Loeffler's Link

Dec. 8, 2018

Fans in the SEC just found out what we've known all along --- as good as Hale Hentges is at football, there's something he's even better at.

Everything else.

The 2015 Helias graduate received one of the ultimate honors this week when he was named the SEC Football Scholar Athlete of the Year, beating out all challengers in the 14-team league that includes Vanderbilt, a school known as the Harvard of the South.

The career for the Crimson Tide senior tight end has zipped by faster than you could say, What year is Hale now? But he's certainly made the most of it.

While this tribute may not have the flash of being named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, as his quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was. But in the end, it's the most important. By far.

Hentges graduated Magna Cum Laude in three years and is now pursuing a master's in marketing. He earned a 3.74 GPA as an undergraduate and holds a 4.0 GPA in his master's program.

In addition, Hentges was named one of the Crimson Tide's permanent captains this week, which comes with a distinguished and permanent honor --- he will have his handprints and footprints enshrined on the Alabama Quad this spring.

He's as good as it gets.

THAT WAS JUST PART OF A GREAT WEEK for Missouri sports fans, in general. There was also the news of a transfer to the Missouri football team, a transfer that carries more weight than the statue they recently took down from the top of the State Capitol.

Not to worry, our Roman goddess of agriculture, 94 years young, will be back soon.

Kelly Bryant, a 6-2, 222-pound quarterback, has left Clemson for the greener(?)  pastures of Missouri, where he will be eligible to play his senior season in 2019.

Consider this a backwards one-and-done.

Bryant was 12-2 as a starter at Clemson, which has solidly secured its spot as the second-best program in college football behind you-know-who. He led the orange Tigers to the College Football Playoffs in the 2017-18 season, before losing to Alabama in the semifinals.

He completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,800 yards and 13 touchdowns that season, and also rushed for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns.

As you can see, MU offensive coordinator Derek Dooley with have to retool the offense, as Drew Lock is far less mobile than Bryant. But without question, the talent is there.

Bryant was the starter this season, as well, before being benched in favor of true freshman Trevor Lawrence in September. Two days after coach Dabo Swinney announced the switch, Bryant said he was transferring and his playing days for Clemson were over.

Their loss, our gain. At the same time, pulling the plug so quickly might be considered a red flag.

There's also this --- for you outspoken critics of Barry Odom, you can sit down and be quiet now, because Missouri football seems solidly relevant again. And this  is a near miracle.

If you don't remember where this program was --- not to mention this school --- was just three years ago, you should Google it and refresh your memory.

SWITCHING HELMETS TO ONES THAT PROTECT YOU from balls bouncing off your head at 98 mph, the St. Louis Cardinals struck gold ... as in first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

It's irrelevant who the Cardinals gave up in the trade with Arizona --- especially when the biggest name is struggling righthander Luke Weaver --- because in Goldschmidt, they've gotten a pure, reliable, powerful veteran.

In this day and age of players going on the DL for a headache, how about this for reliable --- the last four seasons, Goldschmidt has played 158, 155, 158 and 159 games.

Put me in, coach.

Goldschmidt, 31, has been an All-Star the last six seasons and has been in the top three of NL MVP voting three times. He had an off season this year, batting .290 with 33 home runs and 83 RBI.

Those latter two numbers are likely to improve since he'll be playing 81 games in the more hitter-friendly Busch Stadium, compared to the spacious home park of the Diamondbacks.

Goldschmidt is a career .297 hitter with 209 home runs, and he's also won three Gold Gloves.

Pure gold, in more ways than one.

There is one dose of bad news with this deal, as this is the final year of Goldschmidt's contract. He'll earn $14.5 million this season, but that number is expected to double in 2020.

In other words --- and just like Kelly Bryant --- Goldschmidt might be one-and-done. Hey, one year is still better than none.

What a fantastic week it's been, we should do this more often.

Merry Christmas, sports fans.

It's been a great week, fans:
A tribute, a transfer and a trade

Hale Hentges has made the most of his time at Alabama, both on and off the field.