WEEK ONE NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Season record: 0-0

Once again I will throw my hat into the ring and pick each game from every week in the NFL. I will explain from each match up why I went with a team that I think will win. In week one it’s always a crap shoot to figure out who will prevail. Even the greatest reasons why you think a team should win backfires because this is the NFL. On any given Sunday, anything can happen. One week you can look and sound like you know what you are talking about. Then the weeks you fail miserably and you can look like you know nothing from these outcomes. I’m probably not going to be a site every week where you copy my picks for your own pool.

I have to warn you… picks some weeks may not be any good. Every week will be entertaining, I can promise you that. If I start getting red hot it means I have somehow gotten my hands on the NFL season scripts.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

First game of the season is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship between the Ravens and Chiefs. The Chiefs will unveil their Superbowl banner in front of the hometown while rubbing salt on the wounds of the Baltimore Ravens defense which could be deadly for Patrick Mahomes and company. Ravens defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half of that championship game. Costly mistakes by the Ravens offense did Baltimore in. I like the Ravens knocking that smirk off Mahomes face and send an early statement this season that your luck will not follow you into this season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

First ever NFL game being played in Brazil which is in the continent of South America, just in case you failed geography in high school. The Packers and Eagles are both playoff teams from last year meeting on a neutral field in a questionable city of violence and drug cartels giving out free neckties. This is confusing as Brazil you think would have sandy beaches filled with sandy brown buns. This game features two teams going into different directions last season. Philadelphia was trending downward in a spiral that came crashing down in the playoffs and at the end of regular season for a team soaring high the year before. The Packers, the youngest team in the league, were trending upwards making noise in the playoffs. Jordan Love should exploit the Eagles weakness – the secondary of that Eagles defense. The Brazilian colors are comparable to Green Bay in this coin flip game in another country. It has to give the Packers an edge.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

In the off-season, the Falcons addressed their weakness at the aerial attack by getting Kirk Cousins behind center. The Steelers tried to upgrade their quarterback with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is Wilson’s job out of the gates and the Steelers are on the road. How will Cousins fare coming back from an Achilles injury that ended his season with the Vikings last year? Wilson has something to prove and he looked bad in preseason. Cousins has that strong running game behind him that should help him get his feet wet and find his old rhythm. Not a fan of the Steelers upgrades, either Fields or Wilson. Wilson is a fraud and has turned into a bum as he was when he put the Denver uniform on. I like the Falcons also being at home.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Many experts think this will be a bad year for the Bills as they lost some key players. The Cardinals will have Kyler Murray for the start of this season unlike last year when he returned late into the year from an injury. Bills have filled the shoes of the guys that left with young players and some veteran free agents. The Cardinals will unleash their new stealth plane in the aerial attack with Marvin Harrison Junior.

The Cardinals will need time to work the new equipment in the skies to perfect the Murray Harrison Jr. combo. The Cardinals gave teams battles last year, but the roster has some holes and some new pieces that need time to adapt. I like the Bills in this one being at home. I like Josh Allen getting out of the gates strong with something to prove after being called overrated. He will respond with a big game to show his critic, Stephon Diggs, he does not need to operate this high octane offense the Bills have.

OUR PICK: BILLS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS

The Titans are under new management. The Bears may have FINALLY found their quarterback the number one pick overall in Caleb Williams. The Titans quarterback Will Levis in his second season with another play book is still trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Bears defense is not what the doctor ordered for Levis right out of the gates. I like the rookie QB Williams in this one versus a suspect Titans defense which was not all that well last year. Williams played well in preseason. I think the Bears build on the second half of last season and they get off to a great start unlike most seasons where it takes them to the middle of the season to gel. This Bears defense looks and feels like a top 5 unit in the NFL and will be ready to rumble is the perfect recipe for the first win of the season.

OUR PICK: BEARS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Patriots are starting Jacoby Brissett which should tell everyone that they are picking Bengals in this contest. No more Bill Belichick in New England as the Patriots rebound is head coach Jerod Hold the Mayo. He’s bringing back the tough brand of football mentality to these Patriots. Not buying it. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will get off to a fast start this year unlike last few seasons. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase want the Bengals ownership to show them the money.

This receiving duo will show they are worth the money, but they will cost too much for the Bengals to keep. One of them will be gone next year. Maybe two. Bengals fans are hoping this is the year they use them wisely and get back to the playoffs to win it all. The Patriots I expect to be bottom feeders for the year.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CJ Stroud took the league by storm last year for the Texans. During the off-season, Houston upgraded and brought in some big time names on both sides of the ball. The Colts did not look good when Anthony Richardson was behind center. Richardson missed most of his rookie season with injury and now in year two we don’t know if he is the face of the franchise as his rookie season is an incomplete. The Colts played well when Gradner Minshew took over for the injured Richardson. You have to go Stroud right now with additional weapons over Richardson who is still trying to establish himself as the man of the Colts offense.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins versus Jaguars in surf wars down at South Beach. The Cheetah aka Tyreek Hill the fastest Dolphin in the ocean versus Jaguars Trevor Lawrence leading his surf ninjas must die into Miami. The Jaguars took a step backwards as their season collapsed in the second half. The Dolphins collapsed during the last game of the season and lost the division to the Bills. Then the Dolphins got freezer burn in the first round of the playoffs visiting Kansas City. I think the Dolphins and the Jaguars will put up points in week one. I like the Jaguars defense making one more stop over the Dolphins defense that lacks a pass rush. I consider Jaguars a winning team over the past two seasons in which Miami intends to struggle beating top teams. Jaguars have shown flashes that they are a top team but have not done it an entire season. Visiting Jaguars topple the Dolphins in all out surf wars in the state of Florida.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Which team out of this match up will jump start their quarterback first? The Saints have veteran Derek Carr who has not yet lost to the Panthers franchise. Then the number one pick in 2023 for the Panthers, Bryce Young, did not look like a guy that should have been selected that high. Last season Carr’s first season in New Orleans he did not light up the score board. He had moments. I like the Saints defense against another new head coach for the Panthers. Young is still a work in progress with a team that has many younger players and still trying to find themselves. Carr should be able to lead this Saints offense to at least 20 points which should be enough for the win.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

The Vikings are relying on the idea of the resurrection of Sam Darnold as their quarterback. Was Darnold ever something of a QB in the NFL? Then the Giants are marching the great Daniel Jones back behind center who missed most of last season with an injury. The Giants regressed last year in year two of Brian Daboll as head coach. Daboll, an offensive guy, has a better defense. The Vikings made things interesting even with the lost of Kirk Cousins for most of the season. The Vikings have weapons on offense with running back Aaron Jones and healthy Justin Jefferson who Darnold should be able to get the ball to. The Vikings were competitive with Joshua Dobbs last year. I think with Darnold they should be able to find a win on the road to open their season against a Giants roster with too many holes.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LA CHARGERS

Does adding Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers head coach give the second fiddle in LA an opening day win? The Raiders have played solid football last season with Antonio Pierce, who was the interim head coach. andnow has the permanent gig. Normally I would bet on Justin Herbert over Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Herbert lost his security blanket in Keenan Allen. Other weapons of Herbert that are gone are Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekelor. Minshew almost had the Colts to the post-season last year after filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. This game will feature some greats on the defenses such as Mad Maxx Crosby for the Raiders and then Chargers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. I think the Raiders right now have the horses to win this fight while Harbaugh’s team has some holes on their roster that he will have to address. I just don’t see the Chargers coming out like gangbusters. I can see them later in the season gelling together and picking up a few victories including a few upsets. I like Raiders shining bright in the LA sunshine in week one.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

I really think the Broncos and Sean Payton found their quarterback in Bo Nix who gets his first start in the NFL in Seattle. The Seahawks will start a new regime as Pete Carol has left the building. The Seahawks will go with the former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. I expect this Seattle defense to be better. I expect the crowd noise to be a problem for Nix. I can see some rookie mistakes along the way. I feel BO will be special in this league as the season goes on. The Seattle offense will generate offense with the weapons they have. I like Geno Smith rebounding from a season ago. I don’t think we see Smith from two years ago, but he will be better than last year. He will make the throws to be able to beat the visiting Broncos and their new guy Bo Nix.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns defense was one of the elite units in the league. The Cowboys defense can get after the quarterback as well. I feel the Browns were more successful winning games without Deshaun Watson last year. The Cowboys struggled to beat winning teams but won against even opponents. On paper this looks like a match up that can go either way. No Nick Chubb at running back for the Browns leaves Watson with a massive target on his head. I feel Cee Dee Lamb will show why the Cowboys forked over all that money in an extension for him not that long ago as the ink has not dried. I like Dak Prescott for the Cowboys getting off to a great start behind center in a Cowboys win while Watson struggles for the Browns. Watch the Dawg Pound turn on their big guaranteed money quarterback.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Baker Mayfield played very well against team with losing records like the Commanders last year. The Commanders have a rookie QB who could be one of the next elite guys behind center in Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers defense will bring the kitchen and the bathroom sink at Daniels. I feel the Buccaneers can force Daniels into some mistakes early on in this first ever start in the NFL for the rookie. I feel Mayfield can carve up the Commanders secondary. Daniels will start off slow but find his game late in this one. But it will be too late as the visiting Commanders will leave Florida with a loss.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SUNDAY NIGHT

DETROIT LIONS AT LA RAMS

This did not take too long for a rematch of the playoff game between Rams and Lions in which Detroit won. Jared Goff heads back to LA to face his Rams once again. While Matthew Stafford tries to beat his X-team for the first time. I thought the Lions proved last year in the very first game of the season they can play with the big boys on prime time and win. The first game of regular season the Lions beat the Chiefs. Back in the post-season, the Rams in my opinion did nothing. Inside my mind says this rematch will be different. The Lions are hungry and they will stay hungry and play well and escape LA with a victory. Stafford will make some mistakes to cost the Rams a opening day loss.

OUR PICK: LIONS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

I’m not believing in this pipe dream people are having that Aaron Rodgers will take this Jets team to the Superbowl. The 49ers will not have a Superbowl hangover either from their loss to the Chiefs. This is a tough game for the Jets to fly across the country to face this 49ers team. Lots of weapons for a talented Jets defensive team to deal with. Rodgers did not even finish a quarter last season as he was injured in game 1 and missed the entire season. Rodgers is another year older and I don’t care how you slice it or dice it. The 49ers are a solid defense. Rodgers may survive this game, but the Jets will not get the victory. Former Packer greats at quarterback usually die off in a Jets uniform. The 49ers will generate points while the Jets will struggle to get enough points to beat this 49ers team on the road.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

It’s that time of the year where I throw my two cents into the ring and actually think I can predict the next Superbowl winner. We are about to be upon a brand new NFL season and I will show you that I have no clue about predicting division winners. Predicting wild card winners which would accumulate some kind of post-season predictions. I even threw out 8 different predictions during the regular season. What if I’m right? I’m a betting man and if you ask 20 girls you’d like to sleep with, perhaps one will say yes. More leads a sales person has, the more sales. Something should stick, but I just don’t know what until the end of the regular season and beyond in the NFL. Even though the conspirators think the NFL already has this upcoming season scripted with yet another Chiefs Superbowl title because Andy Reid has something on the Commissioner. I will not predict that kind of rubbish. I will not let the cat out of the bag, but the Chiefs are not going to win it all this year. Now that I said that, you have to be very curious if I have your team in the winners circle in New Orleans in February. Maybe you want to know if I think your team is good enough for the playoffs. I have predicted everyone’s record using special data. My old mindset that is soaked in booze on the bar stool and all those beer guzzling SOB’s I talk football with, as I don’t need special computers spitting out stats when I have my football posse. I’m sure the entire group has about two seasons worth of high school football under their belt as well. Why can’t the talent we have and the talent of your team win it all? Let’s find out and hope you like what we came up with. Remember you can’t win them all.

NFC

EAST

*EAGLES 10-7

COWBOYS 9-8

COMMANDERS 7-10

GIANTS 5-12

PREDICTION: Jayden Daniels will be voted Rookie of the Year.

NORTH

*PACKERS 12-5

LIONS 11-6

BEARS 10-7

VIKINGS 7-10

PREDICTION: Three teams from the North make the post-season

SOUTH

*FALCONS 9-8

SAINTS 8-9

BUCCANEERS 7-10

PANTHERS 3-14

PREDICTION: Derek Carr will be benched in favor of Spencer Rattler behind center sooner rather than later

WEST

49ERS 13-4

RAMS 11-6

CARDINALS 7-10

SEAHAWKS 6-11

PREDICTION: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be better than his father.

AFC

EAST

*BILLS 11-6

DOLPHINS 9-8

JETS 8-9

PATRIOTS 2-15

PREDICTION: Aaron Rodgers once again will not last the entire season for the Jets.

NORTH

BENGALS 10-7

RAVENS 10-7

BROWNS 8-9

STEELERS 7-10

PREDICTION: The Dawg pound will turn on Deshaun Watson.

SOUTH

JAGUARS 10-7

TEXANS 9-8

COLTS 7-10

TITANS 6-11

PREDICTION: Stephon Diggs will poison CJ Stroud.

WEST

CHIEFS 12-5

RAIDERS 8-9

CHARGERS 7-10

BRONCOS 6-11

PREDICTION: Raiders will give the Chiefs 2 of their 5 losses for the season

DIVISION WINNERS AND SEEDS

NFC

#1. 49ers #2. PACKERS #3. EAGLES #4. FALCONS

AFC

#1. CHIEFS #2. BILLS #3 BENGALS #4. JAGUARS

WILD CARDS

NFC

#1. LIONS #2. RAMS #3. BEARS

AFC

#1. RAVENS #2. DOLPHINS #3 TEXANS

SUPERBOWL

THE DETROIT LIONS ARE KINGS OF THE JUNGLE

I have the Lions winning their first ever Superbowl with two teams that have never won one in their franchise history. The Bengals will end up losing their 4th Superbowl in franchise history and two of them with Joe Burrow behind center.

The Billy Joel song comes to mind about the death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were mowed down by a reckless drunken driver on Thursday evening. Only the good die young as Johnny is only 31 years of age and brother Matthew Gaudreau is 29 years old. Both brothers played hockey together at Boston College. On the eve of their sister’s wedding, they were riding their bicycles in their home state of New Jersey when an impatient driver went around the car in front of him and then ran the two brothers over. The Gaudreau brothers were going to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding which is now cancelled because of this tragic event that took place. The brother’s uncle spoke as the Gaudreau family is gut wrenched and still in shock. “Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brother-in-laws, two nephews, 2 cousins, 2 family members, two teammates, two friends, but two truly amazing humans.” These words were spoken by Uncle Jim Gaudreau.

Johnny Gaudreau’s last season, in his second season in Columbus, scored 12 goals while dishing out 48 assists for 60 points. Nicknamed Johnny Hockey or Johnny Ham & Cheese, he has played 11 seasons in the NHL. He was a big part of that Boston College team winning the 2012 NCAA Hockey Championship. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round 104th overall of the NHL 2011 draft. He played 9 seasons in Calgary & then in 2022 signed with the Blue Jackets on a seven year deal. Johnny Hockey is a 1x all-star and has played in 763 NHL games. He has scored 243 goals while dishing out 500 assists for 743 NHL points. Not bad for a kid born in Salem, New Jersey playing solid hockey with the big boys from Canada.

Matthew Gaudreau after playing hockey at Boston College never found the ice at the NHL level. He went un-drafted and signed with the New York Islanders organization. Matthew played in the AHL (American Hockey League) and the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League.) He played two seasons with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers who were the Islanders affiliate in the AHL. Matthew would then be part of the inaugural season of the Worchester Railers who played in the ECHL.

In seven seasons in the minor leagues, Matthew scored 36 goals. He finally hung up the skates and took a job at the Gaudreau brothers’ Alma Mater in Jersey in 2022 as the hockey coach. He has had that job at Gloucester Catholic High School since.

The driver of this very unfortunate act is 43 year old Sean Higgins who was driving a Jeep of some kind. He admitted to having 5 to 6 beers before he got behind the wheel. Right now the authorities are charging Higgins with two counts of vehicular homicide in the 2nd degree. On the report he said he grew impatient so he went blazing around the slower vehicle in front of him to then plow into the two brothers on bikes. I really just don’t blame the alcohol on this situation. If he was sober, that Higgins would not get pissed off and go around the slower car or truck. How many times do you see the people driving crazy every day on the highways across the United States cutting people off and not using the turn signal that you think is obsolete. Look at the road rage these days. People will pull out a gun on you if you even beep at them. He should have never gotten into the car after drinking that amount of beer either. This is really sad because now Higgins’ impatience ripped the hearts of the entire Gaudreau family. Making things even more heartbreaking is Matthew’s wife is expecting a baby. Because why? You have to get home a tad earlier? We know this happens every day. This story is being told because Johnny plays in the NHL. You can’t hold that against any celebrities or anybody that gets killed like this from somebody who drives like an A-hole.

The story about this accident has so many sad moving parts. How does the sister of the two brothers go on with the wedding after this sometime in the future? How would you like to be the groom in this situation? From what I have read, it sounds like the Gaudreau family has a strong bond. The wedding should go on because Johnny and Matthew would have wanted their sister to live her life and be happy. You wonder if any of the Gaudreau sons of either Matthew or Johnny will someday play hockey like their fathers. This family should and could come together to be a stronger unit where right now is grim, but the future could be brighter just because of this tragic event taking place on Thursday night. I’m sure many families break apart because of some kind of event that many can’t recover or move on. It sounds like both Johnny and Matthew were two guys that were good people. On and off the ice and family orientated. It’s a real shame this happens in life. Way too young for both guys who had bright futures ahead of them. Stories like this remind us you have to live life to the fullest. Enjoy the people in your life because you never know. My prayers go out to the family. As a hockey fan watching the Chicago Blackhawks, I’ve seen Johnny Hockey and he was a solid player any team would want to have on their top lines. Rest in peace to the Gaudreau brothers, whose lives were cut down way too short.

Alright stop, collaborate & listen as we all know Vanilla Ice was a one hit wonder in the music world. We know the white rapper made all his cash flow from his mastery of Ice, Ice Baby. Many musicians have rapped or played the fiddle to that one hit under their belts and never left the shadow of that hit. Forever known as the guy or girl who sang that one song. In sports we have seen many one season wonders. Sometimes a one year wonder at the quarterback position could save your season. Make every Sunday worthwhile to watch your team play for that year. Kind of a surprising type of season. Like hitting the bonus at the slots. Some cities like Cleveland and Chicago that always have died by the quarterback would sometimes have the one guy that gave their fan base hope for at least that season. They were one season and pretty much done and never found that magic again that they had in their biggest year behind center. They may have signed their soul away to the Devil. The hoopla of that one season messed with their mind set and they could not repeat it. I thought I’d start with my least favorite one season wonder at QB and work my way to the best Ice Ice baby of them of all of the one hit wonders. All these guys listed, I do not dislike. They probably screwed your pick em pool every week costing you money. How many people would love to have the one great season in any sport professionally? You can’t knock these guys. You wonder how they lost their mojo so quickly.

1989

#6. DON MAJKOWSKI (AKA THE MAGIC MAN)

Don Majkowski played ten seasons in the NFL. He will always be remembered playing for the Packers where he got the nickname Magic Man for his epic comebacks in 1989. The Magic Man went 10-6 behind center for the Packers that season as he completed 58.9%. He tallied a career high with 4,318 passing yards while throwing 27 touchdown passes along with 20 interceptions. In ten seasons his starting record behind center was 26-30-1. In the other 9 seasons, the Magic Man went 16-24-1. His only playoff game was in 1995 for the Lions – a game he did not start. The Magic Man poster was probably in every cheese-head’s kid’s bedroom throughout the dairy state. The Packers in the 1980’s were nothing special so the Magic Man did make that season special for Packers fans. Who cares because we know in the 1990’s they find their guy, Brett Farve.

2007

#5. DEREK ANDERSON

I mentioned Cleveland in the beginning of this article because of the great season Derek Anderson had in 2007. Anderson took the starting job away from Charlie Frye, another Browns dud behind center. Anderson went 10-5 after he took over the starting duties for the Browns in his second season in the NFL. Anderson played 13 seasons in the NFL and as a starter his record was 20-29. He won half of his games in one season. He passed for 3,787 yards while only completing 56.6 % of his passes. He threw 29 touchdown passes in 2007. Which is almost half of his entire career of 60 that he threw. Anderson got the big deal & then in 2008 his record was 3-6 for the Browns behind center. He only had two winning seasons as a quarterback as he was 2-0 for the Panthers in 2014. The Browns have not had too many winning seasons. Anderson probably gave the Cleveland fan base some nice memories. Anderson did not start any post-season games.

2013

#4. JOSH MCCOWN

The debate on the bar stools in 2013 during the Bears season was who should finish the season as the starting quarterback. Smoking Jay Cutler or Josh McCown? I was a fan of McCown who was a journeyman quarterback who seemed to find his best performance with the Bears. Cutler was hurt and McCown started 5 games for the Bears and had a record of 3-2 filling in for I don’t give a crap smoking Jay. McCown was a leader out there on the field as we never saw that with Cutler. McCown had 13 touchdowns that season with only one interception. He was completing 66.5% of his throws. The Bears went back to Cutler and the team did not make the post-season. McCown made things interesting. In 16 seasons McCown has played, 2013 was McCown’s only winning seasons as a starter in the NFL. His record as a starter lifetime was 23-53. McCown had 98 career touchdown passes to 82 interceptions while completing 60.2% of his passes.

2014

#3. KYLE ORTON

Old neck beard Kyle Orton actually had more than one winning season over his ten year career. Orton had a 42-40 record as a starter in the NFL in ten seasons in the NFL. Orton won with the Bears early in his career as he was eventually traded to the Broncos, sending Jay Cutler to Chicago. Orton actually had a winning season in Denver. Orton would lose his job to the great Tim Tebow who also could be on this list. For Orton it was the last season he played in the NFL and that was with the Bills. After spending time with the Chiefs and Cowboys, Orton became a starter in Buffalo in 2014. Orton started 12 games, went 7-5, and had the Bills on the verge of making the playoffs. At the time, the Bills were in a drought when it came to post-season. They were the worst out of the 4 major sports at the time and the long drought dated back to the 2000 season of missing the post-season. Orton made it interesting as the Bills had one of the best defenses in the NFL that year. Orton completed 64.2% of his passes. He launched 18 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. The Bills had a ten year stretch of bad quarterback play. Orton was a scrapper. He gave it his best, however he did not pull it off. It was another season without a post-season, but it was fun to watch every Sunday. You can say Orton is not a one season wonder, but he was a one season wonder for the Bills in 2014.

2002

#2.TOMMY MADDOX

Tommy Maddox’s NFL career started slowly with the Broncos, Rams, and the Giants during the 1990’s. Maddox had to redefine his football career in the first ever XFL where he took the LA Xtreme to the championship and helped them win it all in 2001. Maddox found his way back to the NFL after the 2001 season in the XFL. Maddox would get new life with the Steelers. In 2002, Maddox took over the starting job for the Steelers and had a impressive season as he was 7-3-1 as the starter and Pittsburgh made it to the post-season. He threw 20 touchdown passes as he tallied up 2,836 passing yards for the season. He completed 62.1% of his passes. In post-season in the first round, he led the Steelers to a victory over the Browns which resulted in a 36-33 win. Then in the second round, the Titans beat the Steelers 34-31. Maddox engineered 31 points of offense in that loss. Maddox in 2003 would have a losing season. Then he would only last two more seasons after that in a back role. Tommy’s record as a starter during regular season in the NFL as QB was 15-20-1 life time as he won about half of those game during one season. In 2003, he almost had the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

2001

#1. JIM MILLER

Jim Miller played six seasons in the NFL. He played 4 with the Bears and two with the Steelers, where he started his NFL career. Miller arrived in Chicago in 1999 in the same car he had driven since high school. I don’t think Miller has left Chicago. I would imagine the car is gone. Miller has stayed in Chicago, has been a television commentator for the Bears, and does all kinds of radio and television shows every year covering the Bears. Miller was no Richard Simmons or Rocky Balboa-looking specimen as the NFL were convinced he failed a drug test. His comments were, “Just look at me a pasty white dough boy.” Miller in 2001 had his only winning season and that was the year he played the most as QB1 in the NFL. He was 11-2 as a starter. He only completed 57.7% of his passes. He only threw 13 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. However he won 11 regular season games as QB1. Miller led the Bear to the playoffs that year, however they were one and done in Jim’s only post-season start. Miller is like your regular Joe Six Pack guy bringing his lunch pail to work type of dude. He gave you everything he had on the field leaving nothing when the game was over. Miller actually had a winning record when he hung up the spikes as a starter. He went 15-12 all-time. He threw 36 touchdown passes compared to 31 interceptions. His career numbers are okay. Nothing to write home to mom about. You have to understand the long list of just bad quarterbacks the Bears paraded in downtown Chicago every season. Take away that 11 win season where he was a one season wonder. He went 4-10 in the other 5 seasons he played in the NFL.

During the off-season, the Buffalo Bills said goodbye to multiple veteran players. Many of these moves done by the Buffalo front office were to get under the salary cap. They had to remove talented pieces on both sides of the ball to keep some of the other talented pieces from leaving the team through free agency. The Bills would rework some of the guys’ contracts to be able to sign some free agents as well. The Bills are hoping that they patched up the roster with guys they drafted to replace some of the guys that had to leave town. Sometimes you find that diamond in the ruff with the multiple undrafted free agents you bring in to fill out the the 53 man roster. You hope maybe one or two guys stick. Most of these guys can chip in on the special teams while developing their natural positions. The Bills have had some injuries at the line backing position and may count on the local kid, Buffalo Joe Andreessen, to give this team the depth it needs.

Joe Andreessen is a 24 year kid from the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Nicknamed Buffalo Joe by quarterback Josh Allen after he turned some heads during these three pre-season games. Joe played his high school football in Lancaster, New York. Then he played 5 seasons of College Football starting with Bryant University, a small division II school in Rhode Island that popped up in 1999. Buffalo Joe then would play his 5th year at the University of Buffalo. His play with the Bulls would get Buffalo Joe a tryout with the Bills, a team he grew up watching. In three pre-season games, Buffalo Joe got the nod and started at linebacker where he tallied up 24 tackles. He had the team high in tackles versus Pittsburgh as he collected 12 of them. He earned a spot in the Sporting News All Pre-Season team. Is that enough for Buffalo Joe to earn a spot on the 53 man roster? Local kid suiting up for his city’s team with the following of the Buffalo Mafia who have fallen in love with the idea of one of their own playing for the Bills on Sundays. It has that Rudy feeling or perhaps a Kurt Warner feeling of an underdog finding a way to make his dream come true.

What makes this kid special is his work ethic which started at Lancaster High School. Joe Andreessen was the defensive player of the year in Western New York. He went to Bryant University because it was the only school to offer him a scholarship. Buffalo Joe in his final year as a Bulldog at Bryant was named All American setting the school record with 112 tackles. He is third all-time in Bryant’s school history in tackles. Then Buffalo Joe transferred to University of Buffalo. The lone season as a Bull he played in 12 games and led the team in tackles. Let’s face it that Buffalo Joe is a tackling machine out on the field which you’ve got to like. He has shown that he has strength and speed on the field to compete with the big dogs of the NFL. The way he shoots through the gap is very impressive.

Last year, the Buffalo Bills lost their star linebacker Matt Milano to to a leg injury in week 5 in London, England playing the Jaguars. The line backing core was very thin in the playoff loss to the Chiefs. The Bills could not get Patrick Mahomes off the field in that one. Now the Bills have the injury bug hitting them in pre-season as Milano will miss the first 12 games of regular season due to a bicep injury. Last year’s replacement for Milano, Terrel Bernard’s play was magnificent. Bernard was also injured in pre-season but nothing to keep him out for the start of regular season. With Bernard’s injury it opened the door for Buffalo Joe. Joe Andreessen right now is on the bubble of making this Bills team. One thing that Head Coach Sean McDermott knows is line backers and the safety position he played during his college days. I have a feeling they really like this kid. Perhaps down the road this season he will get his chances on this Bills defense for whatever reason. The work ethic since high school and the path he has taken to get to this point… you want guys like this on the roster. The undrafted free agents especially from smaller schools are like rooting for the 16th seed to take down the number one basketball school. If Buffalo Joe becomes a solid linebacker for the Bills, the Mafia will write folk songs about this guy. He could be a legend in the making as we hope he makes the 53 man roster and goes beyond that to make this kid’s dream come true. This is a great story and it’s still in the making.

As the new NFL season approaches, we start to think: can the team you and I root for get to the Superbowl? Can they actually win the big game? I’m sure everyone except for Kansas City have grown tiresome of the Chiefs. The Chiefs will probably win their third in a row. Since the season has not started yet as every team gets ready playing preseason games, I thought of a list of teams I’d like to see win the next Superbowl. I start from the teams I don’t want to even want to have sniff the Superbowl & then work down to the number one spot of the team I want to win it all. Some of the teams I want to win it all have no chance. I have franchises I like that have never won a Superbowl, to get their first. Some franchises that have never won a Superbowl I want to keep it that way as well. I start with the Patriots who I hope will be the doormat of the league for the next decade. Check out your team. Hope you enjoy.

#32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots dynasty with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick was nauseating. The Patriots dynasty finally crumbled like Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The franchise should be stripped of all its weapons of mass destruction and go back to their old helmets and losing ways. The Patriots should suffer at least a decade of bad football before they even come back into the playoff picture.

#31. CLEVELAND BROWNS

I would love to see the Cleveland Browns win a Superbowl. Not with the Dawg they have at quarterback. What’s wrong with the picture is a guy pretty much getting away with 22 women saying that he sexual-harassed them while getting a massage. They say crime does not pay, but he gets a contract for 230 million guaranteed. If you listen to him in his interviews, the dude does not get it. He shows no remorse, thinks reporters are making this stuff up, and are a inconvenience to him wanting to just play football. If the Browns had anybody else behind center, they would be higher on my list.

#30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Enough is enough of Taylor Swift sightings at Chiefs games. The Chiefs are the new Patriots. I’m sick of watching the rerun of the same episode of the Kansas City Chiefs winning it all. Travis Kelce sounds like a meat head when this team prevails. Patrick Mahomes is a cry baby and I’m waiting for the day some defensive player just knocks him off his perch with a big hit.

Like Wilbur Marshall’s hit on Troy Aikman several years ago. Not wishing for the guy to get hurt. He needs his bubble to be popped and brought back down to Earth. Enough with the State Farm commercials we have to stomach every week of the NFL football season.

#29. DALLAS COWBOYS

I must have missed out on the vote that makes the Dallas Cowboys America’s team. With this label, the networks suffocate us with Cowboys games every week no matter where you live in the country. Why do I have to watch the overrated Cowboys like they are the team living in my city I call home. Then the owner Jerry Jones is a big reason why they will always be a team I will not root for in the Superbowl. Besides the Cowboys have already won multiple titles no reason to rehash those 1990 teams and that dynasty which would make a billy goat up-chuck.

#28. NEW YORK JETS

I know the New York Jets have not won a Superbowl since Broadway Joe gave his guarantee in 1969. Joe Namath backed up his words in Superbowl III. Now the Jets have something from the Tales of the Darkside with Aaron Rodgers behind center. Jets are like the Browns in this article. If they had a different quarterback, then I could have Gang Green higher up on this list. Aaron Rodgers went from an almost normal dude to gothic the last few seasons. His darkness retreats. His gothic girlfriend. His imaginary Covid shot. How he bitches about money he’s worth and holding up his team to make a decision if he is coming back for the season. How he ranted and raved about how he owns the Bears is my biggest reason I dislike this guy as I’m not going to hide that. Rodgers winning another Superbowl with this Jets team will give this SOB a bigger ego than any quarterback that has played the game. How his serenity now bullshit helped him accomplish his goals.

#27. GREEN BAY PACKERS

A typical Green Bay Packer fan most likely smells like beef and cheese. You can probably add bad batch of venison, brats, and cheap booze to those wearing a hat of cheese wearing an orange hunting vest. Since 1992 the Packers have a record against my beloved Bears 50-15 which includes the 2010 NFC Championship game. First it was Brett Farve who carved the Bears up like a jive turkey on disco night at the Brat Stop. Then you had the douche bag Aaron Rodgers own us like we were his city housing landlord’s feeding on cockroaches & drinking raid shots. Then he leaves and Jordan Love has not shown us the Love of losing yet. Packers and title town are far away from number one in my book on this list.

#26. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Back in the 1980’s I like the Bengals with Boomer Esiason and the Icky shuffle with Icky Woods. For many seasons the Bengals were like the penitentiary team with guys they employed like Pac Man Jones and Vontaze Burfict. Then the recent years with all the trash talkers like Eli Apple and Joe Mixon. The Bengals traded Mixon in the off-season to the Houston Texans. They drafted him and knew how he was a good citizen beating the shit out of his girlfriend back in college. They still selected him. The Great Joe Cool Burrow who wants the NFL to let the game have taunting be a part of the festivities. Probably because the Bengals lead the league in trash talking. Let’s get rid of sportsmanship, watch a defender drop Burrow to the ground, and wag his finger at him while he lays mangled on the turf.

#25. MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins hatred goes back to the late 80’s and 90’s with the rival with the Bills. When you flip off the Bills Mafia, which Bryan Cox did, you never forget. The present day Dolphins with the Cheetah Tyreek Hill and their aerial attack is quite annoying. Hill you hate this guy if he’s playing against your team. You may warm up to the Cheetah if you selected him on your fantasy team. The Dolphins can score a ton of points against weaker teams. In games with playoff teams, they don’t fare well. The Dolphins are overrated. They think they are better than they are. I love when they traveled to colder places because they’d look like frozen Pudding Pops with freezer burn. The Dolphins are arch-rivals to the Bills so they need to be placed in the back of the bus. Only thing I like about the Dolphins was the Ace Ventura Pet Detective movie.

#24. LA CHARGERS

I used to root for the Chargers when they were in San Diego. They had great quarterbacks like Phillip Rivers and years before Rivers, Dan Fouts. Two stud quarterbacks that suffered the Karl Malone disease never winning a title. Only Superbowl the Chargers were in was when Stan the Man Humphries was behind center back in 1995 when they lost to the 49ers. The hatred against the Chargers presently is because of their owner, Dean Spanos. The Spanos moved the Chargers from San Diego to LA to be the second fiddle to the Rams. Now the Chargers have Jim Harbaugh as head coach and another stud QB, Justin Herbert, in place. Harbaugh is an awesome hire and Herbert is a guy you can get behind. You can’t forgive the greedy owner who moved his team from the best climate in the United States to smog town in over-crowded LA where they already have a team. Just baffling as you see more fans of the visitors at Chargers games at home.

#23. LA RAMS

The Rams got their cake and had their ice cream moving from St. Louis back to LA and to play in a brand spanking new stadium. Then winning a Superbowl. It’s like leaving the girl you were friends with your whole life for something fake and shiny in LA. Ripping the hearts out of all the die hard football fans of St.Louis. If you don’t believe me watch the United Football League where they pack the stadium rooting for the Spring team called the BattleHawks. Why didn’t the Rams ownership just stay in LA in the first place? I’m not jacked up seeing the Rams win another Superbowl any time soon.

#22. NEW YORK GIANTS

I’m not over the Buffalo Bills first WIDE RIGHT kick heard around the world during the Superbowl with the Giants. Then Bill Belichick was the defensive coordinator for that team and gets credit for his D slowing down the Bills’ high power offense in that game. The Giants always seem to find luck winning Superbowls when they probably were not the better team. I liked the Eli Manning teams beating the Tom Brady teams. Especially ruining the Patriots perfect record – one thing Brady did not achieve. The Giants are from New York City which gives me a big reason not wanting to see them win anything. My guess is that Giants fans are Yankee fans and who wants them to feel good about their sports world. I don’t.

#21.BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Ravens’ past comes into play not wanting Baltimore to win a Superbowl. Since the Browns moved to Baltimore, became their own franchise, and left their old name in Cleveland, they have won two Superbowls. How many franchises are still looking for their first taste? How many franchises who’ve been around for decades and may have only one title to their names. The Ravens’ linebacker bat shit crazy Ray Lewis was a nut job. Did he murder people that year in Atlanta at a bar? We know he tried to cover things up. Lamar Jackson is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Something about him and his game – he will not win it all. Disappointment versus the Chiefs last year in the AFC Championship. The Ravens get points off their score with me there.

#20. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

When the 49ers were a dynasty with Joe Montana and Steve Young, they racked up multiple Superbowls. I was not a fan of those on-going dynasties in the 1980’s which lingered into the 90’s. I always loved the 49ers full back Tom Rathman who even had a full back last name. That is only one player. The 49ers these days when you do root for them they lose like last year against the Chiefs. I guess you could say it’s fun time Bobby watching San Francisco lose Superbowls rather than win them. Then I LOATHE the patriot saint of kneeling in Colin Kaepernick who has made more money off the field then actually on it. The 49ers have too many Superbowl trophies. To see them win another one is like rooting for Patrick Mahomes to win his third one in a row.

#19.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Washington first scalped their old name, the Redskins. Then they went with the Washington Football Team that sounds better than the Commanders. It took how many years to finally come up with the Commanders as the new name. Washington has a new ownership. Dan Snyder is out who may go down as one of the worst owners of all sports. Rumor has it they may bring back their old nickname, the Redskins. I doubt it. This franchise is like a dog being neutered when they snipped away the Redskins name from them. They are not the Hogs of the past with those Joe Gibbs teams. I’m in no hurry to see the Commanders rise back up and win a Superbowl at any time soon.

#18. DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos back in the day would get to the Superbowl and get their butts kicked in. They were like the Vikings or Bills. They seemed like they could not win the big game. They had the franchise quarterback in John Elway, aka horse teeth. Elway was the quarterback of those losing Superbowls. He finally slayed his dragon and the Broncos won back to back titles in 1997 and 1998. The Broncos would win another one in 2015. That’s three titles for the Colorado mountain high. I have liked them now over the last several years trying to find a quarterback. They humiliated themselves for going big on Russell Wilson. They need a few more years away from the Superbowl.

#17. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Philly special unleashed on Bill Belichick’s Patriot defense in the Superbowl was priceless. Nick the Dick Foles filled in for Carson Wentz late in that season due to an injury and got red hot and marched his team all the way through the playoffs, giving Tom Brady a Superbowl loss. What have you done for me lately? It is always a question in sports. The Eagles got back to the Superbowl and blew a lead to the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. The punishment is the Eagles still on a time out.

#16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

If Pete Carol was still the head coach of the Seahawks, they would not be in the middle of the pack. Carol is like that slick car salesperson that you see on the sidelines for many college basketball teams. Don’t get me wrong he was a great coach but a guy that left USC like the women and children when the Titanic was sinking. The Seahawks should have two Superbowl titles. Not running Mashawn Lynch on that final play at the goal line versus the Patriots was the biggest bone-headed coaching move of all-time. His Legion of Doom defense was filled with a bunch of classless guys like Richard Sherman. I guess that’s what you want on a defense called the Legion of Boom. Seattle is a place that is on my bucket list of visiting as the state of Washington seems gorgeous. Heard great things. Now they have new blood on the sidelines so they may be a team I can get behind in present day.

#15.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Jaguars have now been in the league awhile but still seem like an expansion team. The Jaguars seem to always be playing multiple home games in London, England. Just move there already. Then you have the Surf Nazi Ninja must die at quarterback. Trevor Lawrence reminds me of the character Sean Penn played in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the great Spicoli. The Jaguars have never won or even been to the big game but why would we want a Florida team winning it all especially a team with a bad logo a smurf tongue on a cat.

#14. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

I miss the old creamsicle uniforms the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used to wear in the late 70’s and 1980’s. The Buccaneers in those days used to know what to do. Lose football games. They once had a record of like 50 straight games they lost when the weather was under like 40 degrees. The Buccaneers have two Superbowl trophies. First one they made a trade to get head coach Jon Gruden. Then Gruden would take over and guide the Buccaneers to their first Superbowl versus his old team the Raiders. The Buccaneers even squeezed another Superbowl out of Tom Brady. I like the pirate ship at their stadium. We can wait awhile before we see this franchise get back to the Superbowl.

#13. HOUSTON TEXANS

This current Texans team is on the rise. Rookie CJ Stroud looks like the real deal behind center. The Texans added even more fire power to their team this off-season. I know the Texans have never won a Superbowl, but they feel to me like the Jaguars – that expansion team feeling. I grew sick of the Astros in Houston even to this present day. Now they added questionable personalities in Joe Mixon at running back and Stefon Diggs. Great players, but these two characters could ruin a young quarterback going into his second season. With these two additions, the Texans are a team you don’t really want to root for. Let’s not forget where Deshaun Watson was drafted from. All those girls that Watson sexual harassed were in Houston, under the Texans watch.

#12. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

When it comes to the Colts, they have won two Superbowls – one in Indianapolis in 2006 with Peyton Manning. Then in 1970 as they were the Baltimore Colts back then. I like the town of Indianapolis. They have a great fan base. The Colts owner Jim Irsay is my problem. Owners should not be in the news more often than your own team. Irsay reminds me of Donald Trump on social media or will say that bone headed thing whenever a microphone is in front of him. The Colts have the luck to get Peyton Manning & then replaced him with Andrew Luck. Maybe the luck has run out as Anthony Richardson sat most of the season with an injury rather than playing a full season his rookie year. Guys like Irsay and Jerry Jones you don’t want to see holding a Superbowl trophy at the end of the season. The Colts beat my Bears in the 2006 Superbowl which I may have gotten over, but it still stings.

#11. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

I love the town of Pittsburgh. They are a great fan base for their sports teams. The Steelers elect a head coach and he holds on to the job like the Pope does at the Vatican. The Steelers have great history and those awesome defenses over years. The Steel Curtain is one of the best nicknames for an NFL defense. The Steelers have collected a six pack of Superbowl trophies. They always find the playoffs. They always know when to remove or not pick up the contract of the crazies like Antonio Brown who are talented but not playing with full deck in their mindsets. Do you really want to see the Steelers win another Superbowl? It depends on who they play. I’d like to see ten other teams win one before they win their 7th.

#10. TENNESSEE TITANS

Another heartbreak moment in Bills history was the Music City Miracle done by the Titans that knocked the Buffalo out the playoffs in 2000. We could argue about that play on our bar stools for an hour as the Titans pulled off a questionable play in the last seconds. The Titans used to be the Houston Oilers as they had one of the best uniforms in the game. The Titans have been to one Superbowl as they lost to the St. Louis Rams, XXXIV, as they came up short on the last play. Something about Honky Tonk town with moonshine girls wearing boots eating great food while listening to legendary tunes makes my boat float. I get behind a Nashville parade and Titan Superbowl.

#9. CAROLINA PANTHERS

If Cam Newton was not so soft, the Panthers could have pulled off a victory over the Broncos in the Superbowl. Peyton Manning was not Peyton Manning like in that Superbowl. The Panthers lost two Superbowls, the first one Jake Delhomme was behind center. Delhomme had some great years in Carolina. Newton was just a fantasy quarterback and a guy overrated in my book. The Panthers have put together some great teams since coming into the league in the 1990’s. Not sure if the number one draft pick, Bryce Young, is the answer for this team. He has only played one season. The Panthers have made bad football decisions like the trade with the Bears sending DJ Moore to Chicago and swapping number one draft picks and losing draft picks. The Panthers still feel like an expansion team. When it comes to the state of North Carolina, they only have won one championship from the Hurricanes winning the cup. They do have North Carolina University which is a basketball power house. I like to see other teams win their first Superbowl before the Panthers. Especially teams that have been around longer.

#8.ATLANTA FALCONS

The Falcons fly in Hot Atlanta where they filmed the Walking Dead. The Falcons pissed everyone off when the blew that big lead to the Patriots in their Superbowl appearance. Giving Tom Brady another Superbowl ring with the stooge Bill Belichick feels like a kick in the teeth as they had that game. The Falcons are 0-2 in the Superbowl. I find the Falcons you like them, but some years you hate this franchise. Guys like Mike Vick and Neon Deon Sanders were guys I’m not going to root for. I loved head coach Jerry Glanville. His trademark black cowboy hat was a staple on the Falcons side line. You feel bad for guys like Matt Ryan, Chris Chandler, and Chris Miller not winning a Superbowl. Isn’t Kirk Cousins the same guy like Miller, Ryan, and Chandler? We may have to wait until Michael Penix Jr. gets a crack at the starting job behind center for the Falcons to get back to the big game.

#7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Two of the funniest movies of all-time are set in Minnesota. The two Grumpy Old Men movies were hilarious. The Vikings had the best name for their defense back in the 1970’s. The Purple People Eaters. The Vikings were like the Bills of the 1990’s. They made four Superbowls in the 1970’s and lost them all. It was not like the Bills who lost 4 straight years in a row. Vikings appeared in 1970, 1974,1975, and 1977. The Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the entire season due to a knee injury. The number ten pick won the National Championship behind center for the University of Michigan. Could McCarthy when he gets back on the field in 2025 lead the Vikings to a Superbowl win some day? It would be a cool story plus making history getting the Vikings their first ever.

#6. ARIZONA CARDINALS

At one point the Cardinals originated in Chicago. They played their home games at the old Comisky Park that was home to the Chicago White Sox. The Bears played at Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. I could of easily been a Cardinals fan growing up on the south side if they stayed in the Windy City. The Cardinals moved to St. Louis & then to Arizona. I could easily put them on the list with the Rams, Ravens, and Chargers. The moves by the Cardinals franchise from Chicago to St.Louis were before my time. I’ve met one die hard fan in Chicago who still roots for the Cardinals today even when they left town. The Cardinals I always loved the Pat Tillman story. Him giving up football and serving the country as an Army Ranger due to 9/11. I rooted for Kurt Warner the only season this Cardinals franchise made it to the Superbowl versus the Steelers which was one of the best Superbowl games of all-time. If the Cardinals won their first any time soon, I could get behind that. Their current team has lots to do to make it happen.

#5.DETROIT LIONS

The Lions have never even made it to a Superbowl. It was great seeing the Lions get back to the post-season last year and win a playoff game. The last time the Detroit Lions were relevant was back in the 1950’s. It was 1957 when they won a Championship. They actually won three titles in the 50’s. Some of the greatest Lions of all-time like Barry Sanders, Chris Spielman, and Calvin Johnson aka Megatron played on many bad teams and never experienced a title. The Lions have a team that is not going away any time soon. If they continue to get better the Lions’ Superbowl appearance may be in the cards.

#4. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Not sure Nicolas Cage playing the part of John Madden in the upcoming movie is a good idea. Cage ruined Ghost Rider for me with his bad acting. The Raiders make me look like a hypocrite as they have moved back and forth for years from LA to Oakland & then finally to Vegas. My grammar school team was the Raiders so I’ve always been fond of them. Something about the black and silver and that Raider logo makes me a fan. I feel bad for the city of Oakland and that fan base with the Black Hole was epic. They way the fans dressed like it was Halloween every Sunday gave the stadium that intimidating factor to the visiting team. Makes sense though that the Raiders would be Sin City’s team. The Raiders have won three total titles. I love how this Raiders team beat on the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Seeing Mad Maxx Crosby close out a Superbowl sacking a quarterback would be electric.

#3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

I’ve been to the Big Easy once in my life and that’s a great town. I always loved Drew Brees and in my opinion he’s one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL all-time. The Saints’ only Superbowl was not an easy task against a very tough Peyton Manning-led Colts team. Brees versus Manning is like a Clash of the Titans movie. The defense was involved in Bounty Gate as that came out later as they beat up on Brett Farve in the NFC Championship game before they met the Colts in the Superbowl. The gold & black uniforms and the spicy voodoo town of New Orleans which brings you Mardi Gras every year gets my vote for the Saints to win another Superbowl soon. Not sure Derek Carr is the guy to get the job done.

#2. CHICAGO BEARS

Steve McMichael getting in the Hall of Fame this season gives the Bears 4 guys from that 1985 bad ass defense which is the most of all-time on any Superbowl team. That Bears defense was the best of all-time. All those players on that ’85 Bears team are still the toast of the town. All those personalities meshed and clicked for one of the greatest teams in the NFL. The Bears are 1-1 in Superbowls. They have not had an actual quarterback since the 1940’s when Sid Luckman was behind center. Can Caleb Williams be the guy? He sure looks like an actual quarterback. The Bears team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. It’s about time after watching bums like Jay Cutler rewrite the franchise quarterback records. I’m a fan of the Bears so that makes it even better for them to win a title because it has been a very long time.

#1. BUFFALO BILLS

The city of Buffalo seems to be jinxed. The Bills and the Sabres have not won anything for decades. When the Bills were in the AFL before the merger with the NFL, Buffalo won back to back titles in 1964 and ’65 led by quarterback Jack Kemp. The Bills have been through heartache after heart break. Four Superbowl losses in a row when they had a stud quarterback in Jim Kelly during the 1990’s. The Bills suffered through two wide rights which includes the missed kick last year versus the Chiefs by Tyler Bass in the divisional round. The Music City Miracle still hurts in 2000. The Bills have maybe the best quarterback in franchise history in Josh Allen but he can’t beat the dreaded Chiefs in the post-season. The Bills fan base is one of the best in the NFL. Known as the Bills Mafia who like to drink and break tables at epic tailgating parties before and after the game. They are hungry and a diehard group that bleed Buffalo’s colors. They have been through decades of hard times. They keep getting up from the mat to root on their beloved Bills because they know one day they will win their first ever and it will be something special. You have to love a city that gets bad winter weather every year and elect to go with a brand new outdoor stadium instead of a dome like most cities are doing. The Bills get the first vote from myself to be the next winner of the big game.

Last year Bryce Young was the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft for the Carolina Panthers. The number two pick overall by the Houston Texans, CJ Stroud played like the best quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft. Young was not impressive in his rookie season for the Panthers. The number 4 overall pick, Anthony Richardson, for the Indianapolis Colts only played 4 games due to an injury. The Bears think they have the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft with Caleb Williams as most of the football world thinks the Chicago selection number one was a no brainer. A guarantee? Never any guarantees in the NFL with the chosen ones. Look at Young for the Panthers. The Bears have constructed a powerful offense with all the bells and whistles for Williams. They have surrounded him with secret service protection with their offensive line selection.

You bet the Bears General manager is thinking like Hannibal Smith of the A-Team liking a plan that comes together. What if the grand scheme fails? This is the Bears we are talking about. The last time someone saw a quarterback in the Windy City was watching the 1940’s Bears with Sid Luckman. If Williams falters, who gets the keys to the Bears shiny new offense? The choices may not be the brightest plan in the book.

The Bears played the Texans in the first pre-season action of the year in the Hall of Fame game. The Bears get an extra pre-season contest this season playing their guys at the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton. Caleb Williams did not see any action. The cocky quarterback from USC played the part of a veteran number one guy on the sidelines in street clothes like he’s been in the NFL for years. The Bears have the extra game so Williams can still get the snaps he needs to ready for the season. Last Thursday it was Brett Rypien that stood out as he may fall number three in the pecking order of the Bears depth chart at QB. With Tyson Bagent, number two, who we will get too. Rypien was magnificent as he was ripping the ball all over the field completing 11-15 passes, 166 yards, with 3 touchdown passes. If you are scoring at home that is a 148.9 QB rating for the 28 year old. Rypien was signed because he has played for the Bears new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and Brett knows his offense. Rypien has played 4 seasons in the NFL with the Broncos and the Rams. Last year he started one game for the Rams and lost. In 4 seasons Rypien has played in ten NFL games making 4 starts where he is 2-2. He has completed 58.3% of his passes and tallied up 950 passing yards. He has thrown 4 touchdown passes compared to 9 interceptions… yikes. Could Brett be taking the next step like his uncle Mark?

Mark Rypien played 11 seasons in the NFL. He played 104 regular season games and had a winning record as a starter of 47-31. He had some good seasons with some clunker ones. He will be remembered for helping the Redskins beat up on the Bills in the Superbowl XXVI in 1991. Rypien was MVP during that big game on the biggest stage of his entire career. Uncle Mark only completed 56.1% of his passes and tallied up 18,473 passing yards while throwing 115 touchdown passes compared to 88 interceptions. He was a 2x Pro-bowler and many people would want that type of career.

Do the Bears or anyone else trust the 24 year old Tyson Bagent as a guy who can take control of the Bears offense if Caleb Williams has any hiccups? Bagent came from Shepard College in West Virginia which is a division II school. Bagent proved last year filling in for the injured Justin Fields he can play QB in the NFL. Bagent had 4 starts last season in his rookie year and won 2 games. He completed 65.7% of his passes in 5 total games. He tallied 859 passing yards, threw 3 touchdown passes, and had 6 interceptions. In year two with the Bears, he will have to learn another new offense. Can Bagent take the keys to the Bears offense and be successful? How long until opposing defenses catch up to him? Once you have film which he does, they might know his weakness and exploit that. Can a young QB like Bagent adjust on the fly?

The Bears had a hard time getting out of the gates last year as it took the defense until mid-season to start gelling. How long will it take Caleb Williams to gel with this offense? Brett Rypien played the Texans scrubs last Thursday as they sat many of their starters like the Bears did. So do you trust a guy like Rypien taking the controls of this team if Williams falters? He may just be a journeyman QB playing third fiddle or stashed on some team’s practice squad going team to team waiting for his next chance. Then Bagent could be a guy that regresses in his second year in the NFL. Do the Bears try to land a guy like Ryan Tannehill who still available on the free agent market. A guy like Tannehill has a track record as a starter and could do well in offense with all these bells and whistles and protection. You have to think teams will cut some interesting names that may be a quarterback worth signing instead of what the Bears have already. The Colts season was saved by Gardner Minshew last year when Anthony Richardson was done for the year. The Colts were in the playoff hunt until they blew their chances late in the game on the last game of the season. We know Caleb Williams thinks he’s already slated for rookie of the year and will guide this Bears team to the playoffs in year one. Just in case of emergency, the Bears may need something else behind Williams or the results will be the same ole Bears. Remember Joe Flacco leading the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs last season. How many QB’s did Cleveland use before signing Flacco? I like Bagent’s story. I like to see Brett be like his uncle or better. You have to be realistic because the Bears have a flaw in depth behind their rookie.

With a new NFL season approaching quickly, teams are getting ready as we speak, knocking the rust off. The vile taste of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs winning yet another Superbowl is almost out of our mouths. Your fantasy football leagues are emerging from your email list. A new season means you could have high hopes right now as almost every fan base should have. You know what your team needs. You may lie awake at night thinking about players on the team you follow and ask: Could they have a break out season? Teams like the Bears have a brand new quarterback behind center. Is this the year we will see an actual quarterback sighting in the Windy City? Caleb Williams comes in cocky. He has the keys to the brand new car in Chicago which now has a souped up sports car of an offense. Williams could be the savior in Chicago or could fall on the list of despised quarterbacks as I do have some Bears on this list of filth, slime, and people that make the bile in your stomach so toxic it takes weeks to recover. Quarterbacks do those things to us. Either on your own team or definitely the opposing teams. Some of these quarterbacks are just bad dudes. On and off the field. My list means I will the Judge, Jury and the Executioner of the 12 men behind center that are just toxic to our society. I will start with number 12 being the least douchey and number one being the ultimate bag of douche.

#12. RYAN LEAF

Ryan Leaf was drafted number 2 overall in the 1998 NFL draft. He was a BUST. His starting record as a QB was 4-17 as he completed only 48% of his passes. He tallied up 3,666 passing yards, with 14 touchdown passes and threw 36 interceptions. He lasted 4 seasons – 3 with the Chargers & one with the Cowboys. He came in with an attitude. He alienated his teammates and fans with his attitude. He had a poor work ethic. The famous interview where he chews out a reporter who was asking him some questions and doing his job. After football he fought the law and lost. Several drug arrests. He was convicted in these arrests and served 7 years in prison. In 2020 he was arrested again for domestic abuse.

#11. CADE MCNOWN

Cade McNown was drafted in the first round number 12 overall in the 1999 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. McNown thought his shit did not stink coming from the West coast as he attended UCLA. His career lasted only two seasons as he played in only 25 games. His record as a starting quarterback was 3-12. He did better than Leaf as he completed 54.6% of his passes for 16 touch down passes and 19 interceptions. The south paw quarterback tallied 3,111 passing yards. Off the field he was part of the UCLA handicapped parking scam. Why would an able bodied football player need a handicap sticker? Taking parking spots from people who needed them. He racked up multiple fines for his part in obtaining a Handicap sticker. He held out for more money after he was drafted. Then bragged to the veterans on the Bears at the time about his riches. He quit on his team more than once. He had a bad attitude and poor work ethic.

#10. JOHNNY MANZIEL

Johnny Manziel may have had one of the best nicknames in the game of football. Johnny Football was a another bust that lasted only two seasons in the NFL both with the Browns. Cleveland drafted Manziel in the first round 22nd overall. He played only 14 NFL games, and he was 2-6 as a starter. Johnny Football and his money signs did not make him a stud QB as he completed 57% of his passes for 7 touchdown passes along 7 interceptions. Perhaps a few 7&7’s at halftime he completed. He tallied up only 1,675 passing yards. It was the partying that push him out of the sport. Drinking and doing drugs. He had a concussion and missed a week 17 game as he was in disguise in Vegas. He had multiple incidents with the law including domestic abuse and assault charges. He led the NFL in violating the league’s substance abuse policy. You can say Manziel was a bust as well. Poor attitude. Bad work ethic. Rubbed people the wrong way. Selfish player.

#9. RUSSEL WILSON

If the Seahawks would have run the ball with Marshawn Lynch at the goal line in Superbowl XLIV, they would have beat the Patriots that night. Instead of two rings Russell Wilson has one. I used to like Wilson & thought he was a solid quarterback with Seattle. He started right away in his rookie season and turned heads his first season in the NFL. In Wilson’s career he has a record of 115-72-1 as a starter. He has 43,653 passing yards with 334 touchdown passes compared to only 106 interceptions. Can you say Prima Donna? Wilson orchestrated a trade to get out of Seattle to land in Denver. This is when you learn about the real Russell Wilson who wanted his own office with his new team. Why would any players have their own office? They have their own locker. The Broncos paid him a ton of money and he was hated in the locker room because he alienated his teammates. All the money and all the clauses of pampering in his contract meant the Broncos had to cut ties with him and eat the money.

#8. BRETT FARVE

I probably liked Brett Farve when he wore a Vikings uniform for two reasons. First because he gave his old team the Packers a taste of their own medicine facing them twice in a season. Then Bounty Gate. Yes the New Orleans defense had a bounty on Farve’s head in that 2009 NFC Championship game. The Saints defense beat up on Farve like he was a red-headed step child. My biggest problem with Farve is he was the beginning of the Packers domination over the Bears that is still going on. The 1980’s ended with Mike Ditka’s Bears beating up on the Packers for a decade. So you can say Farve was the Bears’ first landlord. More on that later. Farve had a hell of a career. He played in 302 NFL games. His record as a starter was 186-112 as he threw for 71,838 yards with 508 touchdown passes. He was a gunslinger and had 336 interceptions. He won a Superbowl. He was like Cal Ripken as an iron man starting every game. Brett Farve was also a disgrace. He bitched and bitched his way out of Green Bay because Aaron Rodgers was waiting. Then with the Jets, the one season he had there, he was caught up in a sexual harassment scandal in the city that never sleeps and likes to get it on. After he hung up the spikes, he has taken money from people that were expecting him to speak at engagements in his own home state of Mississippi. Never showed up. He’s been a part of a welfare fund scandal in his own state where he was born and raised. He was part of some bad people that helped divert about 95 million in funds to invest into his own stuff instead of getting a new volleyball arena for the University where he played football at Southern Mississippi. How much money was going to other needs in the state? One of the best quarterbacks of all-time but a bad dude at the end of it all.

#7. PATRICK MAHOMES

Patrick Mahomes may be the next Tom Brady. Mahomes has already won three Superbowls and just completed back to back titles for the Chiefs. As a starter behind center in regular season he is 74-22. He’s completing 66.5% of his passes. He has tallied up to 28,424 passing yards. He has thrown 219 touchdown passes to 63 interceptions. When you win everyone wants to knock you off your perch. When Mahomes first started in the NFL I rooted for him against the Evil Empire dynasty the Patriots. When you win it changes a person. You become under the microscope with several annoyances. Mahomes has become the biggest cry baby in the league if he does not get it his way. Mahomes is a rare talent in the league. He’s like a point guard in basketball making it all happen when he first touches the ball. Houdini-like and improv-like. He has beaten my Bills in heartbreak losses I suffered. Bills fans should be used to that in their general history. Raise your hand if you’re sick of the State Farm commercials. Mahomes when he does win he has to explain why he beat you from what the media was saying to something the opposing team said in dramatics. Enough of the twin brother and your father who’s a jail bird. Throw in the meat head Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift along with Mahomes. They should be heading up the despised quarterback rankings list in year to come.

#6. JAY CUTLER

Smoking Jay Cutler had a license to steal money in the NFL because he had all the tools to be a great quarterback. In Chicago they still have a cult following for this guy who did not give a shit about the fans or the team he was playing for. Cutler has almost all the Chicago Bears passing records. That is not saying much because the franchise’s best quarterback was Sid Luckman and he played in the 1940’s where running the ball was bigger than passing the rock. As a starter Cutler had a losing record in the NFL with a 74-79 record behind center. He completed 62% of his passes. He chucked the ball for 35,133 passing yards. He threw 227 touch down passes. He was a gunslinger who had 160 interceptions. The problem with the interceptions its when you throw them. Cutler’s mistakes would go for many pick sixes. His interceptions cost the team wins late in games. Or his mistake would turn the momentum of the game in the other team’s favor. The Bears were sucked into this dream he would be the answer to the quarterback position that haunted this franchise for decades so they kept paying him. Many Bears fans never have seen a good quarterback. Cutler still has assembled a fan base like the Chicago Cardinals fans who are drying up with age. He didn’t care about his teammates, fans, or the front office as he took his money with that smug look on his face and went home to his model girlfriend at the time.

#5. COLIN KAEPERNICK

Colin Kaepernick should not be relished as some kind of saint, martyr or symbol for justice. He’s a fraud sell out and got paid by Nike as some kind of trail blazer then by the NFL just to go away. The legendary folk tales are fish stories about how good he was and how great he would be still for a team in present day. The try outs he has had no team sign him. Then his auditions for all the NFL to see him would be moved at the last minute as the scouts could not find him. He played in 69 games in the NFL and his record as a starting quarterback was 28-30. He completed 59.8% of his passes as he tallied 12,271 passing yards. He threw 72 touchdown passes with 30 regular season interceptions. Kaepernick is a one year wonder maybe two seasons most. His first season he was electric as a duel threat and helped the 49ers finish strong. Then he helped them make it to the Superbowl versus the Ravens. The 49ers were going to make the playoffs that year without Kaepernick as Alex Smith had them at the door step. If Kaepernick wanted to play quarterback he would have shown his talents in one of many of these spring football leagues. Instead he fought for Police reform kneeling during the National Anthem on company time as he used his soap box once again on company time. No team wanted to deal with this public relations nightmare like Kaepernick after his stand. Should say kneel. He is probably benefiting not playing football because the last two seasons with the 49ers he was not very good. He made money because the world were convinced he was banned from the NFL. He wanted them all to believe that as it improved his football career. They thought about the two seasons he did well but people tend to forget the league caught on to Kaepernick. If he signed somewhere and actually played, he’d probably lose his money from Nike as he would be a bad quarterback. It was not all about Police reform. It was about padding Colin’s bank account. Why do fans forget he is half white and half black? Not buying what this dude was shoveling. Go away already, enough is enough.

#4. TOM BRADY

Tom Freaking Brady is like the Barry Bonds of the MLB. These guys have all the talent in the world but still find a way to cheat and win. Brady was involved in Deflate Gate. The league made up a fumble rule just for Tom Freaking Brady, a 7 X Superbowl champion. He is the Goat of the NFL like Lebron James is to the NBA. Everyone hates winners. In Chicago we had the greatest NBA player of all-time in the 80’s and 90’s. Michael Jordan and his six titles I’m sure people were sick of seeing this guy collect trophies. Brady embarrassed my Buffalo Bills for over a decade. It was nauseating seeing Brady and Bill Belichick win it year after year. Brady played in 335 NFL games and is the best QB to walk the planet. His starting record was 251-82 which is sick. He completed 64.3% of his passes and tallied 89,214 passing yards. He threw 649 touchdown passes and had 214 interceptions. All the MVP’s all the pro bowl games. He has the biggest ego of all time. He left a model wife just to play one more meaningless season of football in the NFL. Not an ounce of fat on his frame from the crazy diet he is involved in. One cheeseburger & he would be hospitalized. If Brady is not playing for your team, he is a thorn in your side for decades of watching the Patriot dynasty last so long. After being free from his presence as he’s finally retired now, he will be broadcasting games. Oh goody we have to hear this guy speak and probably tell all his tales from the gridiron. Hope your television has an operational mute button.

#3. AARON RODGERS

I hope the gangrene tradition continues. X Green Bay quarterbacks get traded to the Jets & then die off. Aaron Rodgers is a jag off. He did the same thing Brett Farve did to him – bitch about the team drafting a quarterback. Then he bitched and bitched until they finally traded him to the Jets. Rodgers has won one Superbowl in his career. He is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time as he played 231 regular season games. He has a 148-75-1 record as a starter. He has completed 65.3% of his passes while tallying up 59,055 passing yards. He has thrown 475 touchdown passes and has 105 interceptions. He has several MVP’s and has made a ton of pro bowl games. Rodgers went from dating a Goddess like Danica Patrick and doing his annoying double discount check for State Farm in commercials, to some gothic creep. He lied about being vaccinated during the 2020 NFL season which was played during a pandemic. He’s been a thorn in the Bears’ side just like Farve. One game he beat the Bears while scoring a touchdown yelling to the Chicago fans, “I own you.” He is the second landlord of the Bears. The record of Farve and Rodgers versus the Bears took the rival out of this match up and just call it what it is. A bloody massacre. How many people actually smiled when he was knocked out in his very first game in the first drive in the first quarter wearing a Jets uniform. Like Russel Wilson, Rodgers is a Prima Donna. The Packers front office had to cater to Rodgers way too long. I would love to see Rodgers’ career end on his sour play this upcoming season.

#2. MIKE VICK

Mike Vick was overrated as a quarterback when he played for the Falcons. One good hit would end that jive turkey’s season. Vick after serving time in jail would redefine his football career with the Eagles having maybe his best season of his career. You know why he went to jail. Running a dog fighting ring in the back of his mansion. Multiple dogs on his property would be used for sport in Vick’s world as they’d be thrown into a ring to pretty much fight to the death. As Vick and his cronies would place their bets on which animal would win. Vick would miss two seasons for his side hustle venture in dog fighting. He played 143 games in the NFL and ended up having a winning record of 61-51-1. He was a duel threat style quarterback which most of the time he was better with his legs than his arm. He completed only 56.2% of his passes. He threw 133 touchdowns and was picked off 88 times. He was paid well in the NFL as he bred pit bulls and you know the good ole U.S.A. loves dogs. The good dogs which were probably trained to be mean SOB’s were promoted to the ring. The bad ones that were probably beaten to a bloody pulp were exterminated. When he got out of jail he says he was reformed. He got another 100 million dollar contract from the Eagles. Maybe he should have been sent to North Korea and served his time with the dictator, Kim Jong Un. In North Korea dogs are not pets, they are food. See how many dog burritos Vick can stuff down his throat. Hate when the chew toy gets in the meat sauce.

#1.DESHAUN WATSON

No shit Sherlock that my dear Watson in Deshaun is number one on this list. Deshaun Watson seems to be a dog that escaped Mike Vick’s house and has shit on the world being mistreated. This Dawg in Cleveland has not been mistreated as he is a dog who should be neutered and even put down after multiple women claimed he sexual harassed them during his massage therapy sessions. How many therapists gave in and let Watson have his way with them. Ironic this happened in Houston. Then the Texans traded him to Cleveland where their fan base call their field the Dawg Pound. Watson is being paid guaranteed money in Cleveland which adds up to multiple armored cars stocked to the brim in big bills. You wonder how this guy did not go to jail for letting out little Watson to play with others without their consent? On the field he can play the quarterback position. In 66 games in the NFL he has a 36-29 record. He has completed 66.5% of his passes for a total of 16,756 passing yards. He has 118 touchdown passes and 45 interceptions. Before all the women came out of the woodwork in 2021, Watson wanted to be traded from the Texans. He was miffed at not having a say on who the front office should hire as Head Coach and General Manager. Watson would get his wish. All the women told their stories. Watson would miss an entire season because of all the accusations. In 2022 he was suspended most of the season and only played six games for the Browns. Last year he played only six games after suffering an injury. Watson still has not learned his lesson as he showed up to this season’s training camp with a chip on his shoulder. If he’d just accept what he did wrong, maybe just maybe people will move on. Like any sociopath he thinks he did nothing wrong. The Browns, like the Bears, are not very good at finding the guy behind center. You want to believe Watson is that guy as the team paid him that kind of money. Then you have to root for a guy that stooped to the level he stooped to. All the women in your life. Would you want that monster chasing them around like in some kind old school boss chasing his secretary around the office? How do you wear a jersey with the name Watson on the back?

The Splash Brothers were like snipers hitting their targets on the basketball court precisely from downtown. The Warriors franchise in the NBA has 7 championships. Two of them were won when the team originated in Philadelphia. From 1962-71, the Warriors used San Francisco as their city name and never won anything until they called themselves Golden State, a team shared by two cities in the bay area. The name change for the Warriors quickly won it all in 1975. The Warriors became irrelevant for many decades until the Splash Brothers resurrected this franchise with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Warriors would capture 4 NBA titles with the Splash Brothers at the helm and others giving Golden State a dynasty. Like the Bash Brothers in Oakland back in the late 80’s/early 90’s winning games and knocking the ball out of the park at a record pace. Good things in sports always come to an end as brothers go in different directions after awhile and leave the nest. After 13 seasons, one Splash Brother is moving on. Thompson will be a Maverick for the next three seasons.

Klay Thompson was drafted by the Golden State Warriors 11th overall in the first round of the NBA 2011 draft. Thompson’s career numbers he averages 19.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and dishes out 2.3 assists each contest. His last season in Golden State his average came down to 17.9 points per game. Thompson is one of the best snipers in the game draining the three point shot from wherever beyond the arc. Thompson needs 80 three point shots to pass his childhood hero Reggie Miller which is 5th on the all-time list.

Thompson’s career is well decorated as he is a 5x All-Star, 2x all NBA, 2011-12 all rookie and 2018-19 all defense. Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green – this trio has won 518 regular season NBA games. This trio has 98 playoff victories together and is 3rd in NBA history with 4 titles with the three Spurs: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. Thompson has played in 793 NBA games as he missed two seasons of action due to injuries. In 2019-20, his knee kept him out all year. Then in 2020-21 he ruptured his achilles. You know his number 11 will be retired by the Warriors at some point in the future.

The writing was on the wall for Klay Thompson as he was taken out of the starting line up late in the season last year. Thompson would still get plenty of playing time coming off the bench. The feeling from both parties was it was time for him to move on. Thompson believes he could get a shot at a 5th title with the Dallas Mavericks who were beaten to a bloody pulp by the Celtics in the NBA finals several weeks ago. Thompson will get a 3 year 50 million dollar deal at the age of 34. He will go with a new number as well. Instead of number 11, he will wear number 31 which was Jason Terry’s digits when the Mavericks last won the NBA championship back in 2011. Thompson will team up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to form their trio. Irving was a teammate with Thompson on the USA teams. Like always in the NBA, Irving recruited Thompson to Dallas.

I think the Dallas Mavericks will need another piece if they want to win the title next year. Klay Thompson gives you points from downtown which is a nice thing. With his recent injuries a few years back, Thompson is not the same player as he was when he was splashing all those threes. His defense is not the same. The Mavericks had no defense versus the Celtics weeks ago. Kyrie Irving was a complete no-show in the finals. While Luka Doncic was taken to school most of the time in that series. Doncic’s defense showed it’s a glaring weakness on this Mavericks squad. Adding Thompson gets you more points but gives you nothing defensively. I’m glad Thompson did not team up with Lebron James in LA as the Lakers were one of the stops for Klay that he was thinking about. It will be interesting to see how each Splash Brother does without each other. Stephen Curry has played two seasons without his basketball brother. He will be the same player for the Warriors. A new chapter in Thompson’s book with a new city, team, and fan base may do wonders. I like to see him break Reggie Miller’s record in the next few years. Thompson is a guy you root for no matter where he goes. We will take a wait and see approach on this signing. Right now we do know the Mavericks are a better team than the Warriors.

The Chicago Blackhawks made a huge splash when the official gates of the NHL free agency fully opened. The Chicago fans welcome back the Finland kid who the Blackhawks drafted it seems a life time ago, Teuvo Teravainia who they traded 8 years ago to the Hurricanes. Teravainia gives the Blackhawks a 20 or more goal scorer to add to one of the team’s lines. The General Manager of the Blackhawks collected a haul from the recent draft. Many of those pieces will not be ready just quite yet. Kyle Davidson wanted to speed up the process of the rebuild as we all know he has the future hockey phenom skating on the top of the line rookie of the year, Connor Bedard. Bedard needs protection as he landed some veterans to do that job. He brought in several veterans that have had their hands on winning the Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup. Guys that know how to win. Guys that do the dirty work of the game. If the hockey rink was the Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome or any arena, these guys would thrive.

Nicknamed the Big Rig, Patrick Maroon is plowing through opponents while Connor Bedard skates freely is something the Blackhawks need wearing a Indian head sweatshirt. Maroon last year skated for the Boston Bruins, is 36 years old, and signed a 1 year deal with Chicago for $1.3 million. Maroon tallied 4 goals last season with 12 assists for 16 points. It’s the physical side Maroon will bring to the table. The bone crushing hits on opponents. If anyone wants to fight him, he may knock them into tomorrow. He has 13 seasons in the NHL and has been on 3 teams that raised the Cup. He has played for the Wild, Lightning, Blues, Devils, Oilers, and 5 seasons with the Ducks. Career numbers he has scored 121 goals while dishing out 183 assists for 304 life time points in the NHL. The Big Rig has racked 990 PIM. I like that he is a good locker room guy.

The Blackhawks have been in need of an upgrade for the back up spot in the net for several years now. The Indian Sweater will be worn by Lord Humungus. Because Kyle Davidson addressed this gaping hole with the signing of Laurent Brossoit, a 31 year old goalie with 10 years in the NHL. Last Brossoit played for the Jets and started 23 games. He had a record of 15-5-2 with three shutouts. The last two seasons in a back up role in 34 games he has a record of 22-5-5 with a save .927%. Petr Mrazek had a bounce back year last year and deserves to be the starter going into next season. Having Brossoit reminds me of Ray Emery who was 17-1 for the Blackhawks as a back up goalie in the 2012-13 season.

Brossoit will get a two year deal from the Blackhawks worth 3.3 million. He has helped Vegas win their recent Cup in the 2022-23 season as he played for the Oilers and Jets most of his career except the two seasons as a Golden Knight. Career record in goal is 64-46-13

The Blackhawks are stocking up on X-Golden Knights as they ink 36 year defenseman Alec Martinez to a 1 year 4 million deal. Martinez, like the Helicopter pilot in the Road Warrior called the Gyro Captain, has been around the NHL and through the wasteland. He’s a veteran leader. Martinez has played over 800 NHL games. He started his career with the LA Kings where he played 11 seasons. The last 5 seasons he has suited up in Vegas. He is part of three Stanley Cups with both teams he has skated for in his NHL career. Last year he scored only 4 goals and had 13 assists for 17 points. He has 83 career goals with 194 assists for 277 points. He gives the Blackhawks a defenseman that shoots from the left side. He does all the things that really don’t show up on back of the hockey card. The experience he has will pay off in this deal.

The Blackhawks add a 34 year center to the mix in Craig Smith who has 13 seasons in the NHL. Last year Smith suited up for the Dallas Stars and scored 9 goals while dishing out 11 assists for 20 points. Smith gets a one year deal worth 1 million. Smith played most of his career with the Predators as he had 5 seasons of 20 or more goals in Nashville. Smith has scored 211 career goals while dishing out 223 assists for 434 NHL points. Smith will give the Blackhawks depth at the center or forward positions. Smith, a former Badger out of the University of Wisconsin, has that menacing look of Immortan Joe in the Mad Max movies as his face will turn into your worst nightmare. Immortan Joe was a Warlord in the wasteland. Smith is one on the ice. He gives the Blackhawks toughness and depth to this roster.

The Blackhawks added another left handed defensemen in 34 year old TJ Brodie. Brodie gets a 2 year deal worth 3.75 million even coming off a down year for the Maple Leafs. He had 26 points last year, but only one goal and the rest were assists. His life time numbers he only has 56 goals and has set up his own teammates with 292 assists for 348 points in 14 seasons in the NHL. Started his career in Calgary as he played for the Flames for ten seasons and the last 4 in Toronto. You have to compare him to another War Lord in the Mad Max saga called Bullet Farmer. He is a two way defensemen that can give you solid defense every night. They say he is a defensive minded defensive player. He will bring toughness and experience to a young group of defenders that the Blackhawks had last year. New scenery for Brodie could pay off as Toronto hardly used him in the playoffs and towards the end of regular season.

We will be saving the best for last in 29 year old left winger Tyler Bertuzzi who is the Wez of the Road Warrior movie. Bertuzzi and Wez both bring high energy to the wasteland and the ice arena every day. Bertuzzi gets a 4 year deal with the Blackhawks worth 5.5 million. Last year for the Maple Leafs he scored 21 goals and had 22 assists for 43 points. He has nine years in the NHL of which he started with Detroit where he played 7 seasons. He played one season with the Bruins. He has the knack of putting the puck in the net in high traffic situations. He has that antagonistic style of play that can get opponents to sway away from their game and find themselves in the penalty box.

I notice many of these guys that have played at some point for Boston, Toronto, and Las Vegas. Three organizations you see in post-season almost every single year. Some of these guys they signed could be one year and done in the organization. If the Blackhawks want them back beyond next year I’m sure they will get another one year deal. All these guys have a chip on their shoulder and should help this young team with experience and show the kids how it’s done. The Blackhawks have not spent their money on stupid free agent signings over paying guys that are not productive like the last GM. I like having Connor Bedard protected. I like a quality back up goalie. Goals around the net and swagger with the Bertuzzi signing. This makes me excited for next season. The Blackhawks may be must-watch almost every time they are on like the dynasty years. The start of the Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews era was exciting when they added veterans to the mix. Competitive hockey is what the fans want. Which will get us closer to the playoffs. The Blackhawks still have all that talent to develop in the guys they just drafted. The dark clouds may be breaking up over the United Center this fall.