Blatt takes aim at the Cadavers, as his current defense crumbles
Dave Blatt in Turkey, takes a shot at the Cavaliers
David Blatt could not resist jabbing his former employer, the Cleveland Cavaliers, after they gave up 148 points Saturday night in a 24-point loss to Oklahoma City. Speaking at the Turkish BSR All-Star Game (what, Turkey has an All-Star Game?), Blatt said, “I hope we don’t give up as many points as the Cavaliers gave up last night.”
Dear Coach: Unfortunate choice of words and timing. The team you now coach, Team Europe, proved to be as enthusiastic about defensive work as the Cavs . They lost 151-142 to Team Asia.
Time running out for Dez Bryant in Dallas, with sideline antics ‘a distraction’
Stephen Jones, de facto general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, said the team is weary of star receiver Dez Bryant showing dissatisfaction on the sidelines. “It can be a distraction for his teammates,” Jones said. The underlying problem is that Bryant has not developed rapport with QB Dak Prescott. “I think it hasn’t hit on all cylinders yet,” Jones said. “I think it’s a work in progress. I think it could improve if given the opportunity.”
Between the Lines: Bryant, 29, will not get more opportunity in Dallas. He’s scheduled to earn $25 million over the next two seasons, but it’s not fully guaranteed. By cutting Bryant, who has lost speed through age and injury, the team frees up $8.5 million of salary cap. And improves the mood on the sideline.
Gannon says Timberlake ‘may be the greatest Super Bowl halftime show’ ever
Rich Gannon believes the 52nd Super Bowl in Minneapolis will have “the greatest ever halftime show.” The retired Oakland Raider appears weekly on CBS Sports’ NFL Monday QB and admires Justin Timberlake “as one of the best entertainers in the business.” Gannon said he “partied with Justin Timberlake (at) Peyton Manning’s retirement party a couple of years ago.”
Chris Simms stands by his Bortles-bashing
In most sports media outlets, Blake Bortles stock is rising. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ QB accumulated solid numbers in the postseason: 91.0 passer rating, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers. But one of his harshest critics, Chris Simms (NBC Sports Network) points out that Bortles has admitted he’s “not a natural thrower.” Simms added: “I talked to coaches in Jacksonville a few years ago and they said, ‘We had to stop doing the 3-step drop-back passing game, because he was below 50 percent on slant routs and hitch routs, things you take for granted from high school throwers.’”
Dear Chris: You ‘re correct about how Bortles threw prior to this postseason. But most NFL reporters see him as improved through hard work and smart coaching. Perhaps you’re envious, being a strong-armed quarterback who failed to develop accuracy as a pro.