Month: July 2020

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick.According to the ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ the six-episode series will be called ‘Colin in Black & White.’.Kaepernick will narrate the scripted limited drama, which comes from director Ava DuVernay.’Colin in Black & White’ is DuVernay’s latest project with Netflix following her acclaimed limited series, ‘When They See Us.’.Netflix says Kaepernick’s series will focus on his adolescent years while growing up with a white adopted family.It will also portray his high school life and events that led him to advocate for social justice.’THR’ adds that an actor will play a younger version of the now 32-year-old.Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix, Ava DuVernay, via ‘THR’.We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world, Netflix’s Cindy Holland, via ‘THR’.Kaepernick has remained unsigned in the NFL since 2017, soon after he began kneeling during the National Anthem.Besides the upcoming Netflix show, he is also working on a memoir about his life experiences

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick.According to the ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ the six-episode series will be called ‘Colin in Black & White.’.Kaepernick will narrate the scripted limited drama, which comes from director Ava DuVernay.’Colin in Black & White’ is DuVernay’s latest project with Netflix following her acclaimed limited series, ‘When They See Us.’.Netflix says Kaepernick’s series will focus on his adolescent years while growing up with a white adopted family.It will also portray his high school life and events that led him to advocate for social justice.’THR’ adds that an actor will play a younger version of the now 32-year-old.Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix, Ava DuVernay, via ‘THR’.We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world, Netflix’s Cindy Holland, via ‘THR’.Kaepernick has remained unsigned in the NFL since 2017, soon after he began kneeling during the National Anthem.Besides the upcoming Netflix show, he is also working on a memoir about his life experiences

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick.According to the ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ the six-episode series will be called ‘Colin in Black & White.’.Kaepernick will narrate the scripted limited drama, which comes from director Ava DuVernay.’Colin in Black & White’ is DuVernay’s latest project with Netflix following her acclaimed limited series, ‘When They See Us.’.Netflix says Kaepernick’s series will focus on his adolescent years while growing up with a white adopted family.It will also portray his high school life and events that led him to advocate for social justice.’THR’ adds that an actor will play a younger version of the now 32-year-old.Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix, Ava DuVernay, via ‘THR’.We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world, Netflix’s Cindy Holland, via ‘THR’.Kaepernick has remained unsigned in the NFL since 2017, soon after he began kneeling during the National Anthem.Besides the upcoming Netflix show, he is also working on a memoir about his life experiences

Netflix to Produce Series on Colin Kaepernick.According to the ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ the six-episode series will be called ‘Colin in Black & White.’.Kaepernick will narrate the scripted limited drama, which comes from director Ava DuVernay.’Colin in Black & White’ is DuVernay’s latest project with Netflix following her acclaimed limited series, ‘When They See Us.’.Netflix says Kaepernick’s series will focus on his adolescent years while growing up with a white adopted family.It will also portray his high school life and events that led him to advocate for social justice.’THR’ adds that an actor will play a younger version of the now 32-year-old.Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix, Ava DuVernay, via ‘THR’.We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world, Netflix’s Cindy Holland, via ‘THR’.Kaepernick has remained unsigned in the NFL since 2017, soon after he began kneeling during the National Anthem.Besides the upcoming Netflix show, he is also working on a memoir about his life experiences

Keanu Neal says back-to-back injuries ‘really hit hard’

Falcons safety Keanu Neal’s career got off to a dreamlike start, but the past two seasons have been an absolute nightmare for the former Pro-Bowler.

Falcons safety Keanu Neal‘s career got off to a dreamlike start, but the past two seasons have been an absolute nightmare for the former Pro-Bowler.

Neal suffered an ACL injury during the 2018 season-opener, then an Achilles tear during Week 4 of 2019. As a guest on The Jim Rome Show, Neal talked about how difficult it was working back from one serious injury just to have another one early the following season.

“The rehab was hard, but, you know, I stuck through it and made it through, but then, obviously the Achilles last year, that really hit hard,” said Neal.

Watch the Falcons safety’s appearance on Rome below.

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Despite recent setbacks, Juliana Lima feels no added pressure heading into Invicta FC 40

Juliana Lima has had mixed results in her last few fights, but she has aspirations for her second stint with Invicta FC.

[autotag]Juliana Lima[/autotag] has had mixed results in her last few fights, but she has aspirations for her second stint with Invicta FC.

Lima (10-6) headlines Invicta FC 40 on July 2 when she takes on Emily Ducote in Kansas City, Kan.

After dropping two straight to Tecia Torres and Randa Markos, Lima was released from the UFC. She returned to Invicta in 2019 and participated in the promotion’s “Phoenix Series” tournament, which crowned a new strawweight champion.

Lima picked up a split decision win over Danielle Taylor in her opening bout but was later eliminated by eventual tournament winner and current UFC strawweight Brianna Van Buren.

It was a learning experience for Lima, who’s been working on all aspects of her game ahead of her fight with Ducote.

“First, I fought and defeated Danielle Taylor and then I faced Brianna Van Buren,” Lima told MMA Junkie. “As it was a tournament, I didn’t know who would be next. My training for that event was primarily focused on Danielle, for whom I tried to prepare in every facet of the sport. With every training camp, we’re always changing things and improvising. …

“I don’t feel any pressure. When we do something we love, then fear, pressure, affliction, and anxiety disappear. I’ve been training everywhere – standup, takedowns and using my jiu-jitsu.”

Lima fell short in the tournament, but she still has her sights set on the title.

“I’m only thinking about the present,” Lima said. “What I want now is to win this fight. Then I can think of the future. I do have my eye on the Invicta belt.”

Remaining July free agents left for Bills to consider

Are there any free agents out there in July for the Buffalo Bills to sign?

Welcome to July, can’t you just taste the football right around the corner?

Of course, that means little right now. There’s a plan in place to start training camp, as scheduled, at the end of the month… but who really knows what will happen? Assuming that goes according to plan, NFL rosters are still pretty set in stone now.

But let’s have some fun. If Bills general manager Brandon Beane were to be in the market to add another free agent or two before training camp comes around, could there be some options out there?

Here are 15 free agent options for the Bills to consider in July:

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

RB Devonta Freeman

Age: 28

Freeman could be another solid complement to their complement. Devin Singletary is the No. 1, shifty runner for the Bills. Zack Moss gets the heavy lifting done at times, while Freeman is a solid third-down option as a proven pass catcher. However, bad news could be the asking price. We’re not sure exactly what it would be, but of said in June, Bucs coach Bruce Arians said it’s too high.

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UGA football player card: DL Netori Johnson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Netori Johnson will look to break out during his junior season after undergoing a position change.

Netori Johnson, defensive lineman (#72):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 320 pounds

Hometown: Ellenwood, Georgia

High School: Cedar Grove High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Netori Johnson will look to break out during his junior season. Why may Johnson be able to breakout? He switched positions to end the 2018 season and now has more experience on the defensive side of the football.

Johnson was impactful in limited playing time last season, where he played in four games. Johnson racked up a sack against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and secured a fourth down stop against Murray State.

Johnson will have to battle some talented players to see playing time along  Georgia’s top-rated 2019 rushing and scoring defense. The former four-star prospect has the talent to break into the line up. The Cedar Grove High School product redshirted as a freshman during the 2017 season.

Here’s Johnson’s big sack from last season:

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Cowboys News: More help needed, but Lamb may be best CFB WR in 6 years

The questions surrounding the NFL season are greater as the calendar turns to July. Is this fair to McCarthy? Will the Cowboys add a WR?

One thing is for sure in 2020 when it comes to the NFL, and it is that absolutely nothing is for sure. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to play a significant role in preparations for the Dallas Cowboys and every other NFL team as the calendar turns to July.

Despite the differences in opinions on whether or not there will be a season at all, the Cowboys media has still had some fun and have gotten quite creative at times. Jon Machota of The Athletic went head to head with a fellow writer and drafted his All-Cowboys team. Dez Bryant found himself on one of their fantasy teams but will he find himself on an actual roster come training camp? Jay Glazer has ultimately been quite complimentary when it comes to new head coach Mike McCarthy but this global pandemic has been quite unfair for his first year plans. Should the Cowboys add one more wide receiver in addition to their three stars?

Ultimate all-time Dallas Cowboys rosters: Jon Machota breaks down his draft :: The Athletic

The two-man draft continues over at The Athletic with Jon Machota’s final roster being revealed. Two Cowboys from the current iteration of the team make an appearance here, though both serving as back-ups to Hall of Fame players ahead of them.

Free agent wide receivers the Cowboys could add to its roster to complement Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb :: Blogging the Boys

The pass offense in Dallas is sure to be a strength, but it never hurts to upgrade. In this instance, a look at available wide receivers who could come in to provide skill and experience as the No. 4 option for quarterback Dak Prescott.

PFF College names CeeDee Lamb most valuable receiver since 2014

That’s some strong company over the last five college seasons. Still hard to believe the NFL allowed the Cowboys to draft him.

Ex-Cowboys WR Dez Bryant Hopeful for 2020 NFL Season: ‘I Need My Redemption’ :: Bleacher Report

The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver has constantly reminded us on his social media that he’s putting in the work in the off-season. Will this work land him on a team for 2020? Bryant is more concerned that there will be a 2020.

Jay Glazer sees challenges for Cowboys to adjust to a new culture with abnormal offseason :: Blogging The Boys

Covid-19 has altered all sports and their current or potential seasons. The pandemic has thrown plenty of wrenches into the mix while the Cowboys are working with an entirely new coaching staff. Jay Glazer breaks down how this is concerning for the Cowboys in particular.

Dallas Cowboys: Depth is key if coronavirus makes ’20 a war of attrition :: Fansided

For all 32 NFL teams this year, focusing in on having depth is a major key for success during a pandemic riddled season. Questions for the Dallas Cowboys of if they could survive a few games without some of their biggest stars are brought to the forefront.

Game Theory: Three players who deserve new contracts :: NFL.com

NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund ranks Dak Prescott’s situation as the third-highest ranked player that deserves a new contract. She claims that the signed franchise tag is a reason it doesn’t rank higher.

Tyler Biadasz Won’t be “The Next Travis Frederick” Right Away, If Ever :: Inside The Star

There may be some unfair expectations for the fourth-round pick of the 2020 draft. A new coaching staff and the potential expectations to be thrown in to start right away could alter the plan of success for Tyler Biadasz.

Report: NFL has discussed trimming training camp rosters to 75-80 players :: Blogging The Boys

As the calendar turns to July, more uncertainties present themselves as training camp is set to begin at the end of the month. Roster sizes along with game day numbers could be in for a change but time will tell.

What’s Vikings RB Dalvin Cook’s value? According to a reporter at the Athletic, $6 million a year

Arif Hasan of The Athletic thinks that a fair deal for Vikings RB Dalvin Cook would be $6 million a year.

Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook will refrain from team-related activities until he receives a reasonable deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When that news was announced, it caused countless fans and analysts to ask the question: What is Cook’s value?

The running back is clearly good when he’s healthy, and by extension so is the Vikings offense.

However, a Vikings reporter, Arif Hasan of The Athletic, thinks that a fair deal for Cook would be $6 million a year. He noted that he would consider $8 million a year to be what an elite running back makes.

Here’s what he said about the situation:

“I know that generally seems wildly out of line with what happens to running back value in the open market, but consider every running back who signed a deal with an average value worth more than four percent of that year’s cap (about $7.9 million in 2020) going back to 2016:

There has been one first-team All-Pro and three Pro Bowl appearances from the 17 years of running back play generated by those contracts, where they’ve averaged 55.8 rushing yards per game and 76.3 yards from scrimmage per game, earning 3.88 yards per carry.”

That’s definitely a compelling argument, and injury history will make some nervous about giving Cook a new deal, but I think the Vikings should still do it.

Minnesota has a window to compete right now, and a new deal for Cook probably wouldn’t have to break the bank. I think if Cook isn’t on the field for the team in 2020, the offense takes a step back.

What will the Dolphins’ most challenging personnel grouping look like?

What will the Dolphins’ most challenging personnel grouping look like?

There are no shortage of different ways that you can move the ball in the NFL. Some teams like to space the defense out. Other teams will look to go with heavier personnel, but more unique athletes. A good example of such a team is the Baltimore Ravens, who called upon a slew of tight ends in Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle to provide challenging formations for opposing teams. Pairing three tight ends on the field with QB Lamar Jackson’s athletic ability and deep passing can be a difficult riddle for opposing coordinators to scheme up how to stop — as evidenced by the Ravens’ 33.2 points per game last season.

For the Dolphins, consider the former strategy the team’s recipe for success. Chan Gailey has implemented a horizontal spread offense in his last few stops, meaning he will have the Dolphins use as much real estate as possible across the width of the field to test opposing defenses.

But how will the Dolphins’ skill players fit that strategy to provide the best possible challenge to opposing defenses? Here is an early look at what Miami’s optimal offensive personnel may look like in 11-personnel (one tight end and one running back apiece on the field) — the grouping that figures to get the most of Miami’s best athletes on the field at the same time.

Quarterback (1)

Since we’re looking at the Dolphins’ offense through a utopian lens, Tua Tagovailoa would be the team’s ideal cornerstone at the quarterback position. The Dolphins’ clearly envision Tagovailoa being the future of the franchise and there’s no reason to act like that isn’t the case if we’re pretending that everything is a “best case scenario”. Ryan Fitzpatrick may be experienced in this offense, but Tagovailoa is the future and his RPO decision making at Alabama was a huge catalyst for his success.

Running back (1)

With the Dolphins looking to stress defenses and strain them with space, getting a player capable of hammering a light box is a must — which is why Jordan Howard is the ideal back for Miami’s 11 personnel. With three receivers and a tight end stretched across as much real estate as possible, opposing defenses must decide whether they want to skimp on getting adequate coverage and leverage on the boundary or if they want to maintain their extra-man advantage in the box. Any time the Dolphins find an equal number of blockers and defenders in the box, it is time to run the football.

Tight end (1)

Let’s not make this harder than it has to be, right? Mike Gesicki is the answer here. Gesicki can be flexed into the slot to the open side of the field and provide Miami with a seam-buster on play action passing and a big enough body to rub routes off in the shorter areas of the field. Part of Gesicki’s transition to Gailey’s offense will be trying to find ways for him to win in the quick game — but just ask the Patriots whether or not Gesicki can win quickly over the middle. His game-winning touchdown catch in Week 17 against Patrick Chung in coverage was a quick slant from inside the 5.

Wide receivers (3)

DeVante Parker is a lock for one of the three spots on the field in 11 personnel — and every other personnel grouping that isn’t for short yardage purposes. You can count Preston Williams a safe bet as well when he’s healthy. That duo gives Miami three receiving targets with size between Parker (6-foot-3), Williams (6-foot-5) and Gesicki (6-foot-6) on the field at the same time and plenty of physicality. If the team is looking for a little bit of juice or quickness, they’ll have three options between Jakeem Grant, Albert Wilson and a sleeper in Gary Jennings Jr. — who played in a spread offense in college with West Virginia and was a 4th-round pick in 2019.

Given Miami’s persistence in hanging onto Albert Wilson despite an ugly contract situation at the beginning of the offseason, we’ll lean into him being the third option. Wilson has the run after catch prowess (when healthy) to bring a different dynamic to the offense versus what the size targets can provide and Miami will need a little versatility to create some big catch and run opportunities with Tagovailoa’s accuracy.

Lakers don’t know if Dwight Howard will join team

In a conference call on Tuesday, Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said that Howard has not yet informed the team on if he will play or sit when the NBA resumes its season July 30 in Orlando. Melissa Rios, the mother of Howard’s 6-year-old son David, died on March 27 near her home in Calabasas, California, because of a seizure after fighting epilepsy. Amid protests the past month, begun after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis, Howard has said publicly he may sit out the season to help ongoing efforts to address racial inequality. “We are going to continue to work through those extenuating circumstances with Dwight, support him, support his 6-year-old son and hope for the best that he would be a part of our roster in Orlando,” Pelinka said. “But that will be a continued process.”