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Roberts Defends Ohtani Amid Cubs Criticism
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell called the Dodgers’ ability to carry 14 pitchers, thanks to Ohtani’s two‑way status, “bizarre,” arguing the 13‑pitcher limit is a rule that favors offense and that only one team receives special consideration. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended the rule, stating it benefits any team that can find a player like Ohtani and that the exception is due to the player’s exceptional talent.
Arteta must meet certain conditions to keep his job as the Arsenal manager
Mikel Arteta has retained the backing of the Arsenal board since becoming manager, despite the team not winning a trophy since the summer of 2020. That continued support has reflected the club’s belief in the direction he has taken them. chickenroadslot.lat
The Gunners have shown clear progress under the manager, yet teams are rarely remembered for progress alone unless it ultimately results in silverware. Improvement is valuable, but trophies remain the standard by which success is judged.
Arsenal Still Chasing Major Honours
Arsenal have come close to achieving that in recent weeks, and the side had been in contention for a quadruple before exits from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup ended those hopes. Those eliminations were disappointing, given the promise they had shown.
They can still win the Premier League and Champions League this term, with supporters confident that their side can rise to the challenge. There remains a belief that this season could yet become a memorable one.
The Gunners continue to do everything possible to ensure the campaign ends strongly. It is also an important period for Arteta’s future, as the club will not want this season to conclude in the same manner as previous ones.
Although Arsenal have explored handing him a new contract, a report in Spain via Football365 claims that they will sack him if his team fail to win the league title and also does not reach the Champions League final.
Pressure Growing On Arteta
That suggestion underlines how decisive the closing stages of the season may become. After years of rebuilding, Arsenal appear to believe the squad is now ready to compete for the biggest honours consistently.
Arsenal value the stability Arteta has brought to the club, but they also believe the time has come for the team to take the next step. There are concerns that progress may stall under the Spanish manager, who some fear may have already taken the side as far as his current ability allows. The coming weeks could therefore shape both the club’s season and the manager’s long-term future.
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Steelers mock draft: Nicastro final 7-round mock
The intrigue surrounding the Steelers in this year’s NFL Draft feels different – and not just because the event is coming to their doorstep. For the first time, the franchise enters draft weekend under the direction of Mike McCarthy, ushering a new voice, and potentially a new identity.
With 12 total selections, including multiple picks in the top 100, the Steelers have the flexibility to be aggressive. And if there’s one thing GM Omar Khan has shown historically it’s a willingness to take some risks. That’s reflected here.
Here’s how I see their draft unfolding.
Round 1, Pick 21: G Vega Ioane, Penn State
While much of the pre-draft buzz has centered around wide receiver, the more realistic expectation is that whoever Pittsburgh selects at the position would enter as the third option behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. That alone makes it difficult to justify using premium draft capital there—especially given the team’s more immediate needs in the trenches.
On the offensive line, the situation is far more urgent. Any lineman selected early would be expected to contribute immediately, particularly on the left side. Unlike receiver, this is a true “plug-and-play” scenario—an overused phrase, but one that legitimately applies here.
One prospect drawing that level of confidence is Vega, who reminds me of the David DeCastro selection. The expectation is simple: step in, stabilize the unit, and provide above-average guard play from day one. In that sense, he would serve as an immediate replacement for Isaac Seumalo, with minimal transition time needed.
I think the debate will come down to Vega versus Washington wideout Denzel Boston. A trade up here is also possible, especially if one of the top three wideouts begin to slide.
Trade
- Seahawks receive: No. 53, No. 121, and No. 145 picks
- Steelers receive: No. 32 pick
Round 1, Pick 32: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
If Pittsburgh is going to put a bow on draft night in front of its home crowd, it may not come in the way most expect.
There is a growing sense the Seahawks could look to move out of the first round, and who better than the Steelers to close out the night with an aggressive move. But rather than addressing wide receiver, this pick might be a surprise.
Rodriguez has quietly built one of the more complete linebacker profiles in this class. A highly productive defender, he emerged as the leader of Texas Tech’s defense, showcasing strong instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, and a physical edge against the run. He’s particularly effective diagnosing plays early, slipping blocks, and finishing tackles in space—traits that translate well to early-down responsibilities at the next level.
In coverage, Rodriguez has shown enough fluidity to stay on the field in multiple packages, though his calling card is his reliability against the run and overall defensive awareness. His motor and leadership have also drawn praise, making him a potential tone-setter in the middle of an NFL defense.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, the fit becomes more logical when looking beyond 2026. Patrick Queen is set to hit free agency, and his name has already surfaced in trade speculation. Whether or not a move materializes, there is little indication the organization is fully committed to him as a long-term piece.
At the same time, last season offered insight into how the former coaching staff views Payton Wilson. While Wilson flashed in limited opportunities, he was rarely trusted in early-down, run-heavy situations—suggesting the team may not view him as a true every-down solution, at least not yet. That could change under a new regime.
With 12 picks and plenty of ammunition, Pittsburgh will trade up at some point. It’s a matter of when, not if.
Round 3, Pick 85: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Sarratt fits the mold of a bigger receiver who can move the chains and provide a reliable target in high-leverage situations, which is what McCarthy loves. He thrives in contested catch scenarios, uses his frame well to shield defenders, and has shown a knack for finding space in the red zone. While he may not possess elite top-end speed, his physicality and body control make him a quarterback-friendly option.
It wouldn’t be the splashiest selection, but it would be a good one. Adding a dependable, big-bodied target like Sarratt would allow them to target a speedster later in the draft.
Round 3, Pick 99: S Bud Clark, TCU
Clark’s biggest strength is his versatility. At TCU, he lined up at safety, nickel, and even rotated into more hybrid roles depending on the defensive look. That kind of positional flexibility is something the Steelers have consistently valued, particularly in a league that demands matchup-specific adjustments week to week.
He’s an instinctive defender with good ball skills, highlighted by his ability to read quarterbacks and make plays on the football. Clark shows solid range in coverage and isn’t afraid to step up against the run, giving him a well-rounded profile as a defensive back who can contribute in multiple phases.
While he may not project as a true single-high, every-down safety right away, his value comes in how he can be deployed across the formation. Early in his career, he could carve out a role in sub-packages and on special teams, with the upside to grow into a larger defensive role.
Round 4, Pick 135: QB Drew Allar, Penn State
At some point in this draft, Khan may simply decide to take a shot at the most important position in sports.
Selecting Drew Allar wouldn’t necessarily signal a lack of confidence in Will Howard—nor would it guarantee that the organization views Allar as a future franchise cornerstone. Instead, it would reflect a broader philosophy: when you have the draft capital, you give yourself as many chances as possible to get it right.
Allar brings an intriguing profile. At 6-foot-5 with a strong arm, he has the prototypical build and physical tools teams covet at the position. His ability to push the ball downfield and operate from the pocket gives him developmental upside, even if his game still needs refinement in terms of consistency and decision-making.
For the Steelers, this would be less about immediate answers and more about competition. Bringing Allar into the mix would create a quarterback room where multiple options can battle it out through camp and preseason, with the coaching staff evaluating who can separate themselves.
It’s a low-risk, high-variance approach. Not every swing will connect—but at quarterback, sometimes the smartest move is to keep swinging until one does.
Round 5, Pick 161: WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
If the black and gold are is looking for a true complementary slot receiver to replace Calvin Austin III, Oklahoma’s Deion Burks fits the profile almost perfectly.
Burks brings a different element to the offense—quickness, separation, and run-after-catch ability. Operating primarily out of the slot, he thrives on short and intermediate routes where he can create space quickly and turn routine plays into chunk gains. His acceleration off the line and change of direction make him a difficult cover for nickel corners and linebackers alike.
What stands out most is his ability to generate easy offense. Burks is the type of receiver who can be featured on screens, quick hitters, and motion concepts, giving the quarterback a reliable outlet when plays break down. That’s something Pittsburgh’s offense has lacked at times—a true underneath weapon who can consistently win early in the route.
Round 6, Pick 216: TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
Kacmarek isn’t going to wow anyone with elite speed, but he blocks well, runs clean routes, and can be a reliable safety valve. The profile lines up well with what Mike McCarthy has generally looked for – tight ends who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Round 7, Pick 224: DT James Thompson Jr, Illinois
Thompson is a physical interior lineman who is strong against the run and has flashed some pass rush upside. The Steelers are always committed to building the trenches, and Thompson Jr. is someone they had in for a top 30 visit.
Round 7, Pick 230: RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Pretty heavy Penn State draft so I had to even it out with a Pitt man. Reid is a classic change-of-pace weapon who is dangerous in space. He can be Kenneth Gainwell-lite for this team by contributing on quick screens and mismatches against linebackers.
Round 7, Pick 237: OT Isaiah World, Oregon
Probably a bit too long of a wait here for a tackle, but the Steelers can work with Dylan Cook/Broderick Jones in some capacity this year and then evaluate the position in full this offseason.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
McKenna hopeful Ipswich star could return this week
Kieran McKenna hopes winger Wes Burns could return to the Ipswich squad this week.
Burns has been out since last month with a calf problem but the Ipswich boss says it is not out of the question that he could return against Charlton on Wednesday.
“Not impossible, we’ll see how he is over the next few days,” McKenna said on his availability.
Victory on Wednesday would be a huge boost for Ipswich’s automatic promotion hopes, still occupying second spot but level on points with Milwall below them albeit having played a game less than the London club.
Asked if he is considering rotating his team after back-to-back games without wins, McKenna said: “Let’s see. At this stage of the season, you’re not rotating for fun, but physically it’s a big test and we have players who want to come in and make an impact, so we’ll try and make the right decisions on that.
“But it’s not a stage of the season for being tired or having niggles, everybody has to get ready to go again and we make decisions on what we think is right for the next game.
“This might be the third period where we’ve had seven games in 21 days with the postponements. The Championship is like that anyway, but our season has been even more like that.
“When you’re going into eight games, as our schedule was [from the Birmingham game onwards], we’re going to need different people to step up.
“And at the same time, it’s a fine balance because you want players in a rhythm and feeling the importance of the games and enjoying that situation.”
Liverpool Eye Jarrod Bowen as Salah Replacement
Bowen has been a standout performer despite West Ham's struggles, contributing 16 goal contributions this campaign. However, the transfer's feasibility hinges on West Ham's league position, with relegation potentially weakening the club's negotiating power. Additionally, the Reds must consider Bowen's age, as he turns 30 later this year, a factor that could influence their recruitment strategy.