Scott Cole is a talent for ESPN, NFL Network and CBS Sports. Play by Play & Color Commentator of college sports. Scott and his team of talented former pro and college players interview celebrities, athletes and media members and bring it to you the sports fan. Southeast college focus of teams like…
"NBA 2K23 is like watching your favorite team clank a wide-open dunk to lose the game. They'd been playing well the whole time, with on-court gameplay that's better than ever, plus various retro modes that are amazing for basketball history nerds like myself, and there is a litany of modes meant to hold your interest over for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. So where does it all go wrong? The NBA 2K franchise has put such an emphasis on pay-to-win microtransactions that its most popular game mode, the online MyCareer, feels horribly discouraging from the outset due to the disadvantage you'll face unless you're willing to throw down extra cash. So even while NBA 2K23 emulates the game of basketball so well, both in its present form and illustrious past of the NBA – it's just more difficult than ever to ignore the emphasis on sucking cash out of our wallets." -IGN
To kick off their 2022 NFL regular season, Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills take a trip across the country to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams, fresh off a Super Bowl victory in September, start their quest to repeat against a team billed as a favorite to reach the big game this season. Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp lead a Rams offense supported by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on defense. Meanwhile, Allen and star receiver Stefon Diggs look to take the Bills to the next level, beginning with Thursday night's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff at SoFi Stadium.
Despite the seismic changes that took place during college football's offseason, the upcoming season will provide fans with a breath of familiarity. Yes, the preseason College Football Power Rankings are once again led by perennial playoff teams, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson. But last season's rankings had the Spencer Rattler-led Oklahoma Sooners at No. 2 and both Iowa State and North Carolina in the top 10 -- and we all know how that turned out. Which team will we talk about as a bust next season? And which teams will tumble out of the rankings after two weeks this year? None of that matters now. It's August, and there's hope for all top 25 teams that made the preseason rankings. Without further ado, this season's first Power Rankings.
The Vikings made it clear in no uncertain terms and actions that Mike Zimmer and his old-school defensive coaching style were the problem the past two years and that Kevin O'Connell, a 37-year-old first-time head coach, brings from the Super Bowl-champion Rams a new-school offensive approach that finally will make Kirk Cousins more than just a vastly overpriced .500 quarterback. "I certainly believe even moreso now that we've got our leadership in place," co-owner Mark Wilf says. "We're going to work with Kirk as our quarterback … and for 2022, for sure, we're going to be super competitive." The Vikings tinkered with the idea of trading Cousins and doing a total teardown. But O'Connell's offensive acumen and history with Cousins in Washington convinced ownership and new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to extend Cousins' contract, lowering his salary cap hit from $45 million to $31 million, as the first of many moves designed to run it back with much of the same roster. Perhaps Adofo-Mensah, the NFL's first general manager from a purely analytics background, coined a new term when he described the process as a "competitive rebuild." Sans Zimmer, of course.
A year removed from Aaron Rodgers' offseason of discontent, he now has a new contract and a renewed commitment to a team that now includes him in key decision-making conversations. After back-to-back MVP seasons, the 38-year-old Rodgers is showing no signs of slowing down, although his recent playoff performance has drawn increased scrutiny. Especially disappointing was the team's season-ending 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game that, despite their mistake-prone special teams' game-changing gaffes, the Packers should have won given that the defense didn't allow a touchdown and the Packers had such a big advantage at quarterback. Instead, after back-to-back-to-back 13-win seasons, the Packers are now a dozen years removed from their last Super Bowl title, and to win another, they'll have to do it without one of the greatest wide receivers in team history — Davante Adams, whom they traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in March, creating the offensive concerns that even LaFleur and Rodgers acknowledged are understandable.
While the Jets are still not predicted to have a playoff-caliber season in 2022. Caesars Sportsbook has set the Jets' over/under win total at 5.5, which at least would be an improvement. Where do we have the Jets this year?
Mac Jones made all the right moves as a rookie — from his first minicamp pass to his final steps of the griddy dance following his Pro Bowl touchdown run. In between, he threw 22 touchdown passes and led the Patriots to 10 wins and a return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus. The first-round quarterback also said all the right things. Jones was deferential to Cam Newton during the spring and summer and even after seizing the starting job from the former MVP with a stellar training camp that included an impressive final push. He refrained from commenting on anything that could cause a controversy — even declining to name a favorite Halloween candy. Things will be a little different this season. Jones, who plays with a quiet confidence, will need to be louder as he takes on more of a leadership role on a team that added key pieces in all three phases.
This is the year for Tua to prove if this is his team or not. He has got help with Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson to go along with Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins also added Sony Michel, Chase Edmonds, and Raheem Mostert to their offense. Miami also placed the franchise tag on Mike Gesicki, and he has been a very dependable tight end since he has been with the Dolphins. I have the Dolphins as my sleeper team and making the AFC Playoffs.
Key to Bills winning Super Bowl? Putting worst 13 seconds in team history behind them. What's done is done, and those ignominious moments at Arrowhead Stadium will forever be part of the Bills' story, just like the two AFL championships in the mid-1960s, the back-to-back 2-14 seasons of the mid-1980s, and the unprecedented winning of four straight AFC championships coupled with the loss of four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s.
Fans wanted Matt Ryan out, congrats. Hope you enjoy your 3 wins. The rebuild in ATL starts now.
Mayfield will have six weeks to unseat Sam Darnold before the season opener against Cleveland in the ultimate revenge game for a player who will arrive in Charlotte with a Lake Erie-sized chip on his shoulder after the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and signed him to a record guarantee of $230 million.
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko breaks down this year's NFL 2022 Cleveland Browns
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko breaks down this year's NFL Quarterback.
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko break down this year's NFL Draft.
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko making predictions for this year's NFL Draft first round.
Speaking just a couple of hours before Vogel's firing was made official, James wouldn't even acknowledge that a season in which the Lakers went 33-49 and missed the playoffs was a failure. “It's not a failure at all,” James said. “We came to work every single day, put our hard hats on and tried to get better every day. And the results just didn't happen for us. But it's not a failure.”
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko talking how Tiger Woods Plans to Play in the Masters.
Scott Cole with Nick Mizesko talking Tyreek Hill vs Davante Adams and should the Lakers just throw in the towel.
The Cleveland Browns called their research and investigation into Deshaun Watson, including the allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct against him, "extensive" in a statement the team released Sunday announcing the trade. "We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision," Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said in a statement. "Our team's comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved. We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process. "It was pivotal that we, along with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, meet with Deshaun to have a straightforward dialogue, discuss our priorities, and hear directly from him on how he wants to approach his career on and off the field. He was humble, sincere and candid. In our conversations, Deshaun detailed his commitment to leading our team; he understands and embraces the hard work needed to build his name both in the community and on the field. ... We are confident in Deshaun and excited about moving forward with him as our quarterback and supporting his genuine and determined efforts.'' On Friday, the Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans. Cleveland traded its 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round draft selections, as well as two other picks, in the deal. The Browns also gave Watson a new five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed, the most guaranteed money on a single contract in NFL history by $80 million. EDITOR'S PICKS Trade gives 'clarity' to Watson, Texans, GM says 4dSarah Barshop At what price? Deshaun Watson trade might cost Browns more than money, draft picks 4dJake Trotter How the Houston Texans went from contender to reset after trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns 5dSarah Barshop Unlike the Texans, who announced the trade shortly after it was agreed to Friday, the Browns waited two days before publicly acknowledging it. "We have done extensive investigative, legal and reference work over the past several months to provide us with the appropriate information needed to make an informed decision about pursuing him and moving forward with him as our quarterback," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. "Deshaun has been among the very best at the position and he understands the work needed to re-establish himself on and off the field in Cleveland. We are confident that he will make positive contributions to our team and community as we support his return to football."
In a week rife with quarterback dealings, Tuesday's news that the Denver Broncos were acquiring Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks for a package of picks and players might have been the most league-altering. For one thing, it ended Wilson's iconic, decadelong stay in Seattle — one that brought the team a championship, two Super Bowl appearances and (early in Wilson's tenure) one of the strongest multi-year runs in NFL history. It also shipped an elite passer to a Denver team that finished last season third in scoring defense, providing the ingredients for a potential Super Bowl recipe next season. Moreover, the move to add Wilson gives Denver yet another name to add to its ongoing quarterback carousel — one it's hoping is the last for a while. Much has been made about how this trade provides the Broncos with their long-sought-after replacement for Peyton Manning, who retired after the 2015 season. But things go back even further than that. In the 23 seasons since the retirement of John Elway — who is now the team's president of football operations — after a win in Super Bowl XXXIII, the Broncos have gone through 11 different primary starting QBs
The beautiful mystery tour will continue. Aaron Rodgers is not done with the Green Bay Packers just yet, and now there really is a chance the four-time NFL MVP will finish his career in the same place it started. Rodgers announced Tuesday on Twitter that he will return to the Packers for the 2022 season. The sides are working on a new contract that would lower his salary-cap figure for the 2022 season while giving Rodgers, 38, contractual clarity well into his 40s.
Kiper said Pickett could become a "Derek Carr-type" quarterback at the next level, with ESPN colleague Todd McShay labeling the ACC Player of the Year the "safest bet" at the position. Pickett had a prolific final year at Pitt, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns. But he'll turn 24 in June and may not have the physical upside of Matt Corral, Malik Willis or Desmond Ridder. The 6'3" signal-caller ran for 801 yards over five college seasons compared to 1,338 for Corral, 2,180 for Ridder and 1,822 for Willis in two seasons at Liberty. Listing Carr as the ceiling for an incoming rookie may not be exactly what a fanbase wants to hear, but Carr is a three-time Pro Bowler who's averaging 249.6 yards per game through the air. That would be a massive upgrade over what the Commanders have had.
"Unstoppable," Embiid said with a smile after finishing with 37 points -- including 23 free throws made on 27 attempts (the most attempts by any player in a single game in nearly three years). He also added nine rebounds and four blocked shots in Philadelphia's 125-109 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon. "What are you really going to do?" Embiid said. "He's a great passer, and obviously I've got someone [next to me] that attracts a lot of attention to him, so you've got to make a decision. Do you stay on me, or do you stay on him? And if you want to guard both of us with the other guys, now you've got Matisse [Thybulle] diving to the rim or wide-open shooters that have got one job to do, and that's make shots. That's all we got to keep doing. "Like I was saying in the locker room, I'm happy I don't have to post up every single possession, so it's great." Through those first two games, the results are hard to argue with. Philadelphia has averaged 129 points per game -- even after shooting 10-for-33 from 3-point range Sunday -- and Embiid and Harden are, predictably, making regular trips to the foul line. The two combined for 22 free throw attempts in Friday's 133-102 win in Minneapolis over the Timberwolves, and had 37 Sunday against the Knicks. Harden was a perfect 10-for-10 from the line. Embiid got to the line more than anyone since Anthony Davis also shot 27 free throws in an October 2019 game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It got to the point on Sunday where both New York centers, Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims, had fouled out by the early stages of the fourth quarter. "That's our job every single night, is to put pressure on that rim," said Harden, who had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists to post his first triple-double as a 76er. "That creates opportunities for ourselves and our teammates. There's a lot of opportunities Joel had with and-1s where he just didn't convert, but that pressure night-in and night-out consistently is going to be tough for teams to cover." It has taken no time at all for Harden and Embiid to find a rhythm in the pick-and-roll. While Embiid has never preferred to be a roll man in two-man actions -- something Tyrese Maxey gave him a hard time about when Embiid was asked about it after Sunday's game -- he had plenty of success with it against the Knicks.
MLBPA player leaders agreed unanimously not to accept MLB's final proposal, and there will be no deal on a new collective bargaining agreement before MLB's 5 p.m. ET deadline. MLB has threatened to cancel its March 31 Opening Day without a new deal. The sides will head home after negotiating for nine days and determine next steps for returning to the bargaining table. MLB's final proposal, which was delivered before 4 p.m. Tuesday, featured an increase from $25 million to $30 million in a pre-arbitration bonus pool each year for the length of the deal, while the union wants to begin with $85 million in the pool and go up by $5 million each year. On collective balance tax thresholds, the league's last offer remained the same as its previous one, which started at $220 million and was flat for three years before going up to $224 million in Year 4 and $230 million in Year 5. The union wants to start at $238 million with raises to $244 million, $250 million, $256 million and end at $263 million.
Brady to 49ers. Lebron and Bronny. NBA Allstar Let Down. Juwan Howard was suspended. Nick Mizesko joins at our brand new co-host.
We're back! The only ACC game that has really mattered in the last five seasons is finally here.
Jordan started off his MVP weekend with a bang, taking home a second straight Dunk Contest title in a memorable showdown with Dominique Wilkins in the finals. At the 3-Point Shootout, Larry Bird dominated once again to claim his third (and final) title in the event.
Top Ten Seinfeld Episodes of All Time. Who will be master of their own domain? The show's most renowned episodes include "The Chinese Restaurant", "The Parking Garage", and "The Contest". Who will make Scott's Top 10.
A closer look the top ten best NCAA freshmen ever to appear on a collegiate court.
I've done a ton of interviews, but never have shared my story. Here's my journey from the cubical to television. From being creative for Fortune 50 companies, to calling sports games.
Heisman Watch, CFB Playoff 4 and more. Sponsored by 24-7healthcare.com
Sponsored by 24-7healthcare.com Who should you pick up off waivers in Fantasy Football for week 4? Scott Cole tells you some gems and what it will cost to get them.
NFL's Week 3 Injury report by 24-7healthcare.com There were alot of injuries in week 2, Scott Cole let's you know who to pick up off of waivers to keep your fantasy team going strong.
NFL Week 2 slate of games including Sunday night's Packers at Vikings games.
FSU at Louisville, Ohio State at Oklahoma, Michigan State at Notre Dame, Alabama at Ole Miss, Georgia at Missouri.
Off-Script & Unedited: Harold Dutch Coleman provides his perspective on sports, protesting and responding to Dabo Swinney's press conference.
Sponsored by 24-7healthcare.com - Week 1 Recap of the NFL
Sponsored by 24-7healthcare.com - Harold Dutch Coleman discusses if the Clemson Tigers fix it in time?
Marc Istook talks Cowboys, Longhorns, Sooners, Big 12 expansion and his TCU Hornfrogs.
Scott & Eric talk Clemson at Auburn and the new Top 25.
Part 2 of picking the huge slate of week 1 games in College Football.
Part 1 of picking the huge slate of week 1 games in College Football Sponsor us ScottColeShow.com/sponsor
Former college football player Andy Hall, gives us an Auburn fan's perspective on playing Clemson in the opener. Sponsored by iDriveGreenville.com
We lock in our predictions for how the 2016 College Football season will end. Sponsored by iDriveGreenville.com
Is Cam Newton the best fantasy QB and how far does Tom Brady fall with the suspension?
Is calling a quarterback dual-threat because of their color racist or just plain lazy?