Friday and Saturday Catchup, Just In Case You Missed Something
NFL
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy saw the end of his contract come at the conclusion of the 2022 season, he did interview for head coaching positions but will now be making the move to the Washington Commanders as their new offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. The 53-year-old and former NFL player spent the previous 5 seasons with the Chiefs. The deal reportedly carries multiple years and has a pay increase.
Derek Carr is set to make a free agent visit this weekend with the New York Jets. The 31-year-old also met with the New Orleans Saints prior to being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. It was after that visit that Carr informed the team that he would not be accepting any trade offers. His contract with Las Vegas did contain a no-trade clause.
The Carolina Panthers hired Thomas Brown as their new offensive coordinator. Brown served as the Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach last season but had been with the organization since 2020. The 36-year-old interviewed for a number of different jobs around the NFL. Among those, the Houston Texans head coaching job as well as the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator vacancies.
The Arizona Cardinals have hired Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis as their new defensive coordinator. The 29-year-old will become the youngest coordinator in the NFL.
NBA
All-Star weekend is underway and Philadelphia 76er's guard Mac McClung put up back-to-back perfect scores in the final of the slam dunk contest to beat out New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy.
Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard became the 1st player in franchise history to capture the 3-point title at All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City Utah. The 32-year-old beat out Indiana Pacers teammates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the final round with a score of 26.
5-time All-Star Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have reached an agreement on buyout terms. The 34-year-old veteran forward plans to speak with the Philadelphia 76er's before making a decision but the Miami Heat are reportedly front runners to land Love.
NHL
The Los Angeles Kings managed to hold on to beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-5 in a shootout Saturday night, after blowing a 4 point lead. Kevin Fiala had 2 goals and an assist, Anze Kopitar, Blake Lizotte, and Matt Roy each had a goal and an assist during the 5-goal eruption during the 1st period.
The Carolina Hurricanes played their 1st outdoor game in front of a sell-out crowd of 56,961 fans. They also delivered to their home crowd a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Martin Necas had a goal and 2 assists, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Paul Stastny and Teuvo Teravainen also scored for Carolina.
The St. Louis Blues have traded their captain Ryan O'Reilly along with forward Noel Acciari, to the Maple Leafs. In return they will receive a 2023 1st-round pick, a 2024 2nd-round pick, a 2023 3rd-round pick (via Ottawa), and forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette.