Aug 27, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis (13) before the game against the Duquesne Dukes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis had a rather unexpected take on how Clemson opted to play against them in Saturday’s comeback win.
The Seminoles won 31-24 in overtime, but needed to come back multiple times in a game Florida State did not lead until overtime. Despite that, Travis believed Clemson’s decision to play single coverage on the Seminoles’ talented receivers was a sign of disrespect.
#FSU QB Jordan Travis: “I feel like we were disrespected all day. When you put one on one against Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, I feel like you have no respect for either the receivers or the quarterback.” #Nolespic.twitter.com/jn9m2NmKkO
“I feel like we were disrespected all day,” Travis said. “When you put one-on-one against Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, I feel like you have no respect for either the receivers or the quarterback. I missed a lot of throws early on against one-on-ones, and I wish I could go back and complete them, but we stepped up when we needed to.”
Obviously, Clemson had to pick its poison. It worked fine for most of the day, though Wilson and Coleman eventually made big plays. Travis wound up throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns amid an ineffective run game.
Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss before the game against the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. Bulls won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
A few fans of the Los Angeles Lakers apparently did some reprehensible stuff last season.
Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss appeared this week on “The Athletic NBA Show.” Buss made the revelation during her appearance that she got death threats from angry Laker fans during the 2022-23 season.
“Last season started out really tough,” said Buss. “It was like, ‘I’m not gonna survive this. This is gonna be really rough.’ I was getting death threats. And then the team, something just clicked.”
Here is the full clip of Buss’ comments.
“There’s an argument to be made that he [Anthony Davis] was the best player in the NBA when he was playing.”
Do you agree?
Jeanie Buss joined the latest The Athletic NBA Show to discuss more on the Los Angeles Lakers: pic.twitter.com/LiYOsMPH5d
After going 33-49 in 2021-22 and missing a 20-team postseason, the Lakers seemed headed for more pain in 2022-23. They began the year a brutal 2-10, and nothing seemed to be working for them on either side of the court. But with credit to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka working some magic before the NBA trade deadline (overhauling the roster and shipping out Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, and Patrick Beverley for the likes of Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell, and others), they righted the ship. The Lakers ended up going 43-39, making the play-in tournament, and then going on a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals.
Nevertheless, there is no place in sports or in society for threatening the life of another individual. Unfortunately though, this is not the first time that Lakers fans have sent death threats because of the team’s performance.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after the 14-8 win over Georgia Tech in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021. Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Clemson fans were not happy with Dabo Swinney over the coach’s comments following the team’s 31-24 overtime loss to Florida State on Saturday.
The Tigers’ offense was mediocre again, at least based on the standards fans were used to seeing when Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence were serving as the program’s quarterback. Despite that, the Tigers had a chance to take the lead late, but they missed a field goal with two minutes left that would have broken a tie.
In overtime, Clemson allowed a touchdown on FSU’s second play, while the Tigers threw an incompletion on 4th-and-1, failing to move the sticks.
The loss dropped Clemson to 2-2.
Swinney talked after the loss and said he didn’t have an answer for what’s going wrong.
“It breaks my heart where we are, I wish I could say why. All I know is we’ve got a lot of good days ahead. And I believe that,” Swinney said, via Grace Raynor.
Dabo Swinney: "It breaks my heart where we are, I wish I could say why. All I know is we’ve got a lot of good days ahead. And I believe that."
Clemson’s 2-2 start is actually familiar for the program’s fans. Just two years ago they began 2-2 before finishing 10-3 and ranked 14th in the country. The difference is their two losses that season were against Georgia and at NC State, not at Duke and home to Florida State.
This season’s Clemson team has a lot of improving to do.
Mar 10, 2020; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross looks on during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross found himself in hot water after some comments he made about the Pittsburgh Pirates, but cleaned them up as well as he could.
Ross was criticized for dismissing the Pirates as “not a good team” after they took two of three from the Cubs last week. The Cubs manager was frustrated at his team’s inability to win a home series against what he saw as an inferior comment, but was a bit too blunt about it.
Ross admitted Saturday that he had texted Pirates manager Derek Shelton in apology over his comments.
“I texted Shelton last night, like ‘Hey, just frustrated after a game,'” Ross said, via the Associated Press. “I’ve got a ton of respect for every team we play, not just Pittsburgh. Every team can win. I thought I corrected myself within the context of talking to you guys.”
Ross let his frustration get the better of him in this instance. Considering how high the stakes are for the Cubs, that is understandable. Presumably, the Pirates will move on pretty quickly.
A Clemson fan’s reaction to the team’s big missed field goal late in their 31-24 overtime loss to Florida State on Saturday went viral.
Clemson and FSU were tied at 24 with under two minutes left at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. The Tigers had the ball at the FSU 12 and opted to try a 29-yard field goal on 4th-and-10.
Graduate student kicker Jonathan Weitz hooked the kick wide to the left.
"What would've been a Hollywood ending…"- Greg McElroy
Clemson’s defense held up and stuffed Florida State, forcing a turnover on downs with just 12 seconds left in regulation. The game went to overtime where the Seminoles won 31-24.
The fan later became a meme:
This Clemson fan must not have the most experience with college kickers
Jan 3, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns appear to be getting some almost miraculous news on Nick Chubb’s injury.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Browns star running back Chubb is believed to have only suffered a torn MCL. Schefter adds that Chubb’s projected pre-surgery recovery timeline is just six-to-eight months.
This was echoed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who reports that Chubb’s prognosis is “far more optimistic” than originally thought. Rapoport notes that there is still some damage to Chubb’s ACL (on top of the MCL tear). However, it is reportedly “not a given” that the ACL will need to be fully repaired and that regardless there is a “realistic chance” for Chubb to be ready for the 2024 season.
That is a major shocker on the Chubb front and in the best possible way. The injury that he suffered on “Monday Night Football” less than a week ago was extremely gruesome and looked like it had the potential to threaten Chubb’s NFL career. Adding to the concern was that Chubb already suffered another major injury to the exact same knee while in college at Georgia in 2015.
Just a few days ago, there were reports that the four-time Pro Bowler Chubb might even need multiple separate surgeries done on his knee. But a clearer prognosis has emerged, and it is one that is nothing short of spectacular for Chubb, the Browns, and their fans.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning gave his team an incredible pregame speech ahead of Saturday’s game against Colorado, riling up players with several references to the Buffaloes’ flashy style.
ESPN aired a portion of Lanning’s speech, in which he contrasted Oregon’s “substance” with Colorado’s “flash.” He did not stop there, either.
“They’re fighting for clicks. We’re playing for wins”
“The Cinderella story is over, man,” Lanning told his players. “They’re fighting for clicks, we’re fighting for wins. There’s a difference. This game ain’t going to be played in Hollywood. It’s going to be played on the grass.”
Lanning’s players backed him up in a huge way. The Ducks raced to a 35-0 lead before halftime and were dominant on both sides of the ball.
At this point, Colorado is used to hearing criticism from their foes. Their style is not for everyone. The Ducks, however, have been the first team capable of backing up their talk. Don’t expect it to change the way Colorado goes about its business, but those who dislike it will love Oregon’s approach.
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Van Gundy-Jackson tag team may be tapping right back into television.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News is reporting that legendary New York Knicks figure Walt Frazier, the team’s longtime TV color commentator on MSG Network, would like to cut back on his road game duties (Frazier turns 79 next season). Raissman adds that both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are among the figures being considered by MSG Network brass to fill in for Frazier during those road tilts.
Van Gundy and Jackson, who worked together on ESPN’s NBA broadcasts for over a decade, were both let go by the network this summer as a part of mass layoffs. The connection here is obvious though as their longtime ESPN broadcast partner, Mike Breen, also does the television play-by-play for the Knicks alongside Frazier. The personal connections with the organization are also there as Van Gundy coached the Knicks as an assistant from 1989-96 and then as their head coach from 1996-2001 (including for their NBA Finals berth in 1999). Meanwhile, Jackson was a Knicks draft pick who played for them from 1987-92 and again from 2001-02.
In recent months, there have been rumors that at least one of the two could return to coaching in the NBA. But getting both to reunite with Breen, even in only a part-time capacity on local broadcasts, would be a tremendous W for ratings and for basketball fans alike.
Sep 19, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) during the pregame action against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The artist formerly known as Robby Anderson is back in the NFL ranks.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that wide receiver Robbie Chosen has been elevated by the Miami Dolphins from their practice squad to their active roster. The move comes as a result of fellow Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle being ruled out of Week 3 against Denver due to a concussion.
The 30-year-old Chosen, a 1,000-yard receiver with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, signed with Miami in April but was waived as part of final roster cuts at the end of August. He then re-signed with the Dolphins as a member of the practice squad. Now Chosen is set for his first NFL action since a 2022 season where a sideline outburst led to him getting traded.
Originally known professionally as Robby Anderson, the veteran receiver legally changed his name to Robbie Anderson in 2022 and then to Chosen Anderson earlier this year (before finally tweaking it to Robbie Chosen). Whatever his name is though, the Dolphins are hoping that he can provide some fill-in production behind Tyreek Hill in the passing game on Sunday (with some mix of Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, and Erik Ezukanma also helping to pick up the slack for Waddle).
Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks on the field before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Oregon Ducks staged a pretty funny routine to mock Deion Sanders at the start of Saturday’s game against the Colorado Buffaloes, but things did not quite go according to plan.
As part of the routine, Oregon’s mascot stepped out of the tunnel while wearing a pair of sunglasses and a cowboy hat, mimicking Sanders’ signature style. The mascot stepped up to a prop clock with “Prime” written on the side, signifying Sanders’ “Prime Time” nickname, and began swinging at it with a baseball bat. The mascot was so aggressive that the head of the costume fell off, forcing him to retreat to the tunnel.
This was all in fun and very different from what Colorado’s last opponent had to say. It certainly demonstrates just how big a deal Colorado has already become under Sanders.
