DeflateGate fall-out
The lack of air in the footballs for the first half of the Patriots blowout win over Indy, and whether Tom Brady conspired in the process has become arguably the single most over-discussed sports story in history.
(Quick side question: What's the Rushmore of the most tired, over-discussed sports stories of all-time? We think Pete Rose's baseball eligibility and steroids in almost every sport, but especially cycling are two dunks. DeflateGate certainly is in the mix too.)
While we are tired of the topic, there are ramifications that are bigger than the squeezability of Tom Brady's balls. (Sorry.)
The ripples here are big picture. The NFL fought this thing, and will continue to fight it to the highest legal levels, because they deadest on keeping disciplinary power within the commissioner's hands.
Now comes stories that other league owners want the suspension reduced. Plus, one of the league's most popular players and one of the elite quarterbacks is blistering the league and Roger Goodell for being untrustworthy.
Yes, the logic of using the example of the Patriots allegedly cheating the league being an example of the league being untrustworthy is fundamentally ironic, but Goodell's slate is filled with inequity.
This is just the most recent ripple.
Florida State's Deion Sanders listens on the phone as he waits for the announcement April 23, 1989 of his selection in the upcoming NFL draft at the Winnetka, Illinois home of his agent. Sanders was selected by the Atlanta Falcons. (AP Photo)Draft preview
This year, to make the draft even more special, Press Row will be broadcasting live from 3-6 p.m. next Thursday from Beef O'Brady's in Ooltewah. That's right, get your pre-draft Co-Cola with Press Row blaring in the background. We'll go ahead and throw out the rules to the Feeling the Draft (with a draught) Draft Contest, and we are ready to make our picks.
* Who will be Titans' first pick? Laremy Tunsil (after trading up with Jacksonville at No. 5)
* Who will be the Falcons' first pick? Darron Lee
* How many SEC players go in round 1? 8
* How many quarterbacks are drafted in round 1? 4
* Who is the 31st pick of round 1, currently owned by Denver? Connor Cook
We will have a draft chunk each day this week. Of course we will, we love the draft. Today, let's look at the two teams closest to where we sit.
The Tennessee Titans have an eye-popping opportunity in this draft. It is the middle draft of a three-year rebuilding project that could conceivably turn the Titans from laughing stock to contender.
Truly.
Last year's draft was a success. The Titans have a quarterback they believe can be a franchise guy. They added a high-upside receiver last year in Doriel Green Beckham as well as two offensive linemen in center Andy Gillick and tackle Jeremiah Poutasi who started a combined 15 games last year. They found a potential longterm starter in defensive tackle Angelo Blackston and a potential Pro Bowl player in fullback Jalston Fowler. That's a great group around which to build.
Next year, the Titans currently have five picks in the first three rounds, including two first-round choices. That's something to look forward to, for sure. This year, though, the Titans have a chance to really augment last year's success and set the table for a roster revamp that could - if drafted properly - be reminiscent of what the Cowboys did in the late 1980s and what the Seahawks did five years ago to stockpile the talent to get to two consecutive Super Bowls.
Starting Thursday, the Titans are the team to watch. After they turned last year's disaster that became the number one overall pick into six of the top 76 picks in this draft by trading with the Los Angeles Rams, think of the possibilities in front of a Tennessee that has never been in a position like this.
First, the Titans spun the No. 1 overall pick - a questionable spot in a draft that most experts believe is very deep but lacking of true top-tier talent - into a wealth of picks this year and next. That also means, if the Titans draft well, and that's a big if considering the team's questionable drafting past, they have a bona fide five-year window in which the roster is young and improved and most importantly cheap. With the rookie wage scales, the talent influx will also be cap friendly, something the Seahawks have been able to capitalize on before paying quarterback Russell Wilson and some of their defensive stars big money.
As for the Falcons, the goals are a touch different. Defensively the Falcons have been garbage. Last year they added speed rusher Vic Beasley, who started every game in 2015 but managed just 20 total tackles.
The Falcons must add defensive help, especially in the front seven. They pick in the middle of the first round - at No. 17 - and most likely would be looking for a linebacker. If Darron Lee is on the board, he would be a glorious piece for defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn.
The second-day picks for the Falcons, while not as plentiful as what the Titans have, are also very important. The Falcons have a couple of holes but have a quarterback they believe in, one of the three best wide outs in the game and a pro bowl running back. The Falcons are looking for pieces more than building blocks to get back to the playoffs.
Man, we love the draft. You know this.
Atlanta Braves' Adonis Garcia fist-bumps first base coach Terry Pendleton after hitting a single in the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Atlanta. Bravely marching on
We are staying positive. We are staying positive. We are staying positive.
OK, the Braves were upset by the Red Sox again on Tuesday. The numbers from the 11-4 loss were, well, less than good. The Braves got eight hits, all singles, which led to four runs a game after they were held scoreless.
The punchless lineup has as many homers (3) as Pirates star Andrew McCutchen hit Tuesday night. Yes, you read that correctly. And it's not just home-run power. In their current seven-game losing streak, the Braves have 62 total hits - 55 singles and seven doubles. That's it.
So, Positive Paul, whatcha' got?
"Well, here we are. And, while the Braves have lost seven straight, at least it's not the worst streak of the season, right?
Here are a couple or three positive things to remember.
First, Jeff Francoeur is killing it. Killing it, Jerry. He's 10-for-his-last-22 for Pete Van Wieren's Sake.
Second, the bullpen has been better of late. That's a real positive. Granted they are coming into the game down a few, but still. When a team gets a three-run homer in the first against these Braves - like Boston did from Travis Shaw on Tuesday - think of all the extra time we get to spend with the family this year. Awesome.
Third, this team gets its next five games in two of the most iconic ballparks ever with two in Boston and three more at Wrigley Field. Plus, as an added bonus of playing the Cubs, it looks like the Braves will not face (and potentially get no-hit by) Jake Arrieta.
So there's that.
On a serious note, and this is where we are going to start turning more of our attention in the dog days ahead, one of the club's bright young prospects is killing it in the Southern League.
Shortstop Ozzie Albies is hitting .351 and connected on his first AA homer on Tuesday. He has seven extra base hits and an OPS above .900.
Also of note, is that Dansby Swanson, the Braves other highly ranked shortstop prospect who is in High A Carolina, is hitting .324 with an OPS of .912.
Good times, right? Right?"
Skip BaylessThis and that
- Sorry for the obscene language around these parts Tuesday evening. They have been removed. And please let me know at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com if you see something offensive like that again.
- Lots of TV news this week: First Mike Tirico left ESPN for NBC. Now, Skip Bayless is leaving for Fox Sports. And you can love Bayless or loathe him, but his over-the-top argumentative style is obviously highly coveted. According to this Fox is paying Bayless $5 million a year. Wow.
- More TV news: Sunday's Game of Thrones season six premiere was the most watched show in HBO history. Counting viewers on TV and digital.
- UFC 200 has been announced and headline-making star Conor McGregor is not a part of it. Interesting.
- The ESPN 300 rankings of the top high school football players for the class of 2017 was released Wednesday. Of note is that three of the top 31 players are from the state of Tennessee.
- The Nashville Predators play a game 7 tonight for the first time in franchise history.
Today's question
Have you entered the draft contest? If not, why not?
Let's go with this as a Rushmore: In honor of Samuel Morse, who would have been 225 today, what's our Rushmore of codes?
Go, and remember the mailbag.