Month: October 2022

Amari Cooper beautifully hauled in deep ball during stunning Browns beatdown of Bengals

What a catch, Amari!

Cleveland Browns wideout Amari Cooper continued to prove why he’s one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL Monday night.

During Cleveland’s surprise stomping of the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, Cooper hauled in a stunning bomb from quarterback Jacoby Brissett that helped set up a touchdown.

The way Cooper extended his arms to secure the catch and managed to hold onto the ball as he was falling really highlighted what a special night it was for the Browns.

While nobody expected them to manhandle the Bengals, Cooper’s beautiful catch helped show exactly how they did just that.

Well, that’s going in the Cleveland highlight reel for the 2022 season.

Cooper’s big night helped make up for a bizarre pick he threw earlier in the game when he was used as a quarterback on a trick play.

While the Browns aren’t likely to contend for a playoff spot this season barring a surprise run, plays like this should give Browns fans confidence that they’ve got plenty of impressive pieces for the long run.

At the very least, Cooper continues to make the Dallas Cowboys look silly for letting him go for a fifth-round pick.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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Rockets injury news: Jae’Sean Tate reaggravates right ankle issue

#Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate sat out Monday’s game after reaggravating his troublesome right ankle. Per @SportsVanessa, he will be reevaluated in Houston.

After missing extensive time in Houston’s preseason slate and then the first four games of the 2022-23 regular season with right ankle soreness, veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate is sidelined again for the Rockets after reaggravating the same injury.

Tate, who sat out Monday’s game in Los Angeles against the Clippers, is considered day-to-day and will be evaluated further when the team returns to Houston on Tuesday, per Vanessa Richardson of AT&T SportsNet Southwest. Richardson, who works as the new sideline reporter on Rockets television broadcasts, relayed pregame comments made by head coach Stephen Silas.

Now 27 years old, Tate is averaging 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 22.7 minutes per game. He’s shot 50% overall and 40% on 3-pointers, and the burly 6-foot-5 forward is widely regarded as one of Houston’s best and most versatile defensive players.

With Tate sidelined, that could open up more playing time in Houston’s rotation for rookie forward Tari Eason.

The Rockets entered Monday at 1-6 and badly in need of a win to snap their recent slide, punctuated by an 0-3 road trip to Utah, Portland and Phoenix.

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Tyrese Maxey gives admiration to James Harden after win over Wizards

Tyrese Maxey gives his admiration to Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden after a win over the Washington Wizards.

With the Philadelphia 76ers missing Joel Embiid on Halloween night in a road matchup with the Washington Wizards, they needed to lean on their other top players.

James Harden delivered. He poured in 23 points and tied his career high with 17 assists. His efforts helped Philadelphia win its third straight game, 118-111, to end the four-game trip.

It was a strong performance for Harden, and he earned the admiration and respect of teammate Tyrese Maxey after the game.

“He’s played so much basketball and he’s played in so many different styles and so many big games that I think the film that he’s watching, he knows where guys need to be,” Maxey told reporters. “He knows where he wants guys, he knows how to pick his spots, he knows when to attack, he knows when to facilitate and it’s just great.”

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Harden set the tone in the first quarter; he was terrific in all aspects. Not only did he score 15 points in the opening quarter on 5-for-8 shooting and converting two and-1 opportunities, but he also had six assists. The Sixers shot 50% in the opening 12 minutes, and they scored 30 points thanks to Harden’s play.

“He was leading us in scoring in the first quarter, just being aggressive, but I look up and he also had six or seven assists in the first quarter, so it was like he’s doing a little bit of everything,” Maxey added. “That’s what we need him to do and we just really appreciate him. He’s really great at basketball. That’s all I can really say.”

This is what the Sixers were expecting from Harden when they acquired him at the deadline in February. He couldn’t quite deliver then, but now that he is coming off a full summer of rehab and working out the way he would like to, it has allowed him to look like himself as Philadelphia moves forward.

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Tee Higgins salvages something for Bengals with great TD grab

Tee Higgins with a great catch for a Bengals touchdown

It wasn’t the Cincinnati Bengals’ night on Halloween in Cleveland.

They were down 32-6 in the fourth quarter against the Browns when they finally got a highlight.

Joe Burrow threw the pass and Tee Higgins did the work, coming down with it and navigating his way into the end zone.

The play was good for 41 yards, but Cincinnati still trailed 32-13 as time was winding down.

Three-point success could elevate Texas basketball this season

Texas basketball may have raised its offensive ceiling this offseason.

The Texas Longhorns basketball program hasn’t been much different from the football program in recent years. The team has always had the requisite talent but lacked the consistency necessary to reach the next level. It appears that could change this season.

Chris Beard’s team is showing early signs of consistency behind the three-point line. Against Arkansas, Texas cashed in 10 of its 16 three point attempts. Arterio Morris led the team in three point baskets, hitting four of his six attempts.

Whether the performance was just one game or an indication of future play is still to be seen. Even so, the improved proficiency behind the three-point arc is noteworthy.

Texas has struggled behind the arc in recent memory. Settling for a high volume of three-point attempts accentuated the lack of consistency on the outside.

If Beard can rely on outside shooting this year, the Longhorns could avoid offensive lulls they have seen over the last couple seasons. Offensive improvement could elevate Texas from above average to excellent this year.

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Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns lighting up Bengals

The Browns gave their fans a Halloween treat with a strong performance against the Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals were missing Ja’Marr Chase.

That doesn’t explain how the rest of the team failed to show up for the bulk of Monday night’s game with the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns.

It was an offensive showcase for Nick Chubb, Jacoby Brissett, and Amari Cooper as Kevin Stefanski continued his mastery of Zac Taylor and the Bengals.

Cooper had more than 130 receiving yards, Chubb ran for a pair of touchdowns and Brissett was on target all game.

The Browns’ defense sacked and harassed Joe Burrow and it was obvious how much the Bengals’ QB — heck, the entire offense — missed the team’s leading receiver.

After a Chubb TD run midway through the fourth quarter, Cleveland was 32-6 and it was time to turn out the lights because the Halloween party was long over for the Bengals.

 

Myles Garrett turned pass rushing into an art form with a picture-perfect spin move vs. the Bengals

Look away if you’re a Bengals fan.

You cannot stop Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. You can only watch as he demolishes your quarterback into next Thursday.

The Browns had no trouble getting after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on Monday Night Football, with Garrett’s insane spin move working in Cleveland’s favor for an opportune sack.

Garrett has plenty of moves in his pass rushing arsenal, but the spin move is as deadly as a sharp knife in a Scream movie. It looked like he got past two Bengals blockers with the move to send Burrow to the ground.

Garrett is the game’s best rusher for a reason. It’s plays like this that keep him there.

Goodness gracious. Do you like scary movies? Well, if you’re a Bengals fan, the Myles Garrett sack collection should send shivers down your spine.

Burrow spent plenty of time under duress during the Browns/Bengals game, with his offensive line not doing him too many favors in the Dawg Pound.

Better luck next time, Joe. At least you’re not as bad off as your avatar in Garrett’s Halloween display.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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Jimbo Fisher’s Monday Press Conference: Week 10 quotes

Jimbo Fisher’s Monday Press Conference: Week 10 quotes

Week 9 of the 2022 college football season is officially in the books, and Texas A&M are still churning ahead after falling to Ole Miss 31-28, dropping their fifth game of the season, and their straight in what has been an extremely frustrating season.

Nevertheless, freshman quarterback Conner Weigman’s 338 yards, and 4-touchdown performance in his first career start against a tough Ole Miss squad proved that Texas A&M’s dreadful offense was simply just a new signal caller away from showing some explosion and consistency, and has reeled the fan base back in as the team prepares to finish strong with four games remaining in the season.

As the 3-5 Aggies prepare to take on the 4-4 Florida Gators in a matchup of preseason darlings turned surprising underachievers, both teams have a lot left to fight for, including reaching bowl eligibility, and creating momentum that can continue into 2023. On Monday, head coach Jimbo Fisher and select players spoke to the local meeting to reflect on the close loss to Ole Miss, and look towards their ensuing matchup with the always-competitive Florida Gators.

Here are the most notable quotes from Jimbo Fisher during Monday afternoon’s annual weekly press conference.

WATCH: Browns step on Bengals’ throat with 10th Nick Chubb touchdown

The Browns are firmly in the driver’s seat as Nick Chubb has stepped on the throats of the Bengals with his second touchdown run of the game

Running back Nick Chubb has stuck the dagger into the hearts of the Cincinnati Bengals with his second touchdown run of the game. Chubb scored the first touchdown of the game and now may have scored the last as the Browns have scored on all three possessions of the second half.

The Browns are now up 32-6 with seven minutes to go in the game. Chubb is now up to 96 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries on the day. This is a massive win for the Browns after dropping their last four. As they likely advance to 3-5 on the season, the Browns will head into their bye week on a positive.

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Opinion: No, Auburn should not hire former Texas head coach Tom Herman

Tom Herman has more to prove before taking another elite coaching job.

The Auburn Tigers are looking for a new football coach after firing former Texas offensive coordinator Brian Harsin. Tom Herman is one name circulating, despite his failed culture and tenure at The University of Texas.

Despite Herman’s unimaginative offense, poor game management skills and immaturity, his name has been brought up as a possible replacement for Auburn. In my opinion, the move would be a terrible one for multiple reasons.

The last time we saw Tom Herman lead a team, he displayed unearned bravado, lack of humility and lack of introspection. On top of that, his antics indicated he lacks the maturity to coach at a championship level.

There are plenty of other worthy candidates that Auburn should target. Here are a few coaches they might consider.