By JOSH HELLER
Staff Writer
1. Norman Becomes Free Agent, Signs with Washington
In a stunning turn of events, Josh Norman, one of the top cornerbacks in the league, has signed with Washington.
It all started when, last Wednesday, the Panthers announced that they rescinded Norman’s non-exclusive franchise tag, making him a free agent. Norman had the tag placed on him, but had yet to sign it, as he wanted more money. Carolina’s front office decided they want more financial flexibility, so they let Norman walk.
As soon as Norman was available, San Francisco and Washington emerged as the front runners, as both were weak in the secondary, and both had a lot of money to offer. Two days after his release, Norman, 28, signed a five-year, $75 million contract, $50 million of which is guaranteed.
Norman was an All-Pro in 2015, and in his four seasons in Carolina, Norman had seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two touchdowns. Norman started all 16 games last season, after starting in 10 affairs in 2014 and zero in 2013. Washington had the 25th-ranked secondary in the league last season in terms of passing yards (allowed 258 yards per game), and Norman will help sure up that weak secondary alongside DeAngelo Hall and Bashaud Breeland.
2. Thibodeau to Timberwolves, Brooks to Wizards
In the span of one day, two teams looking for new head coaches did so, while also making a big splash.
First, the Timberwolves signed former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to a five-year, $40 million contract to become Minnesota’s head coach and president of basketball operations. Thibodeau began his coaching career as an assistant coach in Minnesota in 1989. From there, Thibodeau bounced around the league as an assistant coach before taking over as the head coach in Chicago from 2010-2015, where he was known as a defensive expert. Now, he has one of the youngest and most promising teams in the league to work with.
Meanwhile, after a disappointing season with no playoffs, the Wizards signed former Thunder coach Scott Brooks to succeed Randy Wittman. Brooks was signed to a five-year, $35 million deal. Brooks was head coach of the Thunder from 2008-2015, leading the Thunder to one NBA Final in that time.
3. Arrieta Throws No-Hitter
Coming off his first Cy Young award, Cubs ace Jake Arrieta threw his second no-hitter in as many seasons Thursday night.
Arrieta gave the Cubs a no-hit, four walk game in rout to a 16-0 trouncing of the Reds. Arrieta’s other no-hitter came back on August 31 against the Dodgers.
29 other pitchers have pitched multiple no-hitters, and just four others are active (Tim Lincecum excluded, as he’s a free agent). In Arrieta’s last 16 starts, he is 15-0 with a 0.53 ERA and two no-hitters. Many had looked at Arrieta as a possible regression candidate for 2016, considering his out-of-nowhere spectacular 2015. But so far, Arrieta looks like he’s building off last season, and could contend for the Cy Young again, and help the Cubs contend for the National League.
4. Datsyuk Possibly Done in NHL
Following the Red Wings’ 4-1 series defeat to the Lightning, the Magic Man may have done his final vanishing act.
Prior to the playoffs, Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk told the Detroit Free Press that he thinks he is done in the NHL after this season. Whether this means he is done with hockey altogether remains to be seen. Datsyuk, 37, could retire completely, or he could go to play in the KHL in his home country of Russia.
Datsyuk carries with him a $7.5 million cap hit through the 2016-2017 season, and Red Wings management has said that they would be in no rush to trade that contract, should Datsyuk be finished.
The Magic Man’s career is one for the record books. A former sixth-round pick, Datsyuk tallied 918 points in 953 NHL games. Spending all 14 seasons in Detroit, he won two Stanley Cup rings, as well as two Olympic bronze medals. The Red Wings now turn to their great youth in Dylan Larkin, Tomas Tatar, and others to lead the Red Wings back to the promised land.
5. McGregor Causing a Stir Prior to UFC 200
In a social media ploy that grabbed the eyes of everyone in the sports world, Conor McGregor managed to make the UFC look stupid to many fans.
It all started on last Tuesday when McGregor tweeted out, “I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya’s later.” This tweet alone generated over 170,000 retweets.
Following two days of lots of speculation as to why he retired. McGregor used social media again to release an official statement as to why he called it quits. In that statement, McGregor said he was paid only to fight, not to promote. The UFC was asked by McGregor to lighten his promotional schedule, and they denied.
Following his retirement, McGregor’s UFC 200 opponent, Nate Diaz, would stay on the UFC 200 card, per UFC president Dana White, but McGregor would not be the opponent. Meanwhile, Diaz said he wants to fight only McGregor, or not fight at all. We’ll have to wait and see how the matchups for UFC 200 pan out, and whether, if McGregor is out, if Diaz decides to even fight.
