Month: February 2025

Cardinals nab 2 CBs in ESPN mock draft

A month removed from a season where the Arizona Cardinals allowed the fourth-highest completion percentage in the league last season at 68.6%, ESPN’s analyst Matt Miller has the organization doubling down on defensive backs in his latest two-round mock NFL Draft.

Miller has the Cardinals taking Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the No. 16 pick in the first round, followed by Shavon Revel Jr. out of East Carolina with the No. 47 pick in Round 2.

Despite the Cardinals’ needs at different positions — highlighted by pass rusher — Miller thinks Barron could complement veteran safety Budda Baker, who is coming off his best year as a pro.

Barron won the Jim Thorpe award in 2024, which is given to the best defensive back in college football. He logged 67 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and 11 passes defended in his award-winning year.

The Cardinals could go a number of directions with wide receiver, cornerback and defensive end all being issues. Barron took home the Jim Thorpe Award … after making a move from slot cornerback to the outside before the 2024 season. He had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups, and he boosted his profile from a Day 3 pick to one of my top 15 players in the class. Some teams might view him as an inside corner, while others like Barron’s tape on the outside. Playing him on the inside with Budda Baker gives the Cardinals instant improvement on the back end.

Cardinals add Shavon Revel Jr. in Round 2 of latest mock draft

Revel played in three games before a torn ACL derailed his 2024. He recorded eight tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two passes defended in the short showing.

A year prior, he had registered 54 total tackles, 13 passes defended with one interception and one sack. He also returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Like Morrison, there was first-round talk around Revel before he suffered a torn ACL in September. … At 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, Revel has the size and speed to be the matchup cornerback the Cardinals are lacking.

Two Arizona Wildcats go in the top-64

Miller had Arizona’s standout wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan going to the New Orleans Saints with the ninth overall pick.

McMillan gives the Saints a wide receiver who can stretch the field and complement Chris Olave. McMillan finished 2024 with 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. In his sophomore campaign in 2023, McMillan recorded 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Chris Olave is great when healthy (he played only eight games this past season), but the Saints lack impact receivers beyond him. That’s why the 6-foot-5 McMillan could fit. He can win deep down the field and gain even more yards after the catch. His range and ability to win 50-50 balls reminds me of the Falcons’ Drake London, who was a first-round pick in 2022. There is concern about McMillan’s pull-away speed at the pro level, so how he runs at the combine will be important for his draft stock. But he’s one of the best receivers in this class going off tape alone, finishing third in the country with 1,319 receiving yards in 2024.

Offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea is the other Wildcat listed in Miller’s mock draft. He goes 27th overall to the Baltimore Ravens as Savaiinaea gives Baltimore a younger look in the trenches.

Wide receiver would be an ideal pick if Baltimore signs left tackle Ronnie Stanley before he hits free agency, but the top five options on my board are gone, and there’s no early-Round 2 players worth reaching for here. Instead, Baltimore could get a replacement for free agent guard Patrick Mekari in the powerful and versatile Savaiinaea. Savaiinaea has experience at left tackle, right guard and right tackle, and the 6-foot-4, 339-pounder has 34 5/8-inch arms. He’d also give the Ravens more youth up front, where rookie Roger Rosengarten excelled this season.


No Comments

2025 Arizona Wildcats football schedule

The Arizona Wildcats open the Big 12’s 2025 football schedule with a bye before visiting conference runner-up Iowa State on Sept. 27.

The Wildcats will get their first Big 12 crack at Iowa State, which lost the Big 12 title game in 2024 to ASU.

Arizona’s slate includes projected top 25 programs Arizona State, BYU and Iowa State. The Territorial Cup matchup will take place in Tempe this year on either Friday, Nov. 28, or Saturday, Nov. 29, after the Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 49-7 last season in Tucson.

Arizona will miss Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas, West Virginia and UCF. It will take on Kansas State in nonconference play, as the matchup was scheduled before the two programs became conference foes.

Head coach Brent Brennan is in his second year leading the program and has made notable changes to his staff after a disappointing 4-8 campaign.

Seth Doege takes over as the offensive play-caller, and Danny Gonzales has shifted from special teams to defensive coordinator.

One area of continuity will be at quarterback with Noah Fifita returning for a third season.

Here is the Arizona football schedule for 2025:

Arizona Wildcats football 2025 schedule – Early Big 12 slate released

Nonconference schedule

Aug. 30: vs. Hawai’i

Sept. 6: vs. Weber State

Sept. 13: vs. Kansas State (scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12)

Big 12 conference schedule 

Sept. 20: Bye

Sept. 27: at Iowa State

Oct. 4: vs. Oklahoma State

Oct. 11: vs. BYU

Oct. 18: at Houston

Oct. 25: Bye

Nov. 1: at Colorado

Nov. 8: vs. Kansas

Nov. 15: at Cincinnati

Nov. 22: vs. Baylor

Nov. 28 or 29: at Arizona State




No Comments

Booker’s special night overshadowed by latest ugly Suns loss

Well, if Monday wasn’t the encapsulation of this failed era of Phoenix Suns basketball, we should fear what comes next to top it.

On a night that should have been special, the one Devin Booker became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, the greatness of both him and Kevin Durant was overshadowed by another poor team performance, a 121-119 overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Yes, the Blazers improved to 8-1 in their last nine games. But they are now 21-29 and just beat the Suns two games in a row, the official send-off for Phoenix before the schedule gets immensely difficult.

Worst of all, when the game was up for grabs, it was Booker and Durant who came up short.

After each made their first shot of the extra five minutes, they combined to miss their next four, all open 3-pointers. And with the Suns needing a bail-out down three with 5.1 seconds left, Booker was fouled on a 3-point attempt for the Suns to be gift-wrapped another opportunity to tie it, just like the end of regulation when Portland didn’t foul up three.

Booker, however, missed his third free throw to tie it, and that was that.

Despite a few margins of victory or defeat that were close recently, this was the first tightly-contested contest the Suns have played in nine games. That was the win in Detroit when Booker and Durant went supernova. Since the 9-2 start to the year carried by Durant in clutch time, the Suns haven’t had too many of these tests. That was evident.

Durant took the closer role again in this one but Phoenix could not get enough stops to take a lead, and instead, required a terrible strategic decision by the Blazers not to foul up 3 with 14 seconds remaining. That led to a Royce O’Neale 3 to tie it and send the game to overtime with 1.7 ticks to go off a terrific extra pass by Booker.

In OT, Portland had it tied with under two minutes to go before Jerami Grant drew free throws on a mismatch. He made the first before missing the second, only for Deandre Ayton to grab the loose ball. Blazers guard Anfernee Simons got his own foul drawn for two more free tosses that put them ahead by three with 1:39 to go. A broken possession ended with an open Durant corner 3, only for him to miss.

Phoenix gave itself one more chance by Durant assisting Bradley Beal at the rim for two at 0:32 on the clock. With the Suns needing one stop to avoid the free-throw shenanigans Portland would surely trigger on a second chance to do so, they squandered two opportunities to grab a defensive rebound.

The first actually forced a pause in play by the officials since the Portland bench yelled for a shot clock reset on a shot that never hit the rim, all while Phoenix left Simons wide open with the ball and 4.5 left on the shot clock after the rebound went off Mason Plumlee’s hands. The review left that as the clock, and the Blazers got a terrible attempt from 3 by Grant that was way off. The long rebound spent enough time in the air to hit the ground and be grabbed by Ayton, an absolute no-no for defenses. Ayton made both free throws.

After Beal was intentionally fouled and sunk his two, Ayton was up again with 5.5 ticks left and once again converted.

That was when Booker got the trio of free throws and missed the third. While the Suns didn’t have a timeout and were basically cooked at three ticks left, in a fitting end, Ayton missed his second but Portland corralled the loose ball.

The Suns were once again led by their three big scorers and unable to play cohesively enough to inspire a better overall team outing. Booker produced 34 points, Durant added 27 and Beal’s 25 were his most since Jan. 9.  O’Neale provided 14 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals.

After Portland had seven players in double figures on Saturday, it was six on Monday. Ayton was the standout with 25 points and 20 rebounds, nine of which came on the offensive glass. The Suns had 10 as a team, playing a small-ball unit for the last 15 minutes of the game.

The Suns went down 14-5 in under three minutes, a stretch that included a Portland 3 off an offensive rebound, a Suns pick-six turnover on a pass 35 feet from the basket, a blocked Suns jumper, a Suns turnover on a 60-foot pass over Booker’s head and three baskets at the rim for Portland’s Deni Avdija.

Phoenix, behind nine quick points from Booker, got within four shortly after that. But we’re at the point in the season where the comebacks being necessary from disastrous stretches against mediocre competition trumps the fight being shown. The necessity for it is mind-numbing.

So too were the Suns’ turnovers early. With two of them already painted out, there were more in the first quarter when you could see the ball-handler hesitating to throw the pass that isn’t there and then just tossing it anyway.

Not that Phoenix should be surprised by any team playing aggressive and physical off the ball given this is the NBA, but it stayed in Portland after seeing that exact effort in a loss on Saturday.

The Suns, however, finally located their own source of being an irritant by forcing six turnovers in the first 15 minutes after Portland, the second-worst turnover team in the league, only had three in the first three quarters on Saturday. Phoenix was getting out in transition and hitting 3s, going 8-for-12 in those 15 minutes after knocking down just a total of 10 the game prior.

That brought the lead to four and completely took Portland out of whack. The Blazers went on to score 11 points in the first 10:40 of the second quarter, which allowed Phoenix to extend its lead to nine. The Suns led by six at halftime and it felt like both teams deserved to be down 20, sadly reflective of where Phoenix stands at the moment given Portland, you know, sucks.

After Booker got the record on an open 3-point jumper from the corner in with 7:54 left in the third quarter to give the Suns their biggest lead of the game (seven), Portland closed the quarter on a 28-15 run.

Phoenix got back to drilling 3s in the final frame to stay in it, all while struggling to generate stops, another nice microcosm of the season.

Booker played 47 minutes and Durant was 46. Durant was grimacing throughout the rest of overtime after his first make of the period. It wasn’t clear what was bothering him but he clearly wasn’t moving right. Phoenix now has to take that workload and go to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, the last game before the trade deadline.

Ryan Dunn and Nick Richards, two of the bright spots of the last month, played 12 and 18 minutes, respectively. Tyus Jones, the big addition of the offseason, got only 17 minutes of run. Head coach Mike Budenholzer has begun heavily leaning into Booker, Durant, Beal, Allen and O’Neale, which comes at the expense of those three.




No Comments

Big Game Sunday – On-Air Sports Marketing

Press Release: Join Legendary SportsTalk Hosts Roc and Manuch

Sun., Feb. 9, 2pm

for “Big Game Watch & Win Party” at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.com

Jan. 22, 2025 (Fountain Hills, Ariz.) – For the first time in 25 years, the Big Game Watch & Win Party produced and hosted by Roc and Manuch, in conjunction with R Entertainment, will happen at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, Sun. Feb. 9, 2pm.

In Phoenix, ESPN 620AM’s Roc and Manuch, along with Jimmy B, have a quarter of a century history of electrifying game-day action, bringing big fun and prizes to the global NFL spectacle.

“We’ve produced this Big Game extravaganza for 25 years and we’re excited to bring it to We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort for the first time.  It’s our annual high-octane tradition and a great ride for our fans to experience in the world of sports entertainment,” said Mike Muraco, the ‘Roc’ in the ‘Manuch.’  “And of course, we invite everyone to join us this year at our new home at We-Ko-Pa!”

Roc and Manuch has become synonymous with unforgettable Big Game entertainment, putting a spin on game action, delivering a great time and big prize money to dedicated fans and new followers alike.  All are invited to the exciting game-day party.

This year, guests can expect an even more elevated experience at We-Ko-Pa, where the Big Game Watch & Win Party occurs in the ballroom at a resort renowned for its fresh, exceptional facilities, entertainment and vibrant atmosphere.

Perhaps the best news is for 25 years, Big Game Watch & Win Party amps up the Big Game spectacle with a watch spectacle known for its crazy contests and thrilling cash giveaways with no ante, FREE! Guests are simply invited to sit back, enjoy the festivities and be ready for a chance to win prizes surrounding the big game action. 

Doors open 2pm. No purchase is necessary. Must be 21 + and a We-Ko-Pa Fortune Club member to participate in the free contest.

Festive Big Game Bets, Contests and Prizes include:

·        Kickoff Challenge.  Win $1 per yard gained after every kickoff!  Plus, a Progressive Jackpot grows by $25 after every kickoff.  If a kickoff return is run for a touchdown, a lucky guest will win the Progressive Jackpot!

·        $100 Proposition Bets. An exhilarating way for everyone to get in on the action.  10 different game triggers to win, for example, the first touchdown, an interception, a first timeout and so many others.  Winners are drawn and prizes are awarded live on the spot.

·        $25 Squares. Each guest’s Square number matches the score of the game after each quarter and lucky guests will win $25 on the spot. Squares pulled at each quarter.

·        Four (4) Big Screen TVs. Every quarter sees a winner of a Big Screen TV.

In addition to the chance to win cash prizes, guests will enjoy an exclusive full-service lounge featuring Dos Equis and a delicious game-day menu amidst the exciting atmosphere.

Big Game Watch & Win Party at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, Sun., Feb. 9, is the chance to win big, celebrate big sports action and be part of sports entertainment history with the legendary SportsTalk team of Roc and Manuch.

For more information, please visit rocandmanuch.com or follow @rocandmanuch on X.

About We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is Arizona’s premier destination for luxury, entertainment and excitement. Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of the Sonoran Desert, just outside of Scottsdale, the resort offers a perfect blend of modern amenities and traditional Southwestern charm. Unmatched casino experiences await as guests step into a state-of-the-art casino and experience the thrill of gaming with more than 850 of the latest slot machines, a variety of table games and a dedicated poker room. Luxurious accommodations welcome guests to relax and rejuvenate in elegantly designed hotel rooms and suites, featuring modern amenities and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert. Exquisite dining invites guests to savor a diverse array of culinary delights at our onsite restaurants. World-class entertainment is a specialty with live performances by top artists, thrilling events and themed nights in ultra-modern entertainment venues. Whether a weekend getaway, a special event or a night out, every moment can be unforgettable. We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is an enterprise of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.  Visit WeKoPaCasinoResort.com.

About Roc & Manuch.  Roc & Manuch debuted on September 7, 2004, on ESPN 860 KMVP as “Calling All Sports.” The show became “AZSportsTalk” in 2013 when the affiliate switched to NBC Sports Radio. After 13 years at KDUS AM 1060, they moved to KQFN 1580 CBS Sports Radio (2017-2018). In 2019, their show expanded nationally on SB Nation Radio and locally on AM 1060. Later that year, they transitioned to KGME 910 Fox Sports, continuing their successful sports talk program in Phoenix and beyond. In January 2025, Roc and Manuch joined ESPN 620 becoming part of the afternoon lineup at 1pm-4pm.  ESPN 620AM also can be found at 98.7 HD 2. RocAndManuch.Com

About R Entertainment. R Entertainment is an experiential marketing, content and business development company producing 200 dates a year. The company celebrates 12 years managing and programming Pepsi Amphitheater; produces music and culinary events such as the 10-city Martha Stewart Wine & Food Experience; Celebrity Wine & Spirits; Great Life Festivals; PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open; Scottsdale 4th of July Celebration at WestWorld; Pratt Brothers Christmas; Arizona Diamondbacks Evening on the Diamond; DiscOasis Los Angeles, among others.  Corporate events include Fund Launch, Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli private events; Kentucky Derby Fillies & Lilies Party; Final Four Sponsors Ball; Super Bowl events, among others. R Entertainment also books concert talent for numerous Native American casino showrooms and provides a range of services for festivals and events. Visit R-Entertainment.com

No Comments

Jimmy Butler, Suns share desire to find trade to Phoenix

Trade talks that would send disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors have ended after it was made clear he wouldn’t sign an extension, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Sunday.

And that means it might be the Phoenix Suns or bust for Butler, according to ESPN colleague Shams Charania, who appeared on Sunday’s late edition of SportsCenter.

“Around the league, it’s become increasingly clear that where he would want to be long term and stay long term and commit long term, that’s the Phoenix Suns from everything I’m told,” Charania said, noting Golden State and Phoenix had the most trade talks with Miami lately.

The Suns-or-bust approach is not one-sided, either, Charnia added.

Phoenix, going into this trade deadline week, they are fully focused on figuring out a three-, four-, five-team trade that lands them Jimmy Butler,” the reporter said. “That’s something they’re focused on, they’re motivated every single day in that Suns front office is, ‘How can we get Jimmy Butler and put him in the lineup with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker?’”

Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press added that “there are talks involving Jimmy Butler that are ongoing” into Sunday evening and there are “tons of moving parts.”

“(Butler’s) No. 1 goal is to be traded. His actions will be aimed at getting himself traded preferably to the Phoenix Suns, period,” Windhorst said on ESPN the week prior.

Miami had reportedly lowered its asking price for Butler, which brought Golden State into the picture.

Suns guard Bradley Beal continues to be a potential deal’s biggest roadblock, as he has one of the NBA’s two no-trade clauses (LeBron James) with $110 million still to be paid over the two years following this season.

The Heat have also not been particularly interested in Beal despite their willingness to take players with future money on their contracts, Windhorst reported on Friday.

Last week, the Heat suspended Jimmy Butler a third time after he walked out of shootaround Monday when informed he would come off the bench behind Haywood Highsmith, according to Charania.

“The Miami HEAT are suspending Jimmy Butler without pay effective immediately for an indefinite period to last no fewer than five games,” the team said in a statement.

“The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”

What have the Phoenix Suns said around the Jimmy Butler trade rumors?

Phoenix is 10-5 over its last 15 games since moving Beal to the bench after starting the season 15-18.

Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, being the father of Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein has only added to the saga. That’s in addition to Butler and Heat president Pat Riley being at odds.

Kevin Durant and Mike Budenholzer, meanwhile, have insisted trade rumors circling the team have not been a distraction.

“We’re grown men, most of these guys have been in the league eight-plus years, nine-plus years. They understand the business man, it ain’t nothing new,” Durant said postgame on Wednesday. “It’s about doing your job and controlling what you can control every single day. … I want everybody on this team, I want everybody to feel comfortable with their role and their future and their contract, all of that stuff. I would love that for each one of us my teammates and myself.”

“We have a mostly veteran team that’s been through this and understands how the league works,” Budenholzer said. “I think the work and the focus everyday has been good. We’ve been playing good basketball … so I think the veteran presence on our team helps us during this time of year.”




No Comments

Kenny Dillingham receives ‘A’ grade

ASU shocked the college football world this season with a berth to the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli graded second-year head coaches in college football and gave Kenny Dillingham the best grade possible for turning a 3-9 team into Big 12 champions.

Fornelli gave Dillingham an A grade, and he was the only coach in the FBS to receive an A. The next closest coach was Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, who received an A-.

How quickly things can turn around. After a 3-9 debut season with the Sun Devils, Dillingham’s squad went 11-3 in 2024, won the Big 12, and took Texas to overtime in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. It’s both a testament to Dillingham’s coaching ability and the unpredictable nature of the Big 12: all the favorites stumbled this season, and Cinderellas popped up everywhere. Dillingham will head into the 2025 season with one of the most promising QBs (Sam Leavitt) in the country, so expectations will be high.

We all know the story by now: ASU was projected by the media to finish last in the Big 12 out of 16 teams. They were amongst the biggest sports betting upsets in history.

A bet on ASU to win the Big 12 was at +10,000 odds in August, meaning if you placed a $100 wager, you would have won $10,000 when the Sun Devils raised the trophy in Arlington, Texas.

Dillingham had ASU as the 30th scoring offense in the nation at 32.9 points per game, which was good for fourth in the Big 12. The Sun Devils’ ground attack finished 20th in the nation at 199.9 rushing yards per game, fourth in the Big 12.

On the other side of the ball, ASU was third in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing 22.6 points per game.

Dillingham has a history of developing successful quarterbacks throughout his college career: Riley Ferguson at Memphis, Bo Nix with Auburn and Oregon, and Jordan Travis at Florida State.

Dillingham now has the opportunity to continue that success with Sam Leavitt after the quarterback’s impressive first season as the starter for the Sun Devils.

After ASU won its ninth game of the year with a victory over BYU, a $200,000 bonus kicked in. Dillingham decided to split his bonus to a group of 20 off-the-field personnel.

“I’m one piece of this,” Dillingham said on the Jim Rome Show. “Like, I’m the guy who goes on your show and talks for the brand. I’m not the guy breaking down the film right now, putting in 100s of hours doing that. I’m not the guy meeting with our players 24/7. I’m not the guy putting together cutups. I’m not the guy talking to every single one of our recruits.

“We need an army, we need a group of people together to get this accomplished. I wanted to reward the people who really got us to this point.”

Dillingham received a five-year contract extension before the quarterfinal playoff game versus Texas. Offensive and defensive coordinators Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward were each rewarded with extensions earlier in the season, as well.

ASU finished the season ranked No. 7 in the final 2024-25 college football AP poll.


No Comments

Cardinals hire Ohio State’s Justin Frye as new OL coach

The Arizona Cardinals are hiring Ohio State coach Justin Frye as their new offesnive line coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The news comes one day after former Cardinals offensive line coach Klayton Adams was hired by the Dallas Cowboys for their offensive coordinator position.

Arizona’s hiring of Frye reunites him with Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. who played for him for one season in 2022 before being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Offensive guard Jon Gaines II also played under Frye for four years when he was an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at UCLA.

Johnson displayed his excitement of the news on X Saturday.

Frye was hired by the Buckeyes in January 2022. He also previously coached at Boston College, Temple, Florida and Indiana. This will mark the first NFL job for Frye.

Cardinals coaching news during the offseason

The Frye hiring has been one of several stories for the Cardinals coaching staff in the news this hiring cycle.

In addition to Adams being hired by Dallas, the Cardinals saw former inside linebackers coach Sam Siefkes head to Virginia Tech as their new defensive coordinator.

Arizona also reportedly moved on from defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc after two seasons.

Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing interviewed with the Chicago Bears for their open head coaching job before Chicago hired Ben Johnson.

Quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork also had some interest from the Bears after they reportedly requested an interview with him for their OC job before hiring Declan Doyle.




No Comments