Jan 16, 2020; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe reacts during warmups prior to a game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The recent domestic violence case involving former NBA guard Eric Bledsoe has reached a resolution.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has officially declined Bledsoe’s case because of “insufficient evidence,” per TMZ Sports. As a result, Bledsoe will not be facing criminal charges over the incident.
The 32-year-old Bledsoe, two-time All-Defensive honoree who averaged 13.7 points per game over 12 NBA seasons, was arrested last week in Lost Hills, Calif. and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. You can read the details about Bledsoe’s arrest here.
On Sunday, Bledsoe, who was released on bond, made a public appearance at a game between the LA Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans, two of his former NBA teams.
Bledsoe had signed a deal to play for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) just hours before being arrested. While it is not certain if the deal will still go through, the veteran guard Bledsoe is at least in the clear from a legal standpoint.
Amari Cooper should probably stick to his day job.
The Cleveland Browns receiver Cooper got his number called to throw a pass during the first half of Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately though, the call went straight to voicemail.
On a hand-off from quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Browns running back Nick Chubb pitched it back around to Cooper, who geared up to throw downfield. But Cooper encountered some defensive pressure and panic-heaved an ill-advised lob that was effortlessly intercepted by Bengals safety Vonn Bell.
Cooper’s tragedy of a throw there was a complete sitting duck. As a result, Bell got what had to be by far the easiest interception of his entire career.
Fortunately for the four-time Pro Bowler Cooper, he redeemed himself with two key catches for 47 yards on the Browns’ first touchdown drive of the game in the second quarter. But perhaps he should get some throwing pointers from this former receiver teammate of his.
Jan 21, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; Television announcer Tony Romo following the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Romo says there is one college football coach who is already receiving interest from NFL teams.
Romo was calling Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. During the fourth quarter of the 1-sided game, Romo began talking with Jim Nantz about the success the Tennessee Vols are having.
“Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel … he’ll be on the radar for every NFL team after this year,” Romo said.
Nantz noted that Romo must have had some special information to share that nugget.
Heupel went 28-8 over three seasons at UCF before leaving for Tennessee. After going 7-6 last season, Heupel has the Vols at 8-0 this season. They knocked off Alabama, and they have wins over Pitt, Florida and LSU.
If Tennessee manages to defeat Georgia next weekend, Vols fans are going to go nuts. And so will NFL owners in the market for a new head coach.
H/T Barstool Sports
May 7, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson during rookie minicamp. Mandatory Credit: New York Jets/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson made a series of mistakes in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. For a second-year quarterback, that is not terribly surprising, but his response to those mistakes might raise some concerns.
Wilson was criticized for forcing throws during the loss to New England, particularly on one second half interception in which the quarterback essentially pushed a desperation throw into quadruple coverage. Wilson discussed that after the game, and said it was “frustrating” to throw the ball away.
Wilson admits here that he knows he has to be more conservative sometimes, but he definitely sounds like he’s fighting himself a bit. If he can make a miraculous throw, it will certainly look good, but he has to accept that the odds of that happening are pretty low.
The good news for the Jets quarterback? Even if he makes more mistakes, his job security sounds like it’s as good as it can be.
Getting off to a 0-5 start to the season didn’t sap any enthusiasm from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 121-110 on Sunday night for their first win of the season. The victory also gave new head coach Darvin Ham his first career win.
In recognition of the milestone for Ham, Lakers players gave their head coach a huge water bath celebration in the locker room. Phil Handy shared the video on Instagram:
What’s more embarrassing: that the Lakers did such a big celebration following a regular season win, or that it took six games before Ham finally got a win?
Russell Westbrook’s coming off the bench and playing well, and the Lakers are in the win column. Watch out now, NBA!
Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros went full villain as they arrived for Game 3 of the World Series.
Video went viral of the Astros star Verlander giving Philadelphia fans the one-fingered salute as the Houston team bus pulled into Citizens Bank Park.
Verlander was also seen flashing the bird again once he stepped off the bus.
Verlander addressed the matter on Twitter. He said the middle fingers were exchanged by both parties and done in fun.
Game 3 ended up being postponed until Tuesday.
In any case though, the former AL Cy Young winner Verlander is expected to draw the start in Game 5 (which the Phillies will also be hosting), setting the stage for some peak drama. We already know that Philadelphia sports fans are a notoriously tough crowd no matter who you are.
Oct 2, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach argues a call while playing against the Texas A&M Aggies in the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State are preparing to search for a new athletic director, and football coach Mike Leach gave the school something of a ringing endorsement, at least by his standards.
Mississippi State confirmed Monday that athletic director John Cohen was leaving the school to take on the same role at Auburn, leaving them with a vacancy to fill. Leach was asked about this at his Monday press conference, specifically how he would sell the school to potential job candidates.
Leach’s answer was priceless.
“It’s a great place. It’s not perfect. I would definitely purge a couple but not very many which is less than most places,” Leach said.
Points for Leach’s traditional brand of honesty. He’s certainly someone who knows what it’s like to work for some of the less pleasant places, and he hasn’t forgotten about it, either.
Mississippi State is a good job for any potential AD. Leach has the football program on sound footing, and he can also give sage advice to anyone who signs on.
Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches the third quarter action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers won 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions assistant Aubrey Pleasant is getting some very unpleasant news this week.
After their 31-27 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, the Lions have decided to fire their defensive backs coach Pleasant, per multiple reports. Brian Duker, Detroit’s safeties coach, will now assume Pleasant’s duties.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the news to reporters on Monday, saying that he felt a change had to be made.
The Lions had just hired Pleasant, a former defensive back himself, prior to the 2021 season. But Detroit now sits at a woeful 1-6 this year after dropping their fifth consecutive game. Defense has been a particular sore spot for the Lions as well — they have given up an NFL-worst 225 points so far (despite having already had their bye week). That includes an ugly 266.4 passing yards allowed per game.
All indications are that Pleasant was a pretty popular coach in Detroit. But you figure someone had to take the fall for the Lions’ nightmarish season, and it appears Pleasant is that guy.
Aug 22, 2020; Inglewood California, USA; Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during a scrimmage at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams had some worries about the injury wide receiver Cooper Kupp suffered on Sunday. A day later, the wide receiver appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Kupp had no structural damage to his injured ankle and was experiencing basic tissue swelling. The expectation is that Kupp will be able to play Sunday against Tampa Bay.
The Rams and their fans can breathe a sigh of relief. So can McVay, as he was particularly angry with himself over the circumstances in which Kupp initially suffered the injury.
Though the Rams have struggled so far in 2022, Kupp has been his usual dependable self. Though his numbers have not reached the heights they did in 2021, he still has 686 yards and five touchdowns in seven games on the season.
Auburn running backs coach Cadillac Williams during warm-ups before the A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser via Imagn Content Services
The Auburn Tigers fired coach Bryan Harsin on Monday, leaving them in need of an interim option for the remainder of the season. Their ultimate selection will be a familiar name to a lot of longtime college football fans.
Former Auburn running back Cadillac Williams will be the interim coach for the final four games of the season, according to Nathan King of Auburn Undercover. Williams has served as the team’s running backs coach since 2019.
Williams was a dominant running back for Auburn from 2001 to 2004, and his 45 rushing touchdowns remain the most in school history. He was drafted fifth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his career was shortened by serious injuries to both knees.
Williams probably is not a candidate for the full-time job, but it might make for some nice nostalgia down the stretch. Instead, the Tigers could go for another former superstar as their next coach.
