Draft items
There already are some lists and rankings about who will be the draft kings of the 2019 NFL draft. Let's explore. (Here's a top 100 prospects from CBSsports.com.)
On the list the top-ranked quarterback is Ryan Finley, the N.C. State tall drink of water who is No. 8.
The list has defensive linemen in the top four spots, led by THE Ohio State end Nick Bosa.
Clemson has five players in its defensive front seven ranked in the top 100 - DT Dexter Lawrence (No. 4), DE Clelin Ferrell (9), LB Kendall Joseph (33), DT Christian Wilkins (38) and DE Austin Bryant (73).
The top SEC player and offensive player on that board is Ole Miss wide out A.J. Brown.
There is not a Tennessee Vols on the list.
Speaking of the Draft, here is how Vegas adjusted the Super Bowl odds after reviewing the draft results:
1. Patriots: 5-to-1
2. Eagles: 8-to-1 (Previous odds: 17-to-2)
3. Rams: 9-to-1 (Previous odds: 14-to-1)
4. Vikings: 12-to-1 (Previous odds: 9-to-1)
5. Steelers: 10-to-1 (Previous odds: 12-to-1)
6. Packers: 12-to-1 (Previous odds: 14-to-1)
7. 49ers: 15-to-1 (Previous odds: 14-to-1)
8. Saints: 22-to-1 (Previous odds: 18-to-1)
9. Texans: 25-to-1 (Previous odds: 22-to-1)
T-10. Falcons: 30-to-1 (Previous odds: 20-to-1)
T-10. Raiders: 30-to-1 (Previous odds: 22-to-1)
T-10. Broncos: 30-to-1 (Previous odds: 25-to-1)
T-10. Seahawks: 30-to-1 (Previous odds: 25-to-1)
T-10. Cowboys: 30-to-1 (Previous odds: 28-to-1)
T-15. Jaguars: 35-to-1 (Previous odds: 22-to-1)
T-15.Chargers: 35-to-1 (Previous odds: 33-to-1)
T-15. Panthers: 35-to-1 (Previous odds: 33-to-1)
T-18. Chiefs: 40-to-1 (Previous odds: 33-to-1)
T-18. Colts: 40-to-1 (Previous odds: 60-to-1)
T-18. Ravens: 40-to-1 (Previous odds: 50-to-1)
21. Titans: 45-to-1 (Previous odds: 50-to-1)
22. Lions: 60-to-1 (Previous odds: 50-to-1)
23. Buccaneers: 65-to-1 (Previous odds: 50-to-1)
24. Giants: 75-to-1 (Previous odds: 50-to-1)
T-25. Redskins: 80-to-1 (Previous odds: 66-to-1)
T-25. Cardinals: 80-to-1 (Previous odds: 66-to-1)
T-27. Bills: 100-to-1 Previous odds: 66-to-1)
T-27. Browns: 100-to-1 (Previous odds: 66-to-1)
T-27. Dolphins: 100-to-1 (Previous odds: 70-to-1)
T-27. Bears: 100-to-1 (Previous odds: 80-to-1)
T-27. Bengals: 100-to-1 (Previous odds: 90-to-1)
T-27. Jets: 100-to-1
Note: If a team's previous odds aren't listed, that means their odds haven't changed since Feb. 5.
Kentucky Derby hopeful Justify runs during a morning workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. The 144th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 5. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Derby dealings
Did you know that the post spot that has had the most success since 1900 at the Kentucky Derby is the 5 hole? There have been 14 winners wearing the No. 5 blanket. (Is it a blanket or a jersey or what?)
With that, let's gt to our Derby Contest. You know the drill.
The entry process is simple: Either email your picks to jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or submit them in the comments.
Picking the winner is worth 1 point; picking the horse that finishes last is worth 1.1 points. (Note: Horses have to be in the field and run. Scratches are out, and if your horse scratches late, you can resend as long as it is before post time.)
Here are the posts with the odds:
1 Firenze Fire - 50-1
2 Free Drop Billy - 30-1
3 Promises Fulfilled - 30-1
4 Flameaway - 30-1
5 Audible - 8-1
6 Good Magic - 12-1
7 Justify - 3-1
8 Lone Sailor - 50-1
9 Hofburg - 20-1
10 My Boy Jack - 30-1
11 Bolt d'Oro - 8-1
12 Enticed - 30-1
13 Bravazo - 50-1
14 Mendelssohn - 5-1
15 Instilled Regard - 50-1
16 Magnum Moon - 6-1
17 Solomini - 30-1
18 Vino Rosso - 12-1
19 Noble Indy - 30-1
20 Combatant - 50-1
Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies (1) hits an RBI double to right field in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Philadelphia. The Braves won 10-1. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)Tempered expectations
It's fun times in Braves Country.
Atlanta is 17-11 and folks are talking about contenders and pennant races and whatnot.
And that's all fine, well and good.
And meaningless, at least for the next 10 months or so.
No, the real reason to have monster high hopes for these Braves is that they have the three youngest players in the bigs on their roster and those three dudes last night in NYC hit lead-off, hit in the 2 hole and made his big-league debut on the mound.
And they each delivered. Ozzie Albies had a hit and scored; Ronald Acuna had two hits and scored (Acuna's 2-for-5 night actually lowered his average); right-hander Mike Soroka was brilliant, fanning five in six innings.
The rookie pitcher made one mistake - a slider up to Yoenis Cespedes that became a solo homer - and got his first big league win. We'd be shocked if he did not earned another start with the big club.
The Braves continue to add pieces to the core and that's important.
It also is the next step in the process, and that process, for the first time, seems to be clearly visible.
That vision - stout defensively through the middle; young, multi-tool players; power arms - has taken an impressive shape.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) keeps the ball from New Orleans Pelicans' E'Twaun Moore, left, and Darius Miller during the second half in Game 2 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)This and that
- NFL patriotism or hypocrisy: Jacksonville owner said the NFL needs to have Wembley Stadium in London ready to host a Super Bowl. Really? So the players can stand for "God Save the Queen" and then kneel for our National Anthem? Hmmmmm. Roger Goodall to the white courtesy phone, please, Mr. Goodell find the nearest courtesy phone.
- Cavs stole Game 1 in Toronto in a game that LeBron called his worst of the season. A one-point win in overtime when the Cavs did not hold a lead into the extra session.
- Steph Curry came back - off the bench - and scored 28. His plus/minus was a staggering +26 in a five-point win.
- Clayton Kershaw is 1-4. Yes, 1-4. He has not recorded an out in the eighth inning this year. Kershaw not being Kershaw. Justin Turner is hurt, and Corey Seager is out for the season. The Dodgers are nine games back on May 2.
- Bryce Harper has moved into the lead-off role for the Nationals. That move makes a lot sense as Washington tries to find ways to get Harper better pitches to hit. Harper has walked 39 times in 30 games, putting him on pace for 211 walks this season.
- Man, Grayson High is pretty good at tackle football, right? Tuesday's ceremony, as TFP SEC ace David Paschall reported, had four dudes picking Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Texas.
FILE - In this May 2, 2015, file photo, Charles Barkley joins the crowd before the start of the world welterweight championship bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Barkley accidentally dropped a four-letter word on-air on TNT's "Inside the NBA" on Feb. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Today's question
OK, the hand-wringing of Chuck Barkley saying he wants to punch Draymond Green in the face has created a strange collection of ripples.
First, it gave us a time in which Jalen Rose was giving us the definition of the role of the media, which is pretty rich.
Second, it caused Draymond's momma to get in on the back-and-forth, and we all know that when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
Third, it also allows us chance No. 12 trillion to realize the mantra of today's social media morality mob. "OMG - TISO!" (Translated: Oh my God - that is SO offensive!)
So what say you? Over the line? Overblown?
And we'll take it a step further on this: Does the messenger matter?
Would it be different - although much-less heard - if I wrote that here or said it on Press Row?
As for today, May 2, well, let's see.
Osama bin Laden was killed on this day in 2011. Man, this should be some sort of holiday.
Munch's "The Scream" sells at auction for almost $120 million. It's a nice painting, but it's no dogs playing poker.
The Rock is 46 today.
Leicester City won the Premier League title on this day two years ago. It was a 5,000-to-1 level upset, meaning it was something that even a movie script would not buy.
With that, what's on the Rushmore of biggest upsets in sports movies.