Imagine it or not, I used to be already going to guide with a phase on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, even earlier than the most recent information on the face of the franchise.
That information got here final Thursday on the second day of coaching camp, when Burrow went down with a proper calf pressure. He’s anticipated to overlook “a number of weeks,” in accordance with head coach Zac Taylor, not essentially the most particular time-frame we’ve ever heard.
Quick panic set in amongst Who Dey Nation because the native tv information retailers scrambled to get the news. They have been virtually stumbling throughout one another to provide everybody the most recent on Burrow, with some speculating on the severity of the harm. In fact, social media additionally obtained in on the motion, with rumors of a season-ending (earlier than it even begins) torn Achilles.
It might have been worse for Burrow and the Bengals, as an enormous collective sigh of aid occurred after Taylor gave his evaluation.
The priority was actual and comprehensible.
If there may be one participant the workforce can’t afford to lose, it’s Burrow. He’s arguably essentially the most indispensable participant within the 55-year historical past of the franchise. His expertise and management qualities can’t be changed, and the lofty
expectations for the upcoming season can be shattered if he goes down for any size of time.
They might be respectable backups on the place, however neither Jake Browning nor Trevor Siemian goes to guide the Males in Stripes to the Promised Land.
An elite quarterback is a prerequisite to successful the Tremendous Bowl these days. Regardless of a number of lower than excellent sign callers—Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Mark Rypien and Brad Johnson instantly come to thoughts—carrying Tremendous Bowl rings, the chances of that occurring once more are astronomical.
Figuring out Burrow’s work ethic, he’ll probably be again in camp in three weeks or so, which supplies him ample time to organize for the opener at Cleveland on September 10.
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BIG MAN COMING TO LEXINGTON?—The identify Zvonimir Ivisic may very well be one which Kentucky basketball followers shall be making an attempt to pronounce sooner or later.
The most recent scuttlebutt across the UK basketball program is that the 7-foot-2, 220-lb. Croatian has caught the curiosity of coach John Calipari, in addition to a number of NBA groups.
Ivisic, who will flip 20 years previous in September, might play straight away for the Cats, who have been lacking each of their large males—Ugonna Onyenso and Aaron Bradshaw—once they performed within the Globl Jam in Toronto not too long ago.
Reportedly, Ivisic remains to be a bit uncooked however he has proven a world of potential throughout his two seasons of worldwide basketball. He would undoubtedly be a welcome late addition and supply wanted depth on the within.
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KLEE TO LEAD LADY SAINTS—Isaac Klee has been named the brand new women basketball head coach at St. Patrick.
Klee served as an assistant coach final season on Saints boys basketball coach Tony Moore’s employees. He additionally served because the volleyball head coach at St. Patrick in 2012 and 2013.
Klee replaces Andy Arn, who resigned following final 12 months’s 16-16 season.
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UNFORTUNATE TIMING, PART I—As of this writing, the Cincinnati Reds have departed the West Coast for the Windy Metropolis to face the surging Chicago Cubs in a key four-game sequence at Wrigley Area.
At this level on the 10-game street journey, the Reds are 3-3 after taking two out of three from the Dodgers.
By the point that is printed and seems on the web site, two of the 4 video games in Chicago may have already been performed, which is why that is unlucky timing.
The matchup on Monday night time featured Reds rookie lefty Andrew Abbott (6-2, 1.90 ERA) towards Cubs righthander Marcus Stroman (10-7, 3.51 ERA), and Tuesday’s starters have been anticipated to be righty Ben Vigorous (4-6, 3.76 ERA) on the hill for the Reds versus ace southpaw Justin Steele, who got here into the sport 11-3 with a 2.87 ERA.
The Cubs have been gaining floor on each the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, following an eight-game successful streak that was snapped Sunday at St. Louis. As that is being written, the Reds lead the Brewers by a half sport, with the Cubs simply 4 video games out.
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UNFORTUNATE TIMING, PART II—The MLB commerce deadline is about for six p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 1, which is sadly a day after this column is written and submitted for print on Wednesday.
That implies that if the Reds (or anybody else for that matter) makes a giant deal on the final minute, it won’t seem on this blurb.
I’m remaining hopeful that the Reds can purchase on the very least some assist for the bullpen, ideally a lefthander.
Rumors are flying that the Mets’ Justin Verlander is on the buying and selling block, but it surely’s uncertain the Reds will make the plunge on the 39-year-old veteran. I can’t blame Reds basic supervisor Nick Krall being reluctant to half with any of the membership’s high prospects, however maybe a deal might be made for a aid pitcher or two to provide the workforce’s more and more overused bullpen some help.
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UNFORTUNATE TIMING, PART III—Jake Owens, who was named the top soccer coach at Scott Excessive College in January, abruptly resigned from the place final week, just a bit greater than three weeks earlier than the season opener.
The previous Florida highschool coach launched an announcement, saying he was “heartbroken to go away such an unimaginable group and faculty, nevertheless, an
unexpected household scenario has risen again in Florida and we should return, as household should at all times come first.”
Former Campbell County athletic director Steve Hensley was named to switch Owens and lead the Eagles, who open their season at Campbell County on August 18. Hensley was the Camels’ AD for 12 years earlier than retiring final 12 months. Earlier in his profession, he was the top soccer coach at Ludlow Excessive College and Taylor Excessive College in Cincinnati.
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EARLY COMMIT—Chris Henry Jr., the son of the previous Bengal vast receiver, introduced he shall be attending Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes. Henry is the primary 2026 OSU recruit and is getting into his sophomore 12 months at Withrow Excessive College in Cincinnati.
One other former Bengal, Adam “Pacman” Jones, adopted the youthful Henry and his brother following the tragic dying of Chris Henry on the age of 26 in 2009. Jones and Henry have been teammates at West Virginia.
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THANKS Y’ALL—Simply wished to provide a fast shout out to the constructive responses to Saturday’s column.
Want I might’ve give you a greater headline nevertheless. Possibly one thing like, “Let the coaches coach,” or one thing like that?
It’s a topic I’ve written about on a number of events, going again 18 years or so. The difficulty has solely continued and grown much more troublesome over time.
The identical lack of respect has additionally affected highschool officers, and it isn’t any surprise that the KHSAA has a troublesome time discovering sufficient officers to cowl video games throughout the state.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY—To me.
Effectively, it’s formally tomorrow, and it’s at all times a blessing to rejoice one other one.
So far as I do know, it beats the choice.
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“The one solution to hold your well being is to eat what you don’t need, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d druther not.”—Mark Twain
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Whereas trying to find a quote from Joe Burrow, I found fairly a number of extra attention-grabbing ones that I assumed I might.
Right here’s a few of my favorites:
“You simply must hold the identical mentality of attempting to show your self each single day. Nevertheless it’s loads simpler when you could have individuals telling you the way dangerous you might be than when persons are telling you the way good you might be.”
“I’ve received in all places that I’ve been. I’ve by no means had a shedding season in sports activities from the second I used to be 5 years previous. I’m not a loser.”
“I don’t like haunted homes or something like that. I used to be petrified of the whole lot rising up. I nonetheless don’t like scary motion pictures.”
“Everybody’s known as me sneaky-fast for about 15 years.”
“In case you obtained steak, you don’t want A1 sauce.”