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SRH vs RR, IPL 2026: Hinge, Sakib too hot to handle as Sunrisers Hyderabad routs Rajasthan Royals  New blood doesn’t ask how things have always been done; it demands to know why they must only be done one way at all. When seasoned hands failed to steady the Sunrisers Hyderabad ship, it was the restless, untested duo – debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hasan, who shared eight wickets between them – who steered SRH to a 57-run win over the Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.When handed the daunting task of taming the JaiSurya phenomenon, Praful came through spectacularly. No bowler in the history of IPL had scalped three in the opening over – until the 24-year-old pacer from Vidarbha came knocking.After a single to get the 217-run chase going, Yashasvi Jaiswal could only watch helplessly as Praful blazed through the in-form, on-song Royals’ top order with irreverence. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius walked back shell-shocked for ducks.Sakib took care of Jaiswal before Praful returned to send Riyan Parag trudging back to the dugout and took flight à la Shoaib Akhtar.ALSO READ: CSK vs KKR, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders clash looking to jump up from bottomRavindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira arrested the rapid slide with a risk-free century stand, helped generously by an opponent that took its foot off the brakes. Just when the pair threatened to take Royals towards an unlikely win, Sakib returned to outfox Ferreira with a beautifully-disguised back of the length slow ball. Two deliveries later, Jadeja followed and the resistance soon collapsed, as Sunrisers held their nerve to hand the Royals their first defeat of the season. SRH’s 216 was, in hindsight, easier on the cardiac muscles. After Jofra Archer removed Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck and Travis Head perished after riding his luck, Kishan did bulk of the heavy lifting with a raucous home crowd swaying to his every move.Just 19 balls after reaching his 19th IPL fifty, Kishan surged into the nineties, hammering Archer for three consecutive boundaries. A brief floodlight failure broke momentum, with Royals using it to remove the 27-year-old and Heinrich Klaasen.Nitish Kumar Reddy then proved why the No. 5 spot should have never left him, with a brutal 24-run over off Sandeep – the most expensive of the night – pushing Sunrisers to an eventually insurmountable score.Nothing about this contest unfolded as expected. Fans, regardless of allegiance, arrived bracing for a bruising shootout between two of the league’s most feared batting units.Instead, they were treated to something else entirely: precision under pressure and nerve over reputation. In the end, it wasn’t pedigree but fearlessness that defined the night, as two unheralded names embodied a generation that doesn’t wait its turn – it takes it.Published on Apr 13, 2026  #SRH #IPL #Hinge #Sakib #hot #handle #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #routs #Rajasthan #Royals

SRH vs RR, IPL 2026: Hinge, Sakib too hot to handle as Sunrisers Hyderabad routs Rajasthan Royals

New blood doesn’t ask how things have always been done; it demands to know why they must only be done one way at all. When seasoned hands failed to steady the Sunrisers Hyderabad ship, it was the restless, untested duo – debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hasan, who shared eight wickets between them – who steered SRH to a 57-run win over the Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.

When handed the daunting task of taming the JaiSurya phenomenon, Praful came through spectacularly. No bowler in the history of IPL had scalped three in the opening over – until the 24-year-old pacer from Vidarbha came knocking.

After a single to get the 217-run chase going, Yashasvi Jaiswal could only watch helplessly as Praful blazed through the in-form, on-song Royals’ top order with irreverence. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius walked back shell-shocked for ducks.

Sakib took care of Jaiswal before Praful returned to send Riyan Parag trudging back to the dugout and took flight à la Shoaib Akhtar.

ALSO READ: CSK vs KKR, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders clash looking to jump up from bottom

Ravindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira arrested the rapid slide with a risk-free century stand, helped generously by an opponent that took its foot off the brakes. Just when the pair threatened to take Royals towards an unlikely win, Sakib returned to outfox Ferreira with a beautifully-disguised back of the length slow ball. 

Two deliveries later, Jadeja followed and the resistance soon collapsed, as Sunrisers held their nerve to hand the Royals their first defeat of the season. 

SRH’s 216 was, in hindsight, easier on the cardiac muscles. After Jofra Archer removed Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck and Travis Head perished after riding his luck, Kishan did bulk of the heavy lifting with a raucous home crowd swaying to his every move.

Just 19 balls after reaching his 19th IPL fifty, Kishan surged into the nineties, hammering Archer for three consecutive boundaries. A brief floodlight failure broke momentum, with Royals using it to remove the 27-year-old and Heinrich Klaasen.

Nitish Kumar Reddy then proved why the No. 5 spot should have never left him, with a brutal 24-run over off Sandeep – the most expensive of the night – pushing Sunrisers to an eventually insurmountable score.

Nothing about this contest unfolded as expected. Fans, regardless of allegiance, arrived bracing for a bruising shootout between two of the league’s most feared batting units.

Instead, they were treated to something else entirely: precision under pressure and nerve over reputation. In the end, it wasn’t pedigree but fearlessness that defined the night, as two unheralded names embodied a generation that doesn’t wait its turn – it takes it.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#SRH #IPL #Hinge #Sakib #hot #handle #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #routs #Rajasthan #Royals

New blood doesn’t ask how things have always been done; it demands to know why they must only be done one way at all. When seasoned hands failed to steady the Sunrisers Hyderabad ship, it was the restless, untested duo – debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hasan, who shared eight wickets between them – who steered SRH to a 57-run win over the Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.

When handed the daunting task of taming the JaiSurya phenomenon, Praful came through spectacularly. No bowler in the history of IPL had scalped three in the opening over – until the 24-year-old pacer from Vidarbha came knocking.

After a single to get the 217-run chase going, Yashasvi Jaiswal could only watch helplessly as Praful blazed through the in-form, on-song Royals’ top order with irreverence. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius walked back shell-shocked for ducks.

Sakib took care of Jaiswal before Praful returned to send Riyan Parag trudging back to the dugout and took flight à la Shoaib Akhtar.

ALSO READ: CSK vs KKR, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders clash looking to jump up from bottom

Ravindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira arrested the rapid slide with a risk-free century stand, helped generously by an opponent that took its foot off the brakes. Just when the pair threatened to take Royals towards an unlikely win, Sakib returned to outfox Ferreira with a beautifully-disguised back of the length slow ball. 

Two deliveries later, Jadeja followed and the resistance soon collapsed, as Sunrisers held their nerve to hand the Royals their first defeat of the season. 

SRH’s 216 was, in hindsight, easier on the cardiac muscles. After Jofra Archer removed Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck and Travis Head perished after riding his luck, Kishan did bulk of the heavy lifting with a raucous home crowd swaying to his every move.

Just 19 balls after reaching his 19th IPL fifty, Kishan surged into the nineties, hammering Archer for three consecutive boundaries. A brief floodlight failure broke momentum, with Royals using it to remove the 27-year-old and Heinrich Klaasen.

Nitish Kumar Reddy then proved why the No. 5 spot should have never left him, with a brutal 24-run over off Sandeep – the most expensive of the night – pushing Sunrisers to an eventually insurmountable score.

Nothing about this contest unfolded as expected. Fans, regardless of allegiance, arrived bracing for a bruising shootout between two of the league’s most feared batting units.

Instead, they were treated to something else entirely: precision under pressure and nerve over reputation. In the end, it wasn’t pedigree but fearlessness that defined the night, as two unheralded names embodied a generation that doesn’t wait its turn – it takes it.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

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#SRH #IPL #Hinge #Sakib #hot #handle #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #routs #Rajasthan #Royals

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Deadspin | Braves option LHP Dylan Dodd after three-inning save <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28718143.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28718143.jpg" alt="MLB: Cleveland Guardians at Atlanta Braves" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 12, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Dylan Dodd (46) reacts with catcher Drake Baldwin (30) after defeating the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Atlanta Braves optioned left-hander Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled right-hander Rolddy Munoz on Monday in advance of a three-game home series against the Miami Marlins.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-2"> <p>Dodd, 27, made his lone appearance of the season on Sunday and pitched three scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians to earn his first career save by closing out a 13-1 victory. Dodd is 3-2 with a 5.45 ERA in 37 appearances (seven starts) with the Braves since 2023.</p> </section> <section id="section-3"> <p>Munoz, who turns 26 on Tuesday, is set to make his first major league appearance of the season. He made the first three appearances of his big league career last season and had a 12.27 ERA over 3 2/3 innings.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Braves #option #LHP #Dylan #Dodd #threeinning #save

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The Masters finish had an elite level of history to it <div><div class="g6j1tz1 g6j1tz2"><div class="_1nfb3k4n _1nfb3k4x"><img alt="The Masters - Final Round" data-chromatic="ignore" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2400"/></div><div class="_1nfb3k4m _1nfb3k4x"><img alt="The Masters - Final Round" data-chromatic="ignore" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2270642886.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.55539833026744%2C0%2C98.889203339465%2C100&w=2400"/></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket Presentation Ceremony following the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (Photo by Thomas Lovelock/Augusta National/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Augusta National/Getty Images</cite></p></div> #Masters #finish #elite #level #history

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com   The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. How the Patriots could win this tradeConsidering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.   #Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com">New England’s A.J. Brown Trade Comes With Huge Risk and Huge Reward | Deadspin.com

The New England Patriots probably overpaid in the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Brown, the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion that wanted a fresh start away from Philadelphia.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel never wanted to trade Brown to the Eagles when he was coaching the Tennessee Titans. Now, the defensive-minded Vrabel lands a wide receiver that he’s comfortable with to help the Patriots get one step closer to raising another Super Bowl banner following their loss against the Seattle Seahawks in February.

The 2028 first-round pick is a huge price to pay. That’s two drafts away, and there’s no guarantee that the Patriots, or any organization, will be able to replicate their successful 2025 season three years in a row. Even though Vrabel and Patriots young quarterback Drake Maye seem to be the next elite combination in Foxborough, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Trading a first round draft pick two years into the future is always a big gamble.

That gamble all depends on Brown’s ability to return to form with the Patriots.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2024, Brown became increasingly fed up with his role in Kevin Patullo’s offense. Despite Brown’s frustration with Philadelphia, he still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games during what would become his final season with the Eagles.

If Brown’s sour attitude follows him to New England, or reappears at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the Patriots might look back and wince at this trade.

The 28-year-old wasn’t an All-Pro last season for the first time since 2021 with the Titans, which was the only season of his career that Brown failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Brown turns 29 in June, so there will be natural questions about whether or not his best football is behind him. 

How the Patriots could win this trade

Considering that New England will send their 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia, the Patriots will need him to be dominant through the 2029 campaign.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2030, at age 33.

This is obviously a calculated gamble. If Brown could be Maye’s unquestioned wide receiver No. 1 over the next four seasons, this is a home run for the Patriots. Brown understands what it takes to win a Super Bowl and he joins a franchise in New England that rebounded quickly, but now expects another championship.

The joy of having Maye on a rookie quarterback contract allows the Patriots to take big swings like this. The risk comes in if they take an unexpected step back in 2027, which is still a full season away. A lot can happen between now and then. But as long as Brown is still catching touchdowns and eclipsing 1,000 yard seasons, this is a gamble that seems worth taking.

#Englands #A.J #Brown #Trade #Huge #Risk #Huge #Reward #Deadspin.com

Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.

Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.

She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.

And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).

Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success

Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.

Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.

But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.

The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.

“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”

Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings.

#32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players">32-year-old WNBA guard has been one of the league’s best players  Basketball players don’t usually peak in their thirties. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who is 32 years old and in her 10th WNBA season, is playing some of the best basketball of her career.Williams, who is in her third year playing for head coach Cheryl Reeve on the Lynx, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points, along with 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She’s shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three — both career-highs — while turning the ball over just 1.8 times per game, her lowest figure since 2022.She is coming off a season-high 30-point explosion against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night. In that 34-point victory, Williams shot 13-of-20 from the field in 29 minutes — the fewest minutes played in a 30-point game in franchise history.And, the Lynx are thriving. They are currently riding a 5-game win streak and have a league-best 7-2 record. They have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game, the highest point differential in the WNBA (for reference, the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries are tied for the next-best differential at +6.2, so no one else is particularly close).Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard have also been powering the Lynx’s early success Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (and the 11th-leading scorer in the WNBA), but she’s far from the only reason why the Lynx find themselves on top of the standings.Natasha Howard is also undergoing a revival; the 34-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while anchoring the team’s defense. Kayla McBride is averaging 13.2 points per game (while shooting an uncharacteristically low 28.6% from three), and Nia Coffey is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per game and playing some of the best basketball of her career.But the most impactful player might be No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles, who is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 49.5% from the field. Miles has taken the mantle at point guard, allowing Williams to be more of a primary scorer than a playmaker, which is her natural position.The Olivia Miles / Courtney Williams fit in the backcourt has been seamless.“Court, the second I stepped on the court was like ‘Go run the one, I’ll be your running mate,‘” Miles said last week, per Andrew Dukowitz. “It’s so easy with her — she’s in her natural position, she’s where she’s thriving. I think she’s playing some of her best basketball that I’ve seen. It’s so easy to play with her, it’s easy to play with everyone — when you have people who are willing to let you be you and trust you.”Now, the Lynx, despite losing key rotation players like Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton in the offseason, find themselves at the top of the standings.  #32yearold #WNBA #guard #leagues #players

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