In Monday’s “First Call,” a Duquesne Duke has a memorable moment at Seahawks camp. Also: the NCAA Lacrosse tournament will have a local flavor, a NHL game seven, and rumors about the NFL taking the combine on the road.
The more you can do
When you’re a rookie free agent offensive lineman, you look for any way to stand out.
Do whatever you can to make yourself appear as versatile as possible. Even when it comes to … kicking?
Take a look at Duquesne’s Matt Fitzpatrick end Seahawks rookie minicamp with a walk-off field goal.
A classic ending to rookie minicamp ? pic.twitter.com/B5Ir359w08
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 5, 2019
On the Dukes’ roster last year, Fitzpatrick — the school’s male student athlete of the year — was listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall, and 300 pounds. That would be considered huge for kicker.
Until you realize Seattle’s previous kicker is Sebastian Janikowski who 6-foot-1, 260.
Local lax
Two schools with local rooting interest made the NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse tournament. Penn State is the top overall seed. They’ll get the winner of UMBC and Marist Sunday at noon. Uh, oh! UMBC in a #1 versus #16 matchup? That could be a problem.
Before 2018, teams seeded No. 16 in the NCAA Tournament were 0-135 against No. 1 seeds.
Then @UMBCAthletics changed everything.
UMBC vs. UVA: Bracket Busted airs today at 12:30PM ET on CBS. pic.twitter.com/UyD8VV3jlA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 31, 2019
And Robert Morris survived the NEC title game against Hobart with an 11-10 win Sunday.
LET'S GO, BOBBY MO!
From 1-7 to @necmlax champs for the second year in a row, @RMUMLacrosse is headed back to the @NCAALAX tournament after a pulse-pounding finish in Emmitsburg, defeating Hobart 11-10.
(? @NECFrontRow) pic.twitter.com/BoclKYDolE— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) May 4, 2019
That’s the second straight conference crown for the Colonials. They visit third-ranked Virginia at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
RMU lost 14-11 in the first round against Maryland last year.
Not a bad start
Well, we’ve got another Game 7 in the NHL playoffs. It’ll be at 8 p.m. in St. Louis.
That’s because the Blues beat the Stars 4-1 in Dallas in Game 6. Watch Sammy Blais hammer this slap shot home on a breakaway.
WOW! pic.twitter.com/YLkuvS2kcO
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 5, 2019
That’s his first playoff goal in his first playoff game.
Did it remind you of any other playoff goals you can remember?
Yeah. That came to mind for me, too.
Combine comin’ to a city near you?
A story popped up last week suggesting that the NFL scouting combine may be on the move.
Normally, it’s held in Indianapolis. It’s been there since 1987. According to ProFootballTalk, there’s only a commitment for one more year. And with all the success the NFL has had bouncing the draft around from city to city within the league, there is a belief it may try the same thing with the combine.
Or, it could be moved to a glitzier destination, such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles, to make it a more TV friendly event.
