We took a break because the Patriots won the Super Bowl again. Just couldn't bear it. Missed plenty of good sporting events, but we are back because it is NFL Draft SZN! We were live during most of the draft and the Jets didn't make a terrible football decision, so life is okay today. The Dolphins however? Oh boy did they waste a season. Don't even get us started on the New York Football Giants. At this point you know the deal, like, subscribe, and follow us @4TRSports on Twitter and Facebook as well as Apple Podcasts.

The Patriots have to beat the Rams, right? Will Chris Paul be a Hall of Famer? Anthony Davis could be traded any minute now, or also remain a Pelican. We are all very confused. At this point you know the deal, like, subscribe, and follow us @4TRSports on Twitter and Facebook as well as Apple Podcasts.

We are back (again). The Rams and Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl, and of course there is no controversy whatsoever. Let's get back on track and start 2019 on the right note. At this point you know the deal, like, subscribe, and follow us @4TRSports on Twitter and Facebook as well as Apple Podcasts.

Nick and Robby are joined by Nick Weber to go recap a weekend in which Brighton bested Manchester United and City proved their dominance in a BIG way. Follow us at @4TRSports on Twitter and like, subscribe, and download from iTunes and Google Play Music!

Week 1 is in the books! Robby and Nick break down each game, give their team of the week XI, and preview this week's games. Liverpool are up top, for now, and Tottenham are not far behind! Will Arsenal dig their grave this weekend? Or can they bounce back at Chelsea? Subscribe, follow @4TRSports, and download on iTunes and Google Play!

We have our own soccer specific pods! Nick and Robby preview the opening weekend of the English Premier League, including a prediction for the entire league standings. Manager of the year, Golden Boot, and the Team of the Season are just a few of the awards that get discussed. There is absolutely no bias towards Liverpool or Tottenham. None, nope, definitely not. Follow 4TR Sports on Twitter "@4TRSports" and subscribe on iTunes and now Google Play Music!

Well, we tried to get 3 other episodes out...and it just would not work. Who knows why. To make up for it, we got the gang back together to cover NBA Free Agency, literally recapping 99% of the World Cup , and some NBA Summer League talk. Also...will the Knicks make the playoffs? iono iono. At this point you know the deal, like, subscribe, and follow us @4TRSports on Twitter and Facebook as well as Apple Podcasts.

We finally got all the guys in the same episode! NBA Finals breakdown and recap, a short rant about Nick's teams sucking the life out of him, and who would you rather have on your team. Follow us on Twitter @4TRSports and subscribe on iTunes and Apple Podcasts!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Turrel and Nick recap the NFL Draft, NBA Playoffs, and why Lamar Jackson is a future hall of famer. Also, Sam Darnold is not what Nick expected, but exactly what he wanted. Tune in 1 year from now when he is disappointed after a 2-14 season. Follow us @4TRSports on Twitter and Facebook and listen on iTunes!

Welcome to 4TR Sports World Cup 2018

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner. After a great display at the 2014 rendition, the USMNT  will be looking to prove they are among the best in the world. With some fresh faces in this year’s tournament, as well as a few heavy favorites, here is the complete breakdown of the field of 32.

After a few weeks off for the NFL Draft, we are back with our 8th and final group breakdown.
Group H has a few wildcards and could prove a total toss up next month! 

Group H - Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

Poland




Odds to win: 40-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Have not qualified since 2006

Most Important Player: Poland has been a darkhorse for too long and this summer could be there coming out party to the rest of the world. Dominating their group in UEFA qualifying, Poland only lost 1 of 10, and outscored opponents 28 to 14. This largely has to do with their starting #9, Robert Lewandowski. The former Borrusia Dortmund star is now the main man at Bayern Munich, and hasn't stopped scoring. Lewandowski is also the all-time leading scorer for Poland and had the most goals by a European player in World Cup qualifying with 16 in 10 games. 

FUN FACT: Robert Lewandowski has had some record breaking games, and to list them all would take hours. BUT, the ones that stick out the most are his 4 GOAL HAUL against Real Madrid in the 2013 Champions League Semifinal 1st leg

 , and his 5 GOALS (!!!!!) in 9 MINUTES (!!?!?!) against Wolfsburg in the 2016-17 Bundesliga season.

Pep Guardiola has seen a lot in his lifetime, and to elicit this kind of response is incredible.

Why they have a chance to win: Poland are certainly more balanced as a squad than the past two EURO Finals (Last in Group A in 2012, Quarterfinals in 2016). With less reliance on Lewandowski carrying them every game, the rest of the squad are able to play a bigger role. The emergence of Lukasz Teodorczyk and Arkadiusz Milik as goal scoring threats have been a welcome addition to Poland's strike force, and Wojciech Szczesny in net has been solid. Poland is my favorite to win the group, and anything goes in the knockout!

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: Poland has performed well in qualifying, but the reality is that this is their first time in the World Cup in 12 years. They have shown that they are prepared to get to Russia, but could the spotlight get to them? Colombia are the only other team in Group H with sufficient World Cup experience, but Poland will hope they can replicate their play from qualifying.


Senegal






Odds to win: 150-1

Finish in 2014 WC: First appearance since 2002

Most Important Player: Sadio Mane. The Liverpool winger was key to their 4th place finish last season, and has had an even better season this year overshadowed by Mohamed Salah (rightly so). Mane is quick and skillful with the ball and can set up teammates or go alone and score in bunches. He also holds the record for the quickest ever Premier League hattrick - 2 minutes and 56 seconds. If he stays healthy, he can terrorize opponents and should be a big factor for Senegal's ability to score. When he shines, he's nearly unstoppable. Just ask Nacho :)


Why they have a chance to win: The Lions of Teranga are ready to take the world by storm this summer. Their lack of World Cup experience and failure to advance to the Semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations since 2006 shouldn't weigh too heavily on this group. Club experience and an undefeated World Cup qualifying run should be enough to see what Senegal can do. Names like Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Sadio Mane headline this very balanced team. I would argue that their only weak positions are goalkeeper and outside back. Do not be surprised if this team makes this summer one to remember. 
Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: Poland has been in incredible form, and Colombia will be itching to repeat their fantastic run from 2014. If Senegal were to not advance from Group H, it would be because both of those teams are on fire. 

Colombia



Odds to win: 25-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Lost in the Quarterfinals to Brazil 2-1

Most Important Player: Radamel Falcao's swansong could prove to be his most impactful. Having sat out of the 2014 World Cup after a ACL tear earlier that season, Falcao still has yet to represent his nation at the World Cup. At the age of 32, who knows what could happen 4 years from now, and Falcao will be wanting to to make the most of his opportunity this summer. Falcao is nicknamed El Tigre (The Tiger) and has an incredible 212 goals in 396 games. His ability to score goals at will has led him to play in 6 different countries, including two spells in England (arguably his only black mark). Falcao will want to amend for his absence in 2014 and remind the world of what he is capable of.



Why they have a chance to win: The 2014 World Cup ended a 16 year absence from the tournament and there is no chance that Colombia will be thinking their Quarterfinal appearance was a fluke. Going out to the hosts, and a continental rival was a sour ending, but La Tricolor certainly have the squad to try and better their best ever finish. Even with the absence their all-time leading goalscorer in 2014, James Rodriguez burst onto the scene to not only win the Golden Boot with 6 goals and 2 assists, but be nominated for the Golden Ball (and do this, no big deal)


James has since had a *slight* dip in form, but has recovered it since moving to Bayern Munich on loan this season. 

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: This round of qualification has proven to be a bit tougher than 4 years ago. Only safe by 2 points, and 1 point away from having to enter via playoff, Colombia didn't make qualifying as easy as it could have been. Finishing with the second-most ties and a loss to Paraguay made it dramatic, but Colombia kept up with the likes of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Colombia have a similarly tough group in Russia, and tying the likes of Japan or Senegal will only get them an early plane ride home.

Japan


Odds to win: 150-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Finished 4th in Group C

Most Important Player: Shinji Okazaki. 3rd All-time for Japanese goals, and tied for 4th in caps for Japan. The Leicester City man seems to pop up just when his team needs a goal. Often a substitute nowadays, Okazaki will want to go out this summer in style. He only scored one goal in 2014, albeit in a 4-1 romp by Colombia. 

Why they have a chance to win: Japan will not win the World Cup. Not a chance. Ageing roster mixed with a great group of teams equals an early exit. Fantastic for them to qualify, a 6th straight World Cup appearance, but I expect little else from the Japanese. 
Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: The weakest team in the group could have a real problem on there hands. My money is on Japan laying another egg in the World Cup, with 1 or 0 points. There group is too strong, and Japan just doesn't have the deep roster that Poland, Senegal, and Colombia have.
Group H:





4TR Sports Predicts
1. Poland 2. Senegal 3. Colombia
4. Japan 

As always, let me know how wrong I definitely am, or what your group prediction is.

Come check out the rest of our previews at https://04therecord.blogspot.com/!

4 The Record Mock Draft 6.0

Author: Michael Weitzner

(https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/13/2018-nfl-draft-baker-mayfield-oklahoma-lamar-jackson-louisville-heisman-scouting-reports-first-round)

Welcome to 4TR’s sixth and final mock draft! The NFL Draft is finally here, baby! Double check your draft boards and make any last minute trades. No crazy mock trades, no fake news here. Just simple mock draft, now enjoy!

The Picks! 1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB, USC1 2. NY Giants – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State 3. NY Jets – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming 4. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State 5. Denver Broncos – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma2 6. Indianapolis Colts – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame 7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Derwin James, S, FSU 8. Chicago Bears – Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA3 9. San Francisco 49ers – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama 10. Oakland Raiders – Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA4 11. Miami Dolphins – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia 12. Buffalo Bills – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA 13. Washington football team –Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio Stat 14. Green Bay Packers – Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa 15. Arizona Cardinals – Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma 16. Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama 17. LA Chargers – Vita Vea, DT, Washington 18. Seattle Seahawks – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville 19. Dallas Cowboys – Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU 20. Detroit Lions – Derrius Guice, RB, LSU 21. Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville5 22. Buffalo Bills – Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia 23. New England Patriots – Obbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB, Oklahoma 24. Carolina Panthers – Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado 25. Tennessee Titans – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State 26. Atlanta Falcons – Josh Sweat, DE, FSU 27. New Orleans Saints – Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama 28. Pittsburg Steelers – Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State 29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame 30. Minnesota Vikings – Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP 31. New England Patriots – Holton Hill, CB, Texas 32. Philadelphia Eagles – Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Discussion!   1 There is still a good chance the Browns take Josh Allen but I just don’t see it. Darnold by no means is perfect. He may be the worst #1 quarterback in a “good QB class” there has ever been. But he is still the best QB in the draft and should be taken #1.
2 Baker said it himself that we wouldn’t be on the board at #6. The Broncos need some life injected into them. They have an aging defense and a second year head coach, who was every underwhelming last season. Baker has the intangible “IT” factor that football people always point to. Even if he doesn’t start right away, there will be a buzz around him from the start.
3 Having a defensive end that can create a pass rush by himself is rare to find. The Bears have their quarterback in Mitch Trubisky and their wide receiver in Allen Robinson. It’s time to improve the defensive and a good D-Line is a good start. Davenport comes from a small school but could be a building block for a new defensive front-7.
4 HC John Gruden (I can’t believe that is a real thing) is 100% the type of guy that would value a left tackle greater than any other position. Should Miller go in the top 10? No. Should any tackle go in the top 15? Probably not. Is there always one offensive tackle that goes in the top 10? You betcha!
5 Andy Dalton’s time needs to be up in Cincinnati. He’s been average at best over the past few seasons and this Bengals offense has reached its ceiling. Lamar Jackson is the most dynamic quarterback coming out of college since probably Michael Vick. Lamar will breathe some much needed life into the Bengals and he might be good enough to save Marvin Lewis’ job.
Sources https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-highlighting-la-canforas-sleeper-first-round-picks/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/04/17/2018-nfl-draft-the-lingering-critical-needs-for-every-nfl-team/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3703a8d63656