www.dailypostathenian.com B4 | DAILY POST-ATHENIAN SPORTS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 NHL teams OK’d to add sponsor patches on jerseys BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer

Jersey advertisements are coming to the NHL. The league will allow teams to put sponsor patches on jerseys beginning with the 2022-23 after the board of governors unani- mously approved the move, according to a person with knowledge of a memo sent VASHA HUNT | THE this week. The person spoke Alabama (9) rolls out on a passing drill to The Associated Press on at practice on Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. condition of anonymity NAM Y. HUH | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tuesday because the league Chicago Blackhawks jerseys are displayed at a store inside of the United Center at Game 5 of had not announced the deci- the Western Conference finals in the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Blackhawks and the Talent in, talent out: Young, sion. Los Angeles Kings on May 28, 2014, in Chicago. Jersey advertisements are coming to the NHL. The NHL added helmet ads last season, which largely sioner Gary Bettman, had the “sweater.” Sportico first Nashville Predators were No. 1 Alabama still favorites allowed teams to make spon- said the next step of going to reported the addition of jer- the first teams to unveil hel- sors whole during the pan- jersey ads would have to be sey ads, saying they can be met ads last December. Each BY JOHN ZENOR ally in 2020 according to demic for previously nego- at a value that’s worthwhile up to 3.5x3 inches. struck a deal done with the AP Sports Writer the 247Sports composite tiated agreements. League in hockey, a sport that has The New Jersey Devils, company that sponsors the rankings. He’s even rak- officials, including Commis- long prioritized the front of Washington Capitals and naming rights for its arena. The bad news for Ala- ing in close to seven fig- bama: The Heisman Tro- ures in name, image, like- phy-winning receiver and ness money, according to his quarterback are gone, Saban, before starting a along with the star tailback single game. and Southeastern Confer- Young didn’t log a huge ence defensive player of number of snaps as a fresh- Fifth time’s the trick? the year. man behind Jones, but he’s The good news: It’s Ala- drawn praise from Saban bama and there is always and teammates so far. an abundance of talent to “I’m really excited for him replace players. to get his shot,” Metchie The defending national said. champion Crimson Tide REPLACING SARK: Saban’s lost the usual boatload of latest -turned- talent to the NFL after the is second perfect season of former coach ’s career. and Penn State coach Bill They’re still ranked pre- O’Brien. O’Brien replaces season No. 1 for the fourth , who par- time in six years, led by new layed his Alabama success quarterback Bryce Young into his own return to a and a defense that appears head coaching job at Texas. capable of picking up any He’s one of four new offen- slack for an offense break- sive assistants, including ex- ing in new playmakers. head Nobody replaces talent man Doug Marrone (offfen- better than Saban, but he’s sive line). quick to point out that the NEW RECEIVERS: The last replacements will typically two years, four Alabama be younger and less expe- receivers have been first- rienced. round draft picks. Even if “That’s why rebuilding is a the Tide doesn’t keep that tremendous challenge,” he string going, they should said. “That’s why it’s very be in good hands. Metchie difficult to repeat.” had 55 catches for 916 yards Not to mention a daunting last season. The group is bolstered by the transfer schedule. of speedster Jameson Wil- Even with six national liams from Ohio State, along BUTCH DILL | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS titles during the Saban era, with talented freshmen like Tennessee head football coach speaks to reporters during an SEC media days news conference on July 20 in Hoover, Alabama has only success- Agiye Hall and Ja’Corey Alabama. fully defended once, in 2012. Brooks. Alabama must replace LINEBACKER U BET: Alabama six first-round NFL draft was already loaded at line- Heupel latest coach trying to turn around Vols program picks, including receiver backer even before To’oTo’o DeVonta Smith, quarter- arrived to help replace The Associated Press they’re all there because of that. They eighth scoring 42.2 points a game. back and tailback . chose the power of T for those rea- The Volunteers certainly can use from one of Anderson started every KNOXVILLE — Josh Heupel knows sons. Our staff chose the power of an offensive boost after ranking just the nation’s most explosive game as a freshman and exactly what he walked into as the lat- T for those reasons.” 108th in scoring with 21.5 points a offenses. But Young is a her- ranked third in the SEC est head football coach of the Tennes- LONG GONE: Tennessee’s roster is game and 102nd nationally with 346.2 alded former 5-star recruit with seven sacks and 10.5 see Volunteers — a tradition-filled very different after 13 scholarship yards a game. who has, according to wide tackles for loss. program that has struggled of late. players left for the transfer portal, He has five starters back on offense receiver John Metchie III, Harris was a semifinal- “This is one of the iconic programs which includes the Vols’ top rusher, and could have a new starter at quar- “endless potential.” ist for the Butkus Award. in all of college sports, in all of col- starting quarterback and top tackler. terback. Harrison Bailey started the Brian Robinson Jr. finally Christopher Allen led the lege football,” Heupel said. Eric Gray transferred to Oklahoma final three games last season as a gets his chance to play a SEC with 13 tackles behind Tennessee has plenty of history after averaging 85.8 yards rushing. freshman. But Heupel not only land- bigger role after backing the line. To’o To’o brings with this the 125th season in school Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who ed Milton as a transfer, he also added up Harris, a Heisman final- another veteran presence history. The Volunteers have won threw for a team-high 1,112 yards, Hendon Hooker from Virginia Tech ist like Jones and the win- to the defense after start- 13 Southeastern Conference foot- now is at Washington State, and line- to boost competition at that spot. ner Smith. A couple of for- ing for two seasons with ball championships and count six backer Henry To’o To’o went to rival NEYLAND TURNS 100: Tennessee is cel- mer five-star prospects are the Volunteers. national championships, the last in Alabama. Five others were dismissed. ebrating the 100th year at Neyland among those also vying for “We thought Henry was 1998. But their last SEC Eastern Divi- Also gone is top wide receiver Josh Stadium all year long. The stadium carries. one of the best players, sion title came in 2007. Palmer, though he was a third-round currently seats 102,455, making it the The defense didn’t lose defensive players in our Heupel is the fifth different coach draft pick by the Los Angeles Char- fifth-largest in , after nearly as much talent and conference, in watching him — not counting interim or acting gers. The Vols lost a pair of starters starting as Shields-Watkins Field in even added former Ten- play at Tennessee, and we coaches — since the end of the 2008 on the offensive line with Trey Smith 1921 with seating for 3,200. nessee standout Henry had recruited him in high season. He takes over a program that a sixth-round pick by the Kansas City SCHEDULE: Heupel will have a chance To’oTo’o to an already school,” Saban said. “We went 3-7 last season and currently is Chiefs and Brandon Kennedy not at a quick turnaround if only because loaded group of lineback- thought he was an outstand- in the midst of an NCAA investiga- returning after six years in college. of this season’s slate. The Vols open ers led by ing player in high school. tion into the recruiting issues that TRANSFER PORTAL ADDITIONS: Heupel Sept. 2 hosting Bowling Green on and Will Anderson. Gone is We’re talking about a fine cost and nine others helped mitigate the heavy losses by Sept. 2 followed by visits from Pitts- cornerback Patrick Surtain young man who’s very their jobs in January. bringing in 13 players, eight after burgh and Tennessee Tech before Jr., one of the first-rounders intelligent, very instinctive The man who quarterbacked Okla- spring practice. That includes quar- their first SEC game. They wrap up and the SEC’s top defender. player, very conscientious.” homa to a national title and who went terback Joe Milton, who left Michi- their nonconference schedule Nov. The highest rating SCHEDULE: Like usual, Ala- 28-8 over the past three seasons at gan; senior linebacker Juwan Mitchell 20 hosting South Alabama. recruiting class ever in the bama opens the season with UCF sees opportunity in Knoxville. who led Texas in tackles last season; They have back-to-back road games 247Sports composite rank- a Power 5 conference oppo- He has 14 starters back from a team wide receiver JaVonta Payton from starting with a trip to Florida on Sept. ings has plenty of potential nent at a neutral site. that lost seven of its final eight games Mississippi State; and cornerback 25 followed by a visit to Missouri contributors. The Tide face preseason in 2020. Brandon Turnage who left Alabama. on Oct. 2. BRYCE’S HYPE: Bryce Young No. 14 Miami in Atlanta on “We have an opportunity to cel- OFFENSIVE BOOST: Heupel has a They also travel to Alabama on Oct. is Saban’s highest-rat- Sept. 4. ebrate the great traditions while strong record of offensive success, 23 and Kentucky on Nov. 6. ed quarterback recruit at Tough road games at No. putting a new age approach on it,” and UCF ranked second in 2020 with Tennessee hosts South Carolina, Alabama, rated as the sec- 13 Florida and No. 6 Texas Heupel said. “Our kids and our staff, 568.1 yards of total offense a game and Ole Miss, Georgia and Vanderbilt. ond-best prospect nation- A&M also await. Former Heisman winner Tebow’s comeback story falls short with Jaguars cutting him BY MARK LONG second one more egregious end after switching posi- Former and current NFL AP Pro Football Writer than the first. tions this year. He was try- players criticized Mey- “He has a bunch of good ing to return to the NFL after er for giving Tebow a ros- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — plays but can’t have a bad spending the previous five ter spot and pointed out a ’s comeback and play at that position,” said years in the ’ number of more deserving NFL career are over. Meyer, who spoke to Tebow organization. He .223 with tight ends on the street. But The Jacksonville Jaguars about the roster decision 18 home runs and 107 RBIs many of Tebow’s teammates waived Tebow on Tuesday, Monday night and again while never making it to the welcomed him with open parting with the 2007 Heis- Tuesday morning. big leagues. arms. man Trophy winner who Tebow also failed to record He asked Meyer for a try- “It’s still so cool,” said quar- switched from quarterback to a catch against the Browns out after retiring from base- terback , in hopes of rejuve- and got no snaps on special ball in January. Meyer obliged who wears No. 15 because he nating his pro football career. teams. Meyer said Tebow’s and ended up giving him a grew up idolizing Tebow. “I “We knew that was an play lacked consistency, one-year contract worth mean, every time I throw to uphill battle for Tim,” said especially in tackling. And $920,000, the minimum for him, I just smile. That’s like coach , who if Tebow were going to make JOHN RAOUX | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS a player with three accrued my favorite thing. But it’s like, recruited Tebow to nearby Jacksonville’s 53-man roster, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tim Tebow makes a reception dur- NFL seasons. The low-risk it’s unbelievable. You hear Florida. “Players loved him, he needed to be a special ing a drill at practice on July 31 in Jacksonville, Florida. deal included no guaranteed bigger-than-life stories about locker room loved him, but it teams contributor. money, so Tebow had to make the dude and it’s all real. It’s was the right thing (to do).” Meyer said he expects this the media circus that fol- even the lows, the opportu- the team to earn a dime. unbelievable. Truly bigger- Tebow’s blocking ranged to be the end of Tebow’s play- lowed him during other nities, and the setbacks,” And that was always the than-life-type person, so it’s from awkward to awful in ing career. NFL stops and never publicly Tebow wrote. “I’ve never uncertain part. Jacksonville been really awesome to be Jacksonville’s preseason “I would guess it is,” Meyer addressed his return after wanted to make decisions entered camp with three around him.” opener against Cleveland said. “We didn’t get that deep nearly six years away from out of fear of failure and I’m tight ends essentially locked Tebow flashed early during on his 34th birthday. The with it. Obviously he’s his the game. The Jacksonville grateful for the chance to into roster spots: -block- organized team activities and polarizing player went viral own man, elite warrior, elite native responded on Twitter have pursued a dream.” ing specialist Chris Man- rarely dropped balls thrown for two botched attempts on competitor. But he’s also 34 and thanked his hometown Tebow opened train- hertz, fellow veteran James his way. But once camp began the opening drive of the third years old.” team for a chance. ing camp as Jacksonville’s O’Shaughnessy and fifth- and players donned full pads, quarter Saturday night, the Tebow was shielded from “Thankful for the highs and fourth- or fifth-string tight round draft pick Luke Farrell. Tebow faded.