The question now is not, “Who wants DeAndre Hopkins.? The question is, “What team does D-Hop want?” Well, he gave us his specs last week, well before he was released by the Cardinals on Friday. DH says he wants a team with a veteran, mature, successful quarterback (take THAT, Kyler Murray!) and a big-time defense.
Kansas City? I’ve heard Buffalo mentioned as well, but I would not currently describe the Bills’ defense as big-time. Looks to me like KC should be Hopkins’ “chief” consideration.
Baltimore? I can’t see that happening. I’ll just say it. Lamar Jackson is not a polished-enough passer to keep Hopkins happy. There. I just said it.
The emails that led to Jon Gruden’s firing as the Raiders head coach were horrendous and his dismissal was fully justified. But I do believe in forgiveness and atonement, and was pleased to learn that the Saints brought Gruden in as a consultant last week to help install their offense and work with New Orleans quarterback and former Raider Derek Carr. If this somehow ends up being Gruden’s first step on the comeback trail, I’m fine with that. Gruden needs football, and I could make a case that football still needs Gruden.
This is a lot of sitting around for the Nuggets. They’ll play Game One of The Finals against either the Heat or the Celtics after a nine-day break. There will be some rust.
Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel racked up his 400th major league save Friday night in Atlanta. That club has only seven other members. The 34-year-old Kimbrel is still at the top of his game, and has come through in all six of his save opportunities this season.
Happy and relieved that LSU freshman basketball player Sa’Myah Smith is OK after fainting during a Friday White House ceremony honoring the team’s recent national championship. Nerves. Fatigue. Heat. Too much standing. I get it.
Of more concern was the scene in Milwaukee, where Brewers shortstop Willy Adames was struck in the dugout by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Brian Anderson. Video appears to show Adames was hit in the head or face. Adames spent Friday night in the hospital, but is expected to be released Saturday morning.
Michael Block missed the cut, but hit the mark. We should all have Block’s perspective, sense of humor, humility and love for life.
The Astros beat the A’s Friday night. Hell, everybody does that. Oakland is 10-43. That’s the most losses a major league team has suffered in its first 53 games since 1900.
