The Madness That is March
Fred, Art, and sports historian Mark Dibiase break down some early results from the first week of March Madness. Greg Kampe’s Golden Grizzlies bested John Calipari’s Wildcats in the first round of the Tournament, and Calipari blames the loss on too many teams being eligible. Does his complaint have merit? What accolade has Caitlin Clark earned? And would John Wooden, the GOAT of college coaches, be able to duplicate his winning record amid all the changes to the sport?
The NCAA and Transgender Athletes
Fred, Art, and Mark contemplate the ramifications of the NCAA’s legal issues surrounding the inclusion of Lia Thomas, an openly transgender swimmer, in women’s swimming competitions. What is the best solution, and will it satisfy all involved? Why are some NFL coaches being accused of legal tampering? Did Jim Harbaugh’s exit open the door for Michigan to do some coaching spring cleaning, starting with Juwan Howard? And why is the college basketball transfer portal opening while teams are still playing?
Did the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Win Influence a Political Decision?
Fred and Art are surprised to learn that the DUI sentence of Andy Reid’s son, which resulted in a life-threatening impairment for a young girl, has been commuted by Governor Mike Parson of Missouri. Was this a political move by Parson? Which teams are considering free agents Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson? Are the Dodgers off base with Max Muncy’s position? And has the whole sports wagering phenomenon taken on an unexpected life of its own?
Expect the Unexpected in the NFL Combine
Fred and Art break down the NFL Scouting Combine, and how many QBs are up in the first round. Will Bo Nix be one of the first or relegated to a later round? How did Bill Belichick and Steven Ross stack up in the NFLPA player’s poll? Which team ended up at the bottom? Where is Kike Hernandez heading? Hint: he’s a huge fan-favorite with this organization! And who are the Yankees looking at to help revive their pitching staff?
Too Hot to Handle in the MLB?
Fred, Art, and Mark consider which options lie ahead for Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell. Are most teams not willing to hire them because of their accompanying issues? What is behind the lack of diversity in the NFL in the hiring of offensive coordinators? Is Eric Bieniemy experiencing the same difficulty as he searches for a head coaching job? And could Steve Garvey finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame AND become a California Senator?
Tragedy Overshadows Super Bowl Celebrations
Fred, Art, Mark, and guest Matt DiBiase break down the unfortunate events unfolding in the aftermath of the Super Bowl. How did the shooting tragedy unfold at the victory parade for the Chiefs, leaving local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan dead and nearly two dozen injured? Was Kyle Shanahan worried about his job being in jeopardy when he fired Steve Wilks? Is Rob Manfred leaving baseball? And could LeBron James be heading up north?
New Coaches and the Vagaries of the Hall of Fame
Fred and Art are curious to see how the coaching changes in the NFL will play out in the season ahead. Will extra assistants help them navigate the fishbowl that is the NFL? Are Vada Pinson and other worthy former athletes passed over for the Hall of Fame because many voters only look to the more recent past? Should controversial players like Pete Rose get a second chance? Can Patrick Mahomes help the Chiefs keep their Super Bowl trophy? And will Taylor Swift boost the ratings exponentially?
Are Young Coaches Taking Over the NFL?
Fred and Art ponder the difference between younger and older coaches in the NFL, with the young bucks like Mike Macdonald being afforded more opportunities over the seasoned veterans. Are Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll finding themselves on the outside looking in? How much controversy will follow Jim Harbaugh to LA and affect his coaching of the Chargers? And is Joel Embiid going to have enough court time this season to be eligible for MVP?
NFL Final Four Weekend
Fred, Art, and Mark are looking forward to an exciting weekend of football, with the AFC and NFC championship games back-to-back on Sunday. Will Lamar Jackson keep up the record of wins on Raven’s home turf, or do the Chiefs have better offensive support? Is Deebo Samuel healthy enough to give the 49ers a win over the Lions? How did Mick Cronin cause the Bruins to lose after a 19-point lead? And which coaching job is Mike Vrabel likely to get?
Fred and the Fantastics
Your favorite sports podcast has a new name! BLEAV Sports is now BLEAV Sports with Fred and the Fantastics, bringing you all the insights you’ve come to expect from Fred, Art, and Mark, with more guests, great stories, and all the latest excitement in the world of sports. How did an NFL wild-card game end up on a streaming platform – will fans continue to pay extra to watch games? Is Brock Purdy ready for a comeback? And is Jim Harbaugh headed for the NFL?
