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Vikings Release T Riley Reiff

By Adam Roberts – 3/11/2021

In order for many NFL teams to make eliminate their cap deficits this offseason, tough decisions will have to be made, as I mentioned earlier this week. One of those tough decisions was made by the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, releasing a veteran of the team’s offensive line that has started 62 games in four seasons.

Riley Reiff was cut by the team yesterday, after it had previously been hoped that he could be extended to lower his expected nearly 14 million dollar cap hit. Both tackles Cam Robinson and Taylor Moton were each given the franchise tag this week.

Who will fill the left spot is uncertain. It’s believed by many that Boise State draft pick Ezra Cleveland could move to the spot, after starting nine games at right guard for the Vikings last year. Brian O’Neill could also be moved from right to left tackle; he is also due to start extension talks later this year.

Minnesota finished 18th in pass block win rate last season.

Athletes Demand NCAA Pull Events From States With Anti-LGBT Sports Bills

By Adam Roberts – 3/10/2021

The debate over barring transgender athletes from participating in sports under their identified gender continues, with several athletes making their stance very clear.

More than 500 college athletes are demanding the NCAA pull its championships from states that have passed or are considering anti-transgender sports measures. They sent a letter to the association saying events should not be held in states that have or are looking to ban transgender-identifying individuals from participating in sports that align with their gender identity. The letter was created by runners from Washington University in St. Louis.

Athletes from 85 different schools, including Duke, Michigan, and Villanova have signed on to the letter. The letter comes after Mississippi and South Dakota have approved bans on transgender girls and women competing, and at least half of other states, including both Wisconsin and Minnesota, have brought up similar measures just this year.

Packers Receive Three Compensatory Picks

By Adam Roberts – 3/10/2021

The countdown to the 2021 NFL Draft officially began after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. And with about a month and a half until draft day, teams today learned how many compensatory draft selections they will have this year.

Green Bay will receive three compensatory picks, one each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds (143, 178, 220). Those picks likely come from the team’s loses of Blake Martinez, Bryan Bulaga, and Kyler Fackrell. The Vikings will receive a fourth and a sixth (144, 223).

This news comes the same day that teams learned what their adjusted salary cap totals will be this year. Green Bay’s is set to be 186.2 million dollars, the lowest in the NFL North, while Minnesota’s will be 187 million.

UWL MBB Receives Numerous WIAC Honors

By Adam Roberts – 3/10/2021

UWL seniors Ethan Anderson and Wyatt Cook each were named to the All-WIAC First Team for their exploits this season, with Cook earning the coveted title of WIAC Player of the Year. In addition, head coach Kent Dernbach was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.

Cook started all but one game the Eagles played this season/postseason and led the team in rebounds, field goal shooting, three-point shooting, and blocks. He also was a Top-10 finisher in nine different WIAC statistical categories. Anderson made the All-WIAC First Team for the second straight season, with the Black River Falls product starting every game and leading the team in scoring and free throw percentage.

Dernbach is now 59-32 in four seasons as UWL’s head coach, and has consistently kept the Eagles in the national polls, finishing as high as 14th in the nation this year.

Vikings Release K Dan Bailey

By Adam Roberts – 3/9/2021

Of all positions in football, perhaps none is more suspect to sudden changes in consistency and production than that of the placekicker. It’s probably, in my opinion, the most volatile position on a football team, with coaches and front office staff often not afraid to put public pressure on the kicker to improve or move on.

After a difficult season for Dan Bailey, the Vikings today decided to part ways with the 33-year-old. Down the stretch of a season in which the Vikings were competing for a wild card spot, Bailey missed a number of crucial kicks against the Jaguars and Buccaneers. He also was statistically, according to ESPN Vikings reporter Courtney Cronin, the worst kicker in the NFL last year, finishing last in extra-point percentage and next-to-last in field goal percentage. On top of the that, the Vikings last month signed former Buccaneers practice squad kicker Greg Joseph.

Bailey would have been owed 1.8 million dollars of his 2.7 million dollar 2021 base salary on March 19th. By releasing Bailey the team will save 1.7 million.

Former Buck Ersan Ilyasova Reportedly To Sign With Utah

By Adam Roberts – 3/9/2021

Many Bucks fans recognize the name Ersan Ilyasova. The Turkish power forward was drafted 36th overall by Milwaukee in 2005 and has played three separate stints in the Cream City over his career. But Ilyasova was waved by the team last November after determining his 7 million dollar price tag due next year would be too much and had not found a new home, until today.

The former Buck, according to Woj, will be signing with the Utah Jazz for the rest of the season. At the moment, Ilyasova is completing the league’s COVID testing protocol, which he will need to pass before he can sign his new deal.

Ersan set seven different career highs while playing in Milwaukee during stint two, and during the 2019-20 season played in 63 games averaging 6.6 points per game and 4.8 boards per.

Packers WR Devin Funchess To Take Pay Cut

By Adam Roberts – 3/9/2021

One thing’s for sure: the Packers have a bonafide superstar wide receiver in Davante Adams, I think this has been known for some time. But who will provide a spark on the opposite side of the offense has been a work in progress. While Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown have all shown flashes, a permanent option has been has been hard to come by. Opting against chasing a free-agent superstar or trading for one, GM Brian Gutekunst has seemed content with finding less-expensive options that will be good enough (the Packer way!). One of those options was former-Carolina Panther Devin Funchess.

Today, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Funchess will be taking a roughly 750,000 dollar pay cut to stay in Green Bay. This after Funchess had opted out of the 2020 season out of COVID concerns after signing a one-year, 2.5 million dollar deal. Funchess hasn’t played in a game since September 18th of 2019, his lone season with the Indianapolis Colts.

It seems Funchess is on a short leash, with this pay cut keeping him with the team but allowing the Packers to move on if they feel he has not earned a spot on the roster.

Brewers Make Jackie Bradley Jr. Signing Official

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

Perhaps the timing was just a coincidence, but on the same day the Brewers made the signing of new outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. official, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain was candid about his quad health.

Cain said today his quad issue is slowing his spring training progress, but that he plans on being ready to go on Opening Day April 1st against the Twins. Bradley arrived to Brewers’ camp today to take a physical and could be seen at the Maryvale facility ahead of Milwaukee’s game today against the Angels. Last week, Bradley Jr’s 2-year, 24-million-dollar deal was announced by media outlets.

Cain’s work this spring has been hampered by both his quad issue and also, according to GM David Stearns, by his recovery from wisdom teeth removal done before the start of camp. In any case, Stearns and manager Craig Counsell believe there will be a lot of at-bats for all members of a stacked Brewers outfield.

McGrath, Desmond, Kick Named To WBCA All-State Teams

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

While the end result at the Division Two WIAA State Basketball Tournament wasn’t what the Onalaska boys had hoped for, three Hilltoppers are being recognized for their outstanding performances.

6’11” senior Gavin McGrath was named to the WBCA All-State team; the North Dakota-bound forward took a huge leap forward from his junior season and averaged nearly 13 a game along with leading the team in rebounds at 6.8 per game. Meanwhile, senior teammates Victor Desmond and Sam Kick were also named All-Staters; both received an honorable mention.

The Hilltoppers came a win away from an undefeated 2020-21 season, falling to Pewaukee in the D2 title game on Saturday.

Giannis Shines in NBA All Star Game; Wins Game MVP

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

We all know what a difference make Giannis Antetokounmpo can be when he’s on the floor for the Bucks. But nationally, the Greek Freak has taken some criticism for not being able to take the next step in the postseason. Last night in Atlanta, Giannis at least made sure those people knew that he is here to stay on the national stage.

The Bucks superstar was named the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP. Giannis netted 35 points on 16-of-16 shooting, including a 3-3 night from three, to lead Team LeBron to their 170-150 victory over Team Durant. The Greek Freak’s perfect game sets the NBA record for the most shots made without a miss. Giannis is also the first Bucks player to receive All-Star Game MVP honors.

The Bucks’ next game will be March 11th against the surprising New York Knicks, who currently hold the five seed in the East.