Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence on Positive Drug Test: I’m Not That ‘Type of Guy’

Clemson's Dexter Lawrence (90) warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Clemson star Dexter Lawrence is hoping to clear his name after a failed drug test left his status for Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame up in the air.

Per ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter and Dan Murphy, the defensive tackle said he doesn’t know how a banned substance showed up in his drug test:

“I’m not the type of guy to do a selfish act like that. I have too much pride. I love this team and my family too much to put a substance like that in my body. I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know how it got there. I was raised different. If I did do it, I’d own up to it. All I can say is I honestly don’t know what happened, where it came from.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced Monday the NCAA notified Lawrence, offensive lineman Zach Giella and tight end Braden Galloway that they had traces of ostarine, a muscle growth substance, in their drug tests.

Clemson is awaiting the result of Lawrence’s B sample, which Trotter and Murphy noted could come at some point Thursday. Pat Forde and Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported Dec. 24 that it would be an “unlikely result” for the B sample to clear Lawrence.

Per Zach Lentz of the Times and Democrat, Lawrence said his original test came back .02 percent positive for the banned substance.

If the secondary sample comes back positive, the Tigers will have to play Notre Dame without Lawrence.

Forde and Thamel reported that for Lawrence to be reinstated before the game, he would have to register a clean test with the NCAA, something they described as a “virtual impossibility.”

“I know that I have no control on what the B sample result will be. I’m just here to support my teammates and try to be the leader that I’ve been all year,” Lawrence told reporters. “Just helping the [mentality] of the whole team just be better and bring us closer together and things like that.”

Lawrence anchors Clemson’s run defense. The junior star was named to the All-ACC first team in 2018 after recording seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

If the Tigers are forced to play without Lawrence, senior Albert Huggins will likely step into the starting lineup against Notre Dame.

Clemson and Notre Dame will play in the first College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.

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Explainer: Bangladesh general election

On Sunday, Bangladesh will vote in its 11th general elections, being held amid widespread violence, deep mistrust, and wrangling between the government and the opposition.

Despite earning global plaudits for sheltering nearly a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, the nine-year tenure of incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was marked by allegations of creeping authoritarianism, crushing of political rivals and a gag on media freedom.

Hasina, 71, is seeking a record fourth term. Her party, the Awami League (AL), leads the Grand Alliance coalition, which is pitted against the Jatiya Oikya Front (or National Unity Front), led by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

BNP chief and two-time prime minister, Khaleda Zia, 73, is languishing in a jail in capital Dhaka and banned from contesting over corruption charges she says are politically motivated.

Both Hasina and Zia belong to political families, share a long rivalry and have alternated in power for most of the past three decades in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

In Zia’s absence, the National Unity Front alliance is being led by Kamal Hossain, 82, an Oxford-educated jurist and former law minister.

Hossain, however, is not contesting and therefore, it is not clear who will be the prime minister if the opposition alliance wins.

Hasina and Zia have alternated in power for most of the past three decades [Al Jazeera]

Why is the election significant?

The Bangladesh parliamentary election is being seen as a litmus test for the future of democracy in the world’s eighth most populous country of over 170 million people.

The last election in 2014 was boycotted by the BNP and shunned by international observers as “an electoral farce”. More than half the seats remained uncontested that year, giving Hasina’s party a walkover.

A repeat of the one-sided 2014 election is being feared this year amid the opposition’s allegations of attacks on its candidates and harassment by the government.

Ali Riaz, professor in the department of politics and government at Illinois State University in the United States, told Al Jazeera that the election is significant for two reasons.

“One, this is a moment to change the country’s direction away from authoritarianism, which saw a shrinking of democratic space, decimation of the opposition, gagging of the press and a general culture of fear,” he said.

For Riaz, the other reason is Bangladesh’s history of anti-incumbency.

“Bangladesh has never seen a situation where the incumbent has returned to power, except in 2014, which was anyway not a participatory election [because of the BNP boycott],” he said.

“Therefore, Bangladeshis have to decide whether they want to see change or continuity.”

Will the election be free and fair?

This is going to be the biggest question on the minds of over a 100 million voters until Sunday.

The BNP claims half of the opposition’s 300 candidates were attacked while campaigning, while more than 11,500 of its members, including over a dozen contenders, have been detained in the past month.

Authorities last week blocked the BNP’s website, claiming it contained “indecent” and “obscene” material. Even its Facebook page was down for days.

Violent campaign clashes have claimed at least six lives so far – four BNP supporters and two from the Awami League.

Riaz said he is “seriously worried and deeply concerned” that there will be a “free, fair, credible and acceptable elections” in Bangladesh.

“Even the election commission is turning a blind eye,” he told Al Jazeera.

The opposition alliance even demanded the resignation of chief election commissioner K M Nurul Huda, accusing him of bias.

But the ruling Awami League has rejected allegations of intimidating the opposition, blaming the BNP instead of carrying out vandalism to delegitimise the vote.

“Their strategy of boycotting the 2014 election failed. So they changed their strategy and are now raising unnecessary and illogical allegations against the administration and the election commission,” Awami League’s Mahbubul Alam Hanif told Al Jazeera.

Bangladeshis have to decide whether they want to see change or continuity.

Ali Riaz, Illinois State University

Amid international concern over the events in the past weeks, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has asked “all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections”.

The United States called off an observer mission it was financing because of delays in issuing visas, while the Human Rights Watch said the election was being conducted in a “repressive political environment”.

Bangladesh never saw the incumbent government return to power, except in 2014 [Al Jazeera]

What are the main issues?

There are four major issues deciding the contentious election: the country’s economy, Hasina’s alleged authoritarianism, gag on media freedom, and 1971 war crimes.

Economy

Despite allegations of an authoritarian regime, Hasina succeeded in making notable economic progress during her tenure.

Estimates suggest that at the current rate of nearly 8 percent growth, Bangladesh would cross the per capita income of its more powerful neighbour, India, by 2020, and is expected to turn into a middle-income economy by 2024.

Export of ready-made garments constitutes nearly 82 percent of the country’s economy, with the output in 2017 slated at over $28bn.

In its election manifesto, the ruling Awami League has vowed to increase Bangladesh’s gross domestic product to 9 percent from the 7.8 percent reported in 2017-18.

The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front, on the other hand, has promised to raise the minimum wage of garment workers, freeze gas and electricity prices, and give the central bank more autonomy.

“Yes, Bangladesh has succeeded in terms of its economic growth, but there are spots and blemishes in that record. Disparity has increased, banking sector is in shambles,” Riaz told Al Jazeera.

‘Authoritarianism’ and attack on rivals

Observers say Bangladesh under Hasina turned into a de-facto one-party state, where the ruling party has usurped constitutional rightsof its opponents and even the common citizens.

Hasina’s regime saw a near decimation of the opposition, with her chief political rival, Khaleda Zia, sentenced to 10 years in jail for corruption and banned from contesting the election.

Zia faces more than 30 other charges, including sedition, which her party has denounced as politically motivated.

Recently, former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha – the first Hindu to hold the post – wrote in his memoir, ‘A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy’, that the country was under an “autocratic government”.

A rattled opposition, in its poll manifesto, has promised changes in law that limits a person from holding the prime minister’s post for more than two terms. It has also vowed to reform the judiciary.

“Jatiya Oikya Front has committed to make changes such as balancing the power between the president and the prime minister,” said Riaz.

Gag on media freedom

Bangladesh is ranked 146 out of 180 countries in media freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

According to RSF, at least 25 journalists and several hundred bloggers and Facebook users were prosecuted in 2017 under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act – a broad law against any electronic communication that “tends to deprave or corrupt” the image of the state.

Last month, award-winning photographer and activist Shahidul Alam was released on bail after spending 107 days behind bars under the ICT Act.

Earlier this month, Alam was named by Time magazine as it announced a group of journalists, including slain dissident Jamal Khashoggi, as the Person of the Year for 2018.

The draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) further spread the climate of fear for penalising obtaining papers, information or pictures from government offices without official consent.

The BNP has promised to scrap the controversial law.

1971 war crimes

The war of independence with Pakistan remains Bangladesh’s most divisive political issue.

Since coming to power in 2009, Hasina used the emotions surrounding the 1971 war to justify her move towards an authoritarian rule.

The Awami League projects itself as the party of liberation, painting the opposition – mainly the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned in 2013 – as “pro-Pakistan” and therefore, dangerous and disloyal.

An international crimes tribunal set up by Hasina in 2010 sentenced dozens of top Jamaat and BNP leaders to death and jail on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Riaz thinks the Jamaat “needs to reinvent itself” and take responsibility of its role in 1971. “They should have done it long time ago. It is long overdue,” he said.

Despite a ban, many leaders of the Jamaat are contesting Sunday’s elections in alliance with the BNP.

– With inputs from agencies

While Hasina banks on economic growth, the opposition accuses her of silencing dissent [Al Jazeera]

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Congress returns to session — but shutdown drags on

The Capitol Building — Compared with the last extended government shutdown in 2013, this episode is remarkably low-key. | AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Officially, Congress will be in session on Thursday. Unofficially, lawmakers are doing little to nothing to end a partial government shutdown now in its sixth day.

Aides in both parties say they see little reason to believe anyone is budging over the funding of President Donald Trump’s border wall. Party leaders are now gaming out how the new Democratic House will react to a shutdown affecting a quarter of the government, and there are increasing worries that the funding lapse will persist for weeks, potentially deep into January.

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Both the Senate and House are scheduled to be in on Thursday afternoon, but no votes are expected and it’s unclear how many lawmakers will be back in town during a holiday week. It’s possible that neither chamber will vote again until Jan. 3, when Democrats assume the House majority.

There’s been little discussion between the White House and Democrats in recent days, according to people in both parties, and the two sides appear more dug in than they were a week ago. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and presumptive House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have refused to offer any more than the current $1.3 billion in annual funding for border fencing, and President Donald Trump said he will do “whatever it takes” to break the Democrats’ resolve.

Republicans said they’ve heard nothing new about a potential resolution from Schumer, whose Democratic minority can block any funding bill with a filibuster.

“Not much is happening in Washington,” conceded Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Fox News. “Hopefully Schumer decides we need security.”

Compared with the last extended shutdown in 2013, this episode is remarkably low-key. The closure covers only a quarter of the government, and it’s hitting during the holidays, when many federal workers and lawmakers are off of work. What’s more, members of Congress are doing comparatively little messaging compared to the impasse of five years ago, when conservatives tried to defund Obamacare and eventually GOP leaders blinked.

There have been almost no press conferences in recent days aimed at pinning the blame on the opposition, which could be in vain anyway since Trump said he’d be “proud” to own the shutdown (before subsequently trying to pin it on Democrats).

In the void of traditional congressional partisan messaging, Trump has continued his offensive. During a visit with troops in Iraq Wednesday, he said many federal workers support his stand for the border wall. On Thursday, he suggested that congressional Democratic leaders are turning their backs on their own constituency.

“Have the Democrats finally realized that we desperately need Border Security and a Wall on the Southern Border,” Trump said. “Do the Dems realize that most of the people not getting paid are Democrats?”

While many federal workers live in the D.C. area, which leans left, there is almost no incentive for Democrats to compromise right now in the final days of unified GOP rule. Their hand will strengthen considerably when Pelosi becomes speaker, and she can send over funding bills shorting the border wall and see how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) deals with it.

As the two sides continue their staredown, people close to the president are urging him not to waver.

“I don’t think there’s any situation where the president should give up on that demand,” Freedom Caucus leader Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said on CNN Wednesday. “The president is very firm in his resolve.”

Rebecca Morin contributed to this report.

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4 Reasons Why Netflix’s Élite Is The One Series You Need To Watch Before 2018 Ends

Netflix

By Trey Mangum

From the final season of FX’s spy drama, The Americans, to BBC America’s cat-and-mouse thriller, Killing Eve, 2018 has brought us some great television. But with a whopping 495 original scripted series airing this year, it can be a lot to filter through everything, and it’s even harder to keep up. However, there’s one series that has probably been hiding right under your nose (or Netflix queue), and you absolutely need to watch it before the year is over: Élite.

After their school collapsed due to construction failure, three working-class students are sent to Las Encinas, an exclusive private school where the children of Spanish society’s most élite attend. Their arrival sets off a series of events between the two factions that results in a murder straight out of your wildest true crime podcast.

While in the past decade there has been a flurry of teen dramas that have tackled murder, none have perfected this sub-genre quite like Élite. Taking a formula that has been tried by the likes of Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, 13 Reasons Why, and Riverdale, while adding the murder-mystery flashback elements successfully featured in How to Get Away With Murder and Big Little Lies, Élite gives something fresh while tackling topical themes.

So, if you need a holiday binge, here are four reasons why Élite needs to be your next Netflix binge before the end of 2018 — and with only eight episodes to watch, it’s actually feasible:

The complexity of its characters

In television and film, we’re often told that for protagonists to be likeable, they have to be perfect. In Élite, no one is subject to perfection. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. All of the characters exist in a moral grey area where they do good things, while also doing things that are pretty fucked up. This is extremely important because fictional teen characters are not often a reflection of actual, everyday imperfect people like ourselves (like the Riverdale‘s teen crime lords and freelance detectives). For example, take the character of Lucretia (portrayed by Mexican superstar Danna Paola): She may be a much more vindictive version of Regina George, but ther’s a method to her madness. The same goes for all of the show’s main characters. For Élite, each character is multi-faceted, and we aren’t stuck with one-dimensional caricatures.
Issues surrounding race, class, and sexuality don’t come across as superficial

Despite its glitzy, coastal Spain setting, the way Élite tackles race and class and other social themes does not come across as superficial. Of Middle Eastern descent and of the Muslim faith, the characters of Nadia (Mina El Hammani) and Omar (Omar Ayuso) are not tokens. The series has two gay characters, Omar and Ander (Arón Piper), and their individual story lines, in addition to their relationship, are portrayed authentically. While a good deal of their love story focuses on the trials and tribulations of them trying to be together, it isn’t approached in a perfunctory way, but in one that is told with care and depth. There’s even a story line that deals with another character named Polo (Álvaro Rico)’s sexuality and the boundary-pushing of a non-monogamous relationship involving Carla (Ester Expósito) and Christian (Miguel Herrán). The care that Élite has when it comes to these issues differs from the way Gossip Girl haphazardly introduced a polygamous situation as a plot line for guest star Hillary Duff or the unstable relationships that were saddled on Pretty Little Liars‘ lesbian character, Emily (Shay Mitchell).
The format provides for killer easter eggs

Usually, by the end of many murder mystery shows, we as viewers can either pinpoint or have a good idea of who the killer is. At the end of How to Get Away With Murder Season 3, we knew there was no way that Conor (Jack Falahee) could have killed Wes (Alfred Enoch). But alas, in Élite, the killer reveal in the season finale is really a twist that most people will not see coming. And the best part was that we got hints of the identity of the killer throughout the whole season. The format of the series has it so the story is told in past scenes and present-day police interrogation sequences. Because we as viewers are so engrossed in the mystery of it all, it’s hard to realize that the truth is being told to us bit by bit as the confessions go on. The audience has no idea how important they will become to the overall murder story at hand — so pay close attention.
It could be the first foreign-language breakout series of the streaming era

Netflix has had some success with scripted foreign-language titles in the past with its Portuguese-language series 3% and the German-language time-traveling saga Dark. But now Élite has the chance to take The Crown (pun intended) with its narrative twists and delicious drama. And with other foreign-language offerings like Alfonso Cuaron’s tender Roma — an Oscar hopeful — also on the streaming service, it proves that Netflix is becoming the force when it comes to global-appealing content. From rising hits like The Rain (Denmark) to Sacred Games (India), the streaming giant hopes to soon have over 100 foreign-language series in production.

Élite is already a game changer when it comes to storytelling and representation, transcending language and tired teen drama tropes, and it could be even more of a force when its second season arrives — so stay ahead of the game and get on board now.

Élite is currently streaming on Netflix.

TV
Elite

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Instagram’s new scrolling feature briefly inspires fury

By Heather Dockray2018-12-27 16:18:13 UTC

I’m not sure why social platforms constantly feel the urge to evolve. I miss the Facebook that gave me real news stories instead of my uncle’s views about the United States Postal Service, I long for the days of Friendster and MySpace.

Instagram is the latest platform to fall victim to the trend. The platform recently decided to test out a new way of scrolling through a feed — tapping left-to-right, instead of up-and-down.

Predictably, the people of the internet are mad.

The feature, mimics the format of Instagram stories. Both features operate horizontally. Users were forced tap to see the next post.

The transformation made folks largely, well, livid.

Instagram completely obliterating its feed while everyone is stuck on their parents’ couch is exactly the holiday drama I needed this week!

— Ashley Carman (@ashleyrcarman) December 27, 2018

rolling out a terrible new instagram update over the week between christmas and new years is purely evil

— maya kosoff (@mekosoff) December 27, 2018

Instagram is back with their bullshit. WHO ASKED TO TAP THROUGH POSTS??

— zel (@denzeldion) December 27, 2018

instagram

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chronological TL

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another update literally nobody asked for

— Call Me By My @ (@NotAgainBen) December 27, 2018

today was the day instagram truly became president

— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) December 27, 2018

Instagram did not immediately respond to Mashable’s request for comment, but Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram tweeted saying the update was rolled out by accident.

That was supposed to be a very small test that went broad by accident. Should be fixed now. If you’re still seeing it simply restart the app. Happy holidays!

— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) December 27, 2018

Now this is the kind of social media outrage that appeals to everyone, regardless of their political views. It pulls the people of the internet together. Onwards, my angry brethren!

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Your next iPhone may be manufactured in India

Foxconn will start assembling Apple iPhones in India early next year.

2018%2f06%2f26%2fc2%2f20182f062f252f5a2fphoto.d9abc.b1c04

By Matt Binder2018-12-27 16:15:49 UTC

Apple is bringing its iPhone production to India partially thanks to the looming threats and impacts of the China-U.S. trade war.

Early in 2019, Apple’s high-end smartphones will start being assembled from a Foxconn plant in Sriperumbudur, as first reported in The Hindu. While Foxconn, the Taiwanese company contracted by Apple to manufacture the iPhone, already makes phones in India, this will mark the first time the company has made iPhones in the country.

Foxconn will spend $365 million to expand the plant and may create as many as 25,000 new jobs in India according to an Industries Minister in the country speaking to Reuters. According to another source, the expansion will allow Apple to manufacture the more expensive models like the iPhone X line in the country.

It should be noted that it’s currently unknown whether Foxconn is planning to move its existing iPhone assembly from China to India.

As the largest electronics contract maker in the world, Foxconn has factories around the globe including in the United States. However, the current trade war between the U.S. and China has played a major role in the company’s strategy going forward. Foxconn is currently looking into opening a production base in Vietnam in preparation for the impacts of the trade war.

While Apple has previously assembled some of its low-end iPhones like the SE and 6S in India, it’s been through another contract manufacturing firm. This latest development with Foxconn could be a move by Apple to expand its mobile share in India, the world’s fastest growing smartphone market. The company has been hindered by Indian import taxes, making its already expensive iPhone X line even more costly in the country.

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Bold Predictions for NFL Free Agency

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Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Free agency is an opportunity for NFL players to turn the tables on team owners.

The open market allows them to maximize their personal worth while choosing where they want to play. However, those life-changing decisions are rarely easy.

If a player leaves his current team, fans will lambaste him for not showing allegiance. If he stays, he runs the risk of not fully capitalizing on his market value.

Either way, free agency is poised to reshape the NFL landscape this offseason, particularly if the following eight moves come to fruition.

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Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

One year after their memorable Super Bowl LII victory, the Philadelphia Eagles are in store for significant overhaul this offseason.

Philadelphia is currently a league-high $12.77 million over the projected 2019 salary cap, according to Spotrac. Not only will the Eagles not have room to re-sign their own free agents, but they’ll likely have to release a few established veterans as well.

Cornerback Ronald Darby, linebacker Jordan Hicks, guard Chance Warmack, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, safety Corey Graham, special teams standout Chris Maragos, running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles, defensive ends Brandon Graham (pictured) and Chris Long, wide receivers Golden Tate and Mike Wallace and kicker Jake Elliott aren’t under contract for next season. Philly won’t be able to pick up quarterback Nick Foles‘ $20.6 million option, either.

The Eagles can save nearly $10.7 million by turning down their 2019 option for left tackle Jason Peters. They would free up an additional $7 million by releasing defensive end Michael Bennett. Cutting backup offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski would save $3 million more.

Financial flexibility is a staple for long-term success, but Eagles are lacking in that area.

One thing is certain: Next year’s roster will look dramatically different than this season’s.

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Harry How/Getty Images

Erratic quarterback play coupled with numerous injuries helped to destroy the Jacksonville Jaguars’ once-promising season. Fresh off their AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots, the Jags started this year 3-1, only to lose seven straight game and plummet out of the playoff race.

Jacksonville benched quarterback Blake Bortles for Cody Kessler in Week 12, but Kessler couldn’t even hold down the starting gig for four full games. After Bortles relieved Kessler in Week 16, he’s now in line to start in the Jaguars’ season finale against the Houston Texans.

This offseason, Jacksonville must upgrade at quarterback to have any chance of making it back to the playoffs in 2019.

Cutting Bortles won’t be cheap. If the Jaguars do so before June 1, they’d save only $4.5 million and have $16.5 million in dead cap. Releasing him past June 1 would save them $9.5 million and cost $11.5 million in dead cap. Either way, he shouldn’t be in Jacksonville next season.

From there, the Jaguars can go one of two routes. They can either use a top-10 pick to select their quarterback of the future—they currently own the ninth overall pick—or they can pursue veteran options in free agency or via trade. Given where the team currently stands, the latter approach makes more sense.

Signing reigning Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles would make Jacksonville an instant contender. The Jaguars would remain a run-first offense, but they could implement more run-pass options to play complementary football with Foles and running back Leonard Fournette in the backfield.

Before pursuing Foles, Jacksonville would have to make moves elsewhere. Like the Eagles, the Jaguars are currently over the projected 2019 salary cap.

But without competent quarterback play, Jacksonville isn’t going anywhere in 2019.

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Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

As multiple teams search for quarterbacks this offseason, Teddy Bridgewater will be the most intriguing free agent available.

The 26-year-old was well on his way to becoming the Minnesota Vikings’ franchise signal-caller before he suffered a devastating knee injury. He also played well for the New York Jets in limited opportunities this preseason. Since the New Orleans Saints clinched home-field advantage in the NFC on Sunday, Bridgewater figures to play most if not all of their regular-season finale as well, according to The Athletic’s Larry Holder.

Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers will serve as Bridgewater’s showcase before he enters free agency. He’ll have the option to remain in New Orleans if he’s willing to wait for Brees to retire, but he may entertain other possibilities.

A return to his hometown of Miami might sound too good to be true. However, the Miami Dolphins have reached the point where Ryan Tannehill’s standing as the starter has grown tenuous.

“Everybody is always going to blame the quarterback,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said after his team’s 17-7 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, per the South Florida Sun Sentinel‘s Safid Deen. “We just need everybody doing their job, then you can really evaluate the quarterback. We haven’t had the consistency we need on offense to look at what Ryan really is. Nobody helps him, then he starts to try to do more than he should, and that hurts him.”

Gase’s excuses only make matters worse. Tannehill is not the type of quarterback who can carry or elevate an offense. If the Dolphins don’t know who he is, that’s on the organization, not Tannehill or his teammates.

With the Dolphins expected to select in the middle of the first round in April, signing a young, high-upside quarterback in free agency is a smarter approach than hoping one falls into their laps during the draft.

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Al Bello/Getty Images

If a team has its franchise quarterback in place—which the Houston Texans do with Deshaun Watson—the next step is to acquire reliable protection and skill-position talent.

While the Texans have offensive weapons in DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller and Keke Coutee, they have failed to protect Watson, who has been sacked a league-high 56 times.

As a mobile quarterback who extends plays, Watson shoulders some of that blame. But the majority of Houston’s pass-protection issues stem from an offensive line incapable of slowing opposing pass-rushers even after signing Senio Kelemete, Zach Fulton and Seantel Henderson this past offseason.

Left tackle has been a sore spot in particular. Julie’n Davenport is the NFL’s worst blindside protector, and Houston’s coaching staff can only do so much schematically to protect him.

Quality offensive tackles won’t be plentiful this offseason. There will be a few solid options, though.

Trent Brown is the most intriguing and logical choice. His understanding of the New England Patriots offense would help him transition seamlessly into Bill O’Brien’s scheme, and he’s only 25.

While left tackle is the Texans’ biggest concern, they have the seventh-most projected salary-cap space with $68.5 million. The team could use upgrades at all five line positions and should double down by adding a quality free-agent center like Mitch Morse or right tackle like Daryl Williams.

The Texans must protect Watson at all costs.

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Don Wright/Associated Press

A quarterback’s best friend can be a reliable rushing attack.

New York Jets rookie signal-caller Sam Darnold has been exceptional since he returned from a right foot injury. In his past three games, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 764 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception. According to Pro Football Focus, Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts is the only quarterback with a higher grade than Darnold since Week 10.

However, the Jets rank 24th this season in total rushing offense and are third-to-last with an average of 3.9 yards per carry. Isaiah Crowell isn’t a three-down back, and Bilal Powell is heading into free agency.

Darnold can’t do it all. His wide receiver corps is suspect as well. But the perfect solution will be available to the Jets this offseason.

Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season in a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His message hasn’t changed over the last two years: He wants to be paid commensurate with his overall value as a lead runner and No. 2 or No. 3 receiver.

Few teams have enough available cap space to meet Bell’s demands. Right now, Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams is the league’s highest-paid back at nearly $14.4 million per season. Bell is seeking more than $17 million annually, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

That demand severely limits his options. However, the Jets are projected to have more than $106.8 million in available cap space.

The 26-year-old Bell would immediately become the focal point of the Jets offense as a runner, but he’d also improve the passing attack. Wide receiver Robby Anderson leads the Jets with 47 receptions. Bell has 45 or more receptions in all but one of his five seasons, including three 75-plus-catch campaigns.

A backfield featuring Darnold and Bell would make the Jets offense far more potent.

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Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Larry Fitzgerald made himself clear this past offseason when asked about his future.

“If I’m not playing in Arizona, I won’t be playing anywhere,” the wide receiver told Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press. “I’ve built a good life for myself down there. Playing in the same place for 15 years is a true blessing.”

Circumstances change and ultimatums can fade. Fitzgerald already has a spot reserved in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he becomes eligible. His performance Sunday in a 31-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams sure felt like an end of an era, though.

“It may. It may not,” he said about the possibility of it being his last home game, per the Arizona Republic‘s Bob McManaman. “NFL careers end every Sunday. I’m just blessed to be able to play the game I love.”

Fitzgerald also admitted he’s “frustrated at work.”

The 35-year-old receiver is still playing well, with a team-leading 65 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns. But the Cardinals have a league-worst 3-12 record and are likely to undergo a second coaching change in less than a year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

If Fitzgerald doesn’t plan to retire, he should reconsider his unwillingness to play for another team. Playoff contenders like his hometown Minnesota Vikings or the Pittsburgh Steelers—where he played in college—make far more sense for him than a rebuilding Cardinals squad. The New England Patriots are always alluring for aging veterans trying to cash in the chance to compete for a Super Bowl, too.

Whatever the case, Fitzgerald shouldn’t waste his final years toiling away in the desert.

“If I decide to retire, I’ll let you guys know,” Fitzgerald told reporters last week, per the Cardinals’ official website. “Man, seriously. So, I don’t understand why we keep asking these questions.”

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Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Indianapolis Colts will be the envy of the NFL with a league-high $122.8 million in available salary-cap space this offseason.

With franchise quarterback Andrew Luck in place and an offensive line that’s now properly protecting him, the Colts can concentrate on other areas, specifically edge-rusher and wide receiver.

Multiple defensive linemen will cash in this year. Even if Grady Jarrett, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sheldon Richardson and Ndamukong Suh stay with their respective teams, the Colts should have other options from which to choose.

Dee Ford of the Kansas City Chiefs stands out as one such possibility.

Ford’s career-high 12 sacks are tied for eighth leaguewide, while his 29 quarterback hits are tied for third. He could be the Colts’ primary edge-rusher opposite Jabaal Sheard, Tyquan Lewis or Kemoko Turay. And for what it’s worth, Colts general manager Chris Ballard was part of the Chiefs front office that drafted Ford.

Familiarity should help the Colts attract another quality free agent in Tyrell Williams. Colts head coach Frank Reich served as the then-San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator when Williams earned a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.

The free-agent wideout class isn’t great, but Williams is 6’4″ and has a massive catch radius. His 16.2 yards-per-catch average ranks ninth among wide receivers with 30 or more receptions. He’d be an ideal complement to the speedy, field-stretching T.Y. Hilton.

Indianapolis has the financial flexibility to sign whomever it prefers. Ford and Williams fit what the Colts need most.

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

After finding a franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns may become enticing for top free agents.

Cleveland has three years before it must discuss a long-term extension with Mayfield. In the meantime, it already has a significant number of talented young players on the roster and plenty of money to spend.

The Browns’ $80.6 million in projected salary-cap space ranks fourth behind the Colts, Jets and Bills. Cleveland is only one or two pieces away from owning an elite defense. It needs a consistent pass-rush presence—opposite Myles Garrett or along the interior—to complete its front seven.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark is tied for eighth leaguewide with a career-high 12 sacks. The 25-year-old pass-rusher, who played at Glenville High School in Cleveland, has 31 sacks and counting since the start of the 2016 season.

If the Browns signed Clark, they could shift Emmanuel Ogbah to 3-technique if he adds a little weight. Otherwise, Ogbah can serve as a rotational defensive end. He and Clark can work together since the latter plays both inside and outside.

At the moment, the Browns’ top priority should be to maximize their cornerstones on their roster. If Clark becomes available—which is no sure thing—he’s an ideal candidate.

A sub-package front four consisting of Garrett at defensive end, Genard Avery working off the other edge, Larry Ogunjobi at 1-technique and Clark inside at 3-technique would be downright scary.

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Protesters in DRC’s Beni target Ebola centre over election delay

Kinshasa, DRC – Protesters angry over a delay in the presidential election in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Beni city have ransacked an Ebola centre, according to residents.

The centre housed patients suspected of having the deadly viral disease before the confirmed cases are transferred to an isolation centre.

“The protesters have attacked the Ebola centre in the town. This is serious because the epidemic can spread,” Matthieu Kamble, a resident, told Al Jazeera by telephone.

The demonstrators were unhappy with the electoral commission (CENI) after it delayed Sunday’s election in three DRC cities.

On Wednesday, CENI said voting in Beni and Butembo in the eastern North Kivu province and Yumbi in western Bandundu province will take place in March next year instead.

The commission said it delayed the poll in North Kivu because of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region, the second-worst in history.

The latest outbreak, which started in May 2018, has left more than 320 people dead.

‘We have to vote’

“The electoral commission is responsible for what’s happening. We don’t accept the delay, we have to vote,” Kambale said.

Another resident, Justin Safari, said the situation in the city will not change unless people are allowed to cast their ballot.

“Delaying over the Ebola outbreak is not good enough a reason. They can’t use it to leave us behind while other Congolese vote on Sunday. It doesn’t make any sense,” Safari said.

Residents in Beni told Al Jazeera that security forces used tear gas and fired in the air to disperse protesters, who burned tires and blocked roads to express anger at their exclusion from the polls.

“Protesters blocked the main road and destroyed the Ebola centre. They are chasing the volunteers fighting the disease. Nobody wants to accept an election delay here,” Kizito Bin Hangi, president of Beni Civil Society, told Al Jazeera.

The DRC was scheduled to have its election in 2016, but the electoral body kept delaying, citing a lack of resources to hold the polls in the vast country which is roughly five times the size of France.

CENI scheduled the vote for December 23, but that again was extended by a week after voting machines were destroyed in a fire at the electoral body’s main warehouse in the capital, Kinshasa.

More than 46 million Congolese are registered to take part in the polls.

Twenty-one candidates are competing to succeed President Joseph Kabila, who is stepping down after more than 17 years in power.

The DRC has never had a peaceful transfer of power since the mineral-rich country gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

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10 video games we can’t wait for in 2019

The whole of 2019 may not be looking so hot coming off the disastrous year that was/is 2018, but at least there’s video games to distract us from everything else.

We dusted off our telescopes and looked over the video games we expect to see in 2019, compiling a list of the most titillating titles that we think will most capture our hearts and attentions in the next 12 or so months.

10. Devil May Cry 5

Sometimes you just want to style on some demons, and Devil May Cry 5 has your back. The hack-and-slash franchise returns in March to tear a whole bunch of bad guys a whole bunch of new ones with the help of Dante, Nero, and a new character named V. The cathartic, chaotic combat of Devil May Cry looks like it’s going to be as fun as ever with a much-appreciated visual upgrade.

Expected release date: March 8, 2019

9. The Sinking City

You had me at weird-looking kraken thing. Melding 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and film noir, The Sinking City is bound to be one of 2019’s more surreal gameplay experiences. Uncovering the truth behind the supernatural plague terrorizing the city of Oakmont, Massachusetts, you play as a private investigator. Loosely based on the works of horror writer H. P. Lovecraft, this game is gonna be one wild (and wet) mind-bender.

Expected release date: March 21, 2019

8. The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan

Have no fear, Until Dawn fans—more spooks are finally heading our way. Announced this past summer, The Dark Pictures anthology will take Supermassive Games deeper into the horror realm with a series of terrifying installments. The first? Man of Medan, a nautical thriller following the horror experienced by a group of curious divers who meddle with a ghostly wreckage site. Yes. Please. More. Thank you.

Expected release date: TBD in 2019

7. In the Valley of Gods

From the brilliant minds that brought us Firewatch, In the Valley of Gods looks like Tomb Raider, but with a killer soundtrack and y’know… emotional depth. Gods‘ chronicles the adventures of Rashida and Zora as they explore Egypt and attempt to navigate their tricky working relationship. While relatively little is known about the release, if it’s anything like Firewatch, then we’re in for a pretty big treat.

Expected release date: TBD in 2019

6. Animal Crossing

If there’s one thing we all need in 2019, it’s a nice, quiet, pleasant game where everyone is your friend, loans are interest-free, and nobody has a weapon. Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Switch sounds like the perfect antidote for everything that’s been going wrong in recent years, and being able to sink into a tranquil little village full of kind animal neighbors and ample fishing. This game couldn’t be coming at a better time.

Expected release date: TBD in 2019

5. Afterparty

If you haven’t played Night School Studio’s Oxenfree, you go do that right now. You’re back? Cool! Now, get hype as hell (literally) for the completely bonkers escapade that will be Afterparty. Milo and Lola, recently-deceased college buddies, awake to find themselves slumming it with Hades. But when they discover that if they can outdrink Satan they’ll be resurrected back on Earth, its bottoms up. A perfect blend of silly and stylish, Afterparty is one indie release we are dying to try.

Expected release date: TBD in 2019

4. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

From the creators of Dark Souls comes Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a refreshing take from the masters of the action RPG that adds acrobatics and more demanding swordplay to the genre. While Dark Souls kept us grounded as we trudged through endless misery and desolation, Sekiro sends us flying through the air in more open, inviting environments.

Expected release date: March 22, 2019

3. Anthem

Anthem is a very pretty game that blends fluid mobility with classic sci-fi combat as players fly around a lush planet with their powered armor (Javelins) and take on all manner of enemies. It’s kind of like Bioware’s take on Destiny, but it looks like it doesn’t lean quite so heavily on MMO tropes.

Expected release date: February 22, 2019

2. Kingdom Hearts III

The massive Kingdom Hearts franchise is finally tackling its next installment. Surrounded by dozens of Disney and Pixar characters, our hero Sora will take on another perilous journey at the start of next year. There’s a lot to discuss here (and we’re desperately trying to replay everything before this release hits) so stay tuned for lots of discussion come January. We’re pumped.

Expected release date: January 25, 2019

1. Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is returning to life. The beloved-yet-terrifying 1998 action horror game is making its glorious comeback in January, sending us back into Racoon City as Leon, the most handsome and brave cop to ever take on a horde of zombies. The remake gives us the over-the-shoulder approach of Resident Evil 4 but built on the gorgeous airtight engine that gave us Resident Evil 7, which honestly sounds like the perfect combination.

Expected release date: January 25, 2019

Honorable mention: Death Stranding

First revealed in 2016, we still don’t know when Death Stranding is coming out. Maybe it’ll be 2019. Maybe it’ll be later. But oh wow do we want to see this game, even if it’s just to learn what it’s actually about and how it plays. It is so enticingly mysterious and exciting-looking and with such a cool cast and aesthetic it is looking like it’ll make a little video game history when it finally comes out. Hopefully soon.

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NFL Rumors: Dolphins Prepared to ‘Move On’ from Ryan Tannehill After Season

El quarterback de los Dolphins de Miami, Ryan Tannehill (17), se apresta a lanzar un pase previo al partido de la NFL contra los Jaguars de Jacksonville, el domingo 23 de diciembre de 2018, en Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Foto/Lynne Sladky)

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly “prepared to move on” from quarterback Ryan Tannehill following the 2018 season, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Parting ways with Tannehill would provide the Dolphins with significant savings since he is set to make around $19 million in each of the next two seasons. He also has a cap hit of $26.6 million next season.

Since Tannehill’s contract is not guaranteed beyond this season, Miami would save $13.2 million in 2019 cap space by cutting him, per Jackson.

Miami could also save as much as $18.7 million by designating Tannehill as a post-June 1 release, although that would result in a dead-money cap hit in 2020.

If the Dolphins cut Tannehill, it could be part of an even more extensive housecleaning.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora recently reported that head coach Adam Gase’s job may be in jeopardy, while Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported it is “all but certain” vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum will be fired.

Miami selected Tannehill with the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M.

In 10 starts this season, he is 5-5 with 1,832 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has a quarterback rating of 99.0, 11th in the NFL.

Tannehill, 30, missed all of last season with a knee injury after helping lead Miami to the playoffs in 2016.

In 87 career starts, Tannehill has a 42-45 record with 20,287 passing yards, 123 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,201 yards and six scores.

While Miami has performed slightly above expectations this season with a 7-8 record, the team will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.

Top free-agent options include Teddy Bridgewater, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor, while Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, Missouri’s Drew Lock, Duke’s Daniel Jones and West Virginia’s Will Grier are among the best quarterbacks who could be available in the draft.

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