Curry Shoots Dagger 3’s for Team USA Men’s Basketball to Win Gold

Date: August 19, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

USA Men’s Basketball team went undefeated from exhibition, group play, & the medal rounds and won the gold medal facing a tough France team. Team USA locked in late in the game was close and Steph Curry was not going to allow France to take the gold medal.

This current USA Men’s team had a lot of talent and all were bought in to the system. Tatum did not get to play as much as Celtics fans would hope but given the situations certain players were not going to play many minutes on any given night. When you have Lebron, KD, AD, and Curry on the same team that is going to limit those other players minutes who play the same positions as they do. The current team roster was: Anthony Davis, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Steph Curry, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jason Tatum.

It was the veterans James, KD, and Curry that helped seal the deal in the 4th quarter as each took turns in locking up the gold medal. It was Curry’s 4 three point shots in a row that was the dagger. It was so fun to watch and see Curry, his first time as an Olympian, will the team to victory. The enthusiasm and passion those players played with showed with their emotions. Since the original Dream Team and the Redeem Team, this current team was fun to watch.

The next Summer Olympics in 2028 will be in Los Angeles California. Who will be on USA Men’s Basketball as well as USA Women’s Basketball? USA Women’s Basketball has changing of the guards as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will lead Team USA.

NFL: Bengals Training Camp

Date: Thursday July 25, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

Training camp has started for NFL teams. Cincinnati Bengals have everyone reporting. Higgins said he signed the franchise tag when he did to stop the noise. He wants to come in and work and get back to the Super Bowl and win it with this group. You can see the focus and attitude of the players. They are on a mission and everyone is on the same page. For the first time in his career Burrow will have a full training camp. I feel this will make a difference and allow the team to come out firing on all cylinders for the beginning the season and getting them off to a fantastic start.

Everyone has haircuts including Burrow. He’s going with his buzz and blonde look he had when he was young to begin the season. Chase also has a buzz style cut. It will be interesting what style they each have when they get to the Super Bowl.

New Orleans is on this teams mind. What a storyline this will be for Burrow, Chase and the Bengals!! Can this duo win the Super Bowl where they also won their college football National Championship at LSU in 2020? I think they can and will! The time is now !

Who Dey!!

2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville KY

Date: Wednesday May 15, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

This week is the 106th PGA Championship which will be played at Valhalla in Louisville KY. Round 1 is Thursday morning. Tiger Woods will tee off at 8:04 AM on hole #10. He is grouped with Adam Scott and Keagan Bradley. Rory McIlroy tees off on Hole #10 at 8:15 AM and is grouped with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose. Louisville’s own, Justin Thomas, tees off on Hole #10 as well at 7:53 AM. He is grouped with Ludvig Aberg and Xander Schauffele.

It is great to have Tiger Woods back and competing. I believe he will make the cut and be in the top 15. The more he gets to play in competitive tournaments the better he will be and victories will come his way. This will be a step in the right direction this week.

Later this week I will give a summary of what I think about the first 2 rounds.

Who do you think will win? I think Rory has a great chance after coming off victory last week.

NFL Draft: Bengals Thrive

Date: May 1, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

Last week the NFL draft occurred. The first 13 picks were all offensive players. This set a new record for 1st Round draft picks having first 13 be all offense. Also, 6 QB’s were taken in the first round which tied the record for 1st round QB picks. Last time 6 QB’s were picked was in the 1983 NFL draft.

The Bengals selected well and covered areas they needed and wanted to add depth:

Round 1: They chose Amarius Mims, OT from Georgia. He is 6’8 and 340 pounds. He makes the third offensive lineman for the Bengals to be 6’8. The others are newly acquired Trent Brown from the Patriots and Orlando Brown Jr.. Having this size will help keep Burrow upright. A solid first round pick.

Round 2: Kris Jenkins DT, Michigan – he is a solid DT and will add depth to this spot.

Round 3:  Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama. I think this is one of the best picks of the draft. He is a very good WR. He will fit in as the #3 WR for the Bengals.

Round 3: McKinnley Jackson DT, Texas A&M – he is a solid, dependable DT and will add depth.

Round 4: Erick All, TE, Iowa – a good TE that has a lot of upside after having an ACL injury in college. He adds depth as the #3 TE on the team.

Round 5: Josh Newton, CB, TCU – A solid CB that can tackle. He will be under the wings of Mike Hilton and learn from him. Josh is the future for the Bengals at CB.

Round 6: Tanner McLachlan TE, Arizona – an experienced TE that adds depth to be the #4 TE on the team.

Round 6: Cedric Johnson , EDGE, Ole Miss – a solid EDGE that will add depth to the spot.

Round 7: Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss – a hard worker going from DII football to DI. A solid S and will be a good fit to add depth to the spot and just the type of player Bengals like.

Round 7: Matt Lee, C, Miami – a solid center and will add depth to the position.

A solid draft class for the Bengals!!

Who Dey!!!

Bengals: Voluntary Workouts Begin

Date: Wednesday April 17, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

The 2024 – 2025 NFL Season is here. Voluntary workouts are beginning. The NFL draft is next week. Bengals are getting locked and loaded.

Burrow is healthy and ready to go. With some additions on defense along with new offensive weapons and an increase at offensive line the Bengals are ready to roar!

It is going to be a fun season to see the Bengals go for the Super Bowl where Burrow and Chase won the National Championship in New Orleans. This is the Bengals year. Keep Joe healthy and good things will happen.

After the draft I will make a post about the Bengals picks and what I think about the picks.

Who Dey!!

2024 MLB Opening Day on Thursday March 28th

Date: Wednesday March 27, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

Tomorrow, Thursday March 28th is opening day for baseball. Cincinnati Reds will play at 4:10 pm vs Washington Nationals. The Reds have higher expectations this season as De La Cruz will have his first full season with the Reds. He is projected to become an all-star this season. The Reds finished 82-80 and just missed the playoffs. Expectations with this current team is to get into the playoffs and sky will be the limit. They have and goof mix of vets and youth along with pitching. I think the Reds can end the upcoming season at 90 – 72 and make it to the playoffs. From there we will see what happens. If healthy I do not see why they can’t get to the National League Championship game and on their way to a World Series birth…. If they get to there they win it all in 6 games.

Good luck to everyone’s MLB teams this season!

Lets go Reds!!

Chiefs Win 2 Super Bowls in a Row

Free Agency Begins Monday March 11th

Date: Wednesday March 6, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

Kansas City Chiefs stayed poised during the Super Bowl and managed to escape with a victory after the 49ers had a few miscues that cost them the opportunity to be champions.

Free Agency begins next week. some of the top tier teams are about to let players go because of salary cap issues. This is prime time for the Bengals to have their shot at possibly getting some added veterans to their team as well as making another Super Bowl run as they are one of the top teams with the most salary cap space.

Higgins is franchise tagged for the 2024 season. They can sign him to an extension if they agree by July. Ja’Marr Chase will be getting an extension after this 2024 season. Burrow will be coming back healthy going into this upcoming season. It looks like they will sign TE Hudson to keep him on the team as he emerged from no where to be very reliable and Burrow really likes him. Panthers released TE Hurst and Jets released TE Uzomah, former Bengals tight ends the from the last 3 seasons, from their teams. Uzomah hurt his knee and had season ending injury. Hurst is healthy. My thoughts are the Bengals will entertain the idea of signing Hurts to a 2 year deal with the 2nd year being a team option. They can then draft a TE and that would make 3 TE on their roster for the upcoming season. RB Mixon will find out in the next 2 weeks if he is released or they work at a restructure. Do not be surprised if he restructures his deal and he will be on the team one more season. If they do release him they can go after free agent RB Barkley as the Giants as he is a free agent and also could make an offer to RB Henry from the Titans as he is a free agent as well.

It will be interesting to see how the Bengals go about free agency as they have some good options to choose from. This is going to be an exciting 2024 season as the Bengals regroup and make a run for the Super Bowl which will be in New Orleans! What a story line with Burrow and Chase….can they get to the Super Bowl and win where they won their college national championship in 2019?? I think so !!!

WHO DEY!

Super Bowl: Will Chiefs Beat 49ers to Repeat as Champions?

Date: Wednesday February 7, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

The San Francisco 49ers willed their way to the Super Bowl after they had a tough battle with the Lions in the NFC Championship game. The Chiefs went into Baltimore calm cool and collective. The Ravens lost their cool as a team as early as the middle of the first quarter. They could never get in rhythm as an offense. Chiefs managed the game well. Ravens had a poor game plan for defense against the Chiefs and the Ravens offense would not do what they do best and that is run the football. Chiefs won and are in Vegas to face the 49ers.

Both teams are as healthy as they can be late into this season. All the cards are on the table. Who will be able to use their ace and win this Super Bowl?

I predict Chiefs outlast the 49ers and with their experience win 27 – 20. Chiefs can become the first football team to win back – to – back Super Bowls since Tom Brady and the Patriots did it in 2003 & 2004.

Good luck to both teams!

I can’t wait for next season as Burrow and the Bengals will come back with a vengeance and settle some unfinished business. Road to Glory to New Orleans begins now for the Bengals!!!

Who Dey!!!

Bengals End Season with Win Finishing 9-8

Date: Wednesday January 10, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Bengals hosted the Browns in the final regular season game winning 31 -14. Browns did not play many starters and the Bengals played theirs 3/4’s and some half of the game. Joe Mixon ran for 111 yards and a TD and caught a TD. He got his 1,000 yards rushing for the season and is now #2 all time in Bengals history with 40 rushing TD passes. Chase got his 4 receptions he needed in the first half to complete 100 catches on the season. Trey Hendrickson got a sack to give him a personal best 17.5 sacks for the season and 2nd in the NFL Sack leaders. Safety – Battle had his first career INT and Rookie Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas had 2 TDs. Browning played solid passing 18/24 for 156 yards and 3 TDs. QB AJ McCarron came into the game in the 4th quarter and went 3-4 passing for 20 yards. WR Boyd caught 1 pass marking his catches to 513 catches for 6,000 yards.

Bengals finish the season 9-8. This is not the season they expected but they stayed together as a group and fought hard. This will make them even better going into next season.

For this years playoffs there are many teams that can win it all. Key is they need to be healthy. Right now I feel on the NFC the 49ers have the best shot at making it to the Super Bowl and possibly winning. On the AFC I think the Bills have the best opportunity to make it to the Super Bowl and win. They are healthy and starting to get hot at the right time.

Next season, 2024, the Bengals Super Bowl opportunity will be in New Orleans. It is fitting the Bengals make it and win it as Burrow and Chase won their national championship there. The Bengals youth on defense gained a lot of experience this year and on offense found form as the season went on. Look for Burrow to have an amazing season and lead this Bengals team to winning the Lombardi Trophy.

Who Dey!!

QB Browning Gave Life but Season Ends Next Week

Photo by Juan Salamanca on Pexels.com

Date: Wednesday January 3rd, 2024

Writer: Anthony Iles

Going into the last half of December the Bengals had some life remaining of making the playoffs in such a crazy season where many starting QBs had season ending injuries in the middle of the season. The starting QBs that got hurt this season are the following:

QBTeamType of InjuryGames Missed
Aaron RodgersJetsAchillesSeason
Anthony RichardsonColtsShoulderSeason
Deshaun WatsonBrownsShoulderSeason
Daniel JonesGiantsKneeSeason
Kirk CousinsVikingsAchillesSeason
Joe BurrowBengalsWristSeason
Justin HerbertChargersFingerSeason
Ryan TannehillTitansAnkleBenched
Jimmy GaroppoloRaidersBackBenched

Bengals faced the Vikings at home on Saturday December 16th. Both teams fought hard and it went into OT where the Bengals won 27 – 24 !! Higgins made a game tying TD at the end of the fourth quarter. That catch and score will go down as one of the best ones of the season.

Bengals then traveled to Pittsburgh and fell short losing 34 – 11. Browning had his poorest game as a starter making silly mistakes for interceptions that cost the Bengals a chance to win.

Last week Bengals traveled to the Kansas City Chiefs where they fought hard. Defense bent but did not break giving up field goals. Bengals had a chance in the 4th to tie so they could go into OT in a very close game (like many of these matchups). Bengals fell short 25 – 17 and this loss cost them a playoff opportunity as they needed to beat the Steelers and Browns to have a shot at the playoffs.

Next week the Bengals finish the season at home versus the Browns. Chase is a few catches away from 100. Mixon is close to another 1,000 yard rushing season. Trey Hendrickson is setting personal and team records for sacks in a season. Can he get another sack this upcoming game? I think so. Bengals are playing to win. As of now we are not sure how many starters will play to end the season and the Browns are going to play mostly 2nd and 3rd string players.

Who will win the Super Bowl this year? I think the 49ers, Ravens, and Cowboys have the best opportunities if they are healthy in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl.

Bengals will bounce back and prepare for next season as the Super Bowl will be in New Orleans. What a story line this upcoming season can be for the Bengals and Joe Burrow. Can Burrow and Chase get back to New Orleans where they won their National Championship in college? Can they then win the Super Bowl? They would be on of the few to ever make it back to where they won in college and then to win the Super Bowl there. As for this season the players gave it their all even as Burrow was hurt and had to miss half the season. The fans cheered them on and the support for this Bengals group is amazing.

Good luck to all the playoff teams and finishing this season. I can’t wait to get ready for next year!

WHO DEY!!