On trial on riot charges, Hong Kong newlyweds prepared for life apart
On trial on riot charges, Hong Kong newlyweds prepared for life apart HONG KONG (Reuters) - For Valentine's Day this year, Henry Tong gave his wife, Elaine To, a photo book. It holds the memories of their life together: their first date six years ago, kissing in front of a pro-democracy "Lennon wall"; the tattooed bands on their ring fingers, symbolizing a bond not easily erased; and their wedding day last year, when he vowed to her, "Not even a nuclear explosion could break us apart.
Ed Oliver is in the clear legally after his May arrest, according to his attorney.
Houston attorney Gary Patterson said Wednesday that charges against Oliver of driving while intoxicated and illegally carrying a weapon have both been dropped due to lack of evidence. Drug tests did not show any drugs in Oliver’s system, and the inability to prove that Oliver was intoxicated renders the illegal weapon charge moot.
Michigan State football team to quarantine after two staffers test positive for coronavirus
The two-week quarantine essentially takes the team out of action until the official start of training camp, which is likely to leave players behind physically. The pandemic has had significant impacts on college football already. Beyond schedule changes, coaches have had to adapt and adjust due to a lack of in-person offseason activities. That’s especially hard for first-year coaches, including the Spartans’ Mel Tucker.Subscribe to Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the most comprehensive newsletter in sports. Customize your email to get the latest news on your favorite sports, teams and schools. Emailed daily.
Houston attorney Gary Patterson says all charges against @BuffaloBills DT Ed Oliver, former @UHCougarFB star, stemming from his arrest May 16 in Montgomery County, are being dismissed. Oliver was arrested for DWI & unlawfully carrying a weapon : “The charges against Ed Oliver..” pic.twitter.com/s4SzIER5m1
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 22, 2020
Oliver was arrested in May. Reports at the time stated that the Buffalo Bills defensive lineman was driving erratically and had an open beer container between his legs. He was also said to have failed a field sobriety test.
The 22-year-old is coming off a solid rookie season for the Bills which saw him record 43 total tackles and five sacks.
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Marlins postpone travel home due to coronavirus concerns
The Marlins concluded a series against the Phillies on Sunday and were set to return home to Miami for Monday’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Instead, the Marlins will not leave Philadelphia until Monday, and are set to get to Miami hours before their scheduled game. “We were more comfortable flying as a group later,” manager Don Mattingly said, via Steven Wine of the Associated Press. “We’re talking about these guys traveling back home to their families and their kids, and it’s the reason we want to be safe.”Multiple Marlins players, including scheduled Sunday starter Jose Urena, reportedly tested positive for the virus.
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Related slideshow: Biggest winners, losers in NFL offseason (Provided by Yardbarker)
The Bills added John Brown and Cole Beasley last offseason but were still missing a No. 1 receiver for young Josh Allen. The front office answered the call this offseason by acquiring former Vikings star Stefon Diggs, giving Allen everything he needs to take the Bills to the next level.
The Panthers have undergone a full rebuild this offseason, with changes at head coach and quarterback and at most defensive spots. While new head coach Matt Rhule might be the right man for the job and Teddy Bridgewater is a proven winner, it's still likely to be a long season for Carolina in a tough NFC South.
The Ravens had a disappointing finish to the 2020 season after going 14-2 in the regular season, losing to Tennessee in the divisional round. They were able to bring their core talent back from last year while making significant additions on defense, adding Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe and rookie linebacker Patrick Queen. They also helped Lamar Jackson on offense with second-round running back J.K. Dobbins and third-round wideout Devin Duvernay. There's reason to expect the Ravens to be playoff contenders again this year.
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Loser: Sam Darnold, QB, Jets
Darnold made some progress late in his second season, but the Jets haven't done much to help him this offseason. They did revamp their offensive line, but No. 1 wideout Robby Anderson was lost in free agency and replaced by the enigmatic Breshad Perriman and rookie Denzel Mims. It could be a lot to ask for more improvement from Darnold with worse weapons and an abbreviated offseason.
It remains to be seen if Cincinnati will be able to compete this year, but the Bengals had a perfectly executed offseason. The team addressed its obvious secondary woes by adding cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander, along with safety Vonn Bell. The Bengals also got talented linebackers Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither in the draft after taking quarterback Joe Burrow and wideout Tee Higgins. Additionally, Cincinnati was able to bring back former star wideout A.J. Green for one more season. Despite last year's struggles, there's reason for Bengals fans to be excited.
Clowney's big bet on a lucrative contract this offseason hasn't been lost yet, but it's not looking great. The former No. 1 overall draft choice didn't post big numbers in Seattle last year, with only three sacks in 13 games, and he's still dangling in free agency as arguably the top free agent remaining.
Lock played well near the end of his rookie season and has many more weapons to work with as he enters Year 2. Denver signed running back Melvin Gordon and prioritized offensive weapons early in the draft with wideouts Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, along with Lock's former Mizzou teammate tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. Denver's weapons don't stack up with Kansas City yet, but it's clear the team is hoping the influx of talent can help it compete with K.C. in the future.
Johnson has been inconsistent in his first two seasons and now faces a major challenge after the Lions drafted D'Andre Swift in the second round. Over two seasons, Johnson has played a total of 18 games and averaged only 3.6 yards per carry last year. Without significant progress, he will likely lose the starting job at running back.
Fresh off his first Super Bowl victory, Mahomes not only has all of his receivers back from 2019 but also gets gifted receiving running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire added to the fray. In a shortened offseason, returning the same players as last season could be key, and Mahomes has all of his old friends back for 2020.
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Loser: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Redskins
Haskins is the unquestioned starter in Washington going into his second season, but the team hasn't done much to help him. He's already on his second coaching staff, and the Redskins were quiet in free agency. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin looks like a budding star, but improvement in 2020 will be squarely on Haskins' shoulders.
Mayfield regressed in his second season, but Cleveland has done a lot to help him. The first move was the hiring of former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. The team then gave former Falcons tight end Austin Hooper big money in the offseason and fixed the offensive line with right tackle Jack Conklin and first-round left tackle Jedrick Wills. The additions should leave Mayfield with no excuses in his third season.
The check came due on all of the Rams big contracts this offseason. The result was losing Dante Fowler and Cory Littleton on defense while also cutting Todd Gurley and trading Brandin Cooks. The result is a team that clearly has less talent than 2019 in one of the best divisions in the NFL.
Minshew's emergence was a surprise after being drafted in the sixth round last year, and the Jaguars seem to be all in on the young quarterback in 2020. Jacksonville traded Nick Foles and failed to draft a quarterback in the first round despite the opportunity with multiple picks. The team could sink or swim with Minshew this year.
Mack surpassed 1,000 yards rushing last year, and he was "rewarded" by the Colts drafting running back Jonathan Taylor in the second round. The Colts say they will have co-starters at running back, but Taylor's elite athleticism and college production indicate his potential to run away with the starting job.
Murray got the benefit of the creative Kliff Kingsbury offense in his first season, and now he has arguably the best wide receiver in the game with the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins from Houston. Of course, the Cardinals didn't stop there, re-signing running back Kenyan Drake and drafting tackle Josh Jones in the third round. The offensive talent is loaded for Murray in his sophomore year.
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Loser: Cam Newton, QB, Free Agent
The Panthers moved on from Newton in the offseason, and his window for finding a starting job in 2020 looks like it's closed. He's yet to find a taker in free agency and will likely have to settle as a backup after playing only two games last year due to a foot injury.
New England's surprising inaction has worked to Stidham's benefit this year. The second-year quarterback is set to be the Patriots starting quarterback after the team moved on from Tom Brady and failed to add a clear replacement. New England's weapons do leave much to be desired and were part of the reason for Brady's demise last year, but it's clear the Patriots liked what they saw during Stidham's rookie season.
Ngakoue has demanded a trade with clear unhappiness in Jacksonville. However, the Jaguars went through the draft without trading the star pass rusher, so the two sides could be at a stalemate entering training camp. It doesn't look like a great situation for either side.
No team has done more to improve this offseason than the Bucs, replacing the turnover-prone Jameis Winston with Tom Brady and also bringing Rob Gronkowski out of retirement. It's true that Brady did struggle in New England last year, but the personnel around him was also worse than usual. He has an elite receiving corps in Tampa Bay with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Gronk, along with the help of rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs. The Bucs were also able to retain all of their elite pass rushers last season, led by Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. The organization has legitimate reason to be considered a contender.
Rodgers didn't put up huge numbers last year due in part to his lack of weapons beyond Davante Adams. Unfortunately, the Packers were mostly quiet in free agency and the draft, using their first-round pick on Rodgers' likely long-term replacement, Jordan Love. Rodgers can't do everything himself, but the Packers apparently think otherwise.
Tannehill led the Titans to a 7-3 regular season record after replacing Marcus Mariota last season, and he game-managed them to the AFC championship. There were rumors in the offseason that Tennessee would bring in Tom Brady, but instead Tannehill got a four-year, $118 million contract with $62 million guaranteed. Tannehill couldn't have hoped for a better outcome after signing a one-year, below market deal last offseason.
It's been a rough offseason for Trubisky, with the Bears acquiring Nick Foles from Jacksonville and declining Trubisky's fifth-year option. He could be a lame duck with Chicago in 2020 and also could hold the clipboard for the entire season while Foles leads the team.
Williams sat out all of last season after a disagreement with the Redskins organization and finally got the trade he demanded this offseason, being sent to San Francisco to replace the retiring Joe Staley at left tackle. Instantly, Williams went from the worst team in the NFC to the best and should get a huge contract soon if he proves that he hasn't lost a step.
Wentz has a big contract from Philadelphia, and his starting job is secure in the immediate future. However, the Eagles shocked the football world when they selected quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round, giving the team a viable backup for the oft-injured Wentz and possibly a long-term replacement if the injuries continue. The good news for Wentz is that he did get some help at wideout, with Philadelphia drafting Jalen Reagor in the first round.
One Phillies coach, one clubhouse staffer test positive for COVID-19 .
The plan had been for the Phillies to resume play on Saturday. Whether that is now in jeopardy isn’t known. The organization has already dealt with some infections earlier this year, but managed to avoid further spread within the club.This is worrisome news on several levels. First and foremost, it’s concerning to see two more individuals in the game carrying this disease. Hopefully they’ll both make a swift and full recovery.Beyond that, it’s obviously concerning to see that spread (presumably) occurred between the teams.
On trial on riot charges, Hong Kong newlyweds prepared for life apart HONG KONG (Reuters) - For Valentine's Day this year, Henry Tong gave his wife, Elaine To, a photo book. It holds the memories of their life together: their first date six years ago, kissing in front of a pro-democracy "Lennon wall"; the tattooed bands on their ring fingers, symbolizing a bond not easily erased; and their wedding day last year, when he vowed to her, "Not even a nuclear explosion could break us apart. 
The two-week quarantine essentially takes the team out of action until the official start of training camp, which is likely to leave players behind physically. The pandemic has had significant impacts on college football already. Beyond schedule changes, coaches have had to adapt and adjust due to a lack of in-person offseason activities. That’s especially hard for first-year coaches, including the Spartans’ Mel Tucker.Subscribe to Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the most comprehensive newsletter in sports. Customize your email to get the latest news on your favorite sports, teams and schools. Emailed daily. 
The Marlins concluded a series against the Phillies on Sunday and were set to return home to Miami for Monday’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Instead, the Marlins will not leave Philadelphia until Monday, and are set to get to Miami hours before their scheduled game. “We were more comfortable flying as a group later,” manager Don Mattingly said, via Steven Wine of the Associated Press. “We’re talking about these guys traveling back home to their families and their kids, and it’s the reason we want to be safe.”Multiple Marlins players, including scheduled Sunday starter Jose Urena, reportedly tested positive for the virus. 
On trial on riot charges, Hong Kong newlyweds prepared for life apart HONG KONG (Reuters) - For Valentine's Day this year, Henry Tong gave his wife, Elaine To, a photo book. It holds the memories of their life together: their first date six years ago, kissing in front of a pro-democracy "Lennon wall"; the tattooed bands on their ring fingers, symbolizing a bond not easily erased; and their wedding day last year, when he vowed to her, "Not even a nuclear explosion could break us apart.
© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports DUI charges against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver have been dropped. 
It appears that the recent run of COVID-19 infections within the Marlins organization has prompted further contemplation of rules changes. The MLB Players Association has reached out to its members to gauge their sentiment regarding a few potential tweaks, per Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic. © Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports The 30-man roster currently is in effect for first 2 weeks of the season. The proposed changes, if enacted, would be in place for the 2020 season. Right now, the 2 matters are only under discussion. No firm decisions made by the union or MLB. https://t. 
On trial on riot charges, Hong Kong newlyweds prepared for life apart 
Michigan State football team to quarantine after two staffers test positive... 
Marlins postpone travel home due to coronavirus concerns 
MLB, MLBPA reportedly considering further rules changes for 2020 
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NFL opt-out deadline likely to be delayed? 
One Phillies coach, one clubhouse staffer test positive for COVID-19 
