Month: March 2021

Georgia football in four-star Qaeshon Sapp’s top eight

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top eight schools for talented offensive guard recruit Qaeshon Sapp

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top eight schools for talented offensive guard recruit Qaeshon Sapp. Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Cincinnati, FSU, South Carolina, UNC and USC form Sapp’s top eight.

Sapp took out LSU and Alabama from his previous list of top schools. The versatile in-state prospect can also play offensive tackle.

Sapp is a four-star offensive guard recruit, who weighs 310 pounds and is 6 feet, 4 inches. He plays high school football for Lee County, in Leesburg, Georgia, and is a rising senior.

The class of 2022 recruit announced his top eight schools via his Twitter account:

Sapp is an in-state offensive lineman to keep an eye on in the class of 2022. Georgia football has recently dominated in-state recruiting for offensive linemen. Can Kirby Smart, Matt Luke and company keep it up throughout 2021?

Georgia has eight commitments in the class of 2021, but the Dawgs lack an offensive line commitment at the moment.

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Cage Warriors 121: Unbeaten bantamweight champion Jack Cartwright to face Sylwester Miller

Undefeated bantamweight champion Jack Cartwright will bid to register his third successful title defense at Cage Warriors 121 in London.

Undefeated Cage Warriors bantamweight champion [autotag]Jack Cartwright[/autotag] will put his title on the line in the co-main event of Cage Warriors 121 in London.

Manchester’s Cartwright (9-0), who captured the title with back-to-back first-round knockout victories in one night at Cage Warriors Unplugged 2 in 2019, has since defended his title twice in 2020 with victories over Manuel Bilic and Gerardo Fanny at Cage Warriors 112 and 115, respectively.

Now the SBG Manchester fighter will look to complete his third straight title defense when he faces Polish submission specialist [autotag]Sylwester Miller[/autotag] (9-3), who arrives in Cage Warriors riding a two-fight winning streak, with an extended run of form that has seen him lose just once in his past eight outings. Six of his nine career wins have come via submission.

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The matchup will be joined on the card by a middleweight bout, with former Cage Warriors 185-pound champion [autotag]James Webb[/autotag] (8-2-1) looking to continue his winning form since losing the title to Nathias Frederick at Cage Warriors 111 in 2019. Webb has fought twice since that defeat and picked up a pair of dominant victories. He earned a landslide decision win over Mick Stanton at Cage Warriors 112, then followed up with a first-round arm-triangle choke finish of Craig White at Cage Warriors 115.

Now Webb will look to make it three wins in a row against [autotag]Matthew Bonner[/autotag] (8-6-1), who is also on a two-fight winning streak, thanks to victories over George Smith and former welterweight title challenger Matt Inman.

Cage Warriors 121 takes place Friday, March 19 at York Hall, London. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass.

With the additions, the lineup for Cage Warriors 121 includes:

  • Agy Sardari vs. Mehdi Ben Lakhdar – for lightweight title
  • Jack Cartwright vs. Sylwester Miller – for bantamweight title
  • Matthew Bonner vs. James Webb

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Morning mock draft: Asante Samuel Jr. a fit at No. 2 CB for Bills?

Touchdown Wire 2021 NFL Draft mock sends Buffalo Bills CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Under the watch of head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills hit on their first draft pick in cornerback Tre’Davious White. After that, the team has added one-year spot gaps at the No. 2 cornerback position across from him pretty much every offseason.

Those decisions have had more… mixed results than White.

Josh Norman in 2020? Not bad, up and down, some success. Vontae Davis? Well, you know…

With the 2021 NFL Draft now coming into the picture, the NFL Wire predicts that the Bills finally end their run of one-year fillers. Analyst Doug Farrar pegs Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. as the player Buffalo selects in a recent mock draft. 

Cornerback could be a position the Bills target with the No. 30 overall pick, but it remains to be seen exactly how things go prior to the draft. If the Bills don’t get linebacker Matt Milano back or lose players along the offensive line like Daryl Williams, those positions could be more pressing than cornerback.

But in Samuel, the Bills would land a player that is a trigger word for McDermott: Versatile. He can play all over the defense from slot cornerback inside, to an outside No. 2 cornerback to potentially even at safety.

So far, the Bills only have Dane Jackson at the No. 2 spot. Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Jackson will get a chance to compete for snaps there next season, but he should not be handed that job.

The incumbent No. 2 cornerback is Levi Wallace, who is a restricted free agent, and Norman, who is an unrestricted free agent as well. Between the two, Wallace seems more likely to return which could setup a big training camp battle for playing time in Buffalo’s secondary.

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Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans NBA odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Utah Jazz (27-7) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (14-19) Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Smoothie King Center. Below, we analyze the Jazz-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

The Jazz are coming off a 1-1 swing through Florida as part of the first half of a four-game road trip. They lost to the Miami Heat 124-116 Friday as 6.5-point favorites and rebounded with a 124-109 victory at the Orlando Magic Saturday as 9.5-point faves. Against Orlando, SG Donovan Mitchell scored 25 of his team-high 31 points in the second half.

The Pelicans return home from an 0-2 road trip in which they lost by a combined 7 points. They dropped a 129-125 thriller at the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday but covered the spread as 8-point underdogs, and they lost 117-114 at the San Antonio Spurs Saturday as 2.5-point favorites. PF Zion Williamson had 34 points in the loss to the Bucks and tallied 23 points and 14 rebounds against the Spurs.

This is third regular-season meeting between the Jazz and the Pelicans. Utah, which owns the NBA’s best record, swept New Orleans in a two-game set in mid-January, covering both games as a 6.5-point home favorite. In the opening 118-102 victory, Mitchell scored 28 points, and the Jazz hit 21 3-pointers. Two nights later, despite being outscored 43-31 in the first quarter, the Jazz claimed a 129-118 win, and Mitchell finished with 36 points.

Jazz at Pelicans: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Jazz -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Pelicans +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Jazz -7 (-110) | Pelicans +7 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 235.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Jazz at Pelicans: Key injuries

Jazz

  • None

Pelicans

  • SG J.J. Redick (hamstring) questionable

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Jazz at Pelicans: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Jazz 123, Pelicans 119

Money line (ML)

PASS. The projection has the Jazz coming out on top, but it’s not wise and too risky to bet a -275 money line.

Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Against the spread (ATS)

NEW ORLEANS +7 (-110) is worth a HALF-UNIT play. The Pelicans will be fired up to make a statement against the NBA’s top team. Behind Williamson, who has averaged 29.8 PPG over his past 10 games, they’ll give the Jazz everything they can.

The reason for caution is because the Jazz own the league’s best ATS record at 25-9 and also feature an NBA-best 23 wins by double-digit margins.

ATS records: Jazz 25-9 | Pelicans 14-19

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 235.5 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Before Saturday’s Under game vs. the Magic, the Jazz played 11 Overs in a row. Across their last 12 games, the Jazz averaged 120.8 PPG.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans lead the NBA with a 24-9 O/U record, including a league-best 14-2 O/U mark at home. In their 15 February games, the Pels averaged 121.4 PPG and allowed 119.1 PPG.

O/U records: Jazz 16-17-1 | Pelicans 24-9

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2020-21 NBA 2-4 2-1 -1.95
2019-20 NBA 31-26-2 15-12 N/A
2021 record (all sports) 79-57-1 39-28 +24.35
*–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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2022 Tennessee quarterback target announces commitment to SEC East school

2022 Tennessee quarterback target announces commitment to SEC East school.

2022 quarterback prospect Sam Horn has announced which school he is committed to.

Horn announced he will play in the SEC East for Missouri.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound signal-caller is from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Horn was initially offered by the Vols on May 19, 2020, when Jeremy Pruitt served as Tennessee’s head coach.

Pruitt was relieved of his duties on Jan. 18. Josh Heupel replaced Pruitt on Jan. 27.

Tennessee currently does not have a commitment for its 2022 recruiting class.

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Bold predictions for Tennessee Titans’ 2021 offseason

A handful of bold predictions for the Titans’ 2021 offseason.

The Tennessee Titans can ill afford another offseason that resembles one year ago. Blame it on what you will — COVID-19, inefficient Zoom calls, shoddy Wi-Fi — the Titans failed to get it done last year, and it starts at the top.

General manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel must figure out the formula if they plan to keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive. With a draft class as poor as their harvest was last season, it’s easy to forget that the Titans managed to ink both quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry to long-term deals in 2020.

If the buck stopped there, most would consider that a successful offseason.

But, it was what transpired after that raised eyebrows. The signing of edge rusher Vic Beasley — who was as overpriced as a game-day beer —turned out to be a disaster. “Clowney watch” was fun only for the illusion that he’d produce on paper.

And then the Titans nabbed Isaiah Wilson in the first round of the NFL Draft — strike three.

So, let’s get bold; how can the Titans improve significantly in 2021? Let’s find out.

Potential free agent target for Cardinals: CB William Jackson

Arizona’s cornerback room may be getting a shakeup this offseason – could they pursue William Jackson should he hit the open market?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could pursue, today we look at cornerback William Jackson.

It’s probable that Cincinnati, who is trying to build around quarterback Joe Burrow, won’t let a top cornerback like Jackson go. They have more cap space than many other teams, but in that theoretical world, Arizona should absolutely pursue Jackson, even if they find a way to bring back Patrick Peterson.

PFF surmised on a recent podcast that perhaps Jackson would excel in a man-heavy scheme more so than Cincy’s current scheme, which means that Arizona would make a ton of sense. Jackson doesn’t have amazing stats, as he only has three career INTs, but his presence in Cincy’s defensive backfield has been felt.

Arizona does not have a ton of cap space, but cornerback might be one of the most glaring needs, especially if Patrick Peterson departs in free agency. And Jackson would be one of the top, if not the top, CB on the free agent market – not to mention it might allow them to address other needs or take the best player available at pick 16.

And in fact, PFF mentions Jackson as the ideal offseason signing for Arizona. Given the need for agressive man corners for Vance Joseph’s scheme to work, it would make a ton of sense.

What do you think Cardinals fans? Would you like to see Jackson in Cardinal red?

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Potential free agent target for Cardinals: DL Shelby Harris

Should Arizona bring the underrated Shelby Harris to the desert and re-unite him with Vance Joseph?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could look at signing, we look at defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Harris would make a ton of sense for Arizona, given his history in working with Vance Joseph. Though he’s not likely to be considered a “splash” signing, given Arizona’s lack of defensive line depth, it might be a smart one.

Harris does not seem to offer a ton of upside in the pass rush area, as he had 2.5 sacks this past year and his previous high is six in 2019, but was considered by many Broncos fans to be a pivotal piece of their defensive line, although to some Denver fans, he is a bit of an enigma. He also added 32 combined tackles.

He had an excellent PFF grade this past season with 88.3, meaning he impacted the games far beyond sack totals.

He could wind up being a cheaper option (given the lack of cap space), and could step in right away, already knowing Joseph’s system.

Spotrac estimates he would get around $10M per season and that Arizona would be the best fit actually. He could slide in right away as a starter at DE, alongside Jordan Phillips and perhaps Corey Peters (if re-signed) or Zack Allen.

Harris may not have the upside of a defensive tackle such as Leonard Williams, but he would be a solid addition to the defensive line rotation for Arizona.

What are your thoughts? Should the Cards re-unite Vance Joseph with Harris?

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Former Oklahoma star Buddy Hield makes NBA history with 1,000th three point shot

Former Oklahoma star Buddy Hield became the fastest in NBA history to 1,000 made three-pointers on Sunday night.

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Former Oklahoma star Buddy Hield has been a very solid NBA player over his first five professional seasons, but has largely flown under the radar of just how good he has really been.

On Sunday night, Hield hit a milestone that puts that on full display as he made his 1,000th career three-pointer, becoming the fastest player in league history to do so in terms of number of games played. He got there in just his 350th career game, which shattered the previous record held by Stephen Curry who did it in 369 games.

The record-breaking shot came off of a pass from teammate De’Aaron Fox in the middle of the third quarter of the Sacramento Kings’ game with the Charlotte Hornets.

Hield is the all-time leader in three-pointers made in Sooners basketball history by a wide margin making 349 of them over his four seasons in Norman, including an astonishing 147 knocked down in his senior year to help get Oklahoma to the Final Four in 2016. Of course, the team Twitter account was sure to congratulate the former Wooden Award winner.

Hield and his Kings will next be in action on Wednesday night at home against the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:00 p.m. CT.

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Report: Bill Belichick ‘does nothing but rave’ about Cam Newton

This reunion is seeming more and more likely as the offseason continues.

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The biggest question surrounding the New England Patriots in 2021 is the quarterback situation.

Will Bill Belichick move forward with a veteran through free agency or a trade, draft one at No. 15 or continue on the with the 31-year-old Cam Newton? Following Newton’s difficult year as a passer in 2020, many people league-wide were convinced the Patriots were going to move on. But, reports by ESPN’s Mike Reiss and NFL Network’s Mike Giardi suggested otherwise.

Given the circumstances Newton had last season, it was still incredible he won 7-of-8 games he was active for, while rushing for 12 touchdowns and maintaining a positive attitude through the difficulties. Belichick praised that aspect of Newton throughout the year and according to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, that praise has extended to the offseason.

Multiple sources who have spoken with Belichick this offseason said he does nothing but rave about Newton and the effort the quarterback put forth in 2020. The only problem Belichick is concerned with is Newton’s arm strength, with Newton having suffered multiple shoulder injuries in the last five years.

Newton’s arm strength was suspect, but it was also much more difficult to throw efficiently when his best receiver was Jakobi Meyers. He had very little time to learn the playbook and contracting COVID-19 after a solid start to the season wasn’t helpful in any way.

Multiple sources that spoke with Volin said they wouldn’t be surprised if Newton returned back to Foxborough next season.

In Brandon Marshall’s ‘I Am Athlete’ podcast, Newton openly said he wasn’t opposed to returning to New England.

“Yes, hell yes,” Newton said. “I’m getting tired of changing, bro. I’m getting to a point in my career where I know way more than I knew, last year.”

Newton’s return would be much easier than any acclimating anyone else with the system and his infectious energy, along with his relationships in the league would likely help draw in players in free agency. As time moves forward, it’s looking extremely realistic to see Newton receiving another chance in Gillette Stadium.

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