Welcome To aBlackWeb

Register

2019 NFL Off-Season Thread

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article228018114.html

Dwyane Wade honors Steelers LB and South Florida native Ryan Shazier with jersey swap


On select occasions this season, Dwyane Wade has used his customary jersey exchange as a chance to share a moment with a player not involved with the game that just took place. The aftermath of the Miami Heat’s 113-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday was one of those occasions.

Wade began communicating with Ryan Shazier in the lead-up to the game and found out the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker would be in attendance at AmericanAirlines Arena. Wade wanted to show his appreciation for Shazier and the medical battle the South Floridian has waged since suffering a spinal injury in 2017.

“We had a little conversation over Twitter or Instagram, whatever it was — social media platform — but we know a lot of the same people and I knew he was coming to the game,” Wade said, “so it was just to have an opportunity to have a moment with him.”

Shazier, a Lauderdale Lakes native and Plantation High School alumnus, sat in one of the front rows in Miami, wearing a pink Wade jersey. When the final whistle blew, Wade sought out Shazier to give him the jersey he wore for the Heat (32-36) against the Bucks (52-17) on Friday.

Shazier, who was a two-time Pro Bowler before the career-threatening injury, has been cited as an inspiration for athletes across the sports world. In a Monday Night Football game in 2017, Shazier suffered a severe spinal injury on a head-first tackle, which left him temporarily paralyzed. Last year at the NFL Draft, Shazier gingerly walked across the stage to announce the Steelers’ first-round pick in Arlington, Texas. Although he missed the entire 2018 season, Shazier reportedly began jogging in the fall.

For Wade, it was an honor to honor Shazier.

“I just wanted to continue to further the conversation,” Wade said. “As an athlete and as a human being, I just told him, ‘Thank you for inspiring everyone with his courage to never give up, not give up.’ So obviously I’m appreciative of what he stands for and what he’s done, and it was just a token of my appreciation.”
Click to expand...

 
http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/26282178/browns-open-favorites-win-afc-north

Browns open as favorites to win AFC North

The Cleveland Browns all of a sudden have become a talented -- and public -- team this offseason.

Their Super Bowl odds shifted from 25-1 to 14-1 at the SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas after the trade for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and they are now the most bet-on team to win the Super Bowl by tickets and money at DraftKings Sportsbook in New Jersey.

Add favorites to win the AFC North to the list of offseason accomplishments.


The SuperBook opened the Browns as +140 favorites to win the division on Saturday, trailed closely by the Pittsburgh Steelers at +160 at Baltimore Ravens at +250.

"They have the most talented roster in the division, and they are the team the public will be looking to bet," SuperBook director John Murray told ESPN. "Multiple big-name stars means public fascination, and I think they would've won the division last season had they gone with Kitchens/Mayfield duo from Week 1."

Some other notable divisional odds:

• The New England Patriots are the biggest divisional favorite at -700 to win the AFC East for an 11th straight season.

• The Miami Dolphins have the worst divisional odds at 40-1. The Indianapolis Colts are AFC South favorites (+125), followed by the Houston Texans at +225.

• The Philadelphia Eagles are slight favorites (even) in the NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys (+125).

• The Chicago Bears (+160) are the favorites in the NFC North, with Minnesota and Green Bay at +200.

As David Purdum reported, the addition of Beckham to the Browns' upgraded roster is worth ".5 to 1 point" to the team's power rating, in line with other elite players such as Julio Jones and Antonio Brown. Cleveland also added defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and defensive end Olivier Vernon this offseason.

According to sportsoddshistory.com, the Browns have never closed as the AFC North favorite (dating to 2002 when the four-team division was created).
Click to expand...
 
TheBoyRo said:
I’m happy Tannehill is gone. Never truly hated him. Had some good games but was nothing special and average at best. Wasn’t gonna get the Dolphins anywhere near a super bowl. It was time to move on.
Click to expand...
Miko was trying to tell people about him lol
 
I can totally believe that shit about Big Ben fumbling on purpose back in 2014.

I think Pittsburgh with Ben was at it's best when they had guys like Hines and Troy bearing the leadership mantle and Ben had no expectations other than just playing well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top