OT: All-Purpose Sports Thread II (NFL, MLB, NCAA, etc.)

[Benjamin]

Those raptors commercials are so cringe. I have to mute the TV and look away.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

There are so many rest days in between games for the Raptors series. 3 two-day breaks. 19,22,25,27,30,2,4.

Is the NBA always like this?

 

[Indrew]

Just imagine how long it would take if the Leafs made the playoffs.

 

[littleD]

After a less than stellar 79, Brad Fritsch is WD from the Wells Fargo this weekend.

Last time he played an entire tournament was early March in Puerto Rico.

 

[littleD]

For the 100th anniversary of the Copa America, which is the soccer championship for South America, the tournament will be played in the United States in 2016. First time the tournament is held outside of South America.

The 10 South American countries will join 6 from the CONCACAF federation. Canada has a chance to qualify if they can be one of the top four teams at the 2015 Gold Cup.

 

[cage]

There are so many rest days in between games for the Raptors series. 3 two-day breaks. 19,22,25,27,30,2,4.

Is the NBA always like this?

It has always been that way in the NBA. I don't know if it's a network issue or if there are other events going on in the arenas, but 2 days between games happens a lot.

The raptors are pretty banged up so the rest is good, though it also helps the old guys on the nets.

 

[mianjo]

Short visit to the PGA for Fritsch, after shooting a 7 over 79, Brad withdrew, 3 other Canadians are in the Wells Fargo Championship.
David Hearn -2 tied for17th
Stephen Ames and Mike weir +2 tied for 48th.
7 Canadians in the Web Com tour, inclement weather has delayed the first round

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Some horrible, horrible reffing in this Raps/Nets game. Oof.

 

[cage]

If any sports league is rigged it's the NBA. The refs have too much power and impact on the outcome of games

 

[littleD]

Second round of the NBA playoffs...

Indiana vs. Washington
Brooklyn vs. Miami

San Antonio vs. Portland
Oklahoma City vs. LA Clippers

That OKC/Clippers should be fun. Five of the eight first round series went 7 games.

 

[littleD]

Helena Costa has been named as manager of Clermont Foot in the second divison of soccer in France.

French second-tier outfit Clermont Foot have announced that Portuguese manager Helena Costa will take over next season. Costa, 36, will become the first female coach of a French professional club.

Announcing the appointment on Wednesday, a statement on Clermont's website confirmed that Costa – who was most recently coach of the Iran women's team – will be introduced to the media after this season's final fixtures have been completed.

"Clermont Foot 63 has chosen Helena Costa to be our new coach," read the statement.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/07/helena-costa-clermont-foot-manager

 

[mianjo]

Look who played golf with Brad Fritsch at Augusta

 

[Legend Killer]

Look who played golf with Brad Fritsch at Augusta

I guess his back healed pretty quick. He missed playoff games a week or 2 ago... I guess Bibi gave him the go ahead...

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

I guess his back healed pretty quick. He missed playoff games a week or 2 ago... I guess Bibi gave him the go ahead...

I suspect golf and playoff hockey take differing tolls on one's back.

 

[Marty Straka]

 

[Quo]

Mike Sam becomes the first openly gay (active) NFL player.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014...afted-by-st-louis-rams-with-final-round-pick/

NEW YORK — Michael Sam was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a pro football team.

Apparently, requests for his jersey are unprecedented.

Dan Bernstein @dan_bernstein
Follow

Per source w/#NFL merchandising: Avalanche of Rams "Sam" jersey orders has them scrambling. Calls quantity "ridiculous." @YouCanPlayTeam

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Mike Sam becomes the first openly gay (active) NFL player.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014...afted-by-st-louis-rams-with-final-round-pick/



Apparently, requests for his jersey are unprecedented.

On one hand, its good to see a player have the courage to be the first openly gay player in such a large league.

On the other it's kind of sad that in 2014 this is still a big deal. Society has a long way to go

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

The Blue Moon Rises again. Suck it Liverpool.

 

[BondraTime]

On one hand, its good to see a player have the courage to be the first openly gay player in such a large league.

On the other it's kind of sad that in 2014 this is still a big deal. Society has a long way to go

Honestly, If we passed on drafting a guy because he was gay, as what seems to have happened here, I would hope the whole management team would get canned. Blows my mind actual NFL management came out and said this lowers his draft stock, shame.

 

[Quo]

The truth is that Sam is just not that good of a prospect.

He is an undersized DE with questionable athleticism and one good season to his name that will have to try to make the switch to LB in the NFL or eke out a living on special teams or as a situational pass rusher. He did not show that the LB position came naturally at the Senior Bowl. At 6'2 260ish, he had a 25 1/2 inch vert jump at the combine. For comparison sake, 300+ pound Vince Wilfork had a 26 in 2004. He ran a 4.9 40 which is not good for where he projects to play.

He improved on those numbers slightly during subsequent pro-days but probably just enough for teams to consider him as a late round flyer or a priority FA.

I'd be surprised if he made it out of camp.

 

[BondraTime]

The truth is that Sam is just not that good of a prospect.

He is an undersized DE with questionable athleticism and one good season to his name that will have to try to make the switch to LB in the NFL or eke out a living on special teams or as a situational pass rusher. He did not show that the LB position came naturally at the Senior Bowl. At 6'2 260ish, he had a 25 1/2 inch vert jump at the combine. For comparison sake, 300+ pound Vince Wilfork had a 26 in 2004. He ran a 4.9 40 which is not good for where he projects to play.

He improved on those numbers slightly during subsequent pro-days but probably just enough for teams to consider him as a late round flyer or a priority FA.

I'd be surprised if he made it out of camp.

I'm not talking about his playing ability, I'm talking about NFL personnel and management not wanting to draft him because it would "throw off" the locker room, even calling football a "man's-man" game.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140209/michael-sam-draft-stock/

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

People hold office North and South of the border who don't believe in basic civil rights for homosexuals, so I don't know why you'd be surprised that it would be much different in a sports league that features many criminals on and off the field.

The type of people who point to the sky after scoring a touchdown aren't usually going to be very welcoming to the sort of the thing they perceive as sin. The irony isn't lost on me, but you can sure as hell bet it is on them. What I find even more painfully ironic are black players who've come out against Sam. Its hard to stomach that.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

The truth is that Sam is just not that good of a prospect.

He is an undersized DE with questionable athleticism and one good season to his name that will have to try to make the switch to LB in the NFL or eke out a living on special teams or as a situational pass rusher. He did not show that the LB position came naturally at the Senior Bowl. At 6'2 260ish, he had a 25 1/2 inch vert jump at the combine. For comparison sake, 300+ pound Vince Wilfork had a 26 in 2004. He ran a 4.9 40 which is not good for where he projects to play.

He improved on those numbers slightly during subsequent pro-days but probably just enough for teams to consider him as a late round flyer or a priority FA.

I'd be surprised if he made it out of camp.

He has absolutely no chance of making it out of camp. The Rams have arguably the best D-line in the NFL: Quinn, Saffold, Donald, Long. Throw in the depth at the position, the fact that we're pretty strong at LB too, and the fact that he's raw, and there's a 0 per cent chance he makes it.

BUT, he'll be on a veteran squad that's very good at their job and working under a coach that will ensure as few distractions from football as possible. He's in a great position to learn the ropes and I could see him sticking on the practice roster.

As for "not that good of a prospect," though? He was the SEC defensive player of the year. He was the defensive player of the year in the BEST CONFERENCE IN COLLEGE SPORTS, and he's not that good of a prospect? The best year of his career was last year, and college football players tend to get better, not worse.

He wasn't first three or four round-caliber, of course. But he's an excellent project.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Speaking of the NFL draft, as a KC fan, I'm over the moon with their selection of Aaron Murray. Guy is gonna be a stud QB one day.

 

[McManked]

He has absolutely no chance of making it out of camp. The Rams have arguably the best D-line in the NFL: Quinn, Saffold, Donald, Long. Throw in the depth at the position, the fact that we're pretty strong at LB too, and the fact that he's raw, and there's a 0 per cent chance he makes it.

BUT, he'll be on a veteran squad that's very good at their job and working under a coach that will ensure as few distractions from football as possible. He's in a great position to learn the ropes and I could see him sticking on the practice roster.

As for "not that good of a prospect," though? He was the SEC defensive player of the year. He was the defensive player of the year in the BEST CONFERENCE IN COLLEGE SPORTS, and he's not that good of a prospect? The best year of his career was last year, and college football players tend to get better, not worse.

He wasn't first three or four round-caliber, of course. But he's an excellent project.

Best 4-3 line probably.

I have a feeling that pretty soon a different team will have the best line, at least that runs a 3-4 scheme.