By Joe Torosian
(Each Monday is the day we triage our teams and players. Assess damage to our egos and standing in the sports community and put in place what we are going to do, say, and believe about sports this week.)
“Eight miles high and falling fast…”
Is Laremy Tunsil worth two number one draft picks? If you ask the football world, you’ll get mixed reactions…Ask Houston Texans starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, and you’ll get a loud AMEN!
No truth to the rumor that the Raiders are going to sign Brian Hoyer now that he’s a free agent quarterback.
Think about this…the Oakland Raiders cut wide receiver Keelan Doss (subsequently signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars) and kept Mike Glennon and Nathan Peterman.
We don’t know if Doss is going to be the next Jerry Rice or the next Brian Quick…But that’s it—we don’t know! But we do know all about Mike Glennon and Nathan Peterman…and the recently signed Deshone Kizer.
(As long as those guys are still drawing NFL paychecks, Kaepernick still has a case.)
We should also know—by now—that a Gruden never changes his stripes.
Legendary Pasadena Star-News & SGV Tribune sportswriter (among many other titles) passed away on August 27th. I got to know him briefly when I first started out. A good guy, gracious, and even-tempered. For the word “journalism” to be rehabilitated, there needs to be a couple thousand more Steve Hunt’s.
I will say this…Steve Hunt was my inspiration for using the word, “paydirt” in almost every football game story I wrote…And why I encouraged my staff over the years to use the word as well…
Fresno State at USC (USC 31 Fresno State 23)
How did it feel to be a USC fan on Sunday morning? You got the win…but you’re starting quarterback—JT Daniels—is gone for the season, you had to go a full four quarters to beat the Bulldogs, and Clay Helton is still your head coach?
The new USC fight song should be: “Hello, I must be going. I’m glad I came but just the same, I just I must coming…”
Last Add Fresno State: Go Jorge Reyna Jr.! The former Downey/PHS quarterback is the modern-day Billy Kilmer. “Tough, brawling, rough-hewn, but crudely effective…The spiritual leader of the Fresno State Bulldogs…”
Former Pasadena-Muir/USC standout Kevon Seymour was cut by the Carolina Panthers.
UCLA at Cincy (Cincy 24 UCLA 14)
The UCLA road unis have always sucked…maybe Nike can help them out…
Can we refrain on the DTR talk? He’s just Dorian Thompson-Robinson until the Bruins win nine games…Personally, I think UCLA should see what the University of Georgia is putting on the waiver wire/transfer portal at the end of the season.
Just For Fun Department: Temarrick Hemingway.
Hemingway was a sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2016 out of South Carolina State. He spent part of 2018 with the Denver Broncos and was recently cut then resigned by the Carolina Panthers to their Practice Squad.
He is scheduled to make $136,000 in 2019. Over four seasons in the NFL he will have made $1,407,339… He’s been active for 14 games…He’s been in 13 games…He’s played 19 snaps…He’s started 0 games…He’s caught 0 passes….
South Alabama at Nebraska (Nebraska 35 South Alabama 21)
Thought this might be a nice early game to catch on Saturday…Then I heard Beth Mowins voice and decided it was time to clean the kitchen.
Who thought Mowins was a good idea? But if you like her, knock yourself out.
And before you think it’s just a gender thing…I cringe when I have to hear Jim Nantz and/or Bob Costas.
Georgia Tech at Clemson (Clemson 52 Georgia Tech 14)
Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence might not have been perfect throwing the ball…But he has no business running the ball unless the pocket breaks down.
Note to Dabo: DO NOT call plays for him to run. At the very least remind him part of the reason Andrew Luck is retired at the age of 29 is because he ran the ball too much.
The Miami Dolphins started their fire sale a month before the season began.
Ryan Fitzpatrick being named the starting quarterback, was a bad look for Josh Rosen. Now, the tenth overall pick of the 2018 draft will eventually play…but seeing how the Dolphins are being torn down before Week One…Rosen might be longing for Phoenix, and for as much time on the bench as possible.
Overs-Unders before Fitzpatrick is carted off?
How far off the radar was Jadeveon Clowney’s holdout with the Houston Texans?
Not only was there more talk about Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon. But even Ryan Russell—who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2017—coming out as bisexual was higher in the ESPN ticker cue.
I’m sure Ryan Russell will be nominated for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at next year’s Espys…Aren’t we all suspicious of intentions when someone “Comes Out” about their sexuality after they’ve left the NFL…
Back to Clowney: Overrated. He’s a glorified Dante Fowler…
Demarcus Cousins
As the line goes from “Stir Crazy”—Demarcus Cousins can kiss the baby…
Joe T. is the author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” … “Temple City & The Company of The Ages” … “The Dead Bug Tales” … “The Dark Norm” & “FaithViews for Storm Riders”…all five available through Amazon.com.
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
Instagram: @joet13b
