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After Byron Murphy II became the first Seahawk selected in the Mike Macdonald era, general manager John Schneider declared that “we had him graded as the best defensive player in the draft.” Exactly eight months later, Murphy — a 6-foot, 306-pound defensive tackle — has made a statistically modest impact in Seattle. The DeSoto, Texas, native missed three games (all losses) because of a hamstring injury, otherwise offering 34 tackles, two tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. That half-sack came in the Seahawks’ second game of the season, more than three months ago. On Monday morning, Murphy sat in a three-way tie for 14 th in DraftKings’ NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds (+6000), despite being drafted behind only Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu. Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse (63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (41 tackles, 10 tackles defended) and Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (22 tackles, 7 TFL, 6 sacks) are the front-runners for that heralded hardware. So, is Murphy — the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year — slogging through a disappointing debut? He does not see it that way. “I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good. I feel like I’ve been having a great season,” Murphy said last week, before Seahawks’ 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. “I feel like I’ve been doing what’s asked of me. I’ve been doing a good job.” At his position specifically, statistics can deceive, as an ability to absorb double-teams allows others to gobble up the glory. Still, fellow interior defensive linemen Leonard Williams (54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 interception) and Jarran Reed (43 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble) have more effectively stuffed the stat sheet. You’d love more destructive plays — sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, etc. — from the No. 16 overall pick. But Macdonald echoed his 22-year-old rookie’s assessment. “I think Murph’s playing really good football right now,” Macdonald said last week. “I think we’re narrowing down what his sweet spot is in terms of what we’re asking him to do on a week to week basis, but this guy prepares really hard — not like a rookie. He’s kind of like a vet. He’s been doing that since he walked in the door, and he’s playing really physical, decisive. “But to take his game to the next level, we’d like to get him some more pass-rush opportunities. It’s easier said than done, because those are going to come from guys that are also playing well. So when those things come, take advantage of them, just like he is. But I think he’s pushing the pocket really well.” On Sunday, Murphy pushed the pocket. Then he paid the price. Trailing 24-20 with 4:03 left, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold took a shotgun snap and was enveloped by Murphy and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones for an eight-yard sack. But the referees ruled that M urphy had caught Darnold’s face mask while dragging him to the turf, and Minnesota struck for the fatal 39-yard touchdown on the next play. “The guy’s fighting his tail off to get to the quarterback,” Macdonald said of Murphy’s effort that preceded the penalty. “Those are the inches [between winning and losing] we’re talking about. We could have had a third-and-18 with two downs to go to try and seal it, and all of a sudden two plays later we’re down three. That’s how close we are. But we’re not there yet, obviously.” Those are also the inches between a banner rookie season, and a more unsatisfying result. Still, Murphy’s ability remains exceedingly obvious, even if his statistics have yet to follow suit. The explosiveness, the low center of gravity, the 300-plus pounds of twitch and fury, the motor — it’s all still there. This is not a mirage of impressive measurables, a missed draft pick or a soon-to-be bust. It’s a volcano that’s begun to bubble but has yet to actually erupt. “It could be a bit frustrating. But for me it’s not, because I know I’m helping free other teammates around me,” Murphy said of the absence of individual results. “Everybody else gets opportunities to make plays, and that’s all that matters. It’s a team, and I’m all for the team. As long as we get the win and play good, execute, that’s all that matters to me.” So, what of the Seahawks’ collective success? Through 15 games, they sit 13 th in the NFL in scoring defense (22.7 points allowed per game), 17 th in total defense, 17 th in sacks (35), 18 th in rushing defense (124.4 yards allowed per game), 22 nd in opponent yards per carry (4.6) and 27 th in tackles for loss (63). At 8-7, Seattle must record road wins against the Bears and Rams to keep its fading playoff hopes from perishing. (If you were wondering, the 4-11 Bears have surrendered 60 sacks, fewer only than the Browns’ 63.) As a player, and as a team, the results have been decidedly mixed. These are the inches between a division title and a postseason snub. But regarding the rookie: don’t form concrete conclusions from a face-mask penalty or a slow statistical start. It’ll take more than a game, or play, or season, to determine if Murphy really is the best defensive player in the draft.LONDON (AP) — Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday. Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand. Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates. The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield. Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard. Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally. “It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down," Havertz said. "They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.” Arsenal is a point above third-place Chelsea and two points clear of season surprise team Nottingham Forest in fourth. Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run to six league games. It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count. Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance. Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury. One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago. The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
A squadron of fighter jets that belong to the District of Columbia Air National Guard will transfer to the Maryland National Guard, Gov. Wes Moore and other Maryland leaders said Monday night. Transferring the 121st Fighter Squadron, which operates out of Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, will allow the state to maintain a flying mission as the Air Force phases out its aircraft at Martin State Airport in Middle River. The agreement marks the completion of Maryland officials’ three major priorities during a whirlwind few weeks of federal budget negotiations. Full federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild and a commitment from the Commanders to not completely abandon their Landover stadium if they move back to Washington, D.C. were also on that shortlist — though the fate of each of them was unclear as negotiations repeatedly derailed last week. Bridge funding was ultimately included in the last-minute compromise that avoided a government shutdown. A measure that would have guaranteed the squadron transfer was in an earlier version but removed, as was a provision to allow D.C. to build a new stadium at the site of the deteriorating RFK stadium, which the city was pushing for in its effort to lure the Commanders from Maryland to their previous home. The Senate passed a separate bill allowing the RFK site change while Moore secured a direct agreement with the Commanders that promises the organization will demolish the existing stadium and help redevelop the site if they relocate. The Air Force squadron switch was handled administratively, with the secretary of the Air Force directing the transfer, according to Moore’s office. “In partnership with our congressional delegation and federal partners, we have advocated vigorously to maintain Maryland’s flying mission, both in the interest of national security and to continue the proud tradition that Maryland plays in defending our country,” Moore said in a statement. “This outcome is good for Maryland, good for our service members, and good for our national security.” The announcement did not include details about how the transfer could change operations for the 121st squadron, how many aircraft and staff are involved or when the transfer might happen. Divesting the A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft in the 104th Fighter Squadron in Maryland is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2025 and a cybersecurity mission had been planned in its place. Maryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew E. Dougherty said in a statement the “transition is the first step in delivering a path where we can maintain our highly experienced pilots and maintainers, positions that are critically manned across the total force, while still keeping Maryland at the forefront of cyber operations.” U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, called it a “win-win scenario” that preserves Maryland’s flying mission and the work of the 121st squadron. “We worked to secure this re-designation because it will provide stability at Joint Base Andrews, while simultaneously improving the current manning shortfalls of pilots and maintainers across the National Capitol Region,” Van Hollen said. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Janesch at sjanesch@baltsun.com, (443) 790-1734 and on X as @samjanesch.The taxpayer has picked up a tab of almost £30million to subsidise the restaurants, bars and cafes in the Houses of Parliament over the last three years. It means that meals and drinks in the seat of the nation’s government are around HALF the price of similar food and drink in pubs and restaurants battling for trade in the shadow of the building. Typically, fish and chips can be bought as a restaurant meal in the Houses of Parliament for less than £10, while outside the building the same dish will cost almost £20. When it comes to alcohol a glass of wine in Parliament costs just £5.50 and a pint of lager can be bought for less that £5 – in nearby pubs the drinks would be at least £2 more expensive. Parliament’s eateries, from the sandwich bars through to the oak-panelled dining rooms, serve up food and drink at subsidised prices thanks to an almost £1million-per-month handout. Details from Parliamentary accounts show that in the last three years a total of £7.7million has been paid out to balance the books for the eating and drinking venues in the House of Lords. Over the same time span another £21.7million has been spent to stop the famous House of Commons’ bars and restaurants from going into the red. Critics say the massive subsidy to Parliament insulates MPs, Lords and their staff from the cost-of-living pressures that the rest of the nation suffers. But officials claim the subsidy is needed to provide food and drink to people who work irregular and long hours in the Houses of Parliament. One of the biggest individual losses last year was logged at the iconic Terrace Cafeteria where MPs and their staff can sit next to the Thames. Last year the venue went £2.2million in the red despite the fact the Terrace is one of the most iconic dining venues in the country. The Members’ Dining Room where MPs can grab a lunch or a dinner was £754,000 in the red while the upmarket Strangers’ Dining Room recorded a £723,000 loss. The Bishops’ Bar, in the House of Lords needed a subsidy of £107,000 last year while the iconic Peers’ Dining Room needed £1.3million to keep it out of the red. Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Brits struggling to make ends meet will be outraged to find themselves subsidising well heeled politicians. “As the cost of groceries continues to rise, parliamentarians get to enjoy boozy lunches by the Thames at taxpayers’; expense. It’s time to call last orders on these ridiculous subsidies.” A House of Commons Spokesperson said: “Our catering venues serve over a million customers every year - including visitors, MPs, Peers and journalists - as well as the thousands of staff who keep Parliament running 24 hours a day. “All items are sold above cost price and we continuously seek to reduce costs. Parliament is a unique working environment and our high volume of customers - spread across a number of different outlets and buildings - means that additional costs are unavoidable. “Prices in our venues are benchmarked against those in the immediate area, increasing most recently in the Spring 2024. This has helped ensure our catering venues are providing value for money, while continuing to support those working on the parliamentary estate.”Spurs pour on misery for beleaguered City
