The Japan Anti-Doping Agency have handed Japanese kayaker Yasuhiro Suzuki an eight year ban after he spiked his rival Seiji Komatsu’s drink which caused him to fail a drug test.
The agency revealed that Suzuki spiked his rivals drink with an anabolic steroid back in September at the national championship.
After failing his drug test and being disqualified from the 2017 Canoe Sprint Japan Championships, Komatsu denied taking any drugs. This led to an investigation and when Yasuhiro was questioned about it, he confessed. Per Japenese public broadcaster NHK, he told federation officials “he was frustrated and did not think he could win.”
The Japan Canoe Federation has since overturned the sanctions they handed down to Komatsu after his failed test.
This is so awesome and embarrassing at the same time. If you’re Yasuhiro you can’t fold like a house of cards the moment they question you. If there’s no paper trail and no real evidence against you, just play stupid. He’s 32 years old and with this ban he wont be able to kayak again until hes 40. So unless he takes steroids himself and gets in crazy shape these next eight years, this might be the end for him.
I came across this article today, and threw up immediately after reading a few paragraphs. It was written by Cleveland Plain Dealer’s, Terry Pluto. Pluto is not Adam Schefter, but I’d go to him over Mary Kay Cabot, or Tony Grossi.
Background information on the failed Jimmy Garoppolo trade, for those who don’t want to read it:
The Browns had interest in Jimmy Garoppolo for quite some time. I’d say speculation started by October of 2016.
The Browns and Patriots had been common trade partners the past few seasons (Jamie Collins, Barkevious Mingo).
It was made clear that the Browns were negotiating hard for the single caller towards last years draft. Nothing materialized.
THIS SEASON: Pluto reports the Browns first round pick previously owned by Houston was on the table. That pick turned out to be 4th overall. (At the time it was not clear)
The last contact the Browns had with the Patriots was on the 28th of October. The Browns had Houston’s pick on the table, along with, “other goodies” per Pluto. Hell, the Browns offered to find the Patriots a backup QB. They’d sign him, and offer them up in the trade to go along with picks.
It was made clear he was not for sale. Two days later, Jimmy was on his way to San Francisco.
This story has really crawled up my tail-pipe. Nothing, and I mean nothing the Browns try, works out. Nothing will go their way. Make it 18 years and counting.
This trade, the Browns were made to look like complete fools. Hell, Browns coaches cited how upset they were Sashi couldn’t pull off a deal for the young signal caller. They were upset he was “At home playing with his kids”. He did everything in his goddamn power. Bill ego-maniac Belichick stuck his middle fingers in the air directed at the Browns. Not sure if he is directing them at the Patriots as well. With multiple sources reporting fishy Jimmy G trade details, it sounds like there could be SOME tension in, Foxboro. The extent of which, will forever be unknown.
I’m still not completely sold on Jimmy, after-all he’s played only 7 and a half NFL games. He’s looked damn good with dog shit skill players around him. The most frustrating aspect of the situation is that this is just another missed opportunity at a Quarterback. I mean, how would Jimmy look with David Njoku? How about Josh Gordon? It’s extremely frustrating, when every single door the Browns open is not correct. The missed draft choices are inexusable, but the failed Jimmy G trade was cited as a main reason Sashi Brown was fired. So fuck you, Bill Belichick (Unless you come home to finish the job 😉 )
Hopefully, one of these days the Browns will catch a break.
Jimmy Garoppolo highlights to make me want to kill myself:
Once again the Kansas City Chiefs failed to win a home playoff game. Shocking, I know. This time, the perennial losers gagged away a 21-3 halftime lead to Marcus Mariota, and the Tennessee Titans. Even the Chiefs made themselves blush at the choke job that would ensue.
The game started out like a typical Wild-Card playoff game. The home team had gotten out in front of the playoff newbie, Tennessee Titans. Kareem Hunt capped off a 6 play 81 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Chiefs. After multiple three-and-outs from Tennessee, Alex Smith found Travis Kelce for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 14-0. Smith was on fire, leading a 5 play 76 yard drive in just 3:24.
The Titans managed to cut into the lead before the half, making 14-3 with a Ryan Succop field goal. Smith was having none of it, and lead a 9 play 79 yard drive for six. Smith hit Demarcus Robinson for a 14 yard score. 21-3 Chiefs right before the half. It looked as if the Chiefs home playoff curse would finally be erased. 21-3 was the score heading into half-time.
The second half started, and the tide would turn completely. As the third quarter started, the feeling was that the Titans were on life support. Marcus Mariota took over. Prior to the game it had widely been mentioned that Mariota had regressed this season. He turned the ball over frequently, while not making the kind of plays you would think a dual threat Quarterback can make. Mariota stepped up BIG in this one. To start the second half he lead a 15 play, 91 yard march towards pay-dirt. Mariota would cap off the drive by throwing a six yard touchdown pass to……Marcus Mariota.
In all honesty, it was one of the coolest plays I have ever seen. Mariota scrambled around the pocket like he was Fran Tarkenton re-incarnated. As he rolled to his left he zipped a pass towards his receiver, Corey Davis. The ball bounced off Chiefs Cornerback, Darrelle Revis directly back into the hands of Mariota. Mariota corralled it, and took it to the pylon for 6. The Titans took a whopping 8:29 off the clock, and cut the lead to 21-10.
In typical Kansas City Chief fashion, they proceeded to go three and out the following possession. On 3rd and 1 from the KC 28, the Chiefs were stuffed on the most Chiefs play of all time. They motioned about 7 guys pre-snap, and ran a Quarterback bootleg option which got fucking STUFFED for no gain. 3 and out, and the ball going back to the Titans.
The Titans would strike back on the ensuing possession. Derek Henry rumbled his way 35 yards to cut the lead to 21-16. The two point conversion attempt failed.
Take a look at #24 in red. Darrelle Revis. That’s a man, who doesn’t give a flying fuck. It’s a goddamn shame that he is still a NFL player. Wasted talent in a fucking mercenary, who won’t make play due to “business decisions”. He’s a fucking sally.
The Chiefs would pick up one first down on their next possession, but stalled shortly after. Another punt. Mariota would take the rains, and lead another long march into Chief territory. Finally, on the 11th play of their drive, Mariota hit Eric Decker for a 22 yard touchdown. The score was 22-21 Titans, after they missed a second straight two point conversion attempt.
After stopping the Chiefs yet again, Titans put the game away with this final run by Derek Henry.
Look at No. 24 Darrelle Revis on Derrick Henry's game-clinching run. Gave up on the Chiefs most important play of the season. What an embarrassment. pic.twitter.com/k9B0oVeCfp
Man, just a master-piece from the Kansas City Chiefs. I cannot believe I picked them to win?! How stupid?! The Kansas City Chiefs, are the Kansas City Chiefs. Next year with Pat Mahomes don’t get sucked in. Whether the QB is Trent Green, Alex Smith, or Pat Mahomes they will always be the same. Count on them to choke when it matters most. Andy Reid is their coach after-all. Count on Andy Reid to inexplicably not give the ball to key offensive weapons in playoff games. This past game the NFL’s leading rusher, Kareem Hunt touched the ball only 11 times. Andy Reid, man. So, next year in October when you get your rocks off to the Kansas City chiefs running over teams, just remember, they’ll limp dick in the playoffs.
The Bears have struggled offensively for years under John Fox, so it’s no surprise that they went with a more offensive minded coach. Nagy had been with the Chiefs since 2013 where he was their Quarterbacks coach until 2015 when he was promoted to Offensive Coordinator.
This past year, the Chiefs had the league’s 5th best offense averaging 375.4 yards and 25.9 points per game. On the other end of the spectrum, the Bears were the 30th ranked offense averaging 287.4 yards and 16.5 points per game.
With Nagy now on board, let’s hope he can elevate second year QB Mitchell Trubisky the same way Sean McVay did for Jared Goff this past year.
In 2012, Tim Tebow and the Broncos hosted the Steelers in a playoff game where everyone was ready to write off the Broncos. The 8-8 Broncos limped into the playoffs and hosted the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. The game went into overtime and finished just as quick as it started.
Tebow, who finished the game 10-21 for 316 yds and 2 TDs, hits Demaryius Thomas on the first play from OT for an 80 yard walk-off touchdown. Things may have been different if Ryan Clark (out due to sickle cell) was able to play but this was the highlight of Tebow’s professional career.
Of course, Tebow & the Broncos ran into the Patriots the next round and well…things didn’t end great for them but this was an iconic moment.
I will admit — nobody really expected the Titans to be gearing up for a trip to Gillette Stadium this weekend. The Chiefs underachieved, sure but to lose to the Titans after being up 21-3? Crazy.
Two touchdowns for a divisional playoff game — and people will still bet on the Patriots. This just goes to show you how their dominance is overlooked at this point. Sure, the Titans don’t really scare anybody but they still went into Arrowhead, which is one of the harder places in the league to win (not in the playoffs though) and came back from an 18 point deficit. That being said, hammer the Patriots line. The Patriots last home game in the playoffs was a 19 point win against the Steelers — combo that with the ESPN headlines and all the negative talk? Patriots win this game by at least 3 TDs.
Love the banter from New Orleans here. The Panthers were very close to pulling off the upset but ultimately failed short with Cam Newton getting sacked on 4th down. The Saints move onto the next round and the 2017 Panthers season ends with 6 lossses — half of those to the Saints. That’s gotta hurt, especially watching the Saints celebrate like they won the damn Super Bowl after.
While everyone was clambering over fake news about the Patriots and bomb cyclones, America’s favorite family was busy shutting down Lithuania. LaVar and his two kids that are too shitty to make the NBA arrived in Lithuania and were greeted like they were the most famous people to pass through that country (they might be though?).
LiAngelo and LaMelo will be starting for BC Vytautas in what will be must watch Lithuanian TV. Will they actually be good? I have absolutely no idea. Does LaVar now have to split his time between Lithuania and LA? I have so many questions but no answers. I do know that the team announced them with a jersey reveal —
And they gave LaVar one too! I can’t get enough of the Ball family and LaVar’s antics so I’m all aboard the train. Kudos to him if this actually lands both kids in the NBA. I doubt it will but I’ll be checking the BC Vytautas box score.
The last matchup of the weekend brings us perhaps the most exciting. The showdown between the two NFC South powerhouses reaches a trilogy in the 2017-18 season. The Saints look to defend their home turf in a third matchup against Carolina. New Orleans beat down the Panthers in Carolina 34-13 and then a 31-21 victory at home. The Saints are looking to beat them for the third time, which is no easy task.
The QB matchup features both past MVPs that are complete game-changers. Drew Brees has had a down-season for his standards but still can easily take over the game. Cam Newton however has the ability to burst out for a 40 yard run at any time. I actually like Cam to be the difference here but Brees is definitely more talented and cerebral. Advantage: Tie
Jonathan Stewart continues to be one of the least appreciated RBs in the NFL but the combo of Ingram and Kamara easily win here. Both have had an outstanding season and over 1,000 all-purpose yards. Advantage: Saints
The weapon advantage has to go to the Saints. The Panthers have bounced back fine without Kelvin Benjamin but Michael Thomas is easily the best weapon on the field. Greg Olsen’s return has revitalized the Panthers’ offense a bit but not enough. Advantage: Saints
The Saints defense have been the surprise of the season and ultimately have been the reason that they played so well this season. Marshon Lattimore is the defensive rookie of the year and nobody wants to throw his way. Advantage: Saints
This is a tough one because I really think the Saints will struggle to beat the Panthers three times in a row. The Saints are a much better team overall though and unless Cam Newton has a monster game, I think they finish off the season sweep.
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Office Chatter 