I’m generally reticent to classify sports injuries as caused by a “cheap shot.” But let’s just say that hack by the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks that resulted in a broken elbow for the Warriors’ Gary Payton II earned a “bargain basement” tag, in my view. Filthy. Sit Brooks down, Mr. Silver. The rest of that series is now in danger of becoming a bloodbath. I concur with Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who following Brooks’ ejection was caught on mic screaming, “Get the eff out of here, Brooks!” Yes. Go far, far away.
It’s a shame that ugliness took some of the shine off the 47 points dropped by Ja Morant in a series-evening 106-101 Memphis victory.
The Celts put on a shooting show in their 109-106 win over the Bucks. The good news for the Celtics? They hit 20 three-pointers. The bad news? They ain’t gonna be able to do that again, and they can generate nothing in the paint.
All respect to Titans QB Ryan Tannehill for publicly disclosing that he sought therapy this offseason following Tennessee’s 19-16 playoff loss to Cincinnati, a game in which he threw three interceptions. Tannehill says he was in a “dark place.” It then takes guts to seek the light. That’s what mature adults do.
The Chiefs this offseason parted ways with Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu. That is not insignificant. But neither is it insurmountable. Cry no tears for K.C. Not only did the Chiefs crush it with their ten selections in the draft—including two in each of the first two rounds—they also did a tight and tidy job in free agency, signing safety Justin Reid and receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. We should all probably remember that the Chiefs are still quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes and still coached by Andy Reid. I would not bet against them as they pursue their seventh straight AFC West title and fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance.
The Bengals say they are no fluke and no one-hit wonder. Who said they were? Certainly not I. That’s a very good team, and they will be right back in the Super Bowl mix if their otherwise talented and inspiring head coach stops making ridiculous fourth down decisions.
Yes, the NFL has lagged miserably in its “effort” to hire minority head coaches. But I was heartened by Tuesday’s announcement that the league will have ten new on-field officials, including its third woman and first Asian American man. And we’ll have two Black female replay officials. This is a good thing. Football is for everybody.
And we’re making strides in front offices. Former Eagles exec Catherine Raiche is the new director of football operations for the Browns.
I’m hearing smart people saying the landscape of college football will soon be unrecognizable. I disagree only in that I think we’re already there. The transfer portal and NIL rules—while legally and morally justified—are nevertheless a rabbit hole from which there will be no escape.
We are where we are because the NCAA for decades arrogantly refused to evolve, changing only when forced to. Sort of like Blockbuster.
That was an interesting idea floated Tuesday by Ohio State A.D. Gene Smith, who posited that maybe the ten FBS conference schools be run by the CFP, while the NCAA is relegated to hosting championships in basketball and Olympic sports. Did I call that an “interesting” idea? Let me change that to “inevitable.”
Congrats, Dusty! Two thousand wins? That’s like…a lot…you know?
