The famous number 12 seed finds it’s way to the sweet 16.
Oregon State beat Tennessee in a beat down, 70-56. Then the Beavers handled Oklahoma State 80-70 to find themselves in the sweet 16. The Beavers’ first time in the sweet 16 since 1982, when that team made the elite 8.
Where the double hockey sticks is Oral Roberts located?
Do you remember the skit on Saturday Night Live called Wedgie Fever? Jon Lovitz is the contestant and his answer to every question is Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is where Oral Roberts is from. Even though it sounds like a school out East. Oral Roberts had the biggest upset of the the first round of 64 teams by knocking out a very talented Ohio State. Then they proceed and knock out a pretty good Florida team in the next round. Now, can they defeat number three Arkansas and find their way to the elite 8?
TEAMS I DON’T MISS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Wild Cats could not recruit the all-star McDonald’s high school best. Kentucky is like a Terminator factory creating basketball talent from the factory.
What’s better? Duke not in the Tournament or the Blue devils having an early exit? Remember Lehigh University?
PRICELESS!!!!
Anybody for some fine sloppy Tarheel Joe’s? University of Wisconsin added some cheese to this North Carolina destruction in round one of the tournament.
SCHOOLS EVERYONE MISSES
Love me when Murray State and Kent State make some noise early on in the tournament.
IS IT SISTER JEAN OR PORTER MOSER??
Who gets the credit for Loyola’s big win versus Illinois? Head coach Porter Moser or Sister Jean? Sister Jean has the big guy’s attention.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DYNAMIC DUO IN ILLINOIS?
Batman of the University of Illinois, Ayo Dosunmu, picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue as he played one of his worst games of the season versus Loyola. Loyola stuns the top seeded Illini who were probably many’s favorite to win the entire thing. A total bracket buster. The cape crusader Ayo maybe should have passed the ball and found a Robin or two from a poor day of shooting. Every 16 years, the Fighting Illini create something special. From the 1989 team, the Flying Illini, with Kenny Battle, Nick Anderson and Kendall Gill that made it to the final 4 . In 2005, the unbelievable come back versus the University of Arizona in the elite 8 led by Deron Williams. The 2005 team with Luther Head, Dee Brown, and James Augustine went all the way to the championship only to lose to North Carolina. This 2021, Illini were the team that had everything on a roster from a big man to multiple play makers on the court that could have should have went all the way.
First time I ever heard the name Rutgers was reading the scoreboard or watching whatever sports halftime show to see this school was being destroyed by their opponent. It seemed like the University of Rutgers sucked at basketball and football and lost like 77-0 on the football field on a Saturday afternoon. Where the hell was Rutgers University? New Jersey. Rutgers are in the Big Ten conference who have more than ten schools in the conference. The last time Rutgers won a March Madness tournament game, they were not a part of the Big Ten Conference. Rutgers finally broke that drought by beating Clemson in the first round. It was 38 years since they won a game in the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers would go on to the next round and lose a close one to Houston by the score of 63-60.
Ron Harper Jr. is one of the reasons why Rutgers has turned around their basketball program. The name sounds familiar. Maybe because his father Ron Harper helped Michael Jordan win multiple NBA Championships with the Bulls during the 1990’s.
All season long you can see Ron Harper Jr has his father basketball ability and perhaps gets the hair on his mother’s side of the genes.
FIRST TIMER
If you’re number 16 seed like the University of Hartford, is it better to be cemented in the tournament and not play in the very first round of the play in games. The Hawks had a mighty task in trying to upend a number one seed, a power house like Baylor University. Only one 16th seed in the history of March Madness took a walk on the wild side and took down a number one seed. I like the story of a coach grinding out at the same program for ten years and finally made history at the school as the University of Hartford made it to the tournament for the first time in their school history. Hopefully one and done for John Gallagher will help get him and the Hawks some nice recruits, as they move this program further up the ladders.
Why does the University of North Texas call themselves Mean Green when their logo is a Eagle? Is it because the uniforms are green? Did the inventor of the Green Machine Big Wheel go to North Texas?
I remember one year getting the green machine for X-mas. One of the coolest presents the big guy in the red suit brought me that year. Found that picture with the old car. I remember in the 1980’s just flying down the sidewalks in this sports big wheel. Then braking with a 360 turn and hitting my head against a car like that. We were not sissies wearing helmets. I was able to shake it off, rub some dirt on it, and ride again.
In 1966, the North Texas defensive unit was nicknamed Mean Greene because they finished 2nd that year against the run in football. On that squad in 1966, Mean Joe Greene made his presence known. Steelers Legend Mean Joe Greene is one of the ferocious defensive linemen in history of the game and many rings formed the Steel Curtain in the 1970’s.
North Texas was a number 13 seed coming in as they won their first NCAA tournament win versus a talented number 4 seed in Purdue University in the first round of 64 teams. It took Overtime to accomplish this first win for North Texas in the record books. It was the 4th appearance in the school’s history. Last time North Texas made the tournament, was in 2010. North Texas would lose in the next round to University of Villanova.
BOUNTY ON THE HEAD OF BILL SELFISH
Not sure what I hate more: USC Football with Pete Carol running a shady program or Bill Selfish and his Kansas Jayhawks. USC collects the bounty as they demolished the Kansas Jayhawks in round two of the tournament.
Mitch Trubisky will always be the door prize number 3 out of the 2017 draft. It was the draft where Mitch Trubisky was picked ahead of a well-polished Clemson quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Trubisky was picked ahead of Patrick Mahomes, who was a wild card with some intriguing intangibles. Trubisky was a wild card himself with only one year as a starter in college under his belt. Most teams would have went Watson because of the big bowl games in the College playoffs going eye to eye versus power house Alabama. Patrick Mahomes obviously has been the better choice out of the three, winning a Superbowl in two attempts leading the Chiefs to the promised land back to back years. Will things be different in 4 years with these quarterbacks, or will they remain the same? Trubisky has moved on from the Bears as he shuffles off to Buffalo on a one year deal. Getting out of the city that turns men behind center into stone cold statues, where quarterbacks go to die. Watson is having problems with the massages and if the allegations are true, could his career be in question? Watson was demanding a trade before from Houston, but then all the women that had massage sessions with him suddenly came out saying he wanted a lot more than their pay grade. Mahomes will be Mahomes still. That leaves me the man picked number 1 that year out of the three. Can Mitch Trubisky turn the tables, flip the script, and play like the guy the Bears thought they were getting?
Last season in ten games for the Bears, Mitch Trubisky went 6-3 as a starter. Trubisky was benched earlier in the season, for Nick Foles would return later in the season and played better when head coach Matt Nagy and his staff playbook were tailored to Mitch’s strengths. The Bears also finally ran the ball. Trubisky completed 67% of his passes for 2,055 yards with 16 touch down passes and 8 interceptions. Those are not bad numbers. In four years, Trubisky has 10,609 passing yards with 64 touch downs and 37 picks. Trubisky has a career 64% completion rating. Trubisky has a 29-21 record as starting quarterback. Trubisky is only quarterback since the AFL NFL merger in 1970, not to throw a pick six starting 50 or more games. Trubisky went 0-2 in the playoffs but lost one of those from the double doink kick off the leg of Cody Parky. Trubisky has engineered 5 comebacks and 7 game winning drives. Overall, Trubisky’s numbers speak for themselves. These are not numbers you want for a top quarterback selected in the draft, especially number two overall. Trubisky’s play shows you he does belong in this league as he is not a Ryan Leaf bust. Trubisky will probably never be a top tier passer in the league. Trubisky could be a top back up or a serviceable starter. Trubisky put up better numbers than Andy Dalton, who is the Bears number 1 QB option this up coming season.
Mr. Biscuit, which they call Mitch Trubisky in his circle, had numerous offers from teams this off-season. Why did Trubisky settle on a one year deal to go to Buffalo? Plus, Trubisky probably would have gotten more money elsewhere, settling for a one year deal worth 2.5 million. Then he would be automatically backing up a stud at quarterback like the Bills have in Josh Allen. For the Buffalo Bills, this is a savvy move by them as they love collecting X Bears quarterbacks. Bills replace Matt Barkley, former Bear, with a former Bear with Trubisky. Bills also have Jake Fromm, who they drafted last season who they are still developing. This move by the Bills they improve the quarterback room. Plus, Trubisky’s skill set is similar to Josh Allen’s skill set. The offense would remain the same if something happened to Josh Allen. The reason why Trubisky signed with Buffalo is he has a similar skill set to Josh Allen, who has thrived under offensive coordinator Brain Daboll. Trubisky may be prepared to just be an understudy for a year to learn and improve his play watching Allen and soaking in any knowledge the Bills staff can provide. Remember, the Bears wanted to do that when they drafted Trubisky, but Mike Glennon was horrible and had to throw the biscuit into the wolves his rookie year.
I think if any other team picked Mitch Trubisky in the draft, they would have had better results than the Bears. The Bears brass and coaching staff should be fired because they have problems developing younger talent. Plus, it seems they are never on the same page. John Fox was the head coach with the Bears when Ryan Pace went on his own and took Trubisky in that draft. Fox was probably thinking a stud for his defense. Matt Nagy inherited Trubisky when he took the job. From the beginning, Matt Nagy deep down wanted anyone else other than Mitch Trubisky. Just by selecting the game plan for Mitch Trubisky, Matt Nagy was not doing anyone favors. Half those games Trubisky started, the game plan was not tailored around his skill set. Matt Nagy over and over would use Mitch Trubisky as the scapegoat. Trubisky did not ask the Bears to draft him. The Bears even intended to have Trubisky sit out the entire first season like the Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes. Going in, Trubisky was going to be a project. Trubisky is a good person and probably did the extra reps in practice and watched the extra game film every week. The biggest reason Trubisky signed with Buffalo is to improve his game and maybe get the help he needs to get better. Trubisky may only do one year in Buffalo and find himself as a starter with another team in 2022. That shows me he wanted coaching and tells me Bears can not coach. Look at Leonard Floyd, another top pick by the Bears. Last year, Floyd played one season with the Rams, turned his career around, and got himself a contract extension. I can’t predict the future as you probably saw my March Madness brackets. In 4 years, Patrick Mahomes will probably still be in the top tier of quarterbacks in the league. Deshaun Watson’s saga could be uglier. I suspect Watson, if he can get out from under all this massage therapy, will play at an elite level. Where… I have no idea. An educated guess is I can see Mitch Trubisky resurfacing in the NFL as a starter being a middle of the road type of quarterback. If a team can run the ball, use Trubisky’s skill set and coach him up, he could be a guy to get your team into the playoffs. At the end, it will show you the booby prizes were always running the show with GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.
A Bear is shitting in the woods while playing with a rifle. Does the rifle make a sound when it shoots the eye out of the Midway Monsters? Bears don’t know how to use this kind of weapon, landing the Red Rifle this off-season. Bears have not grasped the idea of how to fire the musket at the quarterback position. All the options out there at the quarterback position, and the Bears picked their poison by signing Andy Dalton to a one year deal worth ten million. Andy Dalton was a quarterback available last year who the Bears could have traded for but instead went down the Nick Foles road making a deal with the Jaguars. Dalton eventually was released by the Bengals, and the Bears could have signed him. Instead Dallas signed Dalton where he played in 11 games due to Dak Prescott going down with an injury. By adding Dalton, are the Bears a better football team than they were last season? Did GM Ryan Pace once again misread the quarterback listings available this off-season? Pace seemed like he had all his eggs in one basket trying to pry Russell Wilson out of Seattle. Then in a panic as teams started plucking the quarterbacks off the market, Pace had to make sure he had at least another body behind center with some kind of decent track record. Last year, if GM Ryan Pace had waited patiently, the Jaguars may have released Nick Foles. Plus, the Bears could have gotten an Andy Dalton from the Bengals for a reasonable cost cheaper than the Foles deal. If Pace waited, he could have signed Dalton the day he hit the streets from being cut by the Bengals.
The Red Rifle is 33 years old with ten NFL seasons under his belt, as he was drafted in 2011 out of TCU. Andy Dalton has played 9 seasons in Cincinnati leading them to the playoffs multiple times. Last year was Dalton’s only season in Dallas. He played in 11 games and had a 4-5 record for the Boys as a starter. Dalton completed 64.9% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions with a Cowboy offensive line that was in shambles. A former Bear linebacker, who plays for the Team of Washington, put a lick on Dalton last season to knock him out of that contest with concussion. Dalton would miss the next week but did return. In 2017, Andy Dalton turned into a folk hero for the Buffalo Mafia as he connected with Tyler Boyd with 44 ticks on the clock that beat the Ravens which knocked them out of the playoff picture with the loss. The Ravens’ loss earned the Bills their first playoff berth since 1999, one of the longest droughts in sports. Career-wise, Dalton has a 74-66-2 record as starting quarterback in the NFL. Dalton has a 62.2 % life time completion percentage with 218 touch down passes and 126 interceptions.
When you hear the name Andy Dalton as the Bears quarterback most fans are pulling their hair out. Bears fans wanted a nice shiny sports car as they would paid dearly for Russell Wilson’s services. Dalton is starting quarterback in the NFL. Some think of Dalton as the next Mike Glennon. Glennon should not even be at the same dinner table as a Andy Dalton if you wanted to compare them. Dalton is better option than Nick Foles. Foles was 2-5 as the Bears starter last season as he completed 64.7% of his passes with 10 Touch down passes and 8 interceptions. Can you say Dalton is better option than a Mitch Trubisky? Trubisky had a 6-3 record last season with 16 touch down passes with 8 interceptions and completed 67% of his passes. Obviously Mitch Trubisky has to move on so head coach Matt Nagy can stop blaming him for everything that went wrong in the Bears world. We have been down this road before as Andy Dalton is linked to the Bears offensive coordinator Bill Lazor which both worked together in Cincinnati. It’s once again I know him. As Nick Foles had history with the Bears coaches.
I like Andy Dalton as a quarterback. Dalton needs a surrounding cast around him like most quarterbacks need. Dalton is not Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady and makes everyone around him better. But Rodgers and Brady have a thing called protection, an offensive line that GM Ryan Pace needs to address. The Bears are like the chicken with the head cut off with their plan this off-season. I think you need a strong plan to make Dalton be able to do his best which needs a solid running game and not abandoning it in the first quarter of the ball game. Bears made a one year offer to Lions receiver, Kenny Golladay, a one year deal worth 10-12 million. The New York Giants land Golladay’s services for a 4 year deal for 72 million. Was this a ploy just to get Allen Robinson to sign the franchise tag? I would have liked the idea of Robinson and Golladay with Andy Dalton. The Bears brain trust still has intentions of trying to land Russell Wilson even though they promised Andy Dalton he would be the starter. Mike Glennon once was promised to be the team’s starter and GM Ryan Pace drafted Mitch Trubisky. The Bears have tried everything including the kitchen sink to get Russell Wilson. If the deal with the Seahawks and Bears worked out, you would have to rebuild around your young guys and clean house with veterans. Does releasing corner back Kyle Fuller have you thinking of something else in the works for GM Ryan Pace and the Bears? Could the Bears move up in this year’s draft and find one of those talented options at quarterback? Can the Bears brain trust pick the right option not the booby prize in door number three or 20 where they stand today? Andy Dalton is decent. Andy Dalton will not solve the Bears main issues which is the front office led by Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. Dalton is the old new jenga piece that will not fit because the tower has already collapsed for this regime.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has become a Specialist in the NFL. A contractor for hire. If your team has a problem behind center and need his services, Fitzpatrick is the guy to call. Like going underground or to the dark-web in need of a hit man because you need someone taken out. Hit men never give their real name. That may be the same case for a Ryan Fitzpatrick hire who goes by Fitz-magic or the Amish Rifle when you knock on some door in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps high in the mountains trying to retain his services for the year. When you’re in search of a quarterback needed for a guy to take over your operation until your current guy has everything under control. Fitzpatrick has 17 years in the league with 8 teams. Now Fitzpatrick has a 9th team, as the team with no name has retained his services on a one year deal worth 10 million with incentives that can hit 12.
It was 1991 the last time the Washington Redskins won the Superbowl. It was Mark Rypien who was behind center, then beating the Buffalo Bills in that contest. Since then the Redskins have had 32 starting quarterbacks behind center. Last year, a young guy from Washington struck out with in the draft. Dwayne Haskins was a disappointment. New head coach Ron Rivera brought in one of his guys from Carolina, Kyle Allen, and he did not do anything special. The team that abandoned their Native American name had to rely on Alex Smith who was coming off a devastating leg injury in 2018. Smith and a good team defense were able to win the dreaded NFC East. The Washington Football team liked what they got from Taylor Heinickle. A young quarterback who played the playoff game versus Tampa Tom and his renegade Buccaneers. Can Ron Rivera and the team in Washington trust their faith in the youngster, Heinickle? What if he fails? They tracked down Ryan Fitzpatrick and added his services as either option A or B for the team that resides in DC.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was impressive last season for the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins won 10 games and missed the playoffs. It was not Fitzpatrick’s fault. It was the Dolphins’ for inserting their young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the bye week. If Fitzpatrick would have played all the games, the Dolphins would have gotten in. It was Fitzpatrick that came off the bench versus the Raiders and led the Dolphins back and won the contest. Tagovailoa did not have his stuff. Dolphins believe it is TUA Time in Miami, so they are no longer in need of Fitzpatrick’s services. In 9 games last year, Fitzpatrick had a good 68.5% completion rating with 13 touchdown passes but as always picks is a part of his game as he had 8 interceptions.
Fitzpatrick is the definition of a journeyman quarterback. Fitzpatrick is the best quarterback that ever hailed from the Ivy schools as he was a Harvard guy. Fitzpatrick started with the St. Louis Rams and then played in Cincinnati, Buffalo, Tennessee, Houston, New York Jets, Tampa Bay, and Miami last year. I was hoping the Patriots would have signed him, and then Fitzpatrick would have had every uniform from the AFC East. At 38, Fitzpatrick is thriving with age so who knows. Maybe New England could come calling after DC. Fitzpatrick as a starter lifetime has a 59-86-1 record but to be fair, has played with many bad teams. Fitzpatrick ranks number 10 in passing yards all-time in the NFL. Fitzpatrick, always a gunslinger, has tossed 223 touchdowns with 169 picks. For Washington, this is a great move especially since that NFC East division is still horse crap. The Washington defense is one of the top notch units in the league that could erase mistakes by Fitzpatrick. Like to see the team in burgundy get some play makers for the Amish rifle. It would be great to see the beard surface in the playoffs. The beard’s services may be done by then handing the keys over to Heinickle as the Specialist will scratch another team off his hit less and travel to another city the following year like the circus or local carnival and do it all over once again with another uniform.
When you think of the state of Connecticut in the sports world, the first thing that comes to mind is UCONN Huskies men’s basketball. The University of Connecticut basketball team is like Friday Night Lights in those small Texas communities that take their High school football very serious. Connecticut does not have a professional team from either of the 4 major sports in the states. The city of Hartford once had the Whalers skating downtown from 1979-1997 in the NHL. The Hartford Whalers’ new owner at the time took the team to Carolina as they became the Hurricanes. Hartford built an arena downtown to attract an ABA team. The Whalers were like the second choice coming from a league of the old WHA that folded up shop. Whalers never could get a good following in the state of Connecticut. With so many people from Boston and New York City living in the state, it was hard to get behind the Whalers except when the Bruins, Islanders, or Rangers were in town. Besides some minor league baseball and other semi-pro teams in other sports, it’s all about Huskie hoops, both women and Men. The men’s Huskie basketball team pulled a number 7 seed in the tournament on selection Sunday in the Eastern region. Another University in the state of Connecticut suddenly is making some noise on the hardwood floors. The University of Hartford has found their way in the tournament for the first time in school history.
University of Hartford is home of the Hawks. The Hawks are located on the Western side of Hartford. The University of Hartford resides in the American East conference. The Hawks were the number 4 seed in the American East Tournament and with a win over University of Massachusetts Lowell on Saturday night, they won the entire thing. Winning the tournament gave University of Hartford a ticket to the NCAA tournament, in which they will be a 16th seed. The University of Hartford will have to have one of the greatest Cinderella stories and play the underdog role in March Madness that we all love, who will be playing a number one seed in Baylor. The odds will be against the Hawks as a 16th seed has only knocked off a number 1 seed once, which happened back in 2018. The team that knocked off number one Virginia that year has a name sounding like a DMV. Univerisity of Maryland Baltimore County hails from the same conference as the University of Hartford the America East. University of Hartford is hoping they can do the same thing UMBC did by taking down Baylor in a tournament they have no history in, because they have never been this far.
The greatest thing about March Madness is the big time upsets and how a small school even made it this far. It seems like 11 years without making it to the tournament would have gotten the head coach John Gallagher fired from the University of Hartford. University of Hartford is not Duke, North Carolina, and UCONN; the bigger universities that you have to get results very quickly or you’re out of a job at these basketball dynasties. University of Hartford is small potatoes in comparison, but a guy like Gallagher will have plenty of chances to build up a program in which he did. Last year could have been the year for the Hawks. The Hawks were on the bus and ready to face the University of Vermont in the American East tournament Championship. The Covid invasion shut down basketball completely including the championship game and dreams of any NCAA appearance. This season, the Hawks were the top rated defense in the conference allowing only 63.3 points per game. The Hawks beat the University of Vermont who were a higher seed in the tournament this season. John Gallagher, at the age of 43, had University of Hartford with a record of 15-8 record and redemption versus the pandemic that almost crushed this school last Spring.
The odds are stacked up high for a school like University of Hartford being the 16 seed trying to knock off a number 1. You love to see a guy like head coach John Gallagher win a game and really make it interesting. All the hard work and sweat he put into this program year after year getting there is impressive, but winning a game would be huge for the entire school and city of Hartford. What about guys that have played all four years at University of Hartford? Traci Carter and Austin Williams, who came up big in the tournament with his play, helped seal the deal for the Hawks. The Whalers brought in guys like Gordie Howe, Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, Bobby Hall, and Chris Pronger. Some of these Whalers were the best ever in the NHL, but on their last legs playing in Hartford. The Whalers did not win in Hartford period. The Whales probably have been forgotten in the city of Hartford. This group of Hawks could be that story to be told for decades to come in the city of Hartford that needs some sporting moments. Connecticut is a beautiful state. You might say the state is yuppified. We know who the boss is? Which would be the Huskies over the Hawks. Even though Tony was the boss over Angela in the sitcom, Who’s the Boss, that was set in Connecticut. University of Hartford is the mom and pop stand going up against McDonalds in Baylor and living with Burger King in the state of UCONN. When the little guy makes the shot or the burger, it is always better than the big dog in the state. Let’s go Hawks !!!!
Ranking the Bears options at the quarterback position from worst to first for this off-season. I threw the garbage names off the list like Blake Bortles, Joe Webb, and Geno Smith. Lots of ex-Bears quarterbacks I kept off the list as well. Bears rode them once, and they have turned to stone since which features Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, and Brian Hoyer. Then I left permanent back-ups off this list as well. As we know, jobs need to be saved so this off-season is critical for Head Coach Matt Nagy and his partner in crime, the GM Ryan Pace, to get this right. Since it’s March and St. Patrick’s day is on the 17th, my list will not be the dirty dozen. But, the unlucky 17 because if you end up behind center for the Bears it might not be the finest moment in your career. St. Patrick can drive the snakes out of Ireland. That is asking a lot for the Irish saint to drive out the bad quarterback play in Chicago. Let’s see what options we have in mind for the Bears next season. Regarding some of this garbage, I hope the brass does not pull the April Fool’s Day joke on their fan base.
#17. Joe Flacco: Age 36. What has Joe Flacco done since he won the Superbowl for the Ravens and got paid? Flacco, since leaving the Ravens, has been that Detective who has a questionable shooting. They have to ride desk duty for the rest of their time in a uniform. Last year, he appeared in some games for the New York Jets as a back-up filling in for Sam Darnold. The Jets’ last season was like playing in Siberia. To me, signing Flacco would be the reincarnation of Jay Cutler, but less effective with the same mood swings and sour grapes facial expressions. (DEFINITE NO!)
#16.Cam Newton: Age 31. Last year I heard fans cry foul when the Bears did not sign Cam Newton. It’s the same people who probably had this guy as a fantasy quarterback once upon a time ago in back of your favorite watering hole. (DEFINITE NO!)
Last year with the Patriots, Cam Newton was a train wreck. How many games did Newton have with passing yards south of 100? Newton will score a touchdown and then act like he is the greatest Super Hero since sliced bread. Captain Caveman is ranked higher on my Superhero list than this meatball. Soft like a cookie in the Superbowl, the biggest game of his life, and he does not dive on the fumble with the game on the line. Did not want to hurt himself. Whose your Superman now? Poor Lois Lane trapped in a burning telephone booth. Good ole Cam walks away from those heated discussions. See some of Newton’s press conferences as exhibits. A-Z. (DEFINITE NO!)
#15.Tyrod Taylor: Age 31 This guy will never be the bride and have that career walking down the aisle with him in full control behind center. Taylor can make plays with his legs. Taylor can dink and dunk with the short passing game. Taylor is a game manager. Taylor can’t throw the ball down the field. Taylor is a back up quarterback. Taylor could be a bridge-type quarterback as well. Taylor would not save any jobs in Chicago. Doctors might hurt him on purpose just to see if the back-up is like Justin Herbert. Worked for Chargers finding their golden pot. (DEFINITE NO!)
#14.Brandon Allen: Age 28 This is a Hail Mary play signing Brandon Allen. Last year, Brandon Allen played in 5 games for a bad Bengal team. Allen won one of those games, but he showed you something. Allen is young; he only has 8 games under his belt with 8 touchdown passes in two seasons. Six interceptions but playing for the Bengals, Allen could get a pass like the pandemic year of last season, still giving people passes. I like Allen only if you can develop a young quarterback which Bears have no evidence of doing. If Bears were going to draft a quarterback, Allen could be a bridge guy, or maybe you find a diamond in the ruff here. When you have not figured out your man behind center in decades, sometimes more than one option might give you better odds.
(MAYBE – only with other options)
#13.Mitch Trubisky: Age 26 Trubisky needs a new team. If I was Mitch Trubisky, I would not come back to the Bears even if they gave me the best deal. Head coach Matt Nagy used Trubisky as the scapegoat more than once. He’d throw the kid under the bus to protect his weaselly image of the great Gazoo of the offense. A real guru in the coaching game.
It was not Mitch Trubisky’s fault they drafted him over Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes. Trubisky would be better off finding a place with a coach that can tap into all of his talent levels, and put him in a better situation to use his strengths.Nagy did this at times and Mitch responded. Trubisky is a good guy you’d like to see do well. Just can not be done in a Bears uniform. (DEFINITELY NO!)
#12.Andy Dalton: Age 33 Dalton, last year, was absolutely crunched as he stands in the pocket like a Cigar Store Indian statue.
I know the hit was to the head, by Jon Bostic of the Washington team, that knocked Dalton out of the game. I like Andy Dalton, but I think the Bears could not give him the protection he needs to be the Rifleman in Chicago. Plus, Dalton needs a strong running game surrounding him as well. Head coach Nagy abandons the run religiously. If all my other options run out, I would think of Dalton. (MAYBE)
#11.Nick Foles: Age 32 This is the Bears’ last resort because Nick Foles is under contract. I was against this trade from the start, giving up draft capital for a career back-up quarterback getting starter money. Foles has not started, and finished, a season in years and probably completed that one time in his career. Bears could not protect him last season, as he was crunched and missed a few games. Foles needs a strong running game surrounding him. I like him because it will be Foles’ second year understanding Nagy’s War and Peace playbook. Even though Foles has been in similar style offenses. I like Foles if he is the back-up making back up money. An Alex Smith/Nick Foles combo – Would that even finish the regular season? Perhaps a bridge quarterback would work as well if the Bears found a keeper in the draft. Foles is a closer, so late in the season I’d call his number. Other than that, we need to figure out the first 12 games of the season. (HOLDING PATTERN)
#10.Alex Smith: Age 36 I like the idea of Alex Smith under center for anyone. However at age 36 with an injury history, I would pass on him as the starter. Especially after 2018, and the serious leg injury after which he missed the entire 2019 season. Smith came back last season and was a big reason the team with no name made the playoffs. Smith had another injury last year which sidelined him for a few games and the playoff game. Smith knows the Bears offense with ties to Kansas City and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Can you pay Smith and Nick Foles starter money? You need a good option as a back up for Alex Smith who can win games just in case of an injury. Smith would be a good solid back-up. I need a number one before Smith. (MAYBE pile)
#9.Jameis Winston: Age 27 At the age of 27, Jameis Winston would be in his prime years. Has Winston learned from watching Drew Brees last year? Has Winston soaked in all that he could from Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, who knows offense? Winston has a big arm. However, Winston is a turnover machine. Like having a black Jay Cutler with the ‘tude. Will the Saints want Winston back if Brees retires? Can one year change a guy? Especially being a starter most of the time and then watching most of the season on the sideline. Bringing in Jameis Winston is a huge gamble. Lot of pros to sucker you on a move like this. Winston is labeled a bad character guy, and Matt Nagy and the Bears have avoided signing those types of guys. Remember the bad locker room days of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennent? Winston in a big market, with lots of media, would not do well is my educated guess. (DEFINITELY NO)
#8.Jacoby Bissett: Age 28 Remember Kyle Orton when he was loved by Bears fans? Jacoby Bissett is the Kyle Orton type of quarterback. Bissett will not make the huge mistakes. Bissett is a game manager. Bissett’s tool set means he can do everything well, but not awesome. Bissett has that New England and Indianapolis seasoning from their highly rated top notch coaching staffs. Are the Patriots still a highly rated top-notch coaching staff since Tom Brady left?
Does a 12-20 in the NFL record behind center make you want Bissett as your number one guy? Bissett has 31 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions with close to 50 NFL games under his belt. I like him as a bridge-style quarterback option. If you package Alex Smith backing him up, Bissett is a crazy idea, but maybe not that crazy. Bissett/Smith sounds better than Trubisky/Foles. (YES)
#7.Sam Darnold: Age 23 Sam Darnold may be available depending on who the Jets get at number two in this year’s draft. A trade would have to be worked out to get Sam Darnold. Has Darnold showed you enough that he has the talents to be a starting quarterback in the league for years to come? Look at Mitch Trubisky. The Bears failed to develop him into that guy under center for years to come. Trubisky had some flashes too. What makes you think the Bears can develop a Sam Darnold? Bringing Darnold in is a gamble and you could waste more draft capital on another quarterback who will not work out. Besides, the Bears need to win now to save Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace from being axed and burned at the stakes. Darnold… it would be hard to get anybody behind that idea. (DEFINITELY NO)
#6.Jimmy Garoppolo: Age 29 Bringing home a Chicago guy would be intriguing for Bears fans. To get Jimmy in Chicago, you have to make a trade with San Francisco. The same 49ers that fleeced you out of a draft pick just to move up one spot in the draft. The year the Bears thought someone else had their eyes on Mitch Trubisky. Jimmy Garoppolo has an incredible winning percentage when he is healthy on the field. Injuries are Jimmy’s problem and why he may be available. Some teams you learn not to be swindled by once again going down the same road with another trade idea. The injuries, to me, make Jimmy a HUGE turn off. The Bears line right now couldn’t protect him. I have a feeling New England will land Jimmy, as he was Belichick’s guy before he was dealt to the 49ers. (DEFINITELY NO)
#5.Gardner Minshew: Age 24 Never trust a Jacksonville quarterback without a mustache. Yes, Bears went down the Jaguar avenue before landing Nick Foles. Gardner Minshew most likely will be replaced by Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars have the number one pick. Minshew has only started 20 NFL games and has a record of 7-13. Minshew has thrown 37 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions and completed 62 % of his passes. Only two years in the NFL, and he has some flashes of being a very good quarterback in this league. Take him out of Jacksonville, what can he do? Jaguars have a new head coach. Minshew could get the Jaguars some more draft picks to help the new regime. Minshew mania came out when Nick Foles got hurt in the first game in the very first half of the 2019 season. With Minshew you have the guy with the best mustache in the league. Even better than Da Coach. My only concern is can the Bears’ staff coach this kid because he’s still learning going into his third season.If the staff and the GM want to win now, this move is a gamble. But if it pans out, the team wouldn’t have to give up any defensive guys. It will cost the team some draft capital. You would like to see the Bears fix that line. Minshew can use his legs and escape some pressure.The Bear would need to address the offensive line in free agency, giving up picks for the Jaguar. (YES)
#4.Derek Carr: Age 29 Can the Bears send Khalil Mack back to the Raiders for a Derek Carr? Seems like Carr always has some rumors that he will be traded every season. I think Jon Gruden does have to find a way to get that Raiders defense to play better. Raiders defense is the weakest link right now. Gruden would have to have another quarterback on his roster before he traded Derek Carr. I like Derek Carr. At 29, Carr is in his prime. How many times have Carr-led teams made the playoffs? Early in Carr’s career, the Raiders were doing awesome until Derek got hurt. Raiders still made the playoffs as the back up did not do well and were quickly dispatched. Seems like the Raiders have more weapons than the Bears. Carr does not give me that feeling of making average receivers better, like Aaron Rodgers can do. I think Gruden would demand too much which would set the entire deal back, rather than moving forward. (PASS)
#3.Ryan Fitzpatrick Age 38 Bringing in “The Beard” is a crazy idea. Maybe not though. Fitzpatrick is playing his best football of his entire career. The Beard is a free agent, so he does not cost you draft picks. Superbowl… no. Playoffs and getting past round one is definitely doable. Fix the Offensive line. Bring back Allen Robinson. Add another weapon in free agency like ex-Lion Kenny Golladay. Your defense stays intact. I would draft a quarterback no matter what. Hold on to Fitzmagic until it runs out or until you develop a younger guy.
(YES)
#2.Deshaun Watson: Age 25 The Bears should have had Watson instead of gambling the future on Trubisky. Watson was the most polished out of the three choices. If the Bears would have taken Watson, maybe I’m not writing this article. Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston. Texans want Watson to stay. Trouble in paradise. Houston will want a lot if they end up trading Watson. Watson will solve your problem at a position you struggled with for, it seems a lifetime. This trade also will weaken the Bears in the process. The Bears would have to take a few steps backwards, especially losing more draft picks. Only way I like this trade is if Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are not here to see it. I mean it, as the day it all comes together. Which will take more than 2 years. Not extending the stooges to handled this type of quarterback. Can Pace and Nagy go to the Texans in the trade? (YES)
#1.Russell Wilson: Age 32 I would be shocked if Seattle traded away Russell Wilson. Getting Wilson will cost the Bears a lot. Same rules apply here with GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Wilson is 32 and has all the intangibles a quarterback needs. Leadership is what the Bears need most, and Wilson is the guy. Wilson has a ton of playoff experience with two Superbowls under his belt. Wilson could thrive still with a shaky offensive line, after a season or two. I think with Wilson it would take the Bears quicker to rebound than Watson. It could get the team on the playoff track for years to come if you give away too many assets for either guy. Wilson would be the pure gold under the St. Patrick’s Day rainbow for Chicago if a deal was done between Seattle and Chicago.
Once upon a time ago, Brent Seabrook told his body, “Screw off, we are doing this.” That was 15 years ago after 1,114 games in the NHL on the ice in regular season, in a Blackhawks uniform. Add 123 playoff games as well, wearing the Indian sweater. Plus, add the games Seabrook skated for Canada in the Olympics and helping his country win the gold. Most importantly, Brent Seabrook was a big part of the Blackhawks dynasty helping Chicago come back from being one of those sorry arse franchises, the worst in sports. How could I forget the three Stanley Cups he helped win and hoisting the Holy Grail on Chicago soil. The body of Seabrook finally let him know enough is enough, as he is hanging up the skates for good at the age of 35.
Last game, Brent Seabrook played in the NHL, was November of 2019. Seabrook then went through a 3 months period with surgeries to his right shoulder and both hips. It’s the right hip that is preventing him from returning to the ice with a clean bill of health. Seabrook just lasted one day in training camp before this season, as he tweaked his back. Seabrook did 15 seasons as a defenseman in the NHL. Imagine what their bodies go through on a regular basis. Diving in front of pucks like the Secret Service taking a bullet for the President. Pucks at high speeds leaving long lasting marks or welts on the body, some in the shape of a puck. Seabrook told his partner in crime, Duncan Keith, about his decision to hang up the skates for good. Seabrook and Keith have been paired together for years defending their territory, the net, and the President, the goalie, versus the enemy in epic battles during which the Indian head sweater prevailed most of the time. At the end, the surgeries, treatments and the rehab were not enough to get Seabrook back on the ice.
Brent Seabrook will always be remembered as one of the best defensemen to lace up the skates in Blackhawk history. Seabrook was a guy that could play physically. Seabrook played a clean game, but he was strong to stand up for his teammates or himself on the ice. In regular season career-wise, Seabrook had 103 goals while dishing out 361 assists. Solid numbers. Seabrook had a wicked sniper of a slap shot that would find the net in those small creases from the half point of the ice. In the playoffs, Seabrook earned the nickname, Mr. Overtime. In the semifinals in the 2013 game 7 versus the Red Wings, his goal ended Detroit and helped his team move on. Then same year, this time in the Stanley Cup versus the Boston Bruins, who were up 3 games to 1. Seabrook’s overtime goal was key to that series as the Hawks would go on to collect their second Stanley Cup out of the three they won. Seabrook tallied 20 goals in the playoffs with 39 assists.
I always thought the Blackhawks should have kept Niklas Hjalmarsson instead of Brent Seabrook. Hjalmarsson was younger and to this day still playing strong. Seabrook was a great player for the Blackhawks, but lost a few steps year ago and was being paid big money with a no trade clause. Also, getting the production the team should get with that kind of loot. If Seabrook did not retire, the contract would have expired after the 2023-24 season. Now the Blackhawks, who were handcuffed by some of these no trade clause big contracts from the core of the dynasty, have some wiggle room in the future with the salary cap. The worries are now what is going on with the Captain Jonathan Toews and his undisclosed illness or injury. We know Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane are still playing at a high level. This is why they say time flies, because a great team and dynasty shelf life is in dog years. Years which go by with the speed of light. Before this season started, goalie Corey Crawford retired and now Brent Seabrook – two big cogs in that 3 Cup run. When will the Blackhawks win another cup? The last time they won the cup before 2010, was in the 1960’s. This is why we hold on to these guys with our hearts for what they did for the team and the city. These teams don’t come around all the time. It does not matter how big or even the smallest thing they did on the ice, it is special when your team wins. Brent Seabrook will always have that ability to get those free drinks in Chicago any time he returns to the city. Job well done #7.
In 2018, Alex Smith had what they called them then, the Washington Redskins, at the top of the food chain in the NFC East at a 6-3 record. Then a devastating leg injury ended his season, and many figured it would be the end of Alex Smith’s career.
The leg injury reminded Redskins fan of another Washington quarterback whose career ended with a devastating injury.
In 1985, Joe Theismann’s career ended when his leg was crunched the same way as Alex Smith while playing the New York Giants during a regular season game. Alex Smith put a wrench in the Washington Football Team when he resurfaced last season. Smith came back to life like a zombie, only with an arm and a brain and helped the team with no name get back to the post-season. Smith won 5 out of six games in regular season with a 5-1 record. Smith received the Comeback player of the year in 2020 for his performance on the field that no one would have ever predicted as they left him for dead after they scraped him off the field that day. Alex Smith’s award for resurfacing and doing what he does best – lead teams to the post-season. Being cut from the team. The team with no nickname will save 15 million on the salary cap as they toss Smith to the street and wipe their hands clean of him.
Alex Smith was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. Smith would play seven seasons for the 49ers. In 2011, Alex Smith had the 49ers in the post season with a 13-3 record during regular season. Smith went 1-1 in post season for the 49ers in 2011 and threw 5 touchdown passes with no interceptions. Then Smith in 2012 had the 49ers at 6-2-1, and then went down with injury. That’s when the Colin Kaepernick, AKA the Activist, took the league by storm as Smith would not return as his starting job and career with the 49ers were over. Kaepernick, the one year wonder, would get the 49ers to the Superbowl but would lose to the Ravens. Smith would be traded away to Kansas City. While Colin Kaepernick would not find that kind of lucky streak again and made his name kneeling for the National Anthem. Smith would finish with a 38-36-1 regular season record with the 49ers while going 1-1 in post season. Jim Harbaugh, the head coach for the 49ers, rode the hotter hand even when Alex Smith could have come back that year.
Alex Smith played better in Kansas City under Andy Reid. Smith in 5 regular seasons in Kansas City would have a 50-26 record as starting quarterback for the Chiefs. Alex Smith would start 5 post-season games under center for the Chiefs and win only one of them as he went 1-4 total. That’s 2-5 in seven post-season games between both the 49ers and the Chiefs. Before being traded, good ole Smith trained his replacement. A man everyone knows these days, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has gone to two Superbowls ever since winning one of them. Alex Smith heads to Washington. Kansas City I get that because the talent level of Patrick Mahomes is a no-brainer rather than going with Alex Smith.
In three seasons in the nation’s capital playing only 18 games starting 16, Alex Smith went 11-5 and he sat out the entire 2019 season due to the leg injury. Smith would get hurt and did not play in the post-season, during which Washington lost to Tampa Tom and the Buccaneers. Smith’s comeback is the biggest reason Washington made the post-season. The Washington Football team used six different quarterbacks during Alex Smith’s tenure in Washington. Then to work hard to comeback for yourself and the team when the higher ups did not even want you. No wonder the Washington Football team can’t even come up with a nickname for themselves. I guess you have to lump the football team in with all the idiots in general, who work in the state capital. Alex Smith will have opportunities as once again it’s back to the drawing board for him. What kind of board will it be? A bridge type quarterback while mentoring a youth? Will Smith serve as a back up quarterback and come in at the heat of the moment to perform? Lots of teams would be better off with Alex Smith behind center. I would want some insurance with a good second option due to Smith’s injury history. Alex Smith’s career record behind center is 99-67-1. You’d like to see him win that 100th game somewhere. Plus, Smith needs one more touchdown pass to hit the 200 mark for his career. Just need some team to give him the keys to the car and let him drive down the field as he has 23 game winning drives. I would like him to stick it to the Washington team twice a year. Maybe he signs with someone in the dreaded NFC East. I thinks these old shoes still have some thread left on them.
The idea of the Buffalo Bills signing JJ Watt really excited me. I think the Bills need to be able to crunch the quarterback. The Buffalo Bills defense took a step backwards last season, especially in the first 8 games. In 2019, the Bills defense swarmed all over the ball carrier and put pressure on the quarterback. The secondary could control the passing game. I know the team had to sacrifice some defense to get that offense scary. Like what happened last season as Josh Allen took a step forward in growth as the Bills protected him better and he has weapons to throw to. Last year the Bills defense got better down the stretch as they were a healthier unit. I loved how the defense put a halt to Lamar Jackson and a very hot Raven team in the playoffs. The AFC championship still bothers me when the Chiefs gashed the Bills defense for huge plays. JJ Watt would have been a great addition, but he will probably cost you big time money at Menards. Can the Bills find an alternate piece instead of JJ Watt? I would like leftover money to re-sign linebacker Matt Milano. To me having Milano back on board and a pass rusher would help the Bills defense get back to that 2019 team where they swarm to the ball and watched Josh Allen light up the score board.
Matt Milano played in only ten games last season as the Bills outside linebacker. With Milano on the field, the entire unit played better than without him. Milano was the heartbeat of that defense when it got better. Milano has the knack to come up with that big play in the heat of the moment. It could be a turnover. It could be a sack. Milano could pressure the quarterback or defend a key pass. Milano had 9 quarterback hits in ten games last season. Milano racked up 3.5 sacks with 35 solo tackles. In 2019, when he played in 15 games and the team had a better defense then they did last year, he had 65 solo tackles as he was not really used to the pressure of quarterback as he had only 7 QB hits with 1.5 sacks. Bills drafted Milano out of Boston College and he has shown he is one of the smartest players on the defense. Milano can do different things. Last year he went after the quarterbacks more because of the lack of pressure. If the Bills can add a defensive end to pressure the quarterback, then Milano could use his instincts and react to what’s in front of him. Milano missed games last season. Milano’s track record says differently as he played 15 games in 2019, 13 in 2018 and 16 in 2017. Milano needs to return.
An option instead of JJ Watt which would be cheaper and a younger player, is Trey Hendrickson of the New Orleans Saints. Hendrickson will become expendable because of the Saints salary cap. Plus, the Saints have Marcus Davenport and Carl Granderson they could replace Hendrickson with. Plus the Saints want to re-sign safety Marcus Williams as their first order of business on the defensive side of the football. That leaves Hendrickson out of the Saints picture, a guy who broke out last year on the the gridiron. Hendrickson racked up 13.5 sacks which is tied for number two overall in the entire NFL. Hendrickson was drafted out of Florida Atlantic in the third round in 2017. Watt would probably command something north of 15 million a year for his services. While a younger option like Hendrickson, you can probably get for 11 to 12 million per season. Plus you would have extra money to re-sign Milano or add another guy if needed.
I know it’s risky giving a guy like Trey Hendrickson a big contract after one break out year, especially at the end of his deal. Hendrickson could easily be that Vanilla Ice, a one year wonder, which happens a lot in the game of football. Saints defensive line had some talent which probably left Hendrickson in many one-on-one match ups. JJ Watt has a track record playing in the league for 10 seasons.Watt has that ugly track record of getting injured early on in seasons. Watt has had injuries where he is out for the entire year. JJ Watt has teamed up with Jadeveon Clowney for years, but Houston’s defense was never the best unit in the league. Hendrickson and the Saints defense were a very talented unit last season and one of the top notch defenses in the league.
With re-signing Matt Milano and signing Trey Henrickson, it gives Buffalo two pieces that are 26 years old heading into their prime years. It gives them two guys that have fully developed fully from their rookie deals. The Bills have multiple young players on that defense that can continue to grow and make this a talented unit next season and for years to come. Then with a young quarterback in Josh Allen who is getting better after each year, that offense will be a wrecking machine. Hendrickson’s college career and his pro career so far have a similar track record. At Florida Atlantic after the first two seasons, Hendrickson got better his third year and then broke out his senior year. Same thing happened to Hendrickson in New Orleans with a very quiet first two seasons then his third year had 4.5 sacks. Then last season in his 4th year, he had a coming out party as he registered 13.5 sacks. Other production I like from Hendrickson as he only played 53% of the Saints defensive snaps and what he accomplished on the field. Hendrickson had 25 quarterback hits as well as 12 tackles for losses. I feel more confident with the 2019 type of defense and add more defenders, than just a name Watt. Then I feel the offense is in need of a running back and perhaps another offensive lineman to make last year’s offense even scarier with many more weapons of mass destruction. Then you can print up winning Superbowl tickets in Buffalo.
The Wild shamrock 