Sonoran Hot Reads: Rob Gronkowski given 99 overall rating in Madden NFL 17

Gronk continues to be perfect at everything

There are a lot of things about Rob Gronkowski’s post-Arizona life that are perfect. We’ve found another. After earning the cover of this year’s Madden NFL video game, Gronk has now been given an overall rating of 99. Here’s the explanation from EA Sports:

The Madden NFL 17 cover athlete doesn't disappoint with what he brings to the table this year. He excels in all areas of the game. With 88 strength rating and 91 run blocking he is an extension of the offensive line in the run game. Look to Gronk in big game situations with his 98 catch in traffic and 94 spectacular catch rating.

- Speaking of large humans that have come through Tucson, Freddie Tagaloa is listed as tied for 20th in Bruce Feldman’s list of college football freaks. It’s still not entirely clear if Tagaloa will start this year though

- Nick Foles was released by the Rams after they couldn’t find a team that would trade for him

- Arizona may or may not have the second most difficult cross-divisional schedule in the Pac-12 South this year. As a whole, the conference has some pretty good games to start the year

- Oregon Live has an Arizona preview as it looks ahead to all of OSU’s opponents

- Anu Solomon is one of 16 Pac-12 players on the Polynesian Player of the Year watch list. He also happens to be considered "elite" by Pro Football Focus

- The team announced this fall’s practice schedule. It will go on without Josh Allen, who did not qualify academically

- You asked Gabe bunches of recruiting questions, and he answered them

Basketball

- Alec chatted with Ira Lee about his Arizona recruitment and more

- Kobi Simmons and Lauri Markkanen are on this list of the best 50 players in the country this year, but Allonzo Trier barely missed. The Big Lead and Jason McIntyre are such hot garbage

ICYMI - #APlayersProgram in the NBA http://pic.twitter.com/FKCEghEzKL

— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) July 27, 2016

Baseball

- Cody Ramer and Zach Gibbons won a first half championship with the Orem Owlz

CHAMPZ - with a "z!" http://pic.twitter.com/9twUi9Hdux

— Orem Owlz (@OremOwlz) July 28, 2016

Other sports

- Arizona diving coach Omar Ojeda will lead Team Puerto Rico in the Rio Olympics. He’ll also have high profile UA diver Rafael Quintero on the team

- Men’s golfer Andrew Garner has been charged with sexual assault. Athletics’ statement: "The athletics department was notified earlier today of an issue regarding Andrew Garner. As a result, Andrew has been suspended indefinitely." Do more Arizona Athletics

Tucson news

- This isn’t exactly Tucson news, but please read this article on two new species of scorpions being discovered in Arizona. It’s magical

- In related news, there is a U of A professor that gets stung by insects on purpose

- Spice (synthetic marijuana) seems to be a growing problem in Tucson

- A massive monsoon knocked out power lines and trees all over town Wednesday evening

Post @ElTucsonMonsoon rainbow. #VailAZ @NWSTucson @whatsuptucson @KVOAWeather @weatherchannel http://pic.twitter.com/QacLxZ2AP8

— Garrett H. McClure (@GarrettHMcClure) July 28, 2016

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