Not so Boxing Challenge: Inoue, Nakatani notch wins

    It comes too late to be, but I wanted to write before it was too late. The biggest fight in Japanese history appears to be on the horizon, but not without some difficulty in Riyadh.

In the main event, undisputed world junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue retained his four titles with a dominant unanimous decision over mandatory contender Alan David Picasso.

No knockdowns scored with the champion winning by scores of 120-109, 119-109 (my score), and 117-111.

Former unified bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani made his junior featherweight bow a successful one. Still, he had to battle for it, as Nakatani barely repelled the unexpectedly firm challenge of Sebastian Hernandez by a close but unanimous decision.

Lots of action, and Nakatani's left eye was swollen shut by the end of the bout.

Scores of 115-113 on two cards (and mine) with the third an absurd 118-110 all for Nakatani.

Inoue and Nakatani are expected to meet in the spring at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue's titles in the biggest All-Japanese fight in the nation's history.

The other fight took place in Japan, where Masamichi Yabuki retained his IBF flyweight title with a final-round knockout of former light flyweight champion Felix Alvarado.

Yabuki scored knockdowns in the eleventh and twelfth rounds to cement the win.

Browns stop Steelers 13-6

   The Cleveland Browns scored ten points on their first two drives and hung on for dear life for the rest of the game to score a 13-6 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland.

Harold Fannin caught a twenty-eight yard pass from Shedeur Sanders for the game's only touchdown and Andre Smzyt kicked field goals in both the initial and final quarters to complete the Cleveland scoring.

Shedeur Sanders completed seventeen of twenty-three passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions with Jerry Jeudy catching five passes for fifty-four yards to lead the receivers.

Cleveland improved to 4-12 with the win and will finish their season next week in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

Brownie Bits

1) Shedeur Sanderrs was erratic in the win, throwing a very nice pass to Harold Fannin on the game's only touchdown but both of his interceptions were bad throws and while the Browns collected the win, the credit should go to the defense.

2) I'm still torn on Sanders.

I see some good things, poise in the pocket and better than advertised mobility.

However, for a player that was heralded for his accuracy, I see too many passes that get away from him and while this could get better as time moves along, I'm not sure just what the Browns have in Sanders.

3) BUT, I can see Sanders being a servicable starter in the league and maybe even these Browns.

He's certainly better than Dillon Gabriel and unless I fall in love with a quarterback in the draft, I won't have a problem with the Browns going with Sanders as the leader to be the starter in 2026 (I also would like a decent veteran to come in and compete with him).

4) Harold Fannin injured his groin in practice on Friday and was questionable to play at all but was out there in the first quarter to score the only touchdown.

Fannin aggravated the injury on the score and didn't return to the game but Fannin has come a long way since the beginning of the season and in case Fannin sits out next Sunday in Cincinnati, allow me to say this, I think he deserves consideration for the offensive rookie of the year award.

I'm not sure he gets it, but he may deserve it.

5) Myles Garrett didn't get the sack that he needed to break the league record for sacks in a season but he was a major influence on the Steelers tepid offensive outing.

Pittsburgh seemed almost as determined to keep Garrett from setting the record as they were in moving the football.

6) Aaron Rodgers was throwing the ball very quickly (the Browns did sack him twice as Alex Wright and Grant Delpit dumped the veteran) and the Steelers offense reminded me a great deal of the Browns in the way that the offenses worked to avoid sacks to the point of not giving their receivers time to get downfield.

Pittsburgh averaged under five yards per pass in the game.

7) Pittsburgh's receivers were about as good as the Browns without missing starters D.K. Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin (injury), so the Browns didn't have to worry about downfield coverage because it was similar to playing themselves.

8) Pittsburgh was only three for fifteen on third down and were stopped on each of the three times that they attempted to convert on fourth down, including the final two drives.

9) I've liked what I've seen from cornerback Tyson Campbell since he was acquired from Jacksonville.

Campbell played well in this game with several pass breakups and I can see the Browns being pretty satisfied with their end of the deal.

10) Pittsburgh could have clinched the AFC North with a win but their defeat means that their games against Baltimore next week will be the first unofficial playoff game as the winner will be division champion with the loser not playing in the postseason.

11) While I'm disappointed in the Browns drop in draft position with the win, I must admit beating the Steelers, while a long-term hindrance, is nice because losing to them always is awful as I hate seeing Mike Tomlin walk off the field and at his postgame press conference with his condescending sheepish grin, so that's nice.

12) While the future of Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski is in question after next week's game, I bet Mike Tomlin's could be also.

Tomlin has never had a losing season in Pittsburgh but they have been pretty average the last few seasons with late season collapses and early postseason exits.

Should Pittsburgh lose to Baltimore, I could see a parting of the ways with Tomlin having plenty of suitors and the Steelers feeling that it could be time to move on. 

PPM

 I did last week's picks but forgot to post.

Since I've already missed much of bowl season, I won't be picking bowls, but I will continue to select the college playoffs.

Last Week: 5-1 

Overall: 154-68

College Playoffs

Ohio State over Miami 24-13

Texas Tech over Oregon 41-37

Georgia over Ole Miss 27-17

Indiana over Alabama 31-21

NFL
Steelers over Browns 21-10

Titans over Saints 17-13

Games of the week

Bills over Eagles 37-29

Giants over Raiders 13-9

Merry Christmas

      Been very busy over the last week, and it's been evident here as I've written nothing-literally!

I forgot to post the PPM (I'll have the results with this week's version) and didn't even have time to write about the Browns loss to Buffalo.

That was the first time I can remember that I didn't write about a Browns game.

I still have to catch up with a road trip and others after the first of the year.

I have things to say, I only need time to write them!

Enjoy your day (I am at work) and have a Merry Christmas!

Offense frozen in Chicago, Browns lose 31-3

     The weather was cold at Chicago's Soldier Field, and so was the offense of the Cleveland Browns as the Chicago Bears routed the Browns 31-3.

Shedeur Sanders tossed three interceptions, and the Browns biggest offensive achievement was Sanders' forty-seven-yard toss to Isaiah Bond.

Only Andre Smzyt's fifty-yard field goal allowed the Browns to escape without being shut out.

Cleveland drops to 3-11 with the defeat and will host Buffalo next Sunday.

Brownie Bits

1) Shedeur Sanders struggled with three interceptions, but one was his best thrown ball of the day.

Sanders dropped back and fired a perfect pass to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone, who appeared to have the ball, only to have it stolen by Jaylen Johnson for a touchback.

Unfortunate for Sanders, who did everything right.

2) Otherwise, Sanders struggled as he finished 18 of 35 for 177 yards and the three interceptions.

Sanders shows just enough to keep you wanting to see more, which is more than I can say for Dillon Gabriel, but the jury is still out.

3) Sanders didn't have a ton of time to throw as he was harassed all day by the Bears and was sacked five times.

Sanders didn't have protection in front of him, and it showed against the Bears.

4) Quinshon Judkins finished with only twenty-one yards on twelve carries, and Shedeur Sanders had two scrambles for twenty-four yards, which allowed him to lead the team in rushing.

5) Only Joel Bitonio was on the field for most of the game of the five regular starting offensive linemen, and the makeshift line(as noted above) struggled all day against the Bears, a team not noted for its pass rush or stopping the run, although Chicago is among the best at forcing turnovers.

6) Ethan Pocic suffered an injury and will miss the rest of the season.

2024 draftee Luke Wypler will start in Pocic's spot for the last three games in an audition for the center position next season.

7) Myles Garrett finished with a sack and a half to move within one of the NFL sack record.

The current record is shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt with 22.5.

8) Andre Szymt's fifty-yard field goal was quite a kick in such bitterly cold conditions.

Kicking a ball in that weather is like kicking a brick.

Late thoughts on a Lost Weekend

   A few thoughts on the lost football weekend.

I was away on a trip with our buddy Fred Landucci, so I watched both games with Fred in the hotel, and with the trip, I didn't have the time to write about the games, so here is a quick synopsis.

The Ohio State 13-10 loss to Indiana was one of the better games played all season in the sport, but Ohio State had a few distractions leading up to the game that wouldn't happen in a possible rematch.

Brian Hartline's announced departure for the head coaching job at South Florida, the need to re-recruit the Buckeyes' top-rated recruit, wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., and Penn State's push to interview defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for the head coaching job in State College, all were factors in a lack of focus on a good Hoosiers team.

I don't think those will be a factor in the playoffs, although I am concerned about Brian Hartline, who called a less-than-glittering offensive game against Indiana.

Even with those issues, it took a slip on a fourth and short by Julian Sayin inside the Indiana five and a missed chip shot by Jayden Fielding to lose 13-10.

The Buckeyes still could have won, and I feel good about a prospective rematch.

The referees weren't great; constantly missed holding calls for both teams in the passing game.

I wouldn't say it cost Ohio State the game, but it might have.

As for the Browns, it's all about the Stefanski as the Browns lost to the even worse Tennessee Titans at home 31-29.

I really hate the going for two down 8 thing, and the Browns did just that and then had to go for two to tie when the Browns scored late in the game.

Maybe I'm an old guy, but I'd rather kick the extra point, be down seven, and then have the decision to tie or win with a two-point conversion if needed.

I know that's cutting against the new wave, but that's my thinking.

I did like some of what I saw from Shedeur Sanders, and I'm glad that he'll be starting the rest of the year.

However, before anointing him for the future, remember his good games have come against the Raiders and Titans, who have combined for four wins this season.

I'm very interested to see how he plays in his next three games against teams fighting for playoff position in the Bears, Bills, and Steelers.

PPM

   It's a lighter PPM with the college game starts the bowl season and the NFL season hitting the final month.

Last Week: 7-6 

Overall: 142-62

College

Navy over Army 20-13

LA Bowl 

Boise State over Washington 29-24

Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State over Troy 30-21

Cure Bowl

South Florida over Old Dominion 41-35

68 Ventures Bowl

Louisiana over Delaware 28-21

XBox Bowl

Arkansas State over Missouri State 27-19

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Western Michigan over Kennesaw State 34-33

Gasparilla Bowl

Memphis over N.C State 27-19

NFL

Bears over Browns 24-10

Panthers over Saints 30-21

Games of the Week

Packers over Broncos 31-24

Bills over Patriots 29-24

Boxing Challenge :Roach-Cruz draw

   I've been away for a few days on a trip with Fred Landucci that I have planned for a while, and I'll be writing about it soon.

However, that trip has kept me from watching the PBC pay-per-view and writing about the Ohio State loss to Indiana and the Browns loss to Tennessee.

I am deciding today (my last day off) on either deciding to write short posts on either or both games or doing one post with a few thoughts on both games.

Results

Isaac Cruz majority draw Lamont Roach for Cruz's WBC junior welterweight title.

O'Shaquie Foster Unanimous Decision Stephen Fulton, fight not for Foster's WBC junior lightweight title after Fulton missed weight.

Jesus Ramos Unanimous Decision Shane Mosley Jr/

Boxing Challenge

TRS; 150 Pts (4)

Ramon Malpica: 142 Pts (4)

Vince Samano:  61 Pts (3)

Boxing Challenge

   The boxing challenge is based in San Antonio, Texas, with a four bout card from PBC on Amazon PPV that isn't really pay-per-view worthy at its $74.99 cost but will give four interesting and mostly evenly matched pairings.

The main event is for a minor title in the junior welterweight division as Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz meets WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach.

Both fighters made their names as the two fighters who pushed Gervonta Davis to the edge, Cruz losing a close unanimous decision in 2021, and Roach drawing with Davis earlier this year when a knockdown that wasn't scored as such cost Roach the win.

Roach, who hasn't defended his title since June 2024, will be making his first attempt at 140 pounds, while Cruz has won decisions over Angel Fierro and Omar Salcido since losing his WBA version of the title to Jose Valenzuela.

Roach could outbox Cruz, but standing and fighting off the aggressive Pitbull would be an exciting capper to the evening.

The co-feature will unify three-quarters of the middleweight titles as IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly faces WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara.

Alimkhanuly has yet to meet a top-quality opponent in his five title defenses, but I don't blame him, as the 160-pound division is very weak right now, and I think he would fight anyone placed in front of him.

Lara has been one of the most derided champions since winning a minor version of the WBA title and being promoted to the full version.

Since winning the minor title with a one-round KO of the lightly regarded "Cornflake" LaManna in 2021, Lara has defeated journeymen Spike O'Sullivan and Michael Zerafa before a battering of former junior welterweight and welterweight champion Danny Garcia, who was fighting for the first time in the division.

As the 42-year-old Lara has aged, he's used his legs less and fought in the pocket more, but that would surely spell doom against Alimkhanuly, yet if he tries to move for twelve rounds, he'll likely fade and be hunted down.

I think Alimkahnuly wins in the most lopsided fight on the card, but the chance for a three-title unification and the biggest name on his resume, make it interesting.

Editor's Note: Janibek Alimkhanuly failed a PED test and has been replaced by Johan Gonzalez.

Gonzalez's biggest win was over former junior middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd.

No word on the status of the IBF and WBO titles held by Alimkhanuly at this writing.

Another interesting fight is O'Shaquie Foster defending his WBC junior lightweight championship against Stephen Fulton, who holds the WBC featherweight title.

Foster regained his title last November from Robson Conceicao by split decision after losing the title to him by a very controversial split decision earlier in 2024.

Fulton held the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles before a knockout loss to the Monster Naoya Inoue in 2023, and when his next fight saw him get a really bad split decision over Carlos Castro, Fulton looked like his best days were behind him.

Instead, Fulton beat Brandon Figueroa for a second time in February to take the WBC featherweight title and revitalize his career.

I like Foster in this one, but Fulton has surprised me before!

The opener is a middleweight eliminator between Jesus Ramos and Shane Mosley Jr.

Ramos has scored three knockouts in a row since his only loss, a controversial unanimous decision that I thought he deserved to Erickson Lubin in 2023.

Mosley Jr. has won five straight since his last loss and defeated the washed-up Daniel Jacobs in his last fight in July 2024, but is a cut below Ramos in my opinion.

Boxing Challenge

Junior Welterweights. 12 Rds

Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach

Ramon Malpica and Vince Samano: Roach Unanimous Decision
TRS: Roach Split Decision

Unification WBA- IBF and WBO Middleweight Titles.

Erislandy Lara vs Janibek Alimkhanuly

R.L: Alimkhanuly Unanimous Decision
TRS: Alimkhanuly KO 8
V.S:

WBC Junior Lightweight Title

O'Shaquie Foster vs Stephen Fulton

R.L and TRS: Foster Unanimous Decision
V.S: Foster KO 9

Middleweights. 10 Rds

Jesus Ramos vs Shane Mosley Jr.

All: Ramos Unanimous Decision

PPM

 It's time for the conference championship games, and the NFL enters its final five weeks of its season in the PPM!

Last Week: 10-6 

Season: 135-56 

College

Big Ten Title

Ohio State over Indiana 27-13

Big 12 Title 

Texas Tech over BYU 36-24

SEC Title

Georgia over Alabama 23-21

ACC Title

Virginia over Duke 31-21

Mountain West Title

Boise State over UNLV 34-28

American Title

North Texas over Tulane 41-36

Sun Belt Title

James Madison over Troy 35-17

Conference USA Title

Kennesaw State over Jacksonville State 39-33

MAC Title

Miami Ohio over Western Michigan 28-25

NFL
Browns over Titans 20-10

Buccaneers over Saints 24-15

Games of the Week

Packers over Bears 32-24

Jaguars over Colts 26-21

49ers throttle Browns 26-8

    The Cleveland Browns kept the game close in the first half and even led until the final play of the first half when San Francisco's Matt Gay kicked a field goal for a 10-8 lead by the break.

However, the second half was a different story as San Francisco shut the Browns out on their way to a 26-8 win in Cleveland.

Quinshon Judkins rushed for 91 yards and scored a two-point conversion while Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown to Harold Fannin in the first start of Sanders' career.

Cleveland drops to 3-9 with the loss and will meet 1-11 Tennessee at home next week, with Sanders meeting fellow rookie quarterback Cam Ward for the first time in what appears to be the most likely chance to win in the Browns' final five games.

Brownie Bits

1) Two key plays destroyed the Browns in the second half.

The first came with the Browns still down only 10-8 in the third quarter.

It's fourth and one on their own 33.

I have no problem going for it here, you are 3-8, try some things.

2) I don't even have an issue with a gadget play, but considering the wind is blowing fiercely, the cold weather, and a little thought should go into that factor.

It's a direct snap to Harold Fannin, who is not a quarterback or running back and not accustomed to catching snaps, let alone in bad weather, so of course, Fannin fumbles.

Eight plays later, San Francisco scores on a Brock Purdy run.

3) Then in the fourth quarter, Cleveland forces a punt, still down only 17-8, but it's fumbled by Gage Larvadain at the Browns eighteen and recovered by San Francisco.
Six plays later- touchdown.

4) The coverage unit allowed a sixty-six-yard punt return to Skyy Moore, and Malachi Corley caught a kickoff at the ten while he fell out of bounds, rather than allow the ball to go out of bounds.

Yet, Bubba Ventrone still gets a pass on the constant mistakes from his units.

I don't believe firing him now would make a difference, but Ventrone cannot return next season.

5) Shedeur Sanders made his first start and threw a touchdown without an interception.

Sanders is handicapped by lousy receivers as Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel were but he managed to avoid the big mistake, even at the expense of only moving the ball on one occasion.

6) On that one occasion, Shedeur Sanders showed a glimpse of what he could be with an excellent throw to Harold Fannin, who dragged two defenders into the end zone.

It was the only throw of the day that made you think and hope of a possible future.

7) Sanders also overthrew an open Jerry Jeudy in the first quarter for what would have been a likely touchdown.

The two had a salty exchange on the sidelines during the game and there needs to be some work on the  "chemistry" between the rookie and the veteran, both of whom have had their rocky points this season.

8) The Browns wasted another good effort from their defense as the three 49ers touchdowns came on drives of sixteen, eighteen, and thirty-two yards.

I don't care how good your defense is, when you have to defend the short field all day, scores are going to happen.

9) Cleveland's defense took a shot with the loss of  defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who had been having an excellent season and the injury looked pretty serious.

Losing Collins and his play up the middle would be a major setback for a defense that has carried this team all season.

10) The Browns offensive line hasn't been great this season but I was surprised to see Kevin Stefanski rotate Wyatt Teller and Tevin Jenkins at guard from series to series.

Of the possible veterans that are able to leave next season (Jack Conklin, Ethan Pocic, Teller, and Joel Bitonio, who may retire), Teller would be my choice as the one to keep, if I had to choose one.

I'm wondering why the decision was made and could it hurt the chances of keeping Teller for 2026?

11) The Browns should beat an even worse Tennesssee team (one win) at home next week.

But what if they don't?

The Titans aren't as good as the Browns and should Cleveland somehow lose this game, this will be another three win season as I don't see them winning any of their final four games against three playoff contenders (Bears, Bills, Steelers) and on the road against the Bengals and the returning Joe Burrow.

In my opinion, if the Browns lose at home to the Titans, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will have sealed their eventual fate.

All is Well! Ohio State bullies Michigan 27-9

      Well, all is well in my world for the first time since 2021 as the Ohio State Buckeyes put things in their proper place with a dominating 27-9 win over the Michigan Wolverines in their snowy home in Ann Arbor.

Julian Sayin threw three touchdown passes, including a fifty-yard strike to Carnell Tate, Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards, and the Ohio State defense never allowed the Wolverines to reach the end zone, holding them to three field goals, all in the first half.

Ohio State caps an undefeated regular season at 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten) and will play the other unbeaten team in the conference and country in the Big Ten Championship game next Saturday, meeting Indiana in Indianapolis.

Olentangy Offerings

1) I must admit, I was a little concerned when Michigan scored three points on their first drive, and then picked off Julian Sayin shortly thereafter to give them the ball in Ohio State territory,

Ohio State's defense would hold Michigan to another field goal, and only another field goal would be allowed for the remainder of the game.

2) The play that worried me most was an early run by Jordan Marshall, the player who mouthed off most through the week with gems such as "we (Michigan) have the best coach in the country", "it's about the culture" (think about that over the last few years), and not wanting to "be around people who are all about themselves".

Marshall entered the game with an injured shoulder; his first run was for thirty-six yards, but he left the game shortly.

Marshall tried to return in the second half, but he was stopped for little gains and soon was through for the day, finishing with sixty-one yards on seven carries.

3) Ohio State benefited and was stung by two calls in the first half.

Ohio State benefited on a close call on a Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith touchdown pass that saw Smith possibly losing control as he passed the goal line.

Because the ball went through the back of the end zone as part of the dumbest rule in the sport (a fumble through the end zone is considered a touchback and gives possession to the defense), Ohio State would have seen a 10-6 lead turn into a 6-3 Michigan lead, returning the ball to the Wolverines.

4) The other controversy happened earlier in the first half.

Julian Sayin's QB sneak was initially called a touchdown and reversed by replay (I don't think Sayin scored, but I didn't see evidence on the replay through the pile of bodies), but C.J. Donaldson pretty clearly broke the plane of the goal line (The second dumbest rule in football), and it wasn't even replayed! 

Ohio State settled for a field goal on the drive.

5) Much of the talk during the week was about the availability of Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith for the game, and in the case of Tate, if he would ever play for the Buckeyes again, with Tate's eligibility for the 2026 NFL Draft.

I thought both would, both did, and both scored on long passes, 50 yards for Tate and 35 for Smith.

I think the Buckeyes are OK here.

6) The Ohio State defense never seemed threatened after the first drive.

Ohio State stopped Michigan after Julian Sayin's interception and shut down their offense entirely in the second half.

7) Michigan's freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood, is being paid a lot of money, and he is a true freshman, but it's fair to consider that Michigan has to have thought they deserve more for their dollars than sixty-three passing yards and an interception.

8) While the game was essentially ended by the Sayin to Tate strike in the third quarter, the true kill-shot was the field goal that ate the final five-plus minutes of the third quarter and the first six of the final period.

That drive slowly sapped Michigan's will and any chance of it forging a rally.

9) Ohio State's offensive line has been maligned through the years (not as much this season), but the numbers in this game- Zero sacks allowed, Zero pressures against Julian Sayin, and one hundred eighty-six yards rushing.

It is often about the trenches and physicality in this game, and in the recent losses, Michigan had the edge in that department- not on this day.

10)  The defensive line did its share of bullying.

Kenyatta Jackson, Kayden McDonald, and Caden Curry are more than just pass rushers; they stuff the run as well.

Michigan finished with one hundred yards rushing as a team, but remember, thirty-six of those came on the first run by Jordan Marshall.

After that run, Michigan rushed for sixty-four yards on twenty-three rushes, an average of 2.78 per try.

11) The win (as we have heard so often) was the first over Michigan since 2019, but don't forget (although Michigan has) that in 2020, the Buckeyes reached the National Title game (before losing to Alabama), and a losing Michigan team ducked a certain defeat in that Covid season by meekly saying they didn't have enough players.

Combine that with the "Connor Stallion" losses, and you could say Michigan had a real two-game winning streak.

12) Give Ryan Day credit for class by telling his team not to plant the Ohio State flag at midfield.

Michigan stood at midfield to block any attempt and later said, "They weren't going to do that," but Day told Michigan coach Sherrone Moore at midfield that they wouldn't be planting any flags.

It defused a possible situation after last season's debacle in Columbus.
Perhaps if Michigan were so concerned about retribution, it shouldn't have started this practice.

Hopefully, we can get past this in the future from both schools.

PPM

   It's Rivalry Week with lots of bitter battles, including one for Ohio State against those dastardly Wolverines.

Last Week: 10-4 

Overall: 125-55

College 

Ohio State over Michigan 20-10

Texas Tech over West Virginia 36-17

N.C. State over North Carolina 20-17

Arkansas over Missouri 39-36

Boise State over Utah 31-13

Bowling Green over Massachusetts 30-20

UTSA over Army 40-29

Washington State over Oregon State 17-13

Marshall over Georgia Southern 41-31

New Mexico State over Middle Tennessee 27-21

Games of the Week

Texas over Texas A&M 24-21

Arizona State over Arizona 37-35

NFL
49ers over Browns 24-17

Dolphins over Saints 20-10

Games of the Week

Eagles over Bears 31-24

Bills over Steelers 27-20

Boxing Challenge: Riyadh Rumbles!

      It's better than never coverage from me yet again, but this time it's not so bad, as there will be no boxing challenge action over the Thanksgiving weekend.

In the main event, David Benavidez stopped Anthony Yarde in the seventh round to retain his WBC light heavyweight title.

Benavidez bullied Yarde in the corners and ropes before scoring a knockdown and stoppage.

Benavidez announced that his next fight will be against WBA and WBO cruiserweight Gilberto Ramirez in 2026.

That is an interesting fight, but not as interesting to me as Benavidez against either Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev.

Devin Haney knocked down Brian Norman in the second round and outboxed him the rest of the way to take Norman's WBO welterweight title via unanimous decision.

The win gave Haney a title in a third weight division.

Haney won by scores of 117-110, 116-111, and a way too close 114-113, with my score at 117-111.

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez added the WBA crown to his junior bantamweight title (WBC and WBO) collection with a tenth-round KO of Fernando Martinez.

Rodriguez was way ahead when he ended the fight in the tenth.

The best fight was in the opener when Abdullah Mason won the vacant WBO lightweight title by a close unanimous decision over Sam Noakes.

Mason cut Noakes over his left eye early in the fight and forced the Briton to fight through the blood all evening.

The pair met toe to toe for much of the fight and produced an action-filled fight.

Mason won by scores of  115-113 on two cards (and mine) and 117-111 on the other.

Boxing Challenge

TRS: 146 Pts(5)

Ramon Malpica: 138 Pts (5)

Vince Samano: 58 Pts (5)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm at work all day, but I'm hoping all of you enjoy this holiday, the one holiday that doesn't have to be religious or secular to be enjoyed!

Best to all of you!

Browns rout Raiders

      The Cleveland Browns 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday has taken me some time to "get on paper".

Quinshon Judkins rushed for two touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders threw for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Cleveland defense sacked Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith ten times, with Myles Garrett (three) and Maliek Collins (two and a half) leading the way.

The Browns improved to 3-8 with the win and will come home for their next games against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

Brownie Bits

1) I thought Shedeur Sanders was good and bad in his first start.

I thought his interception to Charles Snowden of the Raiders was a poor decision, but his throw to Isaiah Bond was the play of the day.

2) The Sanders throw to Bond was on the run and was right on the money with the type of throw that Dillon Gabriel isn't capable of making.

Sanders isn't known for extraordinary arm strength, but if he can make that throw, arm strength will not be an issue.

3) Every week, we write about Jerry Jeudy, and once again, it's a Jeudy screw-up as he caught one pass for thirty-nine yards before fumbling it away.

On this play, Jeudy was running down the field with a large gain before pulling up ( in live action, it looked possible that he pulled a hamstring), and inexplicably hopped in the air before Jeremy Chinn punched the ball out.

4) Quinshon Judkins finished with only forty-seven yards rushing on sixteen carries, but scored two touchdowns, both from the "Wildcat" formation.

Teams will continue to focus on stopping Judkins first until Sanders (or any other QB) can consistently show the offense can do other things besides handing off to Judkins.

5) To say that I'm not in love with the Wildcat is understating things, mainly because it's not a passing threat, but I prefer the formation when the player taking the snap is a power rusher, such as Quinshon Judkins, rather than a scatback type.

Judkins is far more capable of putting his shoulder down and gaining a few yards than a smaller, shiftier back, so it makes sense to use him in short-yardage situations.

6) Ten sacks on Geno Smith for the Browns defense.

The Raiders had no luck blocking the Browns pass rushers, and while Myles Garrett was his typical dominant self, Cleveland had eight players who finished with a half-sack or more.

7) Both teams entered the game at 2-8, and honestly, neither team is very good, but the Browns defense alone is enough to beat other crappy teams.

Although this didn't work out against the similarly awful Jets, Cleveland's defense will more often than not lift them to victory.

8) The Cleveland offensive line has been much maligned this season and rightfully so, but the O-line held the Raiders to just one sack against Shedeur Sanders and zero to Maxx Crosby.

Crosby is almost as good as Myles Garrett, and he did hit Sanders several times, but the offensive line held things together enough to keep Crosby from taking over.

9) Myles Garrett has more sacks (18) than the entire teams of the Panthers, Bengals, or 49ers.

Besides that being a crazy number, keep your eye on that as the 49ers come to Cleveland this week.

10) I'm not a big fan of the Browns white alternate helmets, but they looked better with the orange pants worn against the Raiders.

The orange breaks up the all-white look that the Bengals have with their alternates, which resembles pajamas with all the white.

11) The win essentially ended any hopes of the top overall draft pick.

The Browns are now at 3-8, which places them behind the 1-10 Titans (a future Browns foe) and behind the following 2-9 teams: Jets, Raiders, and Saints, along with the 2-10 Giants.

Add in three other 3-8 teams (Bengals, Commanders, and Cardinals), and the Browns would pick between sixth and ninth if the draft were held today.

Since they will likely defeat the lousy Titans in a Cleveland home game, the Browns might need help to pick in the top ten.

Boxing Challenge

   The boxing weekend is all on one card, but it is a damn good card from Saudi Arabia.

The main event is a light heavyweight title fight as newly promoted WBC champion David Benavidez will defend that title for the first time against Anthony Yarde.

Benavidez hammered out a unanimous decision over David Morrell in February to keep his minor title and was promoted to full champion when undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol gave up the title in favor of a third fight with Artur Beterbiev rather than defend against Benavidez.

Yarde is a strong puncher and fought well in his title challenges against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, but was stopped in both losses.

The interesting points here will be seeing how Benavidez handles the punch of a hard-hitting light heavyweight and how Benavidez's punch affects a fighter at his natural weight.

WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman faces his toughest test against former lightweight and junior welterweight champion Devin Haney.

Norman has impressed since winning his title with two optional defenses, and his power could do well against Haney, who was battered in his "no contest" against Ryan Garcia and was timid in his win over Jose Ramirez.

Is Haney damaged goods? Or will he be revitalized in a new division?

Junior bantamweight titleholders Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (WBC and WBO) and Fernando Martinez (WBA) will unify seventy-five percent of the division in their matchup.

Both fighters have had an exciting recent win, with Rodriguez stopping Phumlele Cafu in ten rounds to take Cafu's WBO title, with Martinez repeating his unanimous victory over Kazuto Ioka.

The unification fight might be the best battle on the card.

Unbeaten contenders Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes will face off for the WBO lightweight belt that was vacated by Keyshawn Davis when Davis missed weight for a scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos earlier this year.

Mason has been tabbed as a future champion with his fast fists and power punches, but his chin has looked vulnerable, while Noakes has looked strong against fighters at the European level.

Boxing Challenge

WBC Light Heavyweight Title. 12 Rds

David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde

Ramon Malpica: Benavidez KO 10
TRS: Benavidez KO 8
Vince Samano: Benavidez Unanimous Decision

WBO Welterweight Title. 12 Rds

Brian Norman vs Devin Haney

R.L: Norman KO 9
TRS and V.S: Norman Unanimous Decision

Unification WBA- WBC & WBO Junior Bantamweight Titles. 12 Rds

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez vs Fernando Martinez

R.L: Rodriguez KO 6
TRS: Rodriguez KO 11
V.S: Rodriguez KO 9

Vacant WBO Lightweight Title. 12 Rds

Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes

R.L: Mason KO 8
TRS: Mason KO 4
V.S:  Mason Unanimous Decision

PPM

 The football autumn grows colder as the college season hits the home stretch and the NFL teams continue to jockey for playoff position.

Last Week: 13-1 

Overall: 115-51

College

Ohio State over Rutgers 41-10

Texas over Arkansas 31-27

Florida State over N.C. State 24-14

Boise State over Colorado State 17-13

UTSA over East Carolina 45-41

Bowling Green over Akron 24-20

Old Dominion over Georgia Southern 43-37

Middle Tennessee over Sam Houston 19-17

Games of the Week

Oregon over USC 27-21

Oklahoma over Missouri 23-20

NFL
Raiders over Browns 17-13

Saints over Falcons 20-17

Games of the Week

Rams over Buccaneers 38-34

Chiefs over Colts 35-32

Browns sign Alex Wright to extension

  The Cleveland Browns made a move for the future at a time when games are played in the present, as the team announced their signing of defensive end Alex Wright to a three-year extension, valued at thirty-three million dollars with twenty-one million guaranteed.

The twenty-five-year-old was the Browns' third-round draft choice in 2022 from UAB and would have been eligible for free agency after this season.

Wright has played well this season at the end opposite Myles Garrett with three sacks in nine games before dealing with a quad injury, which caused him to miss Cleveland's loss to Baltimore last Sunday.

Wright has a career total of nine sacks, including this season, with a high of five in 2023.

The biggest knock that I have against Wright is his inability to avoid nagging injuries, which held him to four games in 2024 and have now sidelined him again.

If Wright can stay healthy, this is a solid deal for Wright, who isn't an impact player but a solid starter/rotational rush end, and it would take around the same amount of money to land a similar player through free agency, so it makes sense to reward the homegrown player.

At the same time, Wright's injury history does add a little trepidation and a little concern, so I wouldn't call this a great deal yet.

I'll say it's an acceptable deal with the possibility of being a bargain, if Wright can start and finish a full season.

Cleaning out the Inbox: Passings

 The tributes never stop at TRS, and this edition features two big ones for us.

Goodbye to Kenny Easley at the age of 66.

The best defender in the history of the Seattle Seahawks, Easley was an All-Pro five times and made five Pro Bowls in his seven seasons before he was forced to retire due to severe kidney damage.

Seattle's first round selection (4th overall) in 1981 from UCLA, Easley was a fierce and physical tackler, combined with top-notch ball skills, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 when he intercepted ten passes.

Easley finally received an overdue induction to the Hall of Fame in 2017 and was a long-ago entry in our Forgotten Superstars series.

Goodbye to Lenny Wilkens at the age of 88.

Wilkens was inducted into the basketball hall of fame three times, as a player, coach, and for his part in the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team." 

Wilkens was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams for his playing career (St.Louis, Cleveland, Portland, and Seattle) and was named as one of the league's fifteen best coaches ever.

Wilkens ranks third in league history in victories and led the Seattle Supersonics to the 1979 NBA Title.

Look for a longer feature on Lenny Wilkens in the future.

Goodbye to Bob Caudle at the age of 95.

Caudle, who worked for North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms as a legislative assistant from 1980-1996, was the long-time voice of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling from the 1960s until the promotion was sold to Turner Broadcasting in 1988.

Caudle worked for the promotion through 1991 and was the lead commentator for Smoky Mountain Wrestling during its existence from 1992 through 1995.

Goodbye to Micheal Ray Richardson at the age of 70.

The fourth overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the New York Knicks, and a four-time All-Star, Richardson might be better remembered for his several suspensions for illegal substances, which resulted in Richardson being the first player ever to be banned for life.

Richardson was reinstated after two missed seasons but never played in the NBA again. deciding to finish his career in Europe.

Known for his fierce defending, Richardson was named to the All-Defensive team twice and led the league in steals three times.

Goodbye to Randy Jones at the age of 75.

Jones won the 1976 National League Cy Young award and finished second in the voting in 1975 for the sad-sack San Diego Padres, winning twenty and twenty-two games, and was the first pitcher in team history to hit that mark.

Jones injured his arm in his final start of 1976 and was never the same pitcher after that, finishing his career with a record of 100-123.

Jones's number 35 is retired by the team, and Jones is the only player in baseball to win a Cy Young and finish with a career losing record.

Sanders debuts! Browns still lose 23-16

     Myles Garrett's four sacks weren't enough to overcome two rookie quarterbacks and an inept passing game as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-16 in Cleveland.

Dillon Gabriel played the first half before he was unable to play in the second due to a head injury.

Shedeurr Sanders made his NFL debut in the second half, completing four of sixteen passes for forty-seven yards and an interception.

Cleveland falls to 2-8 with the loss and will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Vegas next Sunday.

Brownie Bits

1)  The Browns hung around in this game, mainly due to turnovers by Baltimore, one on an interception by Carson Schwesinger that ended a drive, a muffed punt which led to a Browns field goal, and a pick-six by Devin Bush.

Give the defense full credit for coming up big, but Baltimore's own errors contributed to the tightness of the game.

2)  Myles Garrett dumped Lamar Jackson four times to increase his league-leading sack total to fifteen on the season.

Garrett looks to have a shot at the league record (22.5) held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

3) The biggest issue that helped cost the game was the first half offense, which could have cost the game when the Browns had possession off turnovers two times and could come up with only two field goals.

Had the Browns scored touchdowns on both occasions rather than field goals, they could have won.

4) That was why I was screaming on Devin Bush's interception for Bush to get in the end zone (he did) because no matter how close Bush could get to the end zone, you can't count on this offense to get the football in for six points.

5) Dillon Gabriel's head injury puts him in jeopardy of missing this week's game against the Raiders.

Kevin Stefanski has stated that if Gabriel is ready, he will retain the position and start against Las Vegas.

Gabriel completed seven of ten passes for sixty-eight yards in the first half before being unable to continue.

6) And now, it's Shedeur Sanders and his long-awaited NFL debut.

First off, I was also looking forward to seeing Sanders, not because I thought he'd instantly turn the team around, but because he would at least bring the excitement that has been missing under Dillon Gabriel.

He did manage to bring some excitement.

7) However, he didn't bring many results, completing only four of sixteen passes for forty-seven yards and throwing an interception.

Sanders still brought more excitement, but he struggles against the rush, dropping back too far and turning his back to the rush.

Sanders had problems with this at Colorado, and if he doesn't solve it, it will hinder his chances in the NFL.

8) For all the terrible numbers of Sanders, he made a few throws that make you want to see more.

His completion to Harold Fannin early in the final drive was an absolute dart, and his throw to Gage Larvadain was almost a game-tying score if not for a terrific strip by Baltimore's Chidobe Awuzie.

Sanders can throw the football; it's the rest that he needs to work on.

9) Carson Schwesinger continues to make a case for defensive rookie of the year.

Schwesinger finished with eight solo tackles, a deflected pass, and an interception, but his most impressive play didn't count on the stat sheet.

On Mark Andrews's touchdown run for the winning score, Andrews ran around end, and once he was a yard or two clear of the line, only one Brown took off after him and almost made the tackle deep in Cleveland territory.

It was Carson Schwesinger, and this guy is a winner.

10) The Browns will have an interesting week with the possibility of Shedeu Sanders starting on the road against the equally awful (both teams are 2-8) Las Vegas Raiders.

With both teams and the Jets at 2-8 and future Cleveland opponent Tennessee at 1-9, the AFC seems very likely to own plenty of the first few picks in the 2026 draft.

For now

   I'm sure a few of you have noticed that my posts have decreased, and the length has at times as well.

It's partially due to a lack of time and partially due to a lack of energy.

I run short on time, and stuff like Ohio State blowouts are getting to find time to finish before the Browns can be blown out.

I've decided that when things get too hectic to be completed, I'm just not going to worry about it.

This will mainly affect Ohio State for now, as their games aren't close, and are often while I am at work, where I can't pay as close attention as I'd like.

The fun stuff is the feature stories, and they take longer to finish than they used to!

I'm older now, and as hard as it is to believe, TRS turns nineteen next year.

I'm not the guy I was then, and I get worn down easier, and while writing isn't physically difficult, it takes mental energy and concentration that I don't always have.

Bear with me, the few of you who do read, things will clear up shortly, I hope!

Boxing Challenge: Benn Avenges loss to Eubank Jr.

    The boxing challenge boasted two cards outside the United States this weekend, with one fighter avenging his only defeat and another retaining his world championship.

Conor Benn evened his series with Chris Eubank Jr with a dominant unanimous decision win in London.

Eubank, who won the first fight earlier this year in what might be the fight of the year, looked spent as Benn outboxed the older man throughout and avoided any counters.

Benn dropped Eubank twice in the final round and would have likely stopped his foe with even a few more seconds remaining in the fight.

Benn announced plans to return to welterweight for potential title challenges of either WBC champion Mario Barrios or IBF titleholder Lewis Crocker, both of which Benn would be favored against.

Eubank Jr should consider retirement, but likely will not, even if a third fight seems unlikely after Benn's easy victory.

On the undercard in a fight I have yet to watch, Jack Catterall knocked Ekow Essuman in the eleventh round of a welterweight eliminator.

Catterall was fighting in the division for the second time, while Essuman had scored his biggest career win in his previous fight over former champion (and Catterall foe) Josh Taylor.

In Mexico, Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO featherweight title when challenger Arnold Khegai was unable to answer the bell for round eleven.

Espinoza hammered the gutsy Khegai throughout the fight, rendering Khegai's face into a swollen mask.

I didn't see the co-feature, but most seem to believe Lindolfo Delgado was given a split decision in his junior welterweight eliminator against Gabriel Valenzuela

Boxing Challenge

TRS: 141 Pts (4)

Ramon Malpica: 133 Pts (3)

Vince Samano:  53 Pts (0)

Boxing Challenge

  A just-the-facts version of the boxing challenge.

I've had some time constraints and have limited my time here.

Middleweights. 12 Rds  

Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn

Ramon Malpica and TRS: Eubank Unanimous Decision

Vince Samano:

Welterweights 12 Rds

Jack Catterall vs Ekow Essuman

R.L and TRS: Catterall Unanimous Decision

Vince Samano:

WBO Featherweight Title. 12 Rds

Rafael Espinoza vs Arnold Khegai

R.L: Espinoza Unanimous Decision

TRS: Espinoza KO 8

Vince Samano:

Junior Welterweights. 

Lindolfo Delgado vs Gabriel Valenzuela

R.L and TRS: Delgado Unanimous Decision

Vince Samano: 

PPM

 The PPM returns with another pigskin-filled weekend.

Last Week: 7-6 

Overall: 102-50

College

Ohio State over UCLA 35-10

Texas Tech over Central Florida 31-13

LSU over Arkansas 45-41

Miami over N.C. State 37-24

San Diego State over Boise State 35-29

Tulsa over Oregon State 21-17

UTSA over Charlotte 45-20

Western Kentucky over Middle Tennessee 34-20

Georgia Southern over Coastal Carolina 29-22

Games of the Week

Georgia over Texas 28-24

Alabama over Oklahoma 34-21

NFL
Ravens over Browns 24-13

Games of the Week

Bills over Buccaneers 36-34

Rams over Seahawks 31-28

Browns jolted by Jets

    The Cleveland Browns lost a game in which they allowed only 54 yards passing (42 on one play) to the New York Jets, and couldn't overcome two returns for touchdowns in a 27-20 loss in New Jersey.

Dillon Gabriel threw two touchdowns, Quinshon Judkins rushed for seventy-five yards, and Jerry Jeudy caught a touchdown pass amongst his seventy-eight receiving yards. 

The now 2-7 Browns return home to meet the resurgent Baltimore Ravens.

Brownie Bits

1) That wasn't a typo above.

The Jets finished with fifty-four yards passing, but forty-two came on one play, a Fields throw to running back Breece Hall early in the fourth quarter that broke a 17-17 tie and was enough to win the game.

2) The touchdown by Hall was the only touchdown allowed by the defense, but they still had their share of blame.

The Jets are trying to run the clock out, and they face a third and sixteen with 1:50 to go, and Justin Fields runs to keep the clock rolling or make the Browns use a timeout.

Devin Bush is called for defensive holding- automatic first down.

3) We progress a few plays later, it's fourth and five with fifty-eight seconds to go.

The Jets milk the clock for as long as they can and then either call a timeout or take the delay of game penalty and punt.

The Browns Cameron Thomas jumps offside-First Down.

Game over.

4) The Browns offensive line allowed six sacks, four of them by Will McDonald.

McDonald had three sacks in the Jets first eight games and eclipsed that number with one game against the Browns.

5) Much was made of the change of playcallers from Kevin Stefanski to Tommy Rees before the game, and the offense did look a little different in the passing game.

Rees moved Dillon Gabriel out of the pocket far more than Stefanski and they used some jet sweeps and misdirection more than Stefanski but I'm going to reserve judgement on consistent improvement.

6) The Browns have used Malachi Corley as the player who has handled the jet sweep calls, rushiing twice for thirty-two yards.

Corley, a wide receiver, has rushed four times this season for seventy-four yards, yet has caught only two balls for seventeen.

Boxing Challenge: Ortiz rips Lubin

      Vergil Ortiz wanted to make a statement in his defense of his minor junior middleweight title in front of potential future opponent Jaron "Boots" Ennis, who was at ringside with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ortiz did more than that in tearing apart Erickson Lubin in less than two rounds, finishing a helpless Lubin along the ropes to force the early ending. 

Other than not scoring a knockdown before the conclusion, there was nothing that Ortiz could have done to Lubin, who has now been stopped in all three of his losses and two of those in less than two rounds.

Ortiz and Ennis did the obligatory face-to-face in the ring after the fight, and the match has been anticipated since the two were fellow welterweight prospects moving through that division.

Both possess fight-ending power, although I think Ortiz has a small edge in pop, and both have ring skills as well. I'd give Ennis a slight advantage there, and while both fighters are listed at 5'10, Ennis will have a 4-inch reach advantage (74 to 70).

I lean slightly towards Ennis, but this fight might be what boxing fans hoped that they would see from the long-awaited Terence Crawford-Errol Spence match in 2023.

Boxing Challenge

TRS: 137 Pts (2)

Ramon Malpica: 130 Pts (2)

Vince Samano: 53 Pts (0)

Boxing Challenge

   The boxing challenge will have only one bout this weekend, but it's a very interesting one with major ramifications for 2026.

Fort Worth, Texas, will be the site of a top junior middleweight clash as Vergil Ortiz defends his minor title against Erickson Lubin in a pairing of two hard punchers.

The unbeaten Ortiz heard the final bell in each of his last two fights, for the only times in his career, with decision wins over quality opponents in Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk, and looks to be in prime condition for his match against Lubin.

Lubin has been stopped in both of his losses as he was knocked out by Jermell Charlo and Sebastian Fundora, but has won three fights since losing to Fundora, two of those over unbeaten contenders Jesus Ramos and Ardreal Holmes.

The victory over Ramos was undeserved, in my opinion. Lubin looked good in knocking out Holmes in eleven rounds, and certainly has the power to hurt Ortiz, who was knocked down twice by Serhii Bohachuk in his majority decision win.

I see the two styles meshing well and giving fans an entertaining battle, and I could see Lubin building a lead on the scorecards before Ortiz's steady pressure gradually wears Lubin down as his way to a stoppage in the middle to late rounds.

Junior Middleweights. 12 Rds 

Vergil Ortiz vs Erickson Lubin

Ramon Malpica: Ortiz KO 7

TRS: Ortiz KO 9

Vince Samano: Lubin KO 4

PPM

 More picks from the PPM for the football weekend.

Last Week: 8-6 

Overall: 95-44

College

Ohio State over Purdue 45-6

Texas Tech over BYU 31-27

Georgia Southern over Appalachian State 20-17

South Florida over UTSA 41-30

Bowling Green over Eastern Michigan 21-18

Middle Tennessee over Florida International 13-10

Oregon State over Sam Houston 21-17

Games of the Week

Iowa over Oregon 23-21

James Madison over Marshall 34-31

NFL
Jets over Browns 20-14

Panthers over Saints 27-13

Games of the Week

Chargers over Steelers 24-20

Packers over Eagles 28-24

Cleaning out the Inbox: Passings

    Back for more tributes to a few people who have recently left us.

Goodbye to Mike Greenwell at the age of 62. 

Greenwell was the left fielder in the Boston Red Sox lineage behind Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice, and after finishing second in the voting for the 1988 American League MVP, hitting .325 with 22 homers and over 100 RBI, he appeared to be the next great addition in the line.

Greenwell continued to hit well for average ( a career .303 hitter), but never hit more than fifteen homers in a season again and finished his career as a good, not great player.

Goodbye to Warren McVea at the age of 79.

McVea was the first African-American to play for the Houston Cougars and was named All-American in 1967.

McVea spent one season with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the fourth round in 1968, before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a key part of their offense in their World Championship season of 1969.

McVea would play four seasons with the Chiefs before finishing his career with the World Football League's Detroit Wheels and Houston Texans in 1974.

Goodbye to Nick Mangold at the age of 41.

The New York Jets' first-round draft choice in 2006 from Ohio State was named an All-Pro three times and played in seven Pro Bowls.

Mangold was an All-American for Ohio State in 2005 and was a reserve center for the 2002 National Championship-winning Buckeyes.

Mangold suffered from a genetic kidney problem and had appealed for a transplant in recent months.

Goodbye to Bob Trumpy at the age of 80.

An excellent receiving tight end during an age when tight ends were used more as a blocker, Trumpy was the tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals when Bengals assistant Bill Walsh began to develop the West Coast offense.

Trumpy caught 298 passes in his ten years with the Bengals, thirty-five for touchdowns, and made the All-Star/Pro Bowl four times (two each in the AFL and NFL), but might be better known as a long-time color analyst for NBC Sports, working with several partners, including Don Criqui, Bob Costas, and Dick Enberg.

Goodbye to Richie Adubato at the age of 87.

Adubato was head coach for three NBA teams (Detroit, Dallas, and Orlando), but only one (Dallas) used him as the permanent head man.

The Mavericks gave Adubato four seasons before firing him midway through the fourth season (1992-93) with Dallas's record 2-27.

Adubato would coach for nine seasons in the WNBA with the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics and led the Liberty to three appearances in the WNBA finals, losing all three.

Browns trade Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to Bears

     The Cleveland Browns made a minor trade on NFL trade deadline day, as Cleveland traded defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-round pick to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 sixth-round choice.

Tryon-Shoyinka was signed in the off-season from Tampa Bay as a free agent after playing for the Buccaneers for four seasons as their first-round pick in 2021.

Tryon-Shoyinka was expected to help bolster the pass rush opposite Myles Garrett, but didn't see much playing time at defensive end and didn't finish with a sack.

Tryon-Shoyinka was helpful with the punt return unit and finished with five solo tackles, four of those in Cleveland's upset win over Green Bay.

It's a minor deal and unlikely to pay dividends, but the Browns did trade a seventh-rounder for a sixth by including a special teamer, who wasn't likely to return next season, so it's not a loss of someone who was part of the rebuild for the future.