Say What?
Kelly says he turned down first-round pick for Bradford
Once Chip Kelly got the power to trade players, fire them and sign them, he quickly turned the Philadelphia Eagles upside-down. In a matter of days, gone are Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Trent Cole, Jeremy Maclin, Cary Williams. Arriving are Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond. Kelly’s trade of Foles and 2nd, 4th and 5th draft picks to St. Louis for the big but fragile Bradford was a rare swap of starting quarterbacks. Newsday asked: “Has Chip Kelly gone mad?” Tony Kornheiser (ESPN PTI) called Bradford “The Human Splint.” But sentiment swung toward Kelly when he signed the NFL’s leading rusher, Murray, formerly of Dallas. Reporters were skeptical when Kelly claimed he “was offered a first round draft pick for Sam this morning.” Eyebrows also rose as Kelly insisted he won’t trade up to draft Marcus Mariota, his QB at Oregon three years ago. “Let’s dispel that right now,” Kelly said. “I think that stuff’s crazy. . . . Marcus is the best quarterback in the draft. But we will never mortgage our future to go all the way up to get somebody like that, because we have too many other holes we have to take care of.”
Between the Lines: Notice his reference to “other” holes, meaning he considers QB one of them. Bradford should hold off buying a home in Philly.
Willis, Locker in early retirement from NFL
Patrick Willis, who made the Pro Bowl team his first seven seasons in the NFL, has retired after the first season he did not make it. San Francisco’s 30-year-old inside linebacker has been hampered by a toe injury for at least two years. He played in only six games in 2014, when the team finished 8-8 and head coach Jim Harbaugh was pushed out. Jake Locker, who began last season as Tennessee’s starting QB, also announced an early retirement. He’s 26.
Between the Lines: Willis, who cried at his media conference, was unlikely to start, with the younger, quicker NaVorro Bowman and Chris Borland competing with him. He’s hoping the team trades his rights and that after recovering from toe surgery he can unretire in 2016.
Astros’ Neshek collects autographs, including Napoleon’s
Houston Astros relief pitcher Pat Neshek usually signs autographs, one reason being he’s an autograph hound himself. He collects them not only from professional athletes in all sports but even has the signature of Napoleon. “It’s a note about war supplies that he needed for one of his wars,” Neshek said.
Seahawks trade for Graham, whom they called ‘overrated’
In the biggest trade of the early NFL off-season, the Seattle Seahawks acquired Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans, while giving up a Pro Bowl center, Max Unger, and the 31st overall pick in the upcoming draft. Seattle also receives a fourth-round pick in that draft. The Hawks were not thought to be interested in Graham, whom they ridiculed for a weak performance in a 23-15 loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game in the 2013 season. Graham had only 1 catch for 8 yards, and Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said, “He’s overrated.” Not only did Graham accomplish little with his catching, Bennett pointed out, “He doesn’t help in the blocking game.” In the 2014 season Graham, who is 28, caught 85 for 889 yards and 10 TDs, but he dropped more than usual and was impaired by a shoulder injury. The Hawks won’t ask Graham to block very often, but like the target he makes at 6-7, 265 pounds.
Manny’s trainer verbally jabs Mayweather and his dad
The hype machine is operating for the May 2 boxing match in Las Vegas between undefeated (47-0) Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiau. Freddie Roach, Pacquiau’s trainer, said. “He’s very clever, but the fight is so big, he may feel like he has to exchange with us. If he does, that’s the best thing in the world for Manny. . . “ Truth is, both boxers are well past their prime, with Mayweather 38 and Pacquiau, hero of the Philippines, 36. Roach saved his hardest shot for Mayweather’s trainer and corner man, Floyd Mayweather Sr.: “He just isn’t very good, especially during the fight itself. . . . He stutters, can’t stay calm and his trouble getting words out.”
Between the Lines: Roach is bitter because the Mayweather camp has been paying Pacquiau’s favorite sparring partners in Los Angeles to avoid helping him train.
Boeheim dodges media after NCAA punishment
Knowing he was going to be questioned about sanctions levied against his basketball program, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim declined to appear at the postgame news conference following his team’s final game of the season, a 71-57 loss to North Carolina State on Saturday. Boeheim, who was suspended for his team’s first 9 ACC games next season, sent assistant coach Mike Hopkins to fill in for him. Boeheim later said the reason for his no-show was a request from “the administration” not to speak to reporters. Hopkins said Boeheim did not attend because “he doesn’t want to answer, ‘No comment.’” Had he been there, the head coach also might have been asked about Wolfpack fans taunting him during the game. Boeheim was booed and serenaded by students singing the chorus of the 1990s hit “YMCA,” a reference to the NCAA report citing a Syracuse booster paying $8,000 to three football players and two basketball players for doing volunteer work at a local YMCA.
Kerr disses Morey for Harden’s MVP campaign
Is Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey going too far in his endless promotion of James Harden as NBA Most Valuable Player? Is it too much to have cheerleaders wearing Harden-style beards? An objection was lodged last week by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who would like to see the sport’s most cherished award go to his hyperactive point guard, Steph Curry. “If Daryl Morey wants to run his own one-man campaign for James Harden, he can do that,” Kerr said. “We’re focusing on other stuff.” Morey and Warriors GM Bob Meyers recently engaged in a back-and-forth, with Morey saying the Rockets “would be nowhere” without Harden, and Meyers pointing out that his team is 4-0 against Houston this season.
Between the Lines: The animosity goes back several years, with the Warriors intentionally fouling the Rockets to prevent them from setting record for most 3-pointers in one game.
Millionaire ballplayer lives in a van behind Wal-Mart
When Daniel Norris signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for more than $2 million in 2011, he did not buy a home but instead spent $10,000 for a 1978 Volkswagen van and made that his home. The 21-year-old left-handed pitcher from Johnson City, Tenn., said the Volks van “has always been my dream car.” He’s the ultimate outdoorsman, and sends Instagrams from his parking location on a Florida beach. During spring training he often parks the van behind a Wal-Mart. “It might be unconventional,” Norris says, “but to feel good about life I need to have some adventure.” He pitched in five games for the Blue Jays last year and is expected to make the team this season.
49ers’ Pro Bowl linebacker Willis retires at 30
Patrick Willis, who made the Pro Bowl team his first seven seasons in the NFL, has retired after the first season he did not make it. San Francisco’s 30-year-old inside linebacker has been hampered by a toe injury for at least two years. He played in only six games in 2014, when the team finished 8-8 and head coach Jim Harbaugh was pushed out.
Between the Lines: Willis was unlikely to start next season, with the younger, quicker NaVorro Bowman and Chris Borland competing with him. He’s hoping the team trades his rights.
Seahawks trade for Graham, whom they called ‘overrated’
In the biggest trade of the early NFL off-season, the Seattle Seahawks acquired Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans, while giving up a Pro Bowl center, Max Unger, and the 31st overall pick in the upcoming draft. Seattle also receives a fourth-round pick in that draft. The Hawks were not thought to be interested in Graham, whom they ridiculed for a weak performance in a 23-15 loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game in the 2013 season. Graham had only 1 catch for 8 yards, and Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said, “He’s overrated.” Not only did Graham accomplish little with his catching, Bennett pointed out, “He doesn’t help in the blocking game.” In the 2014 season Graham, who is 28, caught 85 for 889 yards and 10 TDs, but he dropped more than usual and was impaired by a shoulder injury. The Hawks won’t ask Graham to block very often, but like the target he makes at 6-7, 265 pounds.
Manny’s trainer verbally jabs Mayweather and his dad
The hype machine is operating for the May 2 boxing match in Las Vegas between undefeated (47-0) Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiau. Freddie Roach, Pacquiau’s trainer, said. “He’s very clever, but the fight is so big, he may feel like he has to exchange with us. If he does, that’s the best thing in the world for Manny. . . “ Truth is, both boxers are well past their prime, with Mayweather 38 and Pacquiau, hero of the Philippines, 36. Roach saved his hardest shot for Mayweather’s trainer and corner man, Floyd Mayweather Sr.: “He just isn’t very good, especially during the fight itself. . . . He stutters, can’t stay calm and his trouble getting words out.”
Between the Lines: Roach is bitter because the Mayweather camp has been paying Pacquiau’s favorite sparring partners in Los Angeles to avoid helping him train.