Good Morning. We’ve got a bunch of little stories to run through and then we’ll talk about Thursday football. We’ve got two days of summer left, so let’s get you in and out and maybe you can pick up some rays later on today.

College Basketball

It might be a little early to do this one and we haven’t talked recruiting classes much but Miami’s class for 2024 just got a little sweeter. #2 ranked SG and #7 overall Jalil Bethea has committed to the Hurricanes. Miami went to their first final four as a program this year and a returning quite a few players.

If we talk about the 2023 year, Kentucky, Duke, and USC head the ranks for the top recruiting classes, but UCONN and Louisville also brought in a strong class.

Looking one year ahead in 2024, North Carolina and Miami have the strongest class so far and so does… surprise surprise

Rutgers.

Alright, let’s not spoil our college football fun… away we go!

The Truth About Shohei Ohtani

You like that headline? We just wanted to fill you in real quick because we got some more info on his surgery. Many assumed it was going to be a traditional Tommy John surgery but apparently, Ohtani didn’t need a full reconstruction of the elbow and the doctor performing the surgery repaired what damage there was and reinforced the ligament (whatever that means).

A Round Of Applause For Brad Marchand

The Boston Bruins have announced that Brad Marchand will be wearing the big “C” on his jersey for the 2023-2024 NHL season. Marchand is taking over as Captain after long-time teammate Patrice Bergeron retired in July. Bergeron wore the C for the last 3 seasons. Marchand has been with the Bruins for his entire 14-year NHL career and nobody plays the Boston way more than Marchand.

Finally Some Self Respect In The NBA

and maybe a little delusion.

Damian Lillard is looking to be traded away from the Portland Trailblazers. Lillard is 33 years old and has spent his entire 11-year career in Portland. On a podcast the other day Lillard said he would rather lose every year before joining up with the Golden State Warriors, even though it would mean he’d be able to return to his hometown. Not firing shots at KD, but I love this when a guy wants to win the right way. BUT. Dame has played 11 seasons in Portland and I don’t think anyone is questioning his loyalty, if he wants a ring before his career is over, he needs to make a power move like joining the Warriors or go play with KD in Phoenix.

Football, Football, Football

Rams Trade Akers To Vikings

RB Cam Akers has been traded to the Minnesota Vikings and I think I’m confused. The Rams sent Akers and a conditional 7th-round pick to the Vikings in return for a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick. The Vikings pick up $1.2 million in salary for Akers and remember, they just cut Dalvin Cook in the off-season to save $2 million.

Maybe I shouldn’t be confused and maybe the Vikings front office knows what they’re doing. The Vikings let go of an “aging” Dalvin Cook (he’s 28) and got a 24-year-old Cam Akers. Dalvin Cook also has been statistically one of the worst RBs in the league through 2 games with the Jets, but that also probably has something to do with the fact that they are not a passing threat without Aaron Rodgers.

Does Davante Adams Have A Point?

Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams took an “unnecessary” hit from Taylor Rapp in Sunday’s matchup against Buffalo Bills and Adams has been put in the concussion protocol. Adams threw around a few words talking about how there’s a reason Rapp was in the game late because he doesn’t know how to play but here’s my point.

The game is too easy for the receiver now. As a defensive back, your job isn’t just to cover a receiver and try to keep the ball from getting into his hands. Your job is to dislodge the ball from the receiver’s hands so he doesn’t complete the catch and sometimes that requires physicality. Was the hit a little late? Possibly, sure. Could Rapp see everything in .3 seconds? Unlikely

But here’s my point. Watch Tyreek Hill score this touchdown and the defense doesn’t even attempt to hit him out of fear of being penalized or getting fined. IT’S TOO DAMN SOFT.

The NFL ain’t changing the rules, so we’re moving on I suppose!

Kareem Hunt Reunited With The Browns

The Cleveland Browns have signed Kareem Hunt on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million after Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending knee injury. Hunt will be the backup to the now starter, Jerome Ford.

Thursday Night Football

College

The NCAA isn’t leaving us hanging tonight. We’ve Georgia State @ Coastal Carolina on ESPN @ 7:30 pm. We’ve also got a 4 game slate coming on Friday night!

NFL

We’re back to Amazon Prime Video for TNF in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants at 8:15 pm ET.

The Giants will be without Saquon Barkley, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari.

The Niners are 10.5-point favorites (which is a lot for an NFL game) and the O/U is 44.

You might be thinking that the Niners have the advantage because they just had to travel from LA back to SF on Sunday and the Giants had a longer trip but the Giants actually stayed out on the West Coast after their Sunday matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

The 49ers do have the advantage as the better team though. I’m taking the 49ers giving up a touchdown and a half because this defense is going to eat up Daniel Jones once again.

I might take the under because I think SF will score around 30 tonight but the Giants will score 3 points.

This was a fun one today. Hope you all enjoy the read.

-The Daily Breakroom