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🏈 Good morning to all but especially to …
JAMES COOK AND THE BUFFALO BILLS
In the world of sports, contract negotiations can sometimes feel like playing chess—full of strategic moves and anticipated counterplays. This offseason has seen several notable contract stalemates, including star players like Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson, Terry McLaurin, and Cameron Heyward. Among them stands James Cook of the Buffalo Bills, who recently made headlines by concluding his contract hold-in. Cook returned to practice on Tuesday, signaling a positive turn ahead of his contract extension on Wednesday.
- It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the 25-year-old running back, who skipped OTAs and had a patchy presence at training camp.
- Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Cook faced a pivotal moment as he hadn’t practiced for the last four practices while he pushed for a contract extension that would secure him $15 million per year.
- Coming off a breakout season with 1,393 total yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024, Cook remains an integral part of the Bills’ offensive strategy, even as a part-time back.
Reflecting on the situation, Bills coach Sean McDermott noted, “I would say that things have changed. We have had conversations with James. Good conversations.” With Cook back on the field, the Bills’ fans can breathe a sigh of relief. He’s poised to play a crucial role as they aim to finally conquer the Super Bowl challenge alongside star quarterback Josh Allen.
😃 Honorable mentions
🏈 And not such a good morning for …
JOHN MATEER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
In a twist that feels more suitable for fiction than reality, John Mateer, the quarterback for Oklahoma, finds himself in hot water. Initially, it was a light-hearted incident that turned serious when screenshots of his Venmo transactions resurfaced. Captions suggesting he engaged in sports gambling made headlines, prompting a swift denial from the young athlete.
- Back in November 2022, Mateer transferred money to a friend labeled “sports gambling” and “sports gambling (UCLA vs USC),” coinciding with a recent game between the two teams.
- As a collegiate athlete, gambling on sports is a breach of NCAA regulations. Mateer asserted, “The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false.” He claimed that the Venmo descriptions were merely inside jokes among friends.
Oklahoma University is investigating the situation, though they do not expect the NCAA to take action. A source confirmed that the Integrity organization has never flagged Mateer for gambling-related issues. This situation becomes particularly delicate as Mateer is a vital player for the Sooners, especially with head coach Brent Venables under pressure after a challenging 6-6 season.
😔 Not so honorable mentions
🏈 Biggest challenges for every NFL team, plus grading first-round rookies
As the NFL preseason unfolds, coaches and players alike confront a fundamental question: Who are we? Each day presents opportunities for teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Notably, CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin provides insights into the biggest challenges facing each team in the league—an ongoing analysis of capabilities and potential reinforcements.
Among the compelling challenges identified:
- Steelers: Aaron Rodgers — Not only is Rodgers a question mark regarding performance but also his fit into the architecture of a conventional NFL offense.
- Packers: Wide receiver — The addition of Matthew Golden raises questions about the usage of the current receiver staff.
- Cardinals: Issues persist with the creativity of their offensive game plan, significantly stifling playmaking opportunities.
As teams engage in joint practices—an invaluable tool for roster evaluation—eyes will be on J.J. McCarthy as he faces the Browns in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Chris Trapasso has provided preseason grades for first-round rookies, highlighting their performances and revealing surprises along the way.
🏈 College football must-see matchups
The anticipation grows with the AP Top 25 poll recently released, setting a compelling stage for the upcoming college football season. A thrilling ranked-vs.-ranked matchup is on the horizon with No. 22 Iowa State facing No. 17 Kansas State, alongside a loaded lineup in Week 1 featuring No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State, No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson, and No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami.
Particular attention should be given to the pivotal Sept. 27 games featuring:
No. 8 Alabama at No. Georgia—a chance for Georgia to turn the tables after multiple losses to Alabama, and
No. 7 Oregon at No. 2 Penn State—which will showcase an electrifying atmosphere at a ‘Whiteout’ night game for Nittany Lions fans.
With six different teams receiving at least one preseason first-place vote, the drama of the season is set to unfold rapidly. Excitement and chaos ahead will define the flow of rankings and fan enthusiasm.
📺 What we’re watching Wednesday
⚾ The Little League World Series starts today. Here’s where to watch.
⚾ Pirates at Brewers, 2:10 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Diamondbacks at Rangers, 2:35 p.m. on MLB Network
⚽ UEFA Super Cup: PSG vs. Tottenham, 3 p.m. on CBS Sports Network/Paramount+
⚾ Twins at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. on Prime Video
⚾ Braves at Mets, 7:10 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Liberty at Aces, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
⚾ Dodgers at Angels, 9:38 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Rangers at Athletics, 10:05 p.m. on MLB Network
