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Packers Re-Sign CB Kevin King Updated

By Adam Roberts – 3/23/2021

Contract signings and restructurings continue this week, and a starting defensive back is signed on for another year in Green Bay despite a less-than-stellar performance in the NFC Championship Game this year.

Green Bay is re-signing cornerback Kevin King on a one-year, six-million dollar deal, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. His pass interference in the championship game notwithstanding, he had an average 2020 and was likely seen as the best option at the position for the team as opposed to finding another option on the open market.

As for a possible restructuring of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ contract, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky the team DID pay Rodgers’ scheduled 6.8 million dollar roster bonus and did NOT alter his deal. The team has also this week restructured safety Adrian Amos and guard Billy Turner’s contracts.

Rodgers Contract Restructuring Could Be Slowing Free Agency

By Adam Roberts – 3/22/2021

Since the signing of running back Aaron Jones, free agency has been fairly quiet in Titletown, and now we might know a bit more on why that is.

Sports Illustrated’s Michael Silver says that the team is currently trying to negotiate with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a restructured contract. If an agreement can be reached, it would help free more cap space to allow the team to make some moves ahead of next month’s NFL Draft.

Silver also said that the results of these negotiations may also indicate how the team feels about Rodgers long-term, though I would hesitate to draw too many conclusions from this. Keep in mind all the hullabaloo surrounding Rodgers’ future in Green Bay following the loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, and you’ll understand why I’m skeptical to speculate too much at the moment.

So far, the Packers have not made a free agent signing of a player that played elsewhere during the 2020 season.

NFL Unveils 2021 Draft Plans

By Adam Roberts – 3/22/2021

I believe that many people would agree that given the chaos of this time a year ago, the fact that an NFL Draft happened in any format last April was nothing short of amazing. That said, a return to an in-person format for 2021, even limited in scope, would be welcomed by many. Today’s news from the shield should hopefully build confidence that some of the magic of past will return this spring.

A limited number of players, fans, and media workers will be in Cleveland, Ohio next month for the draft, with some masked fans getting front-row access. There will be some elements kept from the virtual draft last year, with many top prospects electing to hold their own draft parties away from the main event.

One big thing that will be returning this year are draft rooms for each of the 32 teams. Last year, one of the more hodge-podgy things was teams trying to communicate and input draft picks over the phone and Zoom, so having personnel in the same room will be a huge boost this year.

As for us, ESPN La Crosse 105.5 will be bringing back our annual NFL Draft Show. For 2021, we’ll be returning to Buffalo Wild Wings in Onalaska with Round One, Two, and Three coverage complete with analysis and your opinions. Stay tuned for more details!

Badgers Bow Out of Men’s Tournament 76-63 to Baylor

By Adam Roberts – 3/22/2021

A season of challenge has ended for Wisconsin men’s basketball. Fighting through a pandemic and being fortunate enough to not require any pauses for COVID-reasons on their end, Wisconsin was outmatched by a one-seed from Waco, Texas. The Baylor Bears forced 14 Wisconsin turnovers on their way to a 76-63 win over Wisconsin.

Seven Badgers scored, with only Micah Potter and Johnny Davis contributing off the bench. The real story though was the offensive struggle in the first half for Wisconsin; Baylor junior guard Davion Mitchell said after the game the pride of Baylor’s style of play is how difficult they make it for their opponents to get into a rhythm, and that was on full display yesterday.

Wisconsin was able to rally from down 18, largely thanks to a push from D’Mitrick Trice to get the Badgers within seven, but Baylor’s D clamped down when they needed down the stretch, with stingy defense setting up alley-oops aplenty on the other end.

Baylor returns to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017, while Wisconsin continues to find their first return to the third round since being ousted by Florida in 2017.

HS Sports Round Up – 3/19/2021

By Adam Roberts – 3/19/2021

While the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament heats up today, let’s run down some results you may have missed from last night’s prep sports action:

Girls Basketball Playoffs

Caledonia 56 St. Charles 44

Caledonia boasts excellent boys AND girls basketball teams, and last night the ladies took care of business against St. Charles 56-44. The starters were clicking on offense for the Warriors with four players over 10 points for the game. Alexis Schroeder led the way with 15 followed by Ava Privet with 13.

Boys Hockey Playoffs

La Crescent-Hokah 3 Mankato East 1

The Lancers have had the odds stacked against them this postseason, but continued to chug along defeating a highly touted Mankato East team 3-1. Sawyer Christianson, Wyatt Ferrel, and Liam Ferrel all scored for L-H, which already has an upset over Minnesota River Under their belt. The Lancers will make their first ever section semifinal appearance tomorrow against Mankato West.

Girls Volleyball

Holmen 3 Central 0

The Vikings remained undefeated with a straight sets win over the Riverhawks last night. Sydney Jahr was the star for Holmen with 7 kills.

Sparta 3 Eau Claire Memorial 0

Holmen wasn’t the only area team with a straight sets win yesterday as the Spartans knocked off the Old Abes. Callie Ziebell was effective from start to finish with 13 kills.

Cashton 3 Bangor 2

A back and forth affair unfolded in Bangor yesterday, with the Eagles of Cashton fighting back to take set four and then staved off a Cardinal rally in the fifth. The Scenic Bluffs race is close with Cashton a game behind Bangor.

Packers Tender Four ERFA’s

By Adam Roberts – 3/19/2021

The 2021 balancing of the Packers’ checkbook continues this week.

Green Bay is tending offers to all four of their exclusive rights free agents. Receivers Allen Lazard and Malik Taylor, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman and outside linebacker Randy Ramsey will all be back with Green Bay.

Lazard is the biggest name of the bunch that will be back; he had 451 yards receiving and three TD’s last year, serving as a nice #2 option for Rodgers when the weight needed to be lifted off of Davante Adams’ shoulders.

This marks the end of quite a busy week for Green Bay, which included a new deal for running back Aaron Jones, the restructuring of Za’Darius Smith’s contract, and the departure of fellow back Jamaal Williams to Detroit.

P Brandon Woodruff Named Opening Day Starter

By Adam Roberts – 3/18/2021

The Brewers have a starter for April 1st against the Twins.

Brandon Woodruff is getting the nod for the second year in a row on Opening Day, solidifying his spot at the top of the Brewers’ rotation. It’s the first time a Brewer pitcher has started consecutive Opening Days since Yovani Gallardo opening a franchise-record five straight openers between 2010 and 2014.

Woodruff has thrown in two games this spring and recorded two strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA. He’s next scheduled to pitch tomorrow against the Diamondbacks.

The Crew have 13 spring training games in Arizona starting today against the Angels.

CB Patrick Peterson Joins Vikings

By Adam Roberts – 3/18/2021

While some would argue that the Vikings’ priority right now should be building up an offense to help Kirk Cousins, when you have an opportunity to pursue a multi-time Pro Bowler I’d say most teams will probably go after them assuming they aren’t complete fossils (Brady is an exception).

Minnesota has agreed to a deal with eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson formerly of the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old racked up 28 interceptions in his time with Arizona, earning eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2011-18. In 2019, Peterson was suspended for six games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. On top of his Pro Bowl appearances, Peterson also is a three-time All Pro at the corner spot and widely thought of as one of the best corners in the long history of the Cardinals’ organization.

Peterson played all 16 games last season and had 61 tackles and three interceptions.

Bucks Acquire P.J. Tucker From Houston

By Adam Roberts – 3/18/2021

The Houston Rockets have been in fire sale mode most of the year after James Harden got out of Dodge, and when you’re on a franchise-record 18-game losing streak you have to get what you can.

The Bucks took advantage yesterday, acquiring forward P.J. Tucker in a trade that sends D.J.s Augustin and Wilson to Houston and also brings fellow forward Rodions Kurucs to Milwaukee. There is also some draft pick shuffling connected to the deal: Woj reports that the Rockets will push back their 2022 first-round selection that the BUcks owe them to the unprotected 2023 draft. Furthermore, the Rockets can swap their 2021 second-rounder for the Bucks 2021 first, unless Milwaukee completely free falls and that pick is before the tenth spot.

The Bucks also made a deal with the Phoenix Suns to send forward Torrey Craig out to Arizona.

Vikings Releasing DT Stephen

By Adam Roberts – 3/17/2021

The Vikings are parting ways with defensive tackle Shamar Stephen ahead of the new league year, which officially began today.

He was released yesterday, clearing 3.75-million dollars in salary cap space.

Stephen has spent six of his first seven seasons in Minnesota.

The move comes after Minnesota brought in Dalvin Tomlinson from the New York Giants on a two-year, 22 million dollar deal.