MidValleySports.Com

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

As a Casual, aren’t the Actuals making too much out of Team USA’s loss to Turkey last night? 

Or are the people yacking like Actuals really just Posers, who don’t understand how the World Cup/Soccer works?

Last Add World Cup: I know this can be said of all sports, but I do love the elation of a soccer player after scoring or winning in the World Cup.

Besides teaching, sports can make us so happy. Hardly breaking news, but watching the highlights, even a cold-soul like myself, can be happy for the kid from Ecuador.

Note to Lakers: Tear off the band-aid, go full Sonny Weaver: “Move off LeBron—no matter what.”

Note to LeBron: Don’t destroy your son…do not work a deal to have Bronny follow you.

Note to Bronny: No one is going to respect your game until you break away from pops. (And that’s hardly Scoop City.)

Forget what others say, what do you think? Is Lamar Jackson a top five quarterback in the NFL?

I don’t think he’s a bad quarterback. I think he’s a very good quarterback, but I would take Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and—yes—Justin Herbert over Jackson.

(Rapidly rising are Drake Maye & Caleb Williams)

At QB it’s all about who can make the Big Time Throw (BTT)…which is an actual PFF (Pro Football Focus) grade that I subscribe to.

A Big Time Throw is defined as:
Excellent ball location and timing — Precise placement that gives the receiver the best chance to make a play (often in a spot where only the receiver can catch it).
Generally thrown further down the field (deeper passes with lower expected completion percentages) and/or into a tighter window (smaller margin for error due to defensive coverage).
High-value play opportunity for the offense, such as creating big gains, red-zone scores, or converting under pressure.

In 2025, Stafford was rated as making 58 BTTs. The next closest were Caleb Williams at 37, Bo Nix at 35, Sam Darnold at 34, and Drake Maye at 32. Jackson had nine.

While Stafford averaged three per game, Jackson averaged less than one.

Which begs another question: Do Rams fans really know/appreciate/understand what they have in Stafford?

This could be interpreted wrong, but in basketball terms, Paige Bueckers looks great. The 15 pounds she put on in the off-season have really helped her. Caitlin Clark should take note.

The Dallas Wings lost to the Las Vegas Aces last night. A’ja Wilson had a big game for Vegas…but the Wings’ Jessica Shepard registered 22/14/4.

Watching the Aces in their red uniforms, I couldn’t help but feel some nostalgia. The unis were a direct nod to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels of the Tarkanian Era. Good move on their part.

The Mets fire Carlos Mendoza…finally, a little blood. Now, can somebody give Theo Epstein a phone call?

#75—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

Regarding Jazz Chisholm, does anybody remember U.L. Washington?

The Chicago White Sox have won 41 games this season. In 2024, they only won 41 for the entire season.

This is my 95th consecutive column (posting Monday-through-Friday), nothing better than banging out 400 words or more every morning…But camp season is upon me.

I plan to post next week, but I will be at CIT Academy (Counselors-in-Training) in Arroyo Grande–so posting may be hit-or-miss.

July 13-17, I will be directing kids camp, and July 27-31, I will be directing a youth camp.

I hate breaking rhythm, but I know some of you couldn’t be happier—consider it a gift from me to you. Lol.

The Dude abides…

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