Baker Mayfield feature (week 13)

Arrogant, cocky, whatever you call it, he’s a player. Baker Mayfield, a former 3 star walk-on at Texas Tech, is now the Heisman trophy frontrunner, leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a likely College Football Playoff appearance.  At Texas Tech, Baker became the first true freshman walk-on to start a season opener at a power 5 school.  The NCAA even a named a rule after him.  The “Baker Mayfield rule” allows transferring walk-ons to play right away (avoiding the mandatory 1year sit-out), giving Mayfield one more year of eligibility. In his third and final year at Oklahoma, Baker’s been remarkable;  23-5 record as a starter, twice a Heisman Trophy finalist, and has helped win two straight Big 12 championships.

With all of his football accolades, it’s his off field actions that gives call for concern. Baker shares more than just being a strong-armed scrambler with former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.  They both have huge ego’s and live the party lifestyle,   On February 25, 2016 Mayfield was arrested for public intoxication.  However, unlike Manziel, Mayfield was able to complete the rehab and alcohol education course before it got out of control.

The Sooners’ season has been a roller coaster so far.  The summer started with legendary coach Bob Stoops retiring after 18 years.  In week 2, Baker Mayfield stepped up as their leader, putting on a show in the horseshoe against then second ranked Ohio State.   After a slow start, Mayfield accounted for 3 touchdowns and 228 passing yards in the second half, leading the Sooners to a dominating 31-16 win.  When the game ended, Mayfield planted the Oklahoma flag on the 50 yard line.  Although not surprising, it certainly was viewed as disrespectful.  Buckeye faithful were not happy about the flag, some are looking for revenge if the two teams meet in the postseason.  Mayfield said, “I didn't mean it to be disrespectful to Ohio State and their program… but it was an exciting and emotional win”.

The flag gesture came back to bite Mayfield and his Sooners in week 6 of the season.  Iowa State, a 30 point underdog, went into Oklahoma’s stadium to beat the Sooners 38-31. After the game, Iowa State defensive back Everett Edwards planted the State of Iowa on the Sooners’ 50  yard line.

Knowing that one more loss would essentially decimate their playoff hopes, Mayfield led the sooners to seven straight wins.  He averaged 350+ yards per game during that span.  

Baker’s “Heisman moment” came in week 10 against arch rival Oklahoma State.  In Stillwater, he had 598 yards and 6 touchdowns as Oklahoma kept their playoff and Big 12 championship hopes alive. This performance got the NFL scouts attention as he is now seriously considered to be a first round pick.

Mayfield’s most memorable game might’ve happened just last week against the Kansas Jayhawks.  The Sooners won 41-3, Mayfield threw for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns.  However, when the Jayhawk captains refused to shake hands at the start of the game, Baker took this as a sign of disrespect and reacted.  Throughout the game Baker upped his trash talk and even got a bit chippy.  With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, the game far out of reach, Mayfield threw his third touchdown of the game.  Instead of celebrating with his team, Mayfield inappropriately directed his behavior towards members of the Kansas defense. There was a “crotch grab” with many expletives.  These actions alone may drop his NFL draft stock.  As punishment, the next game, his last home game, he was not allowed to be Captain nor start for the Sooners.  For the first time since his freshman year, he wasn’t the starting quarterback. While he still played in the game, the news crushed Mayfield. “Not being a captain for my final home game... is gonna be hard” Mayfield said as he fought back tears.

Mayfield probably will win the Heisman, win the Big 12 Championship, and play in the College Football Playoff.  Mayfield looks like the best quarterback in his class. However, his off-field antics and cocky attitude still give concern to NFL General Managers.  GM’s don't like to risk an early draft pick on a guy with concerns.  In terms of just football, it’s hard to imagine Mayfield dropping out of the first round of the draft. Wherever he ends up, he has the drive and competitiveness to help his organization win for many years to come.  

Mike Evans suspended one game week 9

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21317778/mike-evans-tampa-bay-buccaneers-suspended-one-game-hitting-marshon-lattimore-new-orleans-saints

Teammates always have each others backs. Its plain and simple. But should teammates take a running start into a defenseless player who is turned the other way and knock him to the ground for trash talking your teammate? No. This is unacceptable and crossed the line and in my opinion, a 15 yard penalty and 1 game suspension is not harsh enough.

Article 4 review week 9

Dan Johnsons article


Introduction: my article is about game 5 of the NLCS, an important game to potentially decide the outcome of the series and who could possibly advance to the World Series

     A chilly Thursday night in Wrigley field, with a far from balmy 57 degrees. Their, 41,000 fans screaming in between pitches. Imagine having the TV volume on 100, but even that couldn't do justice for the intensity and sheer volume of the stadium. The Dodgers, on the heels from their first loss in the series and at Wrigley field are not shocked of playing in an away crown anymore, and looked more comfortable than they did last game. That night, they made their case to be a world series team.
     It was then when Cody Bellinger steps up to the plate in the top of the first, man on, and bam! An RBI double scoring Chris Taylor. Then again in the second inning Enrique Hernandez adds to the hit party with a homerun putting the dodgers up 2-0 in the second inning, and by the end of the third? 7-0. The momentum is shifted onto the Dodgers side and the Cubs are quickly losing hope. The defending champions looked defeated in nearly three innings played. The final score of the game was  11-1.
     At this point in time the Dodgers were up 3-1 in the series and needed just one more win to bring themselves to the World Series, and this was the hot start they needed to do as so. The Dodgers were riding the wave of the hot bat as there of Enrique Hernandez, filling up the stat sheet by any means necessary going 3-4 with 3 home runs, seven RBIs, and a walk, tying an MLB record for most home runs and RBIs in a postseason game.
    “the Dodgers [have been] a forsure favorite since the all star break to be a world series contender” said Minnetonka High School junior Jake Zaetta. Sitting there listening to Jake give his hot take on postseason baseball, Wilson Moore eagerly responded with a  contradicting opinion “I don’t think the Dodgers will make the world series, they ended the season on a slump, and the Cubs are a far better
team than them” As this fiery discussion ensued, going back and forth on why the Dodgers will win, or in Wilson's case why they will lose, the only thing that mattered was the facts that would be created that night, the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to the World Series for the 20th time in franchise history. (includes Brooklyn Dodgers)