Latest news with #Highsmith
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names Steelers' T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith NFL's best edge duo in 2025
Pro Football Focus has given the Steelers defense some well-deserved respect — more specifically, OLBs T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. PFF's Zoltán Buday recently named the best duos for every position ahead of the 2025 season — with Watt and Highsmith taking the edge defenders spot: "While Highsmith was hindered by injuries last season, he was still among the most effective pass rushers in the league when on the field. His 89.3 PFF pass-rushing grade ranked seventh among 109 edge defenders. On the other hand, Watt led the position with a 90.3 PFF run-defense grade and ranked sixth in PFF pass-rushing grade (90.1), one spot ahead of Highsmith." Highsmith has been working with Nick Herbig so far this offseason — as Watt's contract holdout caused him to miss Steelers OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Watt's presence is sorely missed, and whenever (if at all) a deal gets done, he will look to pick up right where he left off opposite Highsmith. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Howie Roseman Could Make Noise Again With Unexpected Defensive Trade Target
Howie Roseman Could Make Noise Again With Unexpected Defensive Trade Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2025 season with significant questions along their defensive edge. The defending Super Bowl champions have undergone a dramatic reshuffling at the position, with Josh Sweat departing in free agency, team legend Brandon Graham retiring after 15 seasons, and the surprising trade of Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement This leaves Philadelphia banking on Nolan Smith—who made a huge developmental leap in 2024 with 6.5 regular-season sacks and four more in the playoffs—and second-year player Jalyx Hunt, who improved steadily from opening day through the Super Bowl. The Eagles also added veterans Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche in free agency and have rotational depth in Patrick Johnson. They drafted linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the 31st overall pick, though the South Jersey native projects more as an off-ball linebacker who could help in coverage and run defense rather than serve as a primary pass rusher. But considering what's happening across the state with the Pittsburgh Steelers, should general manager Howie Roseman pursue an intrastate trade that few would expect—by targeting Alex Highsmith? Pittsburgh finds itself in an interesting financial position. T.J. Watt is entering the final year of his current deal and is due $21 million in base salary, which now appears modest compared to the extensions signed by Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby. Highsmith's cap hit jumps to $18.6 million in 2025 and $20.1 million in 2026 following an April 2024 restructure. If the Steelers plan to prioritize a Watt extension, moving Highsmith could offer financial flexibility without downgrading their pass rush too severely. Highsmith, 27, has developed into a premier edge rusher since being selected in the third round of the 2020 draft. Though injuries limited him to 11 games in 2024, he remained effective when healthy, recording six sacks and averaging 4.5 pressures per game. His 2022 breakout season remains a career highlight: 14.5 sacks, 63 tackles and a league-leading five forced fumbles. Advertisement Across 77 career games, Highsmith has 35.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown—an impressive résumé for a player in his prime. Here's a trade framework that could benefit both franchises: Eagles receive: Alex Highsmith and a 2026 fourth-round pick (which becomes a third-rounder if Highsmith records more than 11 sacks in 2025). Steelers receive: A 2026 second-round pick, 2026 fifth-round pick, and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick that becomes a fifth if Highsmith hits eight sacks. For Philadelphia, Highsmith offers an immediate solution at a position of concern. He brings speed off the edge, toughness against the run and an ability to generate turnovers—traits that fit perfectly in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's system. Financially, the Eagles would acquire a proven starter with upside at a lower cost than top-tier free agents, preserving future flexibility. Philadelphia's current top two edge rushers—Smith and Hunt—have just 11 career starts combined. While both are ascending players, entrusting them to carry the edge load on a defending champion roster is a risky proposition. Trading away a $51 million pass rusher in Huff signals confidence in their development—but adding a player like Highsmith would stabilize the unit and offer a reliable, experienced presence. Advertisement Highsmith's leadership, consistent production and age make him an ideal fit for a Super Bowl contender looking to sustain success. Pittsburgh may prefer to keep him, but with Watt's looming extension and Highsmith's escalating cap hits, a trade would allow the Steelers to restock draft capital and refocus financially. Whether the Steelers would actually entertain the deal remains to be seen. But given both teams' trajectories—Pittsburgh in cap-management mode and Philadelphia in win-now mode—the trade could make sense for both franchises. For Roseman, it would be just the kind of calculated, aggressive move that has defined his championship-building tenure. Related: Eagles Could Sign Former Packers Star Cornerback Related: Injuries Cloud Eagles' Minicamp Outlook This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers veterans, rookies come together for 2025 OTAs
The weather has felt more like October than May, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have made the most of Mother Nature during Organized Team Activities. The week of voluntary sessions does not always see tremendous attendance, but there was a noticeable veteran presence at practice. Many of them say there's a lot of value in being there for mentorship and to shake the offseason rust. Advertisement 'We've got a lot of new stuff that we're doing, a lot people in different places, a lot of new schemes. So, it's definitely exciting to be here right now,' said Patrick Queen. One of the new faces is cornerback Darius Slay. He is entering his 13th season but says he still sees OTAs as an opportunity to get back to fundamentals and learn more about his new teammates. That includes establishing his role as a mentor to younger ones, like Joey Porter Jr and Beanie Bishop. 'Everybody has different stories, different mindsets. I just try to be an open book. Just absorb what they're talking about and give them information on what I've been through or how I got to this point. And they ask questions. That's the great thing about them,' said Slay. Slay said his new relationships are progressing quickly. Some of the younger players are planning to join him in Houston for workouts this summer. Advertisement While guys like Slay and Cam Heyward are natural leaders for the team, others like Alex Highsmith are growing into more prominent leadership roles. 'Just to really influence young guys and show them the way of what it takes. When I got here as a rookie, I had TJ and Bud and Cam, having veterans like that in my room really helped me to progress in my career. I just want to do what I can to help the young guys progress in their careers as well,' said Highsmith. Multiple players confirm that T.J. Watt was not at practice this week. He is due for a new contract. Highsmith said he knows Watt wants to be there and believes a new deal will happen for his counterpart. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joe Highsmith odds to win the 2025 PGA Championship
Joe Highsmith odds to win the 2025 PGA Championship PGA Championship details and info Date: May 15-18, 2025 May 15-18, 2025 Course: Quail Hollow Club Quail Hollow Club Location: Charlotte, NC Charlotte, NC Previous Winner: Xander Schauffele How to watch the PGA Championship Thursday: ESPN, The Golf Channel ESPN, The Golf Channel Friday: ESPN, The Golf Channel ESPN, The Golf Channel Saturday: CBS (KBAK-Bakersfield, CA), ESPN, NBC (WBGH-Binghamton, NY) CBS (KBAK-Bakersfield, CA), ESPN, NBC (WBGH-Binghamton, NY) Sunday: CBS (KBAK-Bakersfield, CA), ESPN, NBC (WBGH-Binghamton, NY), NBC (WBIR- Knoxville, TN) Watch golf on Fubo! Highsmith odds to win the PGA Championship PGA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 9:02 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Highsmith odds to finish in the top 5 at the PGA Championship Highsmith odds to finish in the top 10 at the PGA Championship Other betting markets for Highsmith at the PGA Championship Highsmith recent performances Highsmith has played 13 tournaments this season, and he has earned one win . Highsmith has not finished inside the top 20 in his past four appearances, with an average finish of 69th.
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
There's a deep ugliness and some slippery ethics behind the snail slime beauty boom
Apologies. As a reasonably attentive student of generational divides, I'm still late to one of the most dramatic divergences yet: the normalisation of snail slime. At some point, maybe around the time I stopped believing in face cream miracles, smearing on snail mucus, in serums or lotions, was hailed by newcomers to Korean-made skin products as transformative, almost immediately. Its most cherished effect being, as an industry spokeswoman told British Vogue in 2023, 'a radiant youthful glow'. Today, thanks more to rhapsodising influencers than age-defying evidence, the slime phenomenon persists, gathers converts and withstands objections from snail supporters, who do not, sadly, seem that numerous. What snails need now, perhaps more than any other animal, is celebrity allies, supposing there are any willing to sacrifice the magical power of slime. Early ethical concerns about the snails' treatment were satisfied, to a remarkable extent, by industry assurances, duly recited by slime fans, that the slime makers are treated like kings, even when sprayed in their thousands with acidic solution that prompts slime secretion as a defence mechanism. After a few such sessions these snails are caringly euthanised. Yet more blessed gastropods, according to a popular K-Beauty brand, SeoulCeuticals, live out their days in less stressful 'snail havens, allowing snails to meander freely over mesh setups, mimicking their natural environment'. Either way, all snails, fortunate and not, are natural, and thus appeal to key demographics in the soaring market for snail beauty products: millennials and gen Z, 'who actively seek skin-friendly, cruelty-free beauty solutions'. In a masterstroke by the beauty industry, gen Z consumers (aged under 28) have begun spending on anti-ageing while still young. The value of the snail beauty product market has been projected as $3.4bn by 2034. The industry can also take credit for what appears to be, though not that helpfully for the snails, much diminished levels of snail- and slime-related revulsion. This is hard to quantify, but not so long ago Patricia Highsmith's affection and respect for snails, which she wrote about and kept as pets, was routinely portrayed as bizarre and repellent. Her 1948 short story, The Snail Watcher, featuring a kind of awful snail apotheosis, was initially rejected by periodicals 'with horror and disgust'. Highsmith's habit of transporting pet snails in her handbag or, for smuggling purposes, her bra (10 under each breast) was likewise presented, before the arrival of snail slime beauty, as deficient if not actively disgusting. Now, in a eulogy to a Korean snail product, Vogue rhapsodises about 'a slime-y texture that is a sensorial experience on its own'. Along with the slime-tolerance evinced by generations often considered super-sensitive, levels of incuriosity about the snail slime industry are such as to make you wonder, if you still recoil from the whole thing, if that makes you one of the weird ones. What's wrong with you! Why wouldn't you feel fine about industrialised snail labour for a product with uncertain benefits if the snail industry says it's OK? Especially for slime that could give you the prized, regularly slimed look known as 'glass skin'. Being beyond any expectation of rejuvenation, I can't, admittedly, be certain that having a reflective face would not once have seemed worth the torment and premature death of any number of gastropods. But expert consensus, not just in beauty magazines is, overwhelmingly, that it is. Including for an Atlantic magazine writer speculating, with some feeling, about the impact of tariffs on Korean beauty product prices – could US glass skin go the same, chilling way as US free speech? The trade-off between snail and human wellbeing is evidently settled. 'It has made my skin softer and only grossed me out twice,' she tells us. From the snails' perspective, the effect of tariffs – if they drive US buyers back to domestic, non-snail slime products – might amount to a more important commercial pushback than anything so far achieved by animal welfare organisations. While the soaring demand for slime products could encourage recourse to unethical types of extraction, Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has just tried another intervention, warning that 'snails are not skincare tools. They can feel stress, pain and fear.' Secrecy by some within the industry, along with a moderately stressed snail looking, to an amateur, much like a relaxed one, makes this easier to claim than to demonstrate. Even so, in the limited snail mucin studies concerned with ethics, the animals' treatment by some manufacturers sounds, when not actively barbaric, difficult to reconcile with industry assurances. The slime is, after all, a stress response. There is film of snails frothing and retracting into their shells. An analysis by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center found that common methods of snail slime collection include, as well as allegedly low-stress techniques that deliver less product, electrical stimulation, the application of salt solution ('osmotically drawing out a snail's hydration') and the use of force (featuring 'objects such as glass rods, cotton swabs, syringes, droppers, sticks or needles') to increase the yield. Alternatively, the shell might be cracked, generating more mucus, or the extractors might try vibrational, ozone-assisted and ultrasonic stimulation: 'These methods are less favoured as snails often die easily.' The authors prioritise, in conclusion, 'the need for ethical extraction'. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion But without the exposure of a cruel snail extraction facility, it's not obvious how snails get beyond their current designation as insensate slime machines. At some point, the popularity of mucus might give way to another miracle face-plumper, possibly a synthetic version of snail mucin. Alternatively, if the snails get lucky, this resourceful industry will discover superior secretions in another unfortunate animal, ideally one similarly docile, cheap and unlovable enough to be euthanised in its millions. Not that consumers seem to be too picky. No matter how distressing the process, it's not so distressing, even among the usually tender-hearted, as the prospect of looking old. Catherine Bennett is an Observer columnist
