The NFL Draft is next week. The Eagles created some big news this week when they signed star quarterback Jalen Hurts to a six-year contract. It’s essentially an extension of five years since he has one year left on his original contract. At least for right now, he is the highest paid quarterback in terms of average salary in the NFL. Let's hope the team continues to play as well as they have been for Jalen's whole contract term like happened under Donovan McNabb in the early 2000s.
The Eagles own two picks in the first round this year – 10 and 30. A bunch of quarterbacks will be drafted early this year. I think the Eagles will pick either a running back or offensive lineman with the 10th pick. As usual, I will only be watching until the 10th pick. The draft starts on Thursday night.
The 76ers have been playing well in the first two games of their series against the Brooklyn Nets. I hope they can sweep so they can get some rest before most likely having to play the Boston Celtics in the second round. I think that series could go the full seven games. If the 76ers continue to spread out the scoring among their lineup as well as they have been so far, this could be an exciting spring into early June.
On the Western Conference side, I think there’s going to be a new champion this year since the Golden State Warriors are playing the Sacramento Kings in the first round and are trailing 2-0. The Kings had not made the playoffs for 16 years, so I think it would be cool if the Kings advance to the second round.
On the PGA Tour last week, there was a cool ending to the RBC Heritage tournament at Hilton Head, S.C. Matthew Fitzpatrick from England won the tournament in a playoff over Jordan Spieth. Fitzpatrick almost holed his second shot on the third playoff hole to then win with a birdie. A cool part of the story was revealed over the weekend. Matthew's family from England used to vacation at Hilton Head for years when he was a child. Matthew had played the course when there.
There was some more unfortunate news about Tiger Woods this week. He is most likely out for the season. He had another surgery. This time the right ankle. I think he’s going to have to seriously contemplate actually retiring from competitive golf because of his accumulated injuries. We will see.
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
