Happy Friday, friends and fans!
So there was more NFL Preseason action on Thursday night, and in the New York Jets-Washington Redskins game, Samaje Perine came out strong on his very first carry, going 30 yards.
Nice block by the FB here, picking up the LB in the hole, creating a lane for Samaje Perine on a 30-yard gain #Redskins pic.twitter.com/sdT3xh3Uun
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 17, 2018
It was an incredible start for Perine, but unfortunately it would also be the last time he’d see the field, as he hobbled off on the sideline and never checked back into the game. Reportedly it was an ankle sprain, but time will tell how severe the injury is or isn’t.
With rookie Derrius Guice already done for the year, Washington is dealing with major concerns at running back if Perine has to miss any time during the regular season, so get well soon, Samaje!
Now let’s get going with this Friday edition of Hot Links! Kenneth Murray is coming into his own as a leader, Addison Gumbs is looking to take the next step in his development, Mason Rudolph threw a pick-six on the first play of a game and more!
OU Links
- ESPN’s Jake Trotter provides a rundown of what you need to know about the Big 12 heading into the season. Oklahoma is the odds-on favorite to repeat as champs, but West Virginia’s Will Grier makes the Mountaineers a legitimate threat to dethrone the Sooners.
- Lincoln Riley said he’s still unsure of when he’ll name a starting QB, and he also pointed out the other position battles to watch for along with who has stood out during camp so far.
- MIKE linebacker Kenneth “K-9” Murray is quickly becoming one of the true leaders on the team. He’s as experienced as it gets for a sophomore after starting all 14 games last season, and his top two priorities for this season are to improve the defense as a whole and to improve himself, as well.
- Myles Tease is thankful to finally be on scholarship this year and is as hungry as ever to prove he can be a dependable option for whoever is behind center.
- The void on defense that was left when Ogbonnia Okoronkwo finished up his Sooner career is impossible to replicate, but sophomore Addison Gumbs hopes to fill that role as best as he can. He has all the physical tools to be a great JACK linebacker, but consistency will determine whether or not Oklahoma sees a major drop-off from that position in 2018.
- Mike Stoops said the defense is still a work in progress. The learning curve with so many young guys is part of it, and the injuries that have either completely sidelined players or kept them from practicing at full capacity is another factor.
- One of those young but promising defenders is Brendan ‘Bookie’ Radley-Hiles. Coach Kerry Cooks said Bookie plays with a lot of poise, which is essential for a young player to transition to the college game more easily.
- Assistant head coach Shane Beamer should help boost Oklahoma’s special teams units, specifically in the return department. I mean... he has special teams in his DNA, after all.
- Former Oklahoma outfielder Steele Walker is making an early name for himself with the Kannapolis Intimidators — the Low-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox . Walker was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Way to go, Steele!
Steele (Walker) steals a trio of bases! The @WhiteSox second-round pick from the 2018 #MLBDraft, is 2-for-3 with a walk and has swiped second base three times for @Intimidators. No. 12 on the #WhiteSox Top 30: https://t.co/WZTfDO0qCK pic.twitter.com/Cewn86XFap
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 17, 2018
- In case you missed it, Oklahoma is asking fans to stripe the stadium on September 8th for the UCLA game. You know the drill, folks. If you plan on attending the game, make sure you know which section you’ll be sitting in to know which color you need to wear.
Around the Sports World
- The Pittsburgh Steelers need to find their next franchise QB so that they can be ready to transition from the Big Ben era when that inevitably ends, and the start of Thursday night’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers didn’t look incredibly promising in that regard. Maybe it was just nerves, but Mason Rudolph can’t continue to make these kinds of mistakes.
First play of the game...
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2018
Tramon Williams PICK-6! @HighRizer22#PITvsGB pic.twitter.com/PBQDJFsEr3
- Speaking of former Okie State people, James Washington was a man amongst boys.
5 catches
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 17, 2018
114 yards
2 TD
@JamesWashington pic.twitter.com/x5bNdp3PSm
- New England Patriots receiver Cordarrelle Patterson made cornerback Sidney Jones look silly with this epic oh-no-you-don’t. C’mon, Patt, don’t do the man like that. He has a family!
Crossed him so hard @ceeflashpee84 pic.twitter.com/SqHTrq09bS
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 17, 2018
- The NFL Preseason is about gearing up for the season and finding which players are good enough to make an impact on the team. It’s also about staying healthy because these games don’t actually count. Check out this list of the 23 most significant injuries of the preseason so far.
- Tiger Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava, recently told a story about how he paid a heckler $25 to make like a tree and get out of there. C’mon, people. Don’t you have anything better to do with your weekends?
- The Texas Rangers pulled off this amazing, yet unconventional triple play. It was the first time in 106 years that a triple play was made without retiring the batter.
You don't see this every day. pic.twitter.com/6MPPS5u5Xo
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 17, 2018
Stick to Sports!
- If you’ve ever seen the movie EuroTrip, you definitely remember the made-for-the-movie song “Scotty Doesn’t Know”, which is about the main character’s (eventual ex) girlfriend messing around with the lead singer of the band (oddly played by Matt Damon) all while Scotty thought she was being faithful. Check out this oral history from the filmmakers about the movie that has since become a cult classic all thanks to this oh-so catchy tune at poor Scotty’s expense.
Don't tell Scotty but here's an oral history of ‘Scotty Doesn't Know’ from #Eurotrip (via @mikeryan) https://t.co/sNdNTi7ZG0 pic.twitter.com/3VZw4mnZZ1
— UPROXX (@UPROXX) August 17, 2018
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