Month: April 2021

The top 11 quarterbacks in the 2021 draft class

You know the names at the top: Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Trey Lance, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. How does the board stack up?

We have reached that wonderful time of draft season when all the film is watched, the grades are calculated and it is time to put out some rankings.

This season offers five quarterbacks who might go in the top 15 of the draft, and then you might see a long gap until the sixth player is drafted at the position. You know the names at the top: Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Trey Lance, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. All five are considered worthy of a first-round pick and speculation holds that four might come off the board within the first six selections.

Just how does this class as a group stack up?

Note: The percentiles in parentheses listed next to pro day data are compared to all historical athletic testing (combine and pro day) at the respective position of the player. Kudos to Pro Football Focus, and their Pro Day Schedule and Results Tracker, for this. As there was no scouting combine in 2021, and pro day schedules vary, we may not have all testing information for all prospects at publication time.

Giants visit with LB Dylan Cole

The New York Giants hosted linebacker and special teams ace, Dylan Cole, for a visit in East Rutherford on Wednesday.

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The New York Giants continued with their old school approach to free agent visits on Wednesday, hosting former Houston Texans linebacker Dylan Cole in East Rutherford.

The 26-year-old Cole signed with the Texans as an undrafted rookie out of Missouri State in 2017. He’s appeared in 37 career games (one start), recording 67 tackles (five for a loss), one fumble recovery, two QB hits, one sack, seven passes defensed, one interception and one touchdown.

In addition to his play on defense, Cole is also a stud on special teams, where he has taken the majority of his snaps.

Although Cole is both talented and versatile, his early career has been defined by injury. In 2017, he missed time due to a hamstring injury. He’s also dealt with a dislocated wrist (2018), torn ACL (2019) and a back injury (2020). Additionally, he missed a game last season due to COVID-19.

However, when healthy, Cole is a solid asset. He has never finished with a special teams grade below 62.8 in his career and graded out at 70.5 last season.

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Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast: Why Penn State fans should pay attention to MLB in 2021

Why Penn State fans will be watching to see how stadium capacity is handled in MLB stadiums in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in 2021.

Today is opening day for Major League Baseball and the doors to games are open in the state of Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome back a limited number of fans to baseball’s regular season this year as the sports world around the state continues to try getting back to normal.

So what does this have to do with Penn State? Penn State football to be specific? It’s simple. Pay attention to how the stadium capacity issue is adjusted this summer.

As of now, the Phillies and Pirates will be allowing roughly 8,000 fans into their 40,000-45,000-seat stadiums. Similar attendance restrictions are currently in place for the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Football fans, meanwhile, will be hoping and waiting for larger attendance allowances by the time football season rolls around. Penn State will be particularly interested in the progress being made as they have quite a few more seats they hope to fill in 100,000-seat Beaver Stadium.

While roughly 8,000 fans will be allowed to attend baseball games at the start of the season, will the percentage be increased as the summer rolls along? If so, that would be great news for Penn State fans because it would suggest Penn State may be able to allow more fans into Beaver Stadium this fall.

Also in this episode of Locked On Nittany Lions is some follow-up thoughts on the reactions to Penn State’s pro day last week. Micah Parsons is the star of this draft class from Penn State, but Jayson Oweh may be the most interesting prospect to monitor leading up to the NFL draft. First impressions from new head basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry are also on the table for discussion today.

Follow Locked On Nittany Lions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and wherever else you get your podcasts. Or, you can catch today’s episode below and listen in your browser.

Follow us on Twitter @NittanyLionWire and like us on Facebook for continuing coverage and commentary on the Nittany Lions.

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Cincinnati Reds host NL Central rival St. Louis Cardinals Thursday for Opening Day at the Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Jack Flaherty is projected to take the mound for the Cardinals. Flaherty was 4-3 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 across 9 starts last season.

  • 2020 vs. Reds: No appearances
  • Career vs. Reds: 2-2, 2.48 ERA (32 2/3 IP, 9 ER) in 7 starts
  • Vs. Reds in the projected lineup: 56 at-bats with 4 HR, 6 RBIs, .268 BA, .402 wOBA and .268 ISO

RHP Luis Castillo is the Reds’ projected starter. In 2020, Castillo was 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 across 12 starts.

  • 2020 vs. Cardinals: 1-0, 1.00 ERA, (CG, 9 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K) in 1 start
  • Career vs. Cardinals: 4-4, 3.84 ERA (65 2/3 IP, 28 ER) with 8.8 K/9 in 11 starts
  • Vs. Cardinals in the projected lineup: 125 at-bats with 7 HR, 19 RBIs, .232 BA, .334 wOBA and .208 ISO

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Cardinals at Reds odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:27 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Reds -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-200) | Reds -1.5 (+165)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Prediction

Reds 8, Cardinals 2

Money line (ML)

Castillo’s numbers vs. the hitters he’ll see Thursday are far better than Flaherty’s which makes sense because Castillo is much more of a No. 1 starter.

Flaherty is young and in a top-notch organization, but his numbers really dipped year over year in last season’s 60-game sprint and he hasn’t pitched well in Spring Training.

Also, according to Pregame.com, this is the only game where the money column is higher than the “bets placed” column and the money column typically indicates the sharp side of the market.

If we are following the sharps, then the play is the REDS (-115) for 1 unit.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Cincinnati’s lineup hit better against righties last season, ranking 15th in wOBA but had the worst BABIP in the MLB, while St. Louis was 23rd in wOBA and 14th in BABIP.

Additionally, Castillo has the second-highest ground-ball percentage in the Majors (for qualified pitchers), while Flaherty had the 14th-highest HR/FB rate for pitchers with a minimum of 30 innings pitched.

If Flaherty allows enough flyballs to Reds hitters in this park with the predicted wind forecast, then I like Cincinnati to get an insurance run or two.

BET REDS -1.5 (+165) for a one-fifth-unit.

Over/Under (O/U)

Cincinnati’s home field can be a bit of a launching pad. Lefties hit the most home runs last season at Great American Ball Park.

With the weather forecast predicting 14 MPH winds blowing out to right-center, I favor the Reds lineup since there are more left-handed hitters.

Reds lefties LF Jesse Winker and 3B Mike Moustakas have each hit a home run in their 10 career at-bats vs. Flaherty.

BET OVER 7.5 (+100) for a quarter-unit.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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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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Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Minnesota Twins meet the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener Thursday at 2:10 p.m. ET at American Family Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Twins vs. Brewers odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Kenta Maeda is the projected starting pitcher for the Twins. He was 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 in 66 2/3 IP over 11 starts in 2020. Last season, Maeda went 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA in two starts against the Brewers with an opponent batting average of just .120 across 14 2/3 innings with no home runs allowed and 17 strikeouts.

RHP Brandon Woodruff is the projected starting pitcher for the Brewers. He was 3-5 with a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 11.1 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 73 2/3 IP over 13 starts in 2020. Woodruff made one start against the Twins last season, allowing two earned runs, nine hits and a walk with three strikeouts across five innings in a loss at Target Field Aug. 20.

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Twins at Brewers odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:01 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Twins +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Brewers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Twins -1.5 (+155) | Brewers +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Twins 4, Brewers 2

Money line (ML)

The TWINS (+100) are a nice play riding the shoulders of Maeda, although this should be a low-scoring, well-pitched game inside the warmth of American Family Field and the lack of adverse weather conditions.

Minnesota won two of its three games in Milwaukee last season, outscoring the Brew Crew 20-10 in the three games. That includes a 12-2 laugher behind Maeda Aug. 12.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The TWINS -1.5 (+155) are the lean here as they hit the run line in each of their two wins at Milwaukee in 2020. I wouldn’t go crazy, especially on Opening Day, but it’s worth a small-unit bet at plus money.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 7.5 (-105) is the lean. Maeda didn’t give up much in the shortened season of 2020, his first with the Twins. He chopped his WHIP down to 0.75 and his K/BB ratio was at 8.0, nearly double his previous career best. He will be hard on the Milwaukee bats, and runs will be at a premium early.

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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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Report: Clippers plan to sign former Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins

After getting waived by the Houston Rockets, former Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins is set to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

Before the regular season’s final push towards the playoffs, it looks like a former member of the Golden State Warriors has a new squad. After stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, DeMarcus Cousins could be on his way to the Los Angeles Clippers.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Clippers are planning to sign Cousins pending clearance of the NB’s health and safety protocols.

Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:

As a member of the Warriors during the 2018-19 season, Cousins averaged 16.3 points on 48% shooting from the field with 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 30 games.

After spending the 2019-20 season sidelined with the Lakers due to a torn ACL, the Kentucky Wildcats product played 25 games with the Rockets in the 2020-21 run. With Houston, Wiseman averaged 9.6 points on 37.6% shooting from the field with 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 20.2 minutes per contest.

With the Rockets looking towards the future with Christian Wood in the frontcourt, Cousins was waived on Feb. 23. Fast forward towards the end of March, Cousins could now have the opportunity to contribute towards a postseason run with the Clippers.

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Along with adding Cousins in the buyout market, the Clippers acquired veteran point guard Rajon Rondo from the Atlanta Hawks for Lou Williams. Behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings with a 32-17 record.

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Injury Report: Warriors forward Eric Paschall (wrist) ruled out vs. Heat on Thursday

To start a three-game road swing against the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors will be without Eric Paschall due to a wrist injury.

Although Steph Curry returned to the starting lineup after a five-game absence, the Golden State Warriors were still missing a key contributor against the Chicago Bulls on Monday evening at Chase Center.

While Curry was cleared to return for Golden State’s 116-102 victory over Chicago, Eric Paschall was sidelined for the game with a wrist injury. Following a pair of off days, Paschall’s injury is set to keep him out for the start of Golden State’s upcoming three-game road swing.

After missing practice on Wednesday, the Warriors have ruled Paschall out for Thursday’s contest against the Miami Heat.

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

Despite missing some time in the league’s health and safety protocol since the All-Star break, Paschall has played a key role in Golden State’s second unit in his sophomore season. The 2020 All-Rookie team forward is averaging 9.5 points on 49.6% shooting from the field with 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.2 minutes off the bench this season.

Without Paschall, the Warriors will need to lean on Jordan Poole, Nico Mannion and Kent Bazemore for scoring off the bench. On Monday, Bazemore led Golden State’s second unit with nine points on 4-of-4 shooting in 17 minutes.

Golden State will open a three-game road trip on Thursday at 5 p.m. PT in Miami.

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PODCAST: The latest Cardinals free agency moves and NFL draft needs

Listen to the latest episode of the show!

We have another episode of the podcast that has gone live, as the Arizona Cardinals made a few late additions to the roster in free agency. Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I break down those additions at cornerback, safety and quarterback.

We also begin to talk about the NFL draft and what needs the Cardinals have after their work in free agency. Specifically, we go over what positions should be priorities and which ones are luxuries. Then we discuss the big draft trades between the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles and how they affect the Cardinals in the draft this year and moving forward.

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

Here are the approximate timestamps for the topics we discuss:

(1:00) intros, the addition of Malcolm Butler and the potential addition of Quinton Dunbar at cornerback

(22:55) The addition of Shawn Williams, the return of Chris Banjo and Charles Washington at safety

(33:58) The addition of Colt McCoy at quarterback and what it means

(42:33) The Cardinals’ draft needs, their priorities and luxuries

(1:02:03) How the big trades by the 49ers, Dolphins and Eagles affect the Cardinals

Previous shows:


and


Bucks-Lakers recap: Milwaukee rolls in Drummond’s short debut

The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t sustain their hot start on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Los Angeles Lakers ended March the way most of the month went, with a loss and an injury to a key contributor in the process. After less than 14 minutes of action in a Laker uniform, Andre Drummond left Wednesday night’s loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-97.

Drummond appeared to have his big toe and big toe wrapped in bandages. He went into the locker room early in the second half, which felt like a brutal blow to a Lakers team that had already relinquished an early lead. The Lakers started Wednesday night by making eight of their first 12 3-pointers but they were just two for 24 the rest of the way.

On the other side of things, the Bucks 3-point shooters shot a red-hot 53% from the 3-point line while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez brutalized the Lakers at the rim.

Marc Gasol, who did not play until the fourth quarter, helped the Lakers on both ends when he did play but his boost was not enough to help tip the scales for a victory.

 

Lakers news: Schröder turned down extension in ‘4-year, $80 million range’

The Lakers were rumored to be active at the NBA trade deadline, and now we have a little more context for why they were connected to point guards such as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
The Lakers were rumored to be active at the NBA trade deadline, and now we have a little more context for why they were connected to point guards such as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
Apparently, the contract status of starting point guard Dennis Schröder is far more precarious than a surface-level glance would lead you to believe.
Apparently, the contract status of starting point guard Dennis Schröder is far more precarious than a surface-level glance would lead you to believe.
In his latest newsletter, Stein reported Schröder turned down contract extension offers in the ballpark of four years and $80 million.
Schröder, 27, was available because of the gulf between player and team in contract extension talks, Marc Stein of the New York Times.
He has rebuffed extension offers from the Lakers in the range of $80 million over four years, according to two people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to discuss them publicly, Marc Stein of the New York Times

The Lakers were rumored to be active at the NBA trade deadline, and now we have a little more context for why they were connected to point guards such as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
The Lakers were rumored to be active at the NBA trade deadline, and now we have a little more context for why they were connected to point guards such as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
Apparently, the contract status of starting point guard Dennis Schröder is far more precarious than a surface-level glance would lead you to believe.
Apparently, the contract status of starting point guard Dennis Schröder is far more precarious than a surface-level glance would lead you to believe.
In his latest newsletter, Stein reported Schröder turned down contract extension offers in the ballpark of four years and $80 million.
Schröder, 27, was available because of the gulf between player and team in contract extension talks, Marc Stein of the New York Times.
He has rebuffed extension offers from the Lakers in the range of $80 million over four years, according to two people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to discuss them publicly, Marc Stein of the New York Times