#veteran-leadership

#veteran-leadership

To start with the big picture: this organization still has something a lot of teams can dream of-a loyal fanbase and stability. They know who they are. The Kings play structured, responsible hockey. The team doesn't usually get blown out, they don't chase offense recklessly, and when they're on, they drag games right into their comfort zone: tight, controlled, and sometimes downright suffocating.

Veterans bring clarity to a defense by being able to be the calming force in a sometimes hectic game. A veteran doesn't have to necessarily be the most vocal, but must let their game speak for itself. That sets the tone for younger players trying to adjust to the NFL. A good free agent pickup can reduce mental mistakes, stabilize alignments, and allow younger players to develop, which is the key to a successful defense.

Last week, when news broke that the all-time great Chris Paul was acquired by the Toronto Raptors in what was essentially an Ochai Agbaji salary dump trade, I'll admit I held onto a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, the masterful playmaker would don Raptors colors for one last hurrah in the NBA. My fellow Raptors Rapture colleague, Daniel O'Connor, shared this feeling, and we both speculated about how even a 40-year-old Chris Paul could still bring value to this squad.

Officially, Rich Ruohonen is listed as the alternate on the U.S. men's Olympic curling team in Milan-Cortina. Unofficially, he might be the most indispensable 54-year-old personal injury attorney in the Olympic Village. He'd also be oldest American to ever compete at the Winter Olympics. "I'm not the dad and I'm not the coach," his homemade T-shirt communicates to other athletes, The Wall Street Journal reported. He's there to compete.

[They're] a team that plays a little bit different, a team that doesn't play with all our pace. But everything they do, they do with a lot of purpose, because they've been there before. And it's a great challenge. It's a great challenge because we have to be (focused), communication has to be on point, effort has to be on point. Then we've got to win the 50-50 battles and the rebounds.

The 12-year veteran didn't step on the field until Week 4 versus the Green Bay Packers in which he logged three tackles in 23 snaps in a 40-40 tie. By the time the Cowboys took on the Washington Commanders in Week 7, Clowney had his football legs under him and he flashed with five tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in the win.

"When I was a young guy," Perryman said, "my head was all over the place - just trying to get the gist of the NFL. They taught me how to be where my mind is."

Instead, the focus has been on incremental steps, daily routines and making sure nothing's rushed. "Yeah, he's in a good place," Fernández said. "He shows up every day and does his job, is an ultimate pro. And not just about taking care of his body and getting his work. Right now, he's on the court with coaches. He hasn't gotten to five-on-five yet or contact per se. So, when he's taking these next steps, we'll let you guys know."

Today's minor moves: Atlanta Falcons Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos Philadelphia Eagles Tampa Bay Buccaneers is being temporarily let go by the Broncos, but the 41-year-old tight end won't be a free agent for long. According to Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, Lewis is expected to quickly land back on Denver's practice squad. However, the team may have some difficulty adding him back to the active roster.

The Washington Wizards have made it clear since their rebuild began that a major part of the process would be bringing in veteran leaders that could play a pivotal role in the development of their young core. Washington tried their hand at finding veteran mentors by trading for Malcolm Brogdon, signing Jonas Valanciunas, taking on the contracts of veterans like Khris Middleton

That aspect of Henry's offense was seldom more clearly manifested than in the 26-20 away win against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that tilt, Henry provided seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. It was his first 100-yard receiving game this season, and it couldn't have come at a better time for his team. Hunter Henry is consistently good for Drake Maye and the Patriots

How did this happen? Leon Goretzka likely still remembers his young, rambunctious days at VfL Bochum or his progression into a bright young talent at Schalke 04, struggling to find his spot in the Germany starting XI. But now he has become the veteran. He is one of the longest serving Bayern Munich players and, after the most recent international squad was released, it turns out the same is the case for the German national team.

It's not every day a player hits 1,400 games in the NHL, and it's even rarer that a 40-year-old veteran still finds ways to impact a game night after night. During his remarkable career, Corey Perry has played for a variety of teams at every level, from junior hockey with the Peterborough Bees and London Knights to the American Hockey League (AHL) Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Portland Pirates.

Headed into his 16th season - the days of Temple adding value with his on-court play are behind him, but he can still provide value on the sidelines, and in the locker room. With there being a bevy of young players on the Raptors roster such as Ja'Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, Jonathan Mogbo, and Collin Murray-Boyles, Temple has ample opportunity to guide new players.

His season-long 3.75 ERA in 141 2/3 innings pitched is impressive for anyone, let alone a 42-year-old, but his recent work looks straight out of 2009-14. Dating back to July 23, Verlander touts a sparkling 2.17 ERA in 62 1/3 innings.

"Seeing how this played out is tough. He meant a lot to this team, a lot to us in this clubhouse." - Aaron Judge on LeMahieu's DFA.