The Sports Beat with Richard Holdridge

Former Atlanta Brave Slugger Hank Aaron passes away at age 86. Lebron James and the Lakers defeat Giannis and the Bucks in a prime time match up. Draymond Green is ejected for yelling at a teammate as the Warriors lose to the Knicks 119-104. #4 ranked Iowa is upset by Indiana. I made my NFL Conference Championship predictions. 

Phillip Rivers retires from the NFL after a 17 year career. Is he a Hall of Famer? The Hawks come back from 17 down to beat the Pistons in overtime. It was a great day in College Basketball for the State of Georgia as UGA, Tech, Mercer and Columbus State all win. 

George Springer signs a 6 year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Does this make them the favorites in the AL East? Alabama Basketball is rolling to a 12-3 record, does the success of the Football team carry over to the Basketball court? Will the Eagles hire Josh McDaniels as their next Head Coach?

The Tennessee Volunteers fired Jeremy Pruitt after 3 seasons. Who is the likely candidate to replace him?  The NBA had some great games on MLK Day yesterday including the Warriors coming back from 19 down to defeat the Lakers 115-113.  The Falcons hire Terry Fontenot to become the next GM, what do the Falcons need to do with the number 4 pick? 

The Conference Championships are set. Which team has the easiest path to the Super Bowl?  Has Drew Brees played his last game in New Orleans and where do the Saints go from here after a forth season in a row of playoff heartbreak. Which team would Deshaun Watson fit with best? 

The Jaguars hire Urban Myer for their Head Coach. The Falcons hire Tennessee Titans OC Arthur Smith for their Head Coach. How will Kevin Durant and James Harden work in Brooklyn? I also make my picks for the NFL Divisional Playoffs this weekend. 

James Harden is traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Now that the Nets have their own "Big Three" does this make them title contenders? The NHL Opening Night was last night and the Tampa Bay Lighting is looking to defend their Stanley Cup. The Columbus State Cougars defat Clayton State 89-66 to push their record to 1-1 in the Peach Belt Conference. 

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Rockets to push their record to 9-3. Will they repeat as NBA Champions? With the Eagles firing Doug Pederson, who will they replace him with and is the expectations too high in Philly? Has Nick Saban created a monopoly in College Football with his 6th National Title at Alabama in a 12 year span?

Alabama wins it's 6th National Title under Nick Saban. Saban passes the bear with 7 National Championships. With the 52-24 blowout over Ohio State, is this the best Alabama team of all time? Hawks snap a 4 game losing streak by beating the 76ers 112-94. The Philadelphia Eagles fire Head Coach Doug Pederson. 

NFL Wild Card Weekend recap. The Cleveland Browns win their first playoff game since 1994 and the Buffalo Bills win their first playoff game since 1995. Which fan base is more hungrier to make it to the Super Bowl? The Seattle Seahawks first round exit maybe the most disappointing performance for a Super Bowl Contender, is Head Coach Pete Carroll on the hot seat? I preview the College Football Nat...

Alabama takes home hardware at College Football Awards Night. The Brooklyn Nets defeat the 76ers without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. The NHL Returns January 13. I make my predictions for Wild Card Weekend in the NFL. 

The Atlanta Hawks lose 3 in a row as they drop one to the Charlotte Hornets 102-94. Bradley Beal scores 60 but its not enough to beat the best team in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers.  Does Ohio State have a shot against Alabama  and Justin Fields have his "Vince Young" moment in the biggest spotlight?

Devonta Smith becomes the first Wide Receiver to win the Heisman since 1991.  The Nets win big over the Jazz without Kevin Durant. What can the Hawks do to bounce back after a 2 game losing streak? Which NFL Quarterback do you trust the most going into the NFL Playoffs?

It's Election Day in Georgia! The Atlanta Hawks fall to the Knicks 113-108 after blowing a 15 point lead. What can the Hawks do to close out games? What NFL Head Coaching job is the most intriguing? The NFL Wild Card Games are this week and does it make a difference if you are hot coming into the Playoffs? I also look back at the team with the longest playoff drought in the NBA, the Sacramento Kin...

Today is Black Monday as many NFL Head Coaches are losing their jobs. The Falcons close 2020 Season with a disappointing 4-12 Season. What will they do with the 4th pick in the NFL Draft? I preview the NFL Wild Card Matchups and make my Super Bowl pick. Will Alabama win their 6th National Championship in 12 years or will Justin Fields have his moment on the big stage. 

The NBA recap from last night. James Harden closes out the game as the Rockets get their first victory of the Season. I preview the upcoming College Football Playoffs today and I make my NFL picks for week 17. 

The last episode of 2020; Callaway High School wins it's first ever State Title by beating Fitzgerald 22-17.  Hawks are 3-0 and have a big test tonight against the Brooklyn Nets.  Aaron Rodgers have the Green Bay Packers in a perfect spot to win the Super Bowl and with 2020 coming to a close, I look back on this crazy year and how the pandemic effected sports. 

The Falcons lose to the Chiefs 17-14 in a valiant defensive effort. Does the future look bright in the ATL for 2021? I break down the Week 16 recap and playoff picture scenarios. The Hawks are 2-0, Can Trae Young win a scoring title? Kentucky is 1-6 and is John Calipari on the hot seat?

The NBA returns as the Brooklyn Nets get a big win. Will the chemistry of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving work? The Clippers spoil the Lakers ring ceremony as Paul George drops 33. I make my NFL Picks for week 16 and look back on the year in sports for 2020. 

The Falcons blow yet another game and this time it was to Tom Brady of all people.  Is 28-3 starting to get into their heads? It will be Alabama vs. Notre Dame and Clemson vs. Ohio State in the College Football Semifinals. Did the College Football Playoff Committee get it right? Also the NBA Season starts tomorrow as Kevin Durant will make his NBA Season debut. 

The Chargers beat the Raiders 30-27 on a wild game in overtime.  Is the Raiders season over? I briefly recap National Signing Day and once again Alabama as the #1 recruiting class in the nation.  Will the Dynasty continue for the next 10 years? I also make my NFL picks for week 15. 

The new College Football Rankings are out as the selections for the College Football Playoff will be announced on Sunday. Gianns signs a max deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, what does that mean for the league and NBA Free Agency for next year? Also, the NFL will not play in a bubble for the NFL Playoffs. 

The Falcons give up yet another game but this was all on Matt Ryan as they lose to the Chargers 20-17. Gus Malzahn is out as Auburn's Head Coach. Who is the leading candidate to replace him?  The Cleveland Indians will change their nickname and what will they call themselves for the 2021 MLB Season?

The Rams improve their record to 9-4 by beating the Patriots 24-3 in a rematch of Super Bowl 53. As a member of the military, I reflect on what the Army-Navy Game means to me. Paul George is staying in L.A. for awhile as he signs a 4 year, 190 million dollar contract and I make my NFL picks for week 14.

The Baltimore Ravens stay alive in the playoff race as they beat the Cowboys 34-17. The Michigan-Ohio State game is cancelled, does the Buckeyes have enough quality wins to get into the College Football Playoff?  As the NBA season starts in a few weeks, The Atlanta Hawks are starting to look like a contender in the Eastern Conference.