Rick Pitino couldn’t talk his way out of this scandal

As 2018 NFL Draft grades continue to roll in, the general consensus is that the New York Giants, led by general manager Dave Gettleman, landed one of the best overall hauls in the league. However, some remain critical of their decision to pass on a quarterback at No. 2 overall, where they instead took Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. One of the most critical takes of that selection came by way of Bleacher Report, who labeled it the “worst pick� in the draft. According to Spotrac, the New York Giants guaranteed Saquon Barkley $31 million in his rookie contract, which will be the second-most for any running back in NFL history. When you take a back as high as Giants general manager Dave

As the chatter and speculation continues regarding a possible trade of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski — chatter and speculation that has not been refuted by the team or the player — the first clear report has emerged that a trade is coming. Ken Laird of WEEI, senior producer of the Kirk & Callahan show, reports that Gronkowski will be traded in the next couple of weeks. The fact that the move is dubbed as occurring “in the next couple of weeks� fits with the notion that, if the Patriots will be acquiring a first- or second-round pick for Gronkowski, they prefer to get the pick while the pick is on the clock. This will require the Patriots, Gronkowski, and his next team to keep everything completely quiet.

Past rental trades — like the Dodgers’ deal for Manny Machado — have produced varying degrees of success.