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The Patriots are out of the playoff picture with five games remaining in the season — including two against the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills. And while they pose a tough task for New England, Drake Maye doesn’t see the matchups as daunting ones. “I think it’s an opportunity. Patriots and Bills, two in-Division opponents, I think you’re always going to be excited to play those guys,” the rookie quarterback said during his weekly appearance on WEEI. “And there’s going to be some cold-weather games and football-weather games, so I think that’d be fun to get a chance to go against a great team. And what they’ve done this season is a challenge us and see what we see what we got on our team, especially these last couple weeks. So we definitely go in and take it as a challenge and be ready to go.” Although the Patriots are 3-10 going into their Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals , Maye has given the fanbase optimism for the future. While he’s struggled at times and made rookie mistakes, Maye has also shown growth every week. Turnovers remain a problem for the 22-year-old — he has eight interceptions in as many starts — but he wants to put emphasis on ball security in the pocket for the remainder of the season. However, he still believes New England is doing a lot of things right despite its record. “At the same time I’m trying to win the game. It’s not like I’m trying to throw interceptions,” Maye said. “... At the end of the day I think we’re moving the ball well, we got guys making plays. We’re fighting, we’re staying in games.” The Patriots will miss the playoffs for a third straight season as well as finish with a losing record. They can still finish the season on a high note over the next five weeks, and Maye can continue to show growth as he looks to end his rookie season in positive fashion. More Patriots Content
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Mary and Kerry spend their free time who are caught up on the wrong side of the law live better lives. or signup to continue reading The pair (who wished only to use their first names) volunteer for South Australia's and say they find their roles meaningful. "Without being sanctimonious, knowing that our service may help get through their a little more easily [and] that someone still sees their humanity [makes me feel fulfilled]," Mary said. Kerry said volunteering gives him purpose, a chance to meet lots of interesting people, get training on a mix of topics to help him work with people better, and share some social activities. Both dispelled similar myths about working in such settings. "It is not dangerous. You are safer in there than in the wider world," Mary said. "I have never been threatened or felt at risk while doing my volunteer role," Kerry said. Mary helps catalogue, cover, repair, and reshelve thousands of books in the library at Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide. "I've always loved books and reading... The fact that somebody in there wanted access to them ... triggered... my impulse to go and do that," she said. Interaction with prisoners is short and respectful. She fields questions about different subjects or titles that might be available, such as sports biographies or any of "the classics", plus shares a little banter. Mary, who has previous experience in disability support and volunteering at a school library, finds they're taken aback when they find out she's a volunteer. "Sometimes you get the sense that they think... 'They're doing this for me for free. That's kind of [them]'," she said." Kerry has a varied role where he supports people who have received a court-ordered sanction of some kind, like a prison sentence, or a bail or community-based order. You'll find him helping with accessing a bank, getting a phone, helping them maintain accommodation, go to medical appointments, help them learn how to use public transport, and be a listening ear. "When they realise that I am a volunteer, the majority become quite chatty and are happy to talk about most subjects," he said. "It is not common for them to talk about their lives and experience inside prison or why they ended up inside, so I don't ask. It can be quite overwhelming for some, so I try not to elevate any anxiety and just guide them through each interaction they have." He said he can become quite friendly with some of the longer-term people he helps. "They treat me with respect and are happy to have someone to help them and have a chat and a coffee [with]," he said. "This is rewarding for me when I think they are trying to move on with their lives." Kerry was able to use the skills he'd learned from working in civil construction for several decades plus with the education department. The SA Department for Correctional Services is looking for volunteers to help support people who are going back into the community, as well as those in prison. Roles include transporting people between locations for appointments or after release from prison, education such as numeracy and literacy, creative writing and art classes, library services, driver education, and helping people reintegrate into the community with tasks like shopping and learning how to use public transport. For more information visit or visit corrections.sa.gov.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general