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Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world
Happy Thursday, all! Hope you’re ready for a huge day of sports.
Let’s get right to it.
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THE MIAMI DOLPHINS…
On Tuesday night, the Dolphins signed arguably the best free agent available in offensive tackle Terron Armstead. Less than 24 hours later, they acquired arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL.
Tyreek Hill is headed to South Beach. Here are the details of the latest blockbuster trade in this whirlwind offseason:
Shortly afterward, Hill agreed to a four-year, $120-million extension — which makes him the highest-paid wide receiver ever on a per-year basis — with $72.2 million guaranteed.
Yes, it is a ton to give up, both in draft picks and in money, but yes, it is worth it, writes our NFL expert Bryan DeArdo in his trade grades:
I agree with Bryan here, and I’ll use a couple of similarities to previous moves this offseason to show you why:
The Dolphins took their medicine and were bad when it made sense for them to be bad. They had a plan during those down years and, because of that, have emerged with a terrific supporting cast for Tagovailoa after a flurry of moves this offseason.
Of course, it now comes down to Tagovailoa. Can he stay healthy? Is he actually good when he is healthy? If the answer to either of those is no, this trade may never pan out as the Dolphins envision. But if the answers are yes, add the Dolphins to the long list of contenders in the loaded AFC.
For more on this trade, check out:
… AND ALSO A GOOD MORNING TO KYRIE IRVING AND THE BROOKLYN NETS
It’s a new day in New York, and the sun is shining brightly on the Brooklyn Nets. Today, New York City mayor Eric Adams is expected to change the city’s private sector COVID-19 vaccine mandate to allow an exemption for performers and athletes in the workplace. That means Kyrie Irving is back full time.
Irving was not with the Nets to start the season as they didn’t want to make concessions for a player who could only play away games. He did not make his season debut until Jan. 5, 2022 — the team’s 36th game of the season — and has played in just 20 of a possible 73 contests overall.
This is obviously a huge boost for the Nets’ title hopes. They’re currently +550 at Caesars Sportsbook, only behind the Suns, and the numbers show just how good Irving makes Brooklyn:
This rule also applies to the Yankees and Mets with Opening Day right around the corner.
I know it’s only been a few days, but it seems like it’s been forever since the last men’s NCAA Tournament games. Thank goodness the action starts again with four games tonight:
Now, in all likelihood, your bracket is not looking great. Mine certainly isn’t. And that may be putting it nicely. But we gave our experts another shot to make their picks from here on out, and here’s who they picked to win it all:
As for storylines for tonight’s games, Duke-Texas Tech will get the limelight, but the 1 seeds are very much on upset alert, writes our Chip Patterson:
The US Men’s National Team begins its final window of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying matches tonight when it takes on Mexico at 10 p.m. on CBS Sports Network/Paramount+.
Here’s how the top of the table looks currently:
Now, considering the top three teams automatically qualify for Qatar 2022, the United States should be in decent shape. That is, until you remember that key players Weston McKennie (broken foot) and Brenden Aaronson (knee) are both out and that the United States has never won a World Cup Qualifying match at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
So, what’s the key for the US to make a little history tonight? Our soccer reporter Roger Gonzalez says it starts in the middle:
As for other stories to get you ready for tonight:
We’re watching the Sweet 16. Here’s the schedule.
We’re also watching…
🏀 Suns at Nuggets, 9:30 p.m. on NBA TV
⚽ Mexico vs United States, 10 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
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