Seven Step Drop — 07/06/2017
Welcome to another edition of Seven Step Drop; a weekly blog reporting, analysing, and discussing news and views from around the sporting world! Published every Wednesday right through the year, Seven Step Drop brings you insights and opinions from Sports Under Centre. So let’s delve into this week’s drops!
1 — Thoughts on the Finals
Ahead of tonight’s Game Three, the Warriors have taken a 2–0 lead after two double-digit blowouts over Cleveland. However, they took a 2–0 lead last year before the Cavaliers managed to fight back, so tonight’s game will be a true test for both teams. Can the Warriors close out this series after blowing last year’s lead? And can LeBron lead the Cavaliers back into this Finals series like he did a year ago? This year’s deciding factor will be Kevin Durant, who has already taken over the Finals. Durant’s versatility makes Golden State even more dangerous, and has allowed Steph Curry to play with abandon now that he doesn’t have to carry the team on his back. Can even LeBron James struggle to topple a loaded Warriors team pushing to go undefeated in the playoffs? We’ll find out tonight…
2 — Durant’s future
For the NBA’s newest super-team, signing Kevin Durant in free agency last year only cemented Golden State’s status as the team of the decade. Now, Durant has said that he is willing to take significantly less money to remain with the Warriors and keep their core intact, especially with Steph Curry soon eligible for a supermax contract. Durant is reportedly willing to forego the maximum contract extension he could command as a ten year veteran, which would allow the Warriors to retain impending free agents Andre Iguadola and Shaun Livingston, and then still afford Curry’s future contract. And that should worry the rest of the league…
3 — Jeremy Maclin released
In a surprise move, the Kansas City Chiefs released veteran receiver Jeremy Maclin on Saturday, saving $10 million in cap space. After having 87 catches for 1088 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015, Maclin struggled with injuries last year and only had 44 catches for 536 yards and two scores. Maclin was two years into a five year, $55 million deal he signed in 2015. Potential landing spots include Baltimore and Buffalo, who are both desperate for veteran receiver help. Maclin thrives in West Coast systems utilised by teams like the Bills and Ravens, and he will certainly be able to contribute this season. Former Eagles team-mate LeSean McCoy is already recruiting Maclin to Buffalo, alongside quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
4 — Another Jets-Browns trade
The Jets and Browns are no strangers to being trading partners, so they went back to the well on Thursday as New York shipped safety Calvin Pryor to Cleveland in exchange for linebacker Demario Davis. Pryor, New York’s first round pick in 2014, adds depth to a thin safety spot in Cleveland, having been made replaceable with the Jets drafting safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye with their first two picks this year. Meanwhile Davis comes full circle, returning to the Jets one year after they let him walk in free agency. He was made redundant by Christian Kirksey’s extension last week.
5 — Ravens ravaged by injury
Injuries derailed Baltimore’s last two seasons, and are threatening to do so again this year. Tight end Dennis Pitta and cornerback Tavon Young both suffered season-ending injuries during OTA’s this week. Pitta dislocated his hip for the third time in five years and his career could essentially be over a day after Young tore his ACL. Although both positions are ones of relative depth for the Ravens, things could quickly disintegrate if more injuries occur. To replace Young, the Ravens signed former Steelers and Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin and cut Kyle Arrington.
6 — Dumervil signs with San Francisco
San Francisco continues to build up their once-barren roster, signing veteran pass rusher Elvis Dumervil on Monday. Cut by the Ravens earlier in the offseason after injury issues over the past two years, Dumervil joins a front seven that boasts four young first round picks in Arik Armstead (2015), DeForest Buckner (2016), and this year’s first rounders Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. The hope is that Dumervil can be a mentor to the 49ers’ young defensive line while also contributing as a rotational pass rusher.
7 — Sophomore Star: Tyreek Hill
With Jeremy Maclin’s release earlier this week, Tyreek Hill is now fully established as Kansas City’s top offensive weapon. After falling to the fifth round after a domestic violence case, Hill exploded onto the scene as a returner, with three return touchdowns last season. As the year wore on, head coach Andy Reid used the electrifying Hill in even more ingenious ways as a deep threat, run-after-the-catch weapon, and shifty gadget runner. Hill had 860 yards from scrimmage (not counting his return yardage) and 12 total touchdowns as a rookie, and is now the versatile chess piece that the Chiefs’ offense runs through. With another year in the system, Hill could be even more dangerous in 2017.
