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Why a Number of NFL Franchises Will Be Desperate to Land Lawrence in 2021?

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We are heading into the final few weeks of the 2020 NFL season and those who have no chance of reaching the postseason will already be thinking about how they can improve in 2021.
The NFL Draft in April is a big opportunity for all 32 teams to add to their rosters the best college players in the sport. Those at the front end of the board next year are likely to be considering making quarterback Trevor Lawrence their number one pick.
Lawrence has had a fantastic past couple of years for the Clemson Tigers. He led his team to an undefeated season in 2018 before lifting the title at the end of the National Championship Game in 2019. Last year his side went unbeaten again, but were beaten by Joe Burrow’s LSU in the National Championship Game.

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After eight matches in 2020, the Tigers QB has thrown 20 touchdowns, three interceptions, and 2,431 passing yards this year. If he guides Clemson to the playoffs, it will be the sixth straight year the college team have made it to the postseason.
Unfortunately for Lawrence, it does not look like he will be in contention for the Heisman Trophy this year. Alabama’s Mac Jones and Florida’s Kyle Trask are the frontrunners for that award. His record as a starting quarterback speaks volumes about his talent, as in his three years with the Tigers, he has lost just one game.

Jets in Pole Position to Land the Clemson QB

If the season ended today, it would be the New York Jets who would have the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jets drafted Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in 2018. They will have to decide if the former USC QB is their future or if they want to change direction with Lawrence.

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The projected first overall pick in 2021 would be entering a team in New York who are in serious need of repair. They are 0-12 after losing to the Oakland Raiders in their most recent game this season. In the NFL odds on bet365, at the time of writing, they were +525 to get their first victory of the campaign over the Seattle Seahawks in week 14. Failure to win that game, and they then have ties against the LA Rams, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots to try to avoid going 0-16.
The Jets, or whoever does draft Lawrence next year, will be hoping the young quarterback can have the impact on their team like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray have all had. Those three players wasted no time lighting up the NFL and have helped transform their respective franchises.
Although he would come to the NFL with a big reputation, something which carries a lot of pressure, Lawrence does not lack any confidence. He looks made for the league and it is going to be very exciting to see him in 2021, and one thing is for sure, whoever does draft him, won’t wait around to play the youngster.

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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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.

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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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