In its statement Friday, the NFLPA indicated it could still continue to pursue DeflateGate all the way to the Supreme Court.
You probably don’t think of two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry making 3-pointers for the Golden State Warriors. But based on the research University of Pennsylvania professor Angela Duckworth has done on the topic, maybe you should.
“I think the word ‘grit’ sounds like when you grit your teeth,” Duckworth says. “I think it’s less about that than the day-in, day-out dedication and resilience.
“If you look at Steph Curry’s career, there were lots of times where you could have counted yourself out. Weak ankles. Who’s going to be the best player in the league on 3-point shots? There’s nobody in the league I can think of that’s grittier than him.”
A former consultant for McKinsey & Company, Duckworth became intrigued by the notion of grit when she was working as a math and science teacher and trying to figure out why talented students didn’t always succeed and seemingly less-talented kids sometimes did.
Duckworth’s answer, eventually arrived at while working toward a graduate degree in psychology, was grit. Her version of the term, summarized in her recent New York Times bestseller “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” isn’t quite the same as the one used traditionally in sports. Instead, Duckworth defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.”
The Panthers are headed for a fall this season. John Clayton predicts that the Panthers will win four fewer games this season, which makes sense, and still win the NFC South. However, he threw in a little worry about whether or not the team can improve its pass rush. What? Carolina’s pass rush generated pressure on 7.1 percent of opposing passing attempts, 11th best in the NFL last season. Their 44 sacks last season ranked sixth.
Johnny Manziel vows that he’ll return to football. I genuinely hope the man gets the help he needs and beats his addiction. But at this point, it’s a huge leap to think he’ll make it back to the NFL.
Ron Rivera thinks Blaine Gabbert-Colin Kaepernick will be “heck of a competition.” Yep, it ranks right up there with a midseason Thursday night game. He also revealed that the Panthers almost drafted Gabbert over Cam Newton.
One economist says that Las Vegas cannot support the Raiders. It would be the fifth-smallest TV market in the NFL. Better question: Why would people choose to leave the big screens and cheap drinks of a casino to watch the game in the stadium? I still think this underestimates the wider brand appeal of the Raiders as well as the corporate money that would support the stadium’s premium seating.
Arian Foster thinks he’s still a Pro Bowl caliber player despite turning 30 next month and coming off a torn ACL. He’s a Dolphin now.