Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Donald Trump held a conference call with commissioners from North American sports leagues Saturday to discuss their responses to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The president said he believes the NFL schedule should start on time in September, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Included in the call were Adam Silver (NBA), Cathy Engelbert (WNBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Roger Goodell (NFL), Gary Bettman (NHL), Don Garber (MLS), Jay Monahan (PGA Tour), Dana White (UFC), Vince McMahon (WWE), and representatives from IndyCar, NASCAR, LPGA, and Breeders Cup.The White House released a statement following the meeting, according to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports:"Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone with commissioners of major league sports to discuss the all-of-America response to COVID-19. The President recognized the good work being done by many teams and players to care for their communities, workforces, and fan bases across the Nation."The commissioners thanked President Trump for his national leadership and for his interest in the sports industry. President Trump encouraged them to continue to support their fellow Americans during this challenging time."Trump reportedly added during the call that he hopes to have fans at sporting events by August and September, though it's unclear whether that will be deemed safe by health officials.Leagues have been on indefinite pause over the past few weeks amid the global outbreak. The NFL, currently in the heart of its offseason, has no plans as of yet to change its 2020 schedule, though the upcoming draft later in April will be held without fans and with teams submitting picks virtually from their own locations.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.QB | RB | WR | TE1. Jerry JeudyLachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettySchool: Alabama

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Kiya Tomlin, a clothing designer in Pittsburgh and the wife of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, is overseeing a project that makes at least 500 cloth masks a week for local hospitals, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.Tomlin saw business come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, she and her four team members have been making and donating masks for hospital support staff. It comes at a time when there is a shortage of protective equipment."When I started it, I was like, we couldn't finish our spring collection, so when we're sitting at home doing nothing, we can sew this until it's time to go back to work," Tomlin told Pryor.She added: "I didn't realize how fast and big the demand was going to be where now we have to deliver. Masks can be made. We make masks now."Tomlin, who said it takes about eight minutes to make a single mask on her sewing machine, is also shipping to hospitals in Cleveland and New York.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida authorities formally pressed charges against Antonio Brown for an incident that involved the driver of a delivery truck, reports ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Brown is charged with felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor criminal mischief.In January, Brown and his trainer were accused of assaulting the driver, who was dropping off household items from California.Brown allegedly threw rocks at the truck and attacked the employee after entering the vehicle from the driver's side. A dispute between the two broke out when Brown refused to pay a $4,000 fee. Brown turned himself in to police on Jan. 23.The 31-year-old appeared in just one NFL game last season amid a slew of off-field incidents. The league is still investigating a sexual assault accusation against him by his former personal trainer, Britney Taylor, from September 2019.A seven-time Pro Bowler, Brown has lobbied for teams to sign him since the New England Patriots released him early last season. Brown spent the first nine years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as one of the most productive pass-catchers in the league.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Rex Ryan has apologized for calling Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper a "turd" Friday morning.Ryan made the remark on ESPN's "Get Up" while discussing Cooper's new five-year, $100-million contract.

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien defended his decision to trade DeAndre Hopkins and suggested Friday the superstar's financial requests factored into the decision."It was in the best interest of our team," he said, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "DeAndre Hopkins was a great football player. We loved DeAndre Hopkins. He had three years left on his deal and he wanted a raise. David Johnson is going to be a great addition to our football team."O'Brien, who operates as the Texans' general manager and head coach, opened the new league year with a bang, dealing his All-Pro wide receiver and a fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals. In return, Houston received Johnson, a former 1,000-yard running back, along with a second-round selection and a 2021 fourth-rounder.O'Brien drew widespread criticism for the deal. Hopkins, 27, surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons and in five times in seven years with the Texans. Once the news leaked, reports of a tense relationship between O'Brien and Hopkins surfaced.Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin claimed that O'Brien compared Hopkins to Aaron Hernandez in a pre-trade meeting, citing the receiver himself. Irvin also said, again citing the player, that O'Brien took issue with the number of women Hopkins had around the team."Any decision that's made is made with the team in mind - capital T, capital E, capital A, capital M - in mind," O'Brien said Friday.The Texans replaced Hopkins by signing Randall Cobb in free agency. The veteran slot artist will join Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, and Keke Coutee in Houston's stable of wide receivers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the staples of the NFL draft is when top prospects take the stage to meet commissioner Roger Goodell upon being selected.With the public draft events canceled in favor of a virtual experience due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league turned to EA Sports to help continue the tradition, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The video game company, which is responsible for the Madden NFL franchise, will create a virtual moment of each prospect walking on stage, and players were asked how they'd like their avatar to interact with Goodell.Goodell is often hugged by prospects, but some like to take it one step further:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.As mentioned in yesterday's Offensive Rookie of the Year piece, it's rare to see lines posted for this award before the NFL draft. That leads to a unique opportunity to find value based on potential landing spots.But unlike the offensive category, top picks have dominated the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, with only three of the last 31 winners being selected outside the first round, and 27 of them taken inside the top 20.That makes it especially hard to overlook the top defensive talents in the upcoming draft, with Chase Young and Isaiah Simmons both clear favorites atop the oddsboard.PLAYERODDSChase Young+300Isaiah Simmons+700A.J. Epenesa+1200Patrick Queen+1400Kenneth Murray+1600Grant Delpit+1600Kristian Fulton+1800Xavier McKinney+1800Jeff Okudah+1800Derrick Brown+1800Willie Gay Jr.+2000Troy Dye+2000Akeem Davis-Gaither+2200Julian Okwara+2200Javon Kinlaw+2500Curtis Weaver+2500Ashtyn Davis+2800Trevon Diggs+2800Jordan Elliott+2800C.J. Henderson+2800Jaylon Johnson+3000Marlon Davidson+3000Defensive lineThe early favorite and virtual lock for the second overall pick is Chase Young (+300), who will attempt to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Nick Bosa, the 2019 second overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year winner.Young is a special talent, and he shouldn't struggle while transitioning to the NFL, where he projects to be an elite pass-rusher from Day 1. As the best defensive prospect in the draft, and at a position that's produced four of the last seven winners of this award, Young is a deserving favorite.There are a couple of other names worth monitoring along the defensive line. Derrick Brown (+1800) is a top-five talent who could wind up in an ideal situation with the Carolina Panthers at seventh overall. Javon Kinlaw (+2500), a projected top-20 pick, is a force on the interior and was impressive at the Senior Bowl, much like former DROY winner Aaron Donald was in 2014. He offers great value at his current price.Conversely, A.J. Epenesa (+1200) is priced rather short. The Iowa product has fallen down draft boards due to some poor testing numbers at the combine. His agility is limited, but being a late first-round pick could give him a better chance to win the award if he ends up with a team like the New England Patriots, where he would fit well schematically.LinebackersJust one linebacker has won DROY over the last seven seasons. It's a surprising drought for the position, which had produced 11 of the 13 winners between 2000 and 2012.Simmons, the standout of the bunch, is the likeliest to end the drought, though his landing spot is much tougher to predict than Young's future team. The New York Giants could select the Clemson product fourth overall, but at the very least, he seems like a top-10 lock with a number of potential suitors.Where he ends up might not matter, as Simmons is an insane athlete who posted off-the-charts numbers at the combine. He's played all over the field and is a true sideline-to-sideline defender who should produce in a number of categories.Oklahoma's Kenneth Murray (+1600) is another terrific athlete and a name to consider. He's an incredibly smart player with great instincts, and Murray is solid in coverage thanks to his unique athleticism, which should help make for a seamless pro transition. If he drops to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 28, his price could shorten significantly.SecondaryJust two defensive backs have won the award over the last 21 seasons, which explains the long odds for consensus top-five pick Jeff Okudah, who will likely be selected third overall if the Detroit Lions hold on to their pick.Okudah is big, fast, and athletic, and there's little doubt about his ability to make the leap to the NFL given the successes of Ohio State players. Former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore was the last corner to win DROY in 2017.Grant Delpit (+1600) and Kristian Fulton (+1800) are in the same range as Okudah on the oddsboard, but they should be ignored at their current price. However, Xavier McKinney (+1800) could be interesting, especially if the Patriots select him. He's the perfect fit for Bill Belichick's defense.Looking down the board, take note of CJ Henderson (+2800). He's generating lots of pre-draft hype and could become a top-10 pick. We might see him replace Jalen Ramsey with the Jacksonville Jaguars or Byron Jones with the Dallas Cowboys. He's certainly worth a flier at 28-1, and it's hard to imagine that price lasting through April.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is exploring the possibility of moving the 2024 Super Bowl out of New Orleans because of a potential conflict with Mardi Gras, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Expanding the regular season to 17 games, which could happen as early as 2021, means the playoffs would extend further into February. If the Super Bowl location is changed, New Orleans' host year would be pushed back instead of taken away."As part of the bid process in 2018, we contemplated the possibility of a 17-game schedule as part of a new CBA," McCarthy said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "We are exploring options with the Saints and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for the city to remain the host of the Super Bowl in 2024 or in a future year that would be suitable for both New Orleans and the NFL."New Orleans is one of the NFL's favorite Super Bowl sites, having hosted the game 10 times. It was most recently home to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before Nick Heath went viral for dramatizing the tedium of everyday life - a woman's brisk walk across a London intersection; the blundered footwork of friends playing soccer in a park - he announced the last rugby union match he'll watch live for a while, in late February.Wales' women's national team hosted France in Cardiff, the scene of a European tournament fixture destined from kickoff to be a blowout. France won 50-0, foreshadowing a likely romp over comparatively hopeless Scotland in two weeks' time. That was to be Heath's next assignment, before the circumstances of COVID-19 intervened and the Six Nations Championship was postponed - maybe, in a hopeful scenario, to be rescheduled for the fall."I'm hoping to get back on those games," Heath said. "Albeit at quite a different time of year."Heath is a veteran freelance rugby broadcaster who calls world and top-flight club action for Britain's leading networks: the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, Channels 4 and 5. On air, he strives to hit a range of notes. He gets the names of the players right. Subtly, and without alienating diehards, he explains the nuances of a complex sport to novice viewers. He raises his voice to meet the gravity of big moments. He tells the stories of matches that run, mostly, from September through June, the duration of the rugby calendar on which his livelihood depends.As countries everywhere hunker down to try to quell the coronavirus pandemic, Heath isn't calling games or, consequently, being paid. Instead, he's become an unlikely face - well, voice - of the pastime to which much of his profession has pivoted.In their mass leave from the mic, game announcers are finding ways to keep busy and lift spirits until sports can safely return. They film and recount their own backyard soccer and basketball exploits. Joe Buck spent late March narrating videos - with Fox Sports branding in the top left corner - of marble races, beer-pong heat checks, and dogs staging tugs-of-war with sticks.

Mitchell Trubisky and the recently acquired Nick Foles will engage in an "open competition" to determine the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback, general manager Ryan Pace announced Friday."With the addition of Nick Foles, it's exactly what we talked about from the start - we want to create competition," said Pace. "We've talked to both players and it's an open competition."Pace said in December that Trubisky would be the team's starter in 2020 despite the former No. 2 pick's struggles last season.But the Bears quickly changed course, trading a fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Foles in a move that was made official Tuesday. Chicago also gave Foles a restructured contract."What we're trying to do is what's best for the Chicago Bears," said head coach Matt Nagy. "Plain and simple."Foles, 31, lasted just one season in Jacksonville after signing a four-year, $88-million deal with the Jaguars as a free agent. The former Super Bowl MVP started just four games last year due to a collarbone injury and was outperformed by rookie Gardner Minshew.Trubisky, meanwhile, was one of the worst quarterbacks in the league in 2019. The 25-year-old ranked 27th in touchdown passes (17) and 28th in both total quarterback rating (39.5) and passer rating (83.0).With his future in Chicago likely on the line, Trubisky is apparently invigorated by the prospect of a battle with Foles."You could feel how much of a competitor Mitch is," said Nagy. "He’s embracing it and he's excited to get back to work."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent safety Damarious Randall is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal, the player confirmed to ESPN's Josina Anderson.Randall can receive up to $3.25 million on his new contract, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The 27-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns and the first three years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. He has recorded 290 tackles, 47 passes defended, and 14 interceptions in his five-year career.The Raiders add to their secondary just hours after it was reported their signing of cornerback Eli Apple fell through. The two sides were unable to finalize a contract after agreeing upon a deal earlier in free agency.The Raiders have been one of the busier teams during the free-agency period, adding defenders Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski, Carl Nassib, Maliek Collins, Jeff Heath, and Randall, in addition to tight end Jason Witten, wideout Nelson Agholor, and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2020 NFL season is how Tom Brady will fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Bruce Arians.Outside of Brady's magnum opus in 2007 when he played with Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, the quarterback hasn't been the type of downfield-minded passer Arians often works with.The New England Patriots' offense was a malleable beast. Brady played in a run-heavy scheme, transitioned to a tight end-dominant system after Moss departed, and most recently thrived under the "death by 1,000 cuts" philosophy.Arians, however, believes that's 999 cuts too many. The head coach's "no risk it, no biscuit" offensive scheme is based around aggressively and consistently attacking defenses deep.Brady put together one of his worst-ever statistical campaigns last season, leaving many to doubt his ability to still throw downfield.So, how will Brady and Arians fit in 2020? We looked at the head coach's history to see how successful he was with other signal-callers in Year 1:*Indicates career highPeyton Manning, 1998Comp. %YardsTD-INTYPASacksRating56.7373926-28*6.52271.2Scoring offense rank: 19th

Peyton Manning would do anything for a leg up on the competition.During the legendary quarterback's time with the Indianapolis Colts, he'd attempt to get intel on the rival New England Patriots. That apparently included trying to get recently inducted Hall of Fame cornerback Ty Law drunk."Peyton would try to get you," Law said, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. "Once you get over to the Pro Bowl, you're on the same team. Peyton tried to get you drunk and then try to dig into your brain: 'What did you see? Why did you do this?'"He'd feed you these mai tais, then he'd butter you up and ask you, 'What did you see?' and this and that. I was like, 'Peyton, I ain't falling for that shit.'"The Colts and Patriots' rivalry was among the most high-profile in the NFL this century, fueled by a quarterback duel between Manning and Tom Brady.Law was one of Manning's defensive adversaries, especially in the postseason. The cornerback intercepted the signal-caller five times in two playoff matchups.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs reached an agreement with Sammy Watkins on a new one-year contract that will pay him a base salary of $9 million in 2020 and can reach $16 million with incentives, a source told Yahoo Sports' Terez A. Paylor.Watkins appeared to confirm the deal Friday morning on Twitter.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills slowed optimism Thursday that the 2020 season will take place on time, saying widespread and frequent coronavirus testing would have to be available."As long as we're still in a place where when a single individual tests positive for the virus that you have to quarantine every single person who was in contact with them in any shape, form, or fashion, then I don't think you can begin to think about reopening a team sport," Sills told Judy Battista of NFL.com. "Because we're going to have positive cases for a very long time."Earlier in the week, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said the league is planning for a full season starting in September and in front of fans.Sills added that the combination of frequent tests and quick results are not currently available on a large scale, though he's hopeful that will eventually change.The NFL has already conceded that organized team activities won't take place over the spring because of social distancing. Lengthy quarantines could also prevent players from showing up to training camp later in the summer in legitimate football shape."There's no way to recreate a four-month offseason program in the span of (a) week or two," Sills said. "When you think about resuming something like football, everyone understands there needs to be some time to acclimatize to activity and train back to the level of physical fitness just to be able to think about more football-specific work. That's part of the timeline you have to plan for. The longer we're away from all football activity, we'll have to adjust that timeline of preparation as well."The COVID-19 crisis has forced every other major sports league in North America to put its season on hold.The NFL plans to release its regular-season schedule by May 9.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time since 2014, Adam Thielen will enter a season without his receiving co-star Stefon Diggs.The Minnesota Vikings traded Diggs to the Buffalo Bills for multiple draft picks in mid-March, ending a five-year run for the pass-catching duo."Obviously, it's a bummer that he's not here, because it was such a fun duo to be able to work off one another and things like that, whether it be practice or games," Thielen said Thursday on KFAN, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press."So, I'm definitely going to miss that, but it will be fun to see him have success somewhere else," he added.Beginning in 2016, Thielen and Diggs established themselves as one of the NFL's most feared receiving pairs.They each went over 1,000 yards and caught nine touchdowns in 2018 and they helped the Vikings reach the NFC title game in 2017.Though Diggs is no longer his teammate, Thielen said the two won't lose touch."We've talked since he got traded," he said. "He is one of my good friends and will be for the rest of our lives."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a deal with former first-round pick Eli Apple on March 18, but the two sides were unable to finalize a contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources.As a result, Apple remains a free agent.While teams can agree to terms on contracts with free agents, the coronavirus pandemic has barred franchises from being able to hold physicals with their potential additions. Instead, both sides are to agree to a medical observation from a third-party physician.No reason has been given for the nixed deal between the Raiders and Apple.Apple was originally the 10th overall pick of the New York Giants in 2016 but was traded to the New Orleans Saints just five games into his third season. He's played in 25 contests over the past two campaigns with the Saints.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Former Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Tony Boselli - a three-time All-Pro and 2020 Hall of Fame finalist - feared the worst after a battle with COVID-19 put him in intensive care.The 47-year-old started experiencing symptoms on March 16, just days after playing golf at the Sawgrass Country Club. He developed a fever on March 18, and he was informed he and his wife, Angie, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 20. He was admitted to the ICU unit at the Mayo Clinic on March 25 and released Monday."For whatever reason, (COVID-19) buried me," Boselli said to Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union, adding that his wife came out relatively unscathed. "She's obviously much tougher than I am. She had 7-10 days where she didn't feel like herself, but her symptoms were mild."Boselli's experience was much worse. He required two IVs and oxygen to get his breathing back to normal."The worst was my second day in ICU when they were upping my oxygen levels. That was probably the lowest, scariest moment," Boselli said. "I had no family around me. I can't remember exactly what the doctor said, something about the machine needing to go to another level for more oxygen if that didn't work. Whatever drugs they were giving me, in combination with the oxygen, it got me to where I needed to be. I never had to find out what that next level was."Boselli isn't yet back at 100%, but he no longer has a fever and his cough is under control."I can still feel my lungs aren't all the way back," he said.Boselli was the second overall pick in the 1995 draft. He played for the Jaguars until 2001, making five trips to the Pro Bowl along the way.He was the first player elected to the Jaguars' ring of honor and has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the past four years.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Running back is perhaps the most volatile position in fantasy football, as we see significant shakeups each year. Free agency helped settle a few depth charts this offseason, but several starters should still be looking over their shoulders with the 2020 NFL Draft approaching.The following four rushers are projected to start this year, but each of them will enter the campaign with some level of doubt about their ability to be the lead back.James Conner, SteelersJulio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / GettyCurrent competition: Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr.

The AFC East has essentially been a one-team race since Tom Brady took over as the New England Patriots' starter in 2001, kicking off an unprecedented run of success that included winning the last 11 division titles.Now that Brady has joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Buffalo Bills are widely being tipped as the team most likely to replace the Patriots as the division's powerhouse.But Bills general manager Brandon Beane believes it's foolish to dismiss Bill Belichick's club, even without its longtime star quarterback."The team to beat in the East is the Patriots," Beane said Thursday, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. "And until somebody beats them, they are the team to beat. And as long as Bill Belichick's there, you're talking about probably the greatest head coach of all time that was paired with the greatest quarterback of all time."So until we beat them, we've done nothing, and we've got our work cut out for us."The Bills stayed on the Patriots' heels for much of last season. Though New England eventually clinched the AFC East crown with a win over Buffalo on Dec. 21, ensuring its rival would be a wild-card team, the Bills arguably posed the biggest threat in years to Belichick and Co.'s run of consecutive division titles.While Beane said he "candidly did not expect" Brady to leave, the GM perfectly timed his own blockbuster move, acquiring receiver Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings for a package that includes this year's first-round pick.But even with the addition of Diggs to hopefully spark a breakout season from quarterback Josh Allen in Year 3, Beane knows Belichick is often at his best when facing adversity."New England is still going to be very good," Beane said. "You look at what Bill Belichick did in 2008; they got robbed of a playoff. They were 11-5 with Matt Cassel at the helm."So I think it's funny and comical that people are writing them off and labeling - whether it's us or another team - as the team to beat in the East."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Due to the suspension of all sports for the foreseeable future, sportsbooks are digging deep for odds to offer their valued customers. This puts us in the unique position of being able to bet on Offensive Rookie of the Year before the NFL draft.As a result, we can try to find value based on potential landing spots and grab lines that could shorten after the draft.Here are the odds to win 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, led by national champion and consensus first overall pick Joe Burrow.PLAYERODDSJoe Burrow+225Tua Tagovailoa+650D'Andre Swift+750Jonathan Taylor+1100Jerry Jeudy+1400Justin Herbert+1400Ceedee Lamb+1600Henry Ruggs III+1800J.K. Dobbins+1800Clyde Edwards-Helaire+2000Cam Akers+2400Zack Moss+2800Denzel Mims+2800Tee Higgins+2800Jalen Reagor+3300K.J. Hamler+3300Justin Jefferson+3500Jordan Love+2200Laviska Shenault Jr.+3300K.J. Hill+4500Lamical Perine+5000Joshua Kelly+5000Chase Claypool+5000Michael Pittman Jr.+5000Tyler Johnson+5000Jalen Hurts+5000Jake Fromm+5000A.J. Dillon+5000Odds for players +5000 or shorter.QuarterbacksThere's little doubting Burrow's (+225), landing spot, as he will in all likelihood be sporting a Cincinnati Bengals jersey in 2020. Burrow is the overwhelming favorite to win the award, a feat that just two quarterbacks have managed to do in the last seven seasons. While the Bengals have some impressive weapons on offense, the offensive line requires a lot of work and the overall roster lacks talent.Tua Tagovailoa (+650) and Justin Herbert (+1400) could very well have stronger supporting casts and thus better opportunities to impress. The Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Redskins, and Detroit Lions all possess enough talent to make playoff runs with strong rookie campaigns from Tagovailoa or Herbert, which could wind up being the difference in voters' eyes.Running BacksD'Andre Swift (+750) is the odds-on favorite to be the first running back drafted, as he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Georgia teammates Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor (+1100) will push him for that honor, with Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins (+1800), Florida State's Cam Akers (+2400), and LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire (+2000) likely to be the other names taken off the board early. Each of these backs boasts elite talent, which makes it difficult to predict who will have the brightest rookie campaign.To make things easier, consider the best and most likely landing spots for backs, and go from there. It's probable that the Dolphins select a rusher with one of their three first-round picks (Nos. 5, 18, 26), and with little competition in the backfield, whomever they draft should have plenty of opportunities. A number of mocks have them taking Swift, but don't sleep on Taylor, either.There are a handful of other teams that could be looking to upgrade to their backfield, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really stand out. Ronald Jones II isn't a major threat for carries, so any back that lands in Tampa could find himself in a situation to make an immediate impact on what could be an elite offense with Tom Brady in town. The Bucs could use their No. 45 pick to snag a back, at which point someone like Akers or Edwards-Helaire would make a lot of sense. Both offer terrific value at their current prices.Wide ReceiversOnly one wide receiver has won the award in the last 10 seasons. While this year's class includes a lot of high-end talent, the learning curve at the position is steep and it's difficult for guys to see enough of the ball to earn the honor.Michael Thomas and Percy Harvin were the last two wideouts to accomplish the feat. Thomas, a second-round pick in 2016 and the sixth WR off the board, was drafted into a pass-heavy offense in New Orleans with an elite quarterback in Drew Brees. Harvin, meanwhile, won by making a big splash via special teams as a dynamic kick returner. It takes the right situation for guys to stand out. Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs III are all remarkable talents but will likely be taken too high in the draft to land in the ideal spot - think the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, or San Francisco 49ers (run-first offenses with deep, if not spectacular, groups of pass-catchers).My eyes are instead drawn to guys like Justin Jefferson (+3500), Jalen Reagor (+3300), and Laviska Shenault Jr. (+3300), who will be likely targets for the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, both of whom have glaring needs at the position. Jefferson is long and athletic and poses a real matchup problem, while Reagor has blazing speed and could flourish as a downfield threat for Aaron Rodgers.K.J. Hamler (+3300) is another interesting name. The Penn State product is similar to Harvin in that he is incredibly dangerous with the ball in his hands and always a threat to take it to the house. If he can find his way to the Eagles, New York Jets, or Houston Texans in the second round, he could be a real dark horse.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry signed his $10.2-million franchise tender on Thursday.Both sides are still committed to finalizing a long-term extension prior to the July 15 deadline, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Tennessee placed the non-exclusive tag on the star tailback in March, a day after re-signing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a four-year, $118-million contract.In 2019, Henry led the NFL with both 1,540 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He added another 446 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans' postseason run to the AFC Championship Game."I think any time a player, when you have to use the tag on them, that's something that ideally they probably don't want," Titans general manager John Robinson said Wednesday, according to team writer Jim Wyatt. "But still, at the same time, I know that he wants to be a part of this football team and I thought it was good that they communicated back he does want to be here, and he does want to keep working on this thing. It wasn't something like, 'OK, well, I'll take the (tag) and I'm done, or I am just going to do whatever.' He wants to be here, and he conveyed the message to me, through his agent, that he wants to keep working on this thing and we do, too."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have secured their backup for Tom Brady.Tampa Bay is re-signing free-agent quarterback Blaine Gabbert to a one-year deal, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Gabbert signed with the Bucs last offseason and backed up Jameis Winston during the 2019 campaign.The former first-round pick never lived up to his pre-draft hype, but he provides a veteran presence familiar with head coach Bruce Arians' offense behind Brady.Gabbert started 13 games over the last four seasons - three with the Tennessee Titans in 2018, five with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017, and five with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. He didn't see any regular-season snaps last year.The 30-year-old owns a career 56.2 completion percentage across 56 games, with 48 career touchdowns to 47 interceptions.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis believes COVID-19 was circulating in the state during this year's Super Bowl."The fact of the matter is, as we got into February, this thing was circulating. I think it was circulating during the Super Bowl," DeSantis said Tuesday during a news conference, via Local 10 News. "And so you've been able to get more testing in Miami, you've been able to identify cases."Super Bowl LIV was held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Feb. 2, about a month before DeSantis announced the first two coronavirus cases in the state. More than 200,000 people visited South Florida during Super Bowl week.As of Thursday, there are 8,010 known cases of COVID-19 in Florida.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.When it comes to the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Award, one thing stands out: Voters like sacks. New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore won the award last season but since 2011, seven of the nine winners have been defensive linemen or outside linebackers. Two men have dominated the award in recent years: Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. The duo has combined to win DPOY five times in the last eight years.Donald is the +750 favorite to take home his third award in four seasons, but there are players with more value for bettors in the initial odds.PlayerOddsAaron Donald+750Khalil Mack+1100Nick Bosa+1400Stephon Gilmore+1500T.J. Watt+1500J.J. Watt+1800Von Miller+1800Derwin James+2000Bobby Wagner+2300Danielle Hunter+2300Joey Bosa+2500Chandler Jones+2900Darius Leonard+2900Minkah Fitzpatrick+2900Tre'Davious White+2900DeMarcus Lawrence+3300Jadeveon Clowney+3300Jamal Adams+3300Myles Garrett+3300Bradley Chubb+4200Calais Campbell+4200DeForest Buckner+4200Jalen Ramsey+4200Shaquil Barrett+4200Cameron Jordan+5000Melvin Ingram+5000Preston Smith+5000Tyrann Mathieu+5000Za'Darius Smith+5000T.J. Watt, OLB Steelers +1500The younger Watt is undervalued in the early odds at 15-1. He finished third in last year's voting behind Gilmore and Chandler Jones after recording 14.5 sacks, 55 tackles, 36 QB hits, and eight forced fumbles. An argument can be made that Watt should be the favorite to win the award after his sack total rose in each of the last three seasons and he registered 27.5 across the last two years.T.J. Watt is the best bet on the board right now and his +1500 odds won't be available for long. Expect his odds to be closer to 10-1 as the start of the season approaches. Jump on this early value before it's too late.Nick Bosa, DE 49ers +1400Bosa was named Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, finishing with nine sacks, 47 tackles, and 25 QB hits. He was dominant at times, including in the postseason, where he racked up four sacks in three games. There are a lot of strong contenders to win this award, but if Bosa makes his projected second-year jump in production, he'll be in the running. He will likely close in the 12-1 range, so he has some early value at his current price.Myles Garrett, DE Browns +3300Garrett is my pick for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year but he's a great bet to win DPOY as well. Garrett sitting at 33-1 is insane. Before being suspended last season, he was on pace to finish with career-high numbers after registering 10 sacks, 29 tackles, and 18 QB hits in just 10 games. He was in the discussion to win this award last year before the ugly incident against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We're getting value here because of how Garrett's 2019 season ended. Take advantage before his odds are adjusted.Za'Darius Smith, OLB Packers +5000If you're looking for a live long shot, Smith is the guy. In his first season with the Green Bay Packers, Smith finished with 13.5 sacks, 55 tackles, and 37 QB hits. He placed in the top 10 in last year's voting for DPOY and actually garnered one first-place vote.Smith is emerging as one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL and, despite his being a strong contender for the award last year, 24 players have shorter odds. Smith is one of the few players in the NFL with the ability to record 16-plus sacks and that would put him in the mix to win DPOY. He's a steal at 50-1.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady's new home in Tampa Bay has a connection to another sports superstar.The Buccaneers quarterback is renting a 30,000-square-foot mansion on Davis Islands that was built by former New York Yankees shortstop and current Miami Marlins CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The house features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a pool, and two boat lifts with access to Tampa Bay.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The New England Patriots are doing their part to help combat the coronavirus.A Patriots team plane is being used to fly 1.2 million N95 masks from China to the U.S., according to Andrew Beaton of The Wall Street Journal.The aircraft was upgraded for international travel and a waiver was granted for crew members to avoid a 14-day quarantine in China if they didn't leave the plane. The masks are expected to arrive in Boston on Thursday.The Kraft family paid $2 million - approximately half the total cost - for the mask transfer, Beaton reports, according to ESPN. The initial order was for 1.7 million masks, but the plane could only hold 1.2 million. The remainder will be delivered in a second shipment.

The NFL Players Association is strongly denying allegations made by free-agent safety Eric Reid that language in the league's new collective bargaining agreement was changed following its approval.Reid wants an investigation and a new vote on the CBA after claiming Monday that the new version reduces benefits for disabled players more significantly than the edition that was voted upon.The NFLPA called the allegations by Reid and his lawyers "completely false" and stated that the minor changes constitute a reference to text that was mistakenly left out of an earlier version of the agreement."It is correct that the final version of the 456-page CBA includes an additional subparagraph with a cross-reference to a section of the disability plan that the parties had inadvertently omitted in an earlier version," the union wrote in a letter to its members obtained by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio."The final CBA corrected the omission, as the bargaining parties were required to do based on their agreement that 'if any typographical errors or incorrect cross-references are found in the 2020-2030 agreement, the parties will act in good faith to correct them' (just as the parties had similarly agreed when finalizing the 2011 CBA). ... This correction did not, however, change what had been agreed to with the NFL, what information had been provided to players, or what players had voted upon."The union also wrote that the cross-reference "reflects no substantive difference whatsoever from what players were told about the proposed CBA and what the players voted to approve."The CBA passed March 15 on a 1,019-959 player vote.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The initial rush of free agency has dried up, yet there still remains a potential for blockbuster moves. There are several players who are either on the trade block or are now expendable.Here are 15 big names who could be moved out of their current situation.Yannick NgakoueJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jaguars defensive end is the likeliest of the group to be dealt, considering he's already expressed his intention to leave after he was slapped with the franchise tag. He's also the latest in a long line of players to make his desire to be traded public. Following in the footsteps of former teammate Jalen Ramsey and, most recently, former Lions corner Darius Slay, Ngakoue is trying to tweet his way out of Jacksonville. Multiple teams are reportedly interested in his services. It's only a matter of time before this situation gets resolved.Andy DaltonAs the owners of the No. 1 pick in the draft and thus the right to select Joe Burrow, the Bengals have no use for Dalton. He's still a bargain, as he owns the 19th-richest contract for a quarterback in 2020, and the 32-year-old also has little reason to remain in Cincinnati when there are starting opportunities elsewhere. To this point, the Bengals haven't received an offer worthy of such a viable commodity, but there's always the draft for a deal to be consummated.Trent WilliamsAnother unhappy employee is the Redskins' seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle. With the dearth of available starting offensive linemen and the abundance of teams in need of such players, it shouldn't be long before Williams finds a new home. Washington is likely holding out for a package in return that will help accelerate its rebuild. After first demanding a first-round pick, the Redskins are reportedly now asking for that discussion to start with a second-rounder.Brandin CooksCould the speedy wideout really be traded for the third time in four years? If Cooks gets his wish, yes.

Aldon Smith has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, paving the way for him to return to the NFL after a four-year absence, reports Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.The edge rusher will ink a one-year contract that includes $2 million in base salary and another $2 million in sack-based incentives, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Smith is still awaiting full reinstatement from the NFL, but the process is underway, Garafolo notes.The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since 2015, when he played for the then-Oakland Raiders, due to a series of off-field issues.A former seventh overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Smith enjoyed a stellar start to his career before off-field problems brought him down. He had 42 sacks in his first three seasons, the third-most to begin a career in NFL history.Aldon Smith career statsYearTeamGamesSacks201149ers1614201249ers1619.5201349ers118.5201449ers722015Raiders93.5Smith's off-field issues first surfaced in 2012 when he was arrested for driving under the influence. He's been arrested three more times since then on suspicion of driving under the influence, most recently in June 2019. Smith is now sober, according to Glazer.In 2014, he was arrested after allegedly making a bomb threat at the Los Angeles International Airport. Charges stemming from the incident were eventually dropped.In 2017, he pleaded no contest to a hit-and-run charge.In 2018, he was arrested for violating the terms of a court order that insisted he stay away from his fiancee, who he had been accused of assaulting. He was arrested months later for violating his bail conditions.Smith will join a Cowboys defensive front that could also include Randy Gregory, who is reportedly applying for reinstatement following his own off-field issues.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It looks like the New England Patriots are moving forward with their current options at quarterback following the departure of Tom Brady.Despite recent speculation, the Patriots have expressed no interest in signing Cam Newton or trading for Andy Dalton, a source told Jeff Howe of The Athletic.The Patriots signed veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer in free agency after losing Brady.Cody Kessler was released Wednesday, leaving second-year QB Jarrett Stidham as the only other quarterback on the roster.Barring unforeseen circumstances, Stidham appears to have the inside track on the starting job, Howe adds.Newton, 30, was making around $20 million annually after he signed a five-year, $103.8-million extension with Carolina in 2015. The Panthers released the former MVP earlier this offseason after nine campaigns.Dalton, meanwhile, is still under contract with the Bengals, but Cincinnati is reportedly helping the veteran signal-caller work out a trade. The 32-year-old is signed through 2020 and is set to make $17.7 million in 2020.New England currently ranks 31st in the league with less than $709,000 in salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The New Orleans Saints will set up their draft war room at Dixie Brewery, a local establishment owned by franchise matriarch Gayle Benson.Teams across the NFL are being forced to relocate their war rooms because the NFL shut down their facilities in wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Saints head coach Sean Payton was among those to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, though he's since recovered."For every one of these teams, it's obviously going to be different than what we're used to," Payton said on a conference call, according to USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz. "We're going to need to be more tech-savvy with the scouts."Payton added that the Saints will limit the number of people inside the war room and maintain social distancing within it.The 2020 draft was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, but the league canceled those plans because of the pandemic.The first round of the draft will take place April 23.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The fight for Jadeveon Clowney's signature continues.Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson said Wednesday he's been in contact with representatives for Clowney, according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site.New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas, meanwhile, also revealed Wednesday he has spoken to Clowney's agents to do his "due diligence," reports Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.The Seattle Seahawks are also interested in the 27-year-old pass-rusher, who has dropped his asking price from $20 million annually to around $17 million or $18 million, a source told Dianna Russini of ESPN. Clowney played for the Seahawks in 2019 following a trade from the Houston Texans.Arguably the most significant free agent left on the open market, Clowney was widely expected to be among the first wave of signings. But the market for the former No. 1 overall pick has seemingly underwhelmed in the two weeks since free agency opened.The Miami Dolphins were in negotiations with Clowney but pivoted to Shaq Lawson after reportedly failing to drive the former's price down, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is working out with teammate Marquise Brown and free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown.A video of the current NFL MVP tossing a deep pass to the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout quickly attracted attention on social media Wednesday.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.While the NFL MVP award is usually given to a quarterback, there are far more options to consider when predicting the AP Offensive Player of the Year winner.In the past 24 seasons, 14 running backs and nine signal-callers have been named Offensive Player of the Year. Wide receivers still have a tough time winning, although Michael Thomas broke the drought last year, becoming the first wideout to claim the award since Jerry Rice in 1993.Here is the oddsboard for 2020 along with some interesting names to consider.PlayerOddsPatrick Mahomes+550Lamar Jackson+950Russell Wilson+1200Tom Brady+1200Christian McCaffrey+1400Saquon Barkley+1600Michael Thomas+1800Kyler Murray+1800Drew Brees+2000Derrick Henry+2200Ezekiel Elliott+2800Deshaun Watson+2800Aaron Rodgers+2800Dak Prescott+2800Dalvin Cook+3000Carson Wentz+3500Nick Chubb+4500Aaron Jones+4500Julio Jones+5000DeAndre Hopkins+5000Chris Godwin+5000Davante Adams+5000Baker Mayfield+5000Josh Allen+5000Odds for players +5000 or shorter.Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs (+550)After he won both MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, Mahomes' numbers predictably regressed last season. His touchdown mark was cut almost in half (50 to 26), while he threw for 1,000 fewer yards, albeit in two fewer games. Of course, he also led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl title.Compared to 2018, Mahomes' 2019 production is closer to what we should expect going forward, and while bettors shouldn't bank on a Super Bowl hangover, his 2020 odds are simply too short given the stern competition.Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals (+1800)Don't expect a sophomore slump from Murray, who has a year of NFL experience under his belt as well a full season in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Kingsbury's Air-Raid style attack features a lot of read-options and puts an emphasis on deep passing, which really utilizes Murray's fast legs and strong arm. The quarterback's numbers last season didn't reflect the explosive potential of this offense, and Murray should be a lot more comfortable running things in Year 2, which will help his decision-making.He'll also be boosted by the arrival of DeAndre Hopkins - a true go-to option and the type of legitimate deep threat the Cardinals clearly lacked last season. Undoubtedly one of the top receivers in the NFL, Hopkins is a significant upgrade over Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. Add in a full season of Kenyan Drake plus a likely upgrade or two via the draft and this could be a breakout season for Murray.Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers (+4500)There likely isn't a better value play on the board than Jones, who will be aiming to become the 15th running back to win this award in the last 25 years. He enjoyed a breakout third season with the Packers by amassing 1,558 all-purpose yards and 19 total touchdowns, leading the NFL in scoring. There's little doubt about Jones' talent and ability to produce; he just needs more opportunities.Last season, Jones averaged 122.2 rushing yards in games where he recorded at least 15 carries. He only hit that mark five times, but it appeared coach Matt LaFleur started to catch on, as three of those came in the final four contests of the season. With an increased workload in 2020, Jones could repeat his touchdown total while surpassing 2,000 total yards, giving him insane value at 45-1.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Earlier in the week, Phil Mickelson teased the idea that another match versus Tiger Woods is in the works while the sports world remains on hiatus.While Mickelson didn't divulge specifics, plans include NFL superstar Tom Brady and retired quarterback Peyton Manning, reports Golf.com's Michael Bamberger."Match II," as Bamberger calls it, would be a team affair, with Brady and Manning each pairing up with one of the two golfers.The 18-hole competition would be played without spectators at a Florida course two weeks prior to the return of any major sports league, according to Bamberger, who adds that players would maintain 6 feet of separation in accordance with CDC guidelines.Turner would reportedly broadcast the event as regular programming, as opposed to "The Match: Tiger vs. Phil," which was a pay-per-view event. All proceeds would be donated to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Talks of another head-to-head match began some time ago, but Tiger's party was not overly interested, according to Bamberger. However, the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak has reportedly changed Woods' stance as sports fans seek ways to fill the void.The PGA Tour has not yet approved the event, according to ESPN's Bob Harig. The Tour controls all media and television rights for its players as part of their membership.While potential pairings are speculative at this time, a familiarity between Woods and Manning already exists as the two played in the pro-am together at the 2019 Memorial Tournament.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As unthinkable as it still may seem, Tom Brady is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback. Brady separated himself from the New England Patriots, whom he helped steer through two decades of unmatched success, in part because he thinks he still has lots to prove.But can he make things work with the Bucs? Tampa Bay hasn't been to the playoffs since 2007. During the same span, Brady has played in 24 playoff games and five Super Bowls, winning three. This is going to be ... different. But how? And can it work?It ought to go without saying that Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time. It's also easy to acknowledge that he benefited from the system with which Bill Belichick surrounded him. This is not to knock Brady or Belichick, but rather to acknowledge that team success is never the product of any single factor. Still, Brady will be 43 when the 2020 season begins (assuming it starts on time), and he'll also be in a new environment with new coaches and new standards for the first time in his career.There's no way to know whether Brady's body will begin to betray him, or what effect his new surroundings will have on him and vice versa. But it is possible to assess how Brady might mesh with what the Bucs have and with what head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich are trying to do.Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesAt first glance, Brady's penchant for shorter, quicker throws seems as if it would clash with Arians' predilection for quarterbacks who take deep drops in the pocket and heave the ball downfield. But Arians told NFL Network's Mike Silver he'd keep an open mind about this, and he's willing to collaborate with Brady and to adapt where necessary.Arians has worked with Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, Jameis Winston, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, among others. So he knows a thing or two about dealing with different QBs - and differing egos. "We'll probably meet somewhere in the middle," he told Silver.This an important detail. The evidence that Brady's arm has declined is mixed. In 2018 and 2019, per PFF, his average depth of target was just 8.4 yards. According to Football Outsiders, his percentage of failed completions - completed passes that fail to pick up 45% of needed yards on first down, 60% on second down, or 100% on third and fourth down - ranked 27th in the league (27.9). In addition, Brady's 6.6% drop in failed completions from 2018 to 2019 was the biggest decline in the NFL.In isolation, this would seem to indicate that Brady's arm strength is deteriorating. But he also lacked help these last two seasons. In 2017, when the Patriots had speedster Brandin Cooks to stretch the field, Brady's average depth of target was 10.4 yards, per PFF. But by 2019, his stable of pass catchers capable of getting open had pretty much vanished, at least after the Pats' flirtations with Antonio Brown and Josh Gordon came to an end.FiveThirtyEight's Neil Paine ran Brady's top three pass catchers through Pro Football Reference's Approximate Value metric and determined that last year's trio of Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, and Jakobi Meyers had the lowest AV of any wideout group Brady's worked with since 2013. Brady was thus forced to hold the ball longer - his average time to throw from 2018 to 2019 jumped from 2.62 seconds to 2.75 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats - and to check down more frequently.And yet, as the clip ESPN's Dan Orlovsky put together shows, Brady could still put plenty of zip on downfield throws outside the hash marks - exactly the kind of passes that require decent arm strength:

While major professional sports are on hiatus, theScore's writers are exploring what they'd do if this pause allowed for changes to the rules and structures of various leagues. This time, it's the National Football League. Previous entries tackled MLB, the NHL, and the NCAA.The kickoffIn 2018, the NFL made major changes to its kickoff rules in an effort to reduce the full-speed collisions that so often ensue. There's also been some speculation that the kickoff may someday be eliminated. But it doesn't have to be this way. Lots of changes can be enacted to make the kickoff more interesting.I'd start by implementing some of the kickoff rules the XFL instituted during its revival in February, which now seems like it was a lifetime ago. The XFL has 10 of the receiving team's players line up along their own 30-yard line, with 10 of the kicking team's players 5 yards in front of them at the 35. The exceptions on both sides are the return man and the kicker, and no one can move until the ball is fielded. From there, I'd make some changes.XFL / Getty ImagesI'd keep the kickoff spot at the kicking team's 35-yard line, for reasons I'll get to in a bit. I'd also have any kick into the end zone result in a touchback, with the receiving team taking over at its own 25 (as opposed to the 35, as the XFL does). But I'd retain the XFL rule in which any kickoff that lands in play and is downed in the end zone results in the kicking team taking over at its own 15. The goal here, as it is in the XFL, is to encourage returns for both sides. But let's go even further.Any kickoff that sails through the uprights should be worth one point for the kicking team (I've banged this drum before). The idea was first floated a few years ago by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker and has since been publicly endorsed more than once by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. It would boost scoring, add excitement to a special-teams play that's largely been neutered by the 2018 rule changes, and introduce another decision-making element for coaches.The opportunity for a point on kickoffs would create an additional incentive for field goals, especially early or in close games, since teams would get a shot at adding a fourth point. And there's all sorts of potential for late-game thrills and newfangled strategic thinking, since a nine-point deficit would conceivably become a one-possession situation. But would a team trailing by nine want to go for two before having its kicker aim for the uprights on the kickoff, or would it prefer to kick the extra point and attempt the onside kick, since a field goal could win the game? Just think of the Monday morning quarterbacking that might happen every time a coach screws this up!This is where I'd add a risk-reward factor for the kicking team: A kickoff that lands beyond the end line without going through the uprights - as opposed to in the end zone or in the field of play - would allow the receiving team to start its possession at its own 30-yard line, rather than the 25. Would the risk of defending against that superior field position be worth the reward of getting that extra point? A lot would depend on the score, the time remaining, and the opponent - not to mention a coach's tolerance for risk.Hell, let's include another wrinkle that was once suggested by Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith: an exception for goaltending, at least on kickoffs. Currently, there's a 15-yard penalty for goaltending on extra points and field goals. But allowing goaltending on kickoff points would add the twist of a possible block right near the crossbar. How fun would that be?Jason O. Watson / Getty ImagesA kickoff through the uprights would also mean the receiving team takes over at its own 20-yard line, rather than at the 25. This was actually proposed a few years ago by Washington owner Dan Snyder. Even though Snyder's suggestion had no scoring provisions, it's still almost certainly the best idea he's ever had.There are potential drawbacks to the kickoff point; for instance, it reduces the kicker and the goaltender to the play's only functional players unless there is a return. Environmental factors like wind, precipitation, and altitude could also have a significant impact (i.e., the kickoff point could be very advantageous for the Denver Broncos), but those things already have effects and are generally accepted as part of the game of football.And yes, the kickoff point is somewhat reminiscent of a rouge, the single point that's awarded for a touchback in the Canadian Football League. But come on - it's a helluva lot cooler than the rouge. Let's do it.OvertimeAfter two straight postseasons that had games conclude when one team scored a first-possession touchdown, thus denying the other team of having the ball at all, it's time to redesign overtime in a way that's fair to both sides.No, I'm not talking about the college approach of allowing each team an equal number of possessions from the opponent's 25-yard line, since that can cause the game to drag on forever. I'm also not so hot on the XFL's hockey-shootout–like system of having each team get one play from the opponent's 5-yard line. The best solution was developed back in 2013 by ESPN's Brian Burke, who was then writing for his personal website.Burke suggested having the home team get the ball following a touchback from its own 15-yard line and ... that's it. From there, the two sides simply play according to the standard four-down rules until someone scores.Michael Zagaris / Getty ImagesAt the time, Burke suggested giving the home team the ball at its own 15 after a touchback, with no coin toss. But since I plan to reimagine the kickoff, I'd eliminate the arbitrary coin toss and the kickoff from the start of OT. As Burke noted, the 15-yard line is "the net-zero point for scoring probability," which means an offense facing a first-and-10 from its own 15 has an equal chance as its opponent of being the next team to score.More from Burke:

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone answers listeners' mailbag questions on a variety of topics, including:

Free agency is an exciting time, inspiring new hope for teams and fans alike. But plenty of high-profile moves don't end well.These 10 signings from the 2020 class are likely to yield regret:QB Ryan Tannehill ➡️ Tennessee TitansContract: 4 years, $118MIn one of the deepest quarterback classes in free-agency history, the Titans panicked right before the market opened and overpaid Tannehill. In their defense, no team wants to risk losing its quarterback after reaching the conference title game for the first time in 17 years. Still, $118 million - $62 million fully guaranteed with $91 million guaranteed for injury - is a lot to commit to a guy with a relatively small sample of excellence and a much larger one of mediocrity.DE Robert Quinn ➡️ Chicago BearsContract: 5 years, $70MThis wouldn't be as bad if the Bears weren't already spending a boatload of cash on Khalil Mack. Between Quinn and Mack, Chicago will have over $35 million tied up in a pair of edge rushers this season. In 2021, their cap numbers will exceed $40 million combined. Quinn is coming off one of his best seasons, as he totaled 11.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys. But he'll turn 30 years old in May and was on a downward trajectory before 2019. There had to be a more financially efficient way for the Bears to bolster their edge presence.LB Joe Schobert ➡️ Jacksonville JaguarsContract: 5 years, $53.75MThe Jaguars have too many needs to justify paying an inside linebacker over $10 million annually. Schobert is fine against the run, but so are plenty of others available in free agency and the draft. He doesn't have much value as a pass-rusher and has struggled in coverage for most of his career. Jacksonville has a history of spending on linebackers - Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny, and Myles Jack have all been beneficiaries - and its track record suggests this is simply not the best allocation of resources.OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai ➡️ Detroit LionsContract: 5 years, $50MA player with four starts over the past two years got $50 million from the Lions. Yes, Vaitai played well for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl year when he filled in for an injured Jason Peters at left tackle, but his consistency has dwindled when pressed into duty since then. The Eagles drafted Andre Dillard in the first round last year because they didn't view Vaitai, who they deployed as a swing tackle, as a viable long-term fixture. The Lions plan to install Vatai at right tackle full time with the hope their counterparts were wrong.CB Trae Waynes ➡️ Cincinnati BengalsContract: 3 years, $42MThe Bengals can get away with overpaying some free agents since the quarterback they draft first overall will come with an affordable contract, but they shouldn't get reckless. Cincinnati guaranteed $15 million to Waynes, a league-average cornerback who will have $10 million of dead cap money in 2021 and $5 million in 2022. The Bengals needed to upgrade their secondary but should've done so without giving Waynes the sixth-highest average annual salary among NFL corners.DT Michael Brockers ➡️ Los Angeles RamsContract: 3 years, $31.5MIf the Rams weren't willing to match or exceed the three-year, $30-million offer Brockers initially accepted from the Baltimore Ravens, why did they offer more after his agreement fell through? The move to re-sign Brockers for $31.5 million is even more perplexing since the Rams already agreed to a two-year, $17-million deal with A'Shawn Robinson, who's younger and fills the same role. Los Angeles now has $19 million annually tied up in two defensive tackles not named Aaron Donald, and that's too much for the perennially cap-strapped Rams.OL Ereck Flowers ➡️ Miami DolphinsContract: 3 years, $30MTo his credit, Flowers revived his career with the Washington Redskins after moving from tackle to guard, but it's not as if he became a star. The Dolphins badly needed to improve their offensive line and had plenty of cap space, but it's hard to understand why they didn't use their flexibility to target better or more established players than Flowers. If the rumblings about his work ethic with the New York Giants were accurate, the Dolphins could quickly regret making Flowers one of the highest-paid voices in their locker room.WR Randall Cobb ➡️ Houston TexansContract: 3 years, $27MThe value of the contract is actually pretty fair; it's just hard to fathom that Bill O'Brien spent a bunch of money on Cobb immediately after trading DeAndre Hopkins, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. If the Texans felt they were going to need a wide receiver after moving Hopkins, why did they settle for a second-round pick and David Johnson's awful contract in return for Deshaun Watson's best weapon? Oh, and if you thought O'Brien might be frustrated by all of Will Fuller's hamstring strains and other soft tissue ailments, wait until he meets Cobb.RB Melvin Gordon ➡️ Denver BroncosContract: 2 years, $16MThe contract isn't horrible, but the Broncos already had a legitimate workhorse in Phillip Lindsay, who will want to get paid as a restricted free agent in 2021. Gordon gives Denver great depth in the backfield - Royce Freeman isn't too shabby as a No. 3 option - but running back is one of the easier positions to develop depth at and the Broncos have other needs. It seems inevitable John Elway will come to regret spending $16 million on a part-time player at a position he hardly needed to address.TE Jimmy Graham ➡️ Chicago BearsContract: 2 years, $16M, includes no-trade clauseGraham looked like a shell of his former self over the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, if not before then with the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears went into the offseason desperate for help at tight end - a valuable position in head coach Matt Nagy's scheme - but Trey Burton is still probably their best option. It's a bad look for general manager Ryan Pace that Graham, who turns 34 years old in November, also secured a no-trade clause.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.With most NFL teams set at starting quarterback, Cam Newton is a player without a home. The Carolina Panthers released Newton after signing Teddy Bridgewater to be their starter, and clubs haven't rushed to sign the former MVP. His market could be stagnating due to the fact that he's coming off foot surgery and the coronavirus pandemic is preventing teams from evaluating players with their own doctors.So where will Newton end up? The Los Angeles Chargers are the clear favorites to land Newton, but there's another team further down the oddsboard that makes more sense.TeamOddsLos Angeles Chargers-150Jacksonville Jaguars+470Miami Dolphins+470Denver Broncos+600New England Patriots+650Washington Redskins+900Las Vegas Raiders+1200Pittsburgh Steelers+2000Los Angeles Chargers -150The Chargers are the -150 favorites to sign Newton, but Los Angeles looks ready to go into the season with Tyrod Taylor under center. That could change, and perhaps the team revisits adding a quarterback like Newton or Jameis Winston to compete with Taylor. But with the team's decision-makers publicly stating they're not looking to add a quarterback after missing out on Tom Brady, the Chargers are way overvalued at -150.Jacksonville Jaguars +470The Jaguars have an obvious need for a player like Newton. The team plans to start second-year quarterback Gardner Minshew and has little depth behind him. The problem with Jacksonville, though, is that it's going through a major rebuilding phase. The Jaguars' projected win total for 2020 is set at 5, the lowest such number in the NFL. Jacksonville could certainly use an upgrade at quarterback, but it doesn't feel like a good fit for Newton, who turns 31 in May. Unless the Jaguars are the only team interested, look for Cam to sign elsewhere.New England Patriots +650The Patriots signed Brian Hoyer to compete with Jarrett Stidham, but New England remains the most intriguing spot for Newton after the team lost Brady. As mentioned above, teams aren't allowed to administer player physicals right now due to the coronavirus. It's possible Newton has already spoken to Bill Belichick about coming to New England and the two sides are simply waiting until a physical can happen.Signing Newton to a one-year deal would not only help the Patriots on the field in 2020, but it would also give Stidham another year to develop before taking over as the starter. With no other teams showing serious interest, the Pats at +650 are the best bet on the board.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top tight end prospects in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.QB | RB | TE1. Hunter BryantIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettySchool: Washington

The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end Adrian Clayborn to a two-year deal, according to his agent Blake Baratz.The agreement is for $6 million and can be worth up to $7 million with incentives, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports, citing a source.Clayborn is entering his 10th season in the league. However, the former first-round pick is still producing. Playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, Clayborn recorded four sacks, seven quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles in 15 games. He only started one of those games.He figures to be an ideal depth piece on a defensive line featuring Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Olivier Vernon, and Sheldon Richardson.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals parted ways with cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, the team announced on Tuesday.Kirkpatrick was the Bengals' first-round pick in 2012. The move saves the AFC North club around $8.3 million of cap space, according to Spotrac.The cornerback also confirmed the move on his Instagram story:

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NFL said Tuesday it plans on playing a full 2020 season despite ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic."Our planning, our expectation, is fully directed at playing a full season starting on schedule and having a full regular season and a full set of playoffs," said league executive Jeff Pash, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network."... Am I certain? I'm not certain that I'll be here tomorrow," he added. "But I'm planning on it."Asked if the NFL is working on scenarios for a potentially shortened or delayed campaign, Pash said "all" of the league's focus is on playing a normal season starting on time and in front of fans, according to Albert Breer of MMQB.The league also announced the schedule for the upcoming season will be released no later than May 9.Additionally, the international series is expected to go ahead in 2020, Pash adds. Three games are scheduled to be played in London - one at Wembley and two at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium - while a fourth is planned for Mexico City.Last week, the NFL announced it's proceeding as planned with the 2020 draft while other in-season major sports have been suspended due to COVID-19.All team facilities have been ordered to be closed until at least April 8.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL owners voted to expand the playoff format by two teams starting in the 2020 season, the league announced Tuesday.The expanded postseason, which was proposed in the new collective bargaining agreement, adds one club each from the AFC and NFC. Only the No. 1 seed in each conference will receive a first-round bye instead of the two highest-ranked clubs.The playoffs will now feature three wild-card contests per conference. The No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, while the 3-seed hosts the 6-seed and the 4-seed hosts the 5-seed.This is the league's first playoff expansion since 1990.Wild Card Weekend is scheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2021, with three games Saturday and three games Sunday.The owners' vote Tuesday also approved the use of tracking data during the offseason and preseason for injury prevention, along with two new media deals, according to Albert Breer of the MMQB.CBS will broadcast one of the additional wild-card contests Sunday. Another telecast of that game aimed at a younger audience will air on Nickelodeon.NBC, its new streaming service Peacock, and Telemundo will broadcast another one of Sunday's wild-card games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady has changed teams, but he won't be changing numbers.The newly signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback will continue to wear No. 12 as he's done throughout his legendary career, the team announced Tuesday.The number's former owner in Tampa Bay, star receiver Chris Godwin, is switching to No. 14. Godwin apparently gave Brady the No. 12 jersey out of respect, as "there was no transaction" between the two players."Obviously, if he doesn't want it or isn't making a big deal about it, I'm definitely going to keep it," Godwin said on March 20.He added: "I think just out of respect for what he's done, what he's accomplished, just kind of the career he's built for himself, you've got to kind of lean into that respect, you know?"Despite Godwin's uncertainty, it was assumed Brady would take his longtime number due to his "TB12" brand, though some thought he might opt for the No. 10 he wore at Michigan.The six-time Super Bowl winner was the top-selling player across all sports on retailer Fanatics on March 20 - the day he officially signed with Tampa Bay.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season in 2019, and a major storyline was quarterback Jameis Winston, whose impressive offensive production was often overshadowed by his turnovers.But in eyes of star receiver Chris Godwin, the signal-caller was unfairly singled out as the scapegoat for Tampa Bay's struggles."I definitely think he got more of the blame than he deserved," Godwin said in an interview on "The Boardroom" last week. "I think he's a really, really talented quarterback. Obviously there are things that he does that you can't teach, and there are plays that he made that just weren't smart plays."But a lot of the mistakes and interceptions that he made, I would say half of them were because of a bad read on someone else's part."During 2019, Winston became the first quarterback in NFL history to post at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single campaign. The 26-year-old also led the league in passing yards (5,109), but his 31 picks paced all QBs."There have been times where receivers either ran the wrong route - I've been guilty of running a wrong route or not being in a spot where he thought I was going to be, and you get intercepted and you get a turnover," said Godwin, who established career highs in catches (86), receiving yards (1,333), and touchdowns (nine) in 2019.He added: "It's not just (Winston). I think people who are really entrenched in football understand that - that the quarterback gets a lot more of the blame than he deserves. Sometimes he gets a lot more credit than he deserves, too. But that's just the nature for the position."The Buccaneers are now moving on from Winston - at least as their starting quarterback - after signing Tom Brady to a deal this offseason.Winston, meanwhile, remains on the open market after two weeks of free agency.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts have renewed hope for 2020 after signing quarterback Philip Rivers, a move that excites head coach Frank Reich."This was a crazy, unique opportunity," Reich said Tuesday, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic. "Philip, I think, is a Hall of Fame quarterback.""(We) went back and watched his play from the past two years and didn't see any physical drop-off," continued Reich, who previously worked with Rivers as the Chargers' quarterbacks coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-15).The Colts were also rumored as a possible destination for Tom Brady, but they eventually decided Rivers is a better "fit" for the team.Brady impressed Reich too after the coach watched all the signal-caller's plays over the last two seasons. The six-time Super Bowl champion signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason."We know he's the best of all time for a reason," Reich said. "Don't understand how he's doing it (at his age)."Adding Rivers pushes Jacoby Brissett down the depth chart as he returns to a backup role in 2020."Obviously (Brissett) wasn’t happy," Reich said. "But he's a good teammate and will handle it."Though Brissett isn't Indianapolis' starting QB anymore, Reich said he's open to using the 27-year-old on specific plays.The Colts signed Rivers to a one-year, $25-million contract. The 38-year-old, who led the Chargers to a 5-11 record in 2019, is coming off one of his worst seasons after tossing 20 interceptions with only 23 touchdown passes.Brissett, meanwhile, started 15 games for the Colts last season following Andrew Luck's shocking retirement. He managed seven wins while amassing 2,942 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against six interceptions. Brissett also recorded four scores on the ground and lost five fumbles.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.