By MATTHEW WOODS
Staff Writer
1. Greg Hardy Suspended
Newly-acquired Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Greg Hardy has been suspended for 10 games by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for his actions involving a domestic violence incident while with the Carolina Panthers last season.
In July 2014, Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill former girlfriend Nicole Holder. However, in February, Holder chose not to cooperate with authorities after receiving a settlement from Hardy. The case was then thrown away.
The Dallas Cowboys then signed the former star to a one-year deal, receiving criticism from those not affiliated or fans of the organization.
The Cowboys were expecting a suspension, but not one of this magnitude.
Thus far, Hardy hasn’t been accepted very well in the Cowboys’ locker room. This past weekend, Hardy got into a verbal altercation with teammate Davon Coleman, where Coleman brought up Hardy’s domestic violence issues, forcing teammates to step in and separate the two.
If this is how Hardy is being received by teammates, how will he be received in opposing stadiums?
The NFL has already warned Hardy that should he be involved in another incident involving the personal conduct policy, they may banish him from the NFL entirely.
2. Thunder Fire Brooks
After an injury-riddled season contributed to the Thunder missing the NBA playoffs, the team decided to fire head coach Scott Brooks.
Brooks may have never won a title with the Thunder, but he may not be on the market very long. His winning percentage of .620 is the best all-time for coaches who have never won a title in a minimum of 500 games. Brooks has been a bonafide winner since taking over for P.J. Carlesimo in the team’s inaugural season in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder have already expressed interest in University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan, and perhaps even current Bulls head coach Tom Thibideau. The future of this team may be in jeopardy as well, as Kevin Durant is expected to be a free agent in the offseason and has already expressed his interest elsewhere.
3. Tebow-Time in Philadelphia
Tim Tebow is back on an NFL roster. The now-former Good Morning America contributor re-enters the NFL for the first time in two seasons since he was cut during the preseason of the 2013 season while with the New England Patriots.
Tim Tebow now joins a quarterback group that can easily be characterized as the “peaked-in-college Rob Lowe.” Tebow will most likely compete for the third string position against Matt Barkley, as Sam Bradford looks to be the week one starter and Mark Sanchez as the back-up after his performance replacing Nick Foles last season.
Tebow’s return now means that Philadelphia will be engulfed with unneeded media attention. Tim Tebow has some of the worst fundamentals when it comes to the quarterback position. He apparently has been tutored by Tom House, who also has ties to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Eagle quarterback Mark Sanchez believes Tebow’s time may be situational.
“We needed another guy to throw while [Sam Bradford] is still recovering,” Sanchez said. “So that’s kind of the reason there [for the signing], at least as it was explained to me.”
Head coach Chip Kelly may have signed Tebow in the hopes that he could utilize him should the extra point rule change, which may require a team to go for two points after a touchdown.
This move is certainly just another head-scratcher for Eagles fans this offseason.
4. Wainwright Out For Season
St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night as he attempted to run out a pop fly. The Cardinals now lose the winningest pitcher since 2013 and a vital part of their rotation.
Wainwright led off the fifth inning after his Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead. As he swung, popping a ball up in foul territory along the first base line, Wainwright stumbled out of the batter’s box after he planted his left foot to head toward first base. Wainwright was immediately pulled from the game and it was originally reported that he had suffered an ankle injury, but after further examination, the injury was far worse.
The MRI on Monday revealed a tear in his Achilles that will require surgery and keep him out for the entire 2015 season.
Since his return from Tommy John surgery in 2012, Wainwright has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball. He has the most complete games (13) and shutouts (7) in the majors since the 2012 season while also being second in wins.
There is no doubt that the Cardinals will miss him in their rotation, but now the pressure falls on other starters in that rotation, such as Lance Lynn and Michael Wacha.
5. NFL Draft Preview
The NFL Draft hits Chicago, Illinois for the first time as the top prospects prepare for the start of their NFL careers. Highly-rated quarterback prospects Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are expected to be the first two players selected once the clock starts ticking on Thursday night.
There are a number of other notable stories to keep an eye on during the draft, including where former Georgia running back Todd Gurley may be selected following his ACL injury that cost him the latter portion of this past season.
But perhaps the most interesting story is that of Division III offensive lineman Ali Marpet of Hobart College. Marpet looks to be the first DIII player chosen since 1996 and the first player to play professional football from Hobart College since 1937. Marpet is projected to be drafted in the third or fourth round.
This will certainly be a great NFL Draft as teams look to find the next star who can change their organization.
