Nasim Nunez Marlins

Marlins Prospect Nasim Nunez Playing the Game with Joy

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The Marlins have a long history with speedy base stealers, especially those that play in the middle infield. The latest player to fit this archetype for Miami is 22-year-old shortstop prospect, Nasim Nunez.

Recently promoted to the Double-A level, Nunez stands out among Miami’s Top-30 prospects considering he already has two Major League-ready skills: defense and base running.

Having a player like Nasim Nunez in the system provides the Marlins value and potential. His development remains integral to Miami’s long-term success, but that’s not something that worries Nunez.

“The game doesn’t change,” he said. “You just got to go out there and have fun, and continue to play the game with joy.”

While MLB Pipeline lists Nunez’s Major League ETA at 2024, Nunez has made it a habit of proving people wrong. He’s always played with a chip on his shoulder because many evaluators considered him too small, but he’s proven them wrong at each level.

Now, Nunez focuses solely on being a better version of himself every day. And that single-mindedness continues to benefit both the player and the organization.

Marlins’ Nasim Nunez Sports ‘Gold Glove’ Potential

Miami selected Nunez with the No. 46 overall selection in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft. MLB Pipeline called the shortstop from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, GA, the “best defensive shortstop” in the class.

“Nunez might contend for a Gold Glove in the big leagues right now. He’s silky smooth with fast-twitch actions, quick hands and feet and a plus-plus arm that delivers accurate throws from any conceivable angle.”

While this might seem like an overstatement, watching Nunez play defense proves otherwise.

 

Nunez credited his baseball coaches growing up for instilling a dedicated approach to defense. He stressed making each play as fundamental to his approach—recording each out reliably. He admitted the spectacular plays come, but it’s about being in the right position.

Nunez called Jose Reyes and Andrelton Simmons his main two inspirations at shortstop growing up. At present, Nunez sports a 94.7 fielding percentage over 379 defensive chances this season.

Nasim Nunez’s combination of speed and skill should keep Marlins fans bullish on his future.

The Marlins have a spotty history with second round selections, but the team did land Giancarlo Stanton in 2007. Another second-round success came in 2004, when the Marlins took pitcher Jason Vargas out of California State University Long Beach.

The franchise’s first second-round pick came in 1992 with the selection John Lynch from Stanford University. Lynch, who would go on to win a Super Bowl and earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, actually threw the first pitch in organization history, playing for the Marlins’ Single-A Erie Sailors squad.

Nasim Nunez Ready to “Run Through It” for the Marlins

Aside from his defensive acumen, Nasim Nunez flashes another Major League-ready skill: base running.

Splitting time between Marlins affiliates in Beloit (A+) and Pensacola (AA), Nunez enters the season’s home stretch with 56 stolen bases. That figure is seventh most amongst all levels of the game.

Prior to his promotion, Nunez swiped a Midwest League-leading 49 bases and remained on pace to break the single-season stolen bases record for the Beloit Sky Carp. When he transferred to the Blue Wahoos, Nunez stood just 17 steals away from claiming the Beloit’s record (66), which Brian Finley set in 1984.

Speed has always been a part of his game. But as he graduates to the upper levels of Minor League Baseball, Nunez knows there’s more to it than that.

“Growing up I would just run. Get on base—take off. As I get older, me being on base is beneficial to the team, even if I don’t steal. Because I’m in the back of the pitcher’s head.”

Nunez talked about how pitchers change their approach on the mound once he’s reached base. Splitting the pitcher’s attention and focus immediately benefits the team.

“They’ll be more inconsistent with strike command,” Nunez noted, with pitchers opting for fastballs to minimize his opportunities to swipe a bag. He analyzes each pitcher’s speed to the plate, and gauges their attention before deciding to run.

He knows how valuable being on base can be, so it’s more than just taking off these days. Nunez called “being smart on the basepaths and taking what the game gives you” his primary focuses nowadays.

 

Teammates marvel at Nunez’s speed. Fellow Blue Wahoo Davis Bradshaw called Nunez “the most fun to watch on this team.”

“When he gets that walk, it automatically turns into a triple because he’s going to steal second and third,” said Bradshaw. “I love Nunez to death, and he’ll be fun to watch.”

Nunez Finally Moving Through the Marlins System

Moving through the system might induce anxiety for some players, but not Nunez. He admitted a need to get adjusted to the new level, but said: “The game? It’s still the same game.”

He’s had his struggles at times, including a 1-for-34 start to his High-A career, but he’s been able to adjust and develop beyond those early difficulties.

Over his final 53 games for Beloit, Nunez registered a .290 batting average with a .436 on-base percentage. He balanced a 22.1 percent strikeout rate with a 20 percent walk rate.

But one veteran baseball scout ignores numbers when considering Nunez in his evaluations.

“I see a baseball player,” the scout said, noting Nunez’s instincts and defense to impact the game in different ways.

Even through those early struggles, Nunez refused to get consumed by the numbers. He remained focused on the bigger picture: winning and playing the game the right way.

Nunez admitted a great player told him: “Don’t worry about the numbers right now. It’s about the process. It’s about going out there and learning who you are.”

Perhaps the most difficult stretch of Nunez’s career came early for him. Just 51 games into his professional tenure, Nunez’s career (and that of so many other prospects) was put on hold due to the COVID-19.

He admitted he “had a lot of time to do nothing,” but said this time away from the game helped open his eyes. Nunez leaned on his family and support system to maintain his focus on his dreams.

His family challenged him in that regard, asking, “Do you want to be a Major Leaguer, or just someone who got drafted?”

Next Steps for Nunez and the Marlins

From there, Nunez renewed his effort and dedication, developing a different mindset heading into his first spring training. He grew more confident in himself and his abilities in a game he’s played for most of his life. Nunez draws on that familial challenge and the advice of teammates to improve himself each and every day.

He remembers a veteran telling him: “Failing or succeeding, you have to be confident in who you are. That’s going to allow you to play the game to the best of your ability—to affect the game in different ways.”

Affecting the game in different ways remains Nunez’s the biggest boost to Miami’s system. As his third professional season stretches on, he hopes to maintain focus while playing within himself.

“I want to run through it,” Nunez said, wanting “to stay strong, stay healthy, and stay consistent” heading into a pivotal offseason.

He acknowledged players at the Double-A level remain more consistent from day-to-day and he aims to do that, mining every at-bat and every defensive rep for additional information.

Nunez called chewing gum an integral part of his focus, as he gnashes away during games and blows the occasional photogenic bubble. He said the taste of mint helps him lock in.

Nasim Nunez Marlins

Photo Credit: Mark Brown/Getty Images

If and when Nunez makes his Major League debut with the Marlins, Juan Pierre’s single-season stolen base record (65) set in 2003 will be on notice.

Nasim Nunez and the Marlins Future

Nasim Nunez remains a consensus Top-30 prospect in the Marlins system. And while Miami sports several other highly-touted middle infield prospects, few carry his current combination of speed and defense that could help the big club tomorrow.

The future of the shortstop position with the Marlins remains in question. Miguel Rojas signed a two-year contract extension last offseason, but at 33-years-old, he’s not the long-term answer at the position. Rojas might not even be the starting shortstop for next season, as he may transition to a utility role.

The Marlins minor league system currently lacks a shoo-in shortstop prospect at the upper levels. Nunez’s middle infield partner in Pensacola, Jose Devers, holds a 40-man roster spot and made a brief appearance with the Marlins in 2021. But injuries slowed his development in 2022 and he seems set a second base.

Miami’s other potential shortstop prospect came to the organization at this year’s trade deadline. Jordan Groshans landed with the Marlins Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and has done well there despite being young (22) for the level. Scouts, though, project Groshans as more of a third-baseman rather than shortstop.

Regardless of how it plays out, Nunez has a bright future and a love for the game. He says the talent coming to baseball these days will draw back old fans and win over new ones.

“I say, if you think baseball is boring, you’re not watching the right parts,” Nunez said in an interview with Joe Frisaro.

Nunez’s playing style and swag will certainly help win over fans. And his dream of being a Major Leaguer may very well be realized sooner rather than later thanks to those fast feet, his slick glove, and a little bit of bubblegum.

More with Marlins Prospect Nasim Nunez

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Caleb Martin’s Simple Game Blending into a Simplified Role

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When Caleb Martin spoke after the season in his exit interview, he seemed to have two statements that stood out among the rest. The first was that he wanted to be back in Miami, which ended up coming true after he signed a multi-year contract to return to the Heat.

The second comment that stood out regarded his role. When I asked him about certain tweaks in his game moving forward, he brought up the role of guys like PJ Tucker and Draymond Green. Two guys who are guarded by bigger guys and size up, yet focus on being a “tweener” who can screen, roll, and play-make.

With him saying that on May 31st prior to the start of the off-season, Caleb Martin now finds himself in that exact position. After Tucker signed with Philly and the Heat yet to replace that starting 4 position, it’s created many conversations in this space on what’s next for Miami positionally.

Could Martin be that 4? Will Jimmy Butler bump up a position slot? Could they go big?

Those are all debatable questions that will alter depending on who is answering, but that’s not what I’m focusing on right now.

When you hear the name Martin at this time of year, many Heat fans minds immediately shoot to the hole at the 4. But how about we discuss the valued role he’s going to play instead of the starter vs bench conversation?

From the team’s perspective last year, they wanted him to focus on being Jimmy-lite in a way. He was the back-up 3, yet if Butler was out on a specific night, they handed him a bigger chunk of the load offensively to see how he would handle it.

But now that the guard room got deeper and the big man room shrunk, it leads us back to those comments I provided earlier. Instead of eyeing the Butler’s of the world, he’s going to be eyeing the role that Tucker just played this past year. Once again, that’ll be the case whether he’s a high level reserve or the starting four.

The point to make on that topic is they won’t provide a ceiling to that role. The current goal is to utilize full-on expansion heading into camp, starting with the spots they place him as a creator off the roll.

One of the things that made Tucker so great in his offensive load last year was he found his niche. Hand-off, roll, floater. After not being the greatest finisher for some time, that two foot plant and one hand push shot became a staple to keep defenses honest inside the lane.

The reason I bring this up is while Martin’s reading this blueprint, he won’t be copy and pasting by any means.

Martin’s athleticism and quick first step shouldn’t be taken lightly. He’s not the slow paced floater type of guy that a Tucker or Draymond Green might be.

Instead, as shown in the clip above, he can mix in some blow-bys against slower defenders to get to those cross-body shots that he loves to use around the basket.

But still, that type of scoring stuff isn’t the “expansion” I’m discussing. It’s actually a totally different dimension.

The Heat are going to be leaning into an even heavier motion offense this season in my personal opinion, meaning a Martin type fits that mold perfectly. While Martin is usually the open guy on the floor to make defenses pay after mishaps, he’s going to be more of the disruptor himself this season.

How is that? Well, his play-making off the roll will be watched very closely.

Like I said, Tucker was a lot of things for that Heat team last year, but I will say this wasn’t one of them. A guy with a bit more length and athletisism to keep both the ball and the defense moving will tie the bow on a lot of Miami’s movement sets.

Since they’re going to lack pure size on the roster, they will have to lean heavily into speed, and this is exactly how it’s done. You may be thinking that’s a lot on Martin’s plate to improve on as a play-maker, but they layed out the role for him a few months back. I believe he can add that dimension from what we’ve seen so far.

On the flip side of what he can add, let’s also just address what he is at this current moment. To say it simply, he’s a baseline roamer. A true corner threat who likes to operate sideline to sideline so he can maximize spacing for certain guards on the roster.

He’s a player that plays in his role and doesn’t stray off, which Miami loves.

If you want a stat that proves that statement to its core, I’ve got just that: according to NBA.com, Caleb Martin took 155 triples this past season, and 148 of them were open.

They classify “open” as the closest defender being 4 feet or beyond from him, but it still makes sense when thinking back on it. He’s the guy you’re going to help off of, but it should also be said that he made them pay for that pretty often.

Martin shot 41% from beyond the arc this past season, and even shot 43% on three-point pull-ups. He just takes what he is given, and potentially in a lineup with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Kyle Lowry to start the year, that’s a pretty good description to have.

Looking at the clips above, it should also be noted that he’s a very solid off-ball mover at this point in time. With his defender usually being the drifter, he has many opportunities for easy buckets after they fall asleep on the back-side.

Yet again, that’s another thing to be expanded upon in their movement sets.

After diving into what Martin is now and the realistic version of what he can become, let’s utilize this last part to address best case scenario. As I said before, he’s a role player who doesn’t stray out of that exact role. But what if they allow him to at times?

When you have pure athletes on the roster, the goal is to place them in spots to set up that inital burst. One of those places is transition, which they’ve totally allowed him to be free with. But the next step will be if he can do it in tighter spaces of the half-court.

As seen in the clip above, we’ve seen slight glimpses of flashy moves and speedy drives to the basket from either wing, but could there be consistency coming with it?

There’s been consistency with the finishing product of those moves actually, since he’s been super solid around the rim in general. Martin shot a little over 60% less than 10 feet from the basket this past year, which was actually on decent volume.

Yes most of those attempts aren’t the type of drives I just showed in that clip, but that’s something that could make him much more dangerous.

He’s already “dangerous” on one side of the floor, in a way that makes me think I don’t need to bring it up. He screams versatility with the way he can provide pressure baseline to baseline, showed to be one of their better on-ball defenders this season, and now will have that all put to the test over more minutes this upcoming year.

The only true question mark on that side of the floor for him will be about sizing up. Miami’s going to switch everything anyway, but Martin won’t be able to handle a switch onto a 5 just as Tucker did for this group. Adjustments will be made on that front from a team perspective, but the point is they have a lot of confidence in him in many areas.

Caleb Martin has a very simple game. But now they’re handing him a pretty simple role. “Versatility is huge in the playoffs,” Martin said when I asked him about his role after the season. And well, this would be a way for him to branch into that come playoff time.

 

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2023 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Watchlist

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Summer scouting season is underway and continues with the wide receiver class. Here is my 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver watchlist.

Top 5 2023 wide receiver watchlist

Kayshon Boutte

The top wide receiver of the 2023 class had a very productive freshman 2021 season and sadly dropped off a little bit due to injuries in 2022. Boutte is an extremely well-rounded receiver.

He flashes the foot quickness and toughness to handle slot duties at the next level and lines up all over the field. Boutte is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Speaking of, the Tigers product hands’ accepts the ball fluidly on most throws and is ready to make a play afterward. He makes catches in traffic, even going up over taller defenders with vertical and toughness. 

Kayson Boutte is one of the most athletically gifted players in the 2023 class, who possess great speed, acceleration, and size and combines these traits with decent hands and outstanding route running.

The only reservation I have of Boutte is his medical issue. If he has a quality year in 2022, Boutte could easily become the top-rated receiver come the 2023 NFL Draft. Still, Boutte is the top prospect in the 2023 wide receiver watchlist.

Jaxson Smith-Njigba

At the age of 20, Jaxson Smith-Njigba has fine tuned his route running and has a great understanding of how to dissect different zones and attack the leverage on defensive backs.

As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 13 games and had 95 catches for 1595 yards for an average of 16.8 yards per catch, with 9 TDs, and a QB rating when targeted of 141.8. 

The Buckeye standout has the strongest hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes fluidly without breaking stride downfield

Expect 2022 to be even better than 2021 as Smith-Njigba will be gifted the number one receiving spot on the Buckeye’s offense. I have him slated as the number two prospect to watch in this 2023 wide receiver watchlist.

Jordan Addison

The third pass-catcher in this 2023 wide receiver watchlist is USC’s Jordan Addison. Addison had a very productive season last year winning the Biletnikoff trophy at Pittsburgh.

This off-season he transferred to USC and will play for offensive mastermind Lincoln Riley.  Addison is looking to replicate his 2021 season with Caleb Williams as his quarterback.

The Trojan playmaker has amazing flexibility and can pretty much make any catch you ask him to do. 

There’s evident speed to his game, along with the ability to break the angles of defenders in the open field. A slippery athlete, Addison is a headache to deal with when he has the football in his hands

Addison’s catch comfortability does not instill much confidence as he does tend to bring passes into his frame rather than working with his hands away from his chest. The further outside of his frame he has to work, the less dependable his hands become.

He has a chance this year to become to establish himself as a top ten pick if he continues to play at the level he displayed as a sophomore at Pittsburgh.

Parker Washington

Nittany Lions’ receiver Parker Washington had an 800 yard season sitting behind Jahan Dotson as the number two option. With a prime role coming this season, he’s looking to absolutely breakout and torch BIG-10 defensive backs.

Washington saw the bulk of his snaps from the slot last year, and got a lot of free releases. I expect to see him on the outside a little more and how he handles contact at the line of scrimmage. 

He is very good at tracking the ball in the air and, for his size, does a great job timing jumps to beat defenders for contested catches. So far in his career, he has brought in 11 out of 23 attempts on contested balls. A big reason to why is due to his strong hands.

When Washington gets in the open field, he can take it to the distance. He snags the ball well and is able to fully extend on off-target passes by extending his arms rather than pure speed.

Marvin Mims

Mims has the versatility to line up at all three receiving positions (X, Flanker, and Slot), and is able to execute all three levels of the field.

A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. He routinely looks the ball into his hands and can maintain concentration to haul in circus catches way outside of his framework. 

Despite being a smaller receiver, Mims competes well above his weight class and his competitive toughness shines as a blocker. Mims is one of the few receivers in this draft class that blocks well, which catapults him to the fifth spot in the 2023 wide receivers watchlist.

In 2023, Mims could solidify himself as a first-round talent if Oklahoma builds on his route tree. He runs the routes in his package well, but a more diverse route tree will allow him to produce more and more quickly at the NFL level.

Honorable Mentions: 

Josh Downs-UNC, Dontay Demus-Maryland, Zay Flowers-BC, Quentin Johnson-TCU, Xavier Hutchinson-Iowa State

 

***This article was originally published on the ATB Network by Hussam Patel***

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor and Lead NFL Draft analyst at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel
 
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What is difference between gambling in Poland and the UK?

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Online gambling is well-developed in European countries. The majority of them try to regulate this sector on the governmental level. Some countries have a milder approach to gambling regulations. The other offers much stricter regulations. Such a dichotomy is a correlation between the gambling industry in Poland and the United Kingdom. Those looking for so-called “polskie legalne kasyna” in Poland may face the thought that their regulations are not as strict as compared to the UK gambling regulations. Is it true? Let’s analyze the differences in both countries.

Gambling regulations in Poland and the UK

The UK Gambling Commission is the official regulator that oversees the vast majority of the country’s gambling market. The exception is sports betting (bets on sports) controlled by the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit. However, although in Britain there have been established standards for gambling operators for years, state authorities are making the conditions more and more strict. This is connected, among other things, with the emergence of new directions in the distribution of gambling games, in particular the online segment, and complaints about non-payment of winnings.

In Poland, the law on gambling was adopted in 2009. In March 2021, the Polish authorities adopted a number of amendments to simplify the work of legal gambling operators. Amendments were added to the laws on the regulation of gambling to simplify the activities of licensed gambling operators and complicate the work of illegal companies. Hence, it is seen that the Polish gambling sector is less conservative as compared to the UK sector.

Which games are allowed?

In the United Kingdom, the list of legal and therefore licensed gambling includes the following: 

  • casinos, 
  • bingo, 
  • all types of betting, 
  • slot machines, 
  • lotteries, 
  • online gambling.

In Poland, the following types of gambling are permitted and regulated by law: 

  • casino games (poker, roulette, blackjack, slot machines, bingo, etc.) 
  • totalizers and bookmakers. 
  • Lotteries.

The main difference with the UK is that online casino activity is prohibited in Poland. With this in mind, there are many development companies operating in the country that specializes in creating virtual slots and are aimed at the foreign market.

Gambling restrictions imposed in both countries

 Since 2021, the UK government has banned the sale of lottery tickets and scratch cards to gamblers under 18. Minors were prohibited from participating in online lotteries. It used to be used to give kids instant win games that are a gateway to more complex gambling. However, the attitude of the UK population towards gambling is different. The international think tank surveyed more than 18,000 respondents in the UK to find out their attitudes towards online gambling and online betting. It turned out that many Britons are critical of their chances of winning, and a fifth did not think at all about the fact that you can play online. Young people there are very concerned about the harm caused by gambling. They are not sure that their credit cards are securely protected in the casino.

The situation in Poland is slightly different. The number of young people engaged in casinos is much greater. But they face other restrictions connected to the gambling sector. For example, advertising gambling activities in Poland is prohibited and strictly punishable by law. It is not allowed to advertise and promote casino gambling, card games, betting, and slot machine services.

Final words

As can be seen, it is difficult to say exactly which situation is better. Both Polish and UK regulations are acceptable and allow players to enjoy fair play online. However, the UK approach is somewhat more conservative but is examplar for many European countries.  

Dolphins preseason Bucs

Skylar Thompson forcing Dolphins to make hard choices

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Very few people knew the name Skylar Thompson when the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In fact, many were wondering why Miami would use a draft pick on a QB who many believed would be available as an undrafted free agent. Surely, there were other developmental players available the Dolphins could invest in during a win-now year.

However, from the moment he put on the uniform, Skylar Thompson was turning heads.

The 25-year old rookie out of Kansas State is showing extreme poise under pressure. Granted, he’s playing against backups the majority of the time, but his preseason performances are undeniably impressive. In just over five quarters of preseason play, Thompson has gone 29-of-38, with 347 yards and two touchdowns.

Even the team’s starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, can’t help but be impressed by Thompson’s play so far.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with Skylar.” Tagovailoa said after Saturday’s game. “Skylar handled the Tampa game extremely well, and then now he comes in a little later into the third quarter, gets his group going, has — I don’t even know how many plays he had. He probably had a 10-play drive leading up to the score that we had our first score that we had here at Hard Rock for this 2022 season. But I think he has handled it extremely well. He gave us an opportunity to kick a field goal to win the game. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but I think he has done an extremely great job for us.”

To some draft pundits, Thompson’s success comes as no surprise. Matt Waldman – creator of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio since 2006, stated during his evaluation that Thompson has at least one trait that stands out above every other QB prospect in this draft.

“Thompson has the best pocket management of this class. He maneuvers from all types of pressure better than at least half of the NFL starters I’ve watched this year.  He also takes hellacious hits and maintains the equanimity to deliver an accurate ball.”

Perhaps what held Thompson back during the draft were the injuries he suffered at Kansas State. During his senior year in 2020, Thompson suffered an upper-body injury which limited him to only three starts. But in those games, he went 40-of-64, 62.5 completion percentage, 626 yards and four touchdowns.

He didn’t have much better luck in 2021, as he suffered a knee injury that allowed him only ten starts. However, he still put up decent numbers (162-of-233, 69.5%, 2,113 yards, 12 TDs, four INTs) and finished his career by winning Texas Bowl MVP honors in the team’s win over a depleted LSU roster, in which he went 21-of-28, 259 yards and 3 TDs.

Had he been healthy throughout his collegiate career, it’s safe to assume Thompson would not have fallen all the way to the 7th round. His lack of production at Kansas State was partly due to those injuries. It was also partly due to the demands of the scheme he was in. Nonetheless, coach Mike McDaniel saw something in Thompson that caused the Dolphins to deem it fit to use a draft pick on him.

So far, McDaniel appears justified in that assessment.

“He just gets better every day.” McDaniel said after the preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. “This game the operation was better. There was one time that he kind of lost the play clock a little bit, and we had to burn a timeout, but more than anything, he really had command over everything. And he is starting to make plays that when one or two aren’t there, feeling the concept. And like that touchdown they threw to ‘Z. White’ on the left-hand side, that’s something that Skylar doesn’t make at the beginning of preseason. So, I’ve seen continued improvement, but he is very diligent about the process. He has got the makeup of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. So I think all of his teammates can feel that too.”

Now given the opportunity to produce in a QB friendly offensive scheme, it’s clear Skylar Thompson’s production was not due to lack of skill. PrizePicks.com had Thompson’s O/U on passing yardage at 165.5 yards, assuming that he would play the entirety of the second half if not more.

In spite of entering the game with less than a minute left in the 3rd quarter, Thompson was nearly able to reach that prop. As he led the Dolphins down the field and nearly led what could have been the game-winning drive, Thompson went 9-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown, all in the span of barely over one quarter’s time.

Skylar Thompson wasn’t supposed to make things difficult. But he is. Now, the Miami Dolphins have a difficult choice to make. Do they run the risk of letting him test the waiver wire? There are surely QB-needy teams who would love to claim him as their own. Or, alternatively, do they roster three quarterbacks? That idea is unprecedented in today’s modern NFL, but the Dolphins may not have a choice.

Veteran backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has a contract worth up to $10 million. $6.5 million of it is guaranteed. The way it’s structured, as of this moment, releasing Bridgewater saves Miami a grand total of zero dollars in cap space. And it puts them in a deep hole financially as they would be forced to pay him that amount no matter what.

However, if the Dolphins can trade Bridgewater, that changes. Trading him saves Miami $4.5 million in cap space with only $2 million in dead cap. The hard part is finding a trade partner.

These are the questions Skylar Thompson is forcing the Dolphins to answer. His performance in preseason and in practice make it extremely difficult to justify waiving him. By the same token, keeping him instead of Bridgewater hurts the team financially. In 2023, Miami is going to need every penny they can save.

And if they simply keep all three QBs? Then another position that may need the extra depth will lose an important piece. The Dolphins are low on cornerbacks and good offensive line depth. Can they afford the extra roster spot? It’s up to Mike McDaniel to weigh the pros and cons and make that choice.

As for Skylar Thompson himself, he’s determined not to let the situation get to him as the preseason rapidly approaches its end.

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“That decision is out of my control.” He said. “All I can do is focus on being the best teammate that I can possibly be every day, continue to grow and try to learn and get better. That’s really all I’m focused on right now, and everything else I know will take care of itself whichever way that may fold. This is out of my hands. I’m just here to be a good teammate – help the team the most whichever way I can.”

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for eight years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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5 Storylines going into UFC 278

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With UFC 278 around the corner, this PPV card is layered with many big names as well as many sleepers as well. Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards look to look up for a second time, this time with the UFC Welterweight Championship on the line. Luke Rockhold makes his return to the UFC Octagon for the first time in just over 3 years and takes on the devastating knockout artist Paulo Costa. On top of that you add elite bantamweight action with Jose Aldo taking on the rising Merab Dvalishvili who’s looking to make his win streak 8 on Saturday. In the Prelims we have undefeated Heavyweight Alexander Romanov looking to become 17-0 and secure his 6th straight win in the UFC. Let’s take a look at some of the top storylines going into UFC 278

  • How can Kamaru Usman add to his legacy?

Kamaru Usman has been on a path of destruction since entering the UFC, going on a 15-fight win streak, not counting the 2 wins he picked up on The Ultimate Fighter. With a win this Saturday, he can tie the legendary Anderson Silva for first place in UFC history with a win streak of 16. To answer the question of how Usman can add to his legacy this weekend starts with getting the win. If he gets the win this Saturday, he can have a legitimate claim of being the greatest Welterweight of all time. GSP certainly still is at the top of that conversation, but Usman getting a win makes that conversation much tougher. If Usman is able to get the finish over Edwards, that would mean he would have 4 finishes in 6 title defenses, all while only having 2 finishes leading into his championship fight. This would show the incredible growth that he has made as a champion, even further proving his dominance and legitimizing his spot as #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter in the world. 

 

  • Can Leon Edwards make adjustments from fight #1 

The last time Leon Edwards lost a fight was 7 years ago, to his opponent Saturday Kamaru Usman. Since that time, Leon has won 9 fights in a row, all while having bad luck getting fights scheduled during the Covid Era. During that time the southpaw has polished up his clinch work all while becoming one of the most technical strikers in the division. His ability to mix it up in close with elbows as well as work you from a distance is what makes him so dangerous. But when you have someone who is as gifted of a wrestler as Kamaru, what can Leon do to change the outcome of the fight this time. The obvious start to the answer is better takedown defense than the last fight. Usman had over 10 minutes of ground control time and that’s not including the clinch control time. If Edwards wants to win this fight, he needs to address this and try to change the game plan. Coming forward and putting the pressure on Usman would seem to be the most ideal strategy. When a wrestler is on their back foot they don’t have the same success on their takedowns as well as it makes it harder for them to cut off the cage. The second key would be to use those clinches early to damage Usman. We have seen that Kamaru has been rocked at times in his UFC career, so if Leon can put Usman on the back foot and use that pressure to land the cleaner strikes in the exchanges, he can change the outcome from the last time these two met. 

  • Will Luke Rockhold be able to get his first win in 5 years?

 

Luke Rockhold finally makes his Octagon return after 3 years and welcoming him back is the man with 11 knockout wins, Paulo Costa. Luke is 4 years removed from his last title opportunity vs Yoel Romero in 2018 and is 7 years removed from being a champion in 2015. That being said, after losing 3 of his last 4 fights by KO, he took some time to allow his body to heal and make the right decision regarding his future. His return is one that has made a lot of noise and his comments during fight week didn’t make it any quieter. The only issue is that he is facing a devastating striker in Paulo Costa. Say what you want to about him, his weight, or his online tactics, but you have to respect the man as a striker and a finisher. Luke can come back and win a fight versus Paulo but the path to victory is tough. He’s going to have to weather the early storm and pressure of Paulo while trying to land his own. Although Rockhold isn’t known best for his wrestling, this fight would be an ideal opportunity to show his octagon experience and fight IQ and take Costa down and try to wear on his gas tank. For Paulo, the path seems to land one punch clean on Rockhold, and you’re walking away with your win bonus. For Luke, the chin is suspect and although the skills are there for the former champion, it may seem that he is over the hill on his career and will be a marquee name for the UFC. But he can go there Saturday and put Costa’s lights out cold, & that is why we watch. 

  • Is Jose Aldo still elite?

 

When it comes to career longevity, Jose Aldo has to be one of the guys at the top of the list in the UFC. 14 years after his WEC debut in 2008, the former UFC Champion is on a 3 fight win streak after losing his initial bout at 135 lbs. Marlon Vera, Pedro Munoz, and Rob Font are 3 of the toughest bantamweights in this division and he was able to pick up wins consecutively on all 3. Now he faces a dangerous grappler in Merab Dvalishvili. Merab comes into this fight averaging 7 takedowns a fight which is an absolutely absurd number. He ranks #1 all-time in the UFC Bantamweight division with 63 takedowns. That number all-time enough to be ahead of former champion Rafael Dos Anjos and just behind guys like Colby Covington and Damian Maia. Aldo will have a tough challenge on his hand but one thing we know about him is that his takedown defense is one of the best of all time. During his time at featherweight, he had the 3rd best takedown defense of all time at 91%. During his 4 fights at 135lbs, he has only been taken down twice and he only spent 50 seconds being on the bottom in his last 3 fights. This fight will be a true test to see if Aldo is still elite, or if Merab is going to take that torch. 

 

  • Can Alexander Romanov continue his unbeaten streak

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Alexander Romanov is going to the Prelim Headliner, a spot usually reserved for someone who the UFC wants eyes on since it is the last fight for free before the PPV gets started. Romanov has been dominant since his time in the UFC winning 6 in a row in the promotion. He faces off against his toughest challenger yet, Marcin Tybura whose only loss in his last 6 fights is to #8 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov. Romanov is a dominant submission fighter who loves to take his opponents down and wreak havoc. He even tends to throw his coach as a celebration after his wins as well. Romanov has yet to have met his match and his unrelenting pressure and ability to get his opponents on their back has been nothing short of spectacular. If Tybura is able to keep this fight standing, he has a chance of winning, but if Romanov gets this fight to the mat, I’m betting that the fight is over and Romanov walks out 17-0. 

 

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Why Shane Burgos signing with the PFL is a win for All Fighters

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When Shane Burgos signed with the PFL, it seemed like it was going to be just another UFC fighter crossing over to “MMA’s League”. But Shane Burgos makes for a unique case for multiple reasons, and for those reasons, his signing with the PFL could open doors for many more fighters in the future. The reason that Shane Burgos is a unique case because he is still in his prime, he was a ranked UFC contender, and he’s coming off a win streak with a chance to make more money. 

Shane Burgos entered the UFC at 7-0 with all of his wins coming by finish. He was still very young at 25 years old and had an extensive amateur career in which he was also undefeated. He was able to secure 4 “Fight of the Night” bonuses during his 11 fights in the UFC and has only taken losses to top ranked opponents. Add to that experience with the fact that he is only 31 years old in the prime of his career makes him a very dangerous contender in the upcoming PFL Season.

For Shane to leave on a win, in the prime of his career makes him different from guys like Rory MacDonald and Anthony Pettis. For both of those guys, they have already either fought for UFC gold or became UFC Champions in their tenure with the UFC. For guys like the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. and 2022 Playoff Contender Chris Wade, they were cut by the UFC and didn’t even have a chance to negotiate contracts with them. By going to the PFL, Shane opens the door for more contenders in the UFC to maximize their pay by going to the PFL and other promotions. 

The PFL presents a unique opportunity with their season style format and the million dollar tournament. Having fights lined up for you as well as the opportunity to fight for a million dollars is something that many fighters under the current PFL banner has touted as one of the biggest benefits of being signed to the PFL. They have a big platform on ESPN and ESPN+ as well as they bring a very unique perspective on the sport of MMA. They also have the opportunity to make superfights and marquee matchups with the more names that come on over. Shane Burgos vs Anthony Pettis? Sign me up. 

Now why is this a win for all fighters? For a long time, the UFC has been the main stage for fighters to build their name on and make the most amount of money. Bellator has taken a few fighters such as Benson Henderson and others, but Shane is one of the first in the modern era to be in his position and do what he did.

This also allows the opportunity for other fighters to test free agency and look at the potential other doors that could be open and be a better opportunity. Shane speaks about having to go home and look at his two daughters and when it’s all said and done, this is a career for many people, so when a door that is opened financially for one fighter, that door will remain open again when the opportunity arises.

 

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Best Centers in the WNBA Right Now

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The WNBA is filled with great players and big stars right now, but who are the best centers who have been tearing up the league this season? 

The following are powerful, skillful centers with all the attributes to dominate their rivals on the court. 

Jonquel Jones – The Connecticut Sun

The versatility that Jonquel Jones possesses means that she can slot in easily as a forward or center and makes her a potential favorite in the WNBA odds 2022 for MVP. 

She was born in the Bahamas and moved to the US at the age of 14, but represents Bosnia and Herzegovina at the international level. Jones has been in the WNBA since joining the Connecticut Sun following the 2016 draft.

She started as their backup center before claiming the starting spot in her second season, with a performance against Chicago Sky where she got 23 points and 21 rebounds marking her breakthrough as a genuine star of the women’s basketball scene.     

Her stats with the Sun have been getting increasingly impressive and she’s the current MVP in the league. Marketing opportunities have been slowly arriving for her, so you might see more of her soon, but her relatively low profile confirms the work that’s still needed to promote the WNBA. 

Tina Charles – The Seattle Storm

One of the big basketball stories of this summer was Tina Charles making an unexpected move from the Phoenix Mercury to the Seattle Storm. As the leading scorer in the WNBA in 2021, this was a huge move that should increase the chances of Seattle winning the Playoffs, although they’re currently not regarded as one of the favorites but could surprise a few people. 

Before that, she was a national champion in her college years with the UConn Huskies and has helped Team USA to collect three Olympic gold medals over the years as well. Her time in the pro league began back in 2010 when the Connecticut Sun picked her in the 2010 draft as the number one overall pick.

She quickly made an impact in the pro league, becoming the Rookie of the Year in 2010 as she set league records for rebounds and double-doubles. Charles has set a number of WNBA records since then and joined the New York Liberty and then the Washington Mystics before a short spell at Phoenix, where she seems to have been disappointed with the lack of success achieved by the team.

Candace Parker – The Chicago Sky

Parker recently joined Tamika Catchings in fourth place in the all-time rebounding list, with a totals of 3,316. This has been achieved during a long pro career where her versatility has seen her play as center and also as a forward. She was the first pick in the 2008 draft, joining the Los Angeles Sparks following her college career at the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, where she was listed for the forward, center, and guard positions.  

During her college career, Parker made the headlines as the first female player to dunk during an NCAA tournament, and she also became the first player to do it twice in the same college game. Following that, she was the second player to dunk during a WNBA game. She led the Sparks to the Finals title in 2016 and then did the same in 2021 with the Chicago Sky.

Among her achievements, Candice Parker has twice been named as the most valuable player in the WNBA and has a couple of Olympic gold medals in her collection. Her move to Chicago as a free agent after 13 years in Los Angeles raised some eyebrows in the game, but it let her move closer to where she grew up and seemed to have given her a new edge to her game at the same time.

Teaira McCowan – The Dallas Wings

Following a highly successful college career with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Teaira McCowan joined the Indian Fever as the third overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. Her first season saw her post excellent figures that put her in second place in the league in terms of rebounding and earned her a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

Like many of the top WNBA players, McCowan has also played overseas, with Galatasaray of the Women’s Basketball Super League in Turkey. With Dallas, she’s recently made her way into the starting line-up and has climbed to second in the league for rebounding and free throw attempts since them. 

Her recent efforts have helped push the Wings towards the Playoffs, and they look to be in a strong position to have a chance of winning the Finals this year. A look at the WNBA Finals odds shows that Dallas is among the outsiders, behind favorites like the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces. However, the wings will be hoping that McCowan can guide them to an unlikely victory.

Top 8 College Football Teams to Bet on This Season

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The 2022 college football season will kick off on Saturday, August 27, 2022, and punters can now place wagers on the team they are rooting to win. However, before we start betting on competitions for 12 hours every Saturday, there are also some future bets with a lot of worth.

 

You’re probably interested in which college football team seems to have the best shot at winning the national championship as a bookmaker. Watch the top eight football teams bet on during the NCAAF 2022 season.

 

Oklahoma State

Countless individuals are looking forward to more Oklahoma State in 2022 because Spencer Sander and the majority of their starters on offense are returning. And, even though the team’s roster was destroyed by players who left for the NFL, current first-year coach Brent Venables has performed an outstanding job of reloading via the transfer portal.

 

As a result, Coldon, a Wyoming transfer, and Morrison, a North Carolina transfer, were ideal secondary additions. So remember to keep your eyes on them and to research them before anything else thoroughly.

 

Michigan

Michigan was among the major highlights of the 2021 season, having defeated Ohio State for the first time since 2011. Furthermore, the defending Big Ten champion, Michigan, is considered one of the top picks at +800 odds.

 

And even after losing seven starting players to the NFL, the Wolverines came back with a powerful offense but must fill several gaps on defense. As such, even though Michigan is one of the better bets on the college football betting board, ensure that you thoroughly research them and other competing teams.

 

Texas A&M

The Aggies hope to stop eighty-three years of dry spell without needing a national championship in 2022. Also, Haynes King’s competitive quarterback rivalry with transfer Max Johnson is vital.

 

Furthermore, the Texas A&M Aggies recruited the top class in 2022 and have intense talent on both sides of the field, along with running back Devon Achen. Therefore, everything will all ultimately boils down to who the number one quarterback is and whether they can indeed take advantage of the opportunity.

 

USC

Lincoln Riley’s hype at USC is likely justified based on his stellar record at Oklahoma, particularly with Caleb Williams as his quarterback for the upcoming two seasons. And, with all the talent gathered, it will definitely be a very great offense.

 

Furthermore, Riley is well-known for operating a solid defense because he is one of the competition’s most prominent offensive minds. And bringing back Williams at quarterback, the nation’s top receiver from last season, two top-level running backs, and two other powerful wideouts will only end up making their offensive line more challenging.

 

Kansas State

For the year 2022, the Big 12 appears to be fully open, with numerous teams capable of winning the conference. The Wildcats return 14 starting players from last season’s 8-5 squad, which includes the ten All-Conference performers.

 

In other words, Kansas State comes back with the most high performance on both sides of the field among all the Big 12 teams in the year 2022. The Kansas State team lost Skylar Thompson for the quarterback position, but they were able to replace him with Adrian Martinez, a transfer from the Nebraska team.

 

Ohio State

After successfully completing first in total offense a year ago, no one has reason to doubt Ohio State’s capability to move the ball. However, following his 347 passing yards in the Rose Bowl, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, receiver, will emerge as one of the season’s hottest names.

 

In addition, having Jim Knowles, who led Oklahoma’s defensive line to rank third last season, presently makes Ohio State an assertive, defensive back-led approach that can strike opposing players with diverse formations and different levels of coverage. Lastly, Cameron Brown and Denzel Burke will also serve as cornerbacks until safety Josh Proctor recuperates from his injury.

 

Alabama

Numerous players from the prior season return for Alabama. Moreover, coach Nick Saban also has managed to bring in a few more fresh players through the transfer portal.

 

Even though Alabama lost some key players during the offseason, some have decided to return, including Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Also, Alabama is among the most highly touted teams for bettors to back, so make sure to research their NCAAF odds properly before placing bets on them.

 

Georgia

Last year, the Georgia Bulldogs won the national championship game, having beaten Alabama 33-18. So unless they stay true to their game strategy and make as few changes as possible, they have a solid chance of repeating the upcoming season.

 

Georgia’s roster is looking strong, with five five-star draftees, including defensive lineman Mykel Williams and safety Malaki Starks. Furthermore, with quarterback Stetson Bennett’s eligibility set to expire at the end of the present season, the senior will also be aiming to win back-to-back championships.

 

Final Thoughts

The countdown to the beginning of another finals series of college football has officially started, and every week draws us nearer to the start of another season, so it’s time to begin looking forward with the NCAAF national championship odds. And fingers crossed, the above list of top eight eNCAAF teams with favorable odds will assist you in deciding which team to wager on.

 

Dolphins preseason Bucs

5 Takeaways from Dolphins Preseason Win vs Bucs

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The Miami Dolphins began the Mike McDaniel era with a 26-24 preseason victory in Tampa Bay. The franchise’s 11th head coach (14th if you count interims) hopes to be the fifth new head man to lead Miami to the postseason in his first year with the club. Saturday night’s preseason contest against the Bucs lacked most of the top names on either side, but the game still provided plenty of excitement.

Here’s a look at five takeaways from the Dolphins preseason win over the Buccaneers.

Skylar Thompson Makes His Roster Case for Dolphins in Preseason Win Over the Bucs

McDaniel and the coaching staff opted to sit starter Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins preseason opener against the Bucs. Presumed backup Teddy Bridgewater dressed for the game, but did not see the field either. That left the quarterbacking duties to Miami’s seventh round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, Skylar Thompson.

The former Kansas State Wildcat impressed in his debut, completing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown. Thompson also rushed for 25 yards on three carries. He looked poised in the pocket and largely avoided the big mistakes throughout the evening.

One of the big questions entering the season is whether Miami will roster three quarterbacks this year.

Thompson may force the Dolphins hand in that regard following his performance in this preseason win over the Bucs. Miami probably shouldn’t chance Thompson potentially getting poached from the practice squad, a la Reid Sinnett last year. He may have earned his roster spot.

Lynn Bowden Looks Like a Valuable Piece at WR

Of all the Dolphins receivers to play in this contest, and not all of them did, Lynn Bowden Jr. looked like the player who took the most advantage of his playing time on Saturday. The Dolphins deployed Bowden in several roles during their preseason win over the Bucs, including eight offensive snaps at receiver as well as several opportunities on special teams. And he made the most of his offensive snaps.

Bowden led the Dolphins in receiving yards (55) and targets (4) on Saturday, hauling in the lone offensive touchdown. He flashed his potential on the outside with his double move against a helpless Bucs corner on the 22-yard TD catch. He also hauled in a 29-yard pass that could’ve also been a touchdown had Thompson hit him in stride.

Bowden’s versatility and explosiveness seems to have given him the edge in this training camp battle at wide receiver. Although Miami still sports a number of talented receivers on the roster, Bowden’s performance during the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs may have solidified his hold on a 53-man roster spot.

Preston Williams did not see a target in his 13 offensive snaps on Saturday and managed just 13 yards on two punt return attempts. Mohamed Sanu, meanwhile, caught all three of his targets and finished with 39 yards.

Trill Williams’ Injured Leaves 4th Corner Spot Open

Another roster battle worth monitoring on Saturday was that of the fourth cornerback position. With the team’s top three spots accounted for with Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Nik Needham, players like Trill Williams and Noah Igbinoghene stood as the most likely candidates to fill that role.

But while Williams seemed to have the edge with his impressive showing at camp, the young cornerback suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Williams’ injury leaves the fourth cornerback spot wide open for the remainder of camp. The top options to fill that role currently on the roster include Igbinoghene, who’s struggled at times in camp, and journeyman Keion Crossen, who’s been primarily as a special teamer in his career.

Elijah Campbell may get a look considering his solid play on Saturday. 

Undrafted rookie free agent Kader Kohou has also turned heads in camp, though he didn’t play on Saturday due to an injury. The Dolphins could look to the free agent market at this point, or wait until later in training camp after a round of league cuts, to fill this position.

Benito Jones Could Fill Defensive Line Depth

The Dolphins cut Adam Butler earlier this offseason following a failed physical by the defensive lineman. Butler provided the Dolphins a solid rotational player along the defensive line, so losing him creates an opening for a young player moving forward. The first one that flashed as a potential replacement was Benito Jones.

Jones signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent following his four-year career at Ole Miss. He only played in six games as a rookie in 2020, making one tackle. Jones has spent the majority of his NFL career on Miami’s practice squad, but flashed his potential as a run stuffer in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Jones registered three run stops in his 21 defensive snaps. He was in on five total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss. He’s a big-bodied defensive tackle who can thrive in Josh Boyer’s defense given the opportunity.

Offensive Line Depth Still a Question Mark

The Dolphins sat their top two free agent additions along the offensive line during this preseason win over the Bucs. Both Terron Armstead and Conner Williams enjoyed a night off. The three projected o-line starters who did play against Tampa Bay, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson, all played through the first two offensive series (11 snaps).

2021 seventh-round pick Larnel Coleman started at left tackle and played 42 of Miami’s 45 offensive snaps. He surrendered a critical sack on third-and-goal on the Dolphins’ first drive, which led to a field goal, and struggled at times afterwards. His fellow tackle, Kion Smith, also surrendered a sack. Smith played on 34 of Miami’s 45 snaps.

Neither Coleman nor Smith flashed in their time on the field and the offensive line as a whole failed to open running lanes throughout the night. Miami’s other tackle on the roster, Greg Little, was ruled out prior to kickoff but could get a chance to prove his worth at some point this preseason. Otherwise, the Dolphins may opt to keep additional interior lineman, since Eichenberg can slide over if need be.

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PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy. It’s just you against the numbers. Members predict the over or the under on between 2 and 5 player props of their choice. The more picks they correctly predict, the more money they win! Payouts on PrizePicks can be as high as 10X – 15X. 

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More on the Dolphins Preseason Win Over the Bucs

For more on this Dolphins preseason win, check out the episode of The Final Yard postgame show on the 5 Reasons YouTube channel!

RELATED: 5 Breakout Candidates for the Miami Dolphins in 2022