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Today in History: October 21, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Modernist icon opens in New York
Today is Tuesday, Oct. 21, the 294th day of 2025. There are 71 days left in the year.
Today in history:On Oct. 21, 1959, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum opened in New York.
Also on this date:In 1797, the U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” was christened in Boston’s harbor.
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In 1805, a British fleet commanded by Vice Adm. Horatio Nelson defeated a French-Spanish fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar; Nelson, however, was killed.
In 1940, Ernest Hemingway’s novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was first published.
In 1944, U.S. troops captured the German city of Aachen (AH’-kuhn) — the first German city to fall to American forces in World War II.
In 1966, 144 people, 116 of them children, were killed when a coal waste landslide engulfed a school and some 20 houses in Aberfan, Wales.
In 2013, a seventh grader at Sparks Middle School in Sparks, Nevada, shot and killed a teacher and wounded two classmates before taking his own life.
In 2014, Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The conviction was later upgraded to murder; Pistorius was released on parole in January 2024.
In 2021, Actor Alec Baldwin was pointing a gun on the set of the Western movie “Rust” in New Mexico when it went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin were dropped in July 2024.
In 2024, jury selection began in the trial of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Daniel Penny, for placing a man who was acting erratically on a New York City subway train in May 2023 in a deadly chokehold. In December 2024, Penny was cleared of all charges, including criminally negligent homicide.
Today’s Birthdays:- Rock singer Manfred Mann is 85.
- TV’s Judge Judy Sheindlin is 83.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 76.
- Former first daughter Patti Davis is 73.
- Film director Catherine Hardwicke is 70.
- Actor Ken Watanabe (wah-tah-NAH’-bee) is 66.
- Republican Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina is 54.
- Actor Will Estes is 47.
- Reality TV star Kim Kardashian (kahr-DASH’-ee-uhn) is 45.
- Actor Glenn Powell is 37.
- Country singer Kane Brown is 32.
- Singer Doja Cat is 30.
No extension for Heat’s Herro, can return to negotiating table in July
MIAMI — With the Miami Heat’s direction uncertain going forward, guard Tyler Herro wound up without a contract extension by Monday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Instead, Herro, who became an NBA All-Star for the first time last season, will have to wait until July to see whether years will be added onto a current contract that otherwise would expire after 2026-27.
As it is, Herro will remain under contract for the impending season with a $31 million salary, then also under contract in 2026-27 for $33 million.
Herro’s negotiation window from Oct. 1-Oct. 20 came with the seventh-year guard recovering from last month’s ankle surgery, expected to miss the first three weeks in a season that for the Heat opens Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center.
The question next becomes whether the price will go up with Herro and the Heat failing to lock in an extension as quickly as they did when Herro’s initial rookie-scale contract became eligible for an extension in 2022.
Herro, 25, was eligible for a three-year extension for a maximum of $150 million. Starting in July, he would be eligible for a four-year extension at a maximum of $207 million. He also would become eligible next summer for a five-year, $380 million supermax extension if he were to be named All-NBA this coming season, a status he has yet to attain since being selected at No 13 by the Heat in the 2019 NBA draft out of Kentucky.
A year ago, the Heat went through the preseason with a similar extension possibility looming. The Heat at that point bypassed an extension with forward Jimmy Butler, who subsequently acted out and was dealt to the Golden State Warriors at midseason (where he received the extension bypassed by the Heat).
Herro said on the eve of training camp that he saw the opportunity to be locked in long term by the Heat.
“I expect to get something done,” he said.
But he also made clear there would not be Butler-like antics if a deal was not struck, certainly nothing like when Butler voiced displeasure last January about losing his joy.
“I’m not going to lose my joy,” Herro said with a laugh as teammates completed media day at Kaseya Center on Sept. 29. “I ain’t going to lose my joy.”
Herro made clear during that interview with a pair of reporters in the hallway leading to the Heat locker room that it was not about seeking the maximum.
“It’s not as important as you all think, I will say that,” Herro said. “It’s not that important to me. Being here is important — but being here at a respectable number, I should say. And for me, I have a number in my mind, as I did on the last contract extension. And that’s why I didn’t accept the max, because I wasn’t pressed on it, and I’m not pressed on it now.
“And I feel like a lot of people have put out that it’s $50 million or nothing. And it’s not that. You know what I mean? And at the end of the day, I want to be here, as I’ve said. But it’s about respect at the end of the day. So we’ll see what happens.”
What has happened is a waiting game, as the Heat gauge the team’s direction after last season’s tumble to 37-45 and outside expectations of something potentially worse this season.
Herro said his play will offer clarity of where he stands with both his ankle and his attitude.
“I still got two years left on my deal,” he said. “And this shouldn’t hinder anything. I’ll be back damn near November 15, is the latest I’ll be back, right? So you won’t even notice I’m gone. I’ll be back pretty fast.”
So, once again, in prove-it mode.
“I’m not going to be a problem throughout the organization,” he said last month of moving forward without an extension. “I’m happy to be here at the end of the day. And there’s two years left.”
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The lack of an extension does not necessarily mean a lack of appreciation.
Nor does it mean a lack of appreciation that the cost could rise.
“Pay me now or pay me later, whatever it is,” Heat President Pat Riley said in his 2024-25 season wrap-up media session in May.
“But Tyler definitely is deserving of the thought of an extension.”
Just, ultimately, not now.
“He’s pivotal for us as an offensive player,” Riley said. “We just need more around him that can do a little bit of what he does, because now he’s getting beat up, he’s getting schemed, overly schemed and so we’ll learn a lot about that. Tyler is a player. And I hope he can stay here the rest of his career and we can build a team that he’s part of.”
The Heat now have extension windows open with Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins through the end of the season, with fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic earlier this month agreeing to a four-year, $62.4 million rookie-scale extension, in a window that also closed Monday.
Family of girl who nearly lost leg at summer camp sues Coconut Grove Sailing Club
The parents of a girl who nearly lost leg while participating in a summer sailing club is suing the club — and counselors — over an incident that occurred days before a barge hit a sailboat full of summer campers off Miami Beach.
Bolivar Viteri and Michelle Viteri, the parents of 11-year-old Catherine Viteri, are seeking $10 million in damages, according to a lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Monday.
The suit alleges that the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and three camp counselors were negligent and failed to supervise the children, causing Catherine a lifelong disability. During a July 10 incident, Catherine was run over by a motorboat operated by a 21-year-old counselor, while she was swimming, court documents allege. Catherine’s right leg was lacerated to the bone and nearly amputated by a propeller.
Go to Herald.com for the full report.
GATORS PODCAST: Billy Napier fired as Florida pushes to reestablish program’s prominence (Ep. 304)
Billy Napier was let go as the Gators turned the page on a failed four-year tenure ending with a 22-23 record and on track for a third losing season. UF is banking on longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales to inspire a talented roster and ignite a lackluster offense during the remaining five regular-season games. All eyes, though, are on who will replace Napier at season’s end, with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin atop everyone’s wish list. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar weigh in on a decision everyone could see coming, how the Gators got here and what direction AD Scott Stricklin should go to resurrect an iconic program and brand picking up the pieces once again.
- Billy Napier on brand until the end (0:00)
- What Billy has built: Legacy good for UF (5:00)
- Transactional coaching in 2025 (8:12)
- Napier: ‘I love the game of football’ (10:31)
- Behind the scenes: Napier had an edge (13:28)
- AD Scott Stricklin: Napier’s decisions brought us here (15:35)
- Napier issue or talent issue? (20:22)
- Stricklin: Next person is taking keys to real kingdom (25:36)
- Interim coach Billy Gonzalez (28:04)
- Players’ thoughts (36:30)
- Who is the next coach and how much will he make?(42:05)
- Lane Kiffin next UF coach? (45:12)
- If not Kiffin, who? (48:32)
- Next coach MUST energize fanbase and donors (50:19)
- Coaching long shots: Nick Sabin, Jon Gruden (53:03)
- Timeline for hiring coach (55:22)
- Keep Gonzalez to keep players (59:22)
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Florida players ‘upset’ by Billy Napier’s ouster but understand inevitable decision
GAINESVILLE — Sophomore linebacker Myles Graham was honed in on homecoming, leaving him unprepared when UF fired Billy Napier a day after the Gators slipped by Mississippi State Saturday in the Swamp.
“I honestly wasn’t thinking about that,” he said Monday. “I was just focused on the game plan. I was focused on getting a win, and we got that done.”
A narrow 23-21 victory against a program with 15 straight SEC losses wasn’t enough to save Napier and avoid the inevitable. Picked to finish sixth in the SEC and a potential dark horse for a CFP bid, the Gators (3-4, 2-2 SEC) now aim to avoid the program’s fourth losing season in five seasons.
Napier’s on-field struggles and fan discontent, including boos directed at him following Saturday’s win, did not soften the gut punch his players felt after he was let go.
“We were all pretty upset about it,” redshirt senior center Jake Slaughter said. “We understand that it’s a production business, and it is what it is.”
When Napier arrived after the 2021 season, Slaughter was a redshirt freshman and former 3-star prospect from Ocala who had appeared in one college game. But he would become the anchor of the offensive line and earn first-team All-America honors in 2024.
Florida head coach Billy Napier walks on the field during a timeout as center Jake Slaughter (66) reacts during the Gators' 23-21 win against Mississippi State Oct. 18 in Gainesville. (AP Photo/John Raoux)Slaughter, 22, will remember Napier for being more than a coach who developed him as a player.
“He came in and he treated me like I was one of those guys that he recruited,” Slaughter said. “He cared for me more than anything, and he taught us all so much — just being a good man, being a good ball player, taking care of your guys.
“I can’t talk enough about the type of imprint he left on us and our character.”
Outpourings from players on social media followed Napier’s ouster.
One of the first to post on X was Graham, who delivered a picture of him and Napier and wrote, “Thank You For Everything Coach.”
“He meant the world to me,” Graham said. “Coach Napier, he’s a great dude, and he taught me so much. I learned a lot of lessons from him throughout my time here, even when I was a recruit. And I wish him the best.
“I’m really thankful for him.”
Napier signed every scholarship player on UF’s current roster but Slaughter, left tackle Austin Barber, defensive end Tyreak Sapp and long snapper Rocco Underwood.
Sophomore signal caller DJ Lagway ended up on Napier’s radar during the summer prior his first season in 2022. The 2023 Gatorade Player of Year out of Willis, Texas, signed in December 2023, giving Napier his program’s quarterback of the future.
Instead, Lagway will play for a new coach in 2026.
“It’s been hard,” he said. “Coach Billy Napier recruited me here. I’m forever thankful for him. My family’s forever thankful for him. But at the end of the day, we still got to continue to get better. Me, personally, I got to continue to take each and every day as another day to improve at my craft — and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Lagway hinted he plans to return next season for whomever UF hires.
“I’m a Florida Gator,” he said. “My biggest focus right now is these five games.”
The team’s leading tackler, Graham — whose father Earnest played running back at Florida from 1999-2002 — was unequivocal he’d be back for whomever is on the sideline.
“I definitely came to play for Coach Napier,” he said. “But I more importantly came to play for the logo.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Biden completes a round of radiation therapy as part of his prostate cancer treatment
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden on Monday completed a round of radiation therapy treatment for the aggressive form of prostate cancer he was diagnosed with after leaving office, a spokesperson said.
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Biden had been receiving treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia, said aide Kelly Scully.
The 82-year-old Democrat left office in January, six months after he dropped his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate against Republican Donald Trump amid concerns about Biden’s age, health and mental fitness. Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, who was Biden’s vice president.
In May, Biden’s postpresidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones. The discovery came after he reported urinary symptoms.
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using what is known as a Gleason score. The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9 and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively. Biden’s office said his score was 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.
Last month, Biden had surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.
Cards Against Humanity and Elon Musk’s SpaceX reach settlement over alleged trespassing in Texas
By SEAN MURPHY
SpaceX has settled a lawsuit filed by the maker of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity over accusations that Elon Musk’s rocket company trespassed and damaged a plot of land the card company owns in Texas.
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Texas court records show a settlement was reached in the case last month, just weeks before a jury trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 3. The card maker said in a statement Monday that it could not disclose the terms, and SpaceX did not return email and telephone messages left with the company and its Texas lawyer seeking comment.
Cards Against Humanity, which is headquartered in Chicago, originally purchased the plot of land in 2017 as part of what it said was a stunt to oppose President Donald Trump’s efforts to build a border wall.
In its lawsuit, Cards Against Humanity alleges SpaceX essentially treated the game company’s property — located in Cameron County in far south Texas — as its own for at least six months.
The lawsuit said SpaceX, which had previously acquired other plots of land near the property, had placed construction materials, such as gravel, and other debris on the land without asking for permission to do so.
Cards Against Humanity said in an email Monday to The Associated Press that SpaceX admitted during the discovery phase of the case to trespassing on its property. The company said a trial “would have cost more than what we were likely to win from SpaceX.”
“The upside is that SpaceX has removed their construction equipment from our land and we’re able to work with a local landscaping company to restore the land to its natural state: devoid of space garbage and pointless border walls.”
The company has previously said 150,000 people had each contributed $15 toward helping purchase the land in Texas and that they had hoped to pay back those donors with proceeds from a settlement.
Over the years, Cards Against Humanity says the land has been maintained in its natural state. It also says it displayed a “no trespassing” sign to warn people they were about to step on private property.
The company was asking for $15 million in damages, which it says includes a loss of vegetation on the land.
“Were we hoping to be able to pay all our fans? Sure. But we did warn them they would ‘probably only be able to get like $2 or most likely nothing,’” the company said.
Daily Horoscope for October 21, 2025
A fresh start can lead to a healed self. With the insubstantial Moon facing off against sore Chiron, our emotions might make the healing process seem harder than it has to be. However, the New Moon in Libra at 8:25 am EDT provides us with a window of insight into the best versions of ourselves. Seeing all we could be can change our whole perspective. Finally, the Moon moves into investigative Scorpio, giving us space to mend our torn shadows. Trying is worth it.
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
You’re being given an opportunity to reconcile relationships with others. You may find that you are being reminded of past hurts, so that you’re able to see them for what they are and let them go. Perhaps you’ll notice a chance to put a current argument to rest. Instead of allowing a wound to take over your mind or redefine how you live your life, take a deep look at what really took place. Healing may mainly require a shift in perspective.
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
You could receive updated information from someone who hurt you in your shared history. Someone who treated you wrong might reenter your life without warning, and there may be a chance to discuss the ways in which they hurt you. Whether or not they have come to terms with what took place will affect the outcome of the discussion, but it suggests that there is a better foundation for progress and healing than there was before. Even if you don’t reconnect, the pain should lessen.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
Taking risks isn’t a bad thing. You could have held back and avoided taking any chances recently, especially if you got burned the last time you tried stepping outside of your comfort zone. Keep reminding yourself of the value of trying. Even if the last time you stretched forth into the unknown was painfully uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean that you need to lock yourself away within your current lifestyle. If you never take a risk, what you end up risking is stagnancy.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
How are you building contentment? This is a question to ask yourself right now, because the ways that you have been seeking security may not be positive for your long-term situation. It may be that you need to reevaluate your habits and ensure that they’re pushing you toward the future you want to end up in. If not, then it’s time to recognize that a comfort zone that eventually leads to more discomfort than you started with is not a comfort zone at all.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
You’re shifting the way that you communicate with others. You could find that it’s difficult to get your thoughts and feelings across to others as of late. It may be that the way you’re currently expressing yourself is causing the disconnect. The more that you make an effort to communicate directly with others and the less that you wait for them to ask what’s wrong or hope that they notice that you’re feeling a certain way, the more fulfilled you should feel.
VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
Personal security is a daily practice. You may have been insecure with the way that you approached life in the past, but now, you are finding ways to repair any cracks in your armor. It might have been that people led you to feel as though you didn’t deserve to have the confidence or security that they did. Whether or not these naysayers are still in your life, their critiques have likely stayed. It’s time to leave them in the past!
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
A fresh start is on your horizon. You might have been feeling like the person you are right now is not who you’re showing to the world — you’re showing a past version of yourself that you feel safer revealing. Contemplate the ways in which hiding your true self can dampen your spirit and incite discouragement without really realizing it. As you purposefully express yourself, your true self, you become more likely to feel the warmth of your true light shining through.
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
You’re following your intuition to spiritual healing. It may not make sense when you first start on a project that allows you to express yourself creatively, or when you spend time alone or in nature and remember a time in your past that was spiritually challenging. Regardless, you may soon realize how what was taking place helped you work through an emotional block that once ensnared you. The end goal is not always understandable in each individual moment, so trust your heart to lead.
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
You’re reevaluating the company you keep. Maybe the people around you don’t align with your standards in the way that they did in the past. Watch out for signals that it’s time for you to spend your days around those who better reflect the person that you want to become. Negative or outdated influences can draw you into decisions that you wouldn’t have normally made, and because of this, it may be time to reflect. Find those that lift you up, not wear you down.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
The world is blossoming around you. Get hyped to show an audience what you can do, because hiding behind a lack of experience or a fear of standing out will not boost your progress at this moment. You potentially have more to offer than you are currently utilizing. Remember, as you prove the positive impact of your skills and talents, the more capable you become of making the moves that you want to make. Show them why you’re the one for the job.
AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
Your personal philosophy might start changing at any moment. You may realize that you’ve been basing your personal ideals on a goal that you no longer desire, as you find yourself more inspired by fresher aspects of life. Don’t hesitate to rebuild your personal foundation on a stronger philosophy. Past ideas may also have been fueled by spite, stress, or shame, and your revamped conceptualizations could have more to offer. Don’t be afraid of letting something new or unfamiliar inspire you.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
You’re understanding yourself on a deeper level. During your life thus far, you may have been afraid to tackle certain subjects or to think too deeply about certain difficult times. Your present strength is emboldening you to face them head on and look at your history without fear. Make a point of looking at yourself in the mirror without judgment or shame! That’s the best way to continue nurturing that strength, allowing you to surpass any blocks that were troubling you. Give yourself some grace.
Giant, floating pumpkin races draw large crowds to annual event in Oregon
By CLAIRE RUSH
TUALATIN, Ore. (AP) — Hoisting his kayak paddle in the air triumphantly, Gary Kristensen celebrated as he crossed the finish line, victorious in his giant, floating pumpkin.
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Dressed up as the character Buddy from Will Ferrell’s holiday movie “Elf,” Kristensen won the first race in the annual event over the weekend in Tualatin, Oregon. The Portland suburb has hosted the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta since 2004, drawing large crowds who cheer on costumed participants as they race around a small human-made lake in humongous pumpkins that have been carved out, allowing them to float.
“You’ve got an exciting activity that crowds love, you’ve got the costumes, cheering people, spectacle, pumpkins sinking, it has everything,” Kristensen said after emerging victorious in the first race of Sunday’s event in a 936-pound pumpkin.
For Kristensen, who has competed in the regatta since 2013, the activity has become much more than a once-annual affair. Earlier this year, he claimed a Guinness World Record for longest journey by pumpkin boat after paddling some 58 miles on the Columbia River — breaking the record he had set the previous year.
The niche endeavor has also become a passion for Brad Bahns, who participated in his fourth regatta dressed up as a character from the TV series “Squid Game.” He described the fun in growing his own pumpkin — which took six months — and “getting to culminate the season by putting it in the lake and paddling with our friends.”
At 1,376 pounds, the weight of his pumpkin this year marked a personal record for him.
“It’s kind of an addiction at this point,” he said.
In the early morning rain, before the races got underway, workers operated fork lifts and heavy machinery to lift the enormous pumpkins and transfer them to the water. Growers and competitors then wielded saws and knives to cut a hole in the top of their pumpkins, and scooped out the goopy insides with spoons, scrapers and their bare hands so that they could sit inside.
Show Caption1 of 5Nina Richards, dressed as Shrek, races in a giant pumpkin during the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Tualatin, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) ExpandThe more innards that are removed, the lighter the pumpkin becomes, giving its captain a competitive edge by allowing swifter travel. By the time the carving was done, there were enough discarded seeds and pulp to fill a dumpster.
Members of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers, who grow the pumpkins for the regatta, were the competitors in the first race. On its website, the gardening association describes itself as “focused on the fun-filled, competitive hobby of growing obscenely large vegetables.”
Aboard pumpkins of differing orange and yellow hues, their costumes varied from celebrity chef Guy Fieri and a UPS delivery man with cardboard boxes stacked on the back of his pumpkin, to Elvis and a person in a hot dog suit. Someone dressed up as Luigi, the character from Nintendo’s Mario games with a trademark green cap and shirt, had a green pumpkin to match.
In another race, a participant wore a Shrek costume and green face paint, mirroring some fans in the crowd who also dressed up as the lovable ogre from the popular films.
When asked what it takes to grow a massive pumpkin, Kristensen shared his simple recipe for success: “Good seeds, good soil, good luck, hard work.”
Authorities charge 2 more suspects with attack on prominent DOGE employee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two more suspects have been charged with the attempted carjacking and beating of a 19-year-old man who was working for the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency — a crime that was a catalyst for the White House’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital.
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Laurence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18, were arrested last week on charges stemming from the Aug. 3 attack on Edward Coristine, a prominent DOGE employee nicknamed “Big Balls.” Two 15-year-old suspects from Maryland previously were charged with, convicted of and sentenced for Coristine’s beating.
“This case underscores the escalating challenges that we face in confronting crime in Washington, D.C.,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference on Monday.
Coristine was walking a woman to her car in the city’s Logan Circle neighborhood when he was attacked by a group of teenagers who repeatedly punched and kicked him, authorities said. The suspects fled when they spotted a police officer nearby.
The attack on Coristine fueled President Donald Trump’s decision to flood Washington with a surge of patrols by federal agents and National Guard members.
Cotton-Powell and Taylor also are accused of participating in a separate attack and robbery of a man at a gas station shortly before they assaulted Coristine, Pirro said.
Cotton-Powell was arrested last Thursday. Taylor was arrested last Friday. Both are charged in D.C. Superior Court with attempted unarmed carjacking, robbery and assault with intent to commit a robbery.
Last Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced the two 15-year-old suspects to probation after they pleaded guilty to assaulting Coristine. Trump said it was a “terrible” decision not to incarcerate the teens.
“I think the judge should be ashamed of himself,” Trump said during an Oval Office appearance.
Trump suggests US will buy Argentinian beef to bring down prices for American consumers
By CHRISTOPHER MEGERIAN
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States could purchase Argentinian beef in an attempt to bring down prices for American consumers.
“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One during a flight from Florida to Washington. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”
Trump promised earlier this week to address the issue as part of his efforts to keep inflation in check.
U.S. beef prices have been stubbornly high for a variety of reasons, including drought and reduced imports from Mexico due to a flesh-eating pest in cattle herds there.
Trump has been working to help Argentina bolster its collapsing currency with a $20 billion credit swap line and additional financing from sovereign funds and the private sector ahead of midterm elections for his close ally, President Javier Milei.
Shrapnel fell onto a California Highway Patrol vehicle during U.S. military live-fire exercise, agency says
The U.S. military demonstration that shot live-fire artillery rounds over Interstate 5 on Saturday dropped metal shrapnel on a California Highway Patrol vehicle, resulting in damage, agency officials said Sunday.
The CHP said that the shrapnel was from an explosive ordnance that was fired over Interstate 5 and “detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging a CHP patrol vehicle.”
The shrapnel fell on the vehicle in an area where CHP officers were gathered to close traffic along Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County, which cuts through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
State officials decided to order the closure of Interstate 5 during the live-fire exercise, conducted for a Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration featuring Vice President JD Vance.
No injuries were reported, the CHP said. State officers immediately contacted the Marines, which then “canceled firing additional live ordnance over the freeway, and the area was swept for further evaluation.”
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said in a statement. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”
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Daily Horoscope for October 20, 2025
Curiosity takes over. With intellectual Mercury conjoining ambitious Mars in investigative Scorpio at 2:52 am EDT, our minds might be caught up in a tide of inquisitive thoughts. We want to know the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and anything less won’t scratch that itch to know! Pay attention to recognize when curiosity turns prying, because everyone deserves their privacy. We can use this cosmic enthusiasm constructively by researching, asking loved ones about their favorite memories, and understanding ourselves on a deeper level.
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
You’re on a mission for the truth. You may feel as though you’ve been missing out on bits of information, and finally, you’re putting the pieces together by asking people in your life. It may be that you learn revelations about friends you believed to be open books. If it changes how you see them, be kind — whether or not it’s a positive change. This news could also help you solve a long-term problem, so make an effort to keep an open mind.
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
Connections are growing stronger throughout the day. You may find yourself seeking more information about people that you know, whether you’ve been close with them for some time or they’re recent additions to your life. It’s possible that you’ve been wanting to ask these questions for ages, but weren’t sure how to ask. Pay attention to your conversations, as your curiosity could be satisfied naturally. If the topics come up in random chats, go ahead and ask politely. The priority is being a good listener.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
You’ve got your eye on the prize. You might be working tirelessly toward a goal, to the point that you are consistently sticking to healthy routines and rigorous schedules — though perhaps not doing much else. Contemplate your life balance — do you still have time to spend with loved ones? Be wary of having your life so scheduled that there’s no room for spontaneity. Being too focused on one area can inhibit others, so keep your field of vision open.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
Taking certain risks can pay off, but only if they’re calculated. You may presently be more impulsive or prone to making risky decisions that you would typically avoid. It’s imperative to think about what you stand to lose if you rely on risky decisions or choose fun over any urgent responsibilities. The more that you can create a balance of stability and chance (and avoid tipping the scales in favor of taking risk after risk), the better your chances of success are.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Home is the center of your focus at the moment. You’re ready to fix that leak in the garage, change up the decor in the living room, or revamp the bedroom. In addition to your dedication to making your space feel more like you, you’ve got an opportunity to learn about your family history. Think about any more mysterious aspects of your childhood or branches of the family tree. What do you want to know? Go back to your roots and see what’s growing there.
VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
You’re communicating with intention. You want to make sure that you’re getting the full story — there’s no way you’re settling for bits and pieces or half-truths. It may be that someone is trying to avoid telling you everything, and you want to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Even so, you can’t (and shouldn’t) force them to tell you what they don’t want to say. If you can’t accept the lack of information and trust, then it may require a deeper conversation.
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
The power of your inner security is growing — and that’s mostly a good thing. No more being afraid to speak your truth or stand up for what you think is right! At this time, you’re standing tall and insisting on being heard. That said, know that you have the risk of overcorrecting and becoming controlling, then preventing others from speaking their truth and being heard. Instead of trying to swap places, see if you can find a way to have equal footing.
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
You’re presently learning more about yourself. You may be realizing that you no longer like a hobby that you used to love, or maybe you’re intrigued by an unfamiliar pursuit that never crossed your mind before. It can be strange when you feel the winds of change coming for you, and bringing the scent of a new direction to take in life. Still, at least consider following that call. There’s a new side of yourself to explore — don’t ignore it!
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
You’re in need of some time to yourself. You may have been everything for everyone recently, striving to please others and show up for the people who care about you. Those magnanimous efforts could be leaving you drained as they yank you in so many different directions. Honor your body when it’s telling you to rest, because otherwise, you’ll only be dragging yourself through life half-asleep. Vitality is vital, after all. You owe it to yourself to be wide-eyed and ready for life.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
You might be surrounded by all sorts of people who need your input. This can be positive on one hand, because you’ll probably be able to make a connection and network with tons of peers and authorities. On the other, you may be answering question after question, struggling to keep up with everyone while their focus is on you. It might feel like you’re juggling conversations left and right, but you’ll likely be glad that you did. Stay on your toes!
AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
You’re looking deeper into your career. It might be that you’re currently questioning what you’re achieving at your current place of work, when you’ll be able to connect with co-workers, or how you can improve your skills within your career. This is the right place and time to map out those plans. Focus on actionable steps to achieve them in your daily routine — that’s how you’ll actually make that progress. Take that initiative and show them what you’re made of.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
You’re moving on in the best way. There may have been a challenging obstacle that was previously holding you back from the future that you truly desired, but no longer! You are capable of finding a way to break from the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, or any roadblock that kept you from going after what you wanted. It’s time for you to break free from past worries that slowed you down and impeded your destiny. There’s no time to waste!
Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, served as the backup to starter Tua Tagovailoa in Sunday’s 31-6 massacre at Cleveland, supplanting veteran Zach Wilson. That begs one question: How in the heck did the Dolphins miss on the backup quarterback situation yet again?!
This is two years in a row, and three years in a four-year stretch that the Dolphins have major questions at backup quarterback. It’s absolutely ridiculous for the Dolphins to miss so badly at such a crucial position. It’s NFL malpractice.
And let’s be clear on something: this isn’t a rip job on Ewers (5 of 8, 53 yards, 81.8 passer rating vs. Cleveland) or Wilson, the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft by the New York Jets. Wilson (5 of 8, 32 yards, 70.7 passer rating for the season) was the original backup quarterback, the man who was the “direct, calculated” offseason target by general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel. The players are OK in my book.
This is a rip job on Grier and McDaniel.
They’ve wet the bed once again when it comes to the backup quarterback. It’s yet another reason I think neither should have their current job next year.
Adding more confusion to the situation is this: McDaniel said the change to Ewers as the No. 2 quarterback was game specific. We don’t know who will be the backup quarterback next week when the woeful Dolphins (1-6) visit Atlanta. If Tua (13 of 23, 100 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions, 24.1 passer rating) has a bad outing against the Falcons we don’t yet know who gets tapped on the shoulder. If Tua (11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 82.8 passer rating for the season) has a rough game, it’s unknown right now whether Wilson or Ewers would be the No. 2 quarterback.
What the heck is going on here? Are the Dolphins now picking their backup quarterback on a game-by-game basis?
The Grier-McDaniel duo is showing poor evaluation skills. Again.
Related Articles- Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
- Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
- Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
- Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
- Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns
In 2022, the Grier-McDaniel duo thought they had a good backup quarterback in veteran Teddy Bridgewater, and I agreed, but he couldn’t stay healthy. He ended up alternating with Skylar Thompson after Tua got concussed twice. Both Bridgewater and Thompson sustained injuries that year. Neither was effective.
In 2023, the Dolphins had Mike White and Thompson as backups. White was the No. 2 quarterback. But Tua started all 17 games so it wasn’t a big deal.
You’ll recall the 2024 offseason when they had this huge offseason competition for No. 2 quarterback between White and Thompson. And then it turned out neither was equipped to be a No. 2 quarterback. They cut White, and Thompson failed miserably in his Week 3 start at Seattle.
Later in 2024, after Thompson washed out, the Dolphins used a rotation of backup quarterbacks that included Tim Boyle and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, and at one point they signed C.J. Beathard (practice squad only). That, too, was a mess of a backup quarterback situation.
Now, here we are again. Some thought Ewers should have been the No. 2 quarterback coming out of training camp.
The Ewers midweek promotion is yet another indictment on this Grier-McDaniel administration, and yet another reason that this troubled era is in danger of crossing the border from mediocrity to failure.
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
Before this rip job of Grier and McDaniel continues, credit Ewers for battling and being named No. 2, at least for the Cleveland game. And credit Wilson for keeping the switch quiet and not dropping hints via social media or during an informal midweek chat (I briefly checked in with Wilson on Thursday on a different topic).
And, I guess, credit the Dolphins for recognizing they needed to make a change instead of allowing stubborn pride to deny what must have been obvious.
We all know backup quarterback is an important position for this franchise. It’s commendable they made that switch. But it’s also unacceptable that they have such indecision.
It was bad enough that the Grier-McDaniel duo, led by McDaniel, complicated the starting quarterback position by giving Tua that ill-advised four-year, $212 million extension in 2024.
Now, the Grier-McDaniel brain trust has apparently decided that they don’t have the next successful first-round reclamation quarterback in the spirit of Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield or Seattle’s Sam Darnold.
The sad thing is Grier and McDaniel could have helped the team more by using some of that $6 million they gave to Wilson and perhaps given it to a starting cornerback or defensive tackle.
Upheaval and uncertainty have become the norm for the Dolphins at backup quarterback. It’s yet another reason to wonder what the heck is going on with the Dolphins and wonder how much longer the disorder will continue.
Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
CLEVELAND — There goes Steve Ross, at 85, walking glumly down the concrete stadium hallway Sunday, surrounded by a team of executive suits on their way out of Cleveland. He says something, head down, hands in coat pockets, to team president Tom Garfinkel.
Down the hall, way down, comes some laughter closer to the Browns locker room. There is nothing close to laughter from the Miami Dolphins owner or his entourage.
They’ve just left a locker room full of frustration, and a coach without answers, and a quarterback who again threw too many passes to the other team, which was a bad Cleveland team this Sunday.
The Dolphins were just the worse team. Inexcusably worse. So, there is no getting around it anymore. The players and the coach can talk about holding it together for another week. But Ross, who has walked down these kinds of stadium hallways in too many bad seasons, has just one question left after his Dolphins were run off the field, 31-6.
Does he fire everyone now or fire everyone later?
It’s the question that started 12 days into the season when his team already was 0-3. Now it’s 1-6. Now the issue becomes what the owner wants to accomplish the rest of this season, if indeed there’s anything to be accomplished at all.
Maybe all you can do at this point is close your eyes and hope the season is over when you open them. Because it wasn’t just tha thet Dolphins lost badly to a previously 1-5 Cleveland, but how badly they looked doing so.
The quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, threw three interceptions, gift-wrapping two Cleveland touchdowns. The good news: He talked properly after the game as opposed to last Sunday when he talked of players being late to meetings.
Related Articles- Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
- Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
- Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
- Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
- Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns
“It starts with me,” he said. “Can’t turn the ball over.”
The coach, Mike McDaniel, saw an embarrassment of errors beyond just those interceptions. Critical penalties that led to each of Cleveland’s three, first-half scores. Fundamental errors like a kickoff-return fumble.
“We probably have 20 plays that are self-inflicted wounds,” McDaniel said. “You can’t even get onto beating the opponent if you beat yourself, so that’s where it is.”
The Dolphins even had to burn their weekly time-out for not having the proper number of players on the field, coming up one short this time on defense near the end of the half. That’s because coaches waved edge rusher Chop Robinson to come out, leaving them with 10 players. Oops.
The offense could have used that time-out a few minutes later when it had to settle for a field goal before half to cut Cleveland’s lead to 17-6. It was still a game. Somehow. And then Tua threw a bad interception that was returned for a touchdown on the first play of the second half and it was 24-6 and not a game.
Sweep it all into one, big manure pile and it’s as bad a loss as the Dolphins have suffered in years. Certainly the worst of McDaniel’s four years. You can go back through the Brian Flores years, too, considering he was supposed to lose in his bad losses (his sin was not losing enough).
So, it’s just a question of when Ross decides to pull the plug on this regime, not whether he does. There’s no need to be nasty about any of it. McDaniel and General manager Chris Grier tried as best they could.
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
It’s just closing time for them. That’s so obvious it hardly needs to be said. This looked like a team where the mortar was coming loose and bricks cracking on Sunday.
“You saw a lot of frustrated players,” McDaniel said. “You know, from the season, we can’t allow it to seep into our play and keep us from executing.”
So, would you really fire McDaniel today? Think about it. The Dolphins have an utterly terrible matchup against the top-ranked rushing team and No. 1 defense next Sunday in Atlanta.
Would that be fair to ask the interim coach to step into that?
And who is the interim coach? Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was the early candidate. But he’s as likely to be fired right now himself considering this defense is the prime problem of this season.
You’d like to wait for the bye week to fire a coach, but that’s another month away. If you wait that long, do you just wait out the season? Can you? And, again, what do you want to accomplish with 10 games left?
Besides opening your eyes and seeing this year gone.
Ross walked down the hall on his way out of Cleveland. But the questions went with him, too. The question, really.
When? Not if.
Like everything else this season, there’s not an easy answer for that, either.
Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
CLEVELAND — As it only feels more and more likely a move could be made on Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel after he fell to 1-6 with an embarrassing 31-6 loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns, players in the locker room still say they back him.
“I think we all believe in him as coach, and we have to execute as players,” left tackle Patrick Paul said in the visitors’ locker room at Huntington Bank Field after the jarring outcome Sunday.
The question comes into focus as the Dolphins only grow more undisciplined with four turnovers and 10 penalties for 98 yards Sunday to aid the Browns to 31 points despite only gaining 206 yards.
There is no coach that allows that to be acceptable. But are players remaining receptive to the voice of McDaniel?
“Absolutely. We’re not going to stop listening to our coaches because we’re 1-6,” cornerback Jack Jones said. “It’s a pecking order and it trickles down. We’re going to listen to our coaches, and the coaches are going to listen to whoever’s above them.
“We’re not going to come in the building and disrespect anybody. We’re going to come in the building and actually work harder because we want to win. It’s not like we’re happy with losing.”
Added outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips: “We’re not turning against him. We’re not turning against each other.”
What is the messaging players need to hear this week after what is a new low for the team under McDaniel?
Related Articles- Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
- Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
- Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
- Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
- Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns
“It’s hard truths,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “They’re hard to hear, but you got to hear them. They’re said. They’re listened to. They’re heard. And you need to apply them. At the end of the day, that’s accountability and that’s growth and that’s character. We need to get better fast.”
The Dolphins travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons next week.
“We’ll see this week, with the response,” Paul said.
Said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who had three costly interceptions Sunday: “We just got to stick together. That’s how we move forward from this.”
As for McDaniel, answering about his job security after the demoralizing defeat, he said: “The way I look at this job is I find it very offensive to all parties involved if I’m thinking about having the job. I need to be doing my job.
“For as long as I coach for the Miami Dolphins and this organization, they’ll get everything from me, and I refuse to spend my time thinking about something that — you have a job, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability.”
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones and Dave Hyde discuss a disappointing performance for Miami (1-6), which loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns (2-5). At this point, it seems the question isn’t if Mike McDaniel will be fired but when it will happen.
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Windermere cornerback CJ Bronaugh, the state-champion sprinter who committed to the Florida Gators football program on June 18, said Sunday he wasn’t necessarily surprised by the school’s decision to fire head coach Billy Napier.
“I’m shocked, but a lot of people saw it coming,” Bronaugh said, “but I’m still a Gator at the end of the day.”
Bronaugh (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) is in the middle of his senior football season at Orange County Public Schools Independent powerhouse Windermere, where the Wolverines are 7-0 and on a 17-game winning streak. Not eligible for the FHSAA playoffs, it remains unclear if the Independent teams are eligible for the FHSAA’s inaugural invitational tournament at the end of the season.
Windermere speedster CJ Bronaugh gives Gators first top-100 commitment in ’26 class
He said no one from UF had yet reached out about Napier’s firing, but other schools were already in his ear. Michigan coaches were the first to contact him and he can be assured there will be plenty more. But he remains committed to his original intentions.
Windermere senior cornerback CJ Bronaugh, who is also a state-champion sprinter, said Florida's firing of football coach Billy Napier on Sunday will not change his decision to sign with UF in December. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)Bronaugh had nothing but positive remarks about Napier, who was 22-23 in 3 1/2 seasons at UF.
“He was an amazing person. I had a good relationship with him. He was always talking positive about everything,” Bronaugh said.
The senior speedster has enjoyed an amazing high school career. On the track, he has dominated the state sprint scene for the past two years, winning the 100 meters twice and the 200 meters once. He was part of the winning 4×100 relay team at the state championships and won three gold medals in May.
On the football field, Bronaugh has 47 tackles, 7 interceptions and two sacks over the past two seasons and is one of the captains on a team that has not lost a game since Nov. 3, 2023.
He remains focused, taking the example of what his head coach Riki Smith has preached to the team all along, Bronaugh said:
“I’d say it kinda shows me and all the guys that we gotta stay locked in and take it week by week being 1-0, so we can end the season how we wanna end it,” he said. “It feels great, honestly. I’m just really grateful for my coaches, players and everyone that has been there for me.”
Despite his success on the track, Bronaugh decided in May that he was hanging up his track spikes and concentrating on football, so he intends to enroll at UF in January with football his sole focus. He said it wasn’t a difficult decision to pass on his senior track season.
“Not really; I knew I wanted to go early,” Bronaugh said. “I wasn’t worried about track at all.”
Windermere has a big game on Friday night as the Wolverines will play host to another undefeated Independent team, Innovation (8-0), a school that just opened last year. The game will be for the championship of the Orange County Independent Division.
The Gators currently have 19 players committed to the 2026 recruiting class, and no one immediately decommitted in the wake of Napier’s firing.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel entered Sunday’s game at Cleveland with a 2-0 record against the Browns, defeating them in 2022 and 2024. After an embarrassing 31-6 loss, McDaniel left Cleveland with a 2-1 record vs. them, and now questions get louder about how long he’ll remain Dolphins coach.
The Dolphins (1-6), reeling from a week-long controversy created by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a season-long fatigue created by poor play, gave a regrettable effort during a sometimes rainy game at Cleveland.
The Dolphins looked awful. Their largely dink-and-dunk offense was hampered by dropped passes, the defense was haunted by numerous errors, special teams committed a turnover, and penalties (11 penalties, 103 yards) were constant. Oh, and tight end Darren Waller had no targets before leaving with a pectoral injury in the second quarter. This was ugly, and it’s yet another indication the era of general manager Chris Grier, McDaniel and Tagovailoa might be coming to an end.
Here’s what we learned:
McDaniel is now a .500 coach . . . or worseDolphins coach Mike McDaniel saw his regular-season record fall to 29-29 (.500), and his overall record fall to 29-31 (.483), including his 0-2 record in the playoffs.
As a reminder, in the regular season Brian Flores was 24-25 (.490), Adam Gase was 23-25 (.479), Joe Philbin was 24-28 (.462) and Tony Sparano was 29-32 (.475). By season’s end, McDaniel could have a worse winning percentage than all but Philbin.
It’s generally accepted that McDaniel and Grier had more talent than all of the aforementioned coaches, and have had the best talent the Dolphins have amassed in two decades. Grier and McDaniel get credit for gathering the talent. But it could be argued the teams in the Grier-McDaniel era have underachieved and disappointed considering they’ve gone 1-7 vs. Buffalo, losing the past seven consecutive, and haven’t won a playoff game.
McDaniel entered the season 4-16 (.200) vs. playoff teams. McDaniel has gone 11-19 (.367) in his past 30 games, starting with that 28-27 Tennessee home loss in 2023, a time when the Dolphins had a 9-3 season record. — Chris Perkins
Related Articles- Chris Perkins: Dolphins appear lost and uncertain at QB position — again
- Dave Hyde: It’s closing time for this Dolphins regime (only question is when)
- Dolphins players say they remain receptive to coach Mike McDaniel amid 1-6 start
- Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
- Hyde10: Tua’s interceptions, more defensive problems — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ loss to Browns
Grier, who became full-time general manager in 2019 after taking over the draft in 2016, saw his regular-season record record fall to 53-54 (.495) after Sunday’s loss. Grier is also 0-2 in the playoffs, giving him an overall record of 53-56 (.486). Grier’s last stand might be drafting disappointing players this year — defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick — and failing to shore up key areas such as offensive line and the secondary. It’s unclear if Grier will be in his current post nest season. If the Dolphins make a move midseason, a rarity in the NFL, perhaps assistant general manager Marvin Allen would take over.
Interim coach optionsThe Dolphins have a few options for an interim head coach on their staff, if it comes to that. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has had a few head coach interviews around the league, but his unit has been pathetic this season. Still, players respect his voice and status as a former NFL player. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith has also interviewed for a head coach job but his unit’s performance hasn’t been storing this year, either.
Running backs coach Eric Studesville, the Dolphins’ associate head coach, was interim coach for Denver in 2010. Quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell was an interim coach for Detroit in 2020 and Jacksonville in 2021. Tight ends coach Jon Embree is the assistant head coach and was head coach at Colorado (2011-12).
Tua tanks . . . Ewers entersQuarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was a focal point last week for saying teammates either didn’t attend player-led meetings or skipped them, was terrible Sunday. Tagovailoa had his second consecutive three-interception game, finishing 12 for 23 for 100 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 24.1 passer rating.
Tagovailoa now has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the season.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, entered the game in the fourth quarter. His first pass was almost interceptted by cornerback Myles Harden. Ewers ended 5 of 8 for 53 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and an 81.8 passer rating.
Run defenseCleveland ended with 104 yards rushing on 33 carries, becoming the seventh consecutive team to rush for at least 100 yards against the Dolphins. The Dolphins, who entered as the league’s worst rushing defense at 168.5 yards per game, gave up 92 yards on 23 carries in the first half. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (25 carries, 84 yards) had 18 carries for 75 yards at halftime.
The Dolphins showed some eight-man fronts early with safety Ashtyn Davis as the deep safety and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick down in the box as the eighth defender.
Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks entered the game with a league-leading 66 tackles, but 29 (44 percent) came on gains of eight or more yards.
Dolphins Deep Dive: ‘Wow, what an embarrassment.’ Breaking down another ugly Miami loss | VIDEO
Defensive blunders lead to 10-3 deficitCleveland took a 10-3 lead largely on defensive miscues. The Browns went up, 3-0, in their first-quarter drive in which the Dolphins had an illegal contact penalty by cornerback Rasul Douglas that gave the Browns a first down on a third-and-14 incomplete pass, saw Douglas have a potential interception go through his hands and turn into a 16-yard completion by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and had a roughing the quarterback penalty against defensive tackle Zach Sieler give Cleveland first down on a second and six incomplete pass.
The Browns went up, 10-3, in the second quarter after Fitzpatrick was called for pass interference, negating a potential interception by fellow Davis. That was one play before Judkins’ 46-yard touchdown run.
More blunders lead to 17-3 deficitThe Browns went ahead, 17-3, thanks to more Dolphins blunders. Kickoff returner Dee Eskridge lost a fumble in the second quarter, giving the Browns the ball at the Dolphins’ 46-yard line. They scored 10 plays later, aided by a roughing the passer penalty against outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips. The penalty came on a five-yard gain on second-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 35-yard line. At that point the Dolphins had five penalties for 59 yards.
It should be noted that cornerback Jack Jones missed a tackle on Judkins’ three-yard touchdown run.
Yet another blunder leads to 24-6 deficitYet another blunder gave Cleveland a 24-6 lead as American Heritage grad Tyson Campbell 34-yard interception return touchdown on the first play from scrimmage when running back De’Von Achane (82 yards rushing, 16 yards receiving) had a high pass from Tagovailoa glance off his hands.
Offensive offseason gets worseThe Dolphins’ offseason offensive additions have been appalling. Sunday brought the surprising news that Ewers, the seventh-round pick from Texas, has supplanted veteran Zach Wilson, a “direct, calculated” target by Grier and McDaniel, as backup quarterback. Wilson was regarded as a major find for a team that’s struggled to acquire a backup behind Tagovailoa.
Among other offseason offensive moves: right guard James Daniels, who was awarded a three-year, $24 million contract, the richest for the team this offseason, lasted just three plays before a pectoral injury sidelined him; Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, has been among the league’s worst at his position, according to ratings by Pro Football Focus; running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is out for the season; wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine hasn’t been a factor; tight end Pharoah Brown didn’t make the 53-man roster; rookie running back Ollie Gordon II, the sixth-round pick, hasn’t been a factor; right tackle Larry Borom has been solid as a backup fill-in starter; Waller has exceeded expectations; senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik’s contribution is tough to gauge.
Waller shut down again . . . and injuredWaller wasn’t targeted through the first two quarters, showing again he can be shut down for long stretches. Part of the reason for the shutdown was that Waller left the game in the second quarter with a pectoral injury.
Waller had two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had one target — a seven-yard touchdown reception — in the second half, meaning he was essentially shutdown for the second half. He played 41 snaps.
Two weeks ago in a 29-27 loss at Carolina, Waller had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, all coming in the first half, meaning he was shutdown for the second half. He played 32 snaps.
Three weeks ago in his debut, Waller had three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns in 16 snaps. He had two receptions for 18 yards and one touchdown in the first half.
Big play surfaces brieflyAchane had a 46-yard run in the first quarter, the third consecutive game with a play of 40 or more yards and an indication the big play could be back for an extended appearance.
Achane had a 49-yard run last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, and two weeks ago at Carolina wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a 46-yard touchdown reception and Waller had a 34-yard reception.
Prior to Carolina, the Dolphins’ offense had one play of 30 or more yards, a 47-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill at Buffalo.
Tagovailoa tacked on to his loose-ball-security realityWith two fumbles and three interceptions (including a pick-six) on Sunday, that gave Tua Tagovailoa five fumbles (only one lost) and four interceptions (one a pick-six) and two net offensive points in his two games in rain (also, the 2022 34-3 drubbing at Tennessee). In the macro, it piled onto the data built after his second diagnosed concussion in 2022 against the Packers. Before his head slamming into the grass in that game, Tagovailoa had a combination of 20 interceptions and 16 fumbles in those 36 games, with only five of the mishandles unforced. But, then came the deluge after that fall against Green Bay. And in the 36 games since that trauma, Tagovailoa has piled up 25 fumbles, with a whopping 18 unforced, and 35 picks. — Steve Svekis
De’Von Achane shouldn’t be going anywhereListen, I am one of the charter members of the do-not-draft-a-running-back-in-the-first-round club. One who believes that, MOSTLY, they are interchangeable assets. However, I jump off that bandwagon, breaking both ankles, when it comes to De’Von Achane. It is the rarest of commodities, someone who can take a pass or handoff behind the line of scrimmage and roast a defense for huge yardage.
Through the first quarter in Cleveland which included No. 28 ripping off a 46-yard jaunt down the left sideline — aided by a phenomenal second-level block by beleaguered rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea, Achane had authored 10 runs or catches of at least 40 yards in a mere 519 touches. Think of any current NFL star back (Jahmyr Gibbs? Saquon Barkley? Jonathan Taylor? Derrick Henry? Bijan Robinson? Christian McCaffrey?) … none of them has the incredible frequency of a mere 51.9 runs/receptions per 40-yard play, with Barkley’s 61.9 touches per the closest rate.
And, it isn’t just that flash and sizzle. Achane also succeeds on huge plays in the nitty-gritty. The Dolphins absolutely should have been shut out in Indianapolis to open the season, but, down 30-0 on a fourth-and-goal from the 11, the Dolphins play-callers were apparently at wit’s end and had Tagovailoa dump a pass to Achane almost 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Achane broke three tackles to allow Miami to avoid the ignominy of a season-starting goose egg. Then, at Carolina a couple weeks ago on a third-and-goal from the 10 and Miami up 3-0, Tagovailoa lobbed a pass to the right side of the end zone and the phenom elevated over Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace and stunningly deadened his feet for a toe-tap TD that any All-Pro wideout would be proud of. Short of a stunning offer of, like, a first- and a second-round pick, Achane can’t go anywhere.
A brutal Dolphins flag-fest early set the toneIn the first third of the game (20:36), the Dolphins greased the skids for the Browns to grab their early 17-3 lead with five penalties for 59 yards, and also had a 5-yard offsides penalty declined by Cleveland. And, none of those penalties were against the offense.
Meanwhile, the pluses and, lesser pluses, of WaddleJaylen Waddle entered the Browns quagmire with a reception of at least 45 yards in each of his past three games with Mike McDaniel as coach, Tagovailoa as quarterback and Tyreek Hill not suited up. One interesting aspect of his game that is less impressive has been his percentage of snaps. In is 68 games heading into Week 7, Waddle had played in 3,372 snaps, which equates to 49.6 snaps a game and 73.9% of the offense’s plays since the 2021 season opener. By comparison, his former Alabama teammate at wide receiver who was also picked in the top 10 of the 2021 draft, the Eagles’ DeVonta Smith has piled up 4,175 snaps in his 69 pre-Week 7 games (60.5 snaps a game), 87.4 of the Eagles’ plays.
Dueling jaunts not seen in a Dolphins game in seven yearsThe last time a Dolphins game featured a run by a back on each team that went for at least 46 yards, the exact number of yardage picked up by Achane and Quinshon Judkins for their long runs in Cleveland on Sunday, was on Oct. 21, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium when the Dolphins’ Kenyan Drake ripped off a 54-yard touchdown and the Detroit Lions’ Kerryon Johnson roared for 71 yards, from his 9 to the Miami 20.
What was Jaelan Phillips seeing out there?A case can be made the game was over, with Cleveland up 24-6 in the third quarter, but still … Browns tight end Blake Whiteheart, on a third-down play, fumbled the ball before covering up. He could have still gotten up and gained the first down. However, it appeared that Jaelan Phillips, perhaps assuming the ball would be ruled an incomplete pass, tried to avoid making contact with Whiteheart. Phillips clipped him with his lower leg, ending the play and bringing up a punt, but it wasn’t intentional.
Why do the Dolphins continue to throw long-distance laterals?The Dolphins, with more frequency than most teams, swing tosses wide to players such as Achane and Hill that are technically laterals. Makes no sense. Making that a live ball adds a wholly unnecessary layer of danger onto the play.
Challenges have been a nagging challenge for Mike McDanielAmong the areas where Mike McDaniel has lagged behind his peers under the headset has been in the implementation of challenge video-review system. He has a weak 20% overturn rate, hitting on 4 of 20 red flags. How have past Dolphins coaches done? Brian Flores had a 42.1% hit rate (9 of 21), as did his predecessor, Adam Gase. In his 12-game interim stint in 2015, Dan Campbell was 3 for 3. From 2012-15, Joe Philbin was 10 for 21 (.476), including 9 for his final 17. Todd Bowles’ 2011 season-closing three game stint as interim coach involved no challenges, while Tony Sparano went from 2008-11 with excellent results, converting 8 of 15 (53.3%). In his doomed 2007, Cam Cameron hit on half of his four flag tosses. In his two seasons, Nick Saban only was right a third of the time (4 of 12). In replacing Dave Wannstedt in 2004, Jim Bates hit on 2 of 3. Wannstedt was 11 of 33 (33.3%), and, in the system’s first year of usage in 1999, Jimmy Johnson was 2 of 7 (28.6). Here is a listing of the NFL’s current coaches, in order of success percentage:
Brian Daboll, Giants (4th): 13 of 18 (72.2%), 4 of 5 this year;
Shane Steichen, Colts (3rd): 6 of 10 (60.0%), 3 of 4 this year;
Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals (3rd): 3 of 5 (60.0%), none this year;
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings (4th): 13 of 22 (59.1%), 1 of 1 this year;
Nick Sirianni, Eagles (5th): 10 of 18 (55.6%), 0 of 2 this year;
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers (9th): 24 of 45 (53.3%), 1 of 2 this year;
Mike Vrabel, Patriots (7th): 16 of 30 (53.3%), 2 of 4 this year;
Andy Reid, Chiefs (27th): 74 of 148 (50.0%), 1 of 1 this year;
Kevin Stefanski, Browns (6th): 10 of 20 (50.0%), 1 of 1 this year;
Mike McCoy, Titans (5th): 7 of 14 (50.0%), none this year;
Liam Coen, Jaguars (1st): 1 of 2 (50.0%), 1 of 2 this year;
Dave Canales, Panthers (2nd): 1 of 2 (50.0%), none this year;
Sean McVay, Rams (9th): 19 of 40 (47.5%), 1 of 2 this year;
Bowles, Buccaneers (9th): 13 of 28 (46.4%), none this year;
Pete Carroll, Raiders (19th): 53 of 118 (44.9%), 0 of 1 this year;
Zac Taylor, Bengals (7th): 18 of 41 (43.9%), 2 of 2 this year;
Sean Payton, Broncos (18th): 63 of 144 (43.8%), 2 of 3 this year;
Matt LaFleur, Packers (7th): 20 of 46 (43.5%), 2 of 3 this year;
Campbell, Lions (6th): 9 of 21 (42.9%); 0 of 1 this year;
Mike Tomlin, Steelers (19th): 41 of 96 (42.7%), none this year;
John Harbaugh, Ravens (18th): 55 of 131 (42.0%), none this year;
Dan Quinn, Commanders (8th): 13 of 31 (41.9%), 1 of 3 this year;
Raheem Morris, Falcons (6th): 15 of 37 (40.5%); 3 of 4 this year;
Jim Harbaugh. Chargers (6th): 13 of 39 (33.3%), 1 of 1 this year;
Sean McDermott, Bills (9th NFL season): 11 of 38 overturned (28.9%), 0 of 0 this year;
DeMeco Ryans, Texans (3rd): 2 of 7 (28.6%), none this year;
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins (4th): 4 of 20 (20.0%), 0 of 1 this year;
Aaron Glenn, Jets (1st): None;
Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys (1st): None;
Ben Johnson, Bears (1st); 0 of 1 (0.0%), 0 of 1 this year;
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks (2nd): 0 of 1 (0.0%), none this year;
Kellen Moore, Saints (1st): 0 of 1 (0.0%), 0 of 1 this year.
On deck: Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, 1 p.m.As mentioned before in this space, the Dolphins close out an unlucky bit of first-half scheduling, with their game against the Falcons being inside of their dome. Like with the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte and the Browns in Cleveland, the Falcons have been a superior-performing unit under the circumstances where they will face the Dolphins, in this case being indoors. Atlanta enters the Dolphins matchup 3-1 in a dome, with its offense averaging 25.0 points and 390.5 yards a game with only two turnovers. Meanwhile, the Falcons defense in its four indoor games has allowed only 260.8 yards a game and gotten opponents to spit up seven turnovers.