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Bengals cut Andy Dalton: 3 potential destinations for the free-agent QB – Sportsnet.ca

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For months it’s seemed like an inevitability, and on Thursday it became a reality: Andy Dalton’s tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals has come to an end after nine seasons.

Dalton leaves behind a complicated legacy in Cincinnati. The Red Rifle led the Bengals to the post-season in each of his first five seasons with the team and to four straight 10-win seasons from 2012-15. He finishes his Bengals career as the team’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 204, and was clearly loved by the community.

On the flip side, Cincinnati failed to win a single playoff game in Dalton’s time under centre and a terrible stretch of play by the team over his final years led to the firing of long-time head coach Marvin Lewis, and now, the 32-year-old’s release after the team selected Joe Burrow with the first-overall pick last week.

But it’s not unreasonable to believe Dalton could still serve as a capable bridge starter in the right situation as a team searches for its quarterback of the future. Worst-case scenario, the Katy, Texas native could be a high-end backup for one of the numerous teams in need of one right now.

So where could Dalton end up after being cut by the only NFL team he’s ever known? Here is a look at three potential destinations.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Replacing Tom Brady was always going to be a tough situation for whoever takes the job, and the scrutiny Dalton would face if he started under centre in Week 1 next season would be immense. But this move would make a lot of sense.

If anyone could reinvigorate Dalton, it would be Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels — two coaches who have built their NFL reputations on getting the most out of other teams’ cast-offs.

And with Brady taking his talents to Tampa, the Patriots are left with a lot to be desired on the quarterback depth chart. Right now, sophomore Jarrett Stidham is slotted as QB1, and although there’s buzz the team really likes Stidham’s potential, the 23-year-old has thrown just four NFL passes… and one was a pick-six in relief of Brady last September.

Behind Stidham is Brian Hoyer, a 34-year-old veteran journeyman who has a 16-22 record as a starter with six different teams. None of his 38 career starts have been with the Patriots, where Hoyer has spent parts of five of his 11 seasons in the NFL.

The Patriots didn’t draft a quarterback like many expected they would. They did sign a pair of undrafted free-agent signal callers in Louisiana Tech’s J’Mar Smith and Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke, but neither should be expected to make a contribution in 2020.

So, why not bring in Dalton? There’s no risk for the Patriots, who could likely get the veteran signed to a reasonable contract, and the team’s future at the position is very much a question mark.

Plus, we’d all love to see Dalton’s Patriots defeat Brady’s Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV in Tampa next February.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The search for an answer at quarterback has been a rollercoaster for the Jaguars, and what a wild ride it’s been.

Since David Garrard’s final season with Jacksonville in 2010, Duval County has seen seven different starting quarterbacks under centre for its team, even with Blake Bortles getting the nod in 73 games between 2014-18.

Most recently, the signing of Nick Foles to a monstrous contract last off-season was a nightmare, and now the NFL’s Moustache King, Gardner Minshew, is pencilled in as Jacksonville’s starter for next season. Minshew was fun to watch in 12 starts last season, but he was far from perfect and there’s no guarantee he’s the answer in Jacksonville.

Enter, Dalton. The Jaguars are reportedly interested in him, and Dalton would immediately jump over current backup Joshua Dobbs and 2020 sixth-rounder Jake Luton on the depth chart.

He’d also likely push Minshew for the starting job as Dalton has a history with new Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who held the same role in Cincinnati from 2011-13 when Dalton played some of his best football.

The jobs of general manager David Caldwell and head coach Doug Marrone are likely on the line this season despite what has been a full-scale rebuild this off-season. Bringing a veteran like Dalton into the quarterback room could help in mentoring Minshew, if that’s the direction the Jaguars want to go, or Dalton could take over under centre and maybe earn the team a couple more wins than it’s currently expecting.

Jay Gruden and Andy Dalton during their time together with the Cincinnati Bengals. (Al Behrman/AP)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Given Dalton’s status as the long-time starting quarterback of one of Pittsburgh’s fiercest rivals, this destination may not be all that likely, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a smart signing.

Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return next season at full health after elbow surgery ended his 2019 campaign, but that doesn’t change the fact that Big Ben is 38 years old and has started all 16 games just four times in 16 seasons with the Steelers.

That means there’s a good chance Pittsburgh will need to turn to its backup quarterback at some point in 2020 and if that backup is one of Mason Rudolph or Devlin “Duck” Hodges, the Steelers are in trouble.

Pittsburgh would have likely have made the post-season in 2019 if not for the play of its backups, and the Steelers would probably feel much better about turning to Dalton next season, should Roethlisberger go down, than Rudolph or Hodges — even if he’s not a fan favourite.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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