Author: hysport blog

Dave Ritchie, the B.C. Lions’ head coach during their historic ’94 Grey Cup triumph over the Baltimore Stallions, died Saturday. He was 85. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, another Canadian Football League team Ritchie led, announced his death. The cause was not immediately disclosed. As Winnipeg’s head coach from 1999 to 2004, Ritchie went 52-41-1 in regular season games. That placed him fourth in club history, below Bud Grant (102), current head coach Mike O’Shea (96), and Cal Murphy (86). However, it was during Ritchie’s time as B.C.’s head coach that his team unified Canada. The Lions defeated Baltimore 26-23 in…

Alabama was the most dominant college football team in the 2010s, capturing four national titles from 2010 to 2019. Alabama wasn’t known for its passing game or fast-paced offense at the time. Instead, they relied primarily on their defense and ferocious football running game. Bo Scarbrough was one of the running backs who helped the Crimson win two national championships. Scarbrough was the last man defenders wanted to see, as Jalen Hurt and Damien White ran side by side, wearing down the defense. When Scarbrough stepped in, the exhausted defenders would have to cope with a 6-1, 235-pound running back…

One of the most difficult decisions the Detroit Lions will confront ahead of free agency is selecting what to do with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson, also known as Ceedy Duce, signed a one-year contract with the Lions last offseason but had his season cut short. He suffered a torn pectoral in Week 2 and did not return until the regular season finale. With free agency approaching, the team must make a speedy decision on his contract or risk losing him to free agency. Given his status and demonstrated talent, the Lions may have to fight with several teams to keep…

David Sanders Jr., an offensive tackle from Providence Day School, is currently the most sought-after recruit in Tennessee. The touted prospect has long discussed a return trip to Knoxville and has finally arranged one after a few months of rearranging his calendar. Sanders will visit a number of SEC powerhouses this offseason, including the Clemson Tigers. Clemson, Georgia, and Tennessee are leading this battle, although Alabama and South Carolina are catching up. Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and his staff have done everything up to this point to attract Sanders’ attention. Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre remains a key…

In stunning news, the Cincinnati Reds’ scheduled starting Noelvi Marte will be out for 80 games after being punished for PED use on Friday. Noelvi Marte, the Cincinnati Reds’ anticipated starting third baseman, will be missing for nearly half of the season after being penalized 80 games for a PED violation. The stunning report comes from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Reds infielder Noelvi Marte was penalized 80 games for a PED violation. Marte, one of many great players expected to join the Reds’ squad in 2024, made his major league debut in 2023. He appeared in 35…

The Detroit Lions and star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are in advanced talks about extending his deal, which would place him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. According to Cam Marino, the two sides are negotiating a multi-year contract that would pay St. Brown around $25 million every season. The concept of the Lions prioritizing an extension to lock up St. Brown has been widely speculated. In his year-end news conference, general manager Brad Holmes hinted at the possibility of adding Lions players. St. Brown would be at the top of that list, as an All-Pro in…

The Detroit Lions are hoping to capitalize on a potential deal for Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome. The Browns informed teams during the combine that they are open to trade talks involving their cornerbacks, according to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post. According to Jeff Risdon of The Lions Wire, the Lions have expressed an interest in potentially signing Newsome. “Very strong indications that the Browns are looking to make a move with Newsome,” Risdon tweeted on Friday, March 8. “Also very strong indications the Lions have at least picked up the phone to talk about it.” Newsome is…

Since signing free agent Jeimer Candelario this summer, there has been debate regarding the Cincinnati Reds’ oversupply of infielders on their roster. With top prospects Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte making their debuts last year, the Reds’ infield seemed poised to be one of the youngest and most entertaining in baseball. Unfortunately, the Reds have been dealt a big setback as Marte will be suspended for the first half of the season due to a PED violation. Marte is still considered a prospect and is ranked first in the Reds’ organization. The 22-year-old made his debut…

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a Detroit Lions linebacker and special teams contributor, has been voted president of the NFL Players Association by the board of player representatives. Reeves-Maybin succeeds JC Tretter, a former Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns center who served two years in the position. In a statement released by the union, Reeves-Maybin stated, “It will be my mission to continue to serve and unify our membership, and I look forward to inspiring more players to use their voices in advocating for the union and our game.” Tretter and previous executive director DeMaurice Smith led the players’ discussions for the…

HAWTHORN has lost a major member of its off-field squad on the eve of the 2024 season, when Josh Vanderloo resigned. It’s understood Vanderloo handed in his resignation last month, having joined the Hawks in 2021 as their executive general manager of operations and special projects Vanderloo, who had previously spent over 15 years at the AFL in a variety of game development and list management jobs, helped shape the current phase of Hawthorn’s list makeover. Vanderloo had just helped draft Hawthorn’s strategic plan for the next three seasons and was involved in the club’s list orientation through data and…