標籤: Analysts

The NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway was going to feel fresh and different. Instead, it did the opposite, boring and confusing many fans, making it drag on for hours, and sparking debate over whether or not the format change actually worked.

NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck joined the race on The Teardown Podcast, and to be honest, his reaction pretty much matched the mood of a lot of viewers.

He said, “This can’t happen again. It’s not right. It needs to be sent into the sun and burned with fire. This wasn’t the right track for this. This wasn’t the right format for this. From the time they started and about four hours to the time they ended, the format was completely wrong, starting with putting people who were open with people who were closed.”

And he also explained what he thought was the bigger issue: “Ultimately, the way the rules were today, because of the wrecks and all these things, you had nine guys involved. I think they came at the expense of real All-Stars who had already made their way into it and weren’t even able to get into the All-Star race.”

His disappointment was mainly over identity and the idea that the All-Star Race should highlight the best of the sport, not be swallowed up by a hybrid format that changed the feel of the whole thing.

Fans call it “the worst All-Star Race ever”

If Gluck was disappointed, fans were even more direct.

Social media reaction during and after the race was brutal, with many calling it one of the weakest All-Star events in years.

One fan said, “That was the worst All-Star race we’ve ever had. I don’t understand why Nascar has to make it so hard.”

Another reaction expressed the anger even more clearly: “Worst format ever!! Worst All Star Race I have ever seen!! It was just a short non points race. No excitement!! 0!!”

There were also some more reflective remarks, some of which pointed out how prize money still feels stuck in the past compared to how much the sport has grown economically.

Running didn’t help at all. A huge early upset took out some of the biggest names in the field, including Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. Larson managed to get back out after repairs, but Elliott’s race was basically over on the spot.

From there, it turned into a long, chaotic afternoon that lasted much longer than expected, with confusion compounded by changes in strategy and constant resets.

In the end, Denny Hamlin still did what he does at Dover, he won. But even that seemed like a footnote compared to everything else that happened.

Because by the time it was over, most of the conversation wasn’t about who won. It was about whether NASCAR’s experiment had gone completely awry.

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

Thursday afternoon, 4:30 PM Pacific, the Las Vegas Raiders find out who they’re playing and when. The league office has already spoiled the suspense on the degree of difficulty.

It is a cruel word.

Why is the Raiders schedule not doing their rebuild any favors?

According to the NFL’s own math, only six teams fared worse. The Raiders’ opponents scored a combined .529 last season, putting them at the seventh-toughest strength of schedule in the league for 2026. Nine of those opponents played in January. The AFC West gives you Kansas City, Denver and the Chargers twice each, and that’s before the calendar ends with Buffalo, New England, the Rams, Seattle and San Francisco thrown in for good measure.

No one in the national media is hiding what they think will happen next.

Just Blog Baby came out this week with an article arguing that anyone expecting the Silver and Black to crash the playoff party in 2026 will be heartbroken. The site acknowledged that the offseason raised the floor, then quickly pointed out that a high floor doesn’t mean much when the ceiling is Patrick Mahomes’s twice a year.

Warren Sharp’s take on Sharp Football Analysis went down a different path altogether. They abandoned the traditional method of using the previous year’s record and instead built their rankings around Vegas win totals, which factors in roster changes between February and now. Sharp’s model has the Raiders projected at 5.5-wins, meaning bookmakers see an upgrade but no contenders just yet.

RELATED: Raiders rookie minicamp 2026: Fernando Mendoza already looks like a boy

Choose a methodology, choose your pain.

The AFC West is what should keep Raider fans up at night. Las Vegas has not seen a playoff game since the 2021 Wild Card weekend in Cincinnati. Kansas City had a disappointing year and the Chiefs don’t last long, everyone in football knows that by now. Denver won the division outright. The Chargers also moved into the bracket. Six divisional games, each one of them against a team that had played meaningful football on New Year’s Day.

The home slate doesn’t get any easier when you leave the division. Allegiant Stadium will host Buffalo, the Rams and Seattle in addition to the AFC West Gauntlet, which includes six of eight home games against teams expected to finish above .500.

Clint Kubiak is promoting without excuses, and that’s admirable, but the schedule doesn’t care about the messaging. Tyler Linderbaum is real. It’s realistic to buy out Fernando Mendoza for a year for Kirk Cousins ​​to learn. The four defensive backs drafted by the front office are real and they’re probably going to play. All of those things could be true and Las Vegas could still come out of this thing 6-11 depending on who is on the other side most weeks.

The national media have decided that the playoffs are business for 2027. The program begins on Thursday and we find out if there is any reasonable argument to the contrary.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen

Is this the offseason that the Cleveland Browns finally trade Myles Garrett? Those Garrett rumors resurface every year. After all, he’s one of the best players in the NFL, yet Garrett’s Browns have only reached the playoffs twice in his nine-year career. He deserves better.

The Browns recently restructured his contract, which, for some reason, has led to speculation that Cleveland is thinking about trading him again. While that’s not the case, the Browns did this simply to create more cap space, it got people thinking.

Recently, two NFL analysts Sports IllustratedConnor Orr and Albert Breer lay out their case for why the Browns would be better off trading the five-time All-Pro defender.

This isn’t the first time Breyer has advocated for the Browns to trade their best player. He also previously advised them to trade Garrett at last year’s trade deadline. Obviously, Brown disagreed.

Garrett, 30, is coming off a record-breaking season with 23 sacks. Despite his great age, one could argue that his value has never been higher. If the Raiders can get two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby, what could the Browns get for an even better player?

While most needy teams have already committed to other pass-rushers, there is always at least one that doesn’t end up being their desired draft target. In other words, perhaps the Garrett trade will be revisited later, but our guess is the Browns have already moved on from those discussions.

RELATED: Cleveland Browns trade idea nets young Pro Bowl receiver

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Manchester United have been warned they are targeting the wrong player in Ajax’s Mika Godts, especially after being compared to Desire Dou.

Dutch analyst René van der Gijp, through the football zoneNot impressed with the 20 year old. He has been linked to Manchester United this month.

contact manchester united

A report on the 17th^Of March said that Manchester United have taken the first steps towards signing Godts this summer.

According to journalist Sacha TavolieriManchester United have made contact with Ajax over the forward ahead of a possible move this summer.

Mika Godts is expected to be one of the breakout names of the summer transfer window, with several top sides monitoring his development.

Godts has enjoyed a breakout season at Ajax, registering 14 goals and 11 assists in 36 games so far this season. In the Eredivisie, he is contributing an average of one goal every 90 minutes.

Analysts not impressed

But no such contribution came in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Feyenoord. A performance that particularly struck Van der Gijp.

“Maybe a misconception, of course, but on Sunday I was seeing that Gods. Paris Saint-Germain’s Douay is 84 times better,” he said.

“He’s actually 84 times better than Godts. And then you read that Godts can go to Manchester United and Chelsea. The video you see there of Douay… that’s not normal.”

The same sentiment was echoed by writer Michael Van Egmond, who says it’s even worse considering what Gods was up against.

“He played against Feyenoord’s fourth right-back,” he said.

“Actually they would have rather played with ten men than Lotomba, and still had gods in their pockets. That’s not good.”

Will Manchester United listen?

The question is whether Manchester United will listen. Mika Godts fits perfectly into the recruitment strategy within INEOS. They have specifically targeted youth profiles with high ceilings.

Godes ticks those boxes and has the numbers to support the big spend. The same is true despite a disappointing performance against Feyenoord. For now, it appears they have only taken initial steps.

However, if it were down to Van der Gijp, that would be as far as they would go this summer.

🇮🇹 Pierre Kalulu | Manchester United and Liverpool send scouts for new France international

➡️ Versatile defender – Italian media are really pushing for a transfer opportunity, so Juventus is possibly up for salehttps://t.co/lfQQEbBvE5 #free #lfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 26 March 2026

Newcastle United have been told they could get a Kevin De Bruyne-like project if they sign Dutch rising star Kees Smit this summer.

Says this week the AZ Alkmaar star received a brief call-up to the Dutch national team. It’s a milestone that is likely to spark interest from the Premier League.

Newcastle are already at the front of the queue. A report this week Insisted that he is set to sign a deal worth €60m this summer.

Netherlands strategy

Dutch pundit René van der Gijp believes Ronald Koeman’s decision is both strategic and appropriate. Speaking on television this week, he praised the call-up as a smart move to fast-track Smit’s development.

“Koeman is doing this to get to know him,” He said, Via Voetbal Primeur.

“Sure it’s good. That guy’s already got quite an engine, and that engine’s about to get bigger.”

Newcastle United interest

For Newcastle United, that ‘engine’ is exactly the profile they may need in midfield this summer. If Sandro Tonali gets a big step up it will definitely be like this.

Smit’s blend of stamina, ball progression and tactical intelligence has made him one of the Eredivisie’s most interesting young players, and Van der Gijp sees a clear Premier League trajectory.

He even compared Smit’s physical development curve to that of Kevin De Bruyne, recalling how the Belgian needed time before he could dominate English football.

“You saw it with Kevin De Bruyne,” He added.

“He went to Chelsea at 20 and returned to Manchester City at 23. He could handle it then, but not before that.”

impressive numbers

Smit’s statistics this season certainly underline why Newcastle are circling. The 20-year-old has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists in 32 matches for AZ, while averaging 1.4 passes and 4.8 progressive carries per 90 minutes.

His 87% pass completion, 57% duel success rate and 11.2 km of coverage per match paint a picture of a midfielder with both the technical acumen and the tireless engine highlighted by René van der Gijp.

For a player his age, those metrics point to a profile that can rise rapidly in a more demanding league.

De Bruyne comparison

Kevin De Bruyne’s Premier League record shows why Van der Gijp is excited. He became one of the Premier League’s leading creators after returning at the age of 23.

He regularly provided double-digit assists, broke single-season assist records, and consistently ranked among the top players for chances created, progressive passes, and goal contributions.

His development from a talented but physically weak young player at Chelsea to a full-fledged Premier League midfielder is the blueprint that Van der Gijp is confident Smit can follow.

Newcastle United are hoping to refresh their midfield this summer, with Smit’s national team success only strengthening the case. If the Magpies move quickly, they could secure one of Europe’s next big engines before the rest of the continent catches up.

🇵🇹Iván Fresneda | €80 million clause to see Newcastle United fullback shining – and the Magpies are keen

📉That figure will be largely negotiable https://t.co/C7fO6tZzKO #nufc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 21 March 2026

The Charlotte Hornets continued their remarkable midseason turnaround on Wednesday night with a dominant 118-89 victory over the Boston Celtics to extend their winning streak to six games. The result extended Charlotte’s consecutive winning streak to at least 15 points and prompted ESPN analysts to warn Eastern Conference contenders about the surging team.

The Hornets’ latest win solidified their status as one of the league’s hottest teams, which drew attention during Thursday’s broadcast of Get Up.

Alan Hahn described Charlotte as a dangerous opponent lurking in the playoff race.

“A dragon slayer hiding in plain sight. They’re in the play-ins right now. They’re the 9th seed. They’re finally at .500 for the first time, I think, since Grandmama and Muggy Boggs. We haven’t seen them play like this for a long time, but they’re that team with this offense and defense, by the way, in the top 3 these 20 games.”

Hahn said Charlotte’s balanced performance on both ends of the floor makes them a tough matchup for the top teams in the conference.

“So, not only are they playing great offense, but they’re also playing great defense. They’re that team, if you’re a contender, if you’re a high seed, #1, #2 or #3, and you have to face them in the first round, you don’t want to do that because they’re unknowns and they can play free as well.”

🗣️ @alanhahn: “A dragon slayer hiding in plain sight. They’re in the play-ins right now. They’re the 9th seed. I think, after Grandmama and Muggy Boggs, they’re finally at .500 for the first time. We haven’t seen them play like that in a long time, but they’re that team… pic.twitter.com/Gze5F5ANwA

– r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) 5 March 2026

Jay Williams compares surging Hornets to young Celtics amid hot stretch

Former NBA guard Jay Williams echoed that sentiment, comparing the Hornets’ playing style to a younger version of the Celtics.

“They’re like a young version of the Boston Celtics. Their games really mirror each other, and their offense is the best in the league since Jan. 1. I wouldn’t call them a title contender, but if you’re the Knicks, if you’re Detroit, if you’re Cleveland, you’ve got to compete with Charlotte and that offense in the first round…that’s the danger zone.”

Charlotte’s win over Boston improved the team to 31–30 on the season, marking the first time that the franchise has climbed above .500 since October 26, when it improved to 2–1 after a 139–113 win over the Washington Wizards.

Over the last 15 games, Charlotte has ranked among the league’s most efficient teams. The Hornets rank ninth in scoring at 115.7 points per game during that span, while leading the NBA in perimeter shooting at 40.1%. The team has made an average of 18.6 three-pointers and held opponents to just 104.8 points per game, the second-best defensive mark in the league during that span. Charlotte’s 10.9 net rating over the same period ranks second in the NBA.

Despite the surge, the Hornets currently sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, the standings are tightly packed, and Charlotte is only 4.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors (35-26).

Charlotte will attempt to extend its winning streak on Friday night when it hosts the Miami Heat (33-29) at 7:00 pm before beginning a four-game Western Conference road trip against the Phoenix Suns (35-26) on Sunday at 10:00 pm.

I want to say something that I think a lot of people in Raider Nation already feel but may not have heard it clearly: A lot of the activity against Fernando Mendoza ramped up right when it became clear he was going to Las Vegas. Make of that what you will.

Now look, I’m not here to pretend there aren’t legitimate questions about Mendoza’s game. there are. He played almost entirely out of the shotgun at Indiana. Only 3% of his college photos came under the center. He will need to adjust to reading defenses that play with different guises than anything he has faced in the Big Ten. Those are real things, and any honest assessment has to include them.

But here’s what I also know: No quarterback prospect is a sure shot. Not always. Not one. Trevor Lawrence was “generational”. Bryce Young was “much more sophisticated than his age”. JaMarcus Russell was compared to John Elway, and I’m not making this up. The NFL has humbled every consensus person at one point or another. So when an anonymous NFL offensive coach tells The Athletic he likes Ty Simpson, it’s an opinion. This does not make Mendoza damaged goods. This makes him a prospect – like every other player who has ever been drafted.

One part of Mendoza’s resume that critics continue to overlook is that he doesn’t fit neatly into scouting reports.

Raiders smart in looking at Fernando Mendoza’s intangibles

This guy transferred from Cal to Indiana and won a national championship. Led the Hoosiers to a 16–0 record. Won the Heisman. Throwed 41 touchdowns against six interceptions. Led a game-winning drive at Penn State. Lost the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State and came back to win it. Those are not system statistics. He is a child who plays bigger than the moment, every time the moment becomes bigger.

Dan Orlowski watched eight games and said he saw “a lot of clean pockets.” You know what else you saw in those games? An undefeated season. A quarterback who understood exactly where to go with the football and did so with speed time and again against the best defense in the country. Complaining about having clean pockets is strange. Elite quarterbacks are expected to create clean pockets with their pre-snap reads and decision making. This is called being good.

The ongoing Jared Goff comparison on FS1 seems like an insult. But Jared Goff just won a Super Bowl. He has been one of the most efficient passers in the NFL over the past three seasons. If Mendoza’s destination is Jared Goff, the Raiders should feel pretty good about that bet.

Attackers are making calculated and educated bets on Mendoza

And that’s really the point. This is a condition. This is always a condition. Every first overall pick is a bet. The Raiders haven’t had a franchise quarterback to speak of since Rich Gannon arrived in 2002. It’s almost a quarter century of carousing quarterbacks, seasons ruined, and fans watching other teams thrive while Las Vegas was spinning its wheels. Mendoza gives this franchise a legitimate chance to kill it.

Tom Brady, who knows a thing or two about evaluating quarterbacks, has said a lot about him. Four NFL executives told The Athletic that they view Mendoza as the unanimous top selection. PFF graded him at 91.6 for the season. His adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the nation.

Some criticisms are valid assessments. Most of this is just noise from the joint week. We live in the era of hot takes for content generated at a time when the likes of Raiders were already a foregone conclusion and the only way to get clicks was to go against the grain. Raider Nation has seen that movie before.

Mendoza is the winner. His numbers support it and his character supports it even more. For a franchise that has been waiting so long, this is not something you can talk yourself into.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

As the NBA world reacts to the New York Knicks breaking Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs’ 11-game winning streak, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst sees it as a warning to fans. Wembanyama and the Spurs’ crushing 114–89 loss to the Knicks ended a long winning streak, but also put San Antonio’s weaknesses on full display.

Spurs never recovered from 19-0 Knicks run in the second quarterThat reminded some of his inexperience, Windhorst said, according to ESPN’s First Take.

Windhorst said, “I’m not going to overreact to the afternoon’s game at the Garden. If you’re making the case why Spurs won’t win, you saw it yesterday.” “When the Knicks threw some punches at them they couldn’t handle it. It was a 19-0 run in the second quarter. You’re not going to win a playoff game when you give up a 19-0 run on the road. So, you see things like that.”

The Spurs also finished 9-for-34 from beyond the 3-point arc (26.5%) against the Knicks.

“They are still, as a team, inconsistent on 3-point shots. When they get to the playoffs, opposing teams, when they’ve got a fully fleshed out game plan for a playoff series, they’re going to force them to take threes. And they want Victor Wembanyama to take threes. They’re still a bottom 10 3-point percentage shooting team. Whether you like it or not, the NBA is still 3-point. League.”

“If you’re making the case why Spurs won’t win, you saw it yesterday.”

—@WindhorstESPN On the concerns over the Spurs’ NBA title hopes 👀 pic.twitter.com/EDFohIBK2g

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 2 March 2026

Brian Windhorst says 3-point shooting and experience are glaring weaknesses for the Spurs.

Victor Wembanyama’s confession after Spurs defeat

Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama took responsibility for Sunday’s 25-point loss to the Knicks. While admitting that the Knicks’ defense prevented them from finding their offensive rhythm, Wembanyama also said that he wished he would have passed the ball more, as the Spurs were in a heavy deficit.

“I think they had some physicality, but not what we’ve seen… For some reason, we were a little hesitant… I was especially hesitant on threes… I was holding the ball too much… We gave them a breather. We should have been better, especially in the first quarter. That was the game.”

Wembanyama finished with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting, 13 rebounds and four blocks in Sunday’s loss.