Sam’s Commentary

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Fowler wins Players

It took a finish of historic proportions to crown a winner at the 2015 Players Championship. To start, Rickie Fowler played the last four holes in 5 under par, lower than any player in the history of the tournament at the Stadium Course to finish at -12. There were still plenty of players on the […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

McElroy vs. Speith: Rivalry or Not?

“Not really. As long as I’m one of them, the other can be whoever it is. I don’t mind.” That was World Number One Rory McElroy’s answer to a question about his budding rivalry with the number two-ranked player and Masters champion Jordan Speith. Does golf need that kind of rivalry? Arnold vs. Jack. Jack […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

TJ Yeldon “Need Met Best Player Available” for Jaguars

From the 2nd through the 7th round you could call it the “scouts draft” as teams mine for players who have what Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell calls “tremendous upside.” Alternating between the 3rd and the 4th pick for the rest of the draft, the Jaguars need more hits than misses and with only 7 picks […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars Draft Day Two: Now the Real Work Begins

Day One of the NFL Draft is all about the hype and the hoopla, the guessing and the second-guessing. Fans are engaged, bright lights capture every prospect and the now-traditional hug between a draftee and Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken on a life of it’s own. Now the real work starts. From the 2nd through […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars Take Fowler for Talent, Effort, Need

For the first time in their tenure running the Jaguars, General Manager Dave Caldwell and Head Coach Gus Bradley opened themselves up to some criticism and questions regarding the pick of Dante Fowler with the third selection in 2015. Caldwell said he knew whom the best player in the draft was and if he were […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars Draft Possibilities

It didn’t take long for Dave Caldwell to establish himself as the General Manager of the Jaguars. With his now famous “Not even if he’s released” comment regarding Tim Tebow’s availability, he let everybody know he’s going to do things his own way. During that same press conference Caldwell was asked about his philosophy in […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

FSU in Transition: Fisher Anxious to Get Started

A couple of weeks ago FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher said he feels like he’s stocked “three NFL teams with guys off our squads” in the last few years. While he’s allowed a bit of hyperbole, he’s not far off. The Seminoles have consistently been a top feeder school for the NFL draft since Fisher […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

March Madness in Town: What Fun!

“And in Jacksonville the Tar Heels are going to advance to the Sweet 16.” Words most long-time residents and sports fans thought they’d never hear. But for the third time in 9 years the NCAA returned to the Arena for the second and third round of the basketball tournament known as “March Madness.” “They won’t […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

UNF Already Looking Forward

Despite their 81-77 loss in the first round of the NCAA’s to Robert Morris, the UNF Osprey’s are already looking toward next year. “I’m looking forward for us to do the next right thing,” Head Coach Matthew Driscoll said in his post-game press conference. Driscoll is in his 6th year as the UNF Head Coach […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Gate River Run (and Race): Worth a Day

It’s a well told story but worth repeating. When American running legend Bill Rodgers won the first Gate River Run, he went out and ran the course a second time: to get in some more training. Rodgers helped put the “run” on the map as a “race.” In the time since, it’s gone from a […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars spend Money, Goodwill in Free Agency

And now we wait. With a big push in free agency, the Jaguars have stocked their team with new talent, potentially adding six new starters for their 2015 roster. Although General Manager Dave Caldwell said he hasn’t spend as much money as he expected, the Jaguars have committed $175 million to free agents so far, […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

“Pedro’s Last Dance” Should be Fun

Many an afternoon I sat in the stands at Wolfson Park or in the upper deck at the Baseball Grounds with “Senior” and “Pedro” listening to common wisdom, getting life lessons, hearing fantastic stories (that were all true) and enjoying a cigar (when it was legal). I knew those moments were special and I savored […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Can Tiger Come Back, Again?

Last week Tiger Woods’ golf swing was almost unrecognizable. He working with a new “swing consultant” on some different positions and swing thoughts but whatever it is, it doesn’t look like the Tiger Woods I know. And to compound his problems, Woods’ back tightened up during a weather delay in San Diego and because his […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars New Assistants: Experienced, Upbeat

As the new assistant coaches filed into the “Media Lobby” each one exuded the high energy, “Lets get this done” attitude that Gus Bradley is famous for. Bradley often talks about things being a “good fit” and reiterated that today when talking about hiring different offensive assistants in the last couple of weeks. “Can you […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Fisher on FSU Signees: “Big, Powerful”

At Florida State, Jimbo Fisher has gotten to the point where he’s filling spots to keep the Seminoles at a championship level, not rebuilding. FSU is among the top five schools this year when it comes to the quality of athlete they’ve signed. “Very unique group as far as character. I think there’s a lot […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Gators’ McElwain Gains Momentum

About a month ago it seemed as if Florida was getting pity from every corner of the college football nation. The hiring of Jim McElwain had put Florida behind in the whole process. But slowly and surely, McElwain hired a staff that knew the state and could get places where Florida hadn’t been in a […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Signing Day is now HUGE!

Plenty of things have changed when it comes to National Signing Day. First of all, there wasn’t even a National Signing Day and nobody knew anything about recruiting except for a couple of reporters and every college coach in the country. Most fans didn’t know and didn’t much care either. Up until about 50 years […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Patriots: Probably Deflated for a While

I believe Tom Brady. When he stood up there and said, “I had no knowledge of this at all,” I think he’s telling the truth. And when he said he goes over the footballs “Five hours before halftime and doesn’t want anybody touching them after that,” I think he’s also telling the truth. And his […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

For Jameis, More Questions Await

I think he wanted to stay in school. After his father let everybody know that Jameis Winston would let his decision be known after the National Championship game next week, less than 24 hours later, word got out that Winston had made up his mind to turn professional. Winston’s statement, published by his agent, had […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

FSU Beaten By Oregon In The Semi

For a game on New Year’s Day, the Rose Bowl is at least tied for the top spot to play a college football game. This one between FSU and Oregon was somewhat historic since it was the first semi-final in the new system to determine a National Champion. Since FSU was here just last year […]