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#pounditThursday, March 28, 2024

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Ex-Lions CB Stanley Wilson Jr. dies at mental hospital

Stanley Wilson Jr with the Lions

SEP 23, 2007; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Stanley Wilson (31) prior to playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The Eagles are wearing blue and yellow throwback uniforms celebrating their 75th anniversary. The Eagles defeated the Lion 56-21. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Howard Smith

Former Detroit Lions defensive back Stanley Wilson Jr. has died.

Wilson died earlier this month during an intake at a medical facility, according to TMZ. The 40-year-old was arrested last August after he allegedly broke into a $30 million property in Hollywood Hills, Calif. Wilson was charged with two felony counts of vandalism and one count of second-degree burglary.

Prosecutors say Wilson was declared incompetent to stand trial, which led to him being transferred from county jail to the Metropolitan State Hospital for mental health care on Feb. 1. During his intake at the Los Angeles County facility, Wilson collapsed and was later pronounced dead.

TMZ reports that foul play is not suspected. Autopsy results are pending a toxicology report.

Wilson was a star at Stanford before the Lions selected him in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. His career ended after he suffered a torn Achilles during the 2008 preseason.

Wilson had multiple troubling incidents with the law over the past several years.

Wilson made nine starts with the Lions in 32 games across three seasons. He recorded 86 total tackles.

Aaron Rodgers calls out reporter over incorrect information

Aaron Rodgers smiles

August 12, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) smiles before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There is going to be a lot of speculation about Aaron Rodgers’ future in the coming days, but the star quarterback says we should not believe any of it unless it comes from his inner circle. That includes information from top NFL insider Ian Rapoport, apparently.

Rodgers revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week that he will soon embark on a four-day isolation retreat. During that time, Rodgers will be alone in a small house with no outside light and provisions being given to him through a slot in a door. The 39-year-old expects the retreat to help give him the clarity he needs to determine whether he wants to play football next season.

Rodgers did not specify when the retreat would begin, but Rapoport later told “The Pat McAfee Show” that the trip was starting this past Monday. McAfee and his crew said they were told that Rodgers would be appearing on their show the following day, so Rapoport said it was possible the former MVP was “delaying the darkness for a day or so.”

Rodgers did, in fact, make his Tuesday appearance on McAfee’s show. While he did not reveal exactly when he will go on his isolation retreat, he said the four-day trip has been planned for months and the date has not changed once. He also took the opportunity to stress how Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter have no inside information about his plans.

“I have no problem with Ian Rapoport, (Adam) Schefter, they’re really good at their jobs. When it comes to me, they don’t know s—,” Rodgers said. “They really don’t. They don’t have people in my inner circle who are sources, I can promise you that. Anybody who would talk to them is not in my inner circle, it’s that simple.

“I’ve had this planned on the books for four months, for the same time. When someone like that goes on and says something that’s not true, it creates a story that’s bulls— and it just keeps on going and going and going.”

Why does the timeline of the retreat matter? Fans know Rodgers is not going to make any decision about his future until he completes it. When Rapoport reported that the retreat would be from Monday through Thursday, many believed that meant Rodgers was close to making a big announcement.

Rodgers has three choices — retire, return to Green Bay or play for a different team. The Packers are expected to accommodate Rodgers if he wants a trade, and we know at least one team that seems prepared to go all out for him.

Roger Goodell had awkward celebration with Chiefs player after Super Bowl

Roger Goodell and Chris Jones hug after the Super Bowl

Roger Goodell was so happy for the Kansas City Chiefs after Super Bowl LVII on Sunday that some people mistakenly thought he was the team’s owner. One particular exchange the commissioner had with star defensive lineman Chris Jones was downright awkward.

Goodell and Jones embraced on the field at State Farm Stadium after Kansas City’s 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones picked Goodell up off the ground and the two acted like they had just accomplished a lifelong goal together.

Toward the end of the exchange, Goodell could be heard telling Jones, “I don’t care how you hit the quarterback.” You can see the video below:

Jones and several other players were critical of the NFL this past season over the way roughing the passer was officiated. After Jones was called for an atrocious roughing the passer foul in October, he offered a suggestion for how the NFL can improve the situation.

Goodell has strong relationships with many players across the league, which is smart business for him. We see that on display with the big hugs he gives players on draft day, but seeing him that happy about the Chiefs’ win was just weird.

MLB shows off their new enlarged bases for upcoming season

Rob Manfred at a press conference

Feb 17, 2019; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addresses representatives from the grapefruit league during the annual spring training media day at Hilton in West Palm Beach. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

MLB is introducing several new rules this season that are intended to speed up the game, make it more exciting, and in some cases, increase safety.

One of the rules involves the bases, which are being enlarged.

Previously, MLB bases were 15 inches in length on each side. Now the size has increased to 18 inches. Take a look at the difference in size in this photo shared by Bob Nightengale:

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora humorously said the new bases looked like a “pizza box.”

His description really isn’t too bad.

The new bases will slightly reduce the length of the basepaths, which could favor stolen bases somewhat. But the real purpose is they will help increase safety by giving runners more room to step on to hopefully avoid collisions.

Some other rules MLB is implementing include:

– a pitch clock
– the “ghost runner” being included in extra innings (this was previously a temporary measure)
– limits on pickoff attempts/steps off the rubber with a runner on base
– bans of the shift

Now, back to the real reason you’re here: another look at the pizza boxes:

Will Chargers move on from top WR this offseason?

Keenan Allen watches from the sideline

Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) looks on before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a difficult salary cap situation and will have some decisions to make this offseason, including one with a top wide receiver.

The Chargers are projected to be around $23 million over the salary cap for 2023 (including money needed to sign their draft picks), which means they will have to make some moves to get under the cap. They can do that by cutting players where doing so will give them cap savings, or by trading players. They could also try to restructure the contracts of current players, but that typically has not been their way of doing business.

Since the team needs to cut salary, all you have to do is scan their roster to see who has the biggest cap hits, and that will give you some potential targets.

Joey Bosa ($31 million) and Khalil Mack ($27.4 million) both have big cap hits for 2023, but Daniel Popper, The Athletic’s Chargers reporter, thinks there is another target who could be jettisoned.

Popper believes that Keenan Allen could be cut or traded by the Chargers this offseason due to the team’s cap situation. Allen has a $21.7 million cap hit for 2023 and a dead cap figure of $6.9 million. Cutting him could save the Chargers around $15 million against the cap and get them close to being under the cap.

The Chargers could consider a trade of Bosa as that would get them under the cap. Cutting Mack, a year after acquiring him from the Bears, would also give them significant cap relief.

If the Chargers were to cut or trade either Mack or Allen, then you might expect the team to use its first-round pick on a player at the same position to give them a cheaper replacement.

Allen is a very good player who had three straight 100-catch seasons from 2019-2021. But he only played in 10 games last season, so the Chargers might have some concerns about the 30-year-old’s availability.

The Chargers don’t want to get rid of one of Justin Herbert’s receivers, but this is what makes the NFL great: the strict salary cap forces teams to constantly make difficult decisions, which results in competitive balance and keeps the league interesting.

Aidan Hutchinson shares his favorite Jim Harbaugh memory

Jim Harbaugh wearing sunglasses

Nov 16, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Harbaugh is known for his quirkiness as much as for his prowess as a football coach. So it’s no surprise that one of his former players has a great favorite memory of the coach.

Aidan Hutchinson spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan at Radio Row in Phoenix ahead of the Super Bowl last week. The former Michigan defensive star was asked for his favorite memory of the Wolverines head coach

Hutchinson said it was Harbaugh’s funny workout style and attire. According to Hutchinson, Harbaugh would just attack the squat rack at any point and in any clothes, though often shirtless.

“It was just one of those things every day you’d come to practice,” Hutchinson said. “Coach Harbaugh is in the weight room, khakis on, cleats on, shirts off, squatting. That’s like a very normal thing you see from Coach Harbaugh. You see it, you acknowledge it and you’re just like, ‘There’s Coach,’ and you go on to practice.”

That’s quite an outfit to squat in, but it’s just what Harbaugh does.

Last year on a recruiting trip at a school in Florida, Harbaugh did some squats while wearing a button down shirt and slacks.

That’s just Jim Harbaugh for you. It’s quite fitting that that is Hutchinson’s favorite memory of his coach.

Harbaugh has been the coach at Michigan since 2015. He has led the team to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, squatting his way through it.

Damar Hamlin refused to answer 1 question during interview

Damar Hamlin with hands on hips

Jul 27, 2022; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (31) warms up during training camp at St. John Fisher University. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Damar Hamlin gave his first major interview since his significant medical situation occurred on “Monday Night Football” on January 2, and there was one question he was unwilling to answer.

Hamlin spoke with Michael Strahan for an interview that appeared on “Good Morning America.” Strahan noted that Hamlin was young, in good shape, and seemingly in good health. Considering all that, he asked Hamlin what doctors say led the young safety to suffer cardiac arrest after making a tackle in the Buffalo Bills’ Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin contemplated the question for a while and then declined to answer.

“You’re 24, peak physical condition … how did doctors describe what happened to you?” Strahan asked.

Hamlin said “ummm,” then paused for several seconds. “That’s something I’m going to stay away from.”

Strahan followed up and asked whether Hamlin had ever had any signs of having heart problems.

“Honestly, no. I’ve always been a healthy, young, fit, energetic human being. It was something that we’re still processing and still talking through with my doctors just to see what everything was,” Hamlin said.

What happened to Hamlin was extremely unusual. Football players have suffered all sorts of injuries on the field. Some players have suffered serious injuries to their neck and spine. But seeing a player go into cardiac arrest after making a tackle is extremely unusual.

Even though he had to be revived on the field, Hamlin, a 6th-round pick in 2021, says that he hopes to one day play football again.

NBA Skills Challenge competition will have 1 surprising participant

Adam Silver speaking

Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to media before game one of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is throwing a real curveball with this year’s Skills Challenge field.

On Tuesday, the league announced the participants (split into three teams) for the All-Star Weekend competition. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his two brothers Thanasis and Alex will form an “Antetokounmpos” team. There will also be a “Jazz” team (comprised of Utah Jazz trio Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and Walker Kessler) and a “Rooks” team (comprised of rookies Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr).

Since the three Antetokounmpo brothers already participated in last year’s Skills Challenge, the big surprise there is the inclusion of Kessler. The seven-foot rookie center has been a revelation for the Jazz this year with his superb interior play and shot-blocking. But Kessler is not much of a ball-handler or playmaker (0.8 assists per game) nor is he a long-range shooter (with zero total three-point attempts to this point of his NBA career).

Nevertheless, Kessler will get a chance to strut his stuff in front of his home crowd with All-Star Weekend taking place in Salt Lake City. He probably can’t do worse than this guy did at last year’s All-Star Saturday night.

Andy Reid had great quote about how he celebrated Super Bowl win

Andy Reid on the sideline

Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid against the New England Patriots during the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Reid delivered a great quote about how he celebrated the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win upon returning to Kansas City.

As you probably figured with Reid, his quote had to do with food. But unlike his usual favorite, he didn’t celebrate with a cheeseburger. Rather, he said he had some pizza, but the funny part is what he had on the side.

“Yeah, I went to Pizza 51. I got a mushroom and sausage pizza, how about that? And a salad just to make my chubbiness feel good,” Reid said.

That is great. Nothing like adding a salad to some pizza to make you feel good. It’s like ordering a double cheeseburger with bacon, fries and a Diet Coke. At least Reid recognizes it.

And how great is it that he shouted out the pizza place too? Pizza 51 is going to see a huge boost in business now. Here’s what that pizza looks like:

When it comes to food and football, Reid knows what he is doing.

Hall of Famer Greg Maddux to help 1 MLB team during spring training

Greg Maddux ready to pitch

Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game five of the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

One MLB team will be getting some help from the Mad Dog this year.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that Baseball Hall of Famer Greg Maddux will be working with the Texas Rangers as a special spring training instructor. Maddux is a Texas native, and his older brother Mike Maddux just returned to the Rangers this offseason for a second stint as their pitching coach.

The news was confirmed on Twitter by Maddux himself.

Maddux, now 56, should have plenty of pointers to offer as a 23-year MLB veteran who won four Cy Young Awards plus a World Series title with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. His instructional work might not be limited to the Rangers pitchers either since Maddux also won 18 career Gold Gloves, the most of any player at any position in MLB history.

After going 68-94 last season, the Rangers have reloaded by hiring Bruce Bochy as their new manager and signing Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Andrew Heaney to revitalize their pitching staff. But hopefully, the Rangers don’t end up adopting some of Maddux’s … other habits.