The Chicago Blackhawks have started this NHL season with some very bad goal tending. Colin Delia in 2 games so far has a 0-2-0 record with 5.00 Goals allowed average with .863 save percentage. The veteran Malcolm Subban, who was a part of that Robin Lehner trade to the Golden Knights, has not fared well either. Subban in 2 games is 0-1-1 with 3.95 GAA and .889 Save%. If it was not for the emergence of Kevin Lankinen, the Blackhawks season would have been like the French waving the white flag, season over. Lankinen in 4 games has a record of 2-0-2 with a 2.18 GAA and a stunning .931 save percentage. Lankinen looks like the guy for now. Lankinen is younger and really has no track record in the NHL. The other two guys are hot garbage. Is help on the way? Could the Blackhawks use somebody else backing up Lankinen if he is the guy instead of Delia and Subban? Could that guy be Scott Darling? Darling inked a Professional try out with the Rockford Ice Hogs, the Blackhawks affiliate of the AHL.
Scott Darling is a local yokel from the Chicagoland area, a suburb called Lemont. People remember Scott Darling saved the Blackhawks season in 2014-15 for its third cup of that dynasty. Darling came off the bench and replaced a struggling Corey Crawford in the first round of the playoffs. Darling went 3-1 with a 2.28 GAA with a .936 in 5 appearances in that series versus the Nashville Predators. Crawford got his act together after that and the Blackhawks won the third cup of that dynasty. Darling played his best hockey in three seasons with the Blackhawks. In 75 games Darling was 39-17-9 record with 2.28 GAA and .923 Save %. The Blackhawks could not offer Scott Darling the money the Carolina Hurricanes were offering so Darling and the Blackhawks parted ways. As a Hurricane, Darling was not Scorpion-like. Two seasons his record and stats were not very good. Darling had 15-25-9 record as his goal against average went up to 3.20 with a 8.84 save % in 51 games for the Hurricanes. Darling ended up in Charlotte playing for the Checkers in the AHL at the end of his Hurricane tour. Darling then went over the pond and played in Austria in Europe in 2019-20. For HC Innsbruck, his play did not get better as Covid invaded over there.
Could the 32 year old Darling use the Ice Hogs as his path back to the NHL? If Darling has some gas left in the tank to play at the NHL level, he could be a nice back up to a Kevin Lankien. Subban is only 27 years old and has been mostly a back up in his entire NHL career, still trying to improve his own craft. I watched Subban a few times and I don’t think he is any good. I know the Blackhawks have young goalies at the AHL level that they want to be in the net, and get the experience and playing time to see what they got. Plus to have them ready whenever they need to make the jump from the AHL to the NHL. Darling could be that mentor for Lankien. Darling’s NHL career numbers are actually pretty good overall with 54-42 record with 2.72 GAA and a .908 Save %. Obviously Darling’s better numbers came wearing the Indian head. By wearing the Indian head, Darling’s hometown team could bring his play a level up. Even playing in Rockford, which is in Illinois, Darling still wants to play well in front of his family and friends. Some people don’t succeed playing on their hometown team. Darling has thrived. It would be a nice story if Darling does get back in the net for the Blackhawks at some point this season. The Ice Hogs start their season February 5th so we will wait and see if Darling makes the squad there. If Darling does make the team and suits up for the Blackhawks later this season, the song Oh my Darling will be sung from Lemont to the United Center.
(NFC/AFC CHAMPIONSHIPS) ROUND THREE PLAYOFFS STRAIGHT PICK-EM
Last week Divisional round (round two record): 3-1
REGULAR SEASON RECORD OVERALL:174-82
POST SEASON RECORD OVERALL: 7-3
Saturday post season record:4-1
Sunday post season record:3-2
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NOTES
Both number one seeds are still alive being the Packers for the NFC and the Chiefs of the AFC.
Both Championship games are rematches from the regular season.
Chiefs won in Buffalo.
Buccaneers took care of the Packers at home.
The rematch takes place at the opposite stadium they played at before. This time Chiefs and Packers will be the home teams.
WINNERS TODAY ADVANCE TO THE SUPERBOWL
GAME ONE:
#5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (13-5) AT #1.GREEN BAY PACKER (14-3)
History:
Tom Brady has a 9-4 record in Championship games. All with the Patriots.
Last time Buccaneers were in the Superbowl, was 2003. They demolished the Raiders.
Buccaneers are trying to be the first team to get in the Superbowl and host that game.
Last time a non-division team made it to the Superbowl was 2010 Packers
Aaron Rodgers is 1-3 in Conference Championship game. With a loss, Rodgers would join Donovan McNamara and Kenny Stabler with 1-4 records
Tom Brady versus Aaron Rodgers head to head. Brady leads that battle 2-1
It’s asking a lot for the Buccaneers to go on the road in the playoffs and win three road games to host a home game in the Superbowl. Aaron Rodgers is having his best season overall, perhaps because he got a new girlfriend.
I would not kick her out of the bed for eating crackers. Perhaps it is because the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers’ future in the off-season. The future is not known for Aaron Rodgers and to go out on top and winning the whole thing, will make leaving Green Bay much more fun. Can the Buccaneers play in the cold? We know Tom Brady and the Meathead, Rob Gronkowski, have played in the cold many times in New England.
What about the rest of the Buccaneers? Will missing Antonio Brown weaken the Buccaneer attack? Can Aaron Rodgers wheel and deal to the others, instead of just Devante Adams?
OUR PICK:PACKERS
I like the weather in Green Bay’s favor. With some fans, even though it will not be full to capacity, it could get under the skin of opposing teams. It’s hard to win three games on the road in the playoffs, and winning the last one in Lambeau Field, I can’t see it happening.
GAME TWO:
#2.BUFFALO BILLS (15-3) AT #1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2)
History:
Chiefs are trying to be the first team to repeat winning back to back Superbowls since the Patriots of 2003 and 2004.
Chiefs will be the 12th defending Superbowl champion to host the Championship. Previous 11 have gone to the home team with a record of 10-1.
The 49ers were the one team to lose.
The Bills’ last time to the Superbowl was in 1993, where they lost their 4th straight from 1990-1993. Bills and the Vikings have that 0-4 matching record of losing the big game.
A Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen match up has only happened once. Mahomes has the 1-0 record versus Allen.
Patrick Mahomes should be undefeated in the playoffs. The off-sides call versus the Patriots years ago is the young quarterback’s only post season loss. Josh Allen, I think, is due for a huge game. Allen was nervous in that first win over the Colts in the wild card round. Versus the Ravens some dropped balls by receivers did not give Allen those off the chart numbers he got during the regular season. Will the foot injury to Patrick Mahomes slow him down, making those unbelievable throws downfield on broken plays? Chiefs seem like they are due for a big offensive game as well. Two keys for each defense. Chiefs have to stop the Bills passing attack. The Bills have to stop the Chiefs running game.
How will Patrick Mahomes deal with coming off the concussion protocol? Can the Bills defense contain Patrick Mahomes’ big play ability? Interesting tidbit: Andy Reid go up against one of his disciples in Sean McDermott.
Andy Reid is 2-5 in Championship games which goes back to his Eagles days.
OUR PICK:BILLS
The regular season match up between the Chiefs and Bills was rescheduled a few times due to Covid protocols. Bills were missing some pieces on defense. Defense is what will win this game for the Bills. The Bills will do better versus the run, which was key for the Chiefs last time. The way the Bills stopped Lamar Jackson, a running quarterback, they should be able to get to Patrick Mahomes. Bills are very good versus the pass. That first match up, Bills did not give up those huge plays the Chiefs like to get. I think Allen and the offense play their best game of the playoffs.
It will be the 30th year anniversary of the San Jose Sharks, who arrived in 1990. Last season was un-Shark like, as things started very badly and escalated to a nightmare season. This after the season before, when the Sharks made the conference finals. Then fall to 29th in the league last season. A Sharks franchise who has made it to the playoffs 21 times in 28 seasons played. The 2019-20 season started off badly, but the team changed coaches. Head coach Pete DeBoer was out. DeBoer would resurface in Vegas. Bob Boughner was awarded with the Interim coach tag and he dealt with multiple injuries. The Sharks did not have replacements for free agents that left in the off-season after getting to the finals. Then Covid invaded and that officially ended the Sharks year. When Hockey returned into the bubble, 8 teams were not invited. The worst 8 teams in the league would battle it out for the number one draft pick in a lottery. Sharks were not the team in the bubble, or the team that was trying to secure the first overall pick in the draft. They traded that pick away. Finishing 29th should get you a top player but it did not. The Humanity!!!
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Joe Thornton was kind of mad at the Sharks front office. They were unable to trade him to a contending playoff team by the deadline last season. Thornton finished the nightmare season in San Jose, took his Beard to Canada, and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the off-season. Thornton will always be remembered wearing the Shark head on the teal uniform.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
With the Covid virus still showing off its strength in parts of California, the Sharks have no guarantee they will play at their own stadium for home games this season. The Sharks’ first home game is scheduled in February, as they will go on the road for the first 8 games of their schedule. Due to the Virus, the NHL realigned all the divisions to have less traveling, like what the MLB did this past season. If Sharks can not play in San Jose, Arizona might be where they play their home games this season. Even though right now no fans are in the seats, it would kill a team with no comforts of home. Sharks could be like the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, making the cactus tree a regular sight in their lives.
San Jose Sharks welcome back some old friends by bringing back Matt Nieto, who had a stint with the Avalanche. Then back from only playing in 12 games with the Penguins, a fan favorite and one of the Sharks’ all-time greats, Patrick Marleau.
THE NEW GUYS
Forward Ryan Donato and goaltender Devan Dubnyk.
GOALIE SITUATION
Bringing Devan Dubnyk, a 12 year veteran with 247 wins under his belt, who the Sharks are hoping will improve their goalie situation from last season. Sharks still have Martin Jones who had the second worst save percentage last season in the entire NHL. Sharks hope bringing in Dubnyk will push Jones to be better or make him the permanent back up.
DEFENSE
Jacob Middleton, Mario Ferraro, Marc-Edouard Vlastic, Radim-Simek. Nikolai Knyzhov, Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson
Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are two of the top scoring defensemen in the league. Brent Burns’ numbers did dip last season. Burns has led all defensemen in scoring since the 2014-15 season. Erik Karlsson, when healthy, can score and play great defense when he’s on the ice. Karlsson has a big contract and the Sharks need him on ice to make plays to help this team win games, especially with bad goal tending.
REST OF THE ROSTER
Dylan Gambrell, Evander Kane, Stefan Noesen, Patrick Marleau, Ryan Donato, Marcus Sorensen, Timo Meier, Logan Couture, Joel Kellman, Thomas Hertl, Kevin Labanc, and Matt Nieto
Timo Meier led the Sharks in scoring last season. Can Meier be the top scorer on this Shark team with everyone staying healthy?
Off the ice, problems have Evander Kane filing for bankruptcy. The 29 year old Kane, lost 1.5 Million to gambling. This is the same guy who signed a 7 year at 49 Million dollar extension in 2018.
Can Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture stay on the ice this season? Injuries were part of the story of the bad year the Sharks had as a team. Sharks need Hertl and Couture to light the lamp and stay healthy. If these two can stay on the ice, Sharks could find themselves back in the playoffs. Makes the offense overall better and each line stronger.
CONCLUSION
Staying healthy, better goal tending and having home ice, will be three keys of the San Jose Sharks rebounding from last season. The less Martin Jones, the better this team will be. If Devan Dubnyk could solidify the net, the defense of the Sharks could make more plays on offense. Which could lead to more goals. I like Patrick Marleau returning. It can get you some big goals in critical points of the games that were missing last season. Can Evander Kane fight for racial justice, deal with his money problems, and be productive on the ice? I think the Sharks need to get off to a strong start as they lost a bunch of close games early on in that first month of the season and could not recover.
Rams coming from warm weather and the west coast to play in the cold of Lambeau field, and perhaps with some snow in the forecast. Rams’ Aaron Donald might be slowed down with a rib injury from last week’s game versus Seattle. Jared Goff is still dealing with the sore thumb on his throwing hand. Packers are well rested with the first round bye. Aaron Rodgers’ MVP season will continue and find some unsung heroes in this one with Devante Adams being draped all over by Jalen Ramsey. Packers defense can keep the Rams offense from not doing much damage in this one.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5) AT #2. BUFFALO BILLS(14-3)
OUR PICK:BILLS
If it snows in Buffalo, will it affect the performance of Lamar Jackson who has never played in snow? The Ravens and the Bills, the two hottest teams in the entire league, are squaring up in this AFC match up. Ravens have won sixth straight while the Bills have won seventh straight, going back to the regular season. The Colts exploited the Bills defense with chunks of running plays. Look for Buffalo to counter-react this week with a better day stopping the run. If Bills can force Jackson to throw the ball and make him one dimensional, they will win this game. The Ravens need to stop the Bills passing attack to win this game. Both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson can run the ball, and throw it while running. Accuracy goes to Josh Allen. Both Allen and Jackson won their first playoff game of their careers, last weekend. I think the Bills defense is underrated in this one, and they come up with the plays of the day to help Bills prevail and get to the next round.
THE SUNDAY GAMES ROUND TWO PLAYOFFS
#6.CLEVELAND BROWNS(12-5) AT #1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(14-2)
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
I think this game is going to be closer than most think. Cleveland will use it’s running game to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field. Curious to see if Kareem Hunt has a monster day for the Browns in their back field facing his old team, who cut him because he beat up on a girl. SCUM BAG!!! I think the Chiefs are prepared better this go around not to fall behind like they did to Houston last year. The Chiefs obviously came back and won the game. Chiefs defense will play well. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the post-season. He will be well rested and is just due for a big game. The playoff experience is the key for Kansas City as they pull out a close one and move on to the Championship round.
#5.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (12-5) AT #2.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-4)
OUR PICK:SAINTS
Tom Brady versus Drew Brees is a match up for the ages. It’s like a monster movie clash of the titans. This is where all the big egos Tampa Bay has collected, will haunt them in a big playoff game versus a team that beat them already twice. I know it will be very hard for the Saints to beat the Buccaneers for the third time in one season. Tom Brady thrives in these situations as he won six Superbowl titles with the Patriots. We are waiting for the one big post-season moment that ends the Saints for good. Can they overcome that history? Tom Brady in the spotlight games, has not worked out well this season, especially being Sunday night. Tom Brady on the road with the Patriots in the playoffs, the results were not that good. Patriots and Brady used the cold of Foxboro as their homefield, playing outside with your fans and made that like a Lambeau field which is hard to beat in January. Saints defense can pressure Tom Brady. The Saints will bring everything including the kitchen sink at Tampa Tom. Eventually it will lead to Tom Brady cracking. Drew Brees’ last ride this post season takes the Buccaneer defense and moves on to the NFC Championship round.
Who will be shuffling their way out of the elite 8 to the championship round this weekend? I know I ain’t no dumb cookie, but the Bears were one and done and not going to be in the Superbowl shuffle yet again. Brees versus Brady part three. Browns, Bills and Buccaneers… Oh my! Break their post-season droughts with wins. Then we have Allen versus Jackson.
Mask up, pass the spray and le’ts get down with our second round of playoff power rankings.
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-2) SAME The Chiefs have their first opponent, and it is the Cleveland Browns in what many could call the Insurance bowl. State Farm versus Progressive!!! Which carrier would win?
To me, the best carrier and athlete in the insurance game is Pedro Cerrano.
You’re in good hands with Pedro. Chiefs come off the bye week and will be without wide receiver Sammy Watkins who did well last post season for the Chiefs. Clyde Edwards-Soliare has practiced, but missed a few practices. Leading up to this weekend, he will be a game-time decision. The Chiefs won down the stretch but the offense was not being run like a well-oiled machine, only scoring 17 off Atlanta defense when we last seen Patrick Mahomes behind center. Can we get the Chiefs defense to repeat their performance last post-season? Can the Chiefs win back to back titles? AFC looks stacked this post season compared to last season.
#2. GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3) SAME Packers will have their first opponent of the post season, the surprising Rams. Can Aaron Rodgers pick apart that Rams defense? Can Devante Adams create enough space being covered by Jalen Ramsey? Is the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, minus the fans, still a tough place to win? Can LA come in from the sunshine and win in snowy conditions? Number one seeds in the NFC, since 1975, have gone on to win 16 Superbowls. They most recently beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Aaron Rodgers versus Jared Goff is a match up between two alums from the University of California.
Maybe Chicago fans can be hopeful, as Aaron Rodgers does have a little Bear inside him. When Jordan Love takes over Rodgers can be a Bear again.
No talented quarterback in the entire NFL would Grin and Bare It for the Chicago Bears.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-4) SAME
Will Drew Brees ride of into the sunset after this post-season? Will it be Superbowl or bust? The Saints and Drew Brees had a tune up versus a very easy Bears squad. Seems like CJ Gardner-Johnson will not be on any of the Bears Receivers’ X-mas Card lists.
In two games with the Saints and the Bears, both times a Chicago Receiver got ejected for punching Saints defender, CJ Gardner-Johnson. First time in regular season, Javon Wims, and last Sunday Anthony Miller. Gardner-Johnson must be like a Dennis Rodman and getting inside their heads. Can the Saints beat the Buccaneers for the third time in one season? Will Tom Brady get the last laugh. Saints defense has put a lot of pressure on Brady in both those regular season games, and Tampa Tom’s performance was not good.
#4.BUFFALO BILLS (14-3) SAME The Buffalo Bills won their first post-season in 25 years. Head Coach Sean McDermott got his first win in the playoffs in his third game. Most importantly, quarterback Josh Allen got his first win in post-season behind center.
It’s huge that the Bills won and held off the Colts to avoid the bad sack Josh Allen took towards the end of that game. The one that could have cost the team the win. Allen’s first post-season, he tried too hard to make a play versus Houston in the second half. Texans forced a turnover and went on to win a comeback from behind victory, in that first round. The Bills had for the first time all season, some fans in the stands. What I do not understand is some of them being kicked out for not wearing a mask. SERIOUSLY!!! You paid big money for a ticket, you get kicked out and are unable to see history in the making with your young QB breaking a 25 year drought. You’d think a mask would keep their face warm in Buffalo weather.
Wear your mask and drink your beer at the same time.
Just don’t act like the Philadelphia Eagles fans with your mask on.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5) SAME Ravens are one of the hottest teams in the league right now as they have won 6th straight, including finally winning versus the Titans. Thought it was Groundhog’s Day again for Lamar Jackson and company getting behind quickly 10-0 to the Titans.
The Ravens punched back and Lamar Jackson gets his first ever playoff victory in his third try. Will Lamar Jackson be making snow angels in Buffalo? The Ravens go back on the road to try to beat another very hot team coming into the post-season. Last time the Bills and Ravens squared off it was late regular season in 2019. It was Lamar Jackson versus Josh Allen in a close one. Josh Allen has improved since and has a better cast surrounding him. It is an interesting match up because both quarterbacks can use their feet and arm to beat you. Lamar Jackson was MVP last season. Could Josh Allen be the MVP this season?
#6.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(12-5) SAME Tom Brady wins his first playoff game in another uniform, besides the Evil Empire gear of the Patriots.
Last weekend’s win over the Washington Football team was the Buccaneers’ first playoff victory since winning the Superbowl versus the Raiders.
Long John Silver and Black Beard were stars of that pirate bowl.
Above is the Buccaneers plan for Drew Brees. Can the Buccaneers led by Tom Brady avoid a 3 game sweep by the Saints this weekend? Can the Buccaneer offensive line protect Tampa Tom long enough to get good passes off? Brees versus Brady head to head Drew has won 5 out 7 of those contests. Tom Brady still has six Superbowls to only 1 for Drew Brees.
#7.CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-5) UP 4 SPOTS The Cleveland Browns won their first playoff game in 26 seasons of taking it to their archrival Steelers early in that game. I think the Browns hurt Chase Claypool’s feelings last Sunday night
Chase also said the Browns were harassing his teammate, Ju Ju Smith-Schuster, during the win and had no class. Is this the same Ju Ju who dances on other team’s logo’s?
Kareem Hunt will be saying hello to his former teammates of Kansas City this weekend.
Hunt was cut by the Chiefs from his situation in a hotel hallway where he beat the shit out of a female. Will this give Hunt a chip on his shoulder to have a big game versus his former team and perhaps prevent them winning two Superbowls in back to back years? Head coach Kevin Stefanski will return to the sideline for this weekend match up with Kansas City. Stefanski was out with Covid versus the Steelers. Stefanski is one of the biggest reason why the Browns have found their way into the playoffs.
#8.LA RAMS (11-6) UP 4 SPOTS Sean McVay will be facing his old colleague, Mike LaFleur, who is head coach of the Packers. Both McVay and LaFleur were on Mike Shanahan’s staff when he coached for the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile McVay, to get to this point, found a way to beat Pete Carol and the Seahawks once again. McVay did this even with losing their starting quarterback, John Wolford, very early in this game versus the Seattle Seahawks. Wolford was in for Jared Goff who had surgery on his thumb weeks prior. Goff had to come into the game not at 100 percent, especially because the thumb injured is on his throwing hand. The Rams defense helped out big time in this one keeping Russell Wilson in check.
Aaron Donald will play versus Green Bay despite a rib injury he suffered in the Seahawks game. Rams will need Donald to come up big if they have plans to knock off the number one seed in the NFC and beat a guy named Aaron Rodgers who is having an MVP season.
Right now the NFL has seven vacant head coaching jobs open since the regular season ended two weeks ago. I still do not see the Bears as the eighth team on this list. That’s right, they made the playoffs and are keeping their band of jokers together.
I will rank each NFL team’s opening that is vacant, from worst to first. I judge by the city, the team history, and what they have in place roster-wise. Plus, what their salary cap structure has and where they are drafting at.
#7.DETROIT LIONS (5-11) The Lions’ head coaching job, to me, is the worst job out there. First thing, the city of Detroit looks like something out of an apocalyptic world. Michigan is a beautiful state, model-like, but you always notice the wart on the nose of this beauty.
BAD HISTORY: Superstars left the game early, just because they had enough with the Lions’ ways.
Barry Sanders and Megatron, aka Calvin Johnson, got fed up with the organization
Lions have Matthew Stafford at quarterback, a guy who is 33 years of age and has not won a playoff game in 12 seasons. Stafford is not in the top tier quarterbacks of the league. Stafford is definitely in the second tier in the fraternity of quarterbacks throughout the league. Can a new coach work with Matthew Stafford and create a cast around him to be a post-season team? Stafford has 2 years left on his contract and could be a trading chip.
PIECES IN PLACE: Tight End T.J Hockenson, CB Jeff Okudah
Matt Patricia, former head coach of the Lions, made a mess with this franchise. Lions defense, which Patricia I think should know something about, served up the most points in the entire league. The Lions do not have much salary cap space available as well. Lions do have pick 7 in the draft, which could get them a new quarterback if they decide to trade off pieces.
#6.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12) Texas is an entire new country. At least that is what they say on their brochure. The old Astrodome is where they filmed one of the Bad News Bears movies.
Hot weather, if you like sweating, could be a draw. Do you like cowboy hats?
Country girls are an entire different species in a good way. Texans though, you feel like you would always be the second fiddle to the Cowboys, so cowboy hats could lose their luster.
PIECES IN PLACE: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he is young. Watson showed he still had a great year even with the team trading away his top receiver DeAndre Hopkins, to Arizona before the season started. Can Watson repeat next year without his top target this past season, Will Fuller? The salary cap is on the brink right now in Houston, so the Watson cover is not the full story of what you will get if you take this job.
Texans have already hired a new GM, Nick Caserio, of whom Watson is not a fan. Watson wants the team to bring in Chiefs’ offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who will be heavily sought out by many teams to be the their next head coach. Watson has griped about how the team is not doing enough for social justice. Watson might be demanding a trade, so the cover of this story will be gone.
Then the defense of the Texans, was horrible last season. A grandmother in a wheelchair could rush for a 100 yards on this defense. JJ Watt ranted and raved about the way this unit played and called most of them unprofessional. JJ Watt, a Houston icon, is coming off a just below average type of year performance-wise. Watt has one left in his deal. Will you be forced to keep Watt since he is fan favorite?
A KICK IN THE HEAD: Dolphins’ own Houston’s first and second picks with that trade, sending Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil to Houston.
#5.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) Hotlanta, although I heard they don’t call it that anymore. Another Southern hospitality town, which if you have not been to one these towns it’s quite of an experience. Plus, great Southern food and Walking Dead tours.
PIECES IN PLACE:Calvin Ridley
What would be a great plan in Atlanta? Calvin Ridley, with Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, you know this team can sling the football all over the field. Ridley is a young and still rising superstar receiver. Julio Jones’ injury bug has been biting, stinging, as he fights through it. Jones still has missed some games and is getting older. Is Matt Ryan, at 36 years, the answer at quarterback? If Phillip Rivers retires, trading Matt Ryan to the Colts would be an upgrade there. If you bring everyone back, the defense is horrible. The salary cap is oozing over.
Falcons have the 4th pick in the draft that could get you a new quarterback. If you traded away some of your yesterday’s staples, you could create a slew of more picks and do a quick rebuild to be back in the playoffs. Plus, the NFC South has many older quarterbacks. Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Teddy Bridgewater hitting his prime. If this team can find a young future quarterback from the 4th pick ,they could be ahead of the entire division in the long run. The owner of the Falcons, Arthur Blank, to me is hands off and gives you many opportunities to steer this Atlanta ship.
#4.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-11-1) Philadelphia… you could run the stairs to see the Rocky statue.
Power down a few cheese steaks to replace the missing calories you burned doing the stairs to Rocky statue.
PIECES IN PLACE: The quarterback situation minus the third stringer from the Arena Football league. RB Miles Sanders
The quarterback situation is pretty good in Philadelphia with Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts. My only problem both Hurts and Wentz act like Kindergarten babies, wash yourself in gravy, about making faces pouting and who knows tearing up being taken out? One of these talents you could trade and clear up space for other needs. The other great thing you would take this job it’s a team that plays in the worst division in football. The NFC East.
The Eagles are still living with that Superbowl team years ago and now have aged and run up against the salary cap. The Eagles had to be one of the teams with the most injuries this season, due to being an aging team. Eagles had injuries to their Offensive line all year/ The team had many of the playmakers sidelined in 2020. The Eagles would need to do a makeover, but have some nice pieces to work with.
Eagle fans are absolutely crazy. Sure they are passionate. Ask Santa Clause what he thinks. You take a head coaching job in Philadelphia, you need a thick skin.
#3.NEW YORK JETS (2-14) The Big Apple could be exciting being the city that never sleeps.
Meet interesting ladies that have that awesome New York accent. Downfall is you play your games in New Jersey. New York has plenty of things you can do for fun. New York… you either make it and love the town, or the Big Apple bites you on the ass and you walk away with sour grapes.
PIECES IN PLACE: LT Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims,
Taking the Jets job is interesting and discouraging at the same time. Sam Darnold is still a young quarterback. Can he be salvageable? Can he get you a draft pick? The Jets won two games in December, both against playoff teams. Bad thing is you lose out in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. The good thing is you might have some other pieces in place on your roster that have helped win those games. The Jets still have the number two pick so they could get a quarterback. The Jets have lots of salary cap available so it would be taking a job working with a blank canvas. You could build something nice and quick if all the moves pan out. Plus, you can take your time and build a young team.
My problem is the Jets have not done well since Rex Ryan was the head coach.
Rex Ryan did a decent job, but he was nothing special when he left and coached other places.
#2.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-15) Jacksonville brings you hot weather and hot beaches.
Definitely nice umbrella drinks with the Ocean air.
PIECES IN PLACE: LB Joe Schobert, LB Myles Jack, DE Josh Allen, WR DJ Chalk, RB James Robinson
Jaguars’ first thing is they have the number one draft pick. Which means the future will be Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence might be the best thing behind center for this Jaguar team, since Mark Brunell. Jaguars have a lot of cash to spend. They have some pieces in place.
The owner of Jaguars, besides his mustache, could bother you. Shad Khan likes those annual London trips. A trip to London, every decade, would be enough to not play there every year. Jacksonville is a small market. Can they get big names or keep them if they get drafted? Some players like to thrive in the big city with more attention. Small market teams, you probably would not get those vulture reporters like you do in the big markets.
#1.LA CHARGERS (7-9) LA does not have the appeal to me, like the Chargers’ other home would in San Diego. LA is all about Hollywood if you like the lights, camera, and action this is the place to coach.
LA has a lot of fake people.
Like the movie Mannequin, am I riding around with too much plastic or do I have enough plastic to cover the plastic I’m riding around with in my wallet.
PIECES IN PLACE:QB Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, DE Joey Bosa
Chargers had the best record out of all these teams with coach vacancies. Chargers rookie Justin Herbert is now the future quarterback. Herbert could the Chargers quarterback for decades to come as he looked like the real deal. The Chargers have a number one receiver for Justin Herbert. Plus, the Chargers have a stud at the defensive line, Joey Bosa. If they can just keep him healthy. Chargers have a new stadium. Chargers have money to spend, of which they can bring back some of their own and make moves. The Chargers should still be able to get a good player in the first round as well, with their record and not making the playoffs.
The downside to the Chargers is Patrick Mahomes in the same division as your team. Plus, Chargers do not have a good fan base. The Chargers are second fiddle to the Rams in LA. The Chargers I’m not a big fan of their ownership either. Too many shady things. The Chargers left San Diego; they could not get a stadium deal there so they bolted to LA. Seems like the ownership has had this team close but no cigar, too many times over the last two decades. They chose Phillip Rivers over keeping Drew Brees. Too many dark clouds in my opinion.
A brand new season of the NHL will start this week. Last time we saw the Blackhawks, they were in the bubble losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs. Before that series, the technically first round of the playoffs in the bubble to finish the 2019-20 season, was the play-in round where the Blackhawks took the best out of five series versus the Edmonton Oilers to make it to the next round versus the Golden Knights. We know the Covid virus helped the Blackhawks make any kind of post-season appearance last season. Before they shut things down due to Covid, the Blackhawks were running out of time to even sniff post season play. They had too many teams to jump over. The time off, and then the bubble playoffs in the hub cities, we got to see Corey Crawford one last time in the net.
This off-season, the Blackhawks were not bringing Corey Crawford back unless it was a cheap deal. Crawford signed a two year deal with the New Jersey Devils. Then less than a week ago, Corey Crawford called it quits on a wonderful NHL career with all the years with the Blackhawks and two Stanley cups.
In 2020, we saw the Blackhawks fire the President of their team, John McDonough. McDonough was a big part of helping the Blackhawks get out of that Flintstone era of outdated times. They had been one of the worst franchises in sports the way they ran things into the ground.
2020 was a very bad year with the pandemic, protests, and rioting. The Blackhawks dealt with race tensions at an all-time high. They saw their Indian head statue monument outside the United Center, their hockey home defaced and vandalized with paint.
I think the Blackhawks have a good relationship with the Native Americans. They may have improved this relationship after this weak attempt by stupid people who sabotage something they do not understand. In my opinion, the Blackhawk logo is one of the best in the game and most respective out of any other Indian-related logo in sports today or the past. Who knows if the Blackhawks will eventually give their logo up like the Redskins of Washington, and the Cleveland Indians will be heading down the same road.
No exhibition games to start the NHL season. The Blackhawks will be looking a tad different than last year’s team. This team has gotten rid of a lot of pieces. Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is back, which is a downside and his off-season moves continue to be head-scratchers. As evidence, this season is a rebuild type of year for the Blackhawks.
Waivers: Zack Smith last off-season move really worked out. Can even get a bag of pucks for him.
Not resigned:Alexandra Fortin and Anton Wedin
RETIRED:Corey Crawford
Blackhawks off-season plan was trying to shed salary off the cap. It will be the second time Stan Bowman has traded away Brandon Sadd.
NOT AVAILABLE FOR OPENING NIGHT:
THE CAPTAIN Jonathan Toews out with an illness. Return time unknown.
INJURIES:
Alex Nylander knee: out for season
Kirby Dach’s Broken Wrist: Probably out for the season
MIA:Brent Seabrook has not played since December of 2019 and was not at training camp. Seabrook has been dealing with multiple injuries since he last play. Seabrook came to camp to tweak his back in day one back on the ice.
GOALIE
Malcolm Subban: Will be the starting goalie for game one. Subban came over in the Robin Lehner trade. Subban is 27 years of age and has a record of 30-23-7 in 66 games in the net for his career.
Collin Delia: A young back up 26 years of age. Delia played in 18 games in his early NHL career and has a 7-5-3 record.
The Blackhawks’ goalie situation is unproven. Not much of a track record. Blackhawks go from a top league tandem in the net last season to start the year with Crawford and Lehner. Now to a career back up goalie and guy trying to cling to a NHL roster.
DEFENSE
The defense was the team’s weakness last season. What does Duncan Keith have left in the tank?
Duncan Keith has the Jesus look going on for this new season. Duncan Keith says the new off-season workout has gotten him in the best shape of his career.
Duncan Keith and Connor Murphy are your top defensive line
PLAYER TO WATCH ON DEFENSE
Nickita Zadorov is a defenseman the Blackhawks got from the Avalanche in the Brandon Sadd deal.
Zadorav likes to hit people. Last year was tops in the league in giving hits on the ice.
OFFENSE
TOP LINE
Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome
Kane is still one of the top Super Stars of the league. Alex DeBrincat had his lowest numbers in his career last season. Can DeBrincat get back to what he did in the 2018-19 season tallying 41 goals with 76 points?
REST OF THE LINES
LINE 2 Dominick Kubalik, Brandon Pirri, Pius Suter
Suter is a player of Interest. Suter was MVP of the Swiss league
LINE 3 Lucas Wallmark, Mattias Janmark, Andrew Shaw
Can Andrew Shaw rebound from last season’s injuries? Some experts said Shaw would retire.
LINE 4 Matthew Highmore, David Kampf, Ryan Carpenter
Blackhawks this season are going in with too many question marks. The goalie situation worries me. The defense to me is still going to be hot garbage. Kirby Dach’s injury is a big blow. Not having the captain, Jonathan Toews, on the ice with his illness and no return date is worrisome. The extension given to head coach Jeremy Colliton should raise red flags to me. Colliton has not shown me anything yet to prove he should be the guy to lead this team for additional years. Blackhawks clearly are in a rebuild. Which young guys will stick around and be the future? Some of these guys on this team might be dealt at the trade deadline if they can play. Can Stan Bowman, the GM who should have been shit canned, be the guy to fix this situation? It’s great that hockey is back. It’s better watching the NBA. It will be a long season in Chicago. Better that fans can not attend these games.
#7 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) AT #2 BUFFALO BILLS (13-3)
OUR PICK:BILLS
Bills coming in as the hottest team in the playoffs. Colts have won 4 out of their last 5 games. Their only loss coming from the Steelers who came back and beat them late in that affair. I can’t see Phillip Rivers matching the production on the field with Josh Allen without making a boo boo. Colts use a balanced attack of offense with more runs then passes. Bills defense has been stingy on both the run and pass as their unit is showing flashes and consistency of last season where they were top notch unit.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills & Jeff George of Indianapolis Colts
NOTE: Loved Jeff George with his power arm from the University of Illinois. George turned into a Jay Cutler in the NFL, and had everything except the heart.
#6 LA RAMS (10-6) AT #3 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4)
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
The Rams problem will be the quarterback position in this game. Rams made it to the finish line on fumes and lost Jared Goff. The Rams’ John Wolford made his first start last week and Rams beat up a Cardinals team that was not in good shape with an ailing Kyle Murray in that one, just to make the playoffs. Seahawks on the rise, especially because their defense is playing well. Plus Russell Wilson at home in the playoffs is hard to beat. His last loss in the post-season goes back to 2004. Seahawks have been a main staple in the post-season.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Fred Dryer aka HUNTER La Rams & Steve Largent Seahawks
#5 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (11-5) #4 WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (7-9)
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
I would love to see a team from the World’s worst division beat up on a Tom Brady team. Love to see a team with no nickname get deep into post-season. This game has Tom Brady written all over it. Love Washington’s defense, but the question is, how long can they contain Tom Brady who has weapons of mass destruction. Tampa Bay defense is very good versus the run. Then it all lands on the shoulders of Alex Smith which has been a great story this season. Smith is ailing and may need a wheel chair in the second half in this one. The Team barely beat the Eagles last Sunday night when they took out their starting quarterback, and gift wrapped that one for Washington.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Mike Alstott Buccaneers & John Riggins the Redskins Team
THE SUNDAY SLATE
#5 BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5) AT #4. TENNESSEE TITANS (11-5)
OUR PICK:RAVENS
I think the Ravens will turn the tables on the Titans this Sunday. Titans defense is the hole in the ship that will sink them in the post-season. Ravens are back on track and have won 5 straight just to get in the crowded AFC picture and cement a spot. Titans have won 3 out of their last 5 games. The 3 Titans wins versus bottom feeders. The two losses Packers and Browns. Ravens lost to Titans earlier in the year. Titans knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs last season. Lamar Jackson will finally get his first playoff win and get revenge of the Titans and exploit that bad defense.
FAVORITE PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Michael Oher Ravens & Kyle Vanden Bosch Titans
#7 CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) AT #2 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-4)
OUR PICK: SAINTS
If the Bears played the Saints ten times, Chicago might win one of those games. Not this Sunday. I’m not a believer of the Bears bandwagon who came in on a broken axle. The Reborn Mitch Trubisky is no Jesus Christ Superstar, maybe a Trent Dilfer. The Bears defense is not a comparison to that great Ravens defense with the Murderer Ray Lewis running around like a crazy man. Dilfer guided that sleigh, and the Ravens won their first Superbowl. It’s simple. Most Bears wins have came from bad teams this season. The better teams, they have not fared well against include the Saints this season. The Saints defense is the best they have ever had in the Drew Brees ERA. Saints offense with so many moving parts for this Bears team. This unit is not that 2018 unit that killed your quarterback.
FAVORITE PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Craig IRON HEAD Heyward Saints & ROBO COP James Thornton Bears
#6 CLEVELAND BROWNS(11-5) AT #3 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4)
OUR PICK:STEELERS
Both these teams have not done well down the stretch. The Steelers were the king of the league most of the year and have lost 4 out of their last 5 games. Browns lost to the Jets. Oh the Humanity in that one. You can say the Jets’ two wins have come from playoff teams, the Rams and Browns. If Rams and Browns meet in the Superbowl do we call that the Jets toilet bowl? Browns barely beat the Steelers last week and Pittsburgh were resting guys. The Browns’ Head Coach, Kevin Stefanski is out in this one due to Covid. Without Stefanski, does Cleveland become STUPID again in those Freddie Kitchen days? I see Big Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers having one more solid game left in him and this will be that game.
The Playoffs have arrived and the Browns have finally made it back to the post-season.
Wild card weekend always has lots of great games over the years. This year with the expansion of post season with two more wild cards, we get triple headers on both Saturday and Sunday. Two teams will have byes, one from each conference. We share our wild power rankings with all 14 teams, and who we think ranks 1 thru 14. Get wild and crazy as we slow ride our way through the power rankings.
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-2) The Chiefs right now is what Elvis Presley was to Rock-n-Roll.
Not quite, because this Elvis the former Chief quarterback has left the building. It’s good to be king and the Chiefs are the King of the NFL. Chiefs have not missed a beat since winning the Superbowl last season, and earned the number one seed in the AFC a first round bye. They will get a week off to rest their players and then be ready in the second round to defend their Superbowl title from last season. Chiefs rested many of their players last week versus the Chargers in week 17, having everything clinched to do that. Coming off their first round playoff bye, the Chiefs hope they have their starting running back able to go. The rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, if healthy, is a better option than the X-Steeler crybaby Le’Veon Bell.
#2.GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3) The Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC as they earn top seed with a bye in the playoffs’ first round. Aaron Rodgers has played lights out this season behind center for the Cheese Spread. Is the real MVP of the Packers, Jordan Love?
Packers drafting a quarterback in the first round of the draft after coming off a trip to the NFC Championship, may have ignited a flame under Aaron Rodgers. Packers could have gotten Rodgers another weapon on offense that he could have used. Rodgers makes everyone around him better as he did that this season with a monster year behind center. Will Rodgers continue down this road of revenge throughout the playoffs all the way into the Superbowl? Something like the path Jack Bauer took in 24 when he went for blood on all the Russians involved who killed his girl.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-4) I find this Saints team can find many different ways to win a game this season. Some of the Saints teams of the past seem like they would March through the playoffs according to the eye test. This 2020 team has so much more especially with the best defense they ever had. This defense is better than the bounty gate defense they had when they won the whole thing versus the Colts.
Saints defense don’t have to put a bounty on the heads of the opposing teams this go round. This Saints team has overcome yet another year losing Drew Brees to injury for a few weeks. They played without Alvin Kamara and the entire running back room their final week versus Carolina, and won very convincingly. They played most of the year without their top receiver in Michael Thomas. Sean Payton always has someone stepping up. This is the year you think it will not be the Saints in the Superbowl representing the NFC, and then watch them get there.
#4.BUFFALO BILLS ( 13-3) The Bills might be the scariest team entering the post season. They have been manhandling everyone in their way as they earn the second seed in the AFC. This will be the first Bills home field playoff game this Saturday, since 1996. Plus, the Bills Mafia will be on hand.
I like how the Bills defense has gotten better from a bad start of the season due to injuries. Last year’s Bills defense unit was one of the tops in the league. Last year’s offense struggled to score touchdowns. If both the defense and offense continue playing great football at the same time, Bills Mafia will be toasting all weekend long. Will wide receiver Cole Beasley be able to play this weekend? Bills signed Kenny Stills just in case, which is a nice addition.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5) The Ravens have been playing their best football down the stretch. Since last year’s loss to the Titans in the playoffs, the Ravens will try to avenge that loss and a regular season loss suffered by Tennessee in a rematch this weekend. Can Lamar Jackson win a playoff game?
Can Jackson walk down the Nashville streets strutting his stuff with victory on the road? Jackson will need help from the rest of the Ravens. The defense will have to stop the Titan machine. Plus the Ravens running game has to get yardage from their backs, not just Lamar Jackson doing it all. Titans made Jackson one dimensional last year in the playoffs. Ravens will need to score quickly and not far behind.
#6.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (11-5) Can Tampa Tom do something that neither he or any team has ever done before? Can the Buccaneers get to the Superbowl and play a home game at their own stadium as it’s being played in Tampa Bay? Would guiding the Buccaneers and winning a Superbowl be Tom Brady’s finest work? Look at the cast of villains Brady has on this Buccaneer squad?
I see Gronk and Suh stand out in the picture above. The list of bad seeds on this Buccaneers team is very long from Antonio Brown, Leonard Fornette, Shady McCoy, and three fingered Jason Pierre-Paul. Have to throw Tom Brady into the mix as well. A team of thugs. Can you win the whole thing with this many bad guys and big egos?
#7.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4) The Seahawks defense has impressed me playing solidly late in the season. The Kansas City Chiefs defense started getting a lot better late in the season last year as they took it to the playoffs. Pete Carol, as a person, I think is the bottom of barrel sewer scum and beyond.
Pete Carol no longer has the Legion of Boom, but he has coached this year. Pete Carol has a guy on defense and guy on offense doing whatever and leading their units to the promise land. Offensively, we know the great Russell Wilson. On defense, safety Jamal Adams is leading a rag tag zombie apocalypse group out there playing defense.
#8.TENNESSEE TITANS (11-5) Last year’s post season Titans became a force in the AFC. Knocking out the team everyone thought was going to the dance, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Then the Titans ended the Patriot playoff dynasty beating Tom Brady and Belichick together for the last time. This year Titans have been great on offense, but that defense is horrible. Titans need to strike first to keep Derek Henry just mauling people down throughout the game is key to victory.
Titans can win a shootout. The Titans’ best way of winning is Derek Henry killing the clock with a lead.
#9.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4) Can the Steelers repair Big Ben Roethlisberger like the Police officer in Robo Cop?
Big Ben looks old and could use a new gun with an arm. The Steelers lost 4 out of their last 5 down the stretch. The last game, they rested Big Ben in a loss to the Browns, who they play again this Sunday. The Steelers’ only win down the stretch was a comeback victory versus a good Colts team. The Steel Curtain defense has lost a few guys down the stretch as well. I can see the Steelers winning one game, and then being knocked out the following week.
#10.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) I like this Colts team. They have a good defense and like to run the ball. I know the Colts did not play well down the stretch last season. They had a great start and faded away. Did Phillip Rivers do a way better job than a Jacoby Brissett last year? Big difference, and Colts are in the post season once again. Only problem is, the Colts have to play their game to win in the post-season. It has to be ball control with taking time off the clock with good defense. A shootout Phillip Rivers is prone to for stupid mistakes. Could this be Musters last stand this post season for Phillip Rivers?
Rivers does not like to move having a Partridge style size family.
#11.CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-5) Browns finally back in the playoffs since 2002. The Browns are not having any luck since they won their 9th game of the season which is a winning season. Winning seasons are like Haley’s comet. They only come to the Dawg Pound every so often like every 20 years we round up. The Browns needed to win a close one versus the Steelers last week, who were resting Big Ben to even make the post season. They lost one of their top pass rushers in Olivier Vernon last week to get in. Before that, Covid took out the Browns receiving room versus a bad Jets team that beat you. Now the head coach, Kevin Stefanski, will be out with Covid this Sunday in a rematch versus the Steelers. Stefanski’s first year coaching in Cleveland has been the difference from the year before with Freddie Kitchens having no control over the same team.
#12.LA RAMS (10-6) Can Sean McVay win in the playoffs with a former American Alliance Arizona Hotshot, John Wolford, behind center? Wolford who started his first NFL game for the Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals last week to help get the Rams into the playoffs. Wolford played in Arizona in the AAF and then makes his first NFL start versus the state he played his first professional ball at. Hotshot fans of the past, who are still Cardinal fans, feel slighted.
Wolford threw one pick versus the Cardinals and had 231 passing yards with no TD passes. Wolford could get better in his second start, but the defense of the Rams who helped last week will have to even get better versus the Seahawks in round one of the playoffs.
#13.THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (7-9) The Washington Football Team, that no one in DC is talking about right now, especially with what went down this week in the city.
If Alex Smith was at full strength, the Washington team could perhaps knock off the Buccaneers with that great defense they have. The offense is the problem. When Alex Smith knocked off the rust, this team was doing well. Is the Washington the first team in the playoffs without having an actual nickname? Washington ditched the Redskin name when 2020 turned into one crazy Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome movie.
#14.CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) The Bears, to me, are one of the luckiest teams to get in the post season. Bears needed help and they got it. Cardinal love.
The Cardinals had two clunker games in a row to be home for the playoffs. Bears had played battered defenses down the stretch to get in the back door after losing to Green Bay last Sunday. Has Mitch Trubisky found his game or is it just bad defenses he faced to get to this point? They say getting into the playoffs is another entire new season which is true. Bears will need that defense to step up if they want to get past a very talented Saints offense. I’m talking about 2018 greatness of that Bears defense. The Bears running game has suddenly shown up, which they will need. This instead of relying solely on Mitch Trubisky’s arm who can force things and get the team in trouble with mistakes. Do the bears throw a curve ball and bench Trubisky once again this season and bring in Nick Foles who thrives in the post season?
A Saints bus crash could seal the deal on Sunday for the Bears as well. Only Sid Luckman Reborn, could take the position behind center for the Bears and take this team beyond Wild Card weekend.
In 2020 the NFL did not have a pre-season due to the Coronavirus. Pre-season games in the NFL are really not very exciting. The starters usually play a handful of plays. The excitement of these games would be to witness first hand how the rookie draft class looks. When your team takes out the top rookies drafted, you focus on the names you never have heard of. The un-drafted free agents, the long shots. Every season someone catches your eye. Every season, one guy just has a break out pre-season where you feel this guy has to make the team. The guy makes it all the way to the last cuts as he continues to tear it up against other teams’ second and third stringers. The long shot to make the roster, destined for the practice squad or out on the streets where he might ask “Do you want fries with that burger?” Watch for it when you visit a fast food restaurant. In 2017, it was Tanner Gentry where most fans thought he was the next coming of a Tommy Waddle for the Bears.
Tanner Gentry was an undrafted free agent the Bears brought in from the University of Wyoming in 2017. Home of the Cowboys. In 2016, Tanner Gentry made the All-Mountain West second team with a huge year at the wide receiver position. Gentry caught 72 passes for 1,326 yards with 14 touchdowns. Gentry was the first receiver to tally over 1000 yards for Wyoming since Jovon Bouknight caught 77 balls for 1,116 yards for the Cowboys in 2005. When Tanner Gentry arrived in Chicago, he was an All-star in the Pre-Season. The Bears just drafted Mitch Trubisky and were going to have him sit his first season behind veteran quarterback Mike Glennon. As we all know how that worked out. Tanner Gentry would be that guy you could stash on the practice squad and get his reps in every week and learn the NFL game. Tanner Gentry made his NFL living mostly on the practice squad. Same story for good ole number 87, Tommy Waddle who was cut from the team several times before he finally stuck on the roster. Tommy Waddle was a great receiver for the Bears to move the chains. He could take a huge hit over the middle and hold on to the football. Tanner Gentry would get in 4 games in the 2017 season. It was a year the Bears had a very poor core of wide receivers with bad quarterback play, as Mitch Trubisky was thrown to the Wolves with Mike Glennon’s horrific play. Plus, you could say the Bears Offensive line was not very good as well. It was the John Fox ERA, and defense was the Bears jam while running the football on offense.
In 2018, Tanner Gentry was forgotten because it was a new ERA in Chicago as John Fox was fired. Matt Nagy was brought in to be the head coach of the Bears. The Bears spent money and did a total upgrade on their offense with new receivers along with tight ends. A guy who is a project like Tanner Gentry, had to move on. Find another job and hope a team would give him a shot in the NFL. Gentry finished his Bears career with 3 catches for only 35 yards. Tanner Gentry resurfaced while moving on and made the New York Guardians roster of the XFL in 2020. Gentry would not find the field as the league shut down due to the Corona Virus. Sometimes you can’t go back home. However the 26 year old receiver circled the wagons and found his old quarterback from Wyoming which might be the home cooking needed for a Tanner Gentry. Gentry finds his way to Buffalo and reuniting with his former friend, his college quarterback Josh Allen. Josh Allen was the guy that helped put Tanner Gentry on the map with that great year they had in 2016 while at Wyoming, hooking up 14 times in the end zone. Tanner Gentry finds himself in the same familiar position of the practice squad so far in Buffalo. This go around with an MVP caliber signal caller that Josh Allen is having this season, might be the recipe to keep Tanner Gentry dream alive as a receiver in the the NFL. Plus Gentry and Allen had a nice chemistry years ago back in Wyoming as Buffalo fans hope to see that happen again. The words of former Panther and Bear Muhsin Muhammad, when he said “receivers go to die in Chicago.” Maybe Tanner Gentry will be his typical long shot self once again and now rise from the Chicago Receiver graveyard and do well with his ole Chum and the Buffalo Bills.
The Wild shamrock 