Daily Archives: July 11, 2022

Fifth in a series

It's hard to say which group will be more critical to the offense and the development of quarterback Justin Fields: the tackles or the wide receivers?

There are more solid prospects at tackle, but whether or not there is more NFL talent is still an open question.

Physically, Teven Jenkins has everything you want in a high-end NFL right tackle. It's also still a possibility his best position could be guard.

What is worrisome is that in a year he has gone from a Day One draft prospect to not worth considering at left tackle and running with the second string behind Larry Borom, who was taken three rounds later in the same draft.

Biggest plus: Jenkins does seem to have the nasty attitude that Ryan Poles wants in his offensive linemen.

Biggest concern: He had his first back surgery before participating in a single NFL training camp practice, and we know the history of back issues with Bears tackles.

Borom appears to have a bright future somewhere on the offensive line, but whether it's at left tackle, right tackle or right guard is the question.

Before last year's draft, he was rated most highly at guard, and the Bears have a huge hole at right guard right now. But a dramatic body makeover between the end of his college career and the draft revealed the feet and athleticism you need at left tackle.

Biggest plus: He is one of the Bears' five best linemen and will start somewhere.

Biggest concern: Will moving him up and down the line keep him from fully developing in one spot?

Jones is the truest left tackle of the group. He has all the intangibles for the position and appears to have an excellent attitude and desire to be great. He's long, athletic and has a huge wingspan and massive hands.

He dominated at times in college but needs a lot of work on technique.

Biggest plus: Jones is built and looks like a prototypical left tackle and seems to get the nuance of the position.

Biggest concern: It's a very long journey from Southern Utah to starting in the NFL.

Davenport is a solid NFL journeyman who you'll never be satisfied with as your No. 1, but he can play either left or tight tackle and is fine starting a few games here and there as your swing tackle.

Biggest plus: He's a dependable insurance policy.

Biggest concern: The Bears are his fourth team in six seasons for a reason.

Coleman was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2016 draft and started all 16 games at right tackle for Cleveland in 2017. He hasn't played in an NFL game since being traded to the 49ers in 2018. Between injuries and opting out of the 2020 season, he has been stuck on the bench ever since.

Biggest plus: He was once a highly regarded prospect and has one season as a starter.

Biggest concern: He's 30 and hasn't played in a long, long time.

A seventh-round pick in 2020, he was drafted as a project out of Tennessee State.

Biggest plus: He has the flexibility to play left or right tackle and claim the swing tackle spot.

Biggest concern: Simmons hasn't shown much his first two years with the Bears.

Where they fit in NFL: There is potential in Jenkins, Borom and Jones, but no proven starter on either side. That makes this position bottom five in the league now.

Potential: It's easy to see all three youngsters eventually becoming solid NFL starters, if everything goes right.

Surprises: Jones (LT), Jenkins (RT) and Borom (RG) all end up starting opening day.

Disappointments: It won't be shocking if both Jenkins and Jones start the season on the bench with one or both possibly even inactive.

Outcome: Borom, Jenkins, Jones and Davenport all appear to be locks for the final 53, unless the Bears bring in more street vets. Simmons could see one more year on the practice squad.

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Bears training camp preview: Offensive line still a work in progress - Daily Herald

Increasing the population of homegrown talent on the Wild is how the team can cope with the frugal budget that's taken over its finances, and the Wild's draft habits have reinforced as much.

A year after loading up on defensemen and a goaltender who is progressing toward to the NHL, the team selected forwards with six of its eight picks on Thursday and Friday in Montreal. This now gives it a balanced buffet of options to consider but in the future, not the present.

That means the Wild still has work to do to ready its lineup for next season, even if there is a chance for some of its youth to make the cut.

"As much as we need that help, we're not going to rush them," General Manager Bill Guerin said of the team's latest draft class. "When they're ready, they're ready. And if it takes a little extra time, we'll find other means. But the last thing we want to do is rush these young guys along."

In the two weeks since the NHL season ended with Colorado lifting the Stanley Cup, the Wild has been busy.

After trading Kevin Fiala to Los Angeles because the Wild couldn't afford to pay him a new contract, the cap-strapped team did put what spending power it does have to use.

Defenseman Jake Middleton re-signed and so did goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, although him sticking around on a two-year contract has put into question the viability of a Fleury-Cam Talbot tandem in light of Talbot being disappointed he didn't play more in the postseason where Fleury started five of the six games.

Then there's also the uncertainty surrounding Kirill Kaprizov and whether he and other Russian NHLers will be able to return for the season amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In the meantime, what the Wild can do is keep tweaking the roster.

The team is looking to bring in another forward, which it can accomplish when free agency opens for business on Wednesday.

Currently, the Wild has around $1.4 million in cap space but could create more by trading someone; the team has seven defensemen and 11 forwards signed, but keep in mind Jordan Greenway and Jon Merrill are on the mend from surgery and might not be ready to start the season. Nick Bjugstad and Nic Deslauriers are on expiring contracts, and Guerin said it's likely the two forwards reach free agency.

Regardless, the Wild will have internal candidates to evaluate.

Depending on how the defense shakes out, Calen Addison might be in line for more NHL action. He spent a second straight season mostly in the minors, appearing in just 15 games with the Wild, but the right-shot puck mover could be appealing for a power play seeking to improve.

"Addy's still going to have to push for a spot," Guerin said. "He's definitely capable of doing it. It's a matter of just making our decisions hard, and he's just gotta push. He's got all the tools to do it.

"I'm sure he'll be ready for the challenge."

Up front, Marco Rossi could help the Wild's remodel in the aftermath of Fiala's departure, but he will have to prove he merits the minutes.

"I expect him to that rise to that occasion," Guerin said. "He's a character kid. He knows what he's doing. So, I expect him to come in in great shape and ready to go."

Rossi, the ninth overall pick from 2020, is coming off his first season with Iowa in the American Hockey League where he scored 18 goals and finished with 53 points in 63 games.

He can preview his audition at the Wild's development camp when it begins Tuesday at Tria Rink in St. Paul, a summit for prospects that culminates in a 3-on-3 tournament.

Others in attendance will be Adam Beckman, Brock Faber (the Gophers captain who was acquired in the Fiala trade) and Jesper Wallstedt, the Swedish goalie the Wild drafted last year who's poised to debut with Iowa.

Most of the team's recent picks are also expected to participate.

They don't address the Wild's current situation, but the players do show the way the organization is trending with director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett feeling the Wild added offense, size and competitiveness.

"We're really excited," Brackett said, "and it's just the beginning."

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Roster tweaks remain in progress for cash-strapped Wild - Star Tribune

Football can never be easy in Philadelphia, at least if youre a Quarterback. Youre always under the microscope and Jalen Hurts is the perfect example. The position alone has such a huge demand for success with little patience to get there. Early on in the offseason, Jalen Hurts was all the rave as several media members praised the QB for his growth and for the work that he has put in during this offseason.

Weve seen only bits and pieces of Jalen Hurts training this offseason. As photos of him training with DeVonta Smith and even A.J. Brown, before and after he was an Eagle, but the truth about the ugly side was bound to reach the surface.

Recently on Sports Takes Live, Derrick Gunn joined Barrett Brooks and Rob Ellis to talk about the QBs progress or lack thereof. Gunn emphasized that the Eagles had their QB in a controlled environment for a series of 10 plays which is why he never feels the need to be too hyped about OTAs, minicamp, and even training camp.

Derrick Gunn went on to mention that he asked a few people about where Hurts was in his process. Gunn said, One person said let me give you a scenario of what he went through in one day of practice. It was a ten-play scenario. He had three picks, four incompletions, and three sacks.

A bit of an eye-opener for sure but as many know, Jalen Hurts wasnt surrounded by many of the teams starters during their camp period. Even so, it could be a bit concerning to see the 3rd year QB struggle in a controlled environment such as practice.

Derrick Gun then followed up on that remark of the Eagles QB by questioning the person, So, what are you thinking? The person who was giving this information to Derrick Gunn left very little room for optimism as he responded, Hes got a ways to go. Barrett Brooks then acknowledged that hes heard the same information from within the organization.

While we shouldnt be too concerned about practice at this point in the offseason, the fact of the matter is that this is the current reality of this team. While they have outdone themselves by stacking up at nearly every position except for Safety, their young QB is still at a crossroads in his growth.

With all of the expectations of this team rising by the day and players like Miles Sanders raving about the energy surrounding the team, the Eagles have very little room for failure. At this point the words rebuilding and retooling can no longer be used as an excuse. If Jalen Hurts doesnt take the necessary steps forward then it could put this organization in a bind during the next offseason when they have to decide on what to do with the QB position.

The 2022 season is a do-or-die moment for Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts will be playing for his second contract while the Eagles will be battling back and forth on who their QB will be for the 2023 season. Ive never seen a QB under such scrutiny before but if theres any QB that could come out of the scuffle victoriously, it would be Jalen Hurts.

Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire

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Should the Eagles be concerned about Jalen Hurts' progress? Philly Sports - Philly Sports Network

LOUISVILLE, Colo. A single father from Louisville who lost everything in the Marshall Fire is reflecting on his rebuilding journey six months after the fire.

Cristopher Benner is an emergency worker and search and rescue volunteer who was helping treat an influx of hospital patients in Boulder the day the Marshall Fire broke out on Dec. 30.

"It was a very busy day in the emergency department. I didn't know if my property was going to be okay. And I literally had gone to work that day, just thinking it'd be a normal day in the E.R., just with the clothing on my back," said Benner.

Benner said he never expected a wildfire to impact his suburban-area community. The home where he had been raising his 9-year-old son, Fergus, was destroyed. They also lost their beloved cat, Bugsy.

"I came back in the early hours the next morning to see the area was decimated. It was catastrophic, to say the least. It was like a scene in a movie," added Benner.

Benner said deciding to rebuild in Louisville was an easy decision, especially when it comes to his son.

"He has been my pillar of strength. He has done amazingly well in the process," he said. "This is his first home. This community is incredibly strong. So I never doubted that we would ever sell this property or doubted that we would rebuild here."

Rebuilding has been a challenge for Benner when it comes to dealing with the insurance process. But his lot has been cleared out and he has contracts with a builder and they are in the design process. He hopes to break ground on the property in the next few months.

"The community has come together so well through this process. I think we'll actually get a stronger community when this is all said and done, as sad as it is," said Benner.

Benner and his son are temporarily staying in an apartment in Louisville until their home is rebuilt. He is still not sure how long the process will take but estimates it will be between 1 to 2 years before they are in their new house.

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Marshall Fire victim reflects on rebuilding progress 6 months after losing everything - Denver 7 Colorado News

The Veterans Health Administration is seeing severe staffing shortages back on the rise, after years of making progress on this front.

The Veterans Affairs Departments inspector general office, in a report released Thursday, found all 139 VHA facilities it surveyed this year reported at least one severe occupational staffing shortage.

In total, the VA IGs report found 2,622 severe staffing shortages for 285 occupations in VHA nationwide.

The overall number of current VHA staffing shortages...

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The Veterans Health Administration is seeing severe staffing shortages back on the rise, after years of making progress on this front.

The Veterans Affairs Departments inspector general office, in a report released Thursday, found all 139 VHA facilities it surveyed this year reported at least one severe occupational staffing shortage.

In total, the VA IGs report found 2,622 severe staffing shortages for 285 occupations in VHA nationwide.

The overall number of current VHA staffing shortages remains lower than what the agency reported in 2018. But it also marks the first report in recent years in which the VHA didnt continue to decrease the overall number of occupations with staffing shortages.

For the first time since reporting to the facility level, there was a net increase in severe occupational staffing shortages suggesting it was more difficult to fill positions in VHA, the report states.

The report finds the VHA in FY 22 saw a 22% increase in severe staffing shortages, compared to the year prior. The agency saw year-over-year reductions in staffing shortages in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Deputy Undersecretary for Health Steven Lieberman told the IGs office that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health care workforce and the shortage of physicians and nurses across the entire labor market has driven and continues to drive the shortage across health care as documented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The VA has seen record-high turnover among its health care workforce since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency has called on Congress to pass legislation that would raise caps for health care positions and make permanent some pandemic-era hiring authorities.

The VA is also preparing to transform its workforce and health care facilities in anticipation of legislation that would deliver a historic expansion of health care to veterans.

The Senate last month passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (Honoring Our PACT) Act. The bill is now back in the House waiting for a final floor before heading to President Joe Bidens desk.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough told the Senate VA Committee in June that the PACT Act would give the VA much-needed authority to set higher pay caps for certain health care positions, and that the VAs ability to get veterans into care more quickly is obviously impacted by the tightness of the labor market.

The VHA continues to face long-standing challenges in keeping enough medical officers and nurses.

The report finds that 87% of facilities experienced severe occupational staffing shortages for medical officers, and 91% reported severe shortages for nurses. The VA IG has noted a severe shortage of these positions every year since 2014.

This years report marks the first in which the IGs office found more than 90 occupations facing severe shortages.

In FY 2022, more severe occupational staffing shortages were reported by more facilities than in recent FYs. Although VHA experienced net increases in onboard staffing levels of certain occupations, severe occupational staffing shortages continued to exist. The OIG acknowledges that the COVID-19 Pandemic affected VHAs delivery of healthcare and their staffing needs, the report states.

The Grand Junction VA Medical Center in Colorado and the Palo Alto VA Medical Center in California both reported 89 staffing shortages in this years report the most shortages reported by any one VA facility.

The report finds seven occupations that have remained in the top 10 most frequently reported severe shortages annually: police, psychiatry, primary care, practical nurse, general engineering psychology and medical technologist.

However, the IG found that VHA has generally seen net increases in staffing levels for each of these seven occupations every year since FY 2017.

Therefore, although these occupations were identified as severe occupational staffing shortages, VHA has been increasing the number of staff in these occupations, the report states.

The IG also identified five occupations that saw the biggest increase in facilities reporting severe shortages between FY 2022 and FY 2021. These include custodial workers, practical nurses, medical support assistants, nursing assistants and registered nurses.

The OIG believes this comparison provides VHA with insight into which occupations may benefit from additional workforce planning strategies, the report states.

The IG found that 63% of VA facilities reported a severe shortage of medical support assistants, the more critical staff shortage among Title 38 occupations VHA is able to non-competitively select individuals using direct-hire authority for Title 38 positions.

The VA IGs office, under the 2017 Choice and Quality Employment Act, is required to identify staffing shortages across the agencys clinical and non-clinical positions.

The VA, meanwhile, faces a 23% vacancy rate for licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHCs), as well as marriage and family therapists (MFTs).

Senate VA Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are seeking an update from the VA and the Office of Personnel Management on steps to bring more of these personnel onboard.

The senators, in a letter to McDonough and OPM Director Kiran Ahuja, seek an update under the 2020 Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which requires the agencies to create a new federal occupational series for these specialists.

Creating an occupational series for LPMHCs and MFTs is integral to ensuring streamlined hiring of these mental health care professionals and delivering timely mental health care to veterans. The absence of an occupational series for these two positions can add difficulties to the hiring process for human resources personnel attempting to fill vacancies and candidates researching and applying for positions at VA, the senators wrote.

VA officials briefed lawmakers on the implementation of the Hannon Act last November. Tester and Moran said OPM last October had agreed to establish an Integrated Project Team (IPT) to create an occupational series for LPMHCs and MFTs.

This briefing provided no timeline regarding the IPTs course of action, and now, nearly seven months later, we have received no update on the work of the IPT or a projection for completion of the occupational series for LPMHCs and MFTs. This is also troubling given we have been asking VA and OPM since 2017 to establish an occupational series for these mental health professionals, the senators wrote.

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VA health staffing shortages back on the rise after years of progress - Federal News Network

Contra Costa County firefighters stopped the "forward progress" of the Marsh Fire, which happened near a decommissioned power plant in Pittsburg early Saturday evening.

A Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesperson said firefighters will remain on scene overnight to mop up numerous hot spots.

The vegetation fire, which has been smoldering since it first started a month ago, has scorched 200 acres and 70% contained. The smoldering fire flared up early Saturday afternoon, creating a huge, dark cloud of smoke that was seen throughout the eastern portion of the county.

No structures were affected by Saturday's flare-up. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

During the afternoon, Cal Fire air support was brought in to assist, dropping thousands of gallons of water on the flames from three large, heavy-lift helicopters that carry a massive capacity of water and fire retardant.

Pittsburg residents have been dealing with the smoke for weeks now.

We have our children playing outside, we cant go outside even when we open the garage, theres smoke coming in, one resident said.

With the wind blowing, its been a problem lately, said Pittsburg resident Markell McCain.

Firefighters said a persistent fire keeps coming back and burning more land every time it reignites. It originally started on May 30 at Bay Point.

Because of that we were monitoring the fire daily or the smoldering fire daily to make sure it wasnt going to take off on us again, said Joe Ottolini with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

With air and ground resources, crews were able to stop forward progress and eliminate any threats against the communities on the eastern side of the fire. A nearby car shop said five or six of their vehicles did catch on fire.

Residents in the area are just hoping crews win the final battle against this troublesome fire.

"It's too close for comfort. I dont feel safe. Hopefully, they can get it fixed, said McCain.

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Forward Progress Stopped on Brush Fire Near Old Power Plant in Pittsburg - NBC Bay Area

WHEATLAND (CBS13) Firefighters on Saturday worked quickly to contain a new fire that sparked east of Wheatland near the Yuba and Placer county lines.

Cal Fire said, just after 6:30 p.m., that firefighters had stopped the forward progress of the blaze, dubbed the Porter Fire. At last check, containment was at 80% containment.

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. and quickly grew to 166 acres. The acreag was initially reported at 175, but Cal Fire said more accurate mapping dropped that number just a bit.

The location of the fire was in the area of Porter Road and Camp Far West Road in Placer County near the Yuba County line.

The Placer County Sheriffs Office said the area of Porter, Karchner and McCourteny roads was evacuated and one outbuilding had been destroyed in the fire. All evacuation orders have since been lifted.

The fire was also reportedly threatening structures in nearby Sheridan for some time.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

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Crews Stop Forward Progress Of New Fire In Placer County That Grew To 166 Acres; 85% Contained - CBS Sacramento

The flamethrowing rookie who drew comparisons to his idol and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez during a buzzworthy first stint in the Majors? The centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade with the Phillies? How could you not -- with him sporting a triple-digit fastball, a devastating changeup and an unforgettable first name?

But it has been nearly one year since Snchez underwent surgery to repair a capsular tear and to clean out the back side of his right shoulder. The discomfort first surfaced in a simulated game on March 31, 2021, as he prepared to join the Opening Day rotation. Diagnosed with inflammation, Snchez was sidelined for months -- his rehab going through a series of starts and stops before he finally underwent the surgical procedure on July 20.

On a humid Saturday morning at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex, Snchez tossed a 30-pitch bullpen session as he continues his gradual progression -- something that proved elusive last summer -- in his throwing program. This would've seemed improbable as recently as March, when the lockout ended and he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville during Spring Training. He felt discomfort again while starting to long toss, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.

"I'd like to thank God that I'm feeling really good. [I'm] going to continue to work hard to get that success back," Snchez said via an interpreter.

Snchez, who turns 24 on July 29, calls these bullpen and side sessions Phase 1 of his return. He will face batters next week for the first time since March 2021. His stuff isn't completely back, though that is to be expected, considering the amount of time he has missed. His fastball has reached 94 mph, but just 91 mph on Saturday. His pinpoint command wasn't quite there -- unlike previous sessions -- and Snchez didn't hide his frustration. He only recently began incorporating his slider.

"From our perspective, he's not having any issues with the shoulder," general manager Kim Ng said. "This is just a natural progression for him, so there's going to be some rust, of course. He'll still work all that out."

So how is this go-around different from 2021? Snchez said he began to turn the corner once the complex reopened following the lockout and he could restart his throwing program. It has been a months-long journey of rebuilding his confidence.

"I think initially, with any surgery, you're a little [worried about] that happening again. But it looks like his confidence is back," said Hector Crespo, the Marlins' director of Minor League operations. "His work ethic has been great. We're excited. I know he feels great and he wants to be out there. It's just continuing his progression and being on him -- and I think his work ethic, right now, is he's ready to go."

Snchez's setbacks have tested his resolve. When he last took the mound in an MLB game, the Marlins faced elimination in the 2020 National League Division Series against the Braves.

Much has changed since then. The Marlins lost 95 games in 2021 and now they're in the '22 NL Wild Card picture. While Snchez catches some of the games, it can be tough to watch because he wants to be out there competing. His primary goal for '22 is a to return to The Show.

"You think back to when you were a child and when you're a kid [with] dreams of wanting to play Major League Baseball," Snchez said. "So you start thinking back to that point and that's pretty much what keeps me motivated and happy."

Once a Top 100 prospect, uncertainty with his health has pushed Snchez off of that list and down to No. 5 in Miami's system. Relative newcomers Eury Prez and Max Meyer have replaced him as the can't-miss prospects, something he used to be.

"I don't really feel forgotten, because the fans pretty much still reach out to me," Snchez said. "[They ask] when I'm going to to return and I pretty much just reply and tell them that I'll be back soon."

Added Crespo: "That's a guy who's tough to forget about. [He has] elite stuff and [is] a guy that's two years removed from pitching in meaningful innings in playoff games. We can't wait to get him back and we know he makes our team better."

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Sixto Snchez making progress in rehab - MLB.com

One pass went to the corner even though nobody was standing there. One player walked off the court after beginning to bleed. Grant Williams, usually a vocal critic of referees, officiated the scrimmage sessions Tuesday afternoon.

Yes, summer league is back. The summer Celtics opened training camp on Monday. They will start games in Las Vegas on Sunday. Here are four reasons to pay attention to their summer league entry.

As Brad Stevens suggested on draft night, the Celtics expect JD Davison to require significant developmental time. He is not a finished product but does have some intriguing tools. Some rough moments at summer league should be expected, but Davison should deliver some highlight plays.

He also wants to provide some defense. During his first interview with the Boston media, Davison stressed he wants to show he can be a dog. He said he looks forward to learning from other guards like Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon.

When I got that name called by the Celtics, when my agent called me to say the Celtics got you, it was just, like, youre (going to) be in an organization where they win, Davison said. So, it was just really going to where I knew I could come in here and get better every day and just come here and win. I was very happy.

Juhann Begarin stood out during the brief portion of Tuesdays scrimmage open to the media. He drilled a 3-pointer. He grabbed a rebound, drove coast-to-coast and dropped off an assist. At age 19, he already has an NBA physique and obvious court vision.

Ive liked what hes brought to the table, said Celtics assistant coach Ben Sullivan, whos at the helm of Bostons summer league entry. Good athlete, good size, can pass, can find his teammates, get downhill, finish at the rim, can really defend, competitive. So, really just getting to know him a little bit and seeing his progression from last year in summer league to this year and seeing where hes at. Ive really liked what hes done so far.

Begarin, the Celtics 2021 second-round draft pick, averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in France this past season. Still, his game is raw. He shot just 30.9 percent from behind the 3-point arc and racked up more turnovers than assists. Even with some of his shortcomings, it doesnt take long to notice he has substantial potential. He should have a chance at summer league to try convincing the Celtics to bring him over to start his NBA career.

Sam Hauser was overshadowed on last seasons summer league team, but he should be a starter and one of the main players this time around. Though Hauser only played 158 minutes as a rookie, the team is hopeful he will become a regular contributor at the NBA level one day maybe even as soon as this season. The Celtics recently ripped up the final season of his contract to sign him to a three-year deal. Among the summer Celtics, he likely has the best chance of earning playing time next season.

The Celtics NBA roster is deep. They wont have many minutes available if they stay healthy. Still, while they have a load of useful guards, they could use another bigger wing behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Hauser, a 6-foot-8 sharpshooter, could help fill that role if the Celtics are right about his potential.

Theres a lot of things we like about Sam, Sullivan said. Hes a good shooter, hes a good person, hes a hard worker, hes a pro, he shows up every day, he puts the work in, he puts the time in, he understands the game. Theres a lot of things that Sam brings to the table. He has good size. Sam can do a lot of different things besides just shoot.

Hauser has always been known best as a shooter. He shot 43.2 percent over extremely limited reps with the Celtics last season after topping 40 percent during each of his four college seasons at Marquette and Virginia. Theres no doubt hes elite at throwing the ball through the basket from a long way.

After agreeing to re-sign Luke Kornet, the Celtics could still chase additional frontcourt help behind Al Horford and Robert Williams. Though they sound unlikely to use their $17.1 million trade exception before it expires later this month, they could potentially land a veteran on a minimum deal. They also have two prospects on their summer league team in Trevion Williams and Mfiondu Kabengele.

Williams, who went undrafted this year, made first-team All-Big Ten as a junior at Purdue, then won the conferences Sixth Man of the Year award as a senior. As you can infer, the 6-foot-10, 255-pounder came off the bench during his final college season, but only because the team split time between him and fellow standout center Zach Edey. Williams still lit up the college basketball world throughout his senior season, producing per-40-minute averages of 24 points, 15 rebounds and six assists while shooting 54.7 percent from the field. Williams attempted a smattering of 3-pointers but usually made his mark much closer to the hoop. Hes not exactly built in the modern big man mold, but scouts are enamored with his ability to pass the basketball, which was on display during the short scrimmage portion reporters were allowed to see Tuesday afternoon.

Kabengele, 24, was the Clippers first-round pick in 2019. After playing 51 games over his first two NBA campaigns, he spent most of last season with the G Leagues Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound big man averaged 17.5 points and 9.4 rebounds (3.7 offensive) while shooting an impressive 43.4 percent on three 3-point attempts per game. Not many players have his combination of size, shooting touch and athleticism.

Daniel Theis, recently traded to the Pacers in the Brogdon deal, was solid insurance for whenever Horford or Robert Williams missed time. Kornet would likely fill that role as the roster stands, but the Celtics would like to add another player to soak up some frontcourt minutes.

(Top photo of Juhann Begarin: Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)

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Celtics progress with Juhann Begarin, JD Davison and more: Summer league what to watch - The Athletic

BALTIMORE (WJZ) Mayor Brandon Scott on Friday made public a safety report that shows a snapshot of the progress his administration has made under the implementation of his violence prevention plan.

The report on the incremental outcome of the five-year-long Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan was compiled by the Mayors Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), according to city officials.

The plan aims to treat gun violence as though it is a public health crisis through coordinated and sustainable practices.

Scott allocated $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds over the next three years to MONSE and charged it with funding violence prevention efforts, including community violence intervention, victim services, youth justice, re-entry services, and community healing.

Making Baltimore a safer city for all of our residents is the most critical undertaking of my administration; however, we can only produce sustained outcomes if we center our approach to public safety around public health, trauma-informed practices, and the lived experiences of our residents, Scott said. This is not work that occurs overnight, but MONSE and my entire administration remain committed to building and operationalizing systems that will help us move Baltimore forward towards a healthier and safer future.

To date, the year-old agency has accomplished the following:

In fiscal year 2023, MONSE will focus on (1) deepening and broadening a partnership with law enforcement partners through the group violence reduction strategy, (2) further developing Baltimores community violence intervention ecosystem, (3) increasing the capacity of community-based organizations to support the work of violence prevention, (4) developing a robust re-entry program for people experiencing incarceration, and (5) establishing internal and external data tracking tools to measure key performance indicators.

Also on Friday, Scott made public his decision to tap former acting police commissioner Anthony Barksdale to be Baltimores deputy mayor for public safety, according to city officials.

Scott revealed on Friday that he had asked Barksdale to oversee the policies and operations of the citys public safety agencies.

Those agencies include the Baltimore Police Department, the MONSE, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management.

Barksdale will also be tasked with ensuring the implementation of the citys consent decree.

Additionally, he expected to coordinate the implementation of the mayors Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan in partnership with MONSE.

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Baltimores Mayor Makes Public Year-In-Progress Report Of His Crime Prevention Strategy - CBS Baltimore