jilipark casino link The New England Patriots made a couple of roster moves ahead of their Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers . The team activated offensive tackle Caedan Wallace from its injured reserve list to the 53-man roster, and in a follow-up move sent cornerback/punt returner/running back Marcus Jones to IR because of a recent hip injury. Let’s analyze how the two transactions impact the Patriots from a big-picture perspective, starting with the positive news. Improved offensive tackle depth: Offensive tackle has been an issue for New England throughout the season, and adding Wallace back to the mix will not suddenly turn the group’s fortunes around in a drastic way. That said, the team’s depth at the position does look better with the third-round draft pick available: 53-man roster (4): Vederian Lowe (59 | LT), Demontrey Jacobs (75 | RT), Caedan Wallace (70), Sidy Sow (62) Practice squad (1): Caleb Jones (76) Reserve/left squad (1): Chukwuma Okorafor At the moment, Wallace seemingly slots into the top backup spot behind starters Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs. In addition to those three, the Patriots also have tackle/guard hybrid Sidy Sow as potential depth; the same is true for Michael Onwenu, even though New England’s coaching staff currently employs him as its starting right guard and is unlikely to shake things up again. Starting job up for grabs? While Wallace projects as OT3 upon returning to the active roster, his activation might be a bad sign for Demontrey Jacobs’ outlook. The first-year Patriot has given the team all he has since his arrival via the waiver wire in late August, but the potential to upgrade at right tackle is significant. Will Wallace be such an upgrade? Time will tell, but Jacobs’ recent performances as both a run blocker and especially in pass protection mean his hold onto the starting job is anything but firm. Rookie opportunities: Even if Wallace does not enter the starting lineup at some point over the final two weeks of the season, the Patriots activating him is a net positive. After all, it will allow him to at least continue practicing with the team for the remainder of his rookie regular season. If he does play, he would be able to add to his current snap count. So far, Wallace has seen action in four games: he played 40 snaps at left tackle, 30 as a jumbo tight end, and 10 as a member of the field goal and extra point protection unit. One IR-return player remains: With Wallace back on the 53-man team, the Patriots have one player remaining on their injured reserve return list: linebacker/special teamer Curtis Jacobs returned to practice earlier this week and can be activated at any time over the coming two weeks. Of course, a comeback ahead of the season finale against Buffalo is not a given either considering it would require a follow-up transaction. Season over: Jones moving from the active roster to injured reserve ends his 2024 season. Under NFL rules, after all, players need to remain on IR for at least four weeks before being allowed to re-join their team. With only two games left on the Patriots’ schedule, there is not enough time for the 26-year-old to be brought back. This means that Jones has now ended a second straight season on IR; last year, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 2. In total, the 2022 third-round draft choice will have appeared in 31 of 51 possible games over his first three years in the league. Cornerback shakeup: Playing 60.3 percent of defensive snaps, Jones served as a starter-level contributor in the New England secondary before his hip injury. The shifty nickel back lined up all over the Patriots’ defensive backfield, but was mostly employed in the slot and split out wide. He caught an interception and registered a pair of fumble recoveries in that multi-faceted role. Removing him from the equation naturally hurts the overall depth at the position group, with the following seven cornerbacks now left available to be used over the final two weeks of the season: 53-man roster (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Jonathan Jones (31), Alex Austin (28), Isaiah Bolden (29), Marcellas Dial Jr. (27) Practice squad (2): Miles Battle (35), D.J. James (30) Injured reserve (1): Marcus Jones The Patriots’ loss against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday might give us a glimpse into how the Patriots will use their personnel at cornerback moving forward. On Saturday versus the Chargers, the team will continue to employ Christian Gonzalez as its No. 1 corner, with Alex Austin the top option opposite him. A fully-healthy-again Jonathan Jones, meanwhile, is expected to line up primarily in the slot. If so, the veteran will mostly go up against productive rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey. New punt returner: Marcus Jones’ impact on the Patriots extended far beyond his defensive role. He also was one of the NFL’s best punt returners, averaging 14.8 yards on 26 runbacks this season — second in the league behind only the Denver Broncos ’ Marvin Mims (15.7). The replacement plan for Jones over the final two weeks seems clear. The Patriots signed wide receiver Alex Erickson to their practice squad last week, and quickly elevated him to their game day roster against the Bills to serve as punt returner. Erickson was brought up again for the game against L.A. on Saturday, and will likely use his third and final elevation opportunity in Week 18 for the rematch with Buffalo. Minimal offensive impact: One of the few three-way players in the NFL today, Jones’ 2024 season ends with five offensive snaps over three separate games. In those reps, he served as a decoy first and foremost but did also manage to gain 18 yards on a catch-and-run play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Jones moving to IR will therefore have only a minimal impact on the Patriots’ offensive operation. That being said, No. 25 did provide a level of excitement whenever he took the field alongside Drake Maye and company — something no other New England skill position player has been able to do on a consistent basis this year.

From a 10-year-old to a Muppet to a president-elect, NYSE bell-ringers range from famous to obscureThe vote came amid controversy about the pools' futures West Lancashire council leaders have weathered a 'no confidence' vote over the future of swimming pools in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk . However, three Labour councillors have now become independent due to the dispute over whether to close swimming pools in the two towns. One councillor said during a full council debate this week that any potential closures without replacements would be a 'betrayal of both towns'. Labour councillors Yvonne Gagen, the council leader, and Carl Coughlan, who is responsible for leisure services, were targeted in a 'no confidence' motion by the Our West Lancashire (OWL) group. However, Labour councillors dismissed these accusations. Outside the council building, some pool protesters gathered again, albeit in smaller numbers than in October. These included members of the Ormskirk Otters swimming club. The vote took place amidst controversy about the future of the pools, a recent public consultation by West Lancashire Council, and the backdrop of a new budget due next year. One proposal is to close the two existing pools before any replacements are built, as a cost-saving measure. Government cuts and rising costs are among the factors cited, but there are counter-claims of poor work by councillors, reports Lancs Live . The council is also seeking new design ideas after two recent blueprints were deemed unaffordable. Above-ground steel pools could be a cheaper option, a previous meeting heard, but a final decision has not yet been made. OWL Cllr Adrian Owens, proposing a 'no confidence' motion, said: "This reflects the wishes and opinions of local residents. It is local people who elect us and who we should listen to." He added: "I've been a councillor for 25 years. I've never seen the levels of anger and contempt for the council that I see at this time. I can't recall a petition being presented with so many signatures nor has there ever been a council consultation bringing anywhere close to 2,178 responses. This anger stretches across traditional political lines." Cllr Owens continued, regarding the situation with leisure services: "The council leader and lead member for leisure are driving us off the cliff top. It is time for a change of leadership before this council ends up the only one in the area with no council-operated swimming pools." Speaking on consultant spending and the council's leadership Cllr Owens concluded: "Residents have lost all confidence in him. He has consistently taken a he-knows-best approach, refusing to listen to other political groups or involve them in cross-party working groups. As a result, the council has spent more than £1.7m in the past 12 months on leisure consultants, much of it on two new leisure centre designs which are now deemed unaffordable." Furthermore, he claimed: "He has also starved the existing centres of investment. Nothing has been spent for four years and only £26,000 in the past decade. Then he has the cheek to use the alleged poor condition as a reason for closure." The OWL motion garnered support from Conservatives, including Robert Bailey and David Westley, with Cllr Westley saying: "We had a cross-party working group on leisure for six or eight years. But it was stopped 12 months ago. We tried to get it reinstated in May. The council leadership, honestly, needs help. There is a lack of control. Unfortunately there's lack of confidence in both of you." Former Labour councillors Neil Furey, Paul Hogan, and Kerry Lloyd have become independents due to the pools controversy. Cllr Furey said: "Make no mistake, community anger over potential closures is unbelievable. I hope we will hear some changes tonight. But this would be the ultimate betrayal of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. People are up in arms, including teaching staff and governors. This cannot happen. There must be alternatives." Labour's Gareth Dowling, deputy council leader, said: "We've had about 15 minutes of slagging from the opposition and independents. You can check back on details. To say these councillors have been expelled from Labour is wrong. I suggest we move to a vote because nobody is going to change their minds." The OWL motion was ultimately defeated by a narrow margin of 23 votes to 21.

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John Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”Greg Gumbel, a legendary CBS broadcaster known for his coverage of men's college basketball and the NFL, has reportedly died aged 78 . The sad report was shared by Emmy-winning producer, Dan Forer, who wrote on Facebook: "The holidays are supposed to be filled with joy, but they are often mixed with sorrow. I just learned that my dear friend Greg Gumbel has passed. "Greg was the best announcer a young producer/director could have because he was extremely inclusive and never ever lost his cool — except for the time we were shooting a Super Bowl Anti-Drug PSA in the South Bronx at 2am and live gunfire erupted. That was the only occasion Greg raised his voice and had a few choice words for me; which I deserved. Tom Brady has telling reaction to Michael Strahan's FOX NFL Sunday message Former NFL sack leader released by Miami Dolphins, becomes available for playoff teams "In addition to being a true professional he was a kind, magnificent man. May his memory be a treasured blessing for his family and friends." Fellow journalist and sports host, Trey Wingo, wrote on X: "So sad to hear about the passing of Greg Gumbel. Whether hosting or calling games Greg did it with passion poise and made it look effortless. One of the best ever RIP." ESPN SportsCenter anchor, Michael Eaves, wrote on X: "A 50-year career in sports broadcasting is a rarity, and Greg Gumbel was a true professional throughout. RIP to a legend." Gumbel's younger brother, Bryant, was working as a television sportscaster for KNBC in Los Angeles, and informed him of a job opening at partnered station in Chicago. This was the springboard for Gumbel's sports career, and led to him joining CBS Sports part-time in 1988. What started out as NFL announcing soon turned into a dual role as Gumbel then began working on college basketball as well. Gumbel's talents were clear to see, and in 1990 he was awarded hosting rights of 'The NFL Today' alongside current FOX NFL Sunday star and former NFL player Terry Bradshaw. Gumbel went on to cover Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the NBA, and even the Winter Olympics, before CBS lost several broadcasting rights to NBC Sports in 1994. After covering Super Bowl XXXII on NBC, Gumbel returned to CBS and spent the remainder of his broadcasting career with the network. His 'Selection Sunday' coverage will forever be legendary. In 2023, Gumbel stepped back from his NFL coverage and focused solely on college basketball, where he acted as the host for March Madness. Gumbel missed the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament due to 'health reasons', according to The Athletic. **Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. ** Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 ** so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.**

This year came in like a drunk on a weeklong bender — and left like a glue-sniffing drunk on a yearlong bender. In other words, what the hell just happened in 2024? A Kennedy joined forces with a Republican . The Dems switched candidates four months before the election. MAGA ruled MSG , and the far left’s heartthrob is a rich white kid who assassinated a CEO in Midtown Manhattan. Joe Rogan became a presidential kingmaker while Donald Trump worked a shift at McDonald’s. It was tumultous and unpredictable. At least there’s Taylor Swift to bring us some consistency: She’s still getting richer, ruling the NFL discourse and influencing grown men to wear friendship bracelets . But in the shifting landscape, a semblance of sanity returned. Cancel culture, DEI, trans lunacy and group think receded — while free speech thrived. Politics and pop culture became almost indistinguishable from each other. Kamala Harris’ “brat” status and Trump’s stilted “YMCA” dance overtook everything (the latter was even the preferred celebration of athletes). But only one side was victorious. The pantsuit is now 0 and 2 in presidential elections after the drubbing that Kamala Harris took in November. (My prediction: The first female president will be a Republican in a skirt.) Harris was never up to snuff, despite what the Dems and the media in the KHive tried to sell us. Speaking of duds, the Democrat establishment was exposed as covering up Joe Biden’s cognitive decline while assuring us he was completing daily Iron Mans. Party leaders like Barack Obama lost influence and likability after peddling fascist fear porn and berating black men for supporting Trump over Harris. Can’t keep a good Trump down, or out of the White House . He was indicted four times and convicted by a Manhattan jury in the Stormy Daniels hush money case — and still emerged stronger and bigger in 2024. He built a new working-class coalition, tapped into the dissatisfaction with Biden’s policies and, with the help of Elon Musk, led a great political realignment. Trump’s victory meant brutal defeat for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who managed a conviction of the soon-to-be 47th President only to see it stuck in limbo. As are Bragg’s fortunes after subway Samaritan Daniel Penny was, thankfully, acquitted earlier this month. It felt like bros ruled politics in 2024 — but the ladies got it done in sports. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark dazzled — winning Rookie of the Year, making the playoffs and boosting WNBA attendance by whopping figures. As a result, the league is winning bigly, even if folks like Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson are loath to give Clark credit. At the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles made a triumphant comeback and Katie Ledecky became the first female swimmer to win gold at four different games. Meanwhile, Aussie competitor Raygun , with her intersectional approach to her “sport,” broke breakdancing — and our tolerance for nonsense. Gloves-off comedy roared in 2024. Netflix’s outrageous “The Roast of Tom Brady,” which saw the one-time golden boy take stronger hits than he did in 23 NFL seasons, slaughtered every sacred cow . It also launched Tony Hinchcliffe and Nikki Glaser into another stratosphere. Shane Gillis became comedy’s Lazarus, hosting “Saturday Night Live” five years after getting canned from the show. He’s also reviving Bud Lite in its post Dylan Mulvaney era. Unfortunately, the phrase “freak off” is now in our vernacular thanks to hip-hop’s all-powerful Sean “Diddy” Combs, whose spectacular downfall is due to his alleged sexual proclivities. Good old sex appeal reigned. After a years-long apology tour for, um, selling lingerie, Victoria’s Secret once again staged a fashion show with scantily clad Angels. “SNL” host Sydney Sweeney’s boobs caused a cultural eruption and proved that a nice set of girls are back. And Jeremy Allen White stripped to his Calvins for billboards, harkening to the golden era of undies ads with Marky Mark Wahlberg. Haliey Welch, otherwise known as “Hawk Tuah girl,” was on her way to total domination. The 21-year-old factory worker rose to international prominence the old-fashioned way: by drunkenly making a fellatio joke. She launched a podcast — then attached her name to a meme coin that tanked and led to accusations of a scam. She went into hiding and now says she’s cooperating with lawyers . Welch remains a cautionary tale about instant viral fame. Last year, Spotify parted with “f–king gifters” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This year, they delivered another bomb with “Polo” — leaving their $100 million Netlfix deal looking more precarious . Hunter Biden scored big with a pardon , but the sun has set on the Biden family’s decades-long power grip. Hey, at least Jill Biden can still call herself “Dr.” Going into 2025, there remains a sense of optimism that we’re headed in the right direction. Now if we can only figure out what’s going on with drones causing sky gridlock over Jersey.