Take number one: We already know what the most interesting off season storyline is going to be: Whither Sam Darnold. It’s SUCH an interesting argument. On the one hand, he could go to free agency and see if one of the teams that needs a starter is willing to ~ give him his bag ~ at say $40-50 million a year but taking that deal means playing for a team like the Titans or Raiders, who both suck OR would the Vikings offer him something like the deal Baker Mayfield got from the Bucs, 3 years $100 million, with some incentives that could bump it up to around $115 million. Less money, but better infrastructure and either way, you’re financially set for the rest of your life. The Vikings could also dangle JJ McCarthy to one of those QB-needy teams and try to get a draft pick in exchange and build out their roster. The draft class is thin (most analysts agree there are two first-round talents) and more than two teams are going to need new starters. Either way, dude has made himself a lot of money this year.
Take number two: That Commanders win was particularly sweet. As I’ve documented before, I cannot stand the Eagles, just hate them with a white hot passion. Chesty jerk offs who chirp a lot when they win and whine when they lose and lo and behold they coughed up what should have been an easy win and gave our wunderkind rookie quarterback a bookend game to his Hail Mary win back in October. Just delicious. The dropped third down pass that would have sealed the game, the march down the field for the winning score, the exposure of their offense as completely pedestrian without Jalen Hurts in the game. Totally made my day even though I know the Commanders will probably lose their inevitable playoff rematch like 34-7.
Take number three: Christmas is Wednesday and we might forget that in the 366 days since then (2024 is a leap year) the Chiefs have lost exactly … once. They are 20-1 and yet. I watched most of that Saturday game and they are rounding into form nicely. The offense they thought they would have is not what they have now, but with Hollywood Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy added to the Kelce/Gray TE combo and the one-two punch of Pacheco and Hunt, that is a multiple offense that can get you in a lot of different ways while the defense is still playing lights out. Do YOU want to go into Arrowhead in January? I didn’t think so.
Take number four: There is nothing football geeks like better than novel plays unseen in years. Back in 2006, the Patriots gave Doug Flutie the green light to attempt a two-point drop kick in a meaningless end of season game against the Dolphins (it was successful). The play was completely legal, but so obscure it had not been attempted in more than 60 years. Jim Harbaugh pulled off something similar Thursday night with the possibly even more obscure (although attempted more recently) fair catch/free kick move. These coaches study the rule book like some rabbis study the Torah.
Take number five: If you can tell me which version of the Ravens will show up in the playoffs, I can tell you what the likely outcome will be. The version that forgets who they are, plays tight on offense and sloppy on defense, and loses their first game or the version that just plays their game, pushes the other side around on offense when Lamar is not busy dazzling them with his pinpoint accuracy while their defense flies around the ball and suffocates the opposing offense. THAT version, which has only shown up once (against the Texans last year) could win it all, but I fear another off season of disappointment in Charm City.
Take number six: Ben Johnson is just showing off. I don’t want to say what he did yesterday was disrespectful, but his gimmick fake fumble play against a lousy Bears team that was outmatched, outclassed, and outplayed IN CHICAGO borders on the sadistic. I know the Dan Campbell Lions like to do this, but if I was on the receiving end of this in a season that has gone right down the toilet, I would NOT be happy.
Take number seven: The Giants are one of the worst teams I have seen in my lifetime. Just completely incompetent. I wonder if there is a Hard Knocks curse because their front office was ~ smelling themselves ~ as the kids say, during the off season and the on the field product looks like a steaming pile of poo. I have no idea if the Maras are going to clean house (or if it matters) but if you are Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, I would suggest they do what I failed to do - avoid New Jersey.
Take number eight: They are still America’s Team and if you doubt that, consider that a team officially eliminated from the playoffs before they took the field last night still led Sports Center this morning. Why? Because they are the Cowboys. I don’t make the rules, folks.
Take number nine: The college football playoffs? Not so good. Yes, the novelty of December football in places like South Bend and Happy Valley was high, but the quality of the games was low. Very low. At this point, college football players are essentially playing a professional schedule. A team that played last weekend could end up playing 16 (!) games if they make it to the championship game (which, hello, is not until the third week of January!)
Take number ten: Speaking of Happy Valley, congratulations to the Penn State women’s volleyball team and their coach, Katie Schumacher-Cauley on a great season and a national title. Not only an inspiration due to her battle against cancer, but a good illustration of how you win in college these days - good recruiting mixed with bringing in high caliber talent through the transfer portal. Looking forward to continued growth in what is fast becoming one of my favorite sports (and there is an NFL hook because one of their players - Caroline Jurevicius - is the daughter of Joe, a longtime Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver)
No comments:
Post a Comment