Tradition's Finest Podcast

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 92 - "The Minister of D'fence Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - PGA: J.J. Spaun, 36, turned a sloppy mess of a U.S. Open at a wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end of Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship after he finished the 2024 season ranked No.119 in the world with only one PGA tour title in his career - - The first shot came on the driving range with a 314-yard ball-buster that landed on the green on the 17th hole for a birdie that gave him the lead, and the second came on an incredible 64-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole, to secure a two shot victory & his first major championship - - Spaun finished his storybook U.S. Open nailing the longest putt all week at Oakmont, and was the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279 - - While the PGA event at Oakmont largely lived up to the hype, it was a calamity for so many others, including veteran Adam Scott, who was attempting to become the first player to go more than eleven years between major titles (and was always a valid selection on the old Nintendo 64 PGA video games) was tied for the lead with five holes to play, but one of the best drivers could no longer find the fairway, finishing the event shooting 5-over par with a final score of 79. . ."A Return of the Glizzy Goat:" Joey Chestnut, the competitive eating legend, announced on Monday that he will be returning to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest after a one-year hiatus from the annual Fourth of July event - - Chestnut, the 16-time "Glizzy" champion, missed last year's event due to a dispute with the Major League Eating (yes! it's thing) over his sponsorship deal with the brand, Impossible Foods, a company that manufactures "plant-based" hot dogs - - Chestnut returns to the annual hot-dog eating contest as the record-holder after consuming 76 hot dogs & buns in 2021, but he will definitely look to top that total in 2025. . .Q: Does Joey Chestnut top his current record at the 2025 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest?. . .

- NHL - The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final was one to remember: three OT periods in the first four games of the series with Oilers' Draisaitl & Panthers' veteran F Brad Marchand trading heroics in the first two, prior to a Panthers' rout in the next game, yet according to most recent statistics, it was one of lowest-viewed Finals in the history of the sport, even after capturing the views of two willing participants in JD & Spencer - - Game 4: The Panthers went up 3-0 early, and it looked as though the Oilers were in serious danger of losing all of the momentum the Canadian team had built, but Oilers Forward Leon Draisaitl scored a goal in OT last Thursday evening to tie the Stanley Cup Final for Edmonton, ensuring that the championship series against the Florida Panthers could not be decided in Game 5 the following Saturday night - - The Oilers would defeat the Panthers 5-4, and the series was then tied a 2-2, setting up Game 5 as another pivotal swing point in the championship series rematch - - Following the Game 4 victory, the Oilers were actually favored to go up 3-2 & were slightly favored to win it all, according to Sportsbook. . .Game 5: Florida Panthers veteran Forward Brad Marchand was at it again in Game 5, scoring twice - - he started by giving Florida a 1-0 lead at 9:12 of the 1st period, giving him six goals in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his career, which is the most by any player since Esa Tikkanen with the Oilers in 1988 - - Panthers F Sam Bennett continued his glorius postseason run as he added to his already impressive stat-line with his 15th goal of the playoffs - - and shockingly enough, Oilers' captain Connor McDavid, who had not yet scored a goal through the first four games of the championship series, finally scored a goal on a sweet move in the 3rd period - - but it just wasn't enough as the Panthers would hang on to defeat the Oilers 5-2 to take a 3-2 series lead - - So what was the issue with the Oilers?: A big problem for the Oilers was their lack of chemistry and energy at the onset of the game - - Once again, they trailed after only twenty minutes into Game 5, this time down 2-0 instead of 3-0 like they were in Game 4, but the difference was that the Oilers could not complete the comeback to force OT. . .Game 6: At home, the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup trophy in a 5-1 Game 6 romp, led by 11-year veteran Sam Reinhart's four goals - - For a second year in a row, the Florida Panthers conquered the Edmonton Oilers and lifted the Stanley Cup trophy as kings of the NHL - - With three consecutive appearences in the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers have officially achieved dynasty status. . .

- MLB: "The MLB's version of the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade:" After signing All-Star Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox pleaded with All-Star slugger Rafael Devers to move to first base back in April, but he refused - - They begged him to return to third base after Bregman suffered an injury, but once again, he declined - - The team apparently had enough: In one of the most stunning mid-season trades in years, the Boston Red Sox unloaded Rafael Devers, trading the homegrown star to the San Francisco Giants, on Sunday - - In return the Red Sox received pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks as well as prospects James Tibbs & Jose Bello, in a trade that was first reported by Fansided - - The Red Sox freed up the remainder of Devers 10-year, $313.5 million contract, and the Giants will pay the entirety of his deal, with the slugger still owed upwards of $250 million, while the Red Sox will pay the rest of Hicks' four-year, $44 million contract with 2 1/2 years remaining - - This deal sent literal shockwaves throughout the league, but this seemed like a forgone conclusion that the Red Sox were looking to move the slugger, who is hitting .272 with 15 HRs and 58 RBIs this season with .905 POS - and he has three seasons of at least 30 HRs and 100 RBIs. . .Q: What are your thoughts of the Red Sox decision to trade Rafael Devers? Does this trade improve the Giants' standing in the league for the near future?. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Baseball: 2025 Men's College World Series (MCWS) - The No.13-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (56-11) and the No.6-ranked LSU Tigers (51-15) have almost seemed like a "matchup of destiny" since the beginning of this year's College World Series - - After defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in Omaha in the 2016 CWS finals, the Chanticleers would put CCU on the map - - Fast forward to 2025, the Chanticleers have won 26 consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the nation, and have, once again, advanced to the best-of-three championship series - - With a double-elimination format in the CWS, the Chanticleers opened things up in Omaha with a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Wildcats prior to dominating the No.8-ranked Oregon State Beavers in a 6-2 rout following a career night by starting pitcher Jacob Morrison, who only allowed one run & five hits in 7 2/3 innings against a talented Beavers lineup - - In Game 11, the Chanticleers punched its ticket to the 2025 CWS Finals after picking up an 11-3 victory over the Louisville Cardinals last Wednesday evening to move to 3-0 in the CWS at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. . .As for the No.6-ranked Tigers, LSU would start the MCWS with a 4-1 victory in an all-SEC Conference matchup versus bitter rival & the high-powered offense of the Arkansas Razorbacks, followed by a 9-5 victory over the No.15-ranked UCLA Bruins after the game was suspended due to a rain delay, and resumed the following Tuesday morning - - And, quite possibly, what was the most highly anticipated & intense game of the 2025 College World Series, the Tigers would be forced, once again, to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks, in which LSU posted a 6-5 walk-off victory, to advance to the College World Series Finals championship series - - After securing a fifth 50-win season & advancing as one of the final four teams in Omaha, the Razorbacks' season ended in heartbreak in Omaha once again - and their let-down needs to be evaluated & studied at the molecular level - - In the rematch, Arkansas shortstop opted to get the lead runner at 3rd base instead of the game-ending double play, and at the very next at-bat, LSU's batter would hit a fly ball that careened off the Arkansas left fielder's shoulder to score two runs - - The No.6-ranked Tigers will play for their second national championship in three years when they square off against No.13 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the best-of-three finals, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday. . .Q: Who will win the 2025 College World Series - Coastal Carolina or LSU?. . .

- NFL - Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders received a speeding citation for driving 101 mph earlier this week - - and this was NOT the first time that he was cited for speeding in Ohio this month - - According to the Medina [Ohio] Municipal Court record, Sanders was pulled over by the Ohio State Patrol earlier this month, on June 5th, in Brunswick Hills, for driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone - - According to the record, Sanders failed to appear for an arraignment for that citation on Monday, and now faces $269 in fines and court costs - - He was then stopped by an officer for the Strongsville PD at 12:24AM Tuesday morning for driving 41 mph over the posted 60 mph speed limit in a black Dodge TRX. . .The Baltimore Ravens granted Lamar Jackson's wish on Wednesday by signing former Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander - - The addition of Alexander gives Baltimore one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL and reunites the two-time Pro Bowler with University of Louisville (2015-2017) teammate in Lamar Jackson. . .Q: After acquiring two-time Pro Bowler CB Jaire Alexander - along with their set of elite offensive weapons - should the Baltimore Ravens be considered a favorite to win the Super Bowl next season?. . .

- NBA - The Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP), Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap in a blockbuster deal that was announced on Sunday - - The move represents a massive swing for the Orlando Magic to compete in the Eastern Conference, while for the Grizzlies, it's a legitimate opportunity to add a championship-level defensive 3-point shooter - as Bane is one of three NBA players entering the league in 2020 that has shot approximately 43.2% on catch-and-shoot 3s with a minimum of 1,000 attempts in the past five seasons - as well as backcourt depth & a major haul of draft picks. . .Q: Who won this blockbuster trade - the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, or neither team?. . .The Buss family is entering into an agreement to sell majority ownershup of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise to Mark Walter, the CEO & chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global and a stakeholder for the franchise since 2021, for a franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion, which is the highest ever for a U.S. professional sports franchise - - this deal was reported by sources to ESPN on Wednesday evening - - According to multiple sources, the Buss family will retain a minority share of the team (roughly 15%) for a period of time, and in addition, Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers' governor & continue to run the team for "at least a number of years," - - The Lakers have been owned by the Buss family since 1979, when Jerry Buss purchased the franchise - along with Los Angeles Kings (NHL franchise) and the Forum - in a $67.5 million transaction - - Since 1980, the Lakers have won 11 championships, the most by any NBA team during that span. . .

- 2025 NBA Finals Weekly Review: JD & Spencer discuss & analyze the performance of the NBA Finals games from the past week, and provide a preview segment where they each give their individual predictions for the upcoming finale (i.e., Game 7); The following games are discussed in this episode:

Game 4: No.1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 2-1)

Game 5: No.1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.4 Indiana Pacers (Series tied 2-2)

Game 6: No.1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.4 Indiana Pacers (OKC leads series 3-2)

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 91 - "The Justin I-bet-he Tuck it Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NHL - Spencer & JD provide a detailed review and individual player analysis for the NHL Stanley Cup Final series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers - and the games that have occurred within the past week - - This review includes a brief discussion of the first three games of the series, including an OT thriller in Game 1, a back-and-forth matchup that leveled the series in Game 2, and a lopsided victory in Game 3. . .Q: Following the outcome(s) of the first three games of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, are you still 'confident' in your series projection/prediction prior to the onset of the best-of-seven series?. . .

- NFL - "It's Officially Official:" QB Aaron Rodgers has passed his physical - - AND unbeknownst to a significant majority of the world, got married - - and signed a one-year, $13.6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that includes $10 million guaranteed - - and could be worth up to $19.5 million with incentives, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Saturday - - Rodgers, who is coming off the two disastrous seasons with the New York Jets, took time in the NFL offseason as an NFL free agent to ponder whether or not he would return to the league for a 21st NFL season, or if he would hang up his cleats & ride off into the sunset on a white horse - - While the four-time MVP was provided plenty of time to weigh his options, nobody (and we mean "NOBODY!") thought that Rodgers would wait, and wait. . . .and wait. . .and wait. . .and wait a little more. . .before he signed with the Steelers, a franchise who has been openly discussed as what was believed to be Rodgers' preferred destination - - Rather than sign in the initial days of free agency like many of his fellow high-profile players untethered to a team, he waited & sorted out whatever needed to be sorted and continued contemplating a return to the NFL for Year No.21 - -Q: What are your thoughts on the way in which QB Aaron Rodgers waited until the very last moment of the offseason to finally sign on with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Realistically, did you think there was ever a legitimate possibility that Rodgers would NOT return next season?. . .Four-time Pro Bowl RB, Nick Chubb, has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Houston Texans, per Ian Rapoport - - Chubb was one of best available players on the free agent market, and he landed with the Texans on a deal that could pay him up to $5 million with incentives - - Chubb was determined to sign with a new franchise after a return to Cleveland became increasingly unlikely after the Browns drafted RBs Quinshon Judkins & Dylan Sampson in the second and fourth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively - - Chubb will join a Texans backfield that, in 2024, featured starter Joe Mixon & a cast of unreliable playmakers - - The move to Houston clears a path to playing time for Chubb, who would have found himself intertwined with the crowded RB room if he re-signed & made a return to Cleveland - - Q: How do you think RB Nick Chubb will perform at Houston next season after he experienced what could have been a career-ending injury during the 2024 season?. . .Two-straight injury-plagued seasons ultimately spelled the end of the Jaire Alexander era in Green Bay - as the Packers released the two-time All-Pro CB, who has spent the past seven years with the franchise, on Monday to end an offseason saga in which the two sides could not seem to negotiate a deal - - While Alexander had planned to report for the Packers' mandatory minicamp that began on Tuesday after skipping each day of the in-person, voluntary workouts, he would not be presented with that opportunity after the team would announce his release the day prior - - Alexander appeared in just seven regular-season games each of the past two seasons and did not play after November 17th last year - - He was placed on the "injured reserve" list the final week of the season & underwent knee surgery on what Alexander stated was a "torn PCL" - - Even with his notable absence, Alexander finished second on the team in pass breakups (7) and tied for second in INTs (2) - - Alexander was a first-round draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and went on to sign a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Packers, which made him the highest-paid CB in the league at the time - - Alexander, who was an All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 NFL season - - Shortly after the 2024 seasons ended, multiple sources privately confirmed that the team no longer wanted to "play the weekly game of whether Alexander would be healthy enough to play," or would be willing to play at anything less than 100% - - Shortly after being released by the Packers, six teams made "immediate" inquiries about the CB's availability - according to NFL insider Josina Anderson - with teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders & Miami Dolphins being listed as potential landing spots - - Q: Which NFL franchise do you think will most likely pick up (or sign) CB Jaire Alexander prior to the 2025-26 NFL season?. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - Judge Claudia Wilken has approved the landmark House v. NCAA settlement, which will usher in revenue sharing and roster limits for collegiate sports - - With this ruling, schools are now free to begin paying their athletes directly, marking the dawn of a new era in college sports brought about by the multi-billion-dollar legal settlement that was formally approved last Friday - - The House v. NCAA settlement ends three separate federal anti-trust lawsuits, all of which claimed that the NCAA was illegally limiting the earning power of its' college athletes - - The NCAA will pay nearly $2.8 billion in back damages over the next ten years to athletes who competed in college sports at any time from 2016 through present day - - As for future prospects, each school can pay its athletes up to a certain limit, with the annual cap expected to start at roughly $20.5 million per school in 2025-26, and will likely increase every year throughout the decade-long deal - These new payments are in addition to the scholarships & other benefits that athletes are already receiving - - Unfortunately, the settlement approved this week will not put an end to the barrage of legal challenges, for example, questions concerning whether athletes should be considered "employees" as well as the current rules that dictate how long an athlete can play college sports remain unanswered, for now, anyways - - Q: What are your thoughts regarding the judge's ruling in the NCAA v. House case? What are some of the ramifications of this ruling?. . .NCAA College Football: Per a report made available per On3 Sports - when EA Sports College Football 26 is released in July of this year, schools will be compensated in a new way: Payouts will be determined by the amount of time users play as teams in the video game - - The royalty process is also a change from last year's tier system, where schools were placed into one of four tiers based on the previous ten years of final AP Poll results, and that determined the revenue distribution - - Now, it appears that compensation will be based on the time users spend playing as a school in the game - - How about we all come together & start a dynasty for a team like Kennesaw State, and build them into a powerhouse program both in the game and in the real world?. . .NCAA College Basketball: A federal judge on Thursday denied University of Tennessee PG Zakai Zeigler's request for a preliminary injunction that would allow him to play a fifth season of Division I basketball in five years - - According to the U.S. District Judge, Zeigler failed to demonstrate that he would likely succeed in his argument that the NCAA keeping him from playing a fifth season of NCAA Division I College Basketball is a direct violation of the Sherman Act. . .NCAA College Baseball: And then there were Eight (8) - - The 2025 NCAA College Baseball Tournament will resume in Omaha, Nebraska as the field for the Men's College World Series (MCWS) has officially been set - - Murray State booked the final ticket to the series after defeating the Duke Blue Devils in the Durham super regional on Monday night - this is the first time in program history that the Racers have advanced to the MCWS - - The field is vastly different when compared to last year's - - The 2024 field consisted of four SEC programs & four ACC programs - - Not the case in 2025: This year, we have six Conferences represented in the MCWS: two SEC teams, one ACC team, one Big Ten team, one Big 12 team, one Sun Belt team, one Missouri Valley team & one Independent - - The Brackets are set: In Bracket #1 - Game #1, No.13-ranked Coastal Carolina will take on the Arizona Wildcats, and in Game #2, the No.8-ranked Oregon State Beavers are set to face off against the Louisville Cardinals - - In Bracket #2 - Game #3 features a matchup between the No.15-ranked UCLA Bruins and the Murray State Racers, and in Game #4, an all-SEC matchup between No.3-ranked Arkansas & No.6-ranked LSU - - Q: Which team do you predict to win the 2025 Men's College World Series. . .NCAA College Softball: JD & Spencer discuss & analyse the 2025 Women's College World Series (WCWS) Final between the No.6-seed Texas Longhorns & the No.12-seed Texas Tech Red Raiders, and more specifically, perform an overall review of Game(s) 1 through 3 - - as well as the impact Red Raiders ace NiJaree Canady & the Longhorns' Teagan Kavan, who finished the WCWS 4-0 and was named Most Outstanding Player, had on the series & it's outcome. . .

- NBA - After New York Knicks team president Leon Rose made the surprise move to fire HC Tom Thibodeau last Tuesday, many of us thought Rose had a "coach in waiting," - - but NOPE!? - and so, the search for an experienced successor has hit a few road blocks: Former Villanova HC Jay Wright reportedly will not be in the mix for the Knicks head coaching vacancy - after it was reported that Wright is enjoying "retired life," (can't say we blame him!) - - So, what do you do after Villanova HC Jay Wright declines the head coaching job? - - Well, if you are the New York Knicks, then you request permission to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves HC Chris Finch, Houston Rockets HC Ime Udoka, and Dallas Mavericks HC Jason Kidd about the open position - - Unfortunately, for the Knicks, their request to speak to each of these coaches were denied - - At the moment, the Knicks are the only NBA team without a head coach - and at this rate, what gives?. .

- NBA Finals Review & Recap - JD & Spencer provide an in-game analysis and thorough review of the 2025 NBA Finals between the No.1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the No.4-seeded Indiana Pacers thus far; this episode features a breakdown of the following games:

Game 1: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers

Game 2: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 1-0)

Game 3: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers (Series tied 1-1)

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 90 - "The Big Drizzle Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - NHL: For only the 12th time in NHL history - and the second time in forty years - the same two teams will face-off again in the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers - - In last year's Finals matchup, the Panthers jumped out to a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series before Edmonton came storming back to eventually tie the series, prior to a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 - - In contrast to the 2008 & 2009 seasons, where the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the '08 final - and the Penguins avenged their loss by defeating the Red Wings in the '09 Finals - - The Oilers are hoping for a very similar outcome & are attempting to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1990 - - and to become the first Canadian franchise to hoist the trophy since Montreal Canadians in 1993 - while reigning champion Florida Panthers, are trying to become the third team this century to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions (i.e., Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 & 2017 and Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 & 2021) - - JD & Spencer discuss a few of the major storylines in preparation of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Panther & Oilers, and such topics as: Oilers forward(s) Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl's chance to cement their legacy, the contrast in goaltending consistency, the presence and impact of Panthers forward Brad Marchand & depth scoring - - Q: Will history repeat itself after the heartbreaking loss to the Panthers in 2024, and will the Edmonton Oilers become the first Canada-based team to win the Stanley Cup Final since 1993? Or will the Florida Panthers repeat as Champions, thus possibly establishing an NHL dynasty in the "Sunshine State?". . .Boxing: World Boxing, who has been granted provisional recognition by the IOC Committee, and will therefore, be the governing body over the boxing competitions for the 2028 Olympic Games, announced last Friday that they will introduce mandatory sex testing for all boxers in its competitions - - and furthermore clarified that Paris Olympics Women's Welterweight Champion, Imane Khelif, will not be allowed to compete until she has undergone one of these tests - - In a mission to deliver a competitive-level playing field for men & women across the sport, World Boxing has enforced a mandate that all athletes over the age of 18, must undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test - which can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab - to determine the athlete's biological gender. . .Chess: Chess player Magnus Carlsen is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable faces in the "sport" of Chess - - but on Sunday, we got a brief glimpse into Carlsen's obsessive nature to win, and his raw, unfiltered reaction to unexpectedly losing a chess match - - Not only did Carlsen suffer a stunning upset in a classical matchup against Nineteen year old chess "prodigy," Gukesh Dommaraju at the 2025 Norway Chess Tournament, but a short video clip of his reaction to the "L" found its way onto social media (primarily X/Twitter) that depicted Carlsen slamming both of his fists into the table before shaking his opponent's hand & vicariously walking away - - Carlsen entered the tournament as the No.1-ranked chess player in the world - according to Chess.com - however, it should be no surprise to learn that Gukesh, himself, is currently ranked the fourth best player in the world - - Q: How do you feel about Magnus Carlsen's "temper tantrum" after being handed this "L"?. . .NAIA College Baseball: On Friday night, the LSU-Shreveport Pilots college baseball team might have, arguably, accomplished one of the most difficult feats in sports history: The Pilots defeated Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida) 13-7 to win the NAIA College Baseball Championship, and to finish the 2025 season with a perfect record of 59-0 - - LSUS became the first college baseball team on record to go undefeated - and they have appeared in the NAIA National Tournament every season dating back to 2005 - - Under HC Brad Neffendorf, the Pilots are a combined 270-49 over the past six seasons, and have been one of the top baseball programs at the NAIA level - - After completing the season with a perfect 59-0 record, LSU-Shreveport was acknowledged by the "World Wide Leader in Sports," or by ESPN, whom of which made mention of the team per their social media account - In the post, ESPN listed some of the most notable stats from the Pilots' 2025 season, and it certainly was surprising to discover that this team was even more impressive than initially thought: The Pilots played only four games decided by one run this season, ranked second at the NAIA level averaging 11.3 runs per game, ranked 3rd with a .361 batting average, has a 2.38 ERA, and finally, led the nation with a .982 fielding percentage. . .It is very difficult for the both of us to report that John Brenkus, 54, the six-time Emmy-winning host & co-creator of the "Sports Science" program on ESPN, has passed away after a public battle with depression - as was reported per his family on social media on Sunday evening - - We both grew up watching & fascinated by Brenkus' "Sports Science" segments, and it is truly unfortunate to learn of his passing - - Rest Easy, Pal . . .

- MLB - After dragging the Colorado Rockies for the past couple weeks, it might come as no surprise to learn that the Rockies, have been swept yet again - becoming the 3rd fastest team in MLB history to record 50 losses on the season (9-50 record) - - but wait! "The ROCKIES ARE BACK!!" - - for the first time this MLB season, the Rockies have won a series: The Rockies defeated the Miami Marlins 6-4 on Monday night in a game where the Marlins set an MLB record for the "lowest attendance " to a game with a staggering 137 people attending the Rockies-Marlins game - but maybe this is why the Rockies won in the first place! - - Then, on Tuesday night, thanks to a late solo-HR by Hunter Goodman, the Rockies would prevail once again, 3-2, and regardless of the outcome from the series finale on Wednesday night, the Rockies have improved their historically awful record to 11-50, and have picked up their first win in a three-game series this MLB season. . ."51 + 51:" The Seattle Mariners made an announcement on Monday, but this was no ordinary 'Monday,' - this was the 35th anniversary of the day when the very first "no-hitter" was thrown in Mariners history - and the announcement certainly aligned with the day as the Mariners released a statement that the No.51 jersey, worn by Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson (aka "the guy who threw that no-hitter") throughout his 9+ seasons with the franchise, will be retired next season - - Prior to the 1998 MLB trade deadline, the Mariners would go on to trade Johnson to the Houston Astros, and three years later - a Japanese star by the name of Ichiro Suzuki - would join the Mariners & dawn the No.51 jersey, as well - - The Mariners announced that Ichiro's No.51 jersey will also be retired, however, his jersey will be retired in August of this year, shortly after his induction ceremony into the Hall of Fame. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Football: Last Thursday Afternoon, it was announced that significant change would be made to the induction rules for consideration or entry into the College Football Hall of Fame - - According to a press release from the National Football Foundation, the College Football Hall of Fame will reportedly lower its win percentage requirement for entry from 60% to 59.5% in 2027 - - The organization has paved the way, and following this rule change, the late Mississippi State & former Washington State head football coach, Mike Leach, will officially become eligible for induction, whereas, based on the previous rules for induction into the HOF had long prevented his entry: A head coach (a) must have been active for at least ten seasons, (b) must have coached in a minimum of 100 CFB games, and (c) must have a .600 (or better) overall winning percentage - - Leach met each of the previous qualifications with but one exception: he finished his career with a .596 winning percentage after coaching at Texas Tech University, Washington State University & Mississippi State University - each of which had historic disadvantages within their respective conferences (i.e., Big 12, PAC-12 & SEC, respectively). . .The SEC Conference is tightening the bolt on penalties for schools whose fans storm the football field or rush the basketball court, which generally occurs following an upset win - - a new policy, which is focused primarily on player safety, that the SEC Conference is hopeful will be implemented across its' Universities will allow the opposing program - including its players, coaches, & staff - an allotted time period, for instance, a minute (or sixty seconds), to depart the field before fans are allowed to begin their chaotic descent onto the field in his or her drunken stupor - - The SEC is doing away with the escalating fine structure system - which was initially instituted by the conference in 2004 - and will now charge programs $500,000 per incident, however, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey did indicate that the conference also has the authority to waive the fine if the visiting team & officials are allowed to get to the locker room before the chaos begins - - Q: Do you think that the implementation of this new $500k fine per will lead to a drastic decline in the number of incidents that occur across the SEC Conference?. . .Per On3 Sports, the Florida Board of Governors voted 10-6 on Tuesday to turn down the University's hiring of former Michigan President, Santa Ono - - you really have to ask yourself: Why would the Board of Governors reject the hiring of a President who was formerly the President for a University that was involved in multiple scandals, prior to his departure⁉️. . .NCAA College Basketball: The NCAA's NBA Draft withdrawal deadline came and went last Wednesday night, but not without some interesting, last-minute drama - - In the finals days & even within the last couple hours, numerous teams held their breath as several major college basketball stars decide on their fate: remain in the NBA Draft & pursue a career (and future) at the next level OR withdraw from the NBA Draft & return to college for another season - - This theme carried throughout the deadline period, which featured major risers & fallers among draft prospects, momentum swings for programs and a reshaped draft landscape - - The biggest takeaways and standout moments from the deadline discussed in this episode include the following:

(A) One of the Top NBA prospects is Returning to College in Ann Arbor

(B) A Very Surprising Decision in Tuscaloosa

(C) The Return that Most Likely Swings the NCAA title outcome - Houston

NCAA College Baseball: The top two seeds in the NCAA College Baseball Tournament - Vanderbilt & Texas - were both elimincated in the Regional round on Sunday - - In the Nashville region, the Commodores became the first No.1 national seed to fail to reach its regional final since the tournament went to its current format in 1999 - after losing to Wright State, the No.4 seed out of the Horizon League - - however, the Raiders would fall to Louisville 6-0 later that evening - - Hours after Wright State eliminated No.1 seeded Vanderbilt, the No.2 seeded Texas Longhorns, were eliminated by the UTSA Roadrunners in the Austin Regional Championship - - this is only the second time since national seeds were introduced in 1999 that the top two seeds were both eliminated in the regionals, 2014 being the other year (i.e., No.1 Oregon State, No.2 Florida). . .JD is convinced that a large majority of NCAA College Baseball head coaches are some nasty, ruthless MFer's - but at the very least, one of these coaches was able to sit aside his pride (and ego) just long enough to admit his wrong & apologize for an incident that occurred on Monday evening - - Wake Forest HC Tom Walter apologized for what appeared to be an "anti-gay slur" caught by television cameras during an NCAA Regional game versus the Tennessee Volunteers - - Wake Forest AD John Curries stated that he was "surprised & deeply disappointed" and that he spoke with Walter following the game and again Tuesday morning - - The Volunteers did defeat the Demon Deacons 11-5 on Monday night to win the Knoxville Regional and earn a best-of-three super regional matchup with the "Hawg Tuah" Razorbacks of Arkansas for a chance to advance to the College World Series. . .NCAA College Softball: The Texas Tech Red Raiders softball team knocked off & eliminated the four-time defending champion, Oklahoma Sooners, on Monday to reach the Women's College World Series (WCWS) Finals - - The Red Raiders will face off against the Texas Longhorns in a best-of-three championship series - - Neither team have ever won a college softball title, so be prepared for sparks to fly - - Q: Who you got winning the 2025 WCWS: Texas Tech or Texas?. . .

- NBA - A few hours after the New York Knicks were eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night, a new report from The Athletic revealed that there was internal frustration around one particular shortcoming of PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns - - according to the report, Knicks players & coaches "expressed frustration" with KAT's poor defensive habits and worries that he did not get how important it was to stay connected on the defensive end of the floor - - Defense has long been an issue of concern for Towns, while offensively, his skill set for a big man is incredible - but this almost feels like New York's attempt to play the "blame card" on KAT for their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals - - Q: Do you believe that the Knicks are justified in their frustration with Towns' inept defensive mindset & awareness? Or do you think this is merely the franchise's way of "placing blame" and/or providing a reasonable explanation for why they were eliminated by the Pacers?. . .Fresh off their deepest playoff run in 25 years, the New York Knicks fired HC Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday - - the decision comes just three days after the Knicks were ousted from the ECF in six games by the Indiana Pacers, their longtime rivals - - but it also comes after New York advanced further into the playoffs than expected with a relatively new core set of players & after knocking out the NBA's defending champion, Boston Celtics in the second round - - Q: Why do you think that Knicks team President Leon Rose made the decision to part ways with HC Tom Thibodeau after these past two fifty-plus win seasons?. . .

- NBA Playoffs Recap/Review & Finals Preview - JD & Spencer provide an in-depth analysis of the games from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, or more specifically, for those games played within the Eastern & Western Conferences - and provide individual player analysis & an overall reivew and recap for this past week's games - - The following NBA Conference Finals games are discussed in this episode:

Game 5: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.6 Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads series 3-1)

Game 5: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 3-1)

Game 6: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 3-2)

2025 NBA Finals Preview: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers - - JD & Spencer provide a thorough preview of the this year's NBA Finals - and what individual factors are vital & what each team must do to pull out this best-of-seven championship series, and to be crowned NBA Champion - - Q: Which team wins the 2025 NBA Finals: the Thunder or Pacers? How many games do you expect the series to go?. . .

- 2025-26 NCAA College Football Preseason Roll-Out - In contrast to last year, JD & Spencer made the decision, rather than performing a breakdown of each team by Conference, we would collectively pick a select number of questions related to the upcoming NCAA College Football season, and each provide our individual responses in an open discussion format. Responses for each of the following questions are included in this section/category of the episode:

(1) 2024 Alabama Season-in-Review: What went wrong? What worked well? Where does JD & Spencer each stand on the HC Kalen DeBoer & the Crimson Tide moving forward into the 2025-26 CFB season?. . .

(2) Will the Alabama Crimson Tide win more or less than their projected total of 9.5 games? Who will be the starting QB for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell?. . .

(3) Was the 2024 College Football season an anomaly for Mike Norvell's Florida State Seminoles? Can they bounce back in 2025?. . .

(4) Who will be the breakout QB this upcoming CFB season?. . .

(5) Who are the potential dark horse team(s) this upcoming season (aka, who is the 2025 version of Indiana/Arizona State?). . .

(6) How many games will the North Carolina Tar Heels win in their first season under new HC Bill Belichick?. . .

(7) Which College Football head coaches are entering into the 2025-26 season on the "hot seat" and/or have the most to prove to retain their position?. . .

(8) According to PFF, the top five WR rooms entering the 2025 CFB season are: 1. Ohio State, 2. Auburn, 3. Clemson, 4. Ole Miss & 5. Alabama - - Do you agree with this order? If not, how would you rank the top five WR rooms enterning into the 2025 CFB season?

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 89 - "The Iron Mike Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - Congratulations to the Tradition's Finest Duo - - Spencer & his wife got married on Sunday & enjoyed a beautiful wedding ceremony surrounded by their close family & friends . . .while JD & his wife celebrated their seven-year anniversary on Tuesday. . .Ya boys are growing up!. . ."A Penny for You, Thots:" The U.S. Treasury Department has taken a large step toward finally eliminating the penny (or the "one-cent" coin) - - those dull, bronze coins engraved with Abraham Lincoln's face that you randomly see on the ground at every gas station in America - - as the Department recently announced that it placed its final order of penny blanks to print its final batch of these ancient coins that our great-grandfathers used to purchase a gallon of gas from the way-back - - After this new development, it is expected that new pennies will stop being put into circulation around early 2026 - - Both Donald Trump & Barack Obama, the current & former United States President, respectively - as well as both chambers of Congress - have advocated for the elimination of the one-cent coin as rising production costs essentially mean that the coins cost more to print than their overall value or worth - - In February, the U.S. Mint, which is responsible for the printing of all currency within the country, estimated that it lost approximately $85 million in the production of three billion pennies last year (2024). . .Q: Should people begin to "stock up" and/or collect their excess pennies for the possibility of financial gain or increased value in the distant future? Or will the overall value of these one-cent coins continue to dramatically decline as factors such as the use - as well as the ease of access - of debit/credit cards & advancements in technology (i.e., Apple Pay, Venmo, etc.) continue to increase exponentially over time?. . ."Chestnut's Popcorn Rivalry:" Sixteen-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner, Joey Chestnut, spent his Memorial Day, like most Americans , consuming a large quantity of net carbohydrates & fats - - Chestnut spent his Memorial Day holiday at the Rural King in Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on one of his many food challenges - - Hundreds of residents collectively packed into the Rural King parking lot, for a sole purpose: to watch Joey Chestnut crush his original world record in the consumption of popcorn. . .Chestnut's world record prior to this event is almost unfathomable to imagine - - it included him eating thirty-two 24-oz bags of popcorn in eight minutes! - - On Monday, he would not let the people down as Chestnut went on to break his own world record by wolfing down 42 servings of popcorn in eight minutes. . .Q: Albeit an odd question, how do you generally eat popcorn (i.e., a handful or single?) Do you typically take a bite from each side of the flake OR do you consume it all at once?. . .**Asking for a friend (and co-host). . .. . ."USA! USA! USA!:" Buffalo Sabres star forward Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal with just over two minutes into the first OT period, and Team USA outlasted Team Switzerland 1-0 in the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship at Avicii Arena on Sunday evening - - This was the first on-ice trophy for United States Hockey in this tournament in 92 years, claiming their last title in 1933 - - Sunday's victory surely cemented Team USA's legacy, but it was also a "storybook ending" that led to an emotional moment on the ice: As the players for Team USA posed for its championship photo at center ice, they made sure to include the No.13 jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the former NHL & USA Hockey star, who tragically passed away last August along with his brother, Matthew, after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while cycling in their home state of New Jersey, the night prior to their sister Katie's wedding. . .

- MLB - After the Philadelphia Phillies shut out the Colorado Rockies 2-0 last Thursday evening to sweep a four-game series - - the Rockies fell to an 8-42 record this season, which is the worst 50-game start in Major League Baseball's modern era (since 1901) - - Prior to that, the Louisville Colonels had a worse start to begin the 1895 season with a 7-43 record - - Not too long ago, the Rockies had a loaded roster, that included Charlie Blackmon, who spent his entire 14-year career with the franchise, and now, the Rockies are 5-20 at home - - and are on pace to lose 136 games this season, which would pass the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134) for the most losses by an MLB team (by contrast, the Chicago White Sox set the modern-era record with 121 losses in the 2024 season) - - The Rockies have been shut out eight times this season, and their 45 errors through 50 games are the most by an MLB team since the 2019 Seattle Mariners. . .Ronald Acuna Jr. crushed his first pitch 467 feet for a HR in his dramatic return to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, almost one year after he tore his left ACL - - The homer by Acuna had an exit velocity of 115.5 mph, and was the hardest hit ball by a Braves player this season - - unfortunately, it was not enough as Padres star Manny Machado would hit a tiebreaking HR off Raisel Iglesias in the 9th inning to over Acuna's homer, and hang on to defeat the Braves 2-1 to end San Diego's six-game losing streak. . .Former MLB outfielder & first baseman, Darin Ruf, 38, is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an uncovered tarp roller at Great American Ball Park two years ago - - According to the lawsuit filed last Thursday in Ohio, the Reds are being charged with negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions - and it specifically cites the presence of the unpadded metal tarp roller - - Ruf is seeking punitive and compensatory damages - - The injury occurred in 2023 in a game between the Milwaukee Brewers & Cincinnati Reds, where Ruf was playing first base for the Brewers, and Milwaukee would go on to win the game 5-4 in extra innings, however, in the 3rd inning, Ruf was chasing a foul ball when his knee inadvertantly hit the end of the tarp roller - - As stated in the complaint, Ruf suffered "permanent and substantial deformities to his knee," and after which point, Ruf would be placed on the 60-day injured list, and due to the severity of the injury, he never played in the MLB again. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Ruf's lawsuit? Do you think that the Reds are liable for the negligent acts of the grounds crew's reckless conduct? If the court does rule in favor of Ruf, will his age & the number of years he possibly had left in the league, be pertinent factors of consideration in terms of awarding compensatory damages?.

- NCAA: News & Storylines - Following months of meetings to discuss the potential for format changes to the College Football Playoff, suprisingly to some degree, a decision was made last Thursday: After last year's 12-team CFP presented a "first-round bye" to each of the four highest-ranked Conference Champions - - which included the Boise State Broncos & Arizona State Sun Devils - - the Conference commissioners voted to switch to a straight seeding format - - with five spots still reserved for conference champions - - beginning next season. . .Q: If the 2024 12-team College Football Playoff would have been formatted with straight seeding, do you think we would have witnessed a similar result (i.e., Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in the national championship game, and an Ohio State victory)?. . .The major themes lingering over the SEC Conference's annual meetings this week is an air of uncertainty clouding the future of the sport - - With the fate of the House v. NCAA case looming, the College Football Playoff format and the league's football schedule are in flux, and ultimately, there are plenty of complex & transformative issues to be discussed - - University of Georgia HC Kirby Smart made it clear, however, that he feels there is just one paramount topic that needs to be discussed among the fellow SEC coaches - Kirby further elaborated that this one important issue involved clarity on the future of the NCAA transfer portal - "So, the biggest decision that has to be made across football right now to me, by far, is when is the portal window and is there one or two?" - - Currently, there are two (possibly three) NCAA transfer portal windows: (1) At the end of the regular season (December 9-28), and (2) In the Spring (April 16-25) - - and on a not-so-rare occassion, players on a college football team, whose head coach departed and/or was dismissed from the program, are granted a *third portal window - however, this portal window is solely dependent upon the conditions and/or time period for which the departing coach vacates the position, and therefore, may vary considerably across programs. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the discussion of the NCAA transfer portal window? Should the NCAA continue to allow two portal windows or should it be consolidated into one?. . . Phil Robertson, 79, the bearded patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" franchise and the former starting QB at Louisiana Tech University in the late 1960's, has passed away, his family announced via social media on Sunday - - While no direct cause of death was given, his son, Jase Robertson, revealed back in December of last year on the family's podcast, that Phil was in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease - - Robertson was the QB at Louisiana Tech University for two seasons (i.e., 1966 & 1967), and was the starter ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famer & No.1 overall pick Terry Bradshaw, who would go on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers - - Robertson started all 16 football games during the 1966 and 1967 regular seasons, prior to making the decision to not return in 1968, and to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing - - and the rest is history!. . .Former Texas Tech star Darrion Williams, who was a central figure in leading the Red Raiders to a deep run in the postseason, advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament, prior to being eliminated by the No.1-seeded Florida Gators, who would go on to claim the national championship - - has committed to NC State and new Wolfpack HC Will Wade - - Williams is the seventh player to commit to NC State out of the NCAA transfer portal since Wade first arrived in Raleigh - - Q: Will HC Will Wade lead the 'Pack back to the NCAA Tournament?. . .What a Journey!: Memphis star transfer PJ Haggerty, one of the best available players that remained in the NCAA transfer portal, withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday, and has committed to the Kansas State Wildcats & HC Jerome Tang on a lucrative NIL deal - - Haggerty kept his options open after announcing his intentions to transfer away from Memphis - following rumors and speculation that he was demanding a $4 million NIL deal and to be the primary ball-handler - or play the PG position - when on the court - - NC State recruited Haggerty rather significantly, attempting to offer multiple NIL deals in the process, but he chose to transfer to K-State and play in the Big 12 Conference - - Basketball reporter Adam Zagoria reported that Haggerty is set to earn $2 million in guaranteed NIL money from the University, but incentives could push the deal closer to the $2.5-million mark. . .Q: Are you surprised by PJ Haggerty's decision to transfer to Kansas State? Do you think that his signing to a $2 million NIL deal disproves the speculation surrounding his demand for a $4 million deal at Memphis?. . .Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford has also withdrawn his name from the 2025 NBA Draft - and according to multiple reports, return to the Tigers for his sophomore season, per ESPN on Wednesday afternoon - - According to ESPN's NBA latest draft rankings, Pettiford was listed as the No.35 overall prospect, however, he did display a very strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine last month - - Pettiford drew significant interest from multiple teams that held picks in the first round, and conducted six individual workouts with different teams across the league - - yet, Pettiford made the decision to return to the Plains next season, and he will most definitely enter next season as a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft next year. . .

- NFL - The NFL approved a monumental rules resolution this week that will allow NFL players to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles - - which for the first time will include flag football as an official sport - - Immediately after this rule being passed, many began to speculate what the USA flag football roster would look like with the NFL's best at the forefront - - but hold your horses! - - Team USA flag football QB Darrell Doucette III, however, does not think they need NFL players to compete for the gold medal in the 2028 Olympic Games - - Doucette stated in an interview with The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore that "we don't need other guys!" - - Doucette, who had won two IFAF Flag Football World Championships for the United States, further stated that they are "open to competition on the roster," but he does believe that the flag guys "deserve their opportunity," to compete - - Just a quick reminder, this is the same guy that made national headlines a year or so ago where he compared the sport of flag football and the NFL, and stated his belief that he was/is "better" than Chiefs Super Bowl winning QB, Patrick Mahomes, at football as a sport. . Q: What would be the best way to solve this particular matter - Should the NFL assemble a flag football team & face off one-on-one versus Darrell Doucette's flag football team, with the winner advancing to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games as Team USA's flag football team?. . .Former Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, will posthumously be inducted into the team's "Ring of Fame" during the 2025 NFL season - - Thomas was the only former player or coach that was selected for this honor on Tuesday - - He spent nine seasons with the Broncos - and one season with the New York Jets - and finished his career as the team's leading WR (9,000+ yards receiving), trailing only Rod Smith - - Thomas is 3rd in franchise history in catches (655), trailing only Smith & Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe - and he finished his career with a total of 724 catches for 9,763 yards & 63 TDs - - Dude is a legend, and to this day, Thomas remains one of former Broncos QB Peyton Manning's favorite targets at wideout. . .

- NBA - NBA MVP & Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined the All-NBA teams, which were announced Friday evening to conclude the league's annual end-of-season award schedule; The All-NBA teams as discussed in this episode are listed below:

1st Team All-NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum & Donovan Mitchell

2nd Team All-NBA: Evan Mobley, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James & Jalen Brunson

3rd Team All-NBA: Jalen Williams, Cade Cunningham, Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden & Tyrese Haliburton

John Haliburton, the father of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, is allowed to return or attend Indiana Pacers home games again - after being informed to stay away from Pacers' home & road games - following the on-the-court incident with Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first round the Eastern Conference and NBA Playoffs - - Haliburton will watch the remaining home games from a suite at the Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse, however, he will not be permitted to attend the team's road games. . .

- NBA Playoffs Recap & Revew - JD & Spencer provide an in-depth & detailed game analysis for each of the NBA Playoffs games discussed in this episode; the discussion also includes insight on individual players & their in-game performances, as well as commentary from our unique perspective; The following games from the Eastern & Western Conference Finals discussed in this episode are outlined below:

Game 1: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers

Game 2: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 1-0)

Game 3: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 2-0)

Game 4: No.3 seed New York Knicks vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 2-1)

Game 2: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads series 1-0)

Game 3: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads series 2-0)

Game 4: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads series 2-1)

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 88 - "The CD Lamb Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - On last Wednesday, the streaming service, Netflix, announced a three-part documentary focused on the life of Colorado Buffaloes' HC Deion "Prime Time" Sanders, that is expected to be available for streaming in 2026 - - The docu-series, which is aptly titled "PRIME TIME," is reported to offer an inside look at Sanders' unique journey from being a two-sport phenom in both baseball & football to becoming the head football coach for the University of Colorado's college football team, as well as his ascent to becoming a significant figure in the media world - - According to the press release as issued by Netflix: "PRIME TIME will provide an in-depth look at one of professional sports' most electrifying and polarizing figures, exploring his evolution from a two-sport pro phenom to a culture-defining coach & media personality. For the first time, Sanders opens up about deeply personal aspects of his life, including his relationship with his biological father, surviving an attempted suicide, and near-death health scares,". . .Following the fall in draft stock for both of his sons - Shilo & most notably Shedeur - Deion began to receive a significant amount of criticism concerning his ability to develop players' on- or off-the-field as well as to whether Deion's persona & media-centric personality is a negative or positive influence on the college football program & for those closely associated with him. . .Q: Do you think that this three-part docu-series is being released to provide viewers with a more suitable representation of the "real Deion Sanders?" Are you looking forward to watching this documentary about Sanders? Is it more likely to foster a change in the way in which Sanders is viewed in the media, or to "add more fuel to the fire?". . .PGA: Three hundred & sixty-six days after the release of his booking mugshot following the unfortunate events that occurred at last year's PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler, the world's No.1 golfer, raised the Wanamaker Trophy for everyone to see last Sunday after he captured his third career major at the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club - - Scheffler posted an even-par 71 in the final round of the event, which led to a five-stroke victory over Harris English, Bryson DeChambeau & Davis Riley - - At the onset of the final day of the event, it seemed inevitable that Scheffler would walk away with his third major, but of course, he remained true to form, and flirted with a dramatic finish - as early on & after taking a turn for the worst, Scheffler found himself tied with the Spainard, Jon Rahm - before stepping on the gas on the back nine. . .On the "Green Mile," which is the name/title aptly issued to Quail Hollow's treacherous three-hole closing stretch, Rahm ultimately imploded - which allowed Scheffler to swiftly improve his match standing, and finally, pull out his third career major event title. . .Former NFL & Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown was briefly detained by Miami-Dade Police Department early Saturday after an altercation occurred, which led to gunshots being fired outside of a celebrity boxing event, hosted by popular streamer Adin Ross - - Multiple video clips were posted to social media that showed Brown involved in a fight with several people outside the boxing event, and after which point, he was seen apparently holding a pistol as he pursued someone. . .Brown posted to social media that he had been "jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal [his] jewelry and cause physical harm to [him],". . .Q: Does it seem as though that people have forgotten that Antonio Brown is a former NFL player?. . .While his style might be somewhat unconventional, it should be noted that he was a professional athlete, and in more instances than not, these are NOT the type of people you want to pick a fight with. . .According to a shocking new report that was released per The New York Times, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson has informed "at least one person" that she is "engaged" to be married to University of North Carolina head coach & 73-year-old Bill Belichick. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the possibility that Jordon Hudson & Bill Belichick are engaged? Do you believe that the news is legitimate or is it merely a rumor?. . . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Basketball: After withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft, former Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland, announced that he had entered the NCAA transfer portal - - On Monday, Fland, the No.8 player available in the transfer portal according to CBS Sports, reportedly visited the University of Florida. . .It was not long afterwards, that ESPN first reported that Fland had officially committed to Todd Golden & the defending champion Florida Gators - - this was a major addition for Golden after losing stars Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard & Denzel Aberdeen this offseason. . .Q: How will Boogie Fland adjust to Todd Golden's offensive style at Florida? Will he under- or overperform as compared to the 2024-25 season under HC John Calipari?. . .Indiana University Athletics released a video via its social media channels on Thursday that teased the possibility of a future Indiana athletics mascot - - The video clip, which is partly inspired by the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark," depicts a large box that is presumably in storage of Indiana athletic facility - The "I' and the "U" on the box glow red as animal growls are heard - - Rumors have been circulating that Indiana might introduce a mascot for the upcoming 2025-26 season, with a majority of the rumors suggesting that the Bison mascot that the University used in the late 1960's might be revived - - but as JD mentioned: "That shit is terrifying!". . .Imagine attending a Indiana basketball game as a kid & coming into contact with this horror film masterpiece-of-a-villian - you would 10/10 be affected for the rest of your life. . .NCAA College Football: Per On3 Sports, an Ohio Representative, Tex Fischer, has presented a bill that is designed to almost entirely end noon kickoffs for Ohio State University - with the sole exception being the rivalry game versus Michigan, which is traditionally played at Noon ET - - this bill would prevent a game from beginning prior to 3:30 PM when a state university is involved. . .According to the bill, violation of this law would incur a $10 million fine against the host team's conference or the television network, depending on who scheduled the matchup. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Ohio Rep. Tex Fischer's reported bill? Do you believe there is a legitimate chance that this bill actually passes and becomes a law?. . .NCAA College Softball: The Liberty Flames stunned the college softball world on Sunday by upsetting the No.1 seed Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, 6-5, in Game 7, advancing to their first Super Regional in program history. . . For the first time in D1 or college softball history, the top overall seed in the tournament has failed to advance from it's own regional - - and this was, in no way, shape or form a "fluke!" - - Game 7 was the second matchup between the two programs on Sunday evening after the Aggies pulled off the comeback in Game 6, where they pulled out the 14-11 victory over the Flames, prior to being eliminated. . .

- NFL - RB Derrick Henry will be stiff-arming tacklers for the Baltimore Ravens for a little while longer - - Henry reached a two-year, $30 million extension with the Ravens last Wednesday, his agent reported to ESPN's Adam Schefter - - After a breakout season for the Ravens, the team has awarded him with the largest deal in NFL history for a RB over the age of 30. . .Now, Henry will receive $25 million in guaranteed money, and will remain under contract through the 2027 season. . .Q: With or without a Super Bowl ring, do you consider Derrick Henry as one of the best RB's in the history of the sport?. . .The NFL dropped the 2025 regular-season schedule in its entirety last Wednesday afternoon - - and it all begins with Week 1 - - which has historically been a precursor of success, and furthermore, it's become a week of marquee matchups, as evidenced by last year's slate featuring a slew of games pitting eventual playoff teams against one another. . .Since 2020, when the NFL switched to a 14-team postseason format, teams that advanced to the postseason, have won 70% of their Week 1 games, going 49-21 overall to open the regular season. . .Key features & dates of the 2025-26 NFL season: The regular season officially begins on Thursday, Sept. 4th with an intriguing NFC East matchup between the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles & the Dallas Cowboys; There are several international games scheduled to occur this season - including those played in London, Dublin, Berlin, Madrid, Sau Paulo; Traditional Thanksgiving games will feature the Lions and Cowboys, along with other teams such as the Packers, Chiefs, Bengals & Ravens; Christmas Day will feature a triple-header of games, including matchups between the Cowboys & Commanders, Lions and Vikings & the Broncos and Chiefs - - Based on the strength of schedule, which is determine by the opponents' records in 2024, the New York Giants possess the toughest schedule in 2025 - while the San Francisco have the easiest schedule. . .Following the NFL's release of the 2025 regular season schedule, like most NFL teams, the Indianapolis Colts, compiled a video to accompany their regular-season schedule release last Wednesday evening - however, the Colts would later abrupty remove the video from its' social platforms, for multiple reasons, the team reported - - The Colts would go on to release a statement apologizing to Microsoft as well as Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill - - The video, which was intended to be a spoof of the popular video game, Minecraft, revealed the team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins with an image of a Dolphin wearing a No.10 jersey (Hill's #) and labeled "Hill" swimming along before he is stopped by a Coast Guard boat with a blaring siren - - this is in reference to the controversial incident that occurred with the Miami-Dade Police Department last season after Hill was arrested last September, and reportedly dragged from his vehicle, taken to the ground & forcibly handcuffed as he was traveling to the stadium for a home game. . .Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhau, stated on the following day, that Hill thought the video was "funny" and didn't think they needed to remove the video from their social media account. . . The Colts, however, would not be the only NFL franchise that would post a schedule release compliation that would raise a few eyebrows: The Atlanta Falcons trolled Bill Belichick & his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson's widely scrutinized appearance on CBS last month - as part of their "Mario-Kart-" themed schedule release video - - The Falcons intended to troll Hudson after she was seen wearing a Falcons Super Bowl champions shirt earlier this year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL franchise's regular-season videos?. . .QB Caleb Williams was so concerned about being picked by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft that he & him family weighed their options - circumventing the entire NFL Draft, consulting with lawyers to figure out a way around the league's collective bargaining agreement, while considering signing with the UFL, as detailed from a forthcoming book reveal - - The book "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," who's author, Seth Wickersham, is reportedly providing a detailed account of what it means to be a QB at various levels, from the high school level to college to the NFL - - but he is also including the details as it relates to QB Caleb William's draft process prior to being drafted by the franchise with the overall No.1 pick - - Caleb's father, Carl Williams, told the Author that "Chicago is the place QBs go to die," which might or might not be true. . .Q:Irregardless, do you think the details of this book regarding Caleb Williams, will leave a very bad taste in the mouth of the Chicago Bears' organization, leadership, and most importantly, their fan base?. . .QB Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to one of the highest-paid players in the NFL - - Purdy & the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a five-year, $265 million extension, ESPN reported on Friday - - the deal includes $181 million in total guarantees - and the $53 million average annual salary puts Purdy tied for 7th among NFL QBs. . .While Purdy's deal represented the largest deal in franchise history, the San Francisco 49ers handed out their largest raise to LB Fred Warner, who agreed to a 3-year, $63 million contract extension with the team on Monday - - The deal ties Warner to the team through the 2029 season, and also returns Warner to the top of the highest-paid off-ball LBs in the league with an average annual salary of $21 million per season. . .On Monday, the Green Bay Packers officially submitted a revision of their rule proposal that would more broadly ban pushing or pulling the ball carrer anywhere on the football field, or aka, the Eagles "tush push," - - In addition, Commanders LB Frankie Luvu indicated in an interview with the press that he hopes the "tush push" play is banned by the league after referring to it as a "cheapo" play - - A massive update was provided on Wednesday per ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported that the final vote for the tush push ban was determined to be 22-10, which needed a total of 24 votes for approval - - Therefore, the Eagles may "Push On" - - It was also reported that such teams as the Ravens, Patriots, Jets, and Lions sided with the Eagles in favor of retaining the "tush push" play. . .

- WNBA & NBA - In her sophomore season in the WNBA, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark started off the season with a triple-double - finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists plus 4 blocks - as the Fever started their season on Saturday with a blowout victory over "rival" Angel Reese & the Chicago Sky. . .The Fever defeated the Sky 93-58, tying for the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history - - However, it was the sequence that occurred in the 3rd QTR that garnered most of the attention by the media, sparked outrage, and led to a bitter debate between former NFL players, Ryan Clark & RGIII. . .Clark, who was looking to stop Reese from getting a wide-open layup, attempted to strip her of the ball & was called for a foul - this incident led to Angel Reese falling to the floor, and after which point, she would get up and go after Clark, who walked away - - As for the original action, Clark's foul was upgraded to a flagrant-1 foul, which would send Reese to the free-throw line. . .Following this game, the WNBA announced that it was opening an investigation into racial comments that were directed towards Angel Reese by fans during the Sky's loss to the Fever on Saturday evening - yet, the WNBA has yet to release any information as it relates to the specifics of the allegations. . .Q: Why has the WNBA not announced or released any of the details of the allegations?. . .Former NBA guard Lance Stephenson, who played 10 years in the league, has joined the BIG3 leage, and was selected with the first pick in Thursday's draft by Miami 305, an expansion team that will be coached by ex-LA Lakers legend Michael Cooper. . .Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who averaged 32.6 points per game this season, has been awarded as the NBA MVP - - shockingly enough, SGA becomes the first former Kentucky player to win the prestigous award - and becomes just the 3rd Thunder player - alongside Russell Westbrook & Kevin Durant - to win the award. . . Physicians have given Thanasis Antetokounmpo clearance to return to basketball after he missed the 2024-25 NBA season with a torn Achilles - - Q: Will Thanasis be the only Antetokounmpo on the Bucks roster next season?. . .JD & Spencer provide an in-depth anaylsis of the games from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, or most specifically, for those games played within the Eastern & Western Conferences - and provide individual player analysis & an overall review and recap for this past week's games - and finally, an ECF & WCF series preview is provided at the conclusion - - The following NBA playoff games of the semifinal (or second) round are discussed in greater detail in this episode:

Game 5: No.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers (IND leads series 3-1)

Game 5: No.2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No.3 seed New York Knicks (NYK leads series 3-1)

Game 6: No.2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No.3 seed New York Knicks (NYK leads series 3-2)

Game 5: No.1 seed OKC Thunder vs. No.4 seed Denver Nuggets (series tied 2-2)

Game 6: No.1 seed OKC Thunder vs. No.4 seed Denver Nuggets (OKC leads series 3-2)

Game 7: No.1 seed OKC Thunder vs. No.4 seed Denver Nuggets (series tied 3-3)

Game 5: No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No.7 seed Golden State Warriors (MIN leads series 3-1)

Western Conference Finals Game 1: No.1 seed OKC Thunder vs. No.6 Minnesota Timberwolves

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 87 - "The Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- MLB - The Colorado Rockies fired GM Bud Black on Sunday, just one day after suffering an embarrassing twenty-one-run loss to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. . .Despite the tragedy that is the Chicago White Sox, collectively, the Rockies players within their dugout seem to have lost their "spark" for the sport of baseball - as Colorado is off to an MLB-worst 7-33 start to the 2025 season - even after defeating the Padres 9-3 on Sunday in an attempt to remedy the pain following their 21-run loss the day prior. . .Even with the Rockies' victory over the Padres on Sunday, the team officially has the worst 40-game start in MLB history since 1988 (i.e., the Baltimore Orioles: 6-34). . .It's not very often that we - as a sports-affiliated podcast - have the opportunity to embrace the influence and overall impact that we have on the sports community and just the sports world, in general - - In last week's episode & during the "FAQ segment," Spencer & JD discussed & debated the topic of whether or not former MLB players, such as but not limited to Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa & Barry Bonds should be allowed into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame after their controversial, yet isolated, incidents as it relates to sports gambling and/or the use of PEDs (or performance-enhancing drugs) - - Clearly, we did NOT contribute in any way and/or influence the MLB Commissioner's decision regarding this particular topic (*In other words, it is nothing more than a coincidence that we discussed this particular topic the week prior - - and we did like to think that, maybe - just maybe - we did influence this story primarily because it was a massive "ego boost!") - - In a historic, sweeping decision made last Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the removal of Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, and other deceased MLB players from the league's permanently ineligible list. . .Manfred ruled that the league-issued punishment of being banned from the sport of baseball, ends after the player is deceased - - therefore, Rose is now presumably eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's decision or declaration that former players who have been banned from the sport, are no longer banned after death?. . .Are we really going to have to wait the next thirty to forty years for players such as McGwire, Sosa & Bonds to pass away before witnessing them being inducted into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame?. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Football: Last Friday morning, a report was released that University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, had been "banned" from the UNC Athletic facilities - - A few hours later, UNC, per On3 Sports, was forced into a corner and once again, would need to publicly acknowledge the strange personal life of their legendary head coach - - In a lengthy statement posted via social media, the University declined the report that Hudson had been banned from the on-campus athletic facilities - while also making sure to acknowledge within the statement that she "is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics," - - The denial comes on the [Tar] heels of the latest episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, a national podcast channel from Meadowlark Media Group that features former ESPN & Around the Horn sports analyst, Pablo Torre - According to Torre, two sources with direct ties to the North Carolina Athletic Department reported that Hudson was "no longer allowed in the football building or on the team's practice field," - and Torre also reported that a source close to Bill Belichick's family indicated that there is "deep worry about how detrimental Hudson can be for [Belichick's] reputation,". . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the way in which this particular story involving UNC HC Bill Belichick & his 24-year-old girlfriend have come about? Do you have any personal theories on this story? At this rate, would it shock you if Bill Belichick is not the Tar Heels head football coach by Week 1 of the 2025-26 college football season?. . .Per On3 Sports, a potential 16-team college football playoff bracket is "gaining support" by both the Big Ten & SEC Conference(s) after an in-person meeting last Thursday in New York - - The 16-team bracket would include four automatic bids for both Conferences (i.e., Big Ten & SEC) while the ACC and Big 12 Conference(s) would each get two automatic berths - the Group of 6 would get one, and finally, the final three spots would be "at-large" bids - - In addition, "inner-league-play-in-games" could also be in the cards at the end of the college football season, which would set up the following type of matchups: Conference A's 3rd-place team would face off versus Conference A's 6th-place team, as well as the 4th-place team taking on the 5th-place team - and this would apply for a majority of the power conference - - long story, short: This is a nightmare idea, let's scrap it altogether!. . Q: What are your thoughts on a potential 16-team CFB playoff gaining support across the two most formidable conferences in the sport? If a 16-team field is approved, what are the chances we eventually expand into a 20-, 24- or 30-team field?. . .NCAA College Basketball: The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee met last week in Indianapolis and reportedly drafted a few rule proposals that make the game a bit more "modernized & enjoyable," - - Such proposals included the following suggestions: (1) If one shot clock has malfunctioned, it should not be required to shut down or turn off the additional shot clock - yes! this is a legitimate and current NCAA rule. . .(2) Perhaps the most significant proposal would give a team's head coach the ability to challenge any call, such as those related to an out-of-bounds call, basket interference or goaltending, and the presence of a second defender in the restricted area under the basket - - The challenging coach must possess one timeout to initiate a challenge - and if successful, the timeout is restored & the team is capable of one more challenge at some point throughout the game. . .If the challenge is unsuccessful, the timeout is wasted & the HC cannot challenge another play in a particular game. . .(3) Another notable suggestion involved the act of continuation on shot attempts that could result in a three-point play, or an "and-one," as most players like to refer to it - The proposal would let an offensive player, who is driving to the basket and is fouled by a defender, to pivot or complete a step after contact to finish the shot attempt. . .(4) A suggestion that was not proposed, but we firmly believe it should have been, is in relation to game format - NCAA Men's College Basketball is the only league where teams play two twenty-minute halfs - rather than the typical four 5-minute QTRs (NBA/NCAA Women's College Basketball) - The two twenty-minute halves just does not make too much sense. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding these potential rule changes for NCAA Division I College Basketball? Are there any additional rule proposals that you believe that the NCAA should implement?. . .NCAA College Softball: Texas A&M earned the No.1 overall seed in the NCAA Division I college softball tournament on Sunday, edging four-time defending national champion Oklahoma for the top spot & leading seven SEC Conference teams that are seeded in the top 8 - - While OU won the SEC regular-season title by a game over the Aggies in its first season in the conference - A&M and Oklahoma tied for the Conference Tournament title after the championship game was canceled due to inclement weather - - One of the most hilarous moments of the 2025 college softball tournament bracket reveal involved Boston University (BU), who immediately hit the "surrender cobra" on live television after realizing that they had been selected to face off against four-time defending national champion, Oklahoma, in the first-round. . .

- NFL - LB Jaylon Smith will attempt to resurrect his career with the Las Vegas Raiders franchise - - the veteran LB signed a contract with the team shortly after participating in a weekend tryout at rookie minicamp. . .Smith, 29, after battling a couple gruesome injuries over the years, last played in the league in 2023, where he appeared in just one game for the Raiders, and totaled two tackles in 25 defensive snaps in the Raiders' Week 9 victory over the New York Giants - shortly afterward, he was waived. . .Q: Can Jaylon Smith contribute to the Las Vegas Raiders defense in 2025?. . .After a headline-making search, New York Giants first-round draft pick Abdul Carter has finally chosen his jersey number - - After being shot down by Giants' legendary pass rusher, Lawrence Taylor, for his retired No.56 jersey - and the family of two-time Super Bowl champion & QB Phil Simms decided against Carter wearing his No.11 jersey - - it might not be that coincidental that Carter combined the two numbers to land on No.51. . . .Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, infamous Chiefs superfan, Xavier Babudar - aka ChiefsAholic - was sentenced in an Oklahoma courtroom on Monday to 32 years in prison - - this charge is presented 2 & 1/2 years after authorities caught him in the state as he fled from a local bank robbery. . .Babudar was already serving a 17 1/2-year federal prison sentence for robbing banks across seven states from 2022 to 2023. . .Babudar has admitted to stealing more than $800k in 11 robberies across these seven states & laundering the proceeds through casinos. . .New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr, 34, announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons on Saturday morning - - the impetus behind the abrupt and stunning announcement is related to a shoulder injury that would require a surgical procedure to repair the damage - after discovering the injury in late March while ramping up for the 2025 NFL season. . .NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Carr tried an injection and rehab, but it would not allow him to be at 100% until another procedure was performed, which would have jeopardized his 2025 campaign - - By retiring, Carr forgoes the $30M guaranteed this season on his contract, but overall, Carr made approximately $200M while playing in the league. . .Shortly after the announcement, the Saints announed that they will begin the QB competition to determine Carr's replacement among a invariably young & inexperienced QB room that features second-round rookie Tyler Shough, second-year fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler & third-year fourth-round pick Jake Haener, who will each battle for the starting job in New Orleans. . .Q: Who will be the Saints starting QB next season? Should the Saints be pretty upset with QB Derek Carr for making this decision after the 2025 NFL Draft where they could've potentially drafted or traded up to obtain a franchise-level QB in the first round?. . .While the entire 2025 NFL schedule is set to be released on May 14th, we were provided a bit of a sneak preview - - On Monday, it was announced that the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, Sept. 4, in the NFL's 2025 regular-season opener - - This marks the first Week 1 meeting between the NFC East rivals since 2000, and marks the regular-season debut for Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer. . .This is only the 4th time an intra-division game has been selected to serve as the season opener. . .The Minnesota Vikings will become the first team in NFL history to play consecutive international games in different countries this season - - The Vikings will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 28 at Croke Park in Dublin, marking the league's first regular-season game in Ireland - - and they will then travel to London, England to face off against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 5. . .NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson said on Tuesday that he will not play for the Cincinnati Bengals this season under his current contract - - The Bengals' star appeared at the team's voluntary workouts on Tuesday - not in uniform - and addressed reporters after informing Adam Schefter that the Bengals had cut off contract discussions with him. . .Q: Will Trey Hendrickson wear a Bengals uniform in 2025?. . .

- NBA - Per ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly "open-minded" about exploring a trade for the first time in his NBA career. . .Q: What NBA franchise would be a "good fit" for Antetokounmpo? What are a few of the possible trade destinations for Giannis irrespective of fit?. . .After going into the NBA draft lottery with just a 1.8% chance to win, the Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable & won the lottery - - this was the largest jump by any team in lottery history - - On Tuesday, the Mavs confirmed that they will not trade the No.1 overall pick, and are focusing on Cooper Flagg. . .Q: After GM Nico Harrison traded away the franchise's star player to the Lakers, which led to a dejected fan base, this just seems quite weird (and somewhat sneaky) - - Was this year's NBA draft lottery rigged?. . .Discuss & Debate: Who will win the 2025 NBA MVP?: Thunder G Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Nuggets C Nikola Jokic or Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo?. . .*Let Us Know What You Think - Share Your Thoughts with Us on X - @TraditionFinest or by Email at [email protected]!. . .

- NBA Playoffs Review & Recap - JD & Spencer provide a detailed analysis & breakdown of NBA playoff games from both the Eastern & Western Conference - - The following NBA games from the second or semifinal round of the playoffs are discussed in this episode:

Game 3: No.2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No.3 seed New York Knicks

Game 4: No.2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No.3 seed New York Knicks

Game 4: No.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No.4 seed Indiana Pacers

Game 2: No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No.7 seed Golden State Warriors

Game 3: No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No.7 seed Golden State Warriors

Game 4: No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No.7 seed Golden State Warriors

Game 4: No.1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.4 seed Denver Nuggets

Episode 86 - "The Heinz Ward Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - Throughout our brief existence as a sports-affiliated podcast, we can almost assure you that we have never discussed Horse racing, NHL Hockey & the Announcement of a new Pope in a single sitting - - but leave it to us to group these three topics into one GIANT category, aka our "Miscellaneous" category this week So, let's go- After a full day of rain at Churchill Downs, all 19 horses were forced to run through very muddy conditions At the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs - located in Louisville, Kentucky (shocker, I know. . . ) - the Bill Mott-trained horse, Sovereignty, who prior to the race, closed at 7-1 odds, would go on to win the first leg of the Triple Crown, crossing the finish line at 2:02.31 - while the early-morning favorite, Journalism, who closed at 3-1 odds, would come in second place. . .Per ESPN on Wednesday evening, the "Utah Mammoth" has been revealed as the new name for the Utah Hockey Club, and permanent identity for the NHL franchise after a lengthy 13-month process that included over 800k ballots cast by fans in multiple rounds of voting - - "Tusk Up?". . .The Utah Hockey Club was the temporary name used by the club in its inaugural 2024-25 NHL season after the Smith Entertainment Group purchased the Arizona Coyotes franchise & made the decision to relocate the franchise to Salt Lake City. . .I think we can all agree that the one factor about the NHL that separates it from other professional sports leagues, are clearly their team logos (although, like most other sports leagues, the team name/mascot for a particular city generally seems inappropriately "out of place") - - for example, when is the last time you encountered a Grizzly Bear in Memphis? Or heard "Jazz" [music] playing in Utah?. . .On Thursday, just after 6 p.m. local time, white smoke began to rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City - - which symbolized that the papal conclave had reached the two-thirds majority vote necessary for a new Pope to be crowned. . .Hailing from the United States, the home of the Chicago Bulls & the Chicago White Sox, Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church - - The new pontiff, Prevost, has chosen to go by the name Leo XIV & will assume the role of the new Pope - just two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. . .Of course, each story that we encounter, we attempt to view it from a different lens; Most of the time, I ask myself a very simple question when listening to the news: "Will it Sport?" - - This concept is very simple. . .No matter what you are reading, what you hear or see on television, your computer screen - - Ask yourself this very simple question. . .In other words, is there a way to integrate the topic of sports into the topic and/or news story? - - Instantly, when it was announced that there was a new Pope, and that he was from the United States, I KNEW IT WOULD SPORT! = Pope Leo XIV graduated from the University of Villanova in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mathematics, and he was actually glued to the television screen a few years ago when Kris Jenkins hit the game-winning shot in the NCAA College Basketball National Championship Game to win Wildcats HC Jay Wright his first (of two) championships. . .

- MLB - A Pittsburgh Pirates fan remains in critical condition after falling from the 21-foot high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park during last Wednesday night's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. . .The man was identified on Thursday as Kavan Markwood, who was a 2022 graduate & standout athlete from the Southern Allegheny School District, and was the MVP of the football team his Senior year. . .An update was provided on the following Wednesday that Markwood had suffered a broken neck, back & collarbone - - and despite his injuries, he is now awake, alert & able to speak - and he even stated in an interview that he remains in pain and self-described his injuries as the feeling that he "broke everything,". . .Markwood obviously still has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but we are all pulling for this guy. . .As of last Saturday evening, the GoFundMe page set up for Markwood had raised approximately $28,000 to contribute to his recovery. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - For months, Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney had joked with Ian Schieffelin that the 6-foot-8 PF for the Tigers' men's basketball team would make an excellent TE, but Schieffelin assumed it all was all in good fun - - Fast forward to two weeks ago, however, Schieffelin received a call from HC Dabo Swinney with a serious proposition: Swinney requested for Schieffelin to spend the next six months with the Tigers football team & see what happens. . .Schieffelin announced on his IG account on Friday that he is taking Swinney up on the offer, forgoing any Pro Basketball prospects for now in favor of one last season in a Clemson jersey - - this time on the gridiron rather than on the hardwood. . .Q: Will Ian Schieffelin advance past these next six months? Is it likely that he is the starting TE for a Clemson football team that is projected to be one of the top ten teams in the nation next season?. . .The University of Michigan has self-imposed a two-game ban for head football coach Sherrone Moore for the upcoming 2025 season - - According to ESPN's Dan Wetzel & Pete Thamel, the suspension stems from the Conor Stalions advanced scouting and sign-stealing scandal. . .Moore is set to miss the Wolverines' Week 3 & 4 matchups against Central Michigan & Nebraska - Q: Is it fair for the University and/or coaching staff to select which week(s) that the HC is barred from participating in team activities?. . .However, the NCAA can still punish Moore in addition to the self-impose school penalties, but it remains to be seen in Moore will miss more than just two games this season. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding Michigan's decision to self-impose a two-game ban for Wolverines' HC Sherrone Moore? Should the NCAA punish Moore in addition the school's self-imposed ban?. . .It was announced on Wednesday evening that former Utah Utes QB Cam Rising is set to become the offensive coordinator at his Alma Mater, Newbury Park High School, per On3 Sports - - This news was released shortly after Rising had announced earlier that afternoon that he was "medically retiring" from the sport of football - - For the most part, Rising has almost been a thorn in the side of the Utes football program the past few seasons - - but will now venture off into his first coaching venture - - and will do so at Newbury Park, which is the home to 2026 Michigan Wolverines QB commit Brady Smigiel. . .Former University of Alabama HC Nick Saban is expected to co-chair President Donald Trump's commission into college athletics, a source confirmed to CBS Sports on Wednesday evening - - The news comes after Trump met with Saban to discuss NIL reform - - Additionally, Texas businessman Cody Campbell, founder of Texas Tech's Matador Club NIL collective & chairman of the Texas Tech board of regents, will serve as co-chair alongside Saban. . .The commission would examine prominent issues facing college sports like the transfer portal, unregulated booster compensation that goes directly to athlets, the employment of college athletes & Title IX, among other hot-button topics - - Q: How likely is it that "NIL reform" will occur when you have one co-chair (Campbell) who is a clear advocate for NIL & the transfer portal, while the other co-chair (Saban) has spoke out numerous times regarding his disdain for modern day college athletics?. . .The NCAA has taken disciplinary action against five current or former Iowa State football support staff members for combining to make more than 6,200 online bets totaling more than $100,00 on professional & college games, including men's & women's basketball games involving the Iowa State Cyclones - - In a negotiated resolution finalized last week, the five former staff members, acknowledged that they knowingly violated NCAA sports wagering bylaws, and are all subject to a one-year show-cause order through April of 2026. . .The NCAA classified the violations as Level II for the individuals involved, meaning the breaches could compromise the integrity of the NCAA collegiate model. . .

- NFL - The infamous Draft Day prank phone call made to Shedeur Sanders will cost the Atlanta Falcons franchise more than just mere embarrassment - - The NFL announced last Wednesday that the league has fined Atlanta $250k and Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich $100k - - for failing to prevent the disclosure of player confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the 2025 NFL Draft - - But, Guess What?. . .The NFL announced that they are still investigating other prank calls that were made to players during the 2025 NFL Draft, but just to clarify, these prank calls are "unrelated" according to the league, to the call made to Sanders by Jax Ulbrich - - Other players who received prank calls during the NFL Draft include No.3 overall pick Abdul Carter, No.5 overall pick Mason Graham, the Indianapolis Colts' Tyler Warren, Philadelphia Eagles' Kyle McCord & Buffalo Bills' Chase Lundt. . .Q: Is it likely that there will be additional fines imposed by the NFL for these prank calls during the NFL Draft? What safeguards should the league implement to prevent player (or prospect) confidentiality from being breached? Should NFL coaches or assistant coaches be allowed to access such pertient information - even from a league-issued device - from the confines of their home?. . . In an unceremonious end to one of the greatest Ravens careers, Baltimore released kicker Justin Tucker on Monday, parting ways with the NFL's most accurate kicker amid an investigation by the league for sexual misconduct - - The move comes less than two months after team President Sashi Brown said the Ravens would wait on making a decision on Tucker until the NFL finished its investigation - - but the uncertainty about Tucker's future ramped up April 26th when Baltimore made the historic move of selecting kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL Draft - - That marked the first time in the franchise's 30 years that it drafted a kicker - - Tucker, 35, has been accused of misconduct by 16 massage therapists from eight high-end spas & wellness center in the Baltimore area - - Tucker was cut with three years left on a four-year, $22 million contract extension that made him the league's highest-paid kicker at the time. . .Q: What's next for the former Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker?. . .Discuss & Debate: Do you have an issue with NFL rookies, such as high draft picks, requesting or asking a franchise's legendary player(s) to wear/use their jersey number for the upcoming season? Why or why not?. . .Former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, who was viewed as one of the top QB prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, surprised NFL experts, especially Mel Kiper Jr., and most fans when he slid to the fifth round, and was selected with the No.144th pick by the Cleveland Browns - - but it surprised one Colorado fan a little more than the rest - - so much so that he is suing the NFL for $100 million in punitive damages "for the harm caused to the Plaintiff and the impact of the NFL's actions on his emotional wellbeing," according to court documents - - In the lawsuit, "John Doe" says that he is a dedicated fan of the Colorado Buffaloes, and claimed that the reports and "leaked statements" suggesting that Sanders "tanked interviews," "wasn't prepared" and "was too cocky" in the pre-draft process helped create a narrative that "unjustly harmed' his reputation - - Furthermore, that "slanderous statements" caused "emotional distress and trauma to the Plaintiff as a fan and consumer". . .In addition to $100 million, the Plaintiff has requested for a formal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions, a retraction of the slanderous statements made about Sanders and an apology, and implementation of fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized & given opportunities based on merit, and finally, that any additional remedies the Court deems appropriate, including compensatory damages. . The Dallas Cowboys made a big splash on Wednesday morning, finalizing a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, to acquire WR George Pickens. . .In exchange, the Cowboys will send a 2026 third-round pick & a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers for Pickens & a 2027 sixth-round pick - - The Cowboys officially have their WR2. . .but. . .Q: Was acquiring George Pickens the answer for Dallas? Did Pittsburgh get enough in return?.

- NBA - Atlanta Hawks SG Dyson "The Great Barrier Thief" Daniels has been named the 2024-25 NBA's "Most Improved Player" - - Daniels' emphasis on defense earned him a starting job in his first year in Atlanta & respect from around the league - - Daniels led the NBA with 229 steals, the most since Seattle's Gary Payton, who had 231 in the 1995-96 season. . .Daniels also finished as the runner-up to Cleveland's Evan Mobley in the voting for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. . .Daniels also improved his scoring from 5.8 PPG with New Orleans in 2023-24 to 14.1 with Atlanta, his rebounds from 3.9 to 5.9, and his steals from 1.4 to 3.0 per game. .Basketball Hall of Famer Greg Popovich, 76, will no longer coach the San Antonio Spurs, and is transitioning to a full-time role as the team's President of Basketball Operations - - Mitch Johnson, who was named acting head coach after Popovich suffered a mild stroke back in November, will take over head coaching duties permanently. . .At the press conference on Monday, Popovich made the announcement official while wearing a shirt that read "El Jefe," and made sure that reporters & members of the media knew that they could now refer to him as such - - Popovich is a legend to the league - as he has been an NBA HC for the past 29 seasons, is a 5-time NBA Champion, a 3-time NBA Coach of the Year award winner, led the Spurs to 26 playoff appearances, including 22 straight, and is the winningest coach in NBA history with a recorded 1,422 wins - - but JD would like to say, on behalf of Heat Nation - - "Good Riddance, Sir! It has been an honor, but I will not miss our battles in the NBA Finals!". . .The Indiana Pacers made a big announcement on Friday following last Tuesday's on-court confrontation between Milwaukee Bucks' star Giannis Antetokounmpo & John Haliburtion, the father of Indiana star PG Tyrese Haliburton - - both of which were involved in a heated argument on the court following the Pacers' elimination of the Bucks in Game 5. . .Per ESPN, John Haliburton has been banned from attending Pacers games "for the foreseeable future,". . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the Pacers' franchise decision to ban John Haliburton from attending games?. . .JD & Spencer provide a detailed analysis & breakdown of the following NBA Playoffs games - some of which from the first round of the Eastern & Western Conference playoffs - and others from the more recent second-round Semifinal round(s) - - the following games are discussed in this Episode:

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 85 - “The FU & FAQ Episode” includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez, 33, entered the game on Saturday with a .167 batting average, however, his confidence received a significant boost after connecting on a 93.8-mph fastball by Braves starting pitcher, Grant Holmes, in the second inning that would lead to a 418-foot HR; this was just the beginning for Suarez, who had himself a historic evening last Saturday - - Suarez became just the 19th player in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game - - but unfortunately for Suarez, his team is dumpster fire on a 110 degree day - and the Diamondbacks became just the second franchise since the year 1900 to have a player hit four dingers out of the park and still find a way for the team to lose the game - - The D'backs would go on to lose the game versus the Atlanta Braves, 8-7, in extra innings (10) at Chase Field. . .Q: Throughout MLB history, there have only been nineteen (19) other players in the league who have hit four HR's in a single game. . .How long do you think it will be before an MLB player breaks that record & hits five HRs in a single game?. . .**Let Us Know What You Think. . .Share Your Thoughts with us via X - @Traditionfinest OR by email at [email protected]!. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines: NCAA College Basketball - Five-star recruit, Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was placed in an induced coma after he was involved in a serious car crash in the Los Angeles area early last Thursday morning, as was first reported by ESPN. . .According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, Arenas was involved in a single-vehicle crash in a suburb of San Fernando Valley shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday morning - - the lone vehicle involved was determined to be a Tesla Cybertruck that crashed into a tree/fire hydrant, which contributed to the fire & smoke - and the driver, according to LAFD, was transported to the local hospital by ambulance & was in a "serious condition.". . Prior to his accident, and according to On3 Sports and ESPN's Class of 2025 rankings for high school basketball recruits across the country, Arenas was the No.13 overall recruit after reclassifying in December, and then committing to HC Eric Musselman & the USC Trojans a month later. . .According to his family, the day after the incident occurred, Arenas, 18, had displayed "significant signs of progress within the last 24 hours," - - Prayers Up for Alijah Arenas & his family! - - Our hope is that Arenas will continue to recover, and that we are able to watch him play for the Trojans next season. . .One of the top - and possibly the oldest (25) - college basketball players in the NCAA transfer portal, Chad Baker-Mazara, announced on Monday that he has committed to play for the USC Trojans in the 2025-26 NCAA College Basketball season. . .A 6-foot-7-inch forward, Baker-Mazara, has also displayed the tangibles necessary to play at the guard position - after averaging 12.3 PPG & a team-high 1.2 steals per game last season while starting in 34 of 38 games for HC Bruce Pearl & the Auburn Tigers as they made an impressive run to the NCAA Final Four - - Baker-Mazara, who earned 3rd-team All-SEC honors in 2024-25, was second on the team in scoring, trailing only 1st-team All-America PF/C Johni Broome - - His decision to leave Auburn & to subsequently enter into the NCAA transfer portal was somewhat of a surprise as his grit, physicality & belief in the Tigers' program, was put on display the past few seasons - but Baker-Mazara mince words or hold back from revealing his excitement via social media by posting "Dreams turned into reality!!" and "Let's go to work!" shortly after the news was made official. . ."Ballin' Like His Daddy:" Per ESPN, Cal University transfer Andrej Stojakovic, the son of former NBA 3-point extraordinaire, Peja Stojakovic, and one of the best available players in the NCAA transfer portal - also announced his commitment on Monday - electing to transfer to Illinois over North Carolina & Stanford, where he began his collegiate career. . .Stojakovic averaged 17.9 PPG and 4.7 RPG this past season with the Golden Bears - but he finished the season by averaging 33.0 PPG in two ACC Conference Tournament games, where he shot 7-for-13 from beyond the arc in both contests. . .Q: Of these two transfers - - Chad Baker-Mazara (USC) & Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois) - - Which of the two players will most likely play a significant role with their new program?. . .It was announced on Monday evening that NBA great Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to become the General Manager for the Sacramento State Hornets Men's Basketball team - - As first reported per ESPN, this will be an unpaid role for O'Neal, whose son Shaqir O'Neal, recently transferred from Florida A&M University to Sacramento State, shortly after the hiring of the program's new head coach, Mike Bibby. . . Q: What are your thoughts on Shaquille O'Neal becoming the GM at Sacramento State? Do you think this hire could potentially affect the NCAA & their decision to accept the University's waiver, allowing Sacramento State to become a NCAA Division-I program?. . .

- NBA - JD & Spencer provide a detailed analysis of the games played in the first round of the NBA Playoffs - and breakdown each individual game & discuss their predictions as we get closer to the Semifinal round. . . The following NBA Playoff games are discussed in this episode:

- NFL - The 2025 NFL Draft was the 90th annual meeting of NFL franchises to select newly eligible players - with the majority being players from the collegiate level. . .This year's draft was held at Lambeau Field and its adjacent Titletown District in Green Bay, WI, on April 24th through April 26th. . .No surprise with No.1 overall pick in the NFL Draft - as the Tennessee Titans selected QB Cam Ward out of the University of Miami - - Ward became the first University of Miami player selected with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft since 1991. . .The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to acquire the No.2 overall pick from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday (or opening) night of the NFL Draft, and selected two-way star WR/CB Travis Hunter out of the University of Colorado - - The trade moved the Browns down three spots, and would make their selection at the No.5 overall spot - - However, this trade can only be discussed in terms of its boldness: Moving up three spots in his first NFL Draft with the team is a "bold move, Cotton" for first-time GM James Gladstone, who is the second-youngest GM in NFL history (34). . . Q: Shortly after making the draft pick, Gladstone stated that the plan is to start Hunter on offense and work him in on the defensive side of the ball as he grows more comfortable, what are your thoughts regarding the GM's stance & notion of how he will utilize Hunter's unique skill set? Do you believe that Hunter can "play both ways" in the NFL? Is it a legitimate possibility that we may witness a two-way star player, such as Travis Hunter, be inducted into the HOF for his offensive (WR) & defensive (CB) play?. . .Let's skip the next few picks & swing on over to the No.6 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft: With the No.6 overall pick, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty on Thursday night, which became the franchise's first pick under new HC Pete Carroll & GM John Spytek - - By drafting Jeanty, Spytek indicated the team has a strong foundation in place on offense with TE Brock Bowers, WR Jakobi Meyers & newly-acquired QB Geno Smith - - Jeanty was regarded by many scouts to be one of the top players in this draft class after having a historic season with Boise State in 2024, where he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy award, and he also scored 29 TDs & had six games where he rushed for at least 200 rushing yards - - This guy has a very high ceiling. . .Jeanty became the first RB selected within the first six picks of the NFL Draft since Saquon Barkley was drafted by the New York Giants - - and accordingly, his pro comp according to Matt Miller of ESPN, is Alvin Kamara - - Furthermore, Jeanty has also acknowledged after being selected the Raiders that he has always "admired" former Seahawks/Raiders RB Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch. . .Q: Which of these three RBs can we expect Ashton Jeanty's career to be comparable too (i.e., Barkley, Kamara & Lynch)?. . .*Be sure to tune into this Episode as JD & Spencer discuss their favorite picks from the first round, including those players selected between the No.7 overall pick and the No.24 overall player - - Note: Players from the SEC & Big Ten Conference(s) accounted for 26 of the 32 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft. . .With No.25 overall pick, the New York Giants. . ."shocked" ESPN draft analyst & expert, Mel Kiper Jr. . . and the sports world when they elected to pass on projected first-round pick & QB Shedeur Sanders - - The Giants would draft Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick, where he will join a revamped QB room that includes the perceived starter in Russell Wilson, backup Jameis Winston & Mr. Italian, himself, in Tommy DeVito - who may now be the odd-man out. . .Q: While it's presumed that the Giants depth chart at the QB position to start the 2025-26 NFL season will be as follows: 1. Russ, 2. Jameis, 3.Dart - - Who do you predict will be the New York Giants starting QB by the end of next season?. . . One of the most significant storylines surrounding this year's NFL Draft concerned which NFL franchise would use their pick to draft QB Shedeur Sanders - - as well as in what round will this selection occur. . .Certainly, one could argue that the highlight of the weekend involved Shedeur Sanders' dramatic dropoff & slide from a potential first-round draft pick to the fifth round - - although ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., who is a regular on the panel of each year's draft, projected Shedeur to be drafted in the first round. . .As mentioned, Shedeur's name was not called in the first, second, third or fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft - - In fact, his surprising slide would not come to an end until Saturday or Day 3 of the draft: In the fifth round, the Cleveland Browns traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to select the QB with the No.144 overall pick, which made Shedeur the second QB (and second-straight) that Cleveland had drafted this weekend (i.e., also drafted Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel with the No.94 overall pick). . .Q: What particular factors do you think contributed to QB Shedeur Sanders sliding from a projected first-round pick to the fifth round?. . .Sanders was the 6th QB taken in this year's NFL Draft, following Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe & Dillon Gabriel. . .As Shedeur continued to slide down the NFL Draft board, it was quite evident that tension was building up on the ESPN set, among members of the panel, especially with ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr - - Once Shedeur was selected with the No.144 overall pick, the tension that had been building on set in Green Bay, WI finally combusted - - Kiper Jr. could not hide his "disgust" with the NFL for allowing his top-ranked QB in the 2025 NFL Draft to slip into Day 3. . .He continued by making such remarks as "This is not about 'Can you play the position?' This is about 'Do we want you to play the position for us?"' - - Fellow analyst & panel member, Louis Riddick, would, in some aspects, go on to debate over the 'competency' of NFL franchises & their scouts' abilities to evaluate QBs - - After a heated argument, finally, host Rece Davis put a bow on the conversation & the analysts would attempt to return to discussing the players selected - - during the Kiper-Riddick argument, there was a total of seven prospects that were drafted and/or came off the board during the chaos. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding Mel Kiper Jr.'s on-screen rant about QB Shedeur Sanders & the NFL's ability to evaluate QBs coming into the league?. . .but Wait! There's more. . .On Day 2 of his slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, on Friday, Shedeur Sanders received a phone call - allegedly from the GM of the New Orleans Saints - as he waited anxiously to learn which NFL team would select him - - What's the Catch?. . .It was a "prank call" - - Shortly after the incident occurred, the NFL announced that the league would be probing how the prank callers were able to obtain Shedeur Sanders phone number to prank call him during the draft - - Then, just like that, the mystery was solved: On Sunday, it was revealed the Atlanta Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich's 21-year-old son, Jax, was behind the prank call after coming across the phone number for Sanders' special draft phone on an open & unlocked iPad - - The Atlanta Falcons released a statement explaining the situation & offered their "sincere apologies" to Sanders & his family - - The culprit, Jax Ulbrich, in the meantime, posted a lengthy statement via his Instagram account, where he apologized to Sanders & thanked him for "accepting his call" earlier that morning - - The Falcons said in their statement that Jax Ulbrich "unintentionally came across" the number for Sanders' draft phone, and that Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich was "unaware" about both the leak & the prank call until after the fact. .In the seventh round of the NFL Draft, and with the No.231 pick, the Miami Dolphins selected Texas QB Quinn Ewers, who as expected, will compete with QB Zach Wilson, who was signed by the Dolphins in free agency, for the team's backup QB role this summer - - Unfortunately for Quinn, he could have made approximately $8M in NIL earnings throughout the 2025 NCAA football season if he would have elected to enter the NCAA transfer portal & transferred to a different program (i.e.,possibly Notre Dame?) and play elsewhere - - However, after he made the decision to turn pro, which would lead to him being selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, he is now expected to make approximately $800k in yearly earnings - - One word: OUCH!. . .In the 2025 NFL Draft, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" went to Kobee Minor, a defensive back from Memphis, who was selected with the final pick (i.e., No.257 overall) in the seventh or final round of the draft by the New England Patriots. . .Following the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. provided an overall grade to the 32 draft classes using his own "Big Board" rankings & positional grades - - Of course, the Cleveland Browns (aka "the NFL franchise that drafted QB Shedeur Sanders) were the only NFL team that received an "A+" grade, while the Seattle Seahawks received an "A" draft grade - and finally, theNew England Patriots, New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl Champions, received an overall grade of "A-". . .The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement on a one-year contract with free agent WR Diontae Johnson, a source confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday evening. . .Q: After a troubled 2024 season for Johnson, is Cleveland "the answer" for WR Diontae Johnson?. . .

- FAQ or Q&A Segment - JD & Spencer compiled a series of mostly sports-related questions for them to discuss & debate; They did not discuss the Questions prior to the recording of this episode so their answers are, in fact, independent of one another and are legitimate. JD & Spencer provide their individual responses and discuss & debate the following questions in the final segment of this Episode:

1. What is the most unbreakable record in sports?

2. Could the best college team (i.e., National Champions) defeat the worst professional team?

3. Should Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa & Barry Bonds be allowed into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame? Why or Why not?

4. NCAA College Football: BCS or Playoffs?

5. Who is your favorite athlete of all time?

6. A Non-Sports Hypothetical Question: Could 100 men defeat a single gorilla in a fight?. . .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 84 - “The Randy Moss Episode” includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous: It was announced last week that College Football analyst Lee Corso will be retiring from ESPN's "College Gameday" program in late August - - Corso, who had been a part of the College Gameday crew since the year, 1987, will turn 90 years old in early August, is widely known for his legendary "headgear" picks & his "not so fast, my friend" retort when he disagreed with a member of the panel. . .Out of his 430 headgear selections dating back to October 1996, it's no surprise to learn that the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have remained a pinnacle to the sport of college football, have received the most headgear selections by Lee Corso (45) - - Alabama came in at No.2 with 38 headgear selections, LSU at No.3 with 25 selections, and Florida & Oregon at No.4 and No.5, respectively, with 22 and 21 selections. . .An interesting fact about Lee Corso is that, throughout many of his segments on the show "College Gameday," he was branding one of those infamous, school-bus-yellow No.2 pencils - - but Why? In the offseason, Corso was actually held the job title of Director of Business Development for the company Dixon Ticonderoga, which specialized in crafting those famous No.2 pencils ✏️. . .Corso's final broadcast will occur on the date of August 30th, ESPN announced late last week - but prior to being the most recognizable character on the set of the show, Corso spent 28 years as a college & pro football head coach - which included 15 years at Louisville University, Indiana University & Northern Illinois University. . .Prior to becoming a head football coach or a college football analyst, Lee Corso played college football at Florida State University for the Seminoles, which is where he gained the nickname of the "Sunshine Scooter.". .In the eyes of the Tradition's Finest Podcast, Lee Corso is forever a legend & he most certainly will forever be remembered. . .as the older man that dressed up as Notre Dame's mascot, the leprechaun, and did the Irish jig on national television - and for THAT, we thank YOU, sir!. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines: NCAA College Basketball: Bryce James, the youngest son of Laker star LeBron James, has officially signed his letter of intent to play for the Arizona Wildcats next season - - James, a 6-foot-4 guard is a three-star prospect out of Southern California's Sierra Canyon school - and is currently ranked as the No.257th player among the Class of 2025 according to the 24/7 Sports composite rankings - - Along with James' commitment, the Wildcats have incoming one of its' best recruiting classes after signing Gilbert Perry & McDonald's High School All-Americans, Koa Peat & Brayden Burries. . .Q: While it's a shame that LeBron James only graced us with TWO sons, what is Bryce James' ceiling? Is his ceiling higher or lower than his older brother, Bronny James?. . .University of Memphis star guard & 2024-25 AAC Conference Player of the Year PJ Haggerty, who was the nation's 3rd leading scorer in the NCAA last season, has entered the NCAA transfer portal - - and he is "in search of" a $4 million dollar NIL deal (but that's not ALL!) - - Haggerty's agent has also reported that he prefers to play primarily at the point guard position when he is on the court. . .Let's play "Three Truth's & a Lie ". . .1. Haggerty averaged >20 points per game the two seasons he spent at TCU; 2. After transferring in 2023, Haggerty averaged 21.2 points per game at the University of Tulsa; 3. Last season, Haggerty averaged 21.7 points per game at the University of Memphis; A Straight Up LIE: College basketball players should be out here demanding millions & millions of dollars for "their services" or "their talent" on the basketball court. . . .According to The Field of 68 sports reporter Jeff Goodman on his podcast on Monday night - "They [Memphis] don't have the money to pay PJ Haggerty that type of money [$4M],". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the PJ Haggerty's $4 million NIL deal request? While mostly speculation, if reporter Jeff Goodman is correct about Memphis & their inability to afford to pay PJ Haggerty, which college schools (or programs) do you think are most likely to enter the sweepstakes for a player of his caliber?. . .Former NCAA Scoring Champion & the No.10 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Jimmer Fredette, announced his retirement from the sport of basketball on Wednesday afternoon - - Fredette, who played for the BYU Cougars, was, without debate, one of the best shooters of all-time at the collegiate level. . .Q: Should Jimmer Fredette join Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball League?. . .*Let Us Know What You Think - Share Your Thoughts with Us via X - @Tradition.Finest OR Send Us a Message via Email to [email protected]!!. . .NCAA College Football: On Sunday, it became "Instagram Official" - University of Tennessee transfer QB Nico Iamaleava committed to UCLA, which set into motion a chain of events that would light the college football world on fire - after his commitment was official, a day later, Bruins QB Joey Aguilar, who had joined the team through the winter portal, announced his plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal: this would lead to the first ever "QB trade" or "QB swap" in college football history - With one year of eligibility left, Aguilar would travel to Knoxville, and commit to the the University of Tennessee, as reported per ESPN. . .According to Sportsbook, Volunteers QB Joey Aguilar (+4500) has nearly double the odds to win next year's Heisman trophy over UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava (+8000). . .On the following day, on Monday, it was reported that University of Arkansas QB Madden Iamaleava, Nico's younger brother, was also set to transfer to UCLA - - which has led to the University of Arkansas now threatening legal action against Madden after he signed an NIL deal with the program without ever playing a single snap - Obviously, the University of Tennessee also could become involved as Nico originally signed a $10M NIL deal while he was a high school recruit. . .Q: How wild would it be if the Iamaleava bros were forced by litigation to provide their former college programs with every cent of their current NIL deal with the Bruins?. . .

- NFL: Former NFL QB Colin Kaepernick is reportedly "still training for an NFL return" according to his longtime partner/girlfriend Nessa Diab. . .Kaepernick has not played professionally in the NFL in over a decade, but he is still training for "a comeback?". . As reported to TMZ Sports per Diab, Kaepernick is "busting his ass in the gym, training regularly, hoping an NFL GM will give him a shot to show he's still got what it takes to lead [an NFL] football team. All day, Every day!". . .Kaepernick last worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 but was not signed, and prior to that, in 2020, he was invited to a Seattle Seahawks workout session, but walked away without an NFL offer. . .Q: Realistically, after being out of the league for nearly a decade - as well as his controversial status within the league - do you think Colin Kaepernick will ever play in the NFL again?. . .Every once in awhile, there is a storyline in the media that reminds you that reporters are humans, and that humility is still alive - - It was announced on Tuesday that Travis Hunter's father - Travis Hunter Sr. - has been given permission by the court to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, WI, where he will have the opportunity to witness his son walk up on the stage after being drafted into the league - - Hunter Sr., who is currently serving his three-year probation sentence stemming from a 2023 arrest on gun & drug charges - which prevented him from attending the Heisman Trophy ceremony - where his son would win the most prestigous award in the sport. . .

- NBA: Former four-time NBA All-Star PG Kemba Walker is returning to the court this summer as he has reportedly joined Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball league. . .Kemba is joining Dwight Howard as the most recent former NBA players to sign agreements to play in its eighth season - While it remains unclear which team he will play for this upcoming season, the league has recently announced a new team lineup that features eight city-based clubs for the 2025 season, which will tip off on Flag Day (or June 14th) 2025. . .Fast-forward to the following Monday following the Dallas Mavericks' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the WCF NBA Play-In Tournament Game, Mavericks' GM Nico Harrison held an official off-camera "End-of-Season-News (or Press)-Conference," which was an event scheduled primarily for a select group of Dallas-based reporters - - After the fourth or fifth question about the Luka Doncic trade, Harrison revealed that he had hoped to be done talking about [the trade] by now, and he would go on to admit that he miscalculated the love the city/franchise had for Luka before he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. . .Harrison was asked directly why he shouldn't be fired, defended the rationale behind the trade, promised a championship contender next season & eventually admitted he underestimated the backlack trading Doncic would generate, particularly by the team's supporters and/or fan base. . .Q: Based on the current Mavs' roster as they head into the NBA Offseason, including the starting five that GM Nico Harrison mentioned as a "championship caliber team," (i.e., Kyrie, Klay, PJ, AD & Dereck Lively) what are the chances that the Mavericks finish next season with an above .500 record? If the Mavericks struggle next season, will the team owner be forced to fire Harrison?. . .Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton was named the "most overrated" player on Tuesday in an anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic - after earning 14.4% of the vote, beating out T-Wolves C Rudy Gobert & Hawks G Trae Young. . .Haliburton's points, rebounds & assists have declined this season in comparison to past seasons - and he failed to make the All-Star Game for the first time since joining the Pacers - Q: But is this the primary reason for the percentage boost (after Haliburton received only 3.4% of the vote in 2024)?. . .Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday evening - - Pritchard has been a constant source of energy & production for the Celtics the past two seasons, primarily coming off the bench. . .He finished with 82 out of the 100 available first-place votes & was the only player to appear on every ballot, and averaged more than 28 minutes per game throughout the NBA regular season. . .

- NBA Playoff Recap: JD & Spencer analyze & discuss the NBA Playoff games, or those games played in the first round of both the Eastern & Western Conferences; this episode features a breakdown & discussion of the following game(s) that occurred between Sunday (4/19) & Tuesday (4/21) nights:

Game 1: No.4 Indiana Pacers vs. No.5 Milwaukee Bucks

Game 1: No.3 NY Knicks vs. No.6 Detroit Pistons

Game 1: No.4 Denver Nuggets vs. No.5 LA Clippers

Game 1: No.3 LA Lakers vs. No.6 Minnesota Timberwolves

Game 1: No.2 Boston Celtics vs. No.7 Orlando Magic

Game 1: No.1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No.8 Miami Heat

Game 1: No.1 OKC Thunder vs. No.8 Memphis Grizzlies

Game 1: No.2 Houston Rockets vs. No.7 Golden State Warriors

Game 2: No.3 NY Knicks vs. No.6 Detroit Pistons

Game 2: No.4 Denver Nuggets vs. No.5 LA Clippers

Game 2: No.4 Indiana Pacers vs. No.5 Milwaukee Bucks

Game 2: No.1 OKC Thunder vs. No.8 Memphis Grizzlies

Game 2: No.3 LA Lakers vs. No.6 Minnesota Timberwolves

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 83 - “The MCMLXXXIII Episode” includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- Miscellaneous - "NCAA Frozen Four:" In our "Miscellaneous" category this week, we are going to expand our discussion a bit outside of the norm and/or our comfort zone - and will begin our discussion with some NCAA (or College) Men's Ice Hockey. . .On paper & ice , the Boston University Terriers were far superior to their opponent, the Western Michigan Broncos, in the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four National Championship Game played last Saturday afternoon at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri (the primary tenant for this arena is the NHL's St. Louis Blues). . .As a NCAA Division-I historic program, the Boston University Terriers Men's Ice Hockey team, who played their first game in 1918, have won five national championships, made appearances in 25 NCAA Frozen Four(s) & have won 12 major conference tournament championships - while competing in conferences such as: the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC; 1961-1984) to the most current Hockey East Association (1985-today). . .In stark contrast, the Western Michigan Broncos Men's Ice Hockey team, who are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), play their home games at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan & as a D-I program, played their first game in the year 1973, and finally, the Broncos were making their first-ever trip in program history to the NCAA Frozen Four. . .Unfortunately for the Terriers, neither ice nor their lengthy list of accolades on paper, would serve to intimidate or undermine WMU Broncos' star players, Sophomores Owen Michaels & Wyatt Schingoethe - who scored two goals & a single goal, respectively, in the Championship Game on Saturday - - The Western Michigan Broncos would go on to win their first-ever NCAA Championship after defeating the Boston University Terriers 6-2 in the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four National Championship Game. . .Albeit impressive, but it is important that we mention, that the Broncos ended this season on a 10-game winning streak, which included pulling off the upset over defending-champion, Denver University, 3-2 in double OT a couple days prior . . .It gives me a great sense of joy to report that the Chicago Cubs handed the MLB defending-champion Los Angeles Dodgers the franchise's most lopsided shutout loss against any team in over 60 years, on Saturday, in the Cubbies' 16-0 rout. . .This was the Dodgers worst shutout loss since the 18-0 loss on the road versus the Cincinnati Reds in 1965 - and as for worst shutout losses at their home field, this was the worse trouncing since the then-Brooklyn Dodgers took a 15-0 "big fat L" versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, in 1898. . .After beginning the season 8-0, the Dodgers - and their ridiculously high player budget - have gone 2-7 over the past nine games. . .On Monday, New York Yankees' All-Star Aaron Judge announced on the MLB Network that he will be suiting up for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic - and that, he has been named the "team captain". . .It almost feels as though, that, Judge is re-paying his debt to the great people of the United States after not playing in 2023, which led to Team USA losing to Japan in the Championship Game. . .

- PGA - Rory McIlroy's painful wait for the career Grand Slam finally ended - - but he certainly flirted with disaster one too many times. . .McIlroy overcame a shaky start - - and even a perilous finish - - in the final round of the 89th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to defeat Justin Rose in the first hold of a sudden-death playoff to win a green jacket & became just the 6th golfer to complete the career Grand Slam. . .On the verge of collapsing the Masters again, McIlroy delivered one of the most memorable shots of his career on the par-4 17th hole - but then followed it up by missing a short putt on the 18th hole. . .McIlroy was made an incredible shot in the sudden death playoff to defeat Rose, which was McIlroy's fifth major championship victory & first in more than a decade. . .

- MLB - Late Monday evening, Wiley Ballard, a Fanduel Sports Network reporter for the Atlanta Braves, seemed to be walking throughout & mingling with people in crowd at Rogers Centre, the home of the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays. . .As he continued to interact with more & more baseball fans who were willing to speak to the reporter, Ballard encountered two young women (aka Lauren & Kayla) and immediately after sparking up a conversation with them, his broadcast colleagues began encouraging him to "get their numbers," - to which, Ballard informed both Kayla & Lauren, and as he was informing them of his intentions, he pulled out his mobile (or cell) phone. . .Eventually, one of the women, Lauren, would give Wiley her phone number on live television - and the social media sleuths could not help but to form an opinion and/or post his or her reaction to what, seemed to be, a harmless encounter at best. . .However, many sports reporters reacted quite negatively towards the broadcast crew and the reporter for this stunt, using derogatory phrases & such words as "gross & misogynistic" to describe & condemn the crew/reporter's behavior. . .Q: What are your thoughts in regards this reporter actively "shooting his shot" on live television?. . .

- NCAA College Hoops - The transfer portal has created a "new normal" - - Baylor has to replace its entire basketball team after every single person on the roster from last season left the school. . .Nine of the 14 players have entered the transfer portal. . .Former Kansas guard AJ Storr announced on Wednesday that he is transferring to Ole Miss for the 2025-26 college basketball season - Ole Miss officially becomes Storr's 8th program (including at the high school level) in eight year - I think we can all agree on one thing: He should have stayed at Wisconsin, where he averaged 15+ points per game. . .

- NBA - Nikola Jokic became the first Center & 3rd player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season - - The other players to average a triple-double for a full season are: his current Denver teammate Russell Westbook, who has accompished this feat four times; and Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. . .After his most recent triple-double versus the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday night, which was Jokic's 164th during the regular season, he remains in second place to Denver teammate, Russell Westbrook, who has 203 career triple-doubles. . .Mikal Bridges extended his "iron-man" streask with a loophole as the Knicks rested their starters in the team's regular-season finale with over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday - - Bridges logged just six seconds in the regular season finale before he purposefully fouled a Nets playery, darting to the bench for the remainder of the game - - this was Bridges' 665th consecutive game played - - almost double the number of No.2 Harrison Barnes, whose streak hit 304 on Sunday. . .Q: Are you okay with players checking out of the game seconds or minutes after its onset?. . . The Phoenix Suns have fired HC Mike Budenholzer after one season, per ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday evening - - Under Budenholzer, the Suns finished the regular season with a 36-46 record, and finished 11th in the Western Conference standings. . .According to a report, Budenholzer made the cardinal sin by supposedly telling Bradley Beal "to play more like Jrue Holiday". . .The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially set and are underway - - as the Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, 120-95, in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament Game, and will now square off versus the No.2 seed & defending champion Boston Celtics, while the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 after Jimmy Buter & Stephen Curry combined to score 75 points in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament game, and will face off versus the No.2 seed Houston Rockets. . .

- NCAA: News & Storylines - University of Tennessee Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava did not attend spring football practice on Friday after NIL negotiations on a new contract - - His agents were attempting to renegotiate his deal in the $4 million deal - but his deal remain unchanged - - after he was expected to make $2.4 million with the Vols this year, but after the Vols pledged to not "blink an eye," and would not "pay him any more money.". .The University made the decision to move on from Nico - which shortly afterwards, led to the report that Iamaleave would enter the NCAA transfer portal upon its' opening on Wednesday - - The move to cut ties with Iamaleava has unfolded as a classic tale of modern college football, as he arrived at the school with a historic contract and now leaves both Tennessee's QB room with his own future shrouded in uncertainty. . .Then news broke that QB Nico Iamaleava was set to transfer to UCLA, and his father stated that "it was not about money," but rather the "Vols football offense." . .The Colorado Buffaloes will honor two of the most dynamci players in school history during Saturday's annual Black & Gold Spring Game by retiring numbers of Shedeur Sanders (#2) and two-way star player Travis Hunter (#12). . .However, people were not too happy with this announcement, and some feel the timing is rushed, pointing to the fact that it took 23 years for Colorado to retire the number of its first Heisman winner, RB Rashaan Salaam. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Colorado's decision to retire Sanders & Travis Hunter's jersey numbers?. . .Former Cal star RB Jaydn Ott announced on Tuesday that he is transferring & will be playing his Senior season at the University of Oklahoma. . .Q: Do you think OU is a good fit for RB Jaydn Ott?. . .

- NFL - The Cleveland Browns & veteran QB Joe Flacco reached an agreement last Friday afternoon on a one-year, $4 million contract. . .Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal could be up to $13 million including incentives. . .This deal will reunite Flacco & the Cleveland Browns, where back in 2023, he was awarded NFL's Comeback Player of the Year - - and Flacco remains one of three QBs that has a winning record with the Browns franchise since their return to the city of Cleveland (i.e., Brian Hoyer & Case Keenum). . .With the expectation that starting QB DeShaun Watson, who remains in rehab after re-tearing his right Achilles tendon, will miss most, if not the entire 2025 NFL season, and the franchise's decision to not re-sign last season's backup QB Jameis Winston - Flacco joins a deflated QB room that currently features Kenny Pickett, whom of which the Browns acquired via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles during the first week of NFL free agency. . .In addition to signing Flacco, the Browns also hold the second overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, and co-owner Jimmy Haslam has facilitated meetings with several of the top QB prospects, including Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe & Tyler Shough - - it's not difficult to predict that much speculation & multiple discussions will be had to determine whether the Browns should select a QB with the No.2 overall pick - after acquiring Flacco - or whether they should go in a different direction by drafting a non-QB prospect. . .Q: What are your thoughts? How likely do you think it is that the Cleveland Browns pass on the opportunity to draft a potential "franchise QB" with the No.2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?. . .