Errol Spence Jr. v. Shawn Porter

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Where to watch: Saturday, September 28th, 2019, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. Available on FOX/PBC PPV.

In the latest example of the renaissance of the Welterweight Division in Boxing, IBF World Champion Errol Spence Jr. will take on WBC Champion Shawn Porter in a unification bout on Saturday. On the face of it the odds on BetDSI show a possibly lopsided affair as Spence is a -909 Favorite, and you can get +594 by betting on Porter.

I see it a bit different. As a fan of “THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas” Podcast, I agree with something Teddy Atlas often repeats on his show, which is that the “conventional wisdom is often wrong.” Spence is the taller, longer, “rangier” guy and therefore he should just box Porter’s face off. That is simplistic thinking.

Shawn Porter has a few tricks up his sleeve that he can employ. First of all, Porter has always had a good lead right, which is a Southpaw’s kryptonite (Errol Spence is a Southpaw), and secondly, every charge of being “dirty” that Errol Spence has lobbed toward Shawn Porter, is true. Porter mysteriously likes to leave his elbows up in clinches, he tends to grab-punch, and head butts can become common in a Shawn Porter fight. These are all tools he can use to equalize this matchup.

So, Spence should keep his distance and use a Jab to defeat Porter handily at range? Not necessarily. If Porter decides to “crowd” Spence, Errol Spence would be well advised to fight on the inside, as he can always keep the range as Porter tries to backup or escape exchanges. If he fights at a distance, he is susceptible to Porter employing his movement to ruin his range and nullify his power. Spence will have to engage to win this fight.

Now, make no mistake, Spence is a clear and deserved favorite. So how can Shawn Porter win? Well, there is one sure fire way he can lose. If he tris to fight an aggressors fight and push a pace by stalking Spence, he is opening himself to a knockout or stoppage. He would be wise to choose his exchanges carefully. His best bet to win is to “pot shot” Spence from angles, and employ his Jab to dictate the pace. His activity can win this fight, but only if he is dictating when the exchanges occur. Whenever he is going to deploy a combination, he will however have to close the distance, to get into Spence’s chest to avoid return volley’s. Make no Mistake, Shawn Porter is going to have to fight a near perfect fight to win, but he is very much capable of just that.

So what does a Errol Spence Jr. win look like? I think it looks like Shawn Porter attempting to press a pace by stalking Spence, attempting roughhouse tactics inside, and Spence finding the range with his Jab, and short hooks as Porter walks right into perfect range of his power punches. If this happens, Spence can and will get rid of Porter in short order. If Porter employs a smarter style, a win for Spence is likely to look more like a pure clinic in speed, accuracy and activity. It is possible that Spence is actually worth the ample betting lines and is just too good for Porter on Saturday. Either way, this is going to be a fun one to watch.

Prediction: Errol Spence Jr. by Unanimous Decision, 12 Rounds.

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Alfredo Arteaga (@UptownReport) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Marlins’ Nick Neidert sharp in Arizona Fall League

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Nick Neidert had a rough 2019 season plagued by a knee injury. He was mainly at Triple-A New Orleans (5.05 ERA in 9 starts) but spent a third of his starts in Jupiter split between the Florida State League and the Gulf Coast League.

An invitation to the Arizona Fall League put a validating cap to his season.

In his first start, Neidert threw 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs with three strikeouts against the Peoria Javelinas. He turned it around against the Mexican Pacific League’s Naranjeros de Hermosillo on Tuesday with four scoreless innings and six strikeouts, leading the Salt River Rafters to a 4-0 win.

Neidert was one of three minor league prospects that were acquired by the Seattle Mariners in the Dee Gordon trade two offseasons ago. One of them is Robert Dugger, who made it to the big leagues this summer.

Next year could be Neidert’s turn.

Brian Flores

Dolphins’ failings run deeper than stripped down roster

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Dolphins’ mind-numbing mistakes, disorganized defense lead to another embarrassing defeat in Dallas.

For a brief moment, there were indications the Dolphins were ready to play a competitive game. Maybe even capable of it.

Josh Rosen, in his first start for Miami, was avoiding rushers, making some impressive throws right on target.

Inexplicably, considering they fell behind 10-0, the Dolphins were on the brink of taking the lead before halftime Sunday at Dallas.

An assortment of forehead-smacking dropped passes and a killing fumble by Kenyan Drake prevented it from happening.

Then in the second half the team that was outscored 102-10 in the first two weeks reverted to form and got steamrolled again, 31-6 by the Cowboys.

Better off watching Tua

For the @TankForTua (Tagovailoa) crowd, the objective remains on track.

If you’ve been watching Alabama’s Heavin’ Hawaiian, he is providing validity to the strategy of throwing away a season for the chance to draft him.

After back-to-back games with five touchdown passes, Tua said he’s still learning and can get better.

As for these 0-3 Dolphins, the lessons of catching the ball and tackling remain elusive.

So after it appeared there might be some positives to point to in Week 3, there really weren’t.

It was good to see the offense making better use of Drake. Then he fumbled.

DeVante Parker made a terrific one-handed grab 40 yards down field. Then he dropped a perfectly placed pass over the middle that could have gone for a touchdown prior to Drake’s gaffe.

Rookie receiver Preston Williams has his moments, but he couldn’t hold onto another would-be touchdown pass long enough for it to be ruled a catch.

The mistakes are mind-numbing even for a team that has been stripped down for a total rebuild.

That’s D for disaster

And the defense is like it’s playing on the down slope of the roller coaster, prompting safety Bobby McCain to say, “I am concerned with the defense. Run defense, pass defense, it doesn’t matter. We give up 31 points, we give up 49 points, whatever it was, that is what I am concerned about. It’s not one phase of the game. Defensively, we got our ass whooped.”

It could be pointed out that this team wasn’t assembled to win anything at all.

But you have to wonder about this coaching staff’s ability to put together a cohesive plan and muster a competent effort.

You think of coach Brian Flores’ TNT gimmick that has players doing punitive runs in practice after mistakes that “take no talent.” Then you see a successful onside kick nullified by an offside penalty.

You also wonder about the decisions to get rid of certain players who supposedly weren’t in step with the program.

Such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, who after a short week of practice with the Steelers had an interception and forced a fumble in his debut at safety with Pittsburgh.

Mixed bag for Rosen

The expression on owner Steve Ross’ face during the second half in Dallas was one of “What have I done?” Yes, he was the one who ordered the drastic measures that have this season on course for historic futility.

https://twitter.com/DolphinMaven/status/1175869461481607168

“Some good, some bad. I’d say right in the middle,” Rosen said in evaluating his performance.

Rosen had to go off for an obligatory concussion evaluation and was fortunate he was well enough to be able to return.

The offensive line, already subpar, had left tackle Jesse Davis and right guard Danny Isidora go out with injuries.

The bottom line, the Dolphins have one touchdown in three games.

Perhaps it is a mistake to try to assess these Dolphins in the context of real games. Because what we’re seeing every Sunday feels unreal.

​

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

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Kat’s Korner: Dolphins compete, lose to Cowboys

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There’s no such thing as a moral victory?

Well, maybe this season there is.

Our resident superfan, Kathleen Noa (@Kathleen_Noa), recaps the Dolphins’ reasonably competitive 31-6 loss in the latest edition of Kat’s Korner.

Jock Takes: All in on the Dolphins’ strategy

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Do you like what the Dolphins are doing? Do you see an endgame here?

Jaccare Givens (@KingJock24) does.

Look for more videos from Jaccare and the rest of Five Reasons Sports here.

Josh Rosen

Going Dutch: Rosen Starts At QB

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B4FBA6E9-D5EE-43E7-9B0E-D477E286E4A7 Going Dutch: Mike Sonbeek aka @DutchBeek gives his thoughts on the Miami Dolphins naming Josh Rosen as their starting QB. Rosen was acquired by the Dolphins from the Cardinals for a 2nd round pick on draft night.

 

Rosen will get his chance to showcase his talent as he makes his case to be the Dolphins Franchise QB.

 

Rosen was selected in last year’s draft in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals

Dolphins’ QB Josh Rosen deserves chance to start

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It’s Rosen time!

After a week 1 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins looked to regroup quickly vs the New England Patriots.

And no matter how nice the field looked, or how appealing the white throwbacks were — this game was ugly.

Miami’s offense looked anemic for most of the game, much like they did last week vs Baltimore.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 11/21 for 81 yards. And in a relief effort, Josh Rosen threw for 97 yards on 7/18 passing.

So where do the tanking Dolphins go from here?

For me, it all starts with the QB position. And although I pledged my allegiance earlier in the offseason, the time is now for “The Chosen One’ to take over. Why? Because the Dolphins need to know before the end of the season whether or not he’s the guy, and having ‘X amount of games to evaluate Rosen on, appears to be in the team’s best interest.

Now, I know you’re going to mention the turnstile of an offensive line, or the complete lack of a run game, but that’s okay. Because as we’ve seen all offseason long, Rosen appears to be the better all-around QB. He has a better sense in the pocket and appears to be capable of making throws, Fitzpatrick is not.  Yes, Flores has all but announced the veteran Fitzpatrick as the team’s Week 3 starter. And if the Dolphins truly are tanking, why make the change now?

Why not wait two more weeks until the BYE?

That all sounds well and good.  However, if you’re one of the 53-men on Miami’s roster, you have to realize Fitz just doesn’t have his magic anymore.  And no matter how badly you’d rather not trade away young talent like Laremy Tunsil or Minkah Fitzpatrick, losing won’t help matters.  The young defensive back forced his way out of Miami, and several others could too before the process is complete.

Truth is, the Harvard graduate has not looked the same since retiring in South Florida. What we can’t fully understand however, is the type of leadership he brings to this team. And for as respectable as that might be, the time is now to make a change. Josh Rosen was once a top-QB prospect and was highly coveted in college. Since joining the Dolphins in April, Rosen has done and said, all the right things. Now is his chance to prove to someone, anyone, that he can be a starting QB in this league.

If you’re Miami, best case scenario he looks like something the team could potentially build upon. Maybe he shows enough to have an open QB competition next summer. Most likely, however, is that a team completely void of talent continues to flounder. Anything less than failure would be in-humane. The Dolphins need the #1 pick and Tua Tagovailoa.

But in the here and now, it’s time for change.

Unfortunately, the book has been closed on both #FitzMagics. And unless he has a similar case to Benjamin Button, there won’t be many more highlight moments from the 36-year old QB. However, the opposite holds true for Rosen.

Each and every year, we see QBs define odds and become top-tier talent in the league. Why not Rosen?

It’s time. Start ‘The Chosen One’

Josh Houtz (@houtz) still supports Josh Rosen, even if it is #Tankovailoa SZN