Putrid Panthers, Tez Walker and Coach K speaks in the sports moments of the week
Posted October 10, 2023 6:14 p.m. EDT
Updated October 12, 2023 9:57 a.m. EDT
The internet is a big place. Unless you're 100% plugged in all the time (and let's be clear, that is NOT recommended), you're going to miss some stuff.
Let us do that work. You can be a well-adjusted human being and still catch all the best sports moments of the week, with a quick review ...
1. Panthers in big trouble
Five games into the NFL season, the Carolina Panthers lead the NFL in exactly two categories -- losses and bad vibes.
The Panthers dropped to 0-5 with a 42-24 loss in Detroit on Sunday. Their struggles seemed to be perfectly encapsulated by one play in particular.
In the first quarter, Bryce Young tried to set up a screen pass to tight end Ian Thomas, but threw an interception to a Lions defensive lineman instead!
It was an embarrassing mistake during an embarrassing game for Carolina, but the fun doesn't stop there.
You may have noticed that, even though the Panthers were trailing the entire game and had to attempt 41 passes, wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. didn't see the field at all versus Detroit. Zero snaps.
With Marshall coming off a career-high 9 catches in Week 4, you might assume that his lack of playing time was due to injury or maybe even disciplinary reasons.
Nope.
Perfectly healthy. No super-secret punishment. Head coach Frank Reich just forgot to put him in.
Seriously. That was his answer.
Now, if we're being kind to coach Reich, you could say that the man simply has too much on his plate.
Maybe he's stressed out about coaching a bad team.
Maybe he's stressed out because he refuses to give up play calling duties.
Or maybe he's extra stressed out because Panthers owner David Tepper won't stop meddling and is chewing him out after every loss.
It's not too hard to read between the lines there, so let's go with "all of the above." What a mess.
2. Tez Walker cleared, UNC/NCAA feud continues
After months of refusal, the NCAA finally did the right thing Thursday and granted immediate eligibility to North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker.
(If you're not familiar with the details of Tez's transfer case, you can read about it here.)
It could have simply been a nice moment to let bygones be bygones, but we're talking about the NCAA here. They can't help themselves.
Rather than admit their mistake and move on, the Association released the following statement along with their decision:
"NCAA staff received new information regarding University of North Carolina student-athlete Tez Walker this week. Staff determined the new information qualifies Walker for a transfer waiver. The information had not been made available by UNC previously, despite the school's multiple chances to do so."
Ok, so natural follow-up question... What was the new information?
The NCAA didn't say for some reason, so we can only speculate.
Perhaps the new information was that a well-funded institution was threatening a lawsuit, the NCAA really doesn't want to go to court because its legal authority is already shaky-at-best and knew it would likely lose said lawsuit which would further shatter the illusion that it has any real power at all?
Again, just speculating.
For what it's worth, UNC strongly refuted the NCAA's version of events, but overall seems content to take the victory.
Especially since they now get to watch Tez Walker make catches like this every Saturday.
3. Canes call in the G.O.A.T.
The Carolina Hurricanes carry some lofty goals as they get set to open the regular season on Wednesday night.
The Canes are trying to capture their fourth consecutive division title, sixth consecutive playoff berth and, most importantly, the franchise's second Stanley Cup.
Fortunately, a certain local basketball coach knows a thing or two about great expectations.
The Canes brought in former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski for a preseason pep talk this week, and it was just as chill-inducing as you might think.
4. Kai Jones strange trade demand leads to release
Trade demands have become almost commonplace in the NBA, but they're usually only from star players like Kevin Durant or Damian Lillard. You know, guys that would have some leverage in negotiations.
Well, Charlotte Hornets center Kai Jones broke some new ground Monday when he demanded a trade on social media.
The former first round pick has certainly shown flashes of some special talent. He went viral during NBA Summer League when he dunked all over #1 pick Victor Wembanyama.
However, Jones has averaged less than 3 points and 2 rebounds per game during his NBA career -- not exactly the profile of somebody who should be making such a demand.
What's worse, Jones may have subjected himself to a fine or suspension by publicly requesting a trade, which is illegal under the NBA's current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The internet has obviously made some jokes at Jones' expense, but the more you dig in to this story, the less funny it becomes.
Less than two weeks ago, the Hornets announced that Jones would not be reporting to training camp for "personal reasons."
Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer has also reported that the team is "concerned" about Jones, who has been erratic on social media this offseason.
Wednesday evening, the Hornets waived Jones from the roster.
Hopefully, the 22-year old can find some stability no matter where he goes next, and find a way to reach his considerable potential.
5. Bull or nah?
The Denver Broncos of the NFL wore new uniforms Sunday, complete with throwback helmets.
The image might look familiar to baseball fans in the Triangle, but the Durham Bulls would like you to know, it is not the same as theirs.
Very well played by the Bulls social media team, and also by a couple of their fans in the replies.
In case you're curious, Denver's "D" logo dates back to 1970, while the Bulls didn't use their current version until 1980.
But who needs facts? The Bulls logo is clearly superior, right?
6. Miami's all-time collapse
Football fans love to get mad at coaches for a lot of things, but the two that seem most popular are play calling and clock management.
If that sounds like you (it's ok, you can admit it), you may want to take a deep breath because this is an all-timer.
Undefeated Miami had victory in their hands Saturday night against Georgia Tech.
The Hurricanes had the ball, up by three with 34 seconds to play. Georgia Tech had no timeouts, so a simple kneel down would have ended the game.
It's simple math. Football 101 type stuff.
But not for Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, who decided to run the ball instead.
The Hurricanes fumbled that final carry. It was recovered by the Yellow Jackets with 26 seconds left, setting the stage for a last-second, game-winning touchdown.
Recency bias is absolutely a real thing, but regardless, this has to be one of the worst football collapses ever.
They had the game won! All they had to do was kneel.
So the next time your team gives away what seems like a winnable game, just remember, at least it wasn't this bad.
(Unless you're a Miami fan reading this, in which case, condolences.)
See you next week.
