First of all, I’ve received some negative feedback regarding my stance from Wednesday’s mailbag about athletes not standing for the national anthem. I said that if an owner / coach was willing to condone the players’ decision not to stand, then I was fine with it.
Personally, I would not be one of those owners / coaches. I would absolutely FORCE the players on my team to stand and properly acknowledge the anthem in honor of those who have given up so much, including their lives for this country. I’m all for creative expression and freedom as long as it’s not purposefully disrespectful. In this case, it’s a slippery slope.
In light of the current political turmoil, I think we’ll see more and more players continue to kneel, sit, and not regard the importance of our anthem. I hope those players aren’t on any of my favorite teams. Please take a stand owners and coaches to prohibit these acts!
-Are you ready for a bold Arizona Cardinals prediction? After Bruce Arians wasn’t exactly glowing about the status of current Cards #2 wide receiver John Brown earlier this week, it’s apparently that the team is going to add some outside help. I’ll predict that the 3rd leading receiver in terms of targets and receptions in 2017 (behind Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson) isn’t currently on the roster. Look for management to make a trade and / or waiver wire acquisition(s) towards the end of the month. Not signing Anquan Boldin before he went to Buffalo last week could come back to haunt this team.
-Two observations watching the Tampa Bay-Jacksonville game on Thursday night.
1. Tampa Bay is going to be legit…my NFC South Championship prediction isn’t dumb.
2. Jacksonville will never win anything, I mean even a handful of games, with Blake Bortles at QB. He needs a fresh start badly. Go with Chad Henne, Jags.
-Wishing my high school alma mater, Scottsdale Chaparral a successful football season which starts tonight against rival, Scottsdale Desert Mountain. Considering I have a lot of friends who went to DMHS, please don’t lose tonight, Firebirds! When sophomore QB Jack Miller (look at that college offer list!!) is able to play in the 2nd half of the season for Chap (after a failed transfer waiver this week), watch out for big things!
-If you like high school football in AZ, check out the radio schedule 1580 The Fanatic has to start the season! Now if only they would add some Chaparral games in October…
-With the lack of college football items mentioned this week in the blog, don’t worry. Next Wednesday’s blog will be solely dedicated to 2017-18 CFB predictions.
-Former Tempe Corona del Sol hoops standout Marvin Bagley reclassified to 2017 and signed with Duke this week. With his addition to an already potent team, Duke has to be the co-favorite with Arizona to win next April’s national championship. Who wants to see a rematch of the 2001 National Championship Game between Duke and UofA? Count me among the many…
-I have a great idea for the Suns: #TankForBagley. Local kid, big man, huge upside…all major pluses for the struggling Phoenix franchise. Expect this idea to pick up steam as the season begins this Fall.
-Not that it means a whole lot at this juncture…but UofA basketball has annihilated the two Spanish teams its played over in Europe this week. It may be August but this appears to be a well-oiled machine. I wouldn’t be hard-pressed to call the 2017-18 edition of the Wildcats the most talented in program history.
-Unfortunately the Wildcats were among a number of college basketball teams in Spain during Thursday’s senseless terror attacks. Unfortunately they had to cancel their third and final game of the trip. Many prayers to the folks in Barcelona who’ve been through hell in the last few days.
–So Kansas City wants an NHL team sooner than later? I hear there’s a team without a home in 2018 and beyond that currently plays in Glendale, Arizona. So what I’m saying is: make something happen, Maricopa County Stadium Authority! We don’t want to lose our local hockey team full of young and exciting players with great potential for the future.
-Here’s a :05 video you won’t be able to stop watching from before Wednesday’s Red Sox-Cardinals game:
JUST A BIT OUTSIDE pic.twitter.com/FEUSO3xmvQ
— ETD51 (@ETD51) August 16, 2017
That had to be done on purpose, right?
-Here’s the primary reason why social media can be awesome. After Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis posted 7 shutout innings on Monday night in his first start since beating testicular cancer, fellow cancer survivor, Cubs lefty Jon Lester reached out on Twitter:
@cbettis35 We haven’t met, but I don’t have to know you to call you brother. From my family to yours, congratulations on your return. #NVRQT
— Jon Lester (@JLester34) August 15, 2017
Without a doubt my favorite tweet of 2017.
-I’m heading back to Del Mar Racetrack for the summer season’s richest race, Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic. Hoping to see the best horse in the world, Arrogate, rebound from a dud four weeks ago in the San Diego Handicap. For betting purposes, give me a 2-8 box exacta with both of Bob Baffert’s horses in the race, Collected and Arrogate.
To read previous entries of my blog, click here. Also make sure to follow me on Twitter @eacohen83.
Cohen's Corner 
Kaep, we will see if he gets a job but his taking a seat or a knee isnt the only issue. The Castro shirt, the pig socks, and not voting are part of it too. And his asking price and the media circus.
I think John Brown will be fine, BA is just trying to gain control with all his comments. Targets on the season will go Fitz, John Brown, Johnson, Jaron Brown, then someone from a trade or a pickup after cut day. Maybe switch the new guy and and Jaron Brown if it is a trade.
I think Tampa’s OLine will be an issue for them but they have looked good thus far. Really interested to see how the Falcons hold up after the Super Bowl. I know think they wont struggle as much as I thought months ago.
Give me Arizona v Duke in the final four please. Will be amazing to see those teams if it comes to it.
Gov. Ducey and Mayor Stanton need to work together to get the Coyotes a facility. As I have said, use tax dollars to upgrade Talking Stick to be multi use.
The video of the first pitch is one of the best things I have seen for a long time.
Good shout out for the Lester tweet, also Tailon this year for coming back.
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I agree with Steve’s comments in regards the Cards WR’s. BA pushing people’s buttons, and knows he has a legit caliber offense (cross fingers) … remember when BA trashed CB Bethel last year? Called him something along the lines of ” a disaster waiting to happen” and look at him now.
EC, TB will have no issues outshining ATL and Carolina?
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