Ravens GM 'gutted' after backing out of Maxx Crosby trade with Raiders

TheLas Vegas Raidersannounced March 10 theBaltimore Ravenshad"backed out" of their agreed tradefor star edge rusherMaxx Crosby.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the team's decision for the first time in a March 11 news conference.

DeCosta explained to reporters he and the team were "really excited" about the possibility of adding Crosby. They simply decided they couldn't go through with the deal as the trade process unfolded.

"One of the key things is you bring the player in and you try to get as much information as you can," DeCosta explained. "We did that and we were not able to complete the process of acquiring a player based on our assessment of the situation."

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

DeCosta called the decision "tough" and "challenging" for all parties. He was also adamant that the Ravens did not get cold feet ahead of the trade's consummation; he was just doing "what's best for the club" – however disappointing it was for everyone involved.

"Nobody's more upset about this than me," DeCosta said. "Gutted by it, actually. A big regret for me. But we will move on as a football team, and I think there's many, many opportunities for us to grow as a team."

DeCosta did not provide additional clarity on exactly what had caused the deal to fall through.

Initial reports indicated a medical issue found during Crosby's physical examination with the Ravens had derailed the team.

Crosby dealt with a knee injuryfor most of the 2025 NFL season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in late December the Las Vegas star was initially injured during an Oct. 19 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Crosby reportedly played through the injury before being shut down by the Raiders following their Week 15 to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had surgery to fix the malady following the season, asNFL Media's Ian Rapoport outlined.

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"Maxx Crosby had surgery to repair his meniscus right around the end of the season," Rapoport said on March 10. "Meniscus repairs can take three to four months. He was doing well, it was not as major as it could have been.

"If you trade for Maxx Crosby, you have a belief that he is not going to be fully healthy, but that he's going to be far enough along where you feel confident that his knee is going to be fine. This decision … is an indication that [the Ravens] do not believe it is going to be fine."

It was initially reported the Raiders and Ravens had agreed upon terms to send Crosby to Baltimore on March 7. The Ravens were set to send two first-round picks – including the 14th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft – to the Raiders to complete the trade.

With the trade nixed by Crosby's failed physical, both of the picks were returned to the Ravens.

MAXX CROSBY LIVE UPDATES:Latest on Raiders DE after Ravens trade falls through

Baltimore didn't waste any time finding a high-end replacement for Crosby. The Ravens signed former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusherTrey Hendricksontoa four-year deal worth up to $112 million.

DeCosta expressed excitement about bringing Hendrickson into the fold. However, the 54-year-old executive also noted the team had hoped to potentially land both Hendrickson and Crosby as part of its offseason haul.

"That was definitely a possibility for us. Not to say it would have happened, but definitely something we had contemplated and discussed with Trey."

Instead, the Ravens will rely on Hendrickson to invigorate a Baltimore pass rush that ranked in the bottom five in sacks produced during the 2025 NFL season (30).

Meanwhile, Crosby is back with the Raiders and will now face questions aboutwhether he will be traded againahead of his eighth NFL season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ravens GM explains why team backed out of Maxx Crosby trade

byGreen Magazine

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4:22:00 PM

Ravens GM 'gutted' after backing out of Maxx Crosby trade with Raiders

TheLas Vegas Raidersannounced March 10 theBaltimore Ravenshad"backed out" of their agreed tradefor star edge ru...

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Rory McIlroy a late arrival to The Players and says it's a 'game-time decision' on whether he plays

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy arrived at The Players Championship on Wednesday afternoon just under 24 hours before his tee time, saying his back felt better but that it would be a last-minute decision whether he can defend his title.

Players Championship Golf

McIlroy felt muscle spasms in his lower back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational that forced him to withdrawbefore the third round. He had hoped to be at the TPC Sawgrass sooner, but his recovery went slower than he thought it would.

"It's better than it was," McIlroy said. "I couldn't stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill, and it's obviously better than that. So, yeah, probably a game-time decision, but all indications are pointing in the right direction."

McIlroy went to the back of the practice range at the TPC Sawgrass and hit shots up to the 6-iron and said he felt OK, describing the area in his lower back as more sensitive than any pain.

He then took a putter and wedges to chip and putt on the back nine ahead of the first round.

McIlroy didn't feel the need for a full practice round at a course where he has won twice, most recentlyhis playoff victoryover J.J. Spaun last year.

The last defending champion who didn't return to The Players was Cameron Smith in 2023 because of his decision to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The last defending champion who didn't play due to injury was Tiger Woods in 2014 after having the first of what would be seven back surgeries.

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McIlroy had not dealt with a back injury since before the Tour Championship in 2023, where therapists worked on his back during the first round but he felt fine by Sunday (he finished fourth). He hopes that will be the case this year.

"I'd like to think that the sensitivity will go down as time goes on," he said.

He said he felt discomfort in the gym before his third ground at Bay Hill during an exercise when he extends backward.

"But even doing this now is way easier," he said, demonstrating. "And I couldn't do that a couple days ago. So things are getting better, but I don't think it's something where if I play I'm at risk of doing any damage."

He will not have hit a full shot on the course since Friday at Bay Hill. The real test comes Thursday, assuming he plays.

"The nice thing is you don't really need driver around here that much, especially with how firm it is," he said. "Getting into the longer clubs is something that I'm going to have to try to do tomorrow. But as I said, I hit up until 6-iron there and it felt OK."

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byGreen Magazine

in

4:22:00 PM

Rory McIlroy a late arrival to The Players and says it's a 'game-time decision' on whether he plays

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy arrived at The Players Championship on Wednesday afternoon just under 24 hour...

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Bam Adebayo's 83-point game needs an asterisk

On Tuesday night, Miami Heat starBam Adebayo scored 83 pointsagainst the Washington Wizards. Some say it'sone of the greatest performancesin NBA history, a pinnacle moment forone of the game's most unselfish stars.

I say it deserves an asterisk. The history books will not look kindly on Adebayo's fraudulent night. I will not observe Adebayo on the hallowed list of 16 games in which a player scored 70-plus points. Adebayo simply required so much illegitimate help that it warrants an asterisk.

I'm deeply sorry, Heat fans, but the truth hurts.

For all the other 70-plus scoring nights with an asterisk, I put together a short list right here for you.

100* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. New York Knicks, March 2, 1962

This wasn't even televised. Do we know it even happened? Give me a break. The Warriors made a mockery of the game by intentionally fouling to pad Wilt's stats and make sure he got to 100 by all means necessary. One hundred points, allegedly. Asterisk.

83* | Bam Adebayo vs. Washington Wizards, March 10, 2026

He needed to take 43 free throws, which, last time I checked, HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. The tanking Wizards were without Anthony Davis and were so bad they had to triple-team Adebayo in the backcourt because they were getting torched. The Heat made a mockery of the game by intentionally fouling to pad Adebayo's stats. Do it ethically, like Wilt did for 100. Easiest asterisk ever.

81* | Kobe Bryant vs. Toronto Raptors, Jan. 22, 2006

The opposing coach stubbornly refused to double team Kobe at any point in the game. Any other coach, Kobe never gets anywhere close to 80. His last seven points were at the free-throw line with a double-digit lead. Stat-padder. Do it against triple-teams like Bam Adebayo did. Fraudulent 81.

78* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Dec. 8, 1961

He needed three overtimes. And lost. Do it in regulation next time. Next question.

73* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Chicago Packers, Jan. 13, 1962

I'm sorry, who was this against? Do I have this, right? The ChicagoPackers? Do it against the '96 Bulls and then we'll talk. Plus, according to Basketball Reference, Wilt's Warriors averaged 131 possessions per game. I'm sure if Babe Ruth played 18 inning games he'd have more home runs, too.

73* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. New York Knicks, Nov. 16, 1962

Again, the pace in the early '60s NBA was a statistical steroid. There's a reason why so many "records" come from that era. Asterisk by accelerant.

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73* | Luka Dončić vs. Atlanta Hawks, January 26, 2024

Don't get me started. This game coincidentally camebeforethe Adam Silver Referee Reform Act of 2024 in which the league office demanded midseason that the officials stop calling so many fouls. Dončić hasn't scored 70 again. Huh. Really makes you think.

73* | David Thompson vs. Detroit Pistons, April 9, 1978

Quick history lesson for all you casuals: Thompson scored only 73 so he could selfishly win the scoring title over George "Ice Man" Gervin in the last game of the regular season. And he lost. His previous high was 44 points. Get real. Asterisk.

72* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. LA Lakers, Nov. 3, 1962

Oh, wow, 1962. The same year in which Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double. What a coincidence. Wilt's team lost by 12. What a sham. Asterisk.

71* | Elgin Baylor vs. New York Knicks, Nov. 15, 1960

Is it really an accomplishment when you score 71 points against a team that finished TWELVE GAMES BEHIND THE NEXT-WORST TEAM? If he didn't want an asterisk he should've, you know, tried scoring 100 points against the Knicks in 1961-62 when they weren't the joke of the league.

71* | Damian Lillard vs. Houston Rockets, Feb. 26, 2023

He scored only 18 points as far as I'm concerned. That was his total points scored in the pure, ethical zone of 2-pointers. Asterisk.

71* | Donovan Mitchell vs. Chicago Bulls, Jan. 2, 2023

He needed overtime. Fun fact: Mitchell has never scored 50 in a non-overtime game. The "A" in Asterisk stands for Anomaly.

71* | David Robinson vs. Los Angeles Clippers, April 24, 1994

One, this was the last game of the regular season. Doesn't count. Two, it was against the Clippers. Three, he did this only because he needed to clinch the scoring title over Shaq, which he did. If he wanted to learn how to legitimately score 70, he should look up another David: David Thompson. Fraud.

70* | Devin Booker vs. Boston Celtics, March 24, 2017

The NBA has its 65-game rule. Well I have a new 28-game rule: If your team is 28 games below .500, you're ineligible for any scoring records. The Suns were 22-50 going into Booker's alleged 70-point game. Yes, they lost. Disqualified!

70* | Wilt Chamberlain vs. Syracuse Nationals, March 10, 1963

I didn't note this earlier about Chamberlain's big scoring nights, but it bears mentioning: He needed to play all 48 minutes to score 70. There's stat-padding and then there's minute-padding. And once again, Wilt's Warriors lost. By double-digits. Need I say more?

70* | Joel Embiid vs. San Antonio Spurs, Jan. 22, 2024

Like Dončić, Embiid racked up 70 points when the NBA's whistle sliders were on full blast,beforethey decided at the league office not to call as many fouls. No wonder he took a season-high 23 free throws. Also, if we're being honest, the reigning MVP beat up on an 8-35 Spurs team with a barely 20-year-old rookie center. Big whoop. This one taints all the many legitimate, pure and ethical 70-point games in NBA history. Asterisk.

byGreen Magazine

in

4:22:00 PM

Bam Adebayo's 83-point game needs an asterisk

On Tuesday night, Miami Heat starBam Adebayo scored 83 pointsagainst the Washington Wizards. Some say it'sone of the ...

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Iowa bars local gender identity protections after rolling back its civil rights code

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became thefirst in the U.S. to rollbackits civil rights code last year.

Civil Rights-Gender-Iowa

The preemption law took effect Tuesday, as soon as Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed it. It prevents cities and counties from having civil rights protections that go beyond the categories identified in state code.

Many cities across the state have gender identity protections on their books, including liberal populous centers, Des Moines and Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa. Last month, Ames, which is home to Iowa State University, enacted an ordinance enacting gender identity protections.

Republicans who control the House and Senate said the preemption law provides clarity on which classes are protected. Democrats objected.

"There could literally be hundreds of situations where we have conflicts with local ordinances," said Republican state Rep. Steve Holt. "And considering the climate that we're in today, a patchwork of different civil rights ordinances would be extremely difficult for businesses and schools to navigate."

At least two other states, Arkansas and Tennessee, have laws that prohibit local nondiscrimination ordinances that are broader than state law, according to researchers at Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank.

Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in Iowa's Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the then-Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007 with the support of about a dozen Republicans.

Last year, Reynolds and other Iowa Republicans said that the nondiscrimination protections could not coexist with recent lawsto restrict transgender students' useof such spaces as bathrooms and locker rooms,and their participation on sports teams.

Reynolds said Wednesday that those laws were still jeopardized by a "hodgepodge" of civil rights protections from one community to another.

"We just believe that locals should follow the state law especially when it comes to civil rights, otherwise we have a mismatch of rights out there," she said. "We thought that it was important that they be consistent."

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Iowa's civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status.

In Iowa City, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Des Moines, gender identity protections against discrimination have been in local code for about 30 years, said Laura Bergus, a City Council member and lawyer.

After last year's state law was enacted, the city passed a resolution "to reinforce the fact that we had that authority and to make sure that our residents knew that discrimination on the basis of gender identity specifically was still prohibited in Iowa City," Bergus said Wednesday.

Bergus said the new law is "extreme overreach," preventing local governments from responding to the needs of their community, and Iowa City is considering legal action.

"Our local leadership remains committed to protecting all of us," Bergus said.

Iowans have until April 27 to file a civil rights complaint with the state on the basis of gender identity for incidents that occurred before the civil rights code rollback took effect on July 1, 2025. Only one complaint has been accepted for investigation since then, according to data provided by the Iowa Office of Civil Rights as of Feb. 13.

By contrast, 46 complaints on the basis of gender identity were accepted for investigation during the previous 12 months.

The rollback also removed Iowans' ability to request a change to the sex designation on their birth certificate.

In 2025, from January through June 208 birth certificates had sex designation changes, according to state health department data provided to The Associated Press. That was significantly higher than in 2024, when there were 135 requests over the course of the entire year.

The state no longer tracks how many birth certificate changes it receives but continues to get them, according to the state health department. All are rejected.

byGreen Magazine

in

3:42:00 PM

Iowa bars local gender identity protections after rolling back its civil rights code

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the...

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Epstein's longtime accountant testifies on his wealth and business ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers were digging intoJeffrey Epstein'ssprawling financial portfolio on Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world's wealthiest men.

Congress Epstein

Richard Kahn, who worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate, appeared for the closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill. He told lawmakers that he had not personally seen evidence of Epstein's sexual abuse, but provided a fuller picture of how Epstein acquired his wealth. The wealthy financier made hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, during which hestruck up friendshipswith some of the world's most powerful men.

Kahn "was under the impression that Epstein made his money as a tax advisor and a financial planner," said Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers argued that a fuller picture of Epstein's finances could help the public understand how, for years, he was able to get away with trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls.

"Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring would not have been possible without Richard Kahn, who managed Epstein's money for years, authorized payments, including payments to victims and survivors," said Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., who added that Kahn told them he was unable to recall details of some of the transactions and communications that he was asked about.

Kahn has said that he was unaware of Epstein's sexual abuse and had not seen any of his victims.

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Comer, R-Ky., also said that lawmakers confirmed during the deposition that Epstein received significant amounts of money from former retail shopping chain executive Les Wexner, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, tech entrepreneur Steven Sinofsky, investor Leon Black and the Rothschilds, a wealthy banking family.

None of those people have been accused of wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, but Democrats on the committee argued that anyone with ties to the wealthy financier should be scrutinized. Wexner wasdeposed by the committeelast month, and Comer has also called on Black, among several others, to appear for transcribed interviews.

Kahn also told lawmakers that Epstein had financial ties to Ehud Barak, who was the prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001, according to Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. Barak has not been accused of wrongdoing and has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.

Comer also said Wednesday that the committee has reviewed over 40,000 documents that it subpoenaed from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. Epstein was connected to at least 64 business entities, according to Comer.

Republican President Donald Trumphas strongly deniedany wrongdoing in his own ties to Epstein, and Comer said that Kahn had never seen any financial transactions between Epstein and Trump. Comer said that Kahn is the latest witness to testify that they had never seen Trump doing anything wrong with Epstein.

"The investigation's about getting the truth to the American people, trying to figure out how the government failed, answer questions we all have," Comer said.

byGreen Magazine

in

3:42:00 PM

Epstein's longtime accountant testifies on his wealth and business ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers were digging intoJeffrey Epstein'ssprawling financial portfolio on Wednesday as a c...

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