Since Triple H took over as head of creative of WWE in 2022, certain stars have become essential viewing for their in-ring talent. Wrestlers such as Chad Gable and IYO SKY have been given more opportunities to showcase their abilities in the ring, while also proving to be some of the most relied-upon stars to deliver a good match on any given night.
In a recent edition of “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray revealed which WWE star he would choose to watch compete in the ring on a nightly basis if given the option to watch only one match.
“I think if you gave me a choice and you said you can only watch one person’s match tonight, I think I’d say GUNTHER, ’cause I know I’m going to get something that I love. I know that there’s going to be a great story in the match along with great physicality. I’m just saying like maybe a top three guy, he’s bang for your buck, give me a GUNTHER match,” he said. “Dude, GUNTHER and Sami Zayn is really good stuff. It doesn’t scream Rock-Hogan, but, man, is it a great match. GUNTHER, he’s so, so good at what he does, I don’t try to find holes in people’s game. You watch GUNTHER’s stuff, you can’t find holes in his game.”
GUNTHER has easily entered the conversation for WWE’s best in-ring competitor at the moment, with his matches against Sami Zayn,Sheamus and Drew McIntyre being great examples of why “The Ring General” is considered one of the most talented performers in pro wrestling today.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Bully Ray Names WWE Star He’d Want To See Wrestle Every Night
In a recent interview, wrestling legend Bully Ray revealed the WWE star he would love to see wrestle every night. And that star is none other than “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns.
Bully Ray, who is known for his no-nonsense attitude and hard-hitting style, praised Reigns for his in-ring skills and presence. He expressed his admiration for Reigns’ ability to connect with the audience and deliver compelling matches every time he steps into the ring.
According to Bully Ray, watching Reigns wrestle is like watching a master at work. He believes that Reigns has all the qualities of a top-tier wrestler and would love to see him in action on a nightly basis.
Fans of both Bully Ray and Roman Reigns can only imagine the epic battles that would ensue if these two were to face off in the ring. Perhaps one day, this dream match will become a reality and fans will be treated to a showdown for the ages.
Until then, we can only marvel at the thought of witnessing Roman Reigns in action night after night, putting on a show that will leave fans in awe.
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Bully Ray, WWE, wrestling, dream match, professional wrestling, WWE superstar, dream opponent, wrestling legend, wrestling dream match, Bully Ray interview, wrestling news, WWE news, wrestling match-ups
ASHBURN, Va. — Back in the spring, well before Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had been named the starter, veteran teammates such as tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Terry McLaurin had a feeling the rookie would excel in the NFL.
By the end of training camp, they were certain.
“I was telling everyone that would listen how good he would be,” Ertz said. “Just something got me really excited. I knew there would be some growing pains, but his ability to work and his humility to get better is what sets him apart.”
Now, the rest of the NFL is catching up.
Daniels has been a transformational player for the Commanders, helping the franchise rebound from a 4-13 campaign in 2023 to a 14-5 record (including the playoffs) and playing in its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season. And if they can beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Fox), he will become the first rookie QB to start in a Super Bowl.
During the regular season, Daniels ranked fourth in QBR, behind MVP front-runners Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Over his two postseason games, he has the highest Total QBR (86.8), throwing for 567 yards passing and four touchdowns and amassing another 87 yards rushing while fueling Washington to road upsets over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and top-seeded Detroit Lions in the wild-card and divisional rounds, respectively.
Teammates, coaches and members of the organization say Daniels’ on-field success was sowed by what he has shown them behind the scenes since his arrival. They’ve observed a diligent student who loves to prepare, an inquisitive mind with attention to detail uncommon for rookie QBs, an instinctual leader, a cool head who embraces — and excels in — big moments and a competitor who’s also able to have fun in any situation.
During a minicamp session in June, McLaurin — who had played with 10 different starting quarterbacks in Washington from 2019 to 2023 — was asked about Daniels. He beamed as he spoke about the rookie’s preparation and desire for extra reps after practice.
A day later, as McLaurin warmed up on the sideline before practice, a reporter told the six-year pro that he had never looked or sounded so enthusiastic about a quarterback.
“He’s the real deal,” McLaurin said.
SHORTLY AFTER THE organized team activities began in late May, Ertz had seen enough of Daniels to make a bold comparison.
“I compared him to Andrew Luck, which is the ultimate compliment,” Ertz said.
Luck, the former first overall pick in 2012 who was tabbed as a generational quarterback prospect, played with Ertz at Stanford.
“Andrew had a gravitational pull. Guys just wanted to be around him,” Ertz said. “He just wanted to be one of the guys and Jayden is very similar. Guys just want to be around him because he doesn’t view himself as anyone other than one of the guys.
“His approach to the game has really been different compared to a lot of people I’ve been around. A lot of times when you’re young there’s a lot of trial and error and oftentimes, you’re reactionary in terms of how your process is: ‘After I fail a couple times maybe I’ll do X, Y and Z more.’ Whereas Jayden from the moment he first got here he was the first one in the building studying as much as possible.”
Washington’s plan in the spring was to have Daniels earn the starting job through his preparation, habits and play throughout the offseason program. As a result, Daniels worked with the second unit while veteran Marcus Mariota took snaps as the starter.
But for Ertz, it was clear early Daniels would be QB1 when the 2024 season started (the Commanders made it official on Aug. 19). Daniels’ eagerness to learn stood out. The rookie was constantly talking to veterans during practice, from Ertz to McLaurin to 11-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, peppering them with questions.
Anticipating Daniels’ eventual promotion, Ertz said he began asking to run with the second-team offense in two-minute drills to get more time — and a head start — with Washington’s future quarterback.
“The physical tools stood out immediately,” Ertz said, “the way the ball popped out of his hands. [But] it was the stuff that not everyone sees that stuck out the most.”
Washington guard Sam Cosmi saw it too. When he signed a four-year, $74 million extension days before the season started, he cited Daniels as one of the reasons he was thrilled to have his future tied to the franchise.
“We got a special, special dude,” Cosmi said in September. “That makes me excited to be here.”
Daniels got the coaching staff’s attention early as well. During a rookie minicamp session in early May, passing game coordinator Brian Johnson was left in awe as he watched Daniels operate in practice.
“He came out here and it was like bang, bang, bang, bang,” Johnson said. “Just completion after completion and the ball didn’t hit the ground. He had the install completely dialed and locked in. You become impressed, not only by the results [but] by the work and the action. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do — and he goes out there and does it every single day.”
Daniels has continued his impressive displays to teammates throughout the season. During a late November practice, safety Jeremy Reaves played a coverage in a way that surprised Daniels. After practice, Daniels asked Reaves why he had done it that way, and, “Do I need to do better with my eyes here? From a concept standpoint how can we make it [better]?”
“It’s refreshing,” Reaves said. “You don’t see that a lot.”
Ertz agreed.
“I’ve been around high draft picks — they feel they have all the answers,” Ertz said. “Jayden was the complete opposite. He’s asking me about certain plays, why I ran a certain route this time, how could the timing be a little better. It was the humility that stood out to me.”
IN WEEK 5 against the Cleveland Browns, McLaurin finished with four catches for 112 yards. But up 31-6 in the third quarter, he couldn’t hang onto a pass in the corner of the end zone. It was not officially ruled a drop, but McLaurin considered it one and he had already fumbled that quarter.
It bothered him on the bench, and Daniels noticed.
“I expect a lot of myself,” McLaurin said. “He came over to me and sat down and talked to me and was like, ‘First of all, we’re winning. You’re playing great. You’re going to make that play nine times out of 10. We trust you and I trust you, so I’m going to continue to come back to you and don’t sweat the small mishaps.’”
Later in the season against Atlanta, McLaurin was held to one catch for 5 yards. Again, Daniels noticed. And again, after throwing a third-quarter touchdown pass to Ertz, Daniels ran over to McLaurin and said, “Hey, look at me. Stay in it. You’re going to make a play.”
McLaurin found opportunities to reciprocate. One week after beating the Browns, Washington lost at Baltimore 30-23. A visibly angry Daniels sat on a cooler next to the bench as the Ravens ran out the clock — it was a look McLaurin had not previously seen from the QB.
“I’ve never seen a quarterback that upset after a game,” McLaurin said. “He wasn’t throwing his helmet, he wasn’t cussing anybody out, but you could see how mad and frustrated he was. That spoke to me. You could tell how much he cares. … I told him, ‘I love seeing that in you; don’t ever lose that fire of hating to lose a game. That’s what’s going to make you different.’”
Daniels also has the ability to build relationships, which has especially been evident with Wagner — a Super Bowl champ and future Hall of Famer. The two developed a bond early on; Daniels talked often with veterans but became closer with the former leader of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense.
The ease with which Daniels developed a rapport with such a star veteran was uncommon for a rookie, teammates and coaches said. They sit together front and center in team meetings. They also bicker like siblings, with Daniels unafraid to needle the 13-year pro who is 10 years his senior.
In a news conference earlier this month, Daniels began an answer about Wagner by saying, “He’s annoying” before praising Wagner’s leadership.
When asked what was annoying about Wagner, Daniels deadpanned to reporters, “Everything.”
On New Year’s Day, Wagner was asked about having Daniels and other rookies on their leadership committee. As he started to answer, Daniels walked past and said, “Shut up, Bobby.”
“See, I’m trying to give him a compliment and on cue he just messes it up,” Wagner said.
Daniels walked past again, and Wagner yelled to him, “Pull your pants up.”
The reply: “Bobby Wagner’s annoying.”
“This is how we’re starting the new year off,” Wagner said.
DANIELS ARRIVES AT the Commanders’ facility between 5 and 5:30 a.m. every Wednesday through Friday during the season to begin working on the game plan for the upcoming opponent.
Daniels spends around 30 minutes watching film, sometimes alone in the quarterbacks meeting room and other times on his iPad while soaking in the hot tub. Then, around 6 a.m., Daniels, Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard head over to the practice bubble to walk through the approximately 60 to 70 plays on the game plan list for that week.
“I mean, 6 a.m. is early for a younger cat,” Kingsbury said, “[Daniels] wants to be there. That’s the thing I appreciate. I’ve never once felt that energy [from him] like, ‘Oh, here we go again.’ It’s like, ‘Let’s go!’ And that to me is the most impressive thing I’ve seen so far is just the want to be great and the competitive stamina to be … always open to learning.”
Indeed, Daniels does preparation with Washington’s virtual reality technology — something he started his last year at LSU — and work on the headset either before or after practice every day. But Kingsbury said, “He likes to be out there doing it, seeing it.”
“The best lesson in life is failure,” Daniels said of the extra reps the morning walk-throughs afford him. “So, I get to fail in those types of situations and move forward. So, by the time game time comes, I’m not thinking about [it], just going out there and playing.”
To simulate game situations, Kingsbury calls in the plays with his phone, then runs routes. Daniels, wearing a helmet, gets the playcall through his AirPods before receiving the snap from Pritchard. Before the snap, Kingsbury tells Daniels what coverage he should expect and reminds him about his drops and reads. The goal, they say, is to paint a mental picture so Daniels can visualize what it would look like in a game.
Kingsbury is often the primary receiver. Sometimes he’ll say he’s covered so Daniels has to find his next read. The three men go over various in-game scenarios: 30 seconds left, need a touchdown, red zone work. They’ll call out one-word plays that have multiple options and a specific snap count — a two-word play, Taylor Swift, resulted in a touchdown pass to rookie Ben Sinnott earlier this year.
Kingsbury and Pritchard said Daniels rarely needs a reminder of his responsibility on a given play.
“He’s had this material for less than 12 hours,” Pritchard said. “He’s really in tune with where we are already.”
Daniels receives the game plan from the staff around 6 p.m. Tuesday, studies it for 90 minutes and often draws out the plays in a notebook.
“When I can get here in the morning, I’m able to go in there and kind of just walk through it and I’ll visualize it, walk through this or the reads, footwork,” he said, “and if I have any questions? Kliff and [Pritchard] are answering them right then and there.”
Daniels’ meticulous game prep doesn’t end in the bubble. He texts Kingsbury about plays he’s seen in other games or watched on YouTube. Kingsbury likes that the plays he sends match Washington’s concepts.
On the morning of the season opener at Tampa Bay, Daniels asked Kingsbury for one more walk-through before heading to the stadium. So Kingsbury, Pritchard, assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough and quarterbacks Mariota and Jeff Driskel headed to a ballroom for one final round of mental reps. This scene has repeated itself every game-day morning since — a routine Kingsbury said he’s never seen before but helps explain what he’s seen from Daniels’ way of processing all along.
“His football knowledge is beyond what I think any rookie quarterback anybody could ever possibly expect it to be,” Kingsbury said. “He’ll bring up things and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t even think about that, but it’s a valid point.’ He’ll make corrections on plays that I’ve designed, I’ll f— him up and he’ll be like, ‘No, no coach, you were on this side when we were doing our walk-through.’ ‘Really? Yeah. OK. You’re right.’”
And a key part of that knowledge is homed in the bubble, ending around two and a half hours before the first team meeting of the day.
“All I know,” one assistant coach said, “is that when I get here they’re coming out of the bubble.”
DANIELS HAS ALREADY become known for being a late-game hero. He has led six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, which highlights the competitiveness and calmness under pressure teammates have seen from him all season.
There was the 27-yard pass to McLaurin in a Week 3 “Monday Night Football” win over Cincinnati with 2:17 left for a 38-26 lead. He led game-winning drives versus the New York Giants in Week 2; against Chicago in Week 8; against Philadelphia in Week 16; against Atlanta in Week 17; and at Tampa Bay in the wild-card playoff win on Jan. 12.
Daniels leads the NFL with six touchdown passes in the final four minutes of regulation (and posted a 95.6 quarterback rating).
“It’s what you live for,” he said. “I’m just competitive, man. I just want to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.”
During practices, Washington’s quarterbacks will compete to see who the most accurate passer is while throwing into a net with three designated landing spots. On Fridays, they toss a ball from about 30 to 40 yards into a yellow garbage can positioned in the corner of the end zone. Afterward, Daniels and Blough play a game of HORSE with throws into the net.
“He likes to trash talk. He’s got a good trash talk game. I’ll give him that,” Blough said. “I’m only 29, but he makes me feel like an old man sometimes and he can tell I don’t have the same arm strength I used to and it’s the reason I retired. He’ll remind me of that.”
The joy Daniels brings while competing shows itself in each game. Washington guard Nick Allegretti said sometimes he’ll hear Daniels scream at the end of scrambles.
“It’s the excitement to yell,” Allegretti said. “It’s like you’re stealing yards, and it brings energy to the whole team. It definitely gives him juice. Whenever that happens the flow just starts to feel really, really good. He’s cooking.”
Teammates say Daniels is even-keeled in tense moments, which is a by-product, Daniels said, of all the work he’s put in behind the scenes — before the season and during.
After Washington beat Tampa Bay with a last-second field goal, Daniels sat stone-faced on the bench for a second, before standing up, smiling and then calmly walking to an interview.
“He has a very unique calmness about it,” Johnson said. “A silent assassin.”
Introduction:
In a stunning turn of events, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has managed to convince the Washington Commanders coaching staff that he has what it takes to be a star in the NFL. Let’s take a closer look at how he was able to do so.
Impressive Performance in Training Camp:
From the moment he stepped onto the field at training camp, Daniels turned heads with his arm strength, accuracy, and poise under pressure. He consistently outperformed his competition and showed a level of maturity beyond his years.
Command of the Offense:
Despite being a rookie, Daniels quickly picked up the playbook and demonstrated a deep understanding of the team’s offensive scheme. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions impressed coaches and teammates alike.
Leadership Skills:
Daniels didn’t just excel on the field, he also showed strong leadership qualities both on and off the field. He earned the respect of his teammates with his work ethic, humility, and willingness to learn from veterans.
Preseason Success:
In the preseason games, Daniels continued to shine, showing his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. He led the Commanders to several impressive victories and proved that he could handle the pressure of playing in the NFL.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Jayden Daniels’ impressive performance throughout training camp and the preseason has convinced the Washington Commanders that he has what it takes to be a star in the NFL. With his talent, work ethic, and leadership skills, Daniels is poised to make a significant impact in his rookie season and beyond.
Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie is ready to officially inherit the mantle of Captain America from his friend and former costar Chris Evans. Mackie has starred as Sam WIlson in many MCU projects starting with 2014’s Captain America: The WInter Soldier, and his character started off as the Falcon, a sidekick to Evan’s Steve Rogers/Captain America. In Avengers: Endgame, Steve passed his iconic shield to Sam, who properly took on the title at the end of the DIsney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Coincidentally, the real-life story of Mackie discovering he would be the new Captain America involved Evans passing the torch. Speaking with Fandango as part of their Big Ticket interview series, Mackie told the memorable story of how Evans delivered the life-changing news, which made both stars jump “around in a circle high-fiving like two 12 year-olds that just met Mickey Mouse.” According to the actor, Evan dropped the news while filming in Atlanta.
Mackie went into further detail, stating:
“It was a bunch of us at his house–he had this crazy house–sitting there watching a game, shooting the sh*t. […] So he goes, ‘have you read the new script?’ I said, ‘ nah.’ […] And he was like ‘you don’t know?’ And you know, being black, I’m like ‘I’mma die, damn. They’re getting rid of me, man. I don’t even cause no trouble. I stand in the back, like I don’t bother nobody.’ So he’s like ‘c’mon, c’mon.’ […] In his house, he had like a trap door that went to a basement that was like the man cave of all man caves. He has all of his marvel stuff laid out, his new script and all this stuff. And I’m like ‘oh, this is your prep room.’”
“He gets the new script. He goes to like the last 10 pages, and he goes ‘read it!’ So me thinking they killed me off […] I get to the part and it’s like, you know, I’m reading the scene between us, and it goes ‘he hands him the shield.’ I’m like, ‘so why did you give me the shield? He’s like, ‘because you’re f**king Captain America.’ […] We hug, we jump up and down… It was hilarious.”
Because of Evans, Mackie “knew [he] could handle” playing Captain America. As such, the actor says he “couldn’t imagine finding out any other way.”
What Anthony Mackie’s Story About Becoming Captain America Means
The story of Mackie learning he will become Captain America parallels that of Sam in some regard. While Evans did not go back in time then bequeath the shield to Mackie, he did still pass on the role friend to friend, which is incredibly special. Evans is synonymous with the role of Captain America, so Mackie receiving his seal of approval is a huge deal. Like Steve knowing Sam could handle the shield, so did Evans with Mackie.
Captain America: Brave New World director Julius Onah reveals that stars Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez brought “heart and soul” to the MCU film.
Moreover, Mackie seems to draw confidence from Evans’ faith in him. Given that Steve’s legacy looms large in the MCU, this may factor into Mackie’s performance as Sam, who honors Steve’s legacy while remaining his own man. Likewise, Mackie will continue to play Sam as the same character audiences have followed for over a decade, but with a new responsibility attached to his role as a franchise lead.
Our Take On Anthony Mackie’s Story About Becoming Captain America
Mackie has been a reliably entertaining part of the MCU, and his take on Captain America will likely not deviate from this trend. Evans’ enthusiasm bodes well not just for Mackie, but also for audiences as well. It’s heartwarming that the real-life transition between Evans and Mackie playing Captain America mirrors that of Steve and Sam. Regardless, Mackie’s Sam will finally get to shine as a leading man in Captain America: Brave New World.
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers’ successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
As fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe know, the conclusion of “Avengers: Endgame” saw Steve Rogers passing on the mantle of Captain America to Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie. But what many may not realize is that Mackie himself had no idea he would be taking on this iconic role until the very last minute.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mackie revealed that he didn’t find out about his character’s big promotion until he received the script for “Endgame.” He shared, “I got a call from the Russos, and they said, ‘Come down to Atlanta. We want to pitch you this idea for the new Captain America.’ I’m like, ‘I’m in!’”
Mackie’s excitement and surprise at being chosen as the new Captain America mirror the emotions of fans who were shocked by the unexpected twist in the film. But despite not knowing his character’s fate until the eleventh hour, Mackie embraced the role with enthusiasm and dedication, making his debut as the new Captain America in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
The revelation of Mackie’s casting as the new Captain America serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the MCU and the surprises that can come with each new installment. And as fans eagerly anticipate the future of the franchise, they can rest assured that Mackie will continue to honor the legacy of Steve Rogers while bringing his own unique spin to the character of Captain America.
The Vikings have a decision to make at the quarterback position this offseason. If Sam Darnold leaves in free agency — whether because he isn’t offered a contract by Minnesota or he chooses to take more money elsewhere — there’s a good chance 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy will be in line to win the starting job this fall.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus tear suffered in the preseason opener in mid-August, but the Vikings are pleased with where he’s at in his recovery process.
“I’m very excited about where J.J.’s at,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Thursday. “He’s returned to on-field training. He’s right where we hoped he would be at this point.”
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who spoke before O’Connell, said he had just run into McCarthy while walking around TCO Performance Center prior to his press conference. He said McCarthy was in the weight room doing “those cool quarterback thrusty things that Dak (Prescott) does.” He also noted that the rookie QB is back to throwing in on-field workouts.
“He looks great,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s excited. You talk about a kid who’s just obsessed with football and loves being around the game. So we’re excited about what we have in him. We’re excited for this offseason for him.”
The Vikings became enamored with McCarthy in the pre-draft process and made sure they landed the former Michigan star by moving up one spot to select him tenth overall in April. His progression over the ensuing four months, from rookie minicamp up through training camp and one impressive preseason game, validated a lot of what they thought they were getting. Before he got hurt, he was in the mix to win the job, even if Darnold was probably the favorite at the time.
“This guy is so motivated and so dialed in,” O’Connell said back in August, shortly after McCarthy’s season-ending injury was announced. “As excited as I was to draft him, he’s confirmed everything that I hoped to see. Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback in the building.”
At the time of the injury, the Vikings’ plan seemed to be this: Get whatever they could out of Darnold in 2024, then wish him well in free agency and hand the keys over to McCarthy. Then Darnold went out and led the Vikings to 14 wins, finished in the top five in the league in passing yards and touchdowns, and made the Pro Bowl. That seemed to change the outlook of the decision, at least for a while. And then Darnold flopped in blowout losses in the two biggest games of the season, perhaps swinging the pendulum back to the original plan.
All along, McCarthy basically had a college redshirt year. He was fully involved in meetings and film study and helping Darnold prepare for each and every week, taking countless mental reps. He learned a lot.
“I think he maximized what this year was for him,” O’Connell said when asked if the Vikings would be comfortable with him as their Week 1 starter this year. “I think he’s got a level of comfort in our offensive system and getting to have a front row seat for every aspect of what Sam went through, from being in the first year in our system and watching it kind of morph and grow and adapt as the season went on, why we do things. … I think him being able to absorb a lot of that and now have a really positive offseason from start to finish here will be able to give us the answer to that question. Very excited about the opportunity to be there with J.J. as he continues to move through this wonderful thing we call the quarterback world.”
Adofo-Mensah expressed similar sentiments when asked the same question about McCarthy’s potential to be their starter this year.
“We don’t know what was going to happen in the finish of the training camp,” he said. “But (J.J.) got a great mental year, as a redshirt year. The process that they had, in our exit meetings with him, talking about how much he learned this year compared to other years in his football life, just exponential, which you would expect for a young player in this building. So I think we’re really confident in him, his work ethic, and his preparation.
“I can’t sit here and tell you I know anything for certain. I know that I’m willing to believe in the person that we have. That position is about talent and preparation, and he’s got those things in spades. So if that’s the course of action we decide, we’ll go there confidently.”
The Minnesota Vikings are feeling confident in quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s recovery process as he continues to rehab from a recent injury. The team’s doctors and trainers have been closely monitoring McCarthy’s progress and are pleased with the results so far.
“J.J. is right where we hoped he’d be at this point in his recovery,” said Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. “He has been working tirelessly to get back on the field, and we are optimistic about his return.”
McCarthy suffered a serious injury during a game earlier this season, but he has been diligent in his rehabilitation efforts. The Vikings have been impressed with his determination and work ethic throughout the process.
“We have full confidence in J.J. and his ability to come back stronger than ever,” said Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. “He is a vital part of our team, and we are looking forward to having him back on the field soon.”
While there is still work to be done in McCarthy’s recovery, the Vikings are encouraged by his progress and are hopeful for a successful return to the field in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on McCarthy’s recovery process as he continues to work towards getting back in the game. #SkolVikings #JJMcCarthy #RecoveryProcess.
Joe Biden regrets having pulled out of this year’s presidential race and believes he would have defeated Donald Trump in last month’s election – despite negative poll indications, White House sources have said.
The US president has reportedly also said he made a mistake in choosing Merrick Garland as attorney general – reflecting that Garland, a former US appeals court judge, was slow to prosecute Donald Trump for his role in the 6 January 2021insurrection while presiding over a justice department that aggressively prosecuted Biden’s son Hunter.
With just more than three weeks of his single-term presidency remaining, Biden’s reported rueful reflections are revealed in a Washington Post profile that contains the clearest signs yet that he thinks he erred in withdrawing his candidacy in July after a woeful debate performance against his rival for the White House, Trump, the previous month.
The president stepped aside – to be replaced as his party’s nominee by the US vice-president, Kamala Harris – after mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, who cited polling evidence that appeared to show him heading for a near-certain election drubbing from Trump, who was seeking a historic return to the White House as the Republicans’ nominee.
Harris’s ascent to the top of the ticket led to a surge of enthusiasm and improved poll numbers but ultimately ended in a decisive electoral college and popular vote defeat.
While Biden and his aides have been careful not to blame Harris, they apparently believe the result would have been different if he had stood his ground, according to the Washington Post’s reporting.
It is a view disputed by many Harris supporters, who blame the president for waiting too long before withdrawing, thus leaving the vice-president with little time to mount an effective campaign.
They also point out that Biden’s determination to seek a second term violated his 2020 campaign vow to be a “transitional” figure, who would pass the torch after one term after steering the country away from Trump’s presidency.
“Biden ran on the promise that he was going to be a transitional president, and in effect, have one term before handing it off to another generation,” Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic senator for Connecticut told the Post.
“I think his running again broke that concept – the conceptual underpinning of the theory that he would end the Trump appeal, he would defeat Trumpism and enable a new era.”
The outgoing president’s misgivings over Garland are poignant given that he announced him as his attorney general nominee the day after a Trump-incited mob attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in an effort that ultimately failed to overturn Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory.
At the time, Biden said Garland would restore “the honor, the integrity, the independence” of the justice department after years of perceived politicisation under Trump.
“Your loyalty is not to me. It’s to the law, to the constitution, to the people of this nation,” Biden told Garland at his official unveiling.
But according to the Post, Biden had to be persuaded by his chief of staff, Ron Klain, to choose Garland – at the time best known as Barack Obama’s failed choice to succeed the conservative justice Antonin Scalia on the US supreme court before his nomination was derailed by a Republican-led Senate.
Biden’s political allies had pressed the case for Doug Jones, then a Democratic senator for Alabama, arguing that he would be better equipped to navigate Washington’s bitterly partisan atmosphere. Klain, instead, argued that Garland, reputed for fairness, would send a more reassuring message of justice department independence after Trump.
As events transpired, Biden still faced false accusations by Trump of “weaponising” the department as it pursued criminal investigations over his January 6 role and for hoarding classified White House documents – even while also investigating Hunter Biden and the president himself, the latter for also illegally retaining classified documents.
Biden now believes he should have chosen someone else, the Post reported, a view consistent with many Democrats, who believe Garland was too slow to investigate and eventually prosecute Trump for January 6 and related activities to reverse his defeat.
The deliberate pace of the investigation, which eventually resulted in the appointment of a special counsel, Jack Smith, meant Trump was ultimately able to avoid the spectacle of a politically damaging trial before this year’s election.
Smith last month formally applied for his two criminal cases against Trump to be wound up in view of his election victory, in effect ending them.
It has been reported that former Vice President Joe Biden has expressed regret over his decision to end his re-election campaign earlier this year. According to sources close to Biden, he believes that he would have been able to defeat President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Biden, who was seen as a frontrunner in the Democratic primary race before dropping out, has reportedly been reflecting on his decision to step aside. He is said to believe that he had a strong chance of winning the nomination and ultimately defeating Trump in the general election.
While Biden has not officially commented on these reports, many of his supporters are expressing disappointment over his decision to end his campaign. Some believe that he would have been a strong candidate against Trump, given his experience and name recognition.
As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen how Biden’s decision will impact the Democratic race. With the field narrowing down to a few frontrunners, Biden’s potential re-entry into the race could shake things up once again. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
