Archive for October, 2017

Chiefs Defense Wins MNF, Patriots Trade Garoppolo To 49ers, Elliott’s Suspension On Again

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Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs defense forcing three interceptions and a fumble recovery, their offense didn’t have to work too hard to beat the Denver Broncos on Monday night 29-19.

The New England Patriots traded their backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their 2018 2nd round pick. This trade clearly signals the Patriots are committed to Tom Brady, their 40 year old future Hall of Famer. This appears to be a great trade for the 49ers as they are 0-8 and need something to look forward to. One potential downside is Garoppolo has suffered injuries while in New England and might not be ready to play.

Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension has been on, then off, and apparently now on again. The judges decision to re-impose the Dallas Cowboy’s sanction could be appealed in the next 24 hours, but if the appeal is denied, Elliott will miss the next 6 games and won’t be eligible to return until December 17th against the Oakland Raiders.

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Astros Take 3-2 Lead In Series After Crazy Games, 30 Texans Take Knee, College Rankings

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The Houston Astros took a 3-2 lead in the World Series after a couple of crazy weekend games. The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled out a win in Houston on Saturday night to even up the series. Sunday night’s game, however, made us forget about all the others and could go down as one of the most exciting World Series games ever. The Dodgers led in the 4th and 5th innings, then the Astros blew a lead in the 7th and 9th innings. Finally, Houston pulled out a 13-12 win in the 10th inning. Crazy!  As the Astros reliever Brad Peacock stated, “It’s the greatest game I’ve ever been part of. The greatest game I ever watched. You’re watching it, and you’re thinking, “God dang, this is crazy watching it. It’s something I’ve never seen, and I’m not sure I want to see again. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.’’The Series heads back to LA for Game 6.

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Thirty Houston Texan players took a knee or sat during the National Anthem before Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks in protest of owner Bob McNair’s comment last week during the NFL owners meeting in New York. McNair said, “we can’t have the inmates running the prison.” McNair apologized later for his use of words, but the players still wanted to make a statement. The Texans battled mightily, especially rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, against the Seahawks t0ugh defense, but couldn’t pull out the win. Seahawks 41, Texans 38.

It was an exciting weekend of college football. The big winners were Ohio State who came from behind to beat rival Penn State and jumped ahead three slots in the Amway Coaches poll to #3, while Notre Dame pulled to a #8 slot in a win over North Carolina State. The undisputed #1 is still Alabama. For all rankings, click here.

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Girardi’s Contract Not Renewed, J.J. Watt Ceremonial Pitch, Flacco Concussion, Joe Tsai Stake In Nets

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New York Yankee longtime manager Joe Girardi will not be returning to the team. After 10 years with the franchise, six postseason appearances and one World Series title, the Yankee organization decided to go in a different direction. Many had speculated about Girardi’s departure, as he was completing a 4 year $16 million dollar contract and had expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. His statement to the media, however, made it sound very one sided.  He said, “With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back.” The Yankee organization has not announced a replacement and will not discuss the issue until the World Series ends.

Game 3 of the World Series is Friday night at Minute Maid Park. Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt will have the honor of throwing out the first pitch. Watt broke his leg in week 5 and will be out the remainder of the season. That hasn’t stopped him, however, from continuing his fundraising drive to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. To date, Watt has raised $37 million.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a hit to Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco on Thursday night. The hit occurred in the 2nd quarter, and Flacco had to be placed in concussion protocol and taken off the field for the remainder of the game. Flacco’s replacement Ryan Mallett stayed strong leading the team to a 40-0 win, the team’s largest shutout in franchise history.

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Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai has agreed to purchase a 49% stake in the Brooklyn Nets with an option down the road of buying a controlling interest in the team. The Nets are valued at $2.3 billion, not including the Barclays Center. Tsai was a football and lacrosse player at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey (where he recently donated the largest single gift in the school’s history) and went on to graduate from Yale University and Yale law school.

 

 

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Scully Sets Stage For Memorable Game 2 And Astros Win, Bryant Benched

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Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers’ announcer Vin Scully who retired in 2016  set the stage for a memorable World Series game 2.  When Scully walked out of the dugout with a ball in his hand ready to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the crowd went wild. Scully pretended to throw, but then called out his replacement pitcher, former Dodger Fernando Valenzuela. The stadium erupted!

Game 2 was a classic. With a record 8 home-runs and 5 of them in extra innings, the Astros and Dodgers put on a show. The Astros became the first team to homer in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings of a post-season game.  It took George Springer’s HR in the 11th to give the Astros the win to tie the series 1-1.  Game 3 takes place Friday night in Houston. Astros 7, Dodgers 6.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers benched receiver Martavis Bryant for his use of social media after his most recent outburst. Bryant took to Instagram to insist he’s better than his teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster. He stated, “I feel like I’m better than every receiver or any receiver I played with For (JuJu), he feels the same way. (Antonio Brown) feels the same way. Justin Hunter feels the same way. Everybody feel the same way.” Bryant is a talented yet divisive player who is coming off a year suspension for substance abuse. There don’t appear to be plans to trade him, but he won’t be on the field this weekend against the Detroit Lions.

 

 

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Kershaw Helps Dodgers Win Game 1, MLB Player Taking Knee Denied Service

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Dodgers pitching ace Clayton Kershaw made Tuesday night’s game one of the World Series look easy. With 11 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros, the 2 hour 28 minute was the shortest World Series game in 25 years. The Dodgers began the night on a high when Chris Taylor hit a home-run on the first pitch of the game (only the 4th player in history to do so in a World Series game). It’s only the first game, but according to the stats, 64% of the time, the game 1 winner wins the best of seven series.  At 103 degrees, the game was also the hottest game in post-season baseball history. Game 2 is Wednesday night at 8:09 pm ET.

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell claims he was denied service at a restaurant in Alabama because he knelt during the National Anthem. Maxwell is the only Major League Baseball player so far to kneel during the Anthem, and according to Maxwell, the waiter was upset. Maxwell told TMZ, “He was like, ‘You’re the guy who took the knee? I voted for Trump and I stand for everything he stands for.’ ”

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Eagles’ Wentz Put On Show, Curry Fined $50K, World Series Begins

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Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz put on a show throwing for 4 touchdowns to 4 different receivers in a big win over the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. The winless Cleveland Browns could have had Wentz as their QB, but they gave away their #2 pick in 2016 to the Philadelphia Eagles who immediately scooped him up.  The Eagles at 6-1 currently have the best record in the NFL. Eagles 34, Redskins 24.

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On Saturday night, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry threw his mouthguard in the direction of an official in a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. Curry, along with Kevin Durant, were ejected in the 4th quarter. On Monday, the NBA fined Curry $50,000. When asked about the incident, Curry said, “I thought I got fouled and my frustration boiled over, did something stupid, deserved to get kicked out.”

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The World Series begins Tuesday night with the Houston Astros taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers. This matchup is the first since 1970 where two teams with over 100 wins in the regular season are competing against each other. Astros had 101 wins and the Dodgers finished with the best record in the majors at 104 wins.  For reasons to root for each team, click here!

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Astros/Dodgers World Series, Elliott Career Day, Hundley Struggling, Justin Timberlake SB Halftime Show

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The NY Yankees comeback ended Saturday night with a 4-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The Astros will now meet the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night in the first game of the World Series!

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In some highlights from the NFL this weekend:

The Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is not letting his off-field issues affect his performance. He had a career high 219 yards including 3 touchdowns in a big 40-10 win over the SF 49ers. Unfortunately for the Cowboys and fantasy football owners, Elliott’s suspension might be reinstated after his hearing on October 30th.

Life without Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t be easy. Replacement QB Brett Hundley still hasn’t hit his stride making the team’s prospects pretty dim for the remainder of the season. To be fair, Hundly did not get much of an opportunity to showcase his throwing, as he mostly ran with the ball and threw for short yardage in their 26-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Packers are now entering their bye week and will try and reassess.

For more highlights of week 7 in the NFL, click here!

It’s been confirmed, the multi-talented Grammy award winning Justin Timberlake will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 4th! This will be Timberlake’s 3rd appearance during the halftime show, a record for an individual performer. Timberlake will also be remembered for his infamous appearance with Janet Jackson during Super Bowl XXXVIII (now called “Nipplegate“) where he pulled a piece of her clothing causing a memorable wardrobe malfunction. Timberlake and best buddy Jimmy Fallon announced Timberlake doing the halftime show with this cute video.

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After 29 Years Dodgers Heading To World Series! Raiders End Chiefs Reign, Trump’s Petition

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Finally after 29 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to the World Series.  The Dodgers crushed the Chicago Cubs 11-1 in game 5 thanks in part to Dodgers ace pitcher Clayton Keishaw and the dazzling play of Enrique Hernandez who hit three homers including a grand slam.  It was a fitting outcome for the Dodgers as they are considered one of the best teams in years. On Tuesday, the Dodgers will either face the Houston Astros or the New York Yankees who play their game 6 Friday night.

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The Oakland Raiders ended the Kansas City Chiefs 12 game winning streat in the AFC West division on Thursday night with a last minute touchdown by Michael Crabtree to put the Raiders up 31-30.

One day after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with NFL team owners and made a statement urging players to stand during the National Anthem but not requiring them to, President Trump posted a petition for signatures from those who support standing.

 

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Maddon Drama In Cubs Win, Yanks Win Again At Home, LeBron’s Ripped Jersey

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The ALCS and NLCS series have not been disappointing. The NLCS, game 4 between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angles Dodgers provided some drama when Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon got ejected over a call in the 8th inning. Cubs’ closer Wade Davis appeared to strike out the Dodgers’ Curtis Granderson. Granderson argued he tipped the ball. After a review by the umpires on the field (who aren’t allowed to use instant replay on foul-tips), the strike-out was overturned and unsurprisingly Maddon didn’t take it too well. Even though Maddon was ejected and the game was delayed over the incident, Granderson struck out on the next pitch, and the Cubs held on for a 3-2 win. After the game, Maddon ripped the Officials and said,“The process was horrible. To have that changed — if Granderson hits the next pitch out, I might come running out of the clubhouse in my jockstrap. That was really that bad. You can’t permit that to happen. The process was wrong.” After the game, the plate umpire admitted he was “dead wrong” about the call. The series now stands at 3 wins for the Dodgers and 1 win for the Cubs. The Teams will play game 5 Thursday night.

In the ALCS, the New York Yankees beat the Houston Astros 5-0 on Wednesday night at home. And the “at home” part might be the most significant. The Yanks fell behind 0-2 in both of their playoff series’ away games. While they rallied back in the ALDS to beat Cleveland at home, they will have to work even harder in Houston to finish out this series, where they are up 3-2.  Game 6 Friday night.

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If you were watching the Cleveland Cavaliers/Boston Celtics game on Tuesday night and wondering why LeBron James jersey had a tear down his back separating the #2 and #3 of his jersey number, there was no “political statement” and no “conspiracy theory”.  Nike, the uniform supplier, is investigating how the jersey could have torn so easily just by a player grabbing at him. Nike outbid Adidas to be the official NBA uniform supplier, and the 8-year deal is estimated to be worth  $1 billion, so you can imagine Nike is actively looking into its manufacturing.

 

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Hayward Suffers Injury, Warriors Not In Shape, Elliott Suspension On Hold

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The NBA season kicked off last night with a much anticipated matchup of the Boston Celtics vs the Cleveland Cavaliers. What made the game so intriguing was watching what kind of reception former Cavaliers Kyrie Irving would get now that he’s playing for the Celtics. Soon after the game started however, everyone forgot about the rivalry. The Celtics Gordon Hayward suffered a devastating injury in the first five minutes of the game that left everyone stunned. Hayward went up for an alley-oop, and when he landed, you could hear the snap. After the game, players and coaches weighed in with their prayers and good wishes for Hayward. Many reflected how it was one of the worst on-court injuries they’ve ever witnessed.  Lebron said,  “My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon and his family. Those are the injuries that you never see coming, and you never want to happen, no matter who it is, no matter what the stature, no matter how much competitive nature you have. It’s just very unfortunate.” The Cavs beat the Celtics 102-99, but that seemed like an after-thought for the players who expressed their emotions over their friend and fellow playmaker.

In the other big game of the night, the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors, were up by 17 points at one point against the Houston Rockets, but squandered the lead and then missed a buzzer beater with seconds left to lose 122-121. According to Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, the team isn’t in condition yet. He said, “I just thought we looked tired. I don’t think we are in good enough shape yet to play a 48-minute game against a great team.”

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Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott held off suspension again when he got another preliminary injunction in his domestic abuse allegations. Elliott’s suspension is still pending, but in the meantime, he’ll be able to play against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend.

 

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