10 More 2016 Sports Questions We Still Need Answers To
Despite 2016 already being a riveting year for sports, there are so many questions left to answer.
With the NFL season starting to hit its stride, baseball heading toward the playoffs and the return of pro hoops right around the corner, it's time to tackle 10 burning questions we still need answers to.
Our scope reaches beyond the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. This list also focuses on the likes of sports entertainment, the NHL and college football.
With all of the criteria laid out like a freshly pressed shirt, let's examine 10 questions that still need answers.
Can Jimmy Garoppolo Become Tom Brady's Successor?
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A two-game sample size isn't nearly enough data to answer the question on everyone's mind: Is Jimmy Garoppolo a suitable, long-term replacement for Tom Brady?
So far, he's off to a good start. Had it not been for an unexpected injury that derailed the progress Garoppolo made, we could have seen the continued growth of a young quarterback under the guiding hand of Bill Belichick.
In Garoppolo's first two starts of the season, the Patriots went 2-0. He completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns. More importantly, he didn't turn the ball over.
Watching him on film reveals poise, arm strength and a sense of stability within the confines of this offense. The one issue we saw was his willingness to take shots instead of tossing the ball away.
If you've ever watched Brady, you know he isn't prone to taking big hits. Garoppolo hasn't quite learned the art of throwing the football away, as he took a shot against the Miami Dolphins that resulted in a sprained AC joint, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
With Brady due back in Week 5, the conversation will remain on hold in a long-term capacity. At least the second-year QB has begun throwing once again during practice, according to Howe. That means Garoppolo could suit up for the final game before Brady returns.
For now, we're all left to wonder whether Garoppolo is really the future when Brady finally decides to hang up his cleats.
Is This the End of Chris Bosh's NBA Career?
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With Chris Bosh's career in Miami coming to an end, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the question left is will the 11-time All-Star power forward ever play in the league again?
Obviously, this isn't about skill. Bosh has enjoyed a riveting career, averaging 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He's a shooting forward, blessed with a soft touch around the rim and a good feel for positioning.
As a premier two-way player who was a critical part of the Big Three era in Miami, Bosh will have to be medically cleared in order to return to the court. Blood clots have sidelined Bosh for the better part of two seasons now.
Not looking to retire, he told UNINTERRUPTED that he doesn't think his time in the NBA is over.
It will be fascinating to see what's next for Bosh. Recently, he fired his longtime agent, Leon Rose, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, further complicating the comeback trail.
We all want to know, will be able to return to form? Assuming he does receive medical clearance, it would be great to see one of the game's best players get back to playing hoops.
Can the Chicago Cubs Break the Curse?
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It's getting down to the nitty-gritty for the Chicago Cubs. With the MLB playoffs looming, the Cubs will be faced with the daunting task of ending the curse that's plagued them since 1908.
As of this writing, Chicago stands alone as the top team in baseball. The club's 101 wins leads the MLB and has put the team in a serious position to capture a World Series title—Chicago has also wrangled home-field advantage throughout the National League side of the bracket, which certainly helps.
The road won't be easy—it never is in baseball. But if the Cubs have ever had a serious chance of stomping all over the curse that's been haunting the franchise since Teddy Roosevelt was president, this is it.
A superstar-filled roster armed with the likes of Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant, Aroldis Chapman, Jake Arrieta and more bodes well for the team's chances come October.
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What's Next for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints?
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You'd think back-to-back seasons facing an 0-3 start wouldn't bode well for Sean Payton's future as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
It's been the same broken story for the Saints. The offense tends to produce—thanks, Drew Brees. But on defense, it's a totally different picture.
Take 2015 as an example. The Saints finished ranked No. 31 in total defense, allowing 29.8 points per game. So far this year, the Saints are in the same spot. They're ranked No. 31 in total defense, allowing 32 points each contest. At a certain point, the responsibility has to fall onto Payton's shoulders. He's the man running the show.
Missing the playoffs for the third-consecutive season could spell the end for Payton's time in the Big Easy. Perhaps later this fall, we'll see if his tenure comes to a screeching halt.
When Will We See Triple H and Seth Rollins Clash?
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We're currently in a pivotal place when it comes to WWE programming. The brand split, consisting of Raw and SmackDown, has altered the universe and changed the direction of the company.
On the Raw side of the equation, we're on the outskirts of a slow-building feud between Seth Rollins and Triple H. Former best friends, Triple H famously cost Rollins the WWE Universal Championship, turning said friendship into pudding.
With Kevin Owens situated as champion of the Raw brand, Rollins naturally should transition over to a feud with Triple H, which appears to be setting up a major clash for sometime this fall.
Perhaps at the WWE's annual Survivor Series show.
Assuming the feud holds up and is finished before 2017, we are all going to witness something special. Two elite talents such as Rollins and Triple H would give the wrestling world a dream match.
Hopefully WWE creatively begins to weave this story back into our lives, building up to an unforgettable November showdown.
Will Carson Wentz Guide the Philadelphia Eagles to the Playoffs?
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Don't look now, but the Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0 behind the direction of a rookie quarterback.
Carson Wentz has looked the part of an everyday, potential superstar QB. He's completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 769 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions.
As the No. 2 pick in the draft, Wentz has become the face of the franchise, and Eagles fans have to be thrilled by his start. It's not only about stats. Wentz has managed to use poise and arm strength to push the ball to his on-field pass-catchers.
The question now is will he be able to guide the Eagles to the playoffs, or will inexperience creep in and hold the team back? Like all quarterbacks, Wentz may experience eventual bumps in the road. But based on what we've seen so far, we can only picture Wentz improving.
Check back in December to find out whether Wentz is able to conquer the NFC East.
How Will Kevin Durant Fit in with the Golden State Warriors?
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The biggest haul in NBA free agency, Kevin Durant, will officially suit up for the Golden State Warriors in a regular-season capacity on October 25 against the San Antonio Spurs.
It will be the first time we'll see Durant team up with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, when games actually count for something.
Curiosity will be running at a fever pitch prior to this contest. The questions are seemingly endless. How will Durant mesh with an offense that produced 114.9 points per game last season? Will this team be an unstoppable force? Is there really a chance the Warriors can win more than 73 games?
Judging by the video San Jose Mercury News writer Anthony Slater took at practice, things look like they're off to a good start.
Of all the NBA storylines this fall, you can bet Durant's arrival in Golden State will take the cake. With the weight of the world on this team's shoulders, how can they exceed expectations?
Can the Denver Broncos Continue to Win with Trevor Siemian at Quarterback?
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Would you have guessed earlier this offseason the Denver Broncos would be unbeaten with a seventh-round, second-year quarterback under center?
If you said yes, you're lying. In any event, that's a reality. Trevor Siemian has stormed onto the field and helped the Broncos offense keep up with its astounding defense.
Siemian's best effort so far came against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. On the road, he showed poise and strength. The second-year QB blasted the Bengals' defense with 312 yards passing and four touchdowns on the way to a 29-17 victory.
You could see him take control of the game in the fourth quarter. A 29-yard connection with tight end Jeff Heuerman, followed by a long touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas was compelling to watch.
Somehow, Denver looks even more potent than it did last year with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler at QB. Credit goes to head coach Gary Kubiak, his staff and, of course, Siemian.
Andy Benoit of The MMQB explained how the Broncos' coaching staff has put its QB in a position to win. And as the season progresses, Siemian is starting to look comfortable in the pocket.
Can this hold up? Will he be good enough to keep Denver atop the AFC? It's certainly a perplexing question, and hopefully 2016 provide us with an answer.
Will Connor McDavid Put the Edmonton Oilers Back Together?
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Connor McDavid's rookie season was packed with production, despite playing in a limited amount of games. Over the course of 45 starts, McDavid netted 16 goals and handed out 32 assists. He was out there producing for a team on the mend.
Recent history hasn't been kind to one of the NHL's most storied franchises. The Oilers haven't tasted a postseason berth since the 2005-06 season and won only 31 games last year.
Can a healthy and mature McDavid change that? Despite the team's struggles, ambition seems to be a key here. Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun talked about how the Oilers' goal is to reach the playoffs this season, regardless of how inexperienced the team is.
McDavid will be the key to this run, strictly due to his talent and ability to change the game. Let's find out if he be able to break through and put the Oilers back together as the 2016-17 season gets underway.
Who Will Emerge as LSU's Next Coach?
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Les Miles is gone. His bags are packed, and he's out the door, per The Advocate's Ross Dellenger and Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.
LSU now has an opening, which should intrigue a bevy of collegiate coaches. This is a prestigious position to claim, despite being complicated. "But this is also a job interwoven with a lot of politics, insanely high expectations and administrative unrest," Dan Wolken of USA Today said.
Who could fill this void? Wolken selected a handful of names, including Jimbo Fisher, Art Briles and Dabo Sweeney. Even if none of those guys takes the gig, we should know more as 2016 pushes on.
LSU's search for its first head coach since 2004 will remain big news on the college football front. It's a question that needs to be answered.
All stats, box scores and coaching information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
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