We’re finally getting some much-needed snow in the 303 so I made recipeless chicken, vegetable bean soup. Flavor base is chicken stock with basic Indian curry powder doctored up a bit.

ESPN: Ex-North Carolina A&T players ineligible over gambling inquiry​

Two former North Carolina A&T men's basketball players have been ruled ineligible after allegedly failing to cooperate with an NCAA gambling investigation.

The NCAA announced Friday that Ryan Forrest and Landon Glasper, who are no longer playing in college, ignored multiple requests for financial documents and interviews during the investigation, which began in January 2025, after integrity monitors flagged suspicious betting patterns on four games involving the Aggies. Failing to cooperate with an NCAA investigation results in a loss of eligibility.

Just sayin': If "failing to cooperate with a NCAA investigation" can result in a loss of eligibility; then why was any scUM coach/player eligible to coach/play after the sign stealing investigation?

......

Sources: Browns rework Watson contract to lower NFL-high cap hit​

The Cleveland Browns are once again restructuring the contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson, league sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday, a move that frees close to $36 million in cap space and makes the team cap compliant ahead of the new league year.

Watson, who did not play in 2025 as he rehabbed an Achilles tear from the 2024 season, was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL.

Watson, 30, is owed a fully guaranteed $46 million salary in 2026; he originally signed a five-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $230 million deal upon being traded to Cleveland before the 2022 season. Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, which would be the lowest among qualified passers.

He is expected to compete for the Browns' starting quarterback job alongside Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and any other additions this offseason.

"Anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level," first-year Browns coach Todd Monken said of Watson, "I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that's how you should look at every player."

The Browns are also expected to restructure the contract of cornerback Denzel Ward, according to a source, as Cleveland prepares to make multiple free agent signings to improve its offense this offseason....

OT Taylor Decker asks for release after 10 years with Lions​

Offensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions' longest-tenured player, has requested his release from Detroit, he announced on social media Friday.

The move comes about two weeks after he announced he would return to the NFL for an 11th NFL season.

"I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end," Decker wrote on Instagram. "In the weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussions. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find a common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release."

Login to view embedded media

ESPN: The Texans have granted running back Joe Mixon's request for a release, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. The release saves Houston $8 million in cap space.

Houston acquired Mixon via trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in March 2024 after he was expected to be released. The franchise immediately gave him a three-year, $27 million contract extension, including $13 million guaranteed.

Fired Michigan coach Sherrone Moore pleads no contest​

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore agreed to a deal Friday that resulted in him pleading no contest to two new misdemeanor charges in exchange for the dropping of a previous felony count and two separate misdemeanors.

The plea agreement centers on Moore's actions Dec. 10, following his sudden firing as Michigan coach. The university dismissed Moore that day for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

Moore, 40, soon drove to the staff member's apartment and was initially charged with felony home invasion and misdemeanor counts of breaking and entering and stalking in a domestic relationship. The staff member told police that the married father of three grabbed a butter knife and threatened to harm himself. Earlier that day, the staff member had told the school about the relationship.

On Friday, prosecutors agreed to drop the initial, more serious, charges in exchange for Moore pleading no contest to two new misdemeanors -- malicious use of a telecommunication device in a domestic relationship and trespassing.

"All the [initial] charges against Mr. Moore were not supported by facts of law," Moore's attorney, Ellen Michaels, said after the hearing. "The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning.

"Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward."

Moore, holding the hand of his wife, Kelli, did not comment after the hearing.

Michaels' request that Moore be freed from wearing an electronic tether as part of his bond agreement was denied by Judge Cedric Simpson pending interviews with authorities.

Moore will be sentenced April 14 in Washtenaw County Court and could face up to a year in prison, although attorneys unrelated to the case have told ESPN that they do not expect Moore to serve any time.
.
.
.
continued

If we don't end a up on the 3 line I'll be disappointed. The 2 worst losses were on the road at UCONN and Iowa. We beat TCU on neutral court so them being ahead of us is a sham. Of course we have a history of getting screwed in the seeding so par for the course.

I thought their seeding preview rank of 16 the last time that came out a few days ago was too low. They should have been ahead of Maryland (13) and Sparty (14). Both of those teams had bad losses yesterday, so that, plus the Buckeyes win today over Minny (who was 15) should get them up to at least #13.

To get a #3 seed, they need to pass either Duke, Louisville, TCU, or Oklahoma. Oklahoma has 7 losses but has a win over S. Carolina that will keep them on the 3 line.

Duke has 8 losses and a loss to ND tomorrow could make it close between Duke and tOSU.

Louisville has 6 losses and is playing Syracuse right now. A loss there could drop them to the #4 line.

TCU only has 4 losses, but the Big XII isn’t as tough and tOSU beat them in New Jersey in January.

Being a #3 would avoid having to play either UConn, USCe, UCLA, or Texas in the sweet 16.

Massive choke job by Charleston Southern against Winthrop in the Big South Quarterfinals

Charleston Southern led 81-74 with 45 seconds left and loses 84-81

Great 60-55 win for the ladies today. Elsa went for 17 and 11, did all the little things per usual, and got a full post-game interview. They really looked at her on the pick and roll and she needs to finish more consistently (4 blown layups rolling to the hoop), but If she can keep this up and the guards look for her, it really raises the ceiling for the team. She didn’t get much help on the boards today. I thought the Bucks were pretty clearly the better team today but for finishing at the rim and making threes. I won’t criticize the lack of rebounding outside of Elsa, given Minnesota’s size. If they play like this generally but make more shots, they can really do something.

Another 2 run HR 7-0 UCLA. They are going to score 30 runs at this rate

and its 5-0 UCLA after a 2 run HR in the 2nd. So much for not getting embarrassed.

And we are back to Buckeye baseball. UCLA had scored a run and had 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, shoulda gotten out of the inning only giving up 1 run but a throwing error allows a 2nd run to score and leaves runners on the corners.

next batter gets HBP to load the bases

next batter walked on 4 pitches to walk a run in - it's 3-0

next batter flies out to mercifully end the inning

just absolutely brutal self-inflicted wounds.

Brutal stretch it would be nice if they could manage not to get completely embarrassed by UCLA

9 seed Drake (13-19) Destroys 1 seed Belmont (26-5) 100-79 in the MVC Quarterfinals.

And here I thought the thread was started for this:
Login to view embedded media

Thump said:

Need....new....hats.....

Click to expand...

Bob Todd still coaching?

Turd in waiting

Six teams linked to Conor Garland​

• Date: March 5
• Source: Pierre LeBrun

LeBrun named the Blue Jackets, Islanders, Bruins, Devils, Capitals and Sharks as options for the Canucks forward. With 26 points on the year and signed through 2032, Garland seems to be a hot name.

buckeyemania11 said:

Login to view embedded media

I like this move, he's had a down year this year but he's playing on the worst team of the league so hopefully this get's him rejuvenated and he performs to his normal standard with the CBJ. He's a good for this team with how he plays.

Also, apparently, we beat out Boston for him as well.

Click to expand...

The Blue Jackets traded for Garland in the last year of his five-year contract that carries a $4.95 million cap hit. But he won't become a free agent this summer. What makes this trade a peculiar one for Columbus is that Garland is already signed to a six-year contract extension that begins next season, which Vancouver handed him last July. That deal runs through the 2031-32 season and carries a $6 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause in the first three seasons.

Click to expand...

Maybe the Blue Jackets finally traded for a guy that should help them "down the stretch" and beyond. He got a lot of great comments from Vancouver fans:

Nice. Absolutely fleeced the poverty Canucks franchise. Garland is amazing

Blue Jackets won the jackpot with getting Connor Garland. We fans in Vancouver are sad to see him go! Treat him well, he’ll give you everything he’s got, every game!!!

He’s a great player who you guys will love. His stats this year shouldn’t be considered, under Tocchet, he was the heartbeat of our forwards. And he drives play really well on his own and plays great defense.

One of the best, a guy who wear his heart on his sleeve and makes a difference every single night. Enjoyed watching him here in Vancouver, he’s a champ. Go kill it in Columbus!

You guys take good care of him. He's an absolute blast to watch on the ice.

You Columbus fans will fall in love with this player. He’s scrappy but mannn when the team is good can he drive play. Enjoy! And take care of him.

Canucks guy here. Garland will literally be your hardest working player on your team. He's a hoot to watch, wear's his heart on his crest, and put him with the right guys.......you'll be watching a gem.

Garland is a goat treat him good he’s got a motor that revs to the Moon and doesn’t stop he’s a trooper and a Awesome guy we are gonna miss ya.
.
.
.
more