Best of YB: NFL free agency gives way to Selection Sunday
We've already seen lots of movement in the NFL since free agency officially opened Thursday, whether we're talking trades or signings. High-profile wide receivers like DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery have found new homes; the Jacksonville Jaguars continued to beef up their defense with Pro Bowlers; and the Houston Texans unloaded much-maligned quarterback Brock Osweiler in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, sending a second-rounder to Cleveland as well in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
While rumor has it the Browns aren't really interested in retaining Osweiler, this move, among others (like signing Kenny Britt), along with holding the first overall pick in the draft, could be a sign that things might actually be looking up for the Cleveland Browns: "It might seem odd to say, but the Cleveland Browns, despite starting five different quarterbacks on their way to a 1-15 record in 2016, might actually be in pretty good shape going forward."
Cleveland is still looking for its quarterback to build around, and there is the slew of big-name quarterbacks who are reportedly available, either as free agents or through trades. And while some have already found new homes or re-upped to stay put, others' futures are still in limbo. That begs the obvious question for the likes of Tony Romo and Jay Cutler: Where's the ideal landing spot for the top QBs? "The Broncos know the window is shutting soon, and rolling the dice on Romo staying healthy seems about as safe a gambit as any available."
Of course, signing or trading for a quarterback is a pricey proposition. That means the mo' money, mo' problems in the NFL is officially upon us: "Almost $15 million a year for a QB who has thrown a total 11 passes over the last two seasons? What could go wrong? Nearly $12 million per year combined for the Bills' third and fourth receivers? I guess! The aforementioned Bills signing every fullback they can get their hands on? Whatever you say!"
There's no way of knowing, of course, whether or not a big signing will pay off. However, teams that hoist the Lombardi Trophy usually have at least one major contributor who joined the squad as a free agent. Here's at look at how recent Super Bowl winners made free agency work: "Brees is one of the most successful NFL free agent signings ever. It’s fun to remember that teams were trying to choose between him and Daunte Culpepper back in 2006."
Several more big names will be on the move — or not — in the coming days and weeks, but all of that will take a backseat to college basketball come next week. It begins, of course, with Selection Sunday, which just so happens to coincide with daylight savings this weekend. So remember to move your clocks forward, and expect these 10 things on Selection Sunday: "Last season, all seven Pac-12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament lost to teams seeded lower than them (five of the seven schools didn't even make it out of the first round). In 2012, the Pac-12 got just two teams in the tournament, and the regular-season champion, Washington, wasn't one of them. It seems as if the selection committee just doesn't have faith in the league."
As for the women's tournament, the UConn Huskies are once again the runaway favorites, and why wouldn't they be? They've won more than 100 straight games, last losing in November … of 2014. Here are the top 20 moments and numbers from UConn women basketball’s streak:
All eyes will understandably be on Geno Auriemma's squad this March, but the Huskies aren't the only team in the tournament, obviously. With that in mind, we detailed 10 players to watch in the women's NCAA Tournament who don't play for UConn: "The all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball history, Kelsey Plum flat-out gets buckets… There's a good chance she'll be the top pick in the WNBA Draft to the San Antonio Stars."
It seems improbable that UConn will lose in the NCAA Tournament, but it's not impossible. Who has the best shot to dethrone the perennial champs? We leave you with 12 teams that might be able upset the UConn women:
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. March Madness is upon is.
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