Anne-Marie Iemmolo – Arizona Sports https://arizonasports.com Phoenix Arizona Sports News | Phoenix Breaking Sports News Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:26:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://arizonasports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Anne-Marie Iemmolo – Arizona Sports https://arizonasports.com 32 32 Diana Taurasi’s potential retirement signals closing chapter for Phoenix Mercury https://arizonasports.com/story/3558846/diana-taurasi-retirement-wnba/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3558846/diana-taurasi-retirement-wnba/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:15:32 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3558846 PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi gave a cryptic, potential retirement speech following the Phoenix Mercury’s last regular season game on Thursday, alluding to the end of an era for the franchise and the WNBA.

The Mercury guard didn’t give a “yes” or “no” answer regarding her anticipated retirement decision. The game could have been Taurasi’s last at Footprint Center with two road games to begin the Mercury’s playoff run against the Minnesota Lynx coming. A home game to close the three-game first-round series is not certain.

“Once the season’s over, I’ll have a better idea of what it looks like for me in the future,” Taurasi said during a postgame press conference.

Taurasi has donned the Mercury jersey for all 20 of her seasons in the WNBA. Her loyalty to the franchise has cemented her basketball legacy in the Valley.

If it is the last time, it felt like the first time,” Taurasi said as she stood center court alongside her family and teammates after the 89-70 loss to the Seattle Storm.

To honor her achievements, Mercury players wore special edition Taurasi “GOAT” jerseys for their pregame fits and warmups on Thursday.

In 2021, as the WNBA celebrated its 25th season, fans voted to crown Taurasi as the league’s greatest of all time (GOAT).

Fans and former teammates, friends and family of Taurasi gathered to take in the potential farewell.

Geno Auriemma, Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer and Taurasi’s former UConn Huskies coach, attended the game. Auriemma and Taurasi hugged on the sidelines following her emotional “If this is it” speech.

Taurasi won three straight national championships with the Huskies before Phoenix took her No. 1 overall. The 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year then led the Mercury to three WNBA championships.

“(Auriemma) knew if I could just scratch the surface of where he thought I could go, something special could happen,” Taurasi said.

Former Seattle Storm and Team USA guard Sue Bird also attended the game alongside her wife and former professional soccer player, Megan Rapinoe.

The crowd pleaded with Taurasi to put off her retirement, chanting “one more year” as she addressed the X-Factor after the game.

“I think they tricked Sue with that one last time,” Taurasi replied to the chants from the crowd.

If Taurasi finalizes her decision to retire, the Mercury will continue to thrive, she believes.

“We’re in a good place going forward, regardless,” Taurasi said.

She highlighted center Brittney Griner, small forward Kahleah Copper along with Sophie Cunningham, Rebecca Allen and Natasha Cloud as the faces of the Phoenix franchise moving forward.

“I’ll always be a part of this franchise,” Taurasi said. “Through the wins and the losses.”

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Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. gets slimed by teammate after winning NVP https://arizonasports.com/story/3558707/marvin-harrison-jr-wins-nvp/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3558707/marvin-harrison-jr-wins-nvp/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:02:41 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3558707 Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.’s week is getting better and better.

After an incredible performance on Sunday, Harrison received one of the most prestigious player awards in the NFL.

Not the MVP but the NVP — the Nickelodeon Valuable Player.

The rookie scored two touchdowns and racked up 130 receiving yards on four catches to help the Cardinals defeat the Los Angeles Rams 41-10 on Sunday.

Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was eager to present Harrison with the honor and dump two jars of green slime on his head, a mandatory ritual following any Nickelodeon award win.

The NVP award, part of the “NFL Slimetime” on Nickelodeon, is a player of the week honor given to players based on fan votes.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was the first to ever receive an NVP in 2021 after the Cardinals crushed the Tennessee Titans 38-13 during their season opener. Murray finished the game with four touchdown passes.

Harrison wore a protective cap in the video but to no avail. After Johnson dumped the jars of green goop on Harrison, the wide receiver was left covered in slime.

“Remember that, P?” Harrison asked Johnson before referencing the iconic Nickelodeon tune, the SpongeBob Krusty Krab Pizza song.

In addition to the award, Harrison received a purple chain with an NFL Slimetime logo pendant and a silver trophy featuring the orange Nickelodeon blimp.

Harrison looks to continue his success on the field during the Cardinals’ game on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

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Arizona Diamondbacks host 11th annual Race Against Cancer https://arizonasports.com/story/3558470/arizona-diamondbacks-race-cancer/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3558470/arizona-diamondbacks-race-cancer/#respond Thu, 19 Sep 2024 04:00:04 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3558470 The Arizona Diamondbacks are hosting their annual D-backs Race Against Cancer, presented by Dignity Health Cancer Institute, on Sept. 29, the last day of the Major League Baseball regular season.

Participants will complete a 5K race through downtown Phoenix. The course will begin and end at Chase Field.

Proceeds from the race will be donated to local non-profit organizations that provide patient treatment and support for those diagnosed with cancer. Donations also support screening tools that can assist with earlier diagnoses and innovative treatment options for current patients.

Individuals and businesses can register to raise money for the event. Funders can sign up individually or as a team and are eligible for prizes like D-backs tickets and autographed merchandise.

All participants will receive a commemorative shirt, drawstring bag, finisher medal, chip timing for the race and an upper-level ticket voucher for one of Arizona’s games against the San Diego Padres from Sept. 27-29, the weekend of the race.

The D-backs are facing a potential knock-out matchup against the Padres to close the season.

The race registration fee is $50 through Sept. 20 and $60 after Sept. 20. Registration closes on Sept. 28.

For more information or to sign up, fans can visit dbacks.com/race.

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Ex-OLB Markus Golden: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray leads on and off the field https://arizonasports.com/story/3558495/arizona-cardinals-markus-golden/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3558495/arizona-cardinals-markus-golden/#respond Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:11:59 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3558495

Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden says quarterback Kyler Murray was the first player from the team to reach out after the Cardinals cut Golden in 2023.

“That says a lot about his (Murray) leadership and his development as a leader to reach out and show me love,” Golden said when he joined Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Tuesday.

Murray had a near-perfect performance during the Cardinals’ 41-10 win on Sunday against their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams. He finished with a passer rating of 158.3 after completing 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

“He can throw the ball and scramble and run the ball down the field,” Golden said on Murray’s strengths. “When you can do that at a high level like him, the sky’s the limit.”

The linebacker has seen Murray grow all the way from a rookie to team captain of the Cardinals.

After being released from Arizona, Golden became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 1. Shortly after, the Steelers placed Golden on the reserve/retired list.

Golden officially announced his retirement on Aug. 21, concluding his nine-season career in the NFL.

“I’ve been able to live my dreams and do everything I’ve wanted to do with football,” Golden said. “It was time for me to move on to the next step of my life.”

The Cardinals selected Golden in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played in 127 games throughout his career, recording 51 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 344 total tackles.

Despite his retirement, Golden’s ties to Arizona remain strong. The University of Missouri alum attended the Cardinals-Rams game as an honorary captain.

Golden praised Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck for his performance during Sunday’s game.

“I always believed in him (Gardeck) because he came to work every day,” Golden said.

Gardeck led Arizona’s defense on Sunday with three sacks, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Rams.

The Cardinals will host the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.

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Tim Legler expects Kevin Durant, Devin Booker can carry Olympic success to Suns https://arizonasports.com/story/3557943/legler-durant-booker-olympic-suns/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557943/legler-durant-booker-olympic-suns/#respond Sat, 14 Sep 2024 14:10:19 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557943 ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler predicts Kevin Durant’s and Devin Booker’s Olympic gold medal win in Paris will carry over into the 2024 NBA season, helping the duo lead the Phoenix Suns to more success than in 2023-24.

“They had a very disappointing year, last year … couldn’t have gone much worse. Devin Booker plays a role on this team where he gets so much credit internally from the coaching staff, from his teammates about being the unsung MVP, to quote Steve Kerr,” Legler said on Tuesday during his NBA Today appearance. “That’s got to make Devin Booker feel very good in terms of how he’s viewed as a winner. Kevin Durant was great.

“They’re going to get more than 41 games together with Bradley Beal. I like some of the new pieces they’ve added. I think Phoenix has the most to grab from a team standpoint from those star players who played on the Olympic team.”

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr went out of his way to name Booker the “unsung MVP” during his press conference after the team defeated France to win gold in Paris.

During the Summer Olympics, Durant averaged 13.8 points on 54% shooting from the field, while Booker averaged 11.7 points on 56.8% shooting.

Booker started all six games and shot 56.5% (13-for-23) from 3, the fifth-best percentage from long range in USA Basketball Olympic history.

Durant came off the bench for the Americans until the Olympic gold medal game against France to help Team USA secure the gold. He had strained his left calf in April, causing him to miss a series of five Olympic exhibition matches before heading to Paris.

“I think Phoenix has the most to grab of those star players that played on the Olympic team,” Legler said of the Suns’ disappointing 49-win team from last season.

The Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Following the early playoff exit, the team fired then-coach Frank Vogel and replaced him with two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer.

Booker and Durant were tied for the fifth most points per game in 2023-24 with 27.1.

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Turnover struggles plague Phoenix Mercury in 19-point loss https://arizonasports.com/story/3558125/phoenix-mercury-loss/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3558125/phoenix-mercury-loss/#respond Sat, 14 Sep 2024 06:28:36 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3558125 The Phoenix Mercury’s offensive struggles prevailed during the team’s loss on Friday against the Connecticut Sun, 88-69.

In their second-to-last possession of the third quarter, the Mercury turned the ball over on their third shot-clock violation of the game. Phoenix scored just six points during the quarter, making it one of their worst this season.

“We haven’t played very well. I don’t think we are hiding from that,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said.

After the first quarter, the Mercury trailed the Sun by five points.

Connecticut extended their lead after the second half with a 20-0 run during the third quarter.

DeWanna Bonner, a forward for the Sun, had seven points during the third and finished the game with 14 points. Bonner played for 10 seasons with Phoenix before being traded to Connecticut in 2020.

Phoenix center Brittney Griner was the team’s top scorer on Friday, totaling 26 points.

One of the latest Mercury signees, Celeste Taylor, ended the contest with four rebounds and two blocks. Taylor replaced Kahleah Copper in the starting lineup for Friday’s game.

Copper, the Mercury’s leading scorer this season, was absent due to a back injury.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious,” Tibbetts said.

The 6-foot-1 small forward’s absence was apparent as the Mercury continued to struggle offensively.

Mercury guards Rebecca Allen (hamstring) and Charisma Osborne (leg) were also missing from the game due to injuries.

Tibbetts spotlighted forced turnovers, points off turnovers and defensive rebounds as the team’s biggest struggles on the court.

“It’s going to be about our approach, our physicality and slowing down and being organized,” Tibbetts said.

The Mercury had seven turnovers by the end of Friday’s loss. The team’s last regular season game will take place on Thursday at Footprint Center before the WNBA playoffs begin on Sept. 22.

Phoenix (17-20) is ranked seventh in the WNBA playoff seedings and Connecticut is ranked third (26-10).

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Arizona State football debuts road jerseys in Texas State visit https://arizonasports.com/story/3557907/arizona-state-uniforms-texas-state/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557907/arizona-state-uniforms-texas-state/#respond Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:29:40 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557907 Arizona State football showcased its Game 3 uniforms ahead of the Sun Devils’ first away game of the year, a visit to face the Texas State Bobcats on Thursday.

The Sun Devils will wear white and gold uniforms during Thursday’s game in San Marcos, Texas.

The white jerseys feature maroon squad numbers outlined in gold. The numbers are stitched on the shoulders of the sleeves as well. Arizona’s state flag is printed on the sides of the uniform in a sheer gray shade, with the sun rays beaming out just below the upper arms.

The jerseys are paired with gold pants. The pants have a large pitchfork on the right thigh and the Adidas logo on the left upper hip.

As for the matching gold helmets, Sparky decals are notably missing from the equipment after it was featured boldly last week.

Instead, a maroon pitchfork is printed on the sides of the helmet, adjacent to a maroon stripe that runs from the front to the back of the headgear.

The Bobcats (2-0) could turn out to be the Sun Devils’ (2-0) toughest competition so far this season.

The Texas State team will wear a more muted look for Thursday’s game. The Bobcats’ jerseys are black, with the school name and player numbers threaded in dark red and outlined in gold.

The team helmet also features the Bobcats’ signature gold, which is dimmer and more metallic than the Sun Devils’ traditional yellowy gold shade. A black stripe and two burgundy stripes run from the front to the back of the helmet.

Arizona football fans may recognize Texas State’s helmets, which looks similar to the Wildcats’ alternate headgear that will debut this year.

Both helmets have three team-colored stripes printed from the front to the back. Arizona and Texas State each feature ‘Cats’, a shortened name for the team mascots, printed in cursive font on the left and right sides of the gear.

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Arizona Cardinals announce multi-year partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union https://arizonasports.com/story/3557659/arizona-cardinals-desert-financial/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557659/arizona-cardinals-desert-financial/#respond Wed, 11 Sep 2024 03:15:05 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557659 The Arizona Cardinals announced a multi-year partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union on Tuesday morning, continuing the franchise’s 20-year relationship with the company and making DFCU the Cardinals’ official commercial and retail banking partner.

“Both organizations are deeply rooted in this community and committed to making a positive impact,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in an announcement.

Desert Financial also holds the naming rights for Arizona State University’s Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, home of the Sun Devil basketball teams.

The deal with the Cardinals includes terms like the Desert Financial logo being displayed on the Cardinals’ practice jerseys and more.

Other pieces to the Cardinals’ partnership with Desert Financial Credit Union

  • The local credit union is now the presenting partner of the Arizona Cardinals training camp and plans to enhance the fan experience for future seasons.
  • DFCU will provide annual financial literacy education for members of the Cardinals organization and community partners.
  • The company will become the exclusive provider of newly designed Cardinals-branded debit cards that will provide fans with benefits and deals at State Farm Stadium.
  • Desert Financial will continue its community initiatives and charitable programs with the team, such as the annual “Civics Matters Arizona” program, which provides an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip to Washington, D.C. for more than 250 Arizona high school students to learn about civic engagement. The company will also add financial literacy to the program’s curriculum.
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Former Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin says Marvin Harrison Jr. just needs time https://arizonasports.com/story/3557670/anquan-boldin-marvin-harrison-jr/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557670/anquan-boldin-marvin-harrison-jr/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:36:30 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557670

Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin doesn’t doubt Marvin Harrison Jr.’s talent but believes the rookie needs time to develop following his underwhelming NFL debut.

Harrison had one catch for four yards on three targets during the team’s season-opening loss against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

“When you have a guy (Harrison) that talented, you have to move him around and find ways to get the ball in his hands to make him comfortable early on and find that rapport with the quarterback,” Boldin said when he joined Wolf & Luke on Tuesday.

Boldin had a different first-game experience when he entered the league.

On Sept. 7, 2003, Boldin made his NFL debut with the Cardinals and finished the game with 10 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

“I had the opportunity to come in right away and show the team what I was able to do,” Boldin said of his rookie season.

The 14-year NFL veteran emphasized the importance of wide receivers building relationships with their quarterbacks by working and going through reps together before games.

Harrison’s only preseason appearance was on Aug. 10 during the Cardinals’ game against the New Orleans Saints, where he played a total of three snaps. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray did not play during the preseason.

Boldin said playing everyone in the preseason is a “necessary evil” that coaches must do to help players get a feel for the game. When reflecting on his NFL career, Boldin explained how training camp and the preseason allowed him to perfect his timing.

“It’s tough to simulate what the game is going to be like if you don’t play in the preseason,” Boldin said.

Harrison began his first professional game with high expectations from Cardinals fans and team officials who predicted the Ohio State alum would produce immediately.

Boldin noted that social media has added immense pressure to young players and believes it will intensify for Harrison ahead of the Cardinals’ home opener on Sunday against the team’s NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.

“I’m sure every time he picks up his phone, he’s going to hear about it,” Boldin said.

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D-backs’ Paul Sewald nominated for Roberto Clemente Award https://arizonasports.com/story/3557650/paul-sewald-roberto-clemente-award/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557650/paul-sewald-roberto-clemente-award/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:35:56 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557650 Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald is one of the 30 nominees for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award.

Each year, the Roberto Clemente Award recognizes players across Major League Baseball for their philanthropy and positive impacts within their communities.

Sewald and his wife, Molly, partnered with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Child Crisis Arizona to raise money for children across Arizona and provide them with a safe environment.

The pitcher and his wife pledged to donate $1,000 to Child Crisis Arizona for every strikeout this season and have personally contributed $80,000 so far. The Diamondbacks Foundation agreed to match the Sewald family’s donations.

“I am honored to be named the Diamondbacks nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. A man who put his own safety at risk to help those in crisis and a true humanitarian,” Sewald tweeted to his X account.

He began Sewald’s Strikeouts 4 Kids in 2022 while playing for the Seattle Mariners and continued the initiative after his trade to Arizona.

Former D-backs pitcher Curt Schilling won the award in 2001 for his charitable donations toward combating ALS. No D-backs player has won the award since Schilling.

Fans can vote for which player they want to see win this year’s award. Voting opened on Monday and will stay open until the end of the regular season on Sept. 29.

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Forbes: Value of Arizona Cardinals franchise increases by 13% https://arizonasports.com/story/3557072/cardinals-team-value-increases/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557072/cardinals-team-value-increases/#respond Sun, 08 Sep 2024 13:54:57 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557072 The Arizona Cardinals are valued at $4.3 billion ahead of the 2024 NFL season, making them the 29th most valuable team in the NFL, according to Forbes.

The Cardinals franchise has continued to grow steadily, with the team increasing its value by 13% this year. Last season, the Cardinals were valued at $3.8 billion. Team owner Michael Bidwill is the third generation in his family to own the franchise, making the Cardinals the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the NFL.

78.5% of Arizona’s franchise valuation comes from the league’s shared revenue, such as national television media rights deals.

As for local media rights deals, the Cardinals announced a multi-year partnership with Arizona Family in June, making the television station the team’s official television partner.

Only 9.7% of the team’s net worth comes from the market, and 4.6% comes from the brand. A team’s market value is attributed to its city and local market.

The Dallas Cowboys continue to reign as the highest-valued team in the NFL, with an estimated worth of $10.1 billion. The Cowboys have become the first NFL team to surpass $10 billion in value.

The Cincinnati Bengals are the least-valued team in the league, with an estimated value of $4.1 billion.

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3 things to know about the Buffalo Bills ahead of Week 1 vs. Cardinals https://arizonasports.com/story/3557114/bills-2024-season/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557114/bills-2024-season/#respond Sat, 07 Sep 2024 14:45:00 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557114

The Arizona Cardinals will play their first game of the 2024 season against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

Katherine Fitzgerald, the Bills beat reporter for the Buffalo News, gave us three things to know about the Bills when she joined Bickley & Marotta on Thursday.

“This fan base is so hungry for a Super Bowl,” Fitzgerald said on what the Bills Mafia expects of head coach Sean McDermott this year

In the meantime, the Cardinals will head to Buffalo to kick off their Week 1 season opener.

No more Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis for the Bills

With wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer on the Bills roster, the team must work with a new group of WRs. 

“There’s only one wide receiver (Khalil Shakir) on this roster who has caught a pass in a game from Josh Allen,” Fitzgerald said on concerns for the team. 

In August, the Bills had 15 players dealing with injuries, including offensive players like WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) and backup QB Mitch Trubisky (knee). Brandon Beane, the Bills’ general manager, wished the team had more time to practice together during the offseason.

However, it’s not all bad for the Bills offense. Rookie WR Keon Coleman, who was selected 33rd overall by Buffalo in the 2024 NFL Draft, is anticipated to replace Diggs. The Florida State alum caught 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns last year during his final college season.

Defensive concerns for the Bills

For the first time in eight years, the Bills are without Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, the team’s top safety duo. Instead, Buffalo will rely on Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, the starting safeties for Sunday’s game.

Hamlin will start his first game since suffering cardiac arrest during the Bills’ matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023. During the 2022 season, Hamlin was a starter for the team, replacing Hyde, who was out with a neck injury. Last season, Hamlin had a backup and special teams role on the Bills roster and appeared in five games.

Rapp and Hamlin had limited time to practice together due to Hamlin’s hamstring injury, which he struggled with during the offseason.

Josh Allen’s offense

Don’t expect too many changes to the Bills’ offensive style of play this year, as Fitzgerald noted you’d “lose some of the magnificent plays [Allen’s] able to do” if the Bills were to make changes to their offensive strategy. 

Instead, Fitzgerald is most interested in how Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady will perform during his first full season as the team’s OC. Brady was named Buffalo’s interim OC in November 2023 before being promoted to full-time in January 2024. 

Sal Maiorana, a reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, explained how Brady worked to assemble the offense during the Bills training camp in July.

When Brady took over in mid-November, he was essentially married to Dorsey’s offense and was only able to tweak a few things here and there. Now, with an entire offseason under his belt, Brady is crafting his own scheme – with major input from Allen regarding what he thinks will and won’t work – and it is being implemented during training camp at St. John Fisher University.

According to Brady, “everybody eats” on his offense. The OC has been working to get each player involved in different ways on the field, like wideout Curtis Samuel, who Brady cites as an adaptable player able to take on various roles.

In 2020, when Samuel played for the Carolina Panthers, Brady was the team’s OC. That season, under Brady’s guidance, Samuel had 77 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 41 carries and 200 rushing yards— a career-best for the 29- year-old.

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Phoenix Mercury sign guard Celeste Taylor to rest-of-season contract https://arizonasports.com/story/3557239/mercury-sign-celeste-taylor-2/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557239/mercury-sign-celeste-taylor-2/#respond Fri, 06 Sep 2024 22:02:14 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557239 The Phoenix Mercury have signed guard Celeste Taylor to a rest-of-season contract.

Taylor signed her third and final seven-day contract with the Mercury on Aug. 30. She’s appeared in 10 games so far for Phoenix, averaging 2.7 points and 1.0 assists in 12.2 minutes per game.

“This is a place that took a chance on me and believed in me, all the way through the line from the players to the staff to the front office,” Taylor told Desert Wave Media reporters during a postgame press conference on Thursday.

Taylor has received support from her new teammates, including Mercury guard Natasha Cloud. “She’s Celeste Taylor. That’s all her,” Cloud tweeted to her X account during Phoenix’s victory against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night. The win led to the team clinching a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

The team signed Australian Olympian Amy Atwell to a seven-day contract on Thursday morning. Later that evening, the 6-foot guard played her first game for Phoenix during the team’s 90-77 loss to the Washington Mystics.

Atwell’s contract will expire on Sept. 12 at midnight.

The Mercury are on the road for their next game against the Seattle Storm on Saturday.

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Phoenix Mercury sign Australian Olympian Amy Atwell to 7-day contract https://arizonasports.com/story/3557093/mercury-sign-amy-atwell/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3557093/mercury-sign-amy-atwell/#respond Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:53:44 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3557093 The Phoenix Mercury have signed 6-foot guard Amy Atwell to a seven-day contract.

She returns to the team after practicing with the Mercury during the team’s 2024 training camp in late April.

Atwell recently won bronze with the Australian Opals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made that roster as a replacement for Mercury forward Rebecca Allen, who was set to compete for Australia before aggravating a hamstring injury during practice.

Atwell was selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2022 WNBA Draft out of Hawaii and appeared in four games during her rookie season.

According to WNBA rules, players can only sign three or fewer seven-day contracts with the same team in one season.

The Mercury recently signed guard Celeste Taylor to her third and final seven-day contract. Taylor had four rebounds and two assists during the Mercury’s 74-66 win against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night, which led to Phoenix clinching a spot in the playoffs.

Atwell joins as the Mercury prepare to face the Washington Mystics at Footprint Center on Thursday night.

Allen (hamstring) and guard Charisma Osborne (lower leg) are out for Thursday’s game.

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3557093/mercury-sign-amy-atwell/feed/ 0 Amy Atwell, guard for the Australian Opals, high-fives teammates during a pre-Olympic game against ...
Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll named NL Player of the Month for August https://arizonasports.com/story/3556786/corbin-carroll-player-of-month/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556786/corbin-carroll-player-of-month/#respond Tue, 03 Sep 2024 19:02:25 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556786 Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is MLB’s National League Player of the Month for August.

The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year has been on a hot streak with a 1.042 OPS, 24 RBIs and 30 runs scored throughout August.

Carroll set a franchise record for the D-backs after reaching base in 41 consecutive starts.

“When he (Carroll) gets on base, something good is going to happen,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Monday afternoon following Arizona’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Carroll had 11 home runs for the month of August, trailing just Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who were tied for 12. Judge won AL Player of the Month.

Carroll also ranks sixth in the league with 102 total runs scored.

On Thursday night, Carroll hit a game-winning grand slam to help Arizona defeat the New York Mets 8-5. The team is leading all of baseball in grand slams, hitting 10 so far this season.

The D-backs lost three of four games to the Dodgers, hurting their chances of winning the NL West. Following the loss, Arizona dropped to second in the NL Wild Card standings behind the San Diego Padres.

The Diamondbacks are on the road for their next game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556786/corbin-carroll-player-of-month/feed/ 0 Corbin Carroll...
Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud suspended after 7th technical foul https://arizonasports.com/story/3556771/natasha-cloud-technical-fouls/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556771/natasha-cloud-technical-fouls/#respond Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:32:43 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556771 Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud has been suspended for one game after receiving her seventh technical foul during Sunday’s loss against the Las Vegas Aces.

Cloud, who is currently averaging 11.6 points and 6.8 assists per game, will miss Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

As per the WNBA rules, coaches and players are automatically suspended without pay for one game after receiving seven technical fouls. Following the suspension, the coach or player must sit out another game for every two technical fouls amassed.

The Mercury are still missing key players due to injuries. Forward Rebecca Allen (hamstring) and guard Charisma Osborne (lower leg) continue to sit out games. To help combat a depleted roster, the Mercury recently signed WNBA rookie Celeste Taylor to a seven-day contract.

Taylor will compete for Phoenix during their next game against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night at Footprint Center.

Mercury guard Diana Taurasi also received her seventh technical foul during Sunday’s game, but the call was rescinded upon league review, making Taurasi eligible to play against the Dream. The WNBA vet has previously received single-game bans for technical fouls on two separate occasions during the 2016 and 2018 regular seasons. In 2013, Taurasi received nine technical fouls, causing her to miss two games.

The Mercury currently lead the league with 32 technical fouls, the all-time single-season record for team technicals.

Phoenix guard Kahleah Copper received a technical while playing against the Aces. Copper, Phoenix’s lead scorer, now has six technical fouls.

During Phoenix’s match against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night, Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham was ejected from the game after receiving two back-to-back technicals.

The Mercury are on a three-game losing streak, but the team is still contending for one of the three remaining playoff spots.

The top eight out of 12 teams will make the postseason. Phoenix (16-17) is currently ranked seventh behind the Indiana Fever (17-16), who are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Mercury missed last year’s WNBA playoffs and finished last in the league.

There are seven games left before the WNBA playoffs begin on Sept. 22.

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556771/natasha-cloud-technical-fouls/feed/ 0 Natasha Cloud Phoenix Mercury...
G League’s Valley Suns to host local tryouts for 2024-25 season https://arizonasports.com/story/3556331/valley-suns-tempe-tryouts/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556331/valley-suns-tempe-tryouts/#respond Sun, 01 Sep 2024 13:34:40 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556331 The Phoenix Suns’ G League team, the Valley Suns, will host open tryouts on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex in Tempe.

Those looking to try out can not be considered prospects, international players or players who have been eligible for and participated in an NBA Draft. The team will only accept tryouts from players who are former NBA Draft picks, NBA Summer League participants from 2023 or 2024, Division I All-Americans, Division I All-Conference performers and former 2024 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament attendees.

Applicants must pay a $300 fee to participate and can sign up at thevalleysuns.com/tryouts.

The Valley Suns began building their roster in June of this year after acquiring the rights of 14 players in the G League expansion draft. The team has the rights to these players, but that does not guarantee that they will play for the Valley Suns during the upcoming season.

Suns two-way players Jalen Bridges, Collin Gillespie and TyTy Washington Jr. will likely play for the Valley Suns.

On July 4, the Suns signed Bridges, a forward, to a two-way contract just days before the NBA Summer League began. Bridges averaged 10.8 points and 1.2 steals per game during Summer League.

The Valley Suns recently hired John Little, a former assistant coach for Boston’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, as head coach.

The 2024-25 G League season will begin on Nov. 8.

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556331/valley-suns-tempe-tryouts/feed/ 0 Valley Suns G League team logo...
PFF ranks Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride a top-10 NFL tight end https://arizonasports.com/story/3556321/pff-trey-mcbride-top-tight-ends/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556321/pff-trey-mcbride-top-tight-ends/#respond Sat, 31 Aug 2024 14:10:04 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556321 Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride ranks eighth among the top 10 tight ends in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Using stats from the 2023 season, PFF ranked the top 32 starters for each position.

McBride had one of the best seasons in franchise history for a Cardinals tight end, leading the team in receptions (81) and receiving yards (825). He averaged 2.03 yards per route run for the 2023 season and received an 80.7 grade on his overall performance.

After a slow start to the season, McBride went on a tear to end the campaign, averaging 1.94 yards per route run after Week 8. His 80.7 grade during that time ranked fourth at the position, and he proved to be a reliable weapon over the middle of the field as he returned from injury.

Former Ohio State star and Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. ranked 21st among some of the best wide receivers in the league. Harrison Jr. finished his last college season in Ohio with 67 catches for 1,211 yards and had 14 touchdowns. The Cardinals drafted Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, and some already expect him to be the top receiver on the team.

McBride and Harrison Jr. weren’t the only Cardinals ranked among the top 32 players in their respective positions.

Where PFF ranks Trey McBride, other Arizona Cardinals in top 32 at their positions:

QB

17. Kyler Murray

RB

17. James Conner

TE

8. Trey McBride

WR

21. Marvin Harrison Jr.

OG

23. Will Hernandez

C

19. Hjalte Froholdt

S

14. Budda Baker

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556321/pff-trey-mcbride-top-tight-ends/feed/ 0 Trey McBride celebrates a touchdown...
Where are Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the NBA 2K25 ratings? https://arizonasports.com/story/3556231/nba-2k25-ratings-kevin-durant/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556231/nba-2k25-ratings-kevin-durant/#respond Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:15:28 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556231 Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and shooting guard Devin Booker are among the top 15 players in the NBA 2K25 ratings.

Durant ranked in the top 10 of the 2024 list with an overall score of 94, making it his lowest rating since NBA 2K17. Still, he excelled on both sides of the court throughout the 2023-24 regular season, averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Last season, Durant and Booker ranked fifth in the league by scoring 27.1 points per game.

Booker came in 12th on the NBA 2K25 ratings list with a score of 93. In January, during a game against the Indiana Pacers, Booker scored 62 points, making it the second time he’s passed the 60-point threshold throughout his career.

Durant was rated fifth in the NBA 2K24 ratings, while Booker was 11th. Each player’s overall score decreased by a single point compared to last year’s game.

Suns shooting guard Bradley Beal received an 85 rating, ranking him 52nd on the list. Beal played just 53 games last season due to back and ankle injuries. He averaged 18.2 points and shot 43% from the 3-point range.

Durant and Booker are coming off an Olympic gold medal run as they prepare for the 2024-25 season under the new leadership of head coach Mike Budenholzer.

NBA 2K25 ratings: Kevin Durant, Devin booker and Bradley Beal make top 100

Nikola Jokic: 97 OVR

Luka Doncic: 97 OVR

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 97 OVR

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 96 OVR

Joel Embiid: 96 OVR

LeBron James: 95 OVR

Stephen Curry: 95 OVR

Jayson Tatum: 95 OVR

Kevin Durant: 94 OVR

Anthony Davis: 94 OVR

Anthony Edwards: 93 OVR

Devin Booker: 93 OVR

Jalen Brunson: 93 OVR

Donovan Mitchell: 92 OVR

Jaylen Brown: 92 OVR

Kyrie Irving: 92 OVR

Kawhi Leonard: 92 OVR

Victor Wembanyama: 91 OVR

Tyrese Haliburton: 90 OVR

Ja Morant: 90 OVR

Damian Lillard: 89 OVR

Jimmy Butler: 89 OVR

Paolo Banchero: 89 OVR

Paul George: 89 OVR

Trae Young: 89 OVR

Tyrese Maxey: 89 OVR

Bam Adebayo: 88 OVR

De’Aaron Fox: 88 OVR

Domantas Sabonis: 88 OVR

Zion Williamson: 88 OVR

Pascal Siakam: 88 OVR

Karl-Anthony Towns: 88 OVR

LaMelo Ball: 87 OVR

Jrue Holiday: 87 OVR

DeMar DeRozan: 87 OVR

Chet Holmgren: 87 OVR

Kristaps Porzingis: 87 OVR

Jamal Murray: 87 OVR

Jaren Jackson Jr.: 87 OVR

Lauri Markkanen: 86 OVR

Cade Cunningham: 86 OVR

Jalen Williams: 86 OVR

Franz Wagner: 86 OVR

Derrick White: 86 OVR

Dejounte Murray: 86 OVR

Evan Mobley: 86 OVR

Scottie Barnes: 85 OVR

Julius Randle: 85 OVR

Brandon Ingram: 85 OVR

Alperen Sengun: 85 OVR

Rudy Gobert: 85 OVR

Bradley Beal: 85 OVR

Khris Middleton: 85 OVR

Mikal Bridges: 84 OVR

OG Anunoby: 84 OVR

Jalen Green: 84 OVR

Fred VanVleet: 84 OVR

James Harden: 84 OVR

Jarrett Allen: 84 OVR

CJ McCollum: 84 OVR

Aaron Gordon: 84 OVR

Myles Turner: 84 OVR

Zach LaVine: 83 OVR

Tyler Herro: 83 OVR

Draymond Green: 83 OVR

Kyle Kuzma: 83 OVR

Michael Porter Jr.: 83 OVR

Desmond Bane: 83 OVR

Deandre Ayton: 82 OVR

Josh Hart: 82 OVR

Alex Caruso: 82 OVR

Jalen Suggs: 82 OVR

Herbert Jones: 82 OVR

Jerami Grant: 82 OVR

Darius Garland: 82 OVR

Ivica Zubac: 82 OVR

Jonas Valanciunas: 82 OVR

Coby White: 81 OVR

Cam Thomas: 81 OVR

Immanuel Quickley: 81 OVR

Mike Conley: 81 OVR

Anfernee Simons: 81 OVR

Austin Reaves: 81 OVR

Brandon Miller: 81 OVR

Klay Thompson: 81 OVR

R.J. Barrett: 81 OVR

Andrew Nembhard: 81 OVR

Chris Paul: 81 OVR

Devin Vassell: 81 OVR

D’Angelo Russell: 81 OVR

Miles Bridges: 81 OVR

Naz Reid: 81 OVR

Isaiah Hartenstein: 81 OVR

Nikola Vucevic: 81 OVR

Daniel Gafford: 81 OVR

Nicolas Claxton: 81 OVR

Jalen Duren: 81 OVR

Dereck Lively II: 81 OVR

Keegan Murray: 80 OVR

Jaden McDaniels: 80 OVR

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556231/nba-2k25-ratings-kevin-durant/feed/ 0 Kevin Durant is in the top 15 of the NBA 2K25 ratings...
Phoenix Mercury sign guard Celeste Taylor to 7-day contract https://arizonasports.com/story/3556340/mercury-sign-celeste-taylor/ https://arizonasports.com/story/3556340/mercury-sign-celeste-taylor/#respond Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:41:04 +0000 https://arizonasports.com/?p=3556340 The Phoenix Mercury signed former Ohio State guard Celeste Taylor to another seven-day contract on Friday. Taylor was drafted 15th overall in this year’s WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever before being waived by the team on June 25.

On July 24, she signed her first of three seven-day contracts with the Mercury. Last Friday, Phoenix re-signed Taylor to her second contract. Taylor played seven games with the Mercury and averaged 2.7 points and 1.0 assists in 12.2 minutes per game.

After signing her second Mercury contract on Aug. 23., Taylor put up a career-high nine points and helped Phoenix defeat the Chicago Sky.

With Mercury guard Charisma Osborne (lower leg) and forward Rebecca Allen (hamstring) injured, Taylor has become a key reserve for Phoenix.

The 5-foot-11 guard recently signed a one-year contract with the Women’s National Basketball League team, the Sydney Flames. The WNBL season begins on Sept. 18.

The Mercury will play their next game against the Las Vegas Aces this Sunday at Footprint Center.

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https://arizonasports.com/story/3556340/mercury-sign-celeste-taylor/feed/ 0 Caitlin Clark drives by Mercury guard Celeste Taylor...