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π Greetings to everyone, especially …
RUSSELL HENLEY
For any golfer with aspirations of surpassing Scottie Scheffler at the Tour Championship, near-flawless performance is essential. Russell Henley exhibited precisely that level of skill in the opening round on Thursday.
Henley recorded a remarkable 9-under 61 at East Lake, affording him a two-stroke lead over Scheffler as they progress into the second round. Notably, Henley’s achievement matches Collin Morikawa’s for the lowest opening round in the Tour Championship held at East Lake. A single instance of a lower score exists, dating back to 2007 when Zach Johnson carded a 60 in the third round.
Henley’s scorecard boasted a plethora of birdies, complemented by an eagle. Patrick McDonald notes that his path to success was marked by an unconventional strategy.
- McDonald: “While ranking last in driving distance, Henley showcased unwavering accuracy in finding the fairway and capitalizing on opportunities. His performance reflected his identity as a player, avoiding excessive risks and consistently securing birdies when his putter aligned.”
The current leaderboard standings as the second round approaches are as follows:
1. Russell Henley (-9)
2. Scottie Scheffler (-7)
T-3. Collin Morikawa (-6)
T-3. Patrick Cantlay (-6)
T-3. Justin Thomas (-6)
T-3. Robert MacIntyre (-6)
T-3. Tommy Fleetwood (-6)
Although Henley commenced with exceptional momentum, the competition remains open with significant play ahead. Details regarding the tee times and pairings for Round 2 are readily available, and complete information regarding viewing options is also accessible. Alternatively, ongoing coverage of the action is provided here.
π Accolades to others deserving mention
π A less favorable morning dawns for…
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THE ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons are placing their faith in Michael Penix Jr., the former No. 8 overall pick, as a cornerstone for their future. Ensuring Penix’s well-being is paramount to the success of this investment, making the role of right tackle Kaleb McGary crucial. The Falcons face potential adversity as McGary’s availability is uncertain.
McGary was transported off the practice field on Wednesday due to a leg injury, and presently, the duration of his absence is unknown. Any absence from McGary during the regular season would significantly impact Atlanta’s offensive line. McGary, a first-round selection in 2019, is entrusted with safeguarding the blindside of the left-handed Penix.
McGary’s consistent presence over 92 starts on the offensive line has established him as a pillar on the right side. Just earlier this month, the Falcons recognized McGary’s contributions by awarding him a two-year contract valued at $30 million.
Earlier in the offseason, Penix expressed confidence that the Falcons’ offense “should stand as the league’s finest.” Considering the array of talent surrounding him, notably Bijan Robinson and Drake London, such optimism is justifiable. Nevertheless, the absence of McGary’s stability on the right side of the line could present a significant obstacle to realizing that potential.
π© Other notes of concern
π Discover our tools for fantasy football drafting
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The fantasy football draft season is fully underway, and we are equipped to provide unparalleled expert guidance. From identifying the top overall pick to uncovering hidden gems in the later rounds, CBS Sports delivers comprehensive insights to dominate your league.
Beginning with the draft’s initial stages, our consensus rankings serve as a valuable resource, combining perspectives from our seasoned experts and covering the top 200 players. Here’s a possible representation of the first round in a full PPR league, according to these rankings:
1. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
5. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
6. Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
8. Nico Collins, WR, Texans
9. Malik Nabers, WR, Giants
10. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders
11. Puka Nacua, WR, Rams
12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
Of course, not all selections will prove successful, which is an inherent reality of fantasy football. Keeping this in mind, Jamey Eisenberg has compiled his assessment of potential disappointments for each player selected in Round 1, based on average draft position (ADP).
What about the lesser-known players? The kind of players who make notable improvements and ultimately lead managers to championships? In Eisenberg’s latest issue of Fantasy Football Breakouts, he emphasizes individuals poised for significant growth in 2025, including Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.
- Eisenberg:Β “He should be an excellent complement to CeeDee Lamb and a significant downfield target for Dak Prescott. It will be crucial to monitor Pickens’ target share to truly elevate his fantasy value, but the Cowboys’ passing game is expected to be central to their offensive strategy. The outlook is promising for Pickens in Dallas, and I intend to prioritize drafting him this year.”
Seeking additional strategies for outmaneuvering your competitors in the draft? Look no further:
As always, be sure to tune into “Fantasy Football Today” daily for the latest developments in fantasy football, along with valuable insights.
π Professional predictions from ACC experts
Mike Meredith, CBS Sports
Our journey through college football previews continues with the ACC, a conference seemingly characterized by a concentration of power, featuring two prominent contenders for the College Football Playoff and a renowned NFL coach stepping into the collegiate realm.Β
Let’s begin with Bill Belichick and his North Carolina Tar Heels. The program is generating substantial buzz and anticipation this year, driven by their recruitment of Belichick. However, will this investment yield immediate returns? Brad Crawford has identified the Tar Heels as the most overrated team in the ACC, suggesting potential delays.
- Crawford: “Following a less-than-impressive performance in talent acquisition this offseason, first-year coach Bill Belichick can attribute his team’s bowl eligibility this fall to an unusually forgiving schedule. Nevertheless, the opening phase of the campaign might present challenges in Chapel Hill. It’s plausible that the Tar Heels could face defeats in their initial three encounters against Power 4 opponentsβTCU, at UCF, and Clemsonβbefore regaining their footing.”
Although North Carolina may require a few years to evolve into genuine contenders for an ACC title, Clemson and Miami are currently in strong positions. While the Hurricanes have made substantial investments in the transfer portal, our experts collectively favor the Tigers to lead the conference standings. Only one expert predicts the Canes will triumph in the ACC Championship Game.
Interestingly, Miami holds the No. 8 spot in our ranking of the 10 most overrated programs of the past decade. Will Miami finally fulfill the expectations? Time will soon tell.
πΊ Upcoming viewing recommendations for the weekend
β³ We’ll stay focused on the Tour Championship throughout the weekend: Here’s how to watch.
Friday
π Women’s Rugby World Cup: USA vs. England, 2:30 p.m. on Paramount+ (Here’s a preview.)
βΎ Little League World Series: Home Run Derby, 7 p.m. on ESPN
βΎΒ Red Sox at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. on Prime Video
βΎ Royals at Tigers, 7:10 p.m. on Apple TV+
π Lynx at Fever or Storm at Wings, 7:30 p.m. on ION
π Vikings at Titans, 8 p.m. on CBS
π Falcons at Cowboys, 8 p.m. on NFL Network
π Valkyries at Mercury, 10 p.m. on ION
Saturday
π Iowa State vs. Kansas State, 12 p.m. on ESPN
βΎΒ Little League World Series: international championship, 12:30 p.m. on ABC
π Rams at Browns, 1 p.m. on NFL Network
βΎ Red Sox at Yankees, 1:05 p.m. on MLB Network
π Liberty at Dream, 2 p.m. on CBS
βΎΒ Little League World Series: U.S. championship, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
π Sun at Sky, 4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
π Seahawks at Packers, 4 p.m. on NFL Network
βΎ Blue Jays at Marlins, 4:10 p.m. on MLB Network
π Fresno State at Kansas, 6:30 p.m. on Fox
π Sam Houston State at WKU, 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
π Jaguars at Dolphins, 7 p.m. on NFL Network
π Stanford at Hawaii, 7:30 p.m. on CBS
βΎ Dodgers at Padres, 8:40 p.m. on FS1
π Raiders at Cardinals, 10 p.m. on NFL Network
Sunday
βΎ Little League World Series consolation game, 10 a.m. on ESPN
βΎ Rockies at Pirates, 12:05 p.m. on Roku
βΎ Mets at Braves, 1:35 p.m. on MLB Network
π Big3 All-Star Game, 2 p.m. on CBS
βΎΒ Little League World Series championship, 3 p.m. on ABC
πΒ Big3 Championship, 3 p.m. on CBS (Here’s a preview.)
π Fever at Lynx, 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
βΎ Red Sox at Yankees, 7 p.m. on ESPN
