Week in Sports - Friday, March 17, 2017
It's that time of the year where all the so called "college basketball experts" at work fill out their NCAA tournament brackets. I have been a fan of college basketball for as long as I can remember, but I must admit I have been off y game when it comes to following the sport this season. Usually when looking at my bracket, I can clearly point out a few upsets just off of school history and ebbs and flows of what I have seen during the season.
Of course my heart is with my Maryland Terrapins, and I will be rooting for them like crazy to pull off the upset. But they just have not shown me that they are ready to take that next step consistently. I wish they were and hope they prove me wrong, but honestly, I could easily see them losing in the first round to Xavier.
I really think that Wisconsin will be a problem this year. They have shown to be a problem for some of the better teams they have played this year. Also, you always can never count Tom Izzo out. In the end, there are a few favorites like Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA that I can't go away from. Should be fun.
Of course my heart is with my Maryland Terrapins, and I will be rooting for them like crazy to pull off the upset. But they just have not shown me that they are ready to take that next step consistently. I wish they were and hope they prove me wrong, but honestly, I could easily see them losing in the first round to Xavier.
I really think that Wisconsin will be a problem this year. They have shown to be a problem for some of the better teams they have played this year. Also, you always can never count Tom Izzo out. In the end, there are a few favorites like Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA that I can't go away from. Should be fun.
And while several stars were off the board ahead of the market opening yesterday, there's still considerable talent available. Several teams — including the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — have the cap space to make a significant splash with potential spending sprees. Then there are those team in the middle like the Ravens, Giants, Colts, and Broncos who feel that a few key moves could really put them in the position for contention.
I was a bit surprised at some of the moves that were announced on Thursday night, but one that bothered me in particular was Brandon Marshal signing with the Giants. I really wanted him to be a Ravens and he would have been a perfect fit as that veteran receiver we really need.
I was a bit surprised at some of the moves that were announced on Thursday night, but one that bothered me in particular was Brandon Marshal signing with the Giants. I really wanted him to be a Ravens and he would have been a perfect fit as that veteran receiver we really need.
Ravens Early Free Agency Moves
Though disappointed about Marshall, I was very satisfied with a few moves the Ravens made so far in free agency, including the shocking re-signing of Brandon Williams, who we all thought was as good as gone. The big fella is the anchor of our defensive line and a major piece to our success. Great signing. I also loved the signing of Tony Jefferson, a great safety from the Arizona Cardinals. Putting Jefferson next to Eric Weddle it a beast pick up. He has a diverse skill set and thrives both in coverage and against the run. Jefferson is a difference-making defender. Resigning Mike Wallace was great as well.
The only move I will reserve judgement on is Danny Woodhead. I get it, he catches a lot of balls, but was that our biggest need?
The only move I will reserve judgement on is Danny Woodhead. I get it, he catches a lot of balls, but was that our biggest need?
Key Available Free Agents
- Tony Romo - Romo is now expected to be traded rather than released by the Cowboys, with both the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans being potential trade partners. This is getting awkward.
- Adrian Peterson - The four-time all-pro turns 32 in March and is coming off a torn meniscus, but he is the exception to the standards for backs.
- Dont'a Hightower - Hightower has delivered a number of key plays, including a strip-sack that helped spark the Super Bowl LI comeback.
- Terrelle Pryor - Several teams with sizable cap space have a need at wide receiver, and the 6-4, 223-pound target could be in high demand. I just don't understand how the Browns would allow him to sign elsewhere with all that money they have to spend.
A few NFL Combine Highlights
Myles Garrett posted a 4.64 time in the 40-yard dash along with jumps of 41 feet and 10 feet, 8 inches, respectively, in the vertical and broad jumps. Garrett’s 33 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press was outstanding for someone with long arms (35 1/4-inches in length), which is a key physical trait in being able to shed opposing blockers. In other words, he's a monster and has to go with the number one pick to the Browns.
Chris Johnson’s 4.24-second time in the 40-yard dash set in 2008 went by the wayside as Washington wide receiver John Ross blazed a 4.22. Ross, though, isn’t just a workout wonder like predecessors who posted fast 40 times only to fail at the NFL level. Ross already had proved himself a difference-maker with the Huskies. The 40 time simply reaffirmed his likely first-round draft status. Super impressive and I can't wait to see who take the chance.
Chris Johnson’s 4.24-second time in the 40-yard dash set in 2008 went by the wayside as Washington wide receiver John Ross blazed a 4.22. Ross, though, isn’t just a workout wonder like predecessors who posted fast 40 times only to fail at the NFL level. Ross already had proved himself a difference-maker with the Huskies. The 40 time simply reaffirmed his likely first-round draft status. Super impressive and I can't wait to see who take the chance.
2017 Mid Season Awards
I know we are clearly pass the mid season of the 82 game schedule, but the All Star game is the unofficial mid season for the NBA. So I want to take this week to look at what we have seen so far and hand out some mid-season awards. We knew going into the season that there were a few good teams that would be realistically competing for the NBA title in June and really, nothing much has happened to change that.
And though a huge trade shocked the world on the night of the All Star game, which saw Demarcus "Boogie" Cousins be shipped out of Sacramento and land on New Orleans with Anthony Davis, we know that in the grand scheme of things, that changed nothing as it pertains to the NBA title.
And though a huge trade shocked the world on the night of the All Star game, which saw Demarcus "Boogie" Cousins be shipped out of Sacramento and land on New Orleans with Anthony Davis, we know that in the grand scheme of things, that changed nothing as it pertains to the NBA title.
Most Valuable Player
Its a tough race and I could make a great argument for either man, but right now, I think James Harden is my mid-season MVP. The guy is putting up big numbers and playing point guard doing it, a position that isn't his primary slot. But what really gives him the edge over Russell Westbrook in my opinion is the fact that the Houston Rockets are the third best team in the West, largely due to to Harden and his leadership.
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Break Out Star
Isaiah Thomas is taking the league by storm and is leading the Boston Celtics back into contention. the guy is scoring at a high clip and putting up monster numbers in the 4th quarter. His scoring average now sits at 29.9 per game, second in the NBA. One could make a great argument that Thomas is the MVP right now, not just the break out star of the year, and that is largely due to his dynamic ability to come through in clutch situations.
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Defensive Player of the Year
Come on man. Not many words are needed to explain this selection. Kawhi Leonard is the best defender in the league and is the reigning two time defensive player of the year for a reason. The guy is the definition of a lock down defender and he can guard 1-4.
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Coach of the Year
The Washington Wizards are the three seed in the East, which is an excellent accomplishment alone, but there is no question that the way they are playing is largely due to the coaching style of Scott Brooks. Taking the formula her thrived in with the Thunder to DC has been so well received by John Wall.
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Surprise Team of the Year
The Boston Celtics are in a good position. Currently second in the Eastern Conference at 33-18, they have been making up ground on the Cleveland Cavaliers during their seven-game winning streak. They get Avery Bradley back soon and could be even better heading into the Playoffs.
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Disappointment of the Year
The most pathetic disappointment of the year is clearly the New York Knicks. Seems like just yesterday the Knicks were holding press conferences gloating about bringing in Derrick Rose, Noah, and Brandon Jennings. Well, this season has been full of on the court and off the court embarrassments. Pathetic.
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Comeback Player of the Year
John Wall is one of the best point guards in the league, he’s been that for awhile now, but he’s making a serious case to be considered the best point guard in the league. Sure, he doesn't score like Russell, Curry, or even Thomas. But nobody runs his team and sets up players than Wall. He;s struggled the last few seasons, but under Scott Brooks, we are seeing everything he has to offer.
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Championship Favorite
The defending Western Conference champion Warriors may not be on pace to top the best regular-season record of all-time that they set last year in finishing at 73-9, but Golden State is better with the addition of Kevin Durant and focused on winning its second NBA title in three years as a strong favorite. Ultimately, I think my Spurs will give them a run and may upset the apple cart.
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