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WR Randall Cobb Returns To Green Bay

By Adam Roberts – 7/29/2021

The reports are pretty cut and dry: the return of Randall Cobb to Green Bay was a move completely spearheaded by Aaron Rodgers as a way to recognize his input more as it relates to team affairs. Nevertheless, fans, media, and players seem glad to have Cobb back in Titletown.

The former Packers’ receiver is officially returning to Green Bay after being traded on Wednesday. In exchange for Cobb, the Packers will send a 2022 sixth-round pick to the Texans. The Texans will contribute $3 million toward his $8.25 million guaranteed salary, while his cap number will be just under $3 million. All in all, it seems like a great deal for the Packers, from both a personnel perspective and as a goodwill gesture from the team to their quarterback after a brutal offseason.

Training camp has wrapped up for the day and will resume tomorrow.

Brewers Trade For INF Eduardo Escobar

By Adam Roberts – 7/29/2021

Despite an offensive burst the Brewers received in the Willy Adames signing, there is no such thing as an off-the-table option for a team looking to go all-in on a World Series run.

The Brewers acquired infielder Eduardo Escobar from the Diamondbacks yesterday in exchange for two prospects. Escobar has 22 home runs this season and made the All-Star game. He can play any infield position and will likely be at third and first base, meaning the infield will now consist of Adames, Escobar, Kolten Wong, and Rowdy Tellez at first base. The deal was completed before the Brewers defeated the Pirates 7-3.

Catcher Cooper Hummel and infielder Alberto Ciprian were sent to the Diamondbacks in the trade.

Milwaukee still holds a seven game lead in the NL Central over the Reds.

USA Womens 3×3 Basketball Wins Gold; Middleton and Holiday Help US Men Beat Iran

By Adam Roberts – 7/28/2021

Our Olympic coverage has been quite subdued around the station, mostly because the local connection to our area in Tokyo is a bit thin. But, we’d be hard pressed not to include when the US of A does something special.

The U.S. women’s 3-on-3 basketball team is the first ever Olympic gold medal winner after topping the Russian Olympic Committee 18-15 in today’s final. Stefanie Dolson led all scorers with seven points and collected a game-high nine rebounds. The U.S. dropped just one game during the tournament to Japan in the final game of pool play. Earlier in the day, China took down France to win the bronze.

Recent NBA champions Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday also made their Olympic debuts late last night as Team USA took on Iran and won 120-66. Holiday was named a starter by head coach Gregg Popovich and had eight points with a 2-3 evening from three. Middleton had 10 off the bench and four rebounds and assists.

Next up for the US men will be a game against the 1-1 Czech Republic. A win sends the Americans to the medal round. However, thanks to the large margin of victory over Iran there is still a chance the US could advance if they lose to the Czechs.

Rodgers Speaks At Post-Practice Press Conference

By Adam Roberts – 7/28/2021

We knew today would be a very busy day at the Packers’ training camp podium. Earlier this morning, general manager Brian Gutekunst was peppered with questions by the gathered media about the offseason, and what the team’s plans were for Aaron Rodgers after this year. Gutey answered in his usual calculated manner, and also navigated around curious reporters wondering why the team was trading for Randall Cobb when they drafted Amari Rodgers a few months ago.

Then it was Aaron’s turn to speak. And to quote one of my favorite Twitch streamers Flatz: “I’ve got a goodie for you today!”

In response to the opening question from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero about what the whole situation was about for him, Rodgers elaborated that he was frustrated with the way the organization handled outgoing veteran players in the past such as Charles Woodson, Jordy Nelson, Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb (who of course is on his way back), James Jones, John Kuhn, and others. Rodgers said a commitment beyond 2021 was not given to him, either.

Rodgers also indicated he wanted to have more input with the free agents that was not utilized by the team, and that by being a recruiter he can bring in more high profile athletes, since in his own words “I think we can all understand Green Bay isn’t a huge destination vacation.” He also made a point to mention it never has been about money at any point, using the analogy of a worker asking for a raise after a good year on the job to which your boss says “we’ll see..” then coming back and saying you now have a new job opportunity and the boss suddenly wants to make sure you stick around.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your reactionary engines! Noah is filling in for John on The Sports Lead again today, and will certainly have some thoughts on the day. We’d love to hear from you as well; give Noah a call today at 608-487-8111.

Bucks G Bryn Forbes To Test Free Agency

By Adam Roberts – 7/28/2021

While the glory of the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA Finals cannot be overstated, it’s important to also remember that basketball is a business. Everyone from the top all the way down the roster can now add “NBA Champion” to their resume, adding a little extra value to their name. That means players are inevitably going to want some more bread, and sacrifices will have to be made to try and keep most of the band together for another year.

Bucks’ guard Bryn Forbes is declining his player option for the 2021-2022 season and will test free agency. Forbes was very efficient in the Bucks’ championship year, including in 3-point percentage and true shooting percentage. He was fourth in the NBA in 3-point shooting and third best among players with 200-plus attempts.

It’s also been much discussed whether or not Bobby Portis will be back next year. He was on The Dan Le Batard Show w/ Stugotz this week, and when talking with the guys about his player option it certainly sounded like he was going to pursue any opportunities that come his way.

Tomorrow night is the NBA Draft live on ESPN La Crosse 105.5. Milwaukee will select 31st for the fourth time in franchise history.

Vikings Cut Rookie Twyman; Name Phil Rauscher As New OL Coach

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

While all the highlights of pre-training camp noise has revolved around the Packers, the Vikings are not without their own stories today as well.

The team is cutting ties with rookie Jaylen Twyman before he ever steps onto the field. The former Pitt Panther was cut on Monday for a non-football injury after he was shot four times during the offseason. The defensive tackle was selected in the sixth round, 199th overall by Minnesota. According to ESPN, however, the move may just be procedural, as if he clears wavers, he reverts back to the Vikings and will be able to be retained without the team losing a roster spot.

The team also announced today that Phil Rauscher will replace Rick Dennison as the team’s offensive line coach this season. ESPN says Dennison, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, will remain with the team as a senior offensive adviser.

Christian Yelich Out for 10 Days Due To COVID

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich has been placed on the 10-day IL after contracting COVID-19.

Yelich was vaccinated with the team at the start of the season, and reported “mild symptoms” to the team yesterday. In addition, Jace Peterson will be out for a minimum of seven days as a close contact.

GM David Stearns says Lorenzo Cain will be activated from the IL to cover one of the two roster spots, and Pablo Reyes will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville. Stearns also reaffirmed tonight’s game against Pittsburgh will go on as scheduled; MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says the team delayed travel to Pittsburgh by a day to undergo testing and contact tracing.

We will update this story with more details as they become available.

Badger MBB To Play In Maui Jim Maui Invitational Vs Texas A&M

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

Traditionally, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team has started their year with some fun in the sun at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and that will be the case again this year.

Wisconsin will be a part of the eight team field participating in the annual early season nonconference showcase. Joining the Badgers will be Butler, Chaminade, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Saint Mary’s, and Texas A&M. The Aggies will be the Badgers first opponent on November 22nd; it’ll be the first time the two have met since 1984, a 71-69 Wisconsin win in Madison.

After that, Wisconsin will face either Butler or Houston on the 23rd.

Aaron Rodgers Arrives In Green Bay

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

For those who don’t know me too well, I’ve often thought I have some sort of weird gift/curse. Whenever I leave on any kind of vacation, something big tends to happen while I’m away.

Back in 2008, I went up to my family’s cabin up north for a weekend; while I was gone, a tremendous storm flooded my hometown of Fond du Lac and dealt with a historic amount of damage. A tornado also passed closely by Fondy while I was away camping with my grandparents even before that.

And yesterday as I returned from a remote backpacking trip, while not as severe as damaging weather, Aaron Rodgers officially returned to Green Bay as training camp begins and a highly dysfunctional offseason ends.

As for the all-important fine print, the Packers and Rodgers are finalizing a deal before the start of training camp today. Rodgers is expected to play with Green Bray through 2021 while they are working towards the final stages of a reworked contract. His original contract had him with Green Bay until after the 2023 season, but under the reported concessions the team is offering to Aaron, that year would be voided in addition to making 2022 a year where Rodgers will have more control over his future.

Despite Rodgers’ arrival early this morning, the media circus is just getting started. Expect reporters to pepper Rodgers at his first media availability during camp, and for the questioning to continue for camp’s entirety. This, along with the continued struggle to secure wide receiver Davante Adams for the long-term, will ensure the 2021 Packers’ training camp is the most touchy since the end of the Favre era.

Vikings Fire OL Assistant Coach Rick Dennison Over Vaccine Refusal

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

A Minnesota Vikings assistant coach is out of a job after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports Rick Dennison is believed to be the first position coach in the NFL to leave his team after choosing not to get the shot. He served as an assistant coach on the offensive line and was the run-game coordinator. The league is requiring the vaccine for all Tier 1 staff, which includes coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts. Players are not required to get the vaccine, but face strict protocols during the season, and yesterday the league detailed consequences teams will face if an unvaccinated player causes an outbreak including forfeits and loss of pay for both teams that miss a game.

Cronin says sources have told ESPN Phil Rauscher has been promoted from assistant offensive line coach to fill Dennison’s position. This will certainly be a hot topic when the Vikings report to training camp next week Wednesday.