## Rookie Watch: The Titans' High-Stakes Gamble and Other Fresh Faces

Cam Ward has arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. The Titans’ top draft pick – a highly touted signal-caller who transferred between colleges before setting Division I passing records at Miami – takes over as starter after last season's dismal three-win performance. 

"Impressive," "fantastic," and "top prospect" are words being tossed around, but the preseason can be a crucible for rookies. Ward isn’t alone in facing scrutiny. 

**A Two-Way Trailblazer**
Travis Hunter's path is a unique one. Drafted No. 2 by the Jaguars, he aims to play both wide receiver and cornerback – just like his Heisman Trophy-winning days at Colorado.  

"He's still learning," admits Jaguars coach Liam Coen. But the team has packages designed for him on both sides of the ball. Will Hunter truly be a two-way threat in the NFL? 

**Running Back Renaissance?**
The Raiders, saddled with the league’s worst rushing attack last season, are betting on Ashton Jeanty to turn things around.  Drafted No. 6 overall – the highest running back selection since Saquon Barkley in 2018 – Jeanty burst onto the scene at Boise State, racking up over 2,600 yards and 29 touchdowns. Can he translate that success to the NFL?

**A Defensive Force Emerges**
Abdul Carter joined a Giants' pass rush already boasting Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence and dynamic edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.  Drafted No. 3 overall, Carter won't shoulder the entire load, but his potential is undeniable after racking up 23 ½ tackles for loss last season at Penn State.

**Can Sanders Rise From Draft Slump?**
Projected as a first-round pick, Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round, landing with the Browns. Now facing a crowded quarterback room – behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett – can he seize an opportunity in Cleveland's perpetually quarterback-challenged system? 




## Rookie Watch: The Titans' High-Stakes Gamble and Other Fresh Faces

Cam Ward has arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, with the weight of a franchise on his shoul

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL 

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL rookies to watch this season

## Philly's New Closer: Can Duran Deliver a Championship?

**Electric Arm Acquired from Twins**

HARRISON BADER knows what it takes to win. His brief time with Jhoan Duran in Minnesota gave him a front-row seat to the pitcher's electric arsenal. "Plain and simple, he has close-the-door stuff," Bader said. "Tough situation, runner on, maybe baseball happens, he kind of puts a couple runners on. He's got strikeout stuff to strike out three in a row. I've seen it all year. I've seen it on the other side."

Now both are Phillies. 


**Duran: Ready to Close the Deal**


The 27-year-old Duran, nicknamed "Durantulla" and known for his spider cleats, arrived with a resume that includes 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances this season.  He struck out 53 batters in 49 1/3 innings while throwing a four-seam fastball that averages an incredible 100.2 mph - second only to Mason Miller's 101.1 mph among those who have thrown 200 or more pitches.

"It's an honor to be part of this team," Duran said. "I know here I've got a chance to win the World Series.”  The Phillies are all-in on that chance, testing out his fire entrance on the big screen ahead of his debut Friday against Detroit.


**Bader: Defensive Stalwart with Power Potential**

Joining Duran is Harrison Bader, a 31-year-old Gold Glove winner who brings solid defense to all three outfield spots.  He also adds offensive firepower with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .778 OPS in 96 games.


Bader will start his Phillies career in center field as part of a platoon with Brandon Marsh against alternating right- and left-handed pitchers over the next six games. This "double-platoon" strategy also extends to left field, where lefty Max Kepler and Otto Kemp are paired up.

Manager Rob Thomson sees Bader's future at center field: "I see him sort of as the best center fielder we've got.”


**A Championship Contender?**


The Phillies hope these new additions will be enough to propel them past the New York Mets in the NL East and into the World Series. With a potent bullpen that already includes Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and soon-to-return José Alvarado, the pieces are in place for a deep playoff run. 



Duran's impressive velocity and Bader’s proven track record make this a promising pairing.  But will they be enough to bring home Philadelphia's first World Series title since 2008? The pennant race is heating up, and time will tell. 




## Philly's New Closer: Can Duran Deliver a Championship?

**Electric Arm Acquired from Twins**

HARRISON BADER knows what it takes to win. His brief time with 

Can Jhoan Duran&#39;s 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader&#3

Can Jhoan Duran&#39;s 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader&#39;s defense lead Phillies to a World Series?

## NASCAR Charter Dispute Halts Sale of Rick Ware Racing Team

**Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Amidst Legal Battle With Legacy Motor Club**

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A North Carolina judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Rick Ware Racing from selling its NASCAR team to T.J. Puchyr, throwing the ownership deal into limbo amidst an ongoing legal dispute with Jimmie Johnson-owned Legacy Motor Club. 

The order will remain in effect for 10 days, during which time Legacy Motor Club is required to post a $5 million bond by the end of business Friday. Rick Ware Racing's attorneys had initially requested a significantly larger bond amount of $150 million - the agreed-upon purchase price between RWR and Puchyr.

The legal battle stems from an agreement brokered by Puchyr, one of the founders of Spire Motorsports who now acts as a consultant to various race teams and sponsors, for Johnson's Legacy Motor Club to purchase one of Ware's two NASCAR charters.  Disagreements have arisen over which charter was agreed upon for sale and whether the deal is for 2026 or 2027.

NASCAR charters act as franchise tags, guaranteeing teams entry into every race and providing financial assurances. Ware currently fields a full-time car for his son, Cody, using one of his charters, while leasing the other to RFK Racing.

Before entering the agreement with Legacy Motor Club, Ware had already made a deal with RFK Racing to swap the charters and lease the other to RFK in 2026. The plan was then for Ware to sell a charter outright to Legacy in 2027.  Legacy's major investor is Knighthead Capital Management, a private equity firm valued at over $13 billion.

In court filings, Legacy Motor Club argued that Rick Ware “has shown a willingness to lie to Legacy and to the Court about the status of the deal,” following Puchyr's announcement in June to acquire RWR’s NASCAR team.

Legacy attorneys claim that if Ware is selling to Puchyr, the charter contractually should be sold to them. They argue that  "there is tremendous harm to plaintiff Legacy if this closing of these assets in fact happens."


**Conflicting Claims and Future Uncertainties**

Mark Henriques, counsel for Rick Ware Racing, maintains that both Ware and Puchyr intend to honor existing agreements but cannot meet the current terms of the charter purchase for 2026 due to the lease agreement with RFK Racing. RWR and Puchyr assert their plan is to lease to RFK in 2026 and sell to Legacy in 2027.

Henriques argued, "My clients did exactly what they had the freedom to do, work out a deal that meets the needs of the entity, and enter into a binding transaction that covers the entire business and yet keeps Cody racing.”

The trial is currently scheduled for January 2024, but Legacy has filed a second suit against Puchyr for interfering with its deal with Ware. Legacy has also terminated its consulting agreement with Puchyr.





## NASCAR Charter Dispute Halts Sale of Rick Ware Racing Team

**Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Amidst Legal Battle With Legacy Motor Club**

CHARLOTT

#Ap online other sports news

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL rookies to watch this season

Can Jhoan Duran's 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader's defense lead Phillies to a World Series?

Judge halts sale of Rick Ware Racing's NASCAR team amid legal battle with Legacy Motor Club

#Ap online other sports news

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL rookies to watch this season

Can Jhoan Duran&#39;s 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader&#39;s defense lead Phillies to a World Series?

Judge halts sale of Rick Ware Racing&#39;s NASCAR team amid legal battle with Legacy Motor Club

Can Jhoan Duran's 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader's defense lead Phillies to a World Series?

Judge halts sale of Rick Ware Racing's NASCAR team amid legal battle with Legacy Motor Club