Tag: Stephen A Smith

Stephen A. Smith blasts Deshaun Watson for dragging the Browns down

ESPN Host Stephen A. Smith rips Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for his poor play.

Stephen A. Smith lambasted Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson on First Take after an abysmal Week 1 showing.

The legendary sports personality said, “He couldn’t throw a pass past five yards“. Smith made it very clear that Watson was failing a good Browns team. 

Smith was still hesitant to write the book on Watson’s career. However, the TV host let it be known that there are no excuses for Watson left. The time off? It doesn’t matter. The injuries to the starting tackles? It doesn’t matter. The injuries to Nick Chubb? It doesn’t matter. Smith says that people are tired of all the excuses for why Watson has yet to work out. Smith thinks it needs to be fixed because they’re paying Watson $230 million to fix it. 

Smith is one of the few who understand the responsibility that comes with such a high-paying contract. He is constantly on ESPN from sunrise to sunset. The SportsCenter host is reportedly negotiating a $25 million-a-year contract. Hopefully, Smith’s message of responsibility and hard work reaches Watson from the other side of the picket fence.

Stephen A. Smith torches former Badger legend on ESPN’s ‘First Take’

Stephen A. Smith went off on Russell Wilson this week:

Sports media personality Stephan A. Smith went ballistic on former Wisconsin legend Russell Wilson during ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday.

The criticism came after Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin reaffirmed his position regarding Wilson’s role as his team’s starting quarterback. The former UW icon also downplayed any concerns about Pittsburgh’s offense in a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan.

While the New Jersey native appears to believe the offense will hum under his leadership, the preseason outputs suggest otherwise.

Through two games this preseason, former Chicago Bear Justin Fields has logged 159 yards passing on 16 completions (23 attempts). Wilson, meanwhile, notched 47 yards on eight completed passes in his Steelers debut on Aug. 17.

Smith, never shy about sharing his opinion, shared thoughts on Wilson and the Steelers’ quarterback situation:

“You stunk last year,” Smith said. “The Denver Broncos (ate) nearly $38 million to get rid of you. You’re sitting there fighting for a starting job with Justin Fields. You’re not fighting for a starting job with Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.”

“All this smiling and getting along, I don’t want to hear this stuff from him,” Smith added. “Too cool for school. You’re fighting for your career. Act like it, Russell Wilson. I don’t understand how it’s cool to for you to sit up there with a smile on your face.

Here is the full clip:

With roughly two weeks remaining until the Steelers’ opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Wilson still remains atop the team’s quarterback depth chart. His first unit will square off with the Detroit Lions on Aug. 24 in the crew’s final preseason game ahead of the 2024 slate.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith sees an early exit for Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament

Agree with Stephen A. Smith’s bracket?

ESPN host and well-known sports talker Stephen A. Smith released his NCAA Tournament bracket on Wednesday evening.

He curiously picked a Final Four of No. 1 seed UConn, No. 1 North Carolina, No. 1 Purdue and … No. 9 Texas A&M. All chalk and a pick completely out of left field.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

He has the Aggies upsetting the South Region’s No. 1 Houston, No. 4 Duke and No. 3 Kentucky en route to the Final Four.

As you may have guessed, Duke in Smith’s Sweet 16 means Wisconsin did not advance far. Not only does he not have Wisconsin advancing to its first Sweet 16 in seven years, Stephen A. has the Badgers losing to James Madison in the round of 64:

That result would be a colossal disappointment for Badgers fans after the team’s hot run in the Big Ten Tournament and high expectations entering the matchup.

Wisconsin and James Madison tip off their NCAA Tournament quests Friday night in Brooklyn, New York.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Stephen A. Smith suggests Mecole Hardman could sue Jets over recent allegations

Stephen A. Smith said that #Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman could sue the #Jets over recent allegations made by New York’s players.

The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to controversy, but the most recent allegations about Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman have taken it to new heights.

Hardman has come under fire after New York Jets players implied he leaked the team’s game plans to opponents.

While these allegations haven’t been proved, Hardman is now under a microscope due to the war of words.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith told his co-hosts on “First Take” this morning that, if the claims are proven to be untrue, Hardman may have grounds to take legal action.

Check out Smith’s take on the matter below:

The drama surrounding these accusations isn’t likely to end soon and may spill over into the spring and summer if Hardman decides to take action.

Whether this incident ends in a legal battle or not, one thing is clear: The Chiefs have a massive target on their backs and will need to tread lightly to avoid any further offseason excitement in the media.

Chiefs take top spot on Stephen A. Smith’s NFL power rankings

The #Chiefs took the top spot in Stephen A. Smith’s NFL power rankings heading into Week 8.

The Kansas City Chiefs are among the NFL’s best teams by record and are off to a great start to their 2023 season after a disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Their defeat at the hands of Detroit had many pundits questioning the Chiefs’ legitimacy as potential Super Bowl champions, but after Kansas City’s sixth-straight win in Week 7, it seems public opinion is back on their side.

Stephen A. Smith has been releasing his NFL power rankings on ESPN’s “First Take”, and named the Chiefs as his top team heading into Week 8.

While this spot on his list is certainly a feather in the cap of a Kansas City team that has clawed its way back from a brutal early-season loss, it won’t come as a surprise to many fans who have watched the Chiefs play in recent weeks.

There are still some kinks for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to work out on offense, but if Smith’s list is any indication, Kansas City is now the team to beat in the NFL heading into the middle portion of the 2023 season.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ranks Chiefs as fourth-best team in NFL

Stephen A. Smith ranked the #Chiefs as the fourth-best team in the NFL during a segment on First Take.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the hottest team in the NFL and while their five-game win streak has them tied for the best record in the league, one commentator has them a bit lower in his power rankings than some might expect.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN’s “First Take” put together a list of his top five teams in the NFL through six weeks, and relegated the Chiefs to fourth place behind the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins.

While it may be understandable for Smith to rank Detroit higher than Kansas City, given the Chiefs’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, his decision to put the reigning champions behind the Dolphins and 49ers is questionable.

Kansas City hosts an MVP under center in Patrick Mahomes and has shown to be a vastly improved team on defense through six weeks of the 2023 season.

Expect Stephen A.’s rankings to change in the coming weeks if the Chiefs continue their run of excellence and extend their lengthy winning streak.

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith ranks the Browns fourth best in the NFL after Week 1

The Browns impressed the ESPN personality in the season opener

The Cleveland Browns had a very convincing victory over the rival Bengals to open the season 1-0 after the 24-3 win at home. The weather was terrible but the Browns defense dominated the high profile Cincinnati offense. Their performance caught the attention of ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith who ranked them fourth best in the NFL after the game.

“The Cleveland Browns, why-because the Cincinnati Bengals were in the AFC Championship game.”

There have been plenty out there that have complained about the offense for Cleveland despite using the weather to excuse the poor play of the Bengals offense. Plain and simple from the first snap the Browns defensive line owned the Bengals offensive line and gave Joe Burrow no chance to settle in.

It’s far too early into the season to crown any team one way or another but it is clear that Cleveland has grabbed some people’s attention with a prime-time game coming on Monday night.

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Stephen A. Smith predicts that TCU will win the national championship

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith predicts that TCU will upset Georgia in the national championship game

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith predicts the TCU Horned Frogs will defeat the Georgia Bulldogs in the national championship game. Smith was not a believer in TCU until the Horned Frogs shocked Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

If TCU wins the national championship, the Horned Frogs would be one of the best underdog stories ever. Stephen A. Smith thinks Georgia has the better team, but he has a feeling TCU will pull off the upset.

Stephen A. Smith explained his upset pick on ESPN:

Quarterback Max Duggan and TCU have been a popular upset pick entering the national championship game. However, TCU will have to win the turnover battle in order to have a good chance of upsetting the defending national champions.

Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN counterpart, Paul Finebaum, picked the Georgia Bulldogs to win the national championship. Finebaum thinks it is tough to repeat, but that the Bulldogs have the edge thanks to a superior defense.

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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith thinks the Boston Celtics can win it all

It is increasingly looking like the 2023 NBA championship is the Celtics’ to lose.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes the Boston Celtics can win it all. The historic offense and improving defense that has the ball club at the top of the East standings and beating other projected contenders — even blowing some of them out convincingly — has caused the ESPN analyst to sing the praises of the current version of the storied franchise.

By dominating the early going of the 2022-23 NBA season even without starting center Robert Williams III, it is increasingly looking like the 2023 NBA championship is the Celtics to lose.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what Smith has to say about Boston being able to finally hang the elusive Banner 18.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum is 2022-23’s leading MVP candidate to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith

For a good way into the 2022-23 NBA season, the race to win the 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award was wide open.

For a good portion of the 2022-23 NBA season, the race to win the 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award was wide open.

However, after superstar Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum eviscerated the Dallas Mavericks and fellow MVP candidate Luka Doncic last week, that race has become much clearer for ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith.

The Bristol, Connecticut-based broadcaster made it clear who he supports for the award after witnessing the St. Louis native take over the game in spite of the Mavs star’s best efforts. Doncic’s supporting cast simply was not up to the task.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what Smith and his “NBA Countdown” cohosts had to say about Tatum’s place in the early going of the  2023 MVP race last week.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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