KEY WEST COMMUNITY HONORS GARRETT HUGHES

Conch Baseball game opens with moment of silence for young victim

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Some may have already joined new teams. We have been waiting to hear about the moves even as the general managers try to fill out their rosters before the draft of college players. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be leaving the Green Bay Packers. Or he could be staying for a nice increase in salary. Or he could be retiring.

Likewise for Lamar Jackson, who missed the last six games of the Baltimore Ravens’ season due to illness. But Jackson isn’t retiring. The Ravens will probably put a franchise tag on Jackson, so he won’t be moving. Quarterback Derek Carr has already been cut by the Las Vegas Raiders and as a free agent can take his pick of the teams that want him.

Justin Fields didn’t exactly light the Chicago Bears on fire, so there’s a chance the Bears will drop him from their roster and add a free agent. Because Fields did not produce, the Bears have the top draft pick, which they could use themselves or could trade to another team, perhaps the Indianapolis Colts, who are desperate for a high draft pick.

The New York Giants are hoping to retain quarterback Daniel Jones, although Jones has changed agents, which could complicate things.

Miami, for a change, isn’t looking to move quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They’re not even looking to move up the draft ladder as they don’t have a pick in the first round.

There are apparently four college quarterbacks listed at the top of the draft rung. They are, probably in order, Alabama’s Bryce Young, who won the Heisman a year ago; Ohio State’s CJ Stroud; Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

There are several new pro coaches, which are new names to me. One offensive coordinator, who is known, however, is Eric Bieniemy, moving from the champion Kansas City Chiefs to the Washington Commanders. He’ll also be the assistant head coach and maybe head coach

With the Super Bowl in the books (Kansas City won, in case you missed it), next on the NFL schedule is the scouting combine Feb. 28 to March 6 in Indianapolis.

(President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden clearly didn’t miss the Super Bowl. “I’d be sleeping alone if I weren’t a fan of the Eagles,” the president said. It seems his wife is a major Eagles fan who attended the Super Bowl. The president stayed home in Washington and watched as most of us did – on television.)

The combine is a prelude to the college players draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri. If you Miami Dolphin fans have been trying to forget it, Miami will forfeit its first round pick (which would have been No. 21) this year and their third-round pick next year following an investigation into whether the team (that’s owner Stephen M. Ross) violated league policies.

As noted above, Chicago has the top draft choice for playing so poorly, while Houston, likewise, has the second choice. Whoever claims Chicago’s top choice and Houston’s will pick quarterbacks, probably Young and Stroud. After that, the picks for a while will be non-quarterbacks.

That’s enough football.

The National Basketball Association held its All-Star festivities last weekend. The Slam Dunk winner was Mac McClung, who is playing in the minor leagues. Team Giannis won the All-Star game, 184-175, over Team Lebron. Leading scorer was Jayson Tatum with a record 55 points. He was named the MVP.

In golf, Jon Rahm won the Genesis Invitational at 17 under. Tiger Woods, who hadn’t played in some time, made the cut and finished tied for 45th place at 1 under. Afterward, Woods said he would only be playing in major tournaments and a few others the rest of his career.

In NASCAR, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took advantage of coming out of an accident as the leader and won the Daytona 500 in the second overtime.

The Scoreboard

Mikkel Ross

This Week In Keys Sports

“Mikkel is a workhorse. She is constantly trying to get better, perfect her form and lift heavier than anyone else. Her competitive spirit drives her.”

— Marathon weightlifting coach Jessie Schubert

An athlete like Mikkel Ross does not come around very often, and fortunately for Marathon, Ross spreads her talent to multiple sports. Her work ethic and drive are infectious. Ross is a positive influence on those around her, and she is as humble as she is talented. Her fifth-place medal in the Olympic competition at the state weightlifting championships last weekend was a feat no other Keys lifter managed this season, but Ross has already raised the bar for herself next season.

“Mikkel hates to lose, she takes it personally, and she’s already looking ahead to how she can improve and build on her accomplishments next year,” said Schubert.

For her unyielding drive, stellar accomplishments and the influential leadership she uses to make her team better, Mikkel Ross is this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald