Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While the Texas Rangers won a thrilling 7-6 game over the Toronto Blue Jays, a game in which former top pick in the 2004 MLB Draft Matt Bush won his first career game, the end of the game and Bush’s milestone were heavily overshadowed by two bench-clearing skirmishes that caused several ejections.

The first brawl came in the top of the eighth inning. After a double play attempt by the Rangers, Jose Bautista appeared to slide illegally into second base, trying alter Rougned Odor’s throw. While this slide did cause Odor to throw the ball away, Odor took exception to the slide and threw a massive punch at Bautista. The benches then cleared and punches flew left and right, leading to the ejections of Odor, Steve Buechele, Bautista, Josh Donaldson, and DeMarlo Hale.

Things calmed down after that, until Prince Fielder came up to bat in the bottom of the inning to face Toronto reliever Jesse Chavez. Chavez plunked Fielder, was ejected, and the benches cleared for a second time, only this time things were far more mellow. No one else was ejected after that and the rest of the game ran smoothly until the Rangers’ Sam Dyson closed out the game to record his second save on the year.

Despite the milestone of Bush’s first win and his incredible come back story, the game managed to be overshadowed by the brawls and, rather than the story of Matt Bush making headlines, the story of what comes next for the players involved in the brawls and the future fines and suspensions will take the headlines.

Many people speculate that such strong feelings against Toronto amongst Rangers players stem directly from Jose Bautista’s infamous bat-flip in the ALDS between the two teams last year.

The post Brawl Overshadows Rangers Win over Toronto appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Getty Images

While most of the big name free agents have already signed, there are still quite a few impact players that are available via free agency. These players may not be able to play at the level that they used to play at, but they are still capable of producing on an NFL roster.

Without further ado, here are the top three remaining free agents that have not yet signed with an NFL team.

1. Arian Foster, RB

While Foster is no longer the bruising multi-purpose back that he once was on the Texans, he can still be more than a serviceable starter when healthy for any football team.

The problem with Foster is his durability, and coming off of an injury plagued season that limited him to four games in 2015, Foster will likely be signed to play in more of a backup role.

The ideal fit for Foster would be with a team like the Chargers, as he would be a phenomenal mentor to 2015 1st rounder Melvin Gordon and could play a key role as a change-of-pace back along with the tough and scrappy Danny Woodhead.

2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB

While Fitzpatrick had a career year with the New York Jets last season and has the ability to be a solid starting quarterback in the NFL in 2016, there isn’t really a team out there that truly needs a quarterback – with the exception of the Jets.

With contract negotiations at a standstill between Fitzpatrick and New York, expect something to get done sometime before June to bring back Fitzpatrick as a starter and a mentor to 2016 2nd rounder Christian Hackenberg.

3. Dwight Freeney, LB

Freeney was unsigned entering the 2015 NFL season, when Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals decided to sign him for the rest of the season. The former Colt and Charger did not disappoint, as he totaled eight sacks over 11 games.

Freeney can still be a productive pass rusher in the NFL, and the ideal fit for him lies under Dan Quinn for the Atlanta Falcons. He would bolster the pass rush that ranked last in the NFL in sacks last season and would pair with 2015 1st rounder Vic Beasley Jr. to form a solid pass rushing duo.

Honorable Mention: Greg Hardy, DE; Leon Hall, CB; Walter Thurmond, CB; Mike Neal, LB

The post Top 3 NFL Free Agents Remaining appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com

There were 253 picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, and not one of them selected former University of Michigan linebacker and team captain Joe Bolden.

Bolden was seen as an extremely tough player throughout his four years as a Wolverine, and will attempt to bring his grittiness with him in the NFL.

Bolden is currently at the Washington Redskins’ rookie minicamp this weekend, and is going to attempt to work his way towards a spot onto the team’s roster. With 88 players on the current roster, only two spots remain, and 33 undrafted rookies are on hand for this minicamp.

Among the other undrafted rookies include former Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., Bowling Green running back Travis Greene, and Michigan State tight end Paul Lang.

When I reached out to Bolden to congratulate him on getting invited to tryout for the Redskins, he said that he was “just trying to get a job”.

While this tryout is not going to be the only chance Bolden gets at accomplishing his dream of being able to play in the NFL, a strong showing this weekend would certainly raise his profile within NFL circles and could go a long way towards his attempt to accomplish that dream.

The post Joe Bolden “Just Trying to Get a Job” appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

www.cbssports.com

Entering the offseason, the Cleveland Browns had several questions surrounding the upcoming season, with the most common one revolving around the quarterback position. With the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, many believed that Cleveland would select either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, both of which were seen as franchise quarterbacks entering the draft.

The Browns started the offseason off by releasing the troubled Johnny Manziel, a player whose off-field issues have tarnished what could have been a solid career. Then, the Browns signed Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III, someone whose injuries and inconsistency have led to a major decline in play since his stellar rookie campaign.

The Browns then traded out of the second overall pick, a move that essentially solidified Griffin’s spot as the starting quarterback for the Browns entering 2016.

However, that move did not mean that the Browns would not draft a quarterback, as they selected former USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler with the 93rd overall pick in the third round of the draft. Many were surprised at the move, as Kessler was not a highly ranked quarterback and was selected over Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook, a player many considered as a second round pick.

While the Browns have already showed enough faith in Kessler’s ability to draft him in the third round, do they have enough faith in him to name him the starter at some point in the 2016 NFL season?

While doubtful, Kessler could find a way onto the field for the Browns in 2016. With Griffin’s injury history, anything can happen, and new head coach Hue Jackson may be willing to give Kessler the nod over veteran journeyman Josh McCown. Kessler showed flashes of brilliance during his time at USC, and could prove to be one of the bigger steals of the draft if he is given the chance to shine.

The post Could Cody Kessler Start for the Browns? appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

bleacherreport.com

Looking at the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015, there were several flashes of the future that would make any fan overjoyed. Blake Bortles enjoyed a solid sophomore campaign, and the chemistry that he developed with the “Allen Brothers” in Allen Hurns and Pro Bowler Allen Robinson could create a fierce combination that can last for years.

While Jacksonville’s offense looked phenomenal, their defense was less than stellar, as holes throughout the depth chart were exposed all season long. The team has attempted to fill some of those holes via free agency adding defensive end Malik Jackson and secondary players Tashaun Gipson and Prince Amukamara.

With top three pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Dante Fowler Jr., preparing to come back in 2016 from a torn ACL, the Jaguars could be a legitimate contender in the AFC South.

With the No. 5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, expect the Jaguars to target either an offensive lineman, an athletic linebacker, or another player to add to their secondary. With that being said, here are the top three options for the Jaguars with the 5th overall pick.

The post Top Three Options for the Jaguars With the No.5 Pick appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Michael Perez: Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles have traded their first, third, and fourth round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft along with a first round pick and a fourth round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Eagles have been extremely aggressive all offseason in terms of trades. They have already traded former Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray along with linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell away to other teams in order to move up in this year’s draft.

Looking at this trade, it is somewhat questionable as to why the Eagles would trade up to the second overall pick. Many believed that this pick was going to be used on a quarterback, however the Eagles already have a potential franchise quarterback in former Heisman Trophy winner and #1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft Sam Bradford.

On the flip side, the Eagles could have moved up in order to select a player like Joey Bosa or Jalen Ramsey, two defensive playmakers that could prove to be superstars in the NFL.

For the Browns, it looks as if they are content with having recently signed quarterback Robert Griffin III as their starter. It’s now apparent that they will not be selecting neither Jared Goff nor Carson Wentz in the upcoming draft. However, the Browns could always draft a player like Paxton Lynch with their newly acquired 8th overall pick. They could also select a Connor Cook or a Christian Hackenberg in the second or third round.

In the end, this trade could prove to be a major win for both the Browns and the Eagles, as the Eagles can likely select the player at the top of their list and the Browns can fill numerous holes around their roster with the acquisition of five draft picks over the next two years.

The post Eagles Trade Up to #2 Pick in NFL Draft appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In the first game of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, the seventh seeded Indiana Pacers took down the second seeded Toronto Raptors, 100-90.

Paul George put together a phenomenal performance, as he scored 33 points to go along with six assists and four rebounds. Indiana also got solid production out of guard Monta Ellis, who scored 15 points and made three of four attempts. While he only took three shots, Solomon Hill chipped in 13 points, as he was a perfect 10-for-10 on his free throws.

For the Raptors, Corey Joseph scored a team-high 18 points off of the bench, while stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 25 points, shooting a dreadful 10 percent (one for 10) from three.

Prior to fouling out, center Jonas Valanciunas scored 12 points and grabbed a Raptors’ playoff record 19 rebounds.

The Raptors are now 0-8 in the first round of an opening round playoff series, and it will be interesting to watch if the Raptors will be able to get over the hump in the playoffs and win a series, as they have not made it into the second round of the playoffs since the 2000/01 season.

The post Pacers Take Game 1 Against Raptors appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: David Zalubowski/Associated Press

While the 2016 MLB Season may have just started, there is already one player who is breaking out onto the national spotlight with an incredible start to the season. That player is Trevor Story, rookie shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.

In all four of the Rockies games this season, Story has hit a home run, and currently leads the league with six. Not to mention, these games are also Story’s first four career games. He is the first player ever to hit a home run in each of his first four career games.

While many are surprised or downright shocked at the run that Story is on. He used to be one of the Top 100 Prospects in MLB and was a first round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Looking ahead, can Story continue his hot run and enjoy a phenomenal rookie season for the Rockies?

One factor that could heavily influence Story’s future playing time is the potential return of four-time All Star Jose Reyes, as he is still awaiting both trial and a decision by Commissioner Rob Manfred on his domestic violence incident in the offseason. If Reyes is to come back at some point this season, one must wonder if he will cut into Story’s playing time in a major way.

On the other hand, if Reyes doesn’t take any playing time away from Story, the rookie shortstop can definitely continue his hot run throughout the season. He plays in an extremely hitter-friendly ballpark in Coors Field, and many have already compared him offensively to former Rockies shortstop and current Toronto Blue Jay Troy Tulowitzki.

No, Story will not hit a home run in every single game this season, but it would not be surprising at all if he finishes the year with over 25 home runs. For now, let’s just enjoy the current run that Trevor Story is on and continue to watch him play excellent baseball for the Rockies.

The post The Incredible Run of Trevor Story appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

After two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, former San Francisco 49er and three time Pro Bowler Donte Whitner has been released and is now a free agent.

Whitner, the Browns’ second leading tackler last season, signed a four-year deal worth $28 million with the Browns in the 2014 offseason. Whitner had one interception and forced two fumbles in his two years in Cleveland.

Whitner becomes the seventh starter to leave the Browns this offseason and joins linebacker Karlos Dansby as being the only two that were cut. Dansby was the leading tackler for the Browns last season and recently signed with the rival Cincinnati Bengals for a base salary of $1 million with incentives.

The cut of Whitner certainly was not due to lack of talent, as only two seasons ago he was a Pro Bowler. Whitner is still an above-average starting safety, and can provide a team with a player that opposing teams will fear all game long.

When looking at potential fits for Whitner, the Oakland Raiders stick out in particular.

They lost Charles Woodson to retirement this offseason, and outside of him had an atrocious secondary last season. Adding in Whitner, along with the recent signing of Sean Smith should almost certainly push them closer to being a playoff contender.

The post Donte Whitner Released by Browns appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Amber Searls- USA TODAY Sports

After an uneventful 2015 season where 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III never appeared in a game, the former Heisman Award winner has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. The deal is worth $15 million with $3.25 million guaranteed. With incentives, the deal could be worth up to $22 million.

This move could prove to be an outstanding addition if Griffin is able to stay healthy and play to his abilities, as he has proven throughout his career that he can be one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.

Unfortunately for both Griffin and the Browns, it has been quite a while since anyone has seen a healthy “RGIII”, as he only played nine games in 2014, the last season in which he saw time as a starter for the Washington Redskins.

With the addition of Griffin, one must wonder what the Browns will do with veteran quarterback Josh McCown, as he still has two more years on his contract. The expectation is that the Browns will place him on the trading block, and will try to acquire something in exchange for the 36 year old quarterback.

Another question that arises is what the Browns will do in the NFL Draft, as they currently hold the second overall pick. With that pick, the common perception is that they will select a quarterback, with both North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff as the top options in this year’s draft.

Only time will tell what the Browns will do, and as of now, they have a quarterback that they are hoping can be a solid starter for them in the 2016 season.

The post Robert Griffin III Signs with the Browns appeared first on Insider Sports Network.