By JOSH HELLER
Staff Writer
1. RG-Cle
Following his release from Washington, struggling quarterback Robert Griffin III has signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Griffin struggled mightily in Washington, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 40-23, and he lost his starting job to multiple players, like Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins, on multiple occasions. After Cleveland released troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel, the team looked for a new guy under center, and they signed Griffin to a two-year, $15 million contract.
With this new deal, it seems evident that the Browns are not happy with Josh McCown leading the offense, and that they could be looking to deal him. McCown threw 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games last season.
Even with Griffin in town, many experts (like ESPN’s Todd McShay) project Cleveland to draft a quarterback at number-two overall, and it is expected to be Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. Unless Cleveland makes an off-the-board move, this is expected to be the course of action for the Browns, but which of the quarterbacks get the most action remains to be seen.
2. NFL Considering Global Games
If the international NFL games in London and Mexico City weren’t enough, the NFL is furthering their global expansion even more.
With the success of the London games, the NFL feels that their global expansion needs to take another step, and NFL.com’s Albert Breer reports that the NFL could play games in Germany by 2017 and China by 2018.
The London games’ success led to the NFL’s decision of more London games (three this upcoming season), as well as another game in Mexico City. The last time the NFL hosted a game in Mexico City was back in 2005 when the Cardinals played the 49ers.
This season, the Texans and the Raiders will travel to Mexico City on November 21.
The NFL is following suit of many other sports, such as baseball and hockey, which have pro leagues all around the globe, and basketball, whose Chinese pro league is quite successful. This is just another step in the NFL’s quest to get a team on another continent, and this time, London isn’t the only player in that game.
3. Multiple Retirements Around MLB
As fans eagerly await Opening Day, news has come out about two players calling it quits, and one who plans to do it soon.
First, former bullpen backstop Rafael Soriano has hung up the cleats after 14 seasons on the diamond. Soriano spent time with the Mariners, Braves, Nationals, Yankees, Rays, and Cubs. Not to mention, Soriano, 36, was also penciled in to be in the Blue Jays minor leagues, but never arrived to spring training. Soriano eclipsed 40 saves in 2010, 2012, and 2013 with the Rays, Yankees, and Nationals, and he ranks 44th in all-time saves with 207.
Shortly after Soriano’s announcement, former second baseman Chone Figgins signed a one-day contract with the Angels to retire as a Halo. Figgins is best-known for his time as an Angel (he spent eight years in Anaheim/Los Angeles), but he also spent three years in Seattle and one year with the Dodgers. Figgins, 38, had over 40 stolen bases five times, including 62 in 2005. Figgins leaves the league with one World Series ring, which came in his first season in 2002.
Lastly, Alex Rodriguez told ESPN that he plans to retire after his contract expires after 2017. Rodriguez, 40, is under contract with the Yankees for two more seasons, slotted to earn $21 million in each season. Rodriguez is coming off a surprise comeback season in which he hit .250 with 33 home runs and 86 RBI. He also ranks fourth all-time in home runs with 687 and fourth in RBI with 2,055.
4. Rays Beat Cuba in International Game
In a historic game for the MLB and the United States, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cuban National Team 4-1.
This game against Cuba was the league’s first game in the nation since 1999. President Barack Obama and the MLB commissioner were among the biggest names in attendance, as well as Dave Winfield and Derek Jeter.
First baseman James Loney was the big difference-maker for the Rays, as he produced an RBI single as well as a two-run home run. Matt Moore started for the Rays, and delivered six shutout innings. Cuba’s Rudy Reyes, 35, no relation to Jose, gave Cuba their only run with a solo homer.
A game like this further helps the MLB to push their game globally, with successful leagues already running in South Korea, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. The Rays kick off their season April 3 against the divisional-rival Blue Jays.
5. Davis Out for Season and Olympics
The U.S. Olympic basketball team took a big hit this week, and bigman Anthony Davis announced that he would be out for the Games.
Davis said that he has played through a torn labrum for the past three seasons, and he also has an injury in his left knee. Davis did not require surgery for his labrum, but he did undergo a procedure on his left knee, and the New Orleans Pelicans announced that Davis will be held out of basketball activities for three to four months.
Davis, 23, only played in 61 games this season due to his injury. In order to earn a $23 million bonus on his contract, Davis needs to be named to an All-NBA team, which he may not, due to the number of games played. The Pelicans currently sit nearly 10 games out of a playoff spot, so it’s unlikely now that the Davis-less Pelicans squad can squeak into the eighth spot. The US Olympic team will also take a huge hit in Rio, as they will have to look elsewhere for someone to lock down under the rim.
