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Deadspin | Ravens going Hollywood? Early favorites emerge to replace John Harbaugh

Deadspin | Ravens going Hollywood? Early favorites emerge to replace John Harbaugh

May 28, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Ravens immediately leapt to the front of the pack for the most appealing job openings in the NFL after parting ways with John Harbaugh following 18 years on Tuesday.

The Ravens have a two-time NFL MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, veteran weapons at the skill positions and a defense that continues to reload with talent thanks to one of the most well-respected front offices in football.

Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti didn’t take firing a Super Bowl-winning coach lightly, and he likely didn’t do so without having a strong short list of candidates in mind.

Several early front-runners immediately emerged, with a pair of Los Angeles-based defensive coordinators topping the list at one sportsbook.

The Rams’ Chris Shula is expected to draw interest from several teams this offseason, and was installed as the +300 favorite. That was just ahead of the Chargers’ Jesse Minter, who followed Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, from Michigan to the Chargers.

The Washington Commanders parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on Monday, but the noted quarterback guru might curry favor with Jackson, who is coming off one of the most frustrating seasons of his eight-year career.

Kingsbury, who has previous head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals, is followed by another highly respected coordinator seeking a second opportunity to run an NFL team. Brian Flores has helped Minnesota feature one of the league’s most feared defenses following a three-year stint as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach and one on Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh.

Flores’ +700 odds are the same as those for Kevin Stefanski. Despite being fired by the Cleveland Browns on Monday, Stefanski is expected to be a hot commodity in this year’s coaching cycle that reached seven vacancies with John Harbaugh’s firing.

RAVENS NEXT COACH ODDS*

Chris Shula (+300)

Jesse Minter (+350)

Kliff Kingsbury (+500)

Brian Flores (+700)

Kevin Stefanski (+700)

Klint Kubiak (+900)

Jim Schwartz (+1000)

Robert Saleh (+1200)

Mike McCarthy (+1200)

Mike LaFleur (+1600)

Steve Spagnuolo (+1800)

Anthony Weaver (+2000)

Matt Nagy (+2000)

Vance Joseph (+2000)

Jeff Hafley (+2500)

Joe Brady (+2500)

Anthony Campanile (+2500)

Vic Fangio (+2500)

Arthur Smith (+2500)

Kevin O’Connell (+3300)

Marcus Freeman (+3300)

Josh McDaniels (+3300)

Greg Roman (+4000)

David Shaw (+4000)

Jon Gruden (+5000)

Jason Garrett (+6600)

Deion Sanders (+6600)

Marvin Lewis (+6600)

Bill Belichick (+6600)

*an online sportsbook odds provided for entertaining purposes only.

Harbaugh’s dismissal came two days after the Ravens’ season ended on a missed field goal as time expired at Pittsburgh in the final game of the NFL regular season. The 63-year-old hits the open market with a Super Bowl victory and 180 career wins on his resume.

The Ravens reached the playoffs 12 times under Harbaugh while winning fewer than eight games only once, but they have not been back to the Super Bowl since the February 2013 game.

“Our goal has always been and will always be to win Championships,” Bisciotti said in a statement. “We strive to consistently perform at the highest level on the field and be a team and organization our fans take pride in.

“I will always be grateful for the extraordinary hard work and dedication displayed by John and his staff throughout the many successful years. …

“We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount.”

–Field Level Media

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The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) announcement that they will now contract their players, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does, is excellent news. This is yet another example of an administration that is alert and alive to the needs of its players, giving them the security to play the game without worrying about where the next pay cheque is coming from.

A couple of years ago, after Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy, the Association not only matched the prize money that the winners receive from the BCCI but also announced that it would pay players what the BCCI pays. This latter part is very important, as players now receive payment from the MCA immediately after a match finishes. BCCI payments do take a little time, as there are payments to be made not just to one team but to several, and determining what each player should receive involves some delay, given the slabs based on the number of matches played. By paying players immediately after the game is over, the wait for BCCI payments becomes a little easier. Who does not like to be paid immediately after the work is complete?

Today, corporate jobs for players to participate in inter-company tournaments are drying up, so this immediate payment is a boon. It is understood that two other progressive-minded associations, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Karnataka State Cricket Association, also pay players for every game, apart from BCCI payments. Other associations, which receive a handsome subsidy each year from the BCCI, would do well to match these payments. What is the point of showing crores in the bank when players could perform with far greater freedom if they were better looked after?

That said, even players from teams that reach the Ranji Trophy final do not end up earning the base price of Rs. 30 lakh that an IPL player receives. This, mind you, is for playing around 40 days of cricket, while an IPL player earns the same for 16 matches, out of which he may not even play one.

Yes, one can argue that it is market forces that fetch an uncapped IPL player the crores he commands, but it is still disappointing to see that those who give everything to compete in the National Championships, across different weather conditions and often in front of sparse crowds, do not even earn the base price of an IPL player.

The BCCI must be complimented on its decision to continue providing pensions to the widows of retired international players if, unfortunately, the player passes away. This is truly magnanimous, as without the support and backing of players’ better halves, they would not have been able to perform at their best. Hopefully, the MCA will take the lead here as well and ensure that the widows of its retired Ranji, Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy players continue to receive pension payments. This would be another generous gesture by the Association, expressing its gratitude for the service these players have given.

Times have changed for the better, and that is exactly how it should be.

Was it not the great Sir Don Bradman who said, “Each player should endeavour to leave the game better than he found it”?

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Sunil #Gavaskar #Domestic #cricketers #deserve #applause #sparse #crowds">Sunil Gavaskar: Domestic cricketers deserve more than applause and sparse crowds  The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) announcement that they will now contract their players, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does, is excellent news. This is yet another example of an administration that is alert and alive to the needs of its players, giving them the security to play the game without worrying about where the next pay cheque is coming from.A couple of years ago, after Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy, the Association not only matched the prize money that the winners receive from the BCCI but also announced that it would pay players what the BCCI pays. This latter part is very important, as players now receive payment from the MCA immediately after a match finishes. BCCI payments do take a little time, as there are payments to be made not just to one team but to several, and determining what each player should receive involves some delay, given the slabs based on the number of matches played. By paying players immediately after the game is over, the wait for BCCI payments becomes a little easier. Who does not like to be paid immediately after the work is complete?Today, corporate jobs for players to participate in inter-company tournaments are drying up, so this immediate payment is a boon. It is understood that two other progressive-minded associations, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Karnataka State Cricket Association, also pay players for every game, apart from BCCI payments. Other associations, which receive a handsome subsidy each year from the BCCI, would do well to match these payments. What is the point of showing crores in the bank when players could perform with far greater freedom if they were better looked after?That said, even players from teams that reach the Ranji Trophy final do not end up earning the base price of Rs. 30 lakh that an IPL player receives. This, mind you, is for playing around 40 days of cricket, while an IPL player earns the same for 16 matches, out of which he may not even play one.Yes, one can argue that it is market forces that fetch an uncapped IPL player the crores he commands, but it is still disappointing to see that those who give everything to compete in the National Championships, across different weather conditions and often in front of sparse crowds, do not even earn the base price of an IPL player.The BCCI must be complimented on its decision to continue providing pensions to the widows of retired international players if, unfortunately, the player passes away. This is truly magnanimous, as without the support and backing of players’ better halves, they would not have been able to perform at their best. Hopefully, the MCA will take the lead here as well and ensure that the widows of its retired Ranji, Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy players continue to receive pension payments. This would be another generous gesture by the Association, expressing its gratitude for the service these players have given.Times have changed for the better, and that is exactly how it should be.Was it not the great Sir Don Bradman who said, “Each player should endeavour to leave the game better than he found it”?Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Sunil #Gavaskar #Domestic #cricketers #deserve #applause #sparse #crowds

Deadspin | Dramatic goalkeeper goal earns Toronto FC draw with Philadelphia  Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) looks on against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   A header from goalkeeper Luka Gavran six minutes into second-half stoppage time gave Toronto FC a dramatic 3-3 draw with the visiting Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.  Gavran was downfield with the rest of his teammates during Daniel Salloi’s late free kick, bidding for an equalizer. Salloi’s initial shot was deflected back out to Alonso Coello, whose pass into the box found Gavran’s head for his first career goal.  The draw extended unbeaten streaks for both clubs. Philadelphia is 1-0-2 in its last three matches while Toronto FC are 3-0-4 in their last seven. Toronto is also 4-0-9 in its last 13 home matches dating back to last June.  Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin scored for Toronto (3-2-4, 13 points) earlier in the second half as it recovered from a 2-0 deficit.  Milan Iloski, Danley Jean Jacques and Nathan Harriel scored for the Union (1-6-2, five points). Harriel was almost the late-game hero for Philadelphia after the defender converted a header off a corner kick in the 89th minute.  Frankie Westfield’s eighth-minute free kick off the goalpost highlighted a dominant opening 25 minutes for Philadelphia. Toronto then controlled the rest of the first half, but Union defenders Westfield, Harriel, and Japhet Sery all made impressive individual plays to disrupt scoring chances.   With the back line helping stifle Toronto FC’s attack, Iloski put Philadelphia ahead four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Jovan Lukic’s through-ball found Iloski moving between two Toronto FC defenders and Iloski buried the shot after entering the box.  It was Iloski’s second goal of the season, then Jean Jacques followed with his second goal in the 52nd minute. On something of a broken play for Toronto, Jean Jacques beat Zane Monlouis to a loose ball in the box and his one-touch strike sailed into the net.  Sargent and Franklin then recorded their second goals of the season, as Toronto FC roared back to quickly level the score.  Four minutes after Jean Jacques’ tally, Sargent took the ball in the box and made a canny move to find space before burying his second goal. Franklin then banked a shot off the post and into Philadelphia’s net for the 64th-minute equalizer.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Dramatic #goalkeeper #goal #earns #Toronto #draw #PhiladelphiaApr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) looks on against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

A header from goalkeeper Luka Gavran six minutes into second-half stoppage time gave Toronto FC a dramatic 3-3 draw with the visiting Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

Gavran was downfield with the rest of his teammates during Daniel Salloi’s late free kick, bidding for an equalizer. Salloi’s initial shot was deflected back out to Alonso Coello, whose pass into the box found Gavran’s head for his first career goal.

The draw extended unbeaten streaks for both clubs. Philadelphia is 1-0-2 in its last three matches while Toronto FC are 3-0-4 in their last seven. Toronto is also 4-0-9 in its last 13 home matches dating back to last June.

Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin scored for Toronto (3-2-4, 13 points) earlier in the second half as it recovered from a 2-0 deficit.

Milan Iloski, Danley Jean Jacques and Nathan Harriel scored for the Union (1-6-2, five points). Harriel was almost the late-game hero for Philadelphia after the defender converted a header off a corner kick in the 89th minute.


Frankie Westfield’s eighth-minute free kick off the goalpost highlighted a dominant opening 25 minutes for Philadelphia. Toronto then controlled the rest of the first half, but Union defenders Westfield, Harriel, and Japhet Sery all made impressive individual plays to disrupt scoring chances.

With the back line helping stifle Toronto FC’s attack, Iloski put Philadelphia ahead four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Jovan Lukic’s through-ball found Iloski moving between two Toronto FC defenders and Iloski buried the shot after entering the box.

It was Iloski’s second goal of the season, then Jean Jacques followed with his second goal in the 52nd minute. On something of a broken play for Toronto, Jean Jacques beat Zane Monlouis to a loose ball in the box and his one-touch strike sailed into the net.

Sargent and Franklin then recorded their second goals of the season, as Toronto FC roared back to quickly level the score.

Four minutes after Jean Jacques’ tally, Sargent took the ball in the box and made a canny move to find space before burying his second goal. Franklin then banked a shot off the post and into Philadelphia’s net for the 64th-minute equalizer.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dramatic #goalkeeper #goal #earns #Toronto #draw #Philadelphia">Deadspin | Dramatic goalkeeper goal earns Toronto FC draw with Philadelphia  Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) looks on against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   A header from goalkeeper Luka Gavran six minutes into second-half stoppage time gave Toronto FC a dramatic 3-3 draw with the visiting Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.  Gavran was downfield with the rest of his teammates during Daniel Salloi’s late free kick, bidding for an equalizer. Salloi’s initial shot was deflected back out to Alonso Coello, whose pass into the box found Gavran’s head for his first career goal.  The draw extended unbeaten streaks for both clubs. Philadelphia is 1-0-2 in its last three matches while Toronto FC are 3-0-4 in their last seven. Toronto is also 4-0-9 in its last 13 home matches dating back to last June.  Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin scored for Toronto (3-2-4, 13 points) earlier in the second half as it recovered from a 2-0 deficit.  Milan Iloski, Danley Jean Jacques and Nathan Harriel scored for the Union (1-6-2, five points). Harriel was almost the late-game hero for Philadelphia after the defender converted a header off a corner kick in the 89th minute.  Frankie Westfield’s eighth-minute free kick off the goalpost highlighted a dominant opening 25 minutes for Philadelphia. Toronto then controlled the rest of the first half, but Union defenders Westfield, Harriel, and Japhet Sery all made impressive individual plays to disrupt scoring chances.   With the back line helping stifle Toronto FC’s attack, Iloski put Philadelphia ahead four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Jovan Lukic’s through-ball found Iloski moving between two Toronto FC defenders and Iloski buried the shot after entering the box.  It was Iloski’s second goal of the season, then Jean Jacques followed with his second goal in the 52nd minute. On something of a broken play for Toronto, Jean Jacques beat Zane Monlouis to a loose ball in the box and his one-touch strike sailed into the net.  Sargent and Franklin then recorded their second goals of the season, as Toronto FC roared back to quickly level the score.  Four minutes after Jean Jacques’ tally, Sargent took the ball in the box and made a canny move to find space before burying his second goal. Franklin then banked a shot off the post and into Philadelphia’s net for the 64th-minute equalizer.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Dramatic #goalkeeper #goal #earns #Toronto #draw #Philadelphia

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