local media outlets have made major cuts to staff and circulation.

Investments in local journalism are mainly focused on larger markets, the report found. That has fueled a disparity between communities with access to high-quality news organizations and those without it.

“What that does is it feeds into a nation that is divided journalistically, and when you have a nation divided journalistically, it exacerbates our political, cultural and economic divisions,” Ms. Abernathy said.

Major media companies, such as Gannett, which have been thought of as a solution to the threat facing local journalism, are quick to sell or shut down unsuccessful newspapers, according to the report. What is more, privately owned regional media companies that have “no obligation to explain their strategic and financial decisions, identify their largest shareholders and report yearly earnings” have purchased many of the floundering newspapers, the report said.

“Truth of the matter is, who I elect to the school board affects me much more than who I vote for for president,” Ms. Abernathy said. “That’s why we’ve got to get back to rebuilding local news in these struggling communities.”

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Carson Pickett becomes first player with limb difference to play for USWNT - The Guardian

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Carson Pickett becomes first player with limb difference to play for USWNT  The Guardian

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Tuesday, June 28, 2022

JP Sears scoreless start vs. A's - MLB.com

NEW YORK -- It was a sun-splashed morning in late March as the Yankees held a closed-door meeting with the four dozen or so players still in camp, reinforcing that the year is long and there would be opportunities for all to contribute this season. JP Sears was listening.  

Inserted into the rotation for his second spot start of the year, Sears has been among a group of impressive young pitchers summoned to help the Yankees build upon their Major League-best record. The lefty dazzled over 5 2/3 scoreless innings, walking off to a standing ovation during New York’s 2-1 victory over the A’s on Tuesday night.

“I’m just going to show up every time my name is called, fill up the zone and do my best to compete out there,” Sears said. “I let myself take it in the first couple of minutes I stepped on the field to warm up, just enjoying that part of it. After that, it’s the plate, the catcher, the hitter and the umpire out there.”

Making his fourth appearance and second start in the Majors, the 26-year-old Sears wedged into the rotation to provide extra rest as the Bombers grind through a stretch of playing 20 straight days without an off-day, pushing Jameson Taillon, Luis Severino and Gerrit Cole back by about 24 hours each.

Sears did the job and then some, limiting Oakland to three hits in a 78-pitch effort as the Yankees withstood a ninth-inning rally (sparked by a two-out catcher’s interference error) to improve to a season-high 35 games over .500 (55-20).

Rated as the club’s No. 23 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Sears became just the third pitcher in franchise history to toss at least five scoreless innings in his first two big league starts, joining Slow Joe Doyle (1906) and Luis Gil (2021).

“He was unbelievable. He’s a special guy,” said Marwin Gonzalez, who hit a second-inning homer. “Every time he’s out there and gets the call, he’s been awesome for us. When you have a guy like this in Triple-A and you’re confident that he’s going to perform well, it’s great for us.”

Jose Trevino also doubled in a first-inning run to support Sears, who was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the victory. That shuttle to Northeast Pennsylvania has already proven valuable this season, and pitching coach Matt Blake believes they will need to rely upon their depth more in July and August.

“Every guy that comes up here is ready to perform,” Blake said. “They understand what the expectations are; they know who they are. The catchers have done a good job calling games to help them. So far, so good. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

While Sears toiled in The Bronx, the organization kept one eye on a pair of hurlers down in the Minors, with Aroldis Chapman and Domingo Germán tossing for the club’s top two farm affiliates. Chapman fired a scoreless inning at Triple-A and is set to be activated as soon as Thursday, while Germán navigated 3 1/3 scoreless frames for Double-A Somerset.

Then, of course, there are the potential upgrades or reinforcements from outside the organization. One popular target happened to be on the mound for Oakland on Tuesday; right-hander Frankie Montas settled in after Gonzalez’s homer, limiting New York to two runs over six innings in what could have been a trade audition.

The last-place A’s have lost 12 of Montas’ last 13 starts, despite their best starter pitching to a 3.10 ERA over that span. Asked about the possibility of being moved before the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, Montas said: “I try to block [it out]. I just pitch and be me. I try to help the team as much as I can. I’m an Oakland A right now. I have to do my job here.”

That, too, has been the motto for the Yanks’ young arms this year. New York manager Aaron Boone rattled off the names of Sears, right-hander Ron Marinaccio and right-hander Clarke Schmidt among those who have provided valuable depth. As the manager predicted that day at camp in Tampa, Fla., there have been opportunities for all to contribute. Most have answered the call with aplomb.

“There’s an expectation they have within themselves that you can’t manufacture,” Boone said. “Like, JP is a really nice kid, an understated and smart kid -- but he’s tough. He’s got an edge to him and expects to do that when he goes out there. He’s come up here every turn he’s got and delivered.”

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LEADING OFF: Scherzer makes rehab start, Ohtani vs Chisox - WJXT News4JAX

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:

___

SCHERZER'S START

Mets ace Max Scherzer will make a minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton.

The outing against the Hartford Yard Goats was pushed back a day from Tuesday, but New York manager Buck Showalter says there's been no setback in Scherzer's recovery from a strained oblique.

Scherzer will be pitching on seven days of rest after his first rehab start with the Rumble Ponies on June 21.

“There’s no reason to rush it,” Showalter said. “We’re not going to make that mistake.”

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, the 37-year-old Scherzer is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in eight starts during his first season with the Mets. He's been out since May 18.

The NL East leaders, meanwhile, face Astros ace Justin Verlander (9-3, 2.22). He'll pitch against the Mets for the first time since 2016 and at Citi Field for the first time since 2010. He’ll oppose Taijuan Walker (6-2, 3.03).

SHO GO

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani is coming off a dominant start as he pitches against the White Sox in Anaheim.

Ohtani struck out a career-high 13 against Kansas City in his last outing, allowing two hits over eight scoreless innings. He has permitted just one run in 20 innings during his last three starts.

Ohtani is 6-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 12 starts, striking out 90 in 68 1/3 innings. He turns 28 next Tuesday.

HARPER SURGERY

Phillies slugger Bryce Harper is set for surgery on his broken left thumb and the club hopes the 2021 NL MVP can play again this season.

Manager Rob Thomson didn't offer a timetable for Harper’s return on Tuesday, a day before the procedure. Harper's thumb was broken by a fastball from San Diego's Blake Snell on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old Harper is hitting .318 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and a .985 OPS, and has helped the Phillies recently surge back into playoff contention.

JANSEN OUT

Braves closer Kenley Jansen has been put on the 15-day injured list because of an irregular heartbeat. It’s the latest heart-related issue in the veteran right-hander’s career.

The move was made retroactive to Monday when Jansen felt discomfort, manager Brian Snitker said.

In November 2018, Jansen underwent a cardiac ablation, a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm. He was first diagnosed with irregular heartbeat issues in 2011 and had an ablation the next year.

The 34-year-old Jansen signed a one-year, $16 million deal with the Braves in the offseason. He has gone 4-0 with a 3.58 ERA while converting 20 of 24 save opportunities.

___

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Intel to start recruiting workers this fall for Ohio plants - The Columbus Dispatch

Baker Mayfield on if he’d start for the Browns this season: ‘We’re ready to move on, I think, on both sides’ - cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Baker Mayfield doesn’t anticipate starting for the Browns this season if Deshaun Watson is suspended for the year, which the NFL hopes to achieve.

“No, I think for that to happen, there would have to be some reaching out,’' Mayfield said at his youth football camp in Oklahoma Tuesday morning, via Carey Murdock of Sooner Scoop. “But we’re ready to move on, I think, on both sides.’'

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Janet McLaughlin: All children deserve a chance to experience the magic of play - vtdigger.org

This commentary is by Janet McLaughlin, executive director of the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children.

Play is an astonishing, beautiful phenomenon, especially in our highly structured society. When children are given space to play, it is natural, open-ended, and unconstrained by time. 

Despite some toy marketers’ best efforts, play can’t be scaled or commodified. It’s about creativity, not control.

Still, play can occur only under certain conditions. Mostly, children need free time and room to play. They need just a few materials that can serve whatever purpose their imagination requires: for example, a piece of fabric can become a cloak, a tablecloth, a boat, a blanket, a backpack, a tent. 

The outdoors is ideal for play because so many natural materials — sticks, leaves, shade trees, soil, water, seeds and berries, even bugs — are ripe for exploration and transformation.

Early childhood educators are trained to create these conditions every day. Like play alchemists, they provide safe surroundings, a few key materials, and encourage children to lead their own play exploration — and develop thousands of social and life skills in the process.

But early childhood educators also know that access to play is inequitable. Privileged children encounter opportunities for play, particularly play in natural environments, far more readily than lower-income and BIPOC children do, writes Ijumaa Jordan, who visits early childhood education programs across the country for her research. 

Efforts to close the achievement gap can backfire, she writes, when these “educational reforms, applied to children from low-income communities, children of color, and Native American children, are restricting their access to self-initiated, complex play, which hampers their learning and healthy development. It’s time we analyze how systemic classism and racism protect play for some children while devaluing it for others.”

I am thinking about play, play equity, and inclusion in relation to June’s celebrations of Juneteenth and Pride Month. Juneteenth marks the conclusion of centuries of horrific chattel slavery. It’s a celebration of Black American culture and history, and had been celebrated in Black communities for decades before it became a federal holiday last year. It is the first federal holiday in which Black American life is centered.

The core of Pride is celebration and love of LGBTQIA individuals within a community, who historically have been asked or forced to disguise their true selves. And while community members who identify as cis and straight may show up as allies, the center belongs to folks who identify as LGBTQIA.

We know society works better, is more fun, and is far healthier when it is inclusive. When we all have healthy and fluid opportunities to be in and out of the center. When we all can safely explore who we are, and try on who we want to be.

Play is how children learn this. When communities actively and joyfully celebrate Pride and Juneteenth, we reinforce the idea that everyone has the right to be their true selves, and everyone deserves to have the light shine on them. It mobilizes all of us to notice and address the many disparities that continue to exist when the celebration is over, to keep growing.

At the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, we are committed to equity and excellence in early childhood education. That means we are working to give every child in Vermont opportunities to play, explore and grow. And it means that, as a state, we must support our early childhood educators with public policy and investments that offer them the opportunity to create truly inclusive learning communities that bring the magic of play to all children. 


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Monday, June 27, 2022

Quick Start Guide - Home Renovation - City of Detroit

After approved final inspections for all trades, you can submit for your Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance. These will be required to occupy the home.

*To apply via email, send completed application to [email protected] 

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Wimbledon order of play on Tuesday - Reuters.com

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2022 General view of a Wimbledon branded tennis ball in the hand of a ball kid during the first round match between Spain's Pablo Andujar and Britain's Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - Order of play on the main show courts on the second day of the Wimbledon championships on Tuesday (play starts at 1230 GMT unless stated, prefix number denotes seeding):

CENTRE COURT

1-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v Jana Fett (Croatia)

Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)

Serena Williams (United States) v Harmony Tan (France)

COURT ONE (1200)

8-Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v Cristian Garin (Chile)

Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic) v 16-Simona Halep (Romania)

Alexander Ritschard (Switzerland) v 4-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)

Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Wimbledon order of play on Tuesday - Reuters.com

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 27, 2022 General view of a Wimbledon branded tennis ball in the hand of a ball kid during the first round match between Spain's Pablo Andujar and Britain's Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - Order of play on the main show courts on the second day of the Wimbledon championships on Tuesday (play starts at 1230 GMT unless stated, prefix number denotes seeding):

CENTRE COURT

1-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v Jana Fett (Croatia)

Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)

Serena Williams (United States) v Harmony Tan (France)

COURT ONE (1200)

8-Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v Cristian Garin (Chile)

Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic) v 16-Simona Halep (Romania)

Alexander Ritschard (Switzerland) v 4-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)

Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Sunday, June 26, 2022

Valorant will start monitoring your voice chats starting July 13th - The Verge

Riot Games, the developer behind the free first-person shooter (FPS) Valorant, will start monitoring players’ voice communications on July 13th (via PCGamer). The game company says it’s to help train the language models that it will eventually use when evaluating player reports across all its games.

Riot initially announced this change in April 2021 after making an update to its privacy policy. The new terms give Riot permission to “record and potentially evaluate voice data when using Riot-owned voice comms channels” with the purpose of combatting hate speech and harassment over voice chat. Riot says it will analyze recordings when a player reports someone for abusive or offensive comments. In turn, this should help the company determine whether the reported player violated its policies and take action accordingly.

Riot isn’t going to start assessing player reports based on these recordings just yet — it’s using the information it collects to help build the beta of the system it expects to roll out later this year. For now, Riot will only evaluate the conversations of English-speaking Valorant players in North America. The only way to opt out of this system is to disable voice chat completely or use another communication tool, like Discord.

“We know that before we can even think of expanding this tool, we’ll have to be confident it’s effective, and if mistakes happen, we have systems in place to make sure we can correct any false positives (or negatives for that matter),” Riot notes in its announcement.

When this system is actually rolled out, Riot says that it won’t “actively monitor your live game comms” and will only “potentially listen to and review voice logs” if you’re reported for disruptive behavior. It also adds that it will delete this information after it resolves the situation, much like it does for reports made over its text-based chat systems. Even still, it’s bound to raise some players’ concerns surrounding privacy, much like the always-on Vanguard anti-cheat system that monitors your activity both in and outside of Valorant.

The planned reporting system isn’t the only way Valorant is attempting to crack down on toxic players. Earlier this year, Riot started letting Valorant players add specific words or phrases to a “muted words list” that’s supposed to help block out abusive content in chat.

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Arizona Diamondbacks call up Dallas Keuchel, who will start vs. Detroit Tigers - ESPN

The Arizona Diamondbacks have called up Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to start Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

Keuchel, 34, had signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks earlier this month. He had been released by the Chicago White Sox after going 2-5 with a 7.88 ERA through eight starts this season.

"He threw the ball really well in his last outing," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "We've been having a lot of discussions. We had some internal options. We feel like he deserves this opportunity, and he's been working really hard to make this happen."

Keuchel won the American League Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros in 2015 and is a two-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. He has been reunited in Arizona with pitching coach Brent Strom, who worked with Keuchel in Houston from 2014 to 2018.

By adding Keuchel to the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks are responsible for a $396,154 salary, a prorated share of the $700,000 major league minimum. The White Sox remain responsible for the rest of his $18 million salary this year and a $1.5 million buyout of a 2023 option.

Keuchel, who is 101-87 with a 3.86 ERA in 262 career games with 251 starts, last pitched in the majors for the White Sox on May 26, when he lasted just two innings, allowing seven hits and six runs in a 16-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

He was 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts while pitching in the Arizona Complex League prior to his call-up.

In the Diamondbacks' 14 games of the No. 5 slot in the rotation, pitchers have combined for a 7.93 ERA.

"We have a fifth spot vacancy," Lovullo said, "and we need somebody to step up."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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St. Louis Cardinals' Jack Flaherty leaves start after two innings with stiff right shoulder - ESPN

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty left his start against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday because of stiffness in his right shoulder.

Flaherty threw 49 pitches, allowing one hit, walking two and striking out two before being relieved by right-hander Nick Wittgren in the top of the third inning.

Flaherty, 26, didn't make his debut this season until June 15 because of an ailment in his right shoulder. He had a platelet-rich-plasma injection in his shoulder in early March to treat inflammation.

This was his third start since returning. He was 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA entering Sunday's start.

He was 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 17 starts last season when he was slowed by an oblique injury.

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Saturday, June 25, 2022

Jimmy Garoppolo's shoulder recovery remains on schedule, could start throwing in next few weeks, per report - CBS Sports

jimmy-garoppolo-49ers-2.jpg

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo underwent surgery this offseason to address a "capsule issue" in the back of his shoulder and according to ESPN, the recovery is carrying on as expected. Garoppolo is not throwing yet, but his rehab is going as scheduled.

Garoppolo is expected to start throwing again in the next few weeks and the quarterback has been optimistic he would be ready for training camp.

When he had the surgery in March, coach Kyle Shanahan expected Garoppolo to be back throwing by early July, which is still on the table. The veteran QB's original predicted recovery time was 16 weeks. 

Garoppolo did not participate in any of the team's OTAs and was excused by the 49ers from mandatory minicamp in order to continue with rehabilitation of his shoulder.

How the 30-year-old would bounce back from the surgery and whether it could impact trade talks has been a major storyline this offseason in the NFL.

Second-year QB Trey Lance is expected to be the starter in San Francisco in 2022, leaving the team potentially looking for a landing spot for Jimmy G.

Shanahan said last month that he expects Garoppolo to be traded, but that it is not a guarantee. 

Most teams in the league have already addressed their quarterback needs, so whether the 49ers can get a deal done they like for Garoppolo is still a major question mark.

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Lightning finally break through on the power play - Tampa Bay Times

DENVER — Given the way their power play had been struggling of late, the Lightning had to improvise to create scoring opportunities.

In its 3-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5 Friday at Ball Arena, Tampa Bay finally broke through on the man-advantage when it needed it most.

Nikita Kucherov’s 4-on-3 power-play goal gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead in the second period, following a 1-for-16 stretch in the final (they’re now 2-for-18).

“It was a big moment for, obviously, in the game,” said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who notched the primary assist on the goal. “When you get a 4-on-3, you want to capitalize, and we can get some confidence off that as well.”

The Lightning can get overly methodical on the power play, especially when they struggle with the man-advantage, overpassing in search of the perfect shot, and it often leads to the top scorers passing up shots for ones that infrequently come to fruition.

After netting just one shot on goal on their first two power plays of the night, the Lightning were determined to put pucks on net after Ondrej Palat drew a tripping call on Colorado defenseman Cale Makar 6:58 into the second period, a call that outraged the home crowd in Denver.

But the Avalanche collapsed to protect Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Steven Stamkos, who has struggled to find his shot from the left circle, opened the power play by putting one shot on goal, then missing wide. Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson then blocked two Kucherov shot attempts, then a Stamkos shot.

When Stamkos found the puck on his stick again, he faked a slap shot, bringing Manson to him again, providing enough space to slide the puck to Kucherov in the high slot. Colorado’s Darren Helm was late to block Kucherov’s shot, which went through a Corey Perry screen in front, off the post and in.

“The power play has been struggling a little bit, and a couple of early chances and sometimes you get a little frustrated,” Stamkos said. “So for me personally, just, I felt like I wasn’t getting some opportunities to shoot, so I wanted to shoot right away and to kind of establish that. And then once I do that a couple times, give them credit, guys, were diving in front of them, and I just knew if I maybe pump-faked, it would give them give a lane to make a play.”

Wounded warriors

Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak missed most of Game 4 after blocking a one-timer by Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon. He returned in Game 5 but didn’t hesitate to step in front of another MacKinnon snipe on the penalty kill.

Cernak logged 19:27 of ice time, including 2:39 on a Lightning penalty kill that was 2-for-2 on the night, marking the first time this series Tampa Bay has held Colorado without a power-play goal.

“I knew I was going to play, especially in the final,” Cernak said. “You want to play, and obviously it wasn’t easy. But I handled it, and every single player on the ice helped me with that.”

Though he didn’t take faceoffs, center Anthony Cirelli also returned following a Game 4 injury. His 11:46 of ice time was significantly less than usual, but he logged his normal penalty-kill time.

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Center Brayden Point skated Friday morning, an indication he might play in Game 5, but was scratched. How uncertain was the Lightning roster going into Game 5? Center Anthony Richard, a “Black Ace” with all of two games of NHL experience under his belt, skated during pregame warmups in case Cirelli couldn’t play.

Quote of the day

“I guess I haven’t been a part of other organizations, so for me to throw around (the label), ‘the greatest owner in sports,’ I just haven’t seen what other owners are like. But if there’s one better than him, I’d like to know who it is, because I would sign up. I wouldn’t leave, because I’m not leaving this guy. But he is a remarkable human being. He and his family, it is never about the Viniks. It’s always about everybody else, and he is a treasure. That guy is gold.”

— Lightning head coach Jon Cooper on owner Jeff Vinik, who flew all of the team’s fulltime workers to Denver to watch Game 5 in person

• • •

Sign up for Lightning Strikes, a weekly newsletter from Bolts beat writer Eduardo A. Encina that brings you closer to the ice.

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Jimmy Garoppolo's shoulder recovery remains on schedule, could start throwing in next few weeks, per report - CBS Sports

jimmy-garoppolo-49ers-2.jpg

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo underwent surgery this offseason to address a "capsule issue" in the back of his shoulder and according to ESPN, the recovery is carrying on as expected. Garoppolo is not throwing yet, but his rehab is going as scheduled.

Garoppolo is expected to start throwing again in the next few weeks and the quarterback has been optimistic he would be ready for training camp.

When he had the surgery in March, coach Kyle Shanahan expected Garoppolo to be back throwing by early July, which is still on the table. The veteran QB's original predicted recovery time was 16 weeks. 

Garoppolo did not participate in any of the team's OTAs and was excused by the 49ers from mandatory minicamp in order to continue with rehabilitation of his shoulder.

How the 30-year-old would bounce back from the surgery and whether it could impact trade talks has been a major storyline this offseason in the NFL.

Second-year QB Trey Lance is expected to be the starter in San Francisco in 2022, leaving the team potentially looking for a landing spot for Jimmy G.

Shanahan said last month that he expects Garoppolo to be traded, but that it is not a guarantee. 

Most teams in the league have already addressed their quarterback needs, so whether the 49ers can get a deal done they like for Garoppolo is still a major question mark.

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Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault talks fresh start, New motivation - Big Cat Country

It’s tough to undergo so many changes within a short period of time for a football player.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault hasn’t known much stability within his football career, set to play under his sixth offensive coordinator or co-offensive coordinator since 2017.

At Colorado, Shenault took plays from Darrin Chiaverini and Brian Lidgren (2017), Chiaverini and Klayton Adams (2018) and Jay Johnson (2019) with Chiaverini reverting to just a WR coach and assistant head coach that season.

In Jacksonville, Shenault has played under three offensive coordinators, including Jay Gruden (2020), Darrell Bevell (2021) and now Press Taylor.

Ultimately, Shenault’s play left something to be desired last season, as did the entire Jaguars offense that struggled under the leadership of the team’s previous head coach, Urban Meyer. Shenault was able to haul in 63 passes for 619 passes and zero touchdowns. He carried the ball just 11 times for 41 yards.

His talents aren’t lost on Jaguars’ coaches, however, and he’s built up a sort of intrigue and excitement that also carries some mystery. Jaguars' coaches understand and know that he is a good player, they just need to figure out how to use him.

“There’s not a lot of receivers that are 220, 230, the range that Laviska [Shenault Jr.] is, and as dynamic as a ball carrier as he can be,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said earlier this month when asked about Shenault.

“Again, like you said, he’s played a lot of different roles. He’s been put in a lot of different positions. He’s played for a lot of different coordinators, and that’s a lot of guys. You’d love to be able to see a guy with continuity in a system and how he evolves as he learns it and masters it and really moves forward with that, and he really hasn’t been fortunate to be in that kind of situation yet with his career.”

That type of volatile environment that Shenault has grown accustomed to was mentioned previously, how many offensive coordinators and head coaches he’s had can affect his development. Coaches have tried to use him in the backfield, but ultimately Taylor wants to maximize the third-year receiver to be the best version of himself he can be.

As for Shenault, he just wants to get better. Instead of drowning out the negativity, he uses it as motivation, not shying away from those who may not believe in him following a down season.

“I’m here to get better,” Shenault said earlier this month at mandatory minicamp. “I like hearing the bad stuff, it makes me work hard. And I’m not one of those guys that like, I can’t see social media because it might affect me or whatever ... I want to hear it, it makes me better.”

Though the Jaguars gave its veterans the minicamp off, Shenault was among vets participating, recovering from an injury. Shenault had dealt with a hamstring injury for a portion of camp.

Shenault is entering an offense that might be one of the most stable he’s been in. Having an offensive-minded head coach for the first time in his NFL career, at least when it comes to calling the plays, is huge. The offense, he and coaches hope, will help build off of what he already does well.

“I think I think one, having a very offensive-minded head coach helps out big time,” Shenault said.

“And then [offensive coordinator] Press Taylor, he’s good at what he [does]. I like the way he’s schemes things up. I think it’ll be definitely a good thing for me because of how good he is scheming. You see what he did over there with the Colts and stuff. So I’m ready. I’m ready to see how it [goes].”

Another important figure within the Jaguars’ coaching staff for Shenault is his wide receivers coach, Chris Jackson. For Shenault, Jackson’s teaching style and allowing the players to be themselves is what’s important.

“I like the way Coach teaches things,” he said of Jackson. “He’s letting you be you. Of course, giving us the details on how to do things, but just be you. I think that helps the receiver because, you know, me myself, I’m a thinker. So, to be able to know I can just be myself, helps a lot.”

Jackson has reiterated that, too. When speaking with the media during an availability in June, Jackson was asked about Shenault, and what the receiver’s mindset might be heading into year three, a pivotal year of development for young receivers.

“My conversation from day one with Laviska is just how I can be of assistance to him,” Jackson said. “He’s basically told me with his own words he had a great rookie year, you know, he felt like he didn’t have the year he wanted to have year two.

“So he wants to have a good year three. So part of our conversation is coming in and all of us learning the same system, communicating, being honest with one another, you know, holding each other accountable.”

Shenault might be a bit different than veteran players like Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and especially Marvin Jones, who have played in multiple offenses already in their careers for years now. For Shenault, while he’s played in two different offenses, the learning curve as a receiver is steep, and he’s still working to figure everything out.

Still, Jackson said, the one thing about Shenault the team won’t have to worry about is how hard he works. “He’s another one you have to protect them from themselves,” Jackson said.

“So for Laviska, he’s kind of learning this for the first time, you know, this is a new coaching staff, new thing. This might be my second time going through it, so he’s just trying to pick it up. And he leads differently and doesn’t really talk a whole lot of meetings.

“But when he’s on that field, as you guys have seen when the ball is in his hands, he turns into a completely different person.”

Shenault, 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, is one of the more unique receivers in the NFL. He has the build of a running back with the speed and quickness of a receiver, a blend that is hard to match up against. It’s a “perfect package,” Jackson says.

The third-year receiver is trying to hone in on the latter part of that this year, with a new motivation heading into this season in increasing his speed and quickness, whereas before he was focused on continuing to build on his strength.

In order to do that, Shenault has been working with a track coach.

“This year I had a different motive,” he explained. “Less lifting, more moving. I feel like I lost a lot of my quickness. Now I feel like not doing so much lifting and not doing the same thing I was doing, I feel like now I can move better, and all those types of things. So, just trying to get back to myself. You know, it’s just part of the process.”

That process will help Shenault move forward as he looks to capture more of what made him such an intriguing player during his rookie season. That also comes with some new territory of potentially becoming one of the team’s punt returners, a job he’s willing to do, even if he hasn’t done it before.

“Like I said, I’m an athlete. I’m here to do whatever helps the team the most.”

Having a re-charged Shenault will certainly help the team this season.

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Mac Jones reportedly facing possible suspension, following ‘dirty play’ vs Bengals - Yahoo Sports

There could be repercussions for Mac Jones’ low block on Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in Saturday’s game at Gillette Stadi...