Author: tourist_yp6g7u

Message to parents who have sons with NFL potential currently playing high school football.

Immediately have them switch positions if they are running backs. Quarterback, wide receiver, safety and linebacker are much more viable options with far longer career spans.
NFL running backs have become greatly devalued over the past two decades while the aforementioned positions have retained their utility, and even increased in earning power and importance. There is no more glaring evidence than the New York Giants.

This past March, the Giants signed 26-year-old quarterback Daniel Jones, who by any objective measure has been slightly above average in his cumulative four seasons with the franchise since being drafted by them in 2019, to a four-year, $160 million deal that includes $82 million over the first two years.

Conversely, the Giants, led by co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, and general manager Joe Schoen, placed the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley,, at a mandated amount of $10.1million? for the upcoming season after they failed to reach a long-term extension with the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl selectionby Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

Now Barkley, who the Giants, under former general manager Dave Gettleman, drafted with the No. 2 pick in 2018, and the team cannot negotiate a new deal until after the conclusion of the 2023 regular season in January. Comparatively, Barkley has been inarguably and measurably better at his position than Jones has been at his.

Yet, the contract the Giants reportedly offered Barkley included $22 million in guaranteed money over the life of the deal, $60 million less than Jones will make in just the first two years of his contract. As inequitable as the two circumstances are, it’s what the economics and market of the NFL bear. Along with Barkley, the Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing last season with 1,653 yards, and the Dallas Cowboys No. 1 back Tony Pollard, were also unable to consummate long-term extensions with their respective teams.

The highest paid backs in annual salary are the San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey ($16 million), the New Orleans Saints’Alvin Kamara ($15 million), the Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry ($12.5 million) and the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb ($12.2 million).

Juxtapose those salaries with the Green Bay Packers’ cornerback Jaire Alexander making an average of $21 million per season, the Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith signing a five-year extension last season for $100 million with $45 million fully guaranteed, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill set to cash in on $30 million in the upcoming season, the San Diego Chargers safety Derwin James ready to make $19 million, and the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts poised to take in an astronomical $51 million in the 2023 campaign.

Barkley’s options are to sit out the upcoming season or play on the franchise tag.

“It is what it is” he tweeted soon after the deadline to reach a new deal had expired.

What it is for the many talented young football players coming soon after Barkley and his peers. Playing running back may be a passion and dream, but it is unfortunately an unequivocally a bad business decision.  

The post The Giants amplify the devaluation of Saquon Barkley and NFL running backs appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

The Mets and Yankees are one week into the second half of this season. The Mets will have 67 games remaining when they host the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field in Queens this afternoon and the Yankees will have 65 when they play the Kansas City Royals at home in the Bronx tomorrow, the start of a three-game series.

The Mets and Yankees will face each other next Tuesday and Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in their second Subway Series this season. They split two games in June at Citi Field. Thus far, it has been a trying season for both teams who were forecast by most close followers of baseball to be World Series contenders. 

But the Mets were 44-50, fourth place in the National League East, 17.5 games behind the division leading Atlanta Braves before playing the White Sox Wednesday. They were eight games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the third NL wild-card spot. The Yankees were 50-46 when they closed out a three-game road series last night against the Los Angeles Angels. They were last in the American League East trailing the first place Tampa Bay Rays by nine games and 2.5 out of the third AL wild-card position. 

The Yankees have been treading water since last season’s AL MVP, outfielder Aaron Judge, sprained ligaments in his right big toe running into the right field fence at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on June 3. The team was 15-21 prior to yesterday’s game. Besides Judge’s absence, dubious personnel decisions have been a source of the Yankees mediocrity. Now they will look to add players that can help bolster their laboring everyday lineup and pitching staff, with Chicago Cubs’ outfielder Cody Bellinger prominent on their radar. 

They have been unable to find consistent pitching and hitting with the exception of the outstanding season put together by starter Gerrit Col and perhaps infielder Gleyber Torres, with the latter hitting safely in nine straight games going into yesterday’s contest. Cole is 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 134 strikeouts. On Tuesday, the Yankees had a season low two hits in a  5-1 loss to the Angels. It was their fifth loss in their previous six games. 

Meanwhile, the Mets are most likely going to be sellers at the Major League Baseball deadline of August 1. Closer David Robertson and outfielder Tommy Pham are sure to be on their way to new ball clubs, likely playoff and World Series contenders. The Mets have been under .500 since a 6-4 loss to the Braves dropped them to 30-31. Their hitting has been collectively ineffective and the pitching sub-standard, an unexpected development for a team that was 101-61 last season. 

The post The Mets and Yankees continue to weigh second-half options appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

Season two of the Apple TV+ series “Swagger”is underway, following the stories of young hoop stars. Inspired by NBA star Kevin Durant’s AAU experiences, “Swagger”explores the world of youth basketball as well as the daily realities of life in America. The season two premiere screened at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.“Swagger” was created, executive produced and directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood, whose company Undisputed Cinema has extensive film and television credits. Nearly three decades ago, Bythewood was in a play that featured basketball. “You had to make your shots in front of a live audience,” he recalled.“We revisited so much of that in ‘Swagger.’ We did this one hour of the show where the basketball game is all in one shot. We never cut. So, I referenced that particular experience because you have to finish the game.You have to get to the end. If you miss, you had to work your way back into the narrative,” Bythewood said.The character of Jace Carson, played by Isaiah R. Hill, is a central figure in “Swagger.” The predominantly white prep school in the series did not have much success until the school’s athletic director brought in the Swagger players. In one scene, Jace makes 10 consecutive free throws while having a conversation.  The scene was shot without cuts, so if Hill missed a shot, he’d have to start from the top and make 10 free throws. A choreographer helped set game action that aligned with the script. Most importantly, the actors had to look authentic.

“There’s nothing more unsatisfying in a sports film than when the actors don’t look legit,” said Bythewood. “It was very important that you really see our players making baskets. … Some of the most fun parts of the sequences are when we would do free play sometimes as well. There would be a couple of unchoreographed sequences that we were able to use.”

Of course, actors must also give convincing performances. Bythewood said quite a number of young men auditioned to play Jace, some with more acting experience and some with the hoop skills.

“I watched Isaiah’s basketball footage, and when he dunked it had this flair and excitement,” Bythewood said. “In addition, I saw some talent, so we got him an acting coach.While some of my actors underwent three months of basketball training, Isaiah underwent three months of acting training. He was really able to deliver.”

The post TV drama “Swagger” centers on life and basketball appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

The Bahamas Consulate General and The Bahamian Diaspora celebrated 50 years of independence with a flag raising ceremony at River Bank State Park in Harlem, NYC Mayor Eric Adams presented a Proclamation from the City, alongside NYS Sen. Cordell Cleare, Bahamas Consu General Leroy Major, and the H.E. Hon. Wendall Jones. 

Major presented Mayor Adams with a proclamation of the 50th year. There was a performance by The National Youth Choir and Dancers, Junkanoo Parade, and the Royal Bahamas Police Band.

The post The Bahamian Diaspora Celebrates 50 years of Independence appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

First Corinthian Baptist Church Senior Pastor Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr.  held a book signing for his new tome, ‘Searching for Agabus,’ at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) in Harlem. Dozens waited to speak with the nationally popular cleric, affectionately known as Pastor Mike, as they purchased his work, which offers to help folk with “Embracing authenticity, and finding your way to you.”

The post Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr. appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

On Sunday, July 23, the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee (MXCC) will host a moving virtual teach-in on “The Faith of Malcolm X.” The forum starts at 2 p.m.

It will feature pioneering Islamic Women’s Rights champion and archivist Aisha Al-Adawiya and Schomburg Scholar- in- Residence Yannis Mahil.

Al-Adawiya, a pioneering champion of women’s rights in Islam, is the founder of Women in Islam, Inc. She is the recently -retired coordinator of Islamic input for the Preservation of the Black Religious Heritage Documentation Project at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has appeared in numerous international forums, and has served on a number of boards,  including that of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center.

Yannis Mahil is winding down his stay at the Schomburg Center as its scholar-in-residence. He is a native of Morocco and is currently working on his own book on Malcolm X.

Beloved elder freedom fighter and cultural worker Bilal Sunni Ali will also be a special guest on behalf of  Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the gathering’s political prisoner spotlight. Coming from a Garveyite family, joining NY chapter of the Black Panther Party, surviving being targeted by the state, and performing with the late Gil Scott Heron —, what has Bilal Sunni Ali not done?

Al-Amin is fighting for his release after having been framed for killing a police officer in Georgia two decades ago. Best known as H. Rap Brown from his legendary presence in the Civil Rights Movement, Imam Jamil has endured and continues to face serious health issues, including cancer and a stroke. A full-fledged campaign to secure his freedom is in motion and is coordinated by the Imam Jamil Action Network (https://imamjamilactionnetwork.org/).

Please register for this moving talk at this Eventbrite link:

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* This article was originally published here

Come to Downtown Newark’s iconic Halsey Street on Saturday, July 22nd from 12 noon to 5 p.m. for the Halsey Festival, a free, open-to-the-public  outdoor celebration. The BrownMill Anniversary Block Party x Halsey Fest will be a full day of curated cultural experiences for children and adults under the backdrop of Newark-based artists, creators, and small businesses selling one-of-a-kind goods.

Children will have empowering, quality hands-on experiences to channel their innate curiosity and creativity. Adults will have the opportunity to be inspired by the community organizations, makers and businesses that fuel Newark’s unwavering creative energy.For more information, visit: www.halseyfestival.com  

The post Downtown Newark’s Halsey Festival appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

Jazz lovers packed Grant’s Tomb for Summerfest and Jazzmobile concerts to hear and see 88-year-old Jazz Master Houston Person. The beloved jazz performer and his group delighted the crowd as they kept the music playing.

The post Grant’s Tomb brings out the Jazz lovers appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here