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Ranking the Bears options at the quarterback position from worst to first for this off-season. I threw the garbage names off the list like Blake Bortles, Joe Webb, and Geno Smith. Lots of ex-Bears quarterbacks I kept off the list as well. Bears rode them once, and they have turned to stone since which features Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, and Brian Hoyer. Then I left permanent back-ups off this list as well. As we know, jobs need to be saved so this off-season is critical for Head Coach Matt Nagy and his partner in crime, the GM Ryan Pace, to get this right. Since it’s March and St. Patrick’s day is on the 17th, my list will not be the dirty dozen. But, the unlucky 17 because if you end up behind center for the Bears it might not be the finest moment in your career. St. Patrick can drive the snakes out of Ireland. That is asking a lot for the Irish saint to drive out the bad quarterback play in Chicago. Let’s see what options we have in mind for the Bears next season. Regarding some of this garbage, I hope the brass does not pull the April Fool’s Day joke on their fan base.

#17. Joe Flacco: Age 36. What has Joe Flacco done since he won the Superbowl for the Ravens and got paid? Flacco, since leaving the Ravens, has been that Detective who has a questionable shooting. They have to ride desk duty for the rest of their time in a uniform. Last year, he appeared in some games for the New York Jets as a back-up filling in for Sam Darnold. The Jets’ last season was like playing in Siberia. To me, signing Flacco would be the reincarnation of Jay Cutler, but less effective with the same mood swings and sour grapes facial expressions. (DEFINITE NO!)

#16.Cam Newton: Age 31. Last year I heard fans cry foul when the Bears did not sign Cam Newton. It’s the same people who probably had this guy as a fantasy quarterback once upon a time ago in back of your favorite watering hole. (DEFINITE NO!)

Last year with the Patriots, Cam Newton was a train wreck. How many games did Newton have with passing yards south of 100? Newton will score a touchdown and then act like he is the greatest Super Hero since sliced bread. Captain Caveman is ranked higher on my Superhero list than this meatball. Soft like a cookie in the Superbowl, the biggest game of his life, and he does not dive on the fumble with the game on the line. Did not want to hurt himself. Whose your Superman now? Poor Lois Lane trapped in a burning telephone booth. Good ole Cam walks away from those heated discussions. See some of Newton’s press conferences as exhibits. A-Z. (DEFINITE NO!)

#15.Tyrod Taylor: Age 31 This guy will never be the bride and have that career walking down the aisle with him in full control behind center. Taylor can make plays with his legs. Taylor can dink and dunk with the short passing game. Taylor is a game manager. Taylor can’t throw the ball down the field. Taylor is a back up quarterback. Taylor could be a bridge-type quarterback as well. Taylor would not save any jobs in Chicago. Doctors might hurt him on purpose just to see if the back-up is like Justin Herbert. Worked for Chargers finding their golden pot. (DEFINITE NO!)

#14.Brandon Allen: Age 28 This is a Hail Mary play signing Brandon Allen. Last year, Brandon Allen played in 5 games for a bad Bengal team. Allen won one of those games, but he showed you something. Allen is young; he only has 8 games under his belt with 8 touchdown passes in two seasons. Six interceptions but playing for the Bengals, Allen could get a pass like the pandemic year of last season, still giving people passes. I like Allen only if you can develop a young quarterback which Bears have no evidence of doing. If Bears were going to draft a quarterback, Allen could be a bridge guy, or maybe you find a diamond in the ruff here. When you have not figured out your man behind center in decades, sometimes more than one option might give you better odds.

(MAYBE – only with other options)

#13.Mitch Trubisky: Age 26 Trubisky needs a new team. If I was Mitch Trubisky, I would not come back to the Bears even if they gave me the best deal. Head coach Matt Nagy used Trubisky as the scapegoat more than once. He’d throw the kid under the bus to protect his weaselly image of the great Gazoo of the offense. A real guru in the coaching game.

It was not Mitch Trubisky’s fault they drafted him over Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes. Trubisky would be better off finding a place with a coach that can tap into all of his talent levels, and put him in a better situation to use his strengths.Nagy did this at times and Mitch responded. Trubisky is a good guy you’d like to see do well. Just can not be done in a Bears uniform. (DEFINITELY NO!)

#12.Andy Dalton: Age 33 Dalton, last year, was absolutely crunched as he stands in the pocket like a Cigar Store Indian statue.

I know the hit was to the head, by Jon Bostic of the Washington team, that knocked Dalton out of the game. I like Andy Dalton, but I think the Bears could not give him the protection he needs to be the Rifleman in Chicago. Plus, Dalton needs a strong running game surrounding him as well. Head coach Nagy abandons the run religiously. If all my other options run out, I would think of Dalton. (MAYBE)

#11.Nick Foles: Age 32 This is the Bears’ last resort because Nick Foles is under contract. I was against this trade from the start, giving up draft capital for a career back-up quarterback getting starter money. Foles has not started, and finished, a season in years and probably completed that one time in his career. Bears could not protect him last season, as he was crunched and missed a few games. Foles needs a strong running game surrounding him. I like him because it will be Foles’ second year understanding Nagy’s War and Peace playbook. Even though Foles has been in similar style offenses. I like Foles if he is the back-up making back up money. An Alex Smith/Nick Foles combo – Would that even finish the regular season? Perhaps a bridge quarterback would work as well if the Bears found a keeper in the draft. Foles is a closer, so late in the season I’d call his number. Other than that, we need to figure out the first 12 games of the season. (HOLDING PATTERN)

#10.Alex Smith: Age 36 I like the idea of Alex Smith under center for anyone. However at age 36 with an injury history, I would pass on him as the starter. Especially after 2018, and the serious leg injury after which he missed the entire 2019 season. Smith came back last season and was a big reason the team with no name made the playoffs. Smith had another injury last year which sidelined him for a few games and the playoff game. Smith knows the Bears offense with ties to Kansas City and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Can you pay Smith and Nick Foles starter money? You need a good option as a back up for Alex Smith who can win games just in case of an injury. Smith would be a good solid back-up. I need a number one before Smith. (MAYBE pile)

#9.Jameis Winston: Age 27 At the age of 27, Jameis Winston would be in his prime years. Has Winston learned from watching Drew Brees last year? Has Winston soaked in all that he could from Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, who knows offense? Winston has a big arm. However, Winston is a turnover machine. Like having a black Jay Cutler with the ‘tude. Will the Saints want Winston back if Brees retires? Can one year change a guy? Especially being a starter most of the time and then watching most of the season on the sideline. Bringing in Jameis Winston is a huge gamble. Lot of pros to sucker you on a move like this. Winston is labeled a bad character guy, and Matt Nagy and the Bears have avoided signing those types of guys. Remember the bad locker room days of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennent? Winston in a big market, with lots of media, would not do well is my educated guess. (DEFINITELY NO)

#8.Jacoby Bissett: Age 28 Remember Kyle Orton when he was loved by Bears fans? Jacoby Bissett is the Kyle Orton type of quarterback. Bissett will not make the huge mistakes. Bissett is a game manager. Bissett’s tool set means he can do everything well, but not awesome. Bissett has that New England and Indianapolis seasoning from their highly rated top notch coaching staffs. Are the Patriots still a highly rated top-notch coaching staff since Tom Brady left?

Does a 12-20 in the NFL record behind center make you want Bissett as your number one guy? Bissett has 31 touchdown passes to 13 interceptions with close to 50 NFL games under his belt. I like him as a bridge-style quarterback option. If you package Alex Smith backing him up, Bissett is a crazy idea, but maybe not that crazy. Bissett/Smith sounds better than Trubisky/Foles. (YES)

#7.Sam Darnold: Age 23 Sam Darnold may be available depending on who the Jets get at number two in this year’s draft. A trade would have to be worked out to get Sam Darnold. Has Darnold showed you enough that he has the talents to be a starting quarterback in the league for years to come? Look at Mitch Trubisky. The Bears failed to develop him into that guy under center for years to come. Trubisky had some flashes too. What makes you think the Bears can develop a Sam Darnold? Bringing Darnold in is a gamble and you could waste more draft capital on another quarterback who will not work out. Besides, the Bears need to win now to save Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace from being axed and burned at the stakes. Darnold… it would be hard to get anybody behind that idea. (DEFINITELY NO)

#6.Jimmy Garoppolo: Age 29 Bringing home a Chicago guy would be intriguing for Bears fans. To get Jimmy in Chicago, you have to make a trade with San Francisco. The same 49ers that fleeced you out of a draft pick just to move up one spot in the draft. The year the Bears thought someone else had their eyes on Mitch Trubisky. Jimmy Garoppolo has an incredible winning percentage when he is healthy on the field. Injuries are Jimmy’s problem and why he may be available. Some teams you learn not to be swindled by once again going down the same road with another trade idea. The injuries, to me, make Jimmy a HUGE turn off. The Bears line right now couldn’t protect him. I have a feeling New England will land Jimmy, as he was Belichick’s guy before he was dealt to the 49ers. (DEFINITELY NO)

#5.Gardner Minshew: Age 24 Never trust a Jacksonville quarterback without a mustache. Yes, Bears went down the Jaguar avenue before landing Nick Foles. Gardner Minshew most likely will be replaced by Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars have the number one pick. Minshew has only started 20 NFL games and has a record of 7-13. Minshew has thrown 37 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions and completed 62 % of his passes. Only two years in the NFL, and he has some flashes of being a very good quarterback in this league. Take him out of Jacksonville, what can he do? Jaguars have a new head coach. Minshew could get the Jaguars some more draft picks to help the new regime. Minshew mania came out when Nick Foles got hurt in the first game in the very first half of the 2019 season. With Minshew you have the guy with the best mustache in the league. Even better than Da Coach. My only concern is can the Bears’ staff coach this kid because he’s still learning going into his third season.If the staff and the GM want to win now, this move is a gamble. But if it pans out, the team wouldn’t have to give up any defensive guys. It will cost the team some draft capital. You would like to see the Bears fix that line. Minshew can use his legs and escape some pressure.The Bear would need to address the offensive line in free agency, giving up picks for the Jaguar. (YES)

#4.Derek Carr: Age 29 Can the Bears send Khalil Mack back to the Raiders for a Derek Carr? Seems like Carr always has some rumors that he will be traded every season. I think Jon Gruden does have to find a way to get that Raiders defense to play better. Raiders defense is the weakest link right now. Gruden would have to have another quarterback on his roster before he traded Derek Carr. I like Derek Carr. At 29, Carr is in his prime. How many times have Carr-led teams made the playoffs? Early in Carr’s career, the Raiders were doing awesome until Derek got hurt. Raiders still made the playoffs as the back up did not do well and were quickly dispatched. Seems like the Raiders have more weapons than the Bears. Carr does not give me that feeling of making average receivers better, like Aaron Rodgers can do. I think Gruden would demand too much which would set the entire deal back, rather than moving forward. (PASS)

#3.Ryan Fitzpatrick Age 38 Bringing in “The Beard” is a crazy idea. Maybe not though. Fitzpatrick is playing his best football of his entire career. The Beard is a free agent, so he does not cost you draft picks. Superbowl… no. Playoffs and getting past round one is definitely doable. Fix the Offensive line. Bring back Allen Robinson. Add another weapon in free agency like ex-Lion Kenny Golladay. Your defense stays intact. I would draft a quarterback no matter what. Hold on to Fitzmagic until it runs out or until you develop a younger guy.

(YES)

#2.Deshaun Watson: Age 25 The Bears should have had Watson instead of gambling the future on Trubisky. Watson was the most polished out of the three choices. If the Bears would have taken Watson, maybe I’m not writing this article. Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston. Texans want Watson to stay. Trouble in paradise. Houston will want a lot if they end up trading Watson. Watson will solve your problem at a position you struggled with for, it seems a lifetime. This trade also will weaken the Bears in the process. The Bears would have to take a few steps backwards, especially losing more draft picks. Only way I like this trade is if Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are not here to see it. I mean it, as the day it all comes together. Which will take more than 2 years. Not extending the stooges to handled this type of quarterback. Can Pace and Nagy go to the Texans in the trade? (YES)

#1.Russell Wilson: Age 32 I would be shocked if Seattle traded away Russell Wilson. Getting Wilson will cost the Bears a lot. Same rules apply here with GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy. Wilson is 32 and has all the intangibles a quarterback needs. Leadership is what the Bears need most, and Wilson is the guy. Wilson has a ton of playoff experience with two Superbowls under his belt. Wilson could thrive still with a shaky offensive line, after a season or two. I think with Wilson it would take the Bears quicker to rebound than Watson. It could get the team on the playoff track for years to come if you give away too many assets for either guy. Wilson would be the pure gold under the St. Patrick’s Day rainbow for Chicago if a deal was done between Seattle and Chicago.

(YES)

Once upon a time ago, Brent Seabrook told his body, “Screw off, we are doing this.” That was 15 years ago after 1,114 games in the NHL on the ice in regular season, in a Blackhawks uniform. Add 123 playoff games as well, wearing the Indian sweater. Plus, add the games Seabrook skated for Canada in the Olympics and helping his country win the gold. Most importantly, Brent Seabrook was a big part of the Blackhawks dynasty helping Chicago come back from being one of those sorry arse franchises, the worst in sports. How could I forget the three Stanley Cups he helped win and hoisting the Holy Grail on Chicago soil. The body of Seabrook finally let him know enough is enough, as he is hanging up the skates for good at the age of 35.

Last game, Brent Seabrook played in the NHL, was November of 2019. Seabrook then went through a 3 months period with surgeries to his right shoulder and both hips. It’s the right hip that is preventing him from returning to the ice with a clean bill of health. Seabrook just lasted one day in training camp before this season, as he tweaked his back. Seabrook did 15 seasons as a defenseman in the NHL. Imagine what their bodies go through on a regular basis. Diving in front of pucks like the Secret Service taking a bullet for the President. Pucks at high speeds leaving long lasting marks or welts on the body, some in the shape of a puck. Seabrook told his partner in crime, Duncan Keith, about his decision to hang up the skates for good. Seabrook and Keith have been paired together for years defending their territory, the net, and the President, the goalie, versus the enemy in epic battles during which the Indian head sweater prevailed most of the time. At the end, the surgeries, treatments and the rehab were not enough to get Seabrook back on the ice.

Brent Seabrook will always be remembered as one of the best defensemen to lace up the skates in Blackhawk history. Seabrook was a guy that could play physically. Seabrook played a clean game, but he was strong to stand up for his teammates or himself on the ice. In regular season career-wise, Seabrook had 103 goals while dishing out 361 assists. Solid numbers. Seabrook had a wicked sniper of a slap shot that would find the net in those small creases from the half point of the ice. In the playoffs, Seabrook earned the nickname, Mr. Overtime. In the semifinals in the 2013 game 7 versus the Red Wings, his goal ended Detroit and helped his team move on. Then same year, this time in the Stanley Cup versus the Boston Bruins, who were up 3 games to 1. Seabrook’s overtime goal was key to that series as the Hawks would go on to collect their second Stanley Cup out of the three they won. Seabrook tallied 20 goals in the playoffs with 39 assists.

I always thought the Blackhawks should have kept Niklas Hjalmarsson instead of Brent Seabrook. Hjalmarsson was younger and to this day still playing strong. Seabrook was a great player for the Blackhawks, but lost a few steps year ago and was being paid big money with a no trade clause. Also, getting the production the team should get with that kind of loot. If Seabrook did not retire, the contract would have expired after the 2023-24 season. Now the Blackhawks, who were handcuffed by some of these no trade clause big contracts from the core of the dynasty, have some wiggle room in the future with the salary cap. The worries are now what is going on with the Captain Jonathan Toews and his undisclosed illness or injury. We know Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane are still playing at a high level. This is why they say time flies, because a great team and dynasty shelf life is in dog years. Years which go by with the speed of light. Before this season started, goalie Corey Crawford retired and now Brent Seabrook – two big cogs in that 3 Cup run. When will the Blackhawks win another cup? The last time they won the cup before 2010, was in the 1960’s. This is why we hold on to these guys with our hearts for what they did for the team and the city. These teams don’t come around all the time. It does not matter how big or even the smallest thing they did on the ice, it is special when your team wins. Brent Seabrook will always have that ability to get those free drinks in Chicago any time he returns to the city. Job well done #7.

In 2018, Alex Smith had what they called them then, the Washington Redskins, at the top of the food chain in the NFC East at a 6-3 record. Then a devastating leg injury ended his season, and many figured it would be the end of Alex Smith’s career.

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The leg injury reminded Redskins fan of another Washington quarterback whose career ended with a devastating injury.

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In 1985, Joe Theismann’s career ended when his leg was crunched the same way as Alex Smith while playing the New York Giants during a regular season game. Alex Smith put a wrench in the Washington Football Team when he resurfaced last season. Smith came back to life like a zombie, only with an arm and a brain and helped the team with no name get back to the post-season. Smith won 5 out of six games in regular season with a 5-1 record. Smith received the Comeback player of the year in 2020 for his performance on the field that no one would have ever predicted as they left him for dead after they scraped him off the field that day. Alex Smith’s award for resurfacing and doing what he does best – lead teams to the post-season. Being cut from the team. The team with no nickname will save 15 million on the salary cap as they toss Smith to the street and wipe their hands clean of him.

Alex Smith was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. Smith would play seven seasons for the 49ers. In 2011, Alex Smith had the 49ers in the post season with a 13-3 record during regular season. Smith went 1-1 in post season for the 49ers in 2011 and threw 5 touchdown passes with no interceptions. Then Smith in 2012 had the 49ers at 6-2-1, and then went down with injury. That’s when the Colin Kaepernick, AKA the Activist, took the league by storm as Smith would not return as his starting job and career with the 49ers were over. Kaepernick, the one year wonder, would get the 49ers to the Superbowl but would lose to the Ravens. Smith would be traded away to Kansas City. While Colin Kaepernick would not find that kind of lucky streak again and made his name kneeling for the National Anthem. Smith would finish with a 38-36-1 regular season record with the 49ers while going 1-1 in post season. Jim Harbaugh, the head coach for the 49ers, rode the hotter hand even when Alex Smith could have come back that year.

Alex Smith played better in Kansas City under Andy Reid. Smith in 5 regular seasons in Kansas City would have a 50-26 record as starting quarterback for the Chiefs. Alex Smith would start 5 post-season games under center for the Chiefs and win only one of them as he went 1-4 total. That’s 2-5 in seven post-season games between both the 49ers and the Chiefs. Before being traded, good ole Smith trained his replacement. A man everyone knows these days, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has gone to two Superbowls ever since winning one of them. Alex Smith heads to Washington. Kansas City I get that because the talent level of Patrick Mahomes is a no-brainer rather than going with Alex Smith.

In three seasons in the nation’s capital playing only 18 games starting 16, Alex Smith went 11-5 and he sat out the entire 2019 season due to the leg injury. Smith would get hurt and did not play in the post-season, during which Washington lost to Tampa Tom and the Buccaneers. Smith’s comeback is the biggest reason Washington made the post-season. The Washington Football team used six different quarterbacks during Alex Smith’s tenure in Washington. Then to work hard to comeback for yourself and the team when the higher ups did not even want you. No wonder the Washington Football team can’t even come up with a nickname for themselves. I guess you have to lump the football team in with all the idiots in general, who work in the state capital. Alex Smith will have opportunities as once again it’s back to the drawing board for him. What kind of board will it be? A bridge type quarterback while mentoring a youth? Will Smith serve as a back up quarterback and come in at the heat of the moment to perform? Lots of teams would be better off with Alex Smith behind center. I would want some insurance with a good second option due to Smith’s injury history. Alex Smith’s career record behind center is 99-67-1. You’d like to see him win that 100th game somewhere. Plus, Smith needs one more touchdown pass to hit the 200 mark for his career. Just need some team to give him the keys to the car and let him drive down the field as he has 23 game winning drives. I would like him to stick it to the Washington team twice a year. Maybe he signs with someone in the dreaded NFC East. I thinks these old shoes still have some thread left on them.

The idea of the Buffalo Bills signing JJ Watt really excited me. I think the Bills need to be able to crunch the quarterback. The Buffalo Bills defense took a step backwards last season, especially in the first 8 games. In 2019, the Bills defense swarmed all over the ball carrier and put pressure on the quarterback. The secondary could control the passing game. I know the team had to sacrifice some defense to get that offense scary. Like what happened last season as Josh Allen took a step forward in growth as the Bills protected him better and he has weapons to throw to. Last year the Bills defense got better down the stretch as they were a healthier unit. I loved how the defense put a halt to Lamar Jackson and a very hot Raven team in the playoffs. The AFC championship still bothers me when the Chiefs gashed the Bills defense for huge plays. JJ Watt would have been a great addition, but he will probably cost you big time money at Menards. Can the Bills find an alternate piece instead of JJ Watt? I would like leftover money to re-sign linebacker Matt Milano. To me having Milano back on board and a pass rusher would help the Bills defense get back to that 2019 team where they swarm to the ball and watched Josh Allen light up the score board.

Matt Milano played in only ten games last season as the Bills outside linebacker. With Milano on the field, the entire unit played better than without him. Milano was the heartbeat of that defense when it got better. Milano has the knack to come up with that big play in the heat of the moment. It could be a turnover. It could be a sack. Milano could pressure the quarterback or defend a key pass. Milano had 9 quarterback hits in ten games last season. Milano racked up 3.5 sacks with 35 solo tackles. In 2019, when he played in 15 games and the team had a better defense then they did last year, he had 65 solo tackles as he was not really used to the pressure of quarterback as he had only 7 QB hits with 1.5 sacks. Bills drafted Milano out of Boston College and he has shown he is one of the smartest players on the defense. Milano can do different things. Last year he went after the quarterbacks more because of the lack of pressure. If the Bills can add a defensive end to pressure the quarterback, then Milano could use his instincts and react to what’s in front of him. Milano missed games last season. Milano’s track record says differently as he played 15 games in 2019, 13 in 2018 and 16 in 2017. Milano needs to return.

An option instead of JJ Watt which would be cheaper and a younger player, is Trey Hendrickson of the New Orleans Saints. Hendrickson will become expendable because of the Saints salary cap. Plus, the Saints have Marcus Davenport and Carl Granderson they could replace Hendrickson with. Plus the Saints want to re-sign safety Marcus Williams as their first order of business on the defensive side of the football. That leaves Hendrickson out of the Saints picture, a guy who broke out last year on the the gridiron. Hendrickson racked up 13.5 sacks which is tied for number two overall in the entire NFL. Hendrickson was drafted out of Florida Atlantic in the third round in 2017. Watt would probably command something north of 15 million a year for his services. While a younger option like Hendrickson, you can probably get for 11 to 12 million per season. Plus you would have extra money to re-sign Milano or add another guy if needed.

I know it’s risky giving a guy like Trey Hendrickson a big contract after one break out year, especially at the end of his deal. Hendrickson could easily be that Vanilla Ice, a one year wonder, which happens a lot in the game of football. Saints defensive line had some talent which probably left Hendrickson in many one-on-one match ups. JJ Watt has a track record playing in the league for 10 seasons.Watt has that ugly track record of getting injured early on in seasons. Watt has had injuries where he is out for the entire year. JJ Watt has teamed up with Jadeveon Clowney for years, but Houston’s defense was never the best unit in the league. Hendrickson and the Saints defense were a very talented unit last season and one of the top notch defenses in the league.

With re-signing Matt Milano and signing Trey Henrickson, it gives Buffalo two pieces that are 26 years old heading into their prime years. It gives them two guys that have fully developed fully from their rookie deals. The Bills have multiple young players on that defense that can continue to grow and make this a talented unit next season and for years to come. Then with a young quarterback in Josh Allen who is getting better after each year, that offense will be a wrecking machine. Hendrickson’s college career and his pro career so far have a similar track record. At Florida Atlantic after the first two seasons, Hendrickson got better his third year and then broke out his senior year. Same thing happened to Hendrickson in New Orleans with a very quiet first two seasons then his third year had 4.5 sacks. Then last season in his 4th year, he had a coming out party as he registered 13.5 sacks. Other production I like from Hendrickson as he only played 53% of the Saints defensive snaps and what he accomplished on the field. Hendrickson had 25 quarterback hits as well as 12 tackles for losses. I feel more confident with the 2019 type of defense and add more defenders, than just a name Watt. Then I feel the offense is in need of a running back and perhaps another offensive lineman to make last year’s offense even scarier with many more weapons of mass destruction. Then you can print up winning Superbowl tickets in Buffalo.

Why in the hell would a well decorated elite quarterback want to come to Chicago? The never ending list of bad quarterbacks after bad quarterbacks has rolled out like toilet paper fashion since the 1940’s, when Sid Luckman was behind center for the Chicago Bears. I will give honorable mention to Jim McMahon who helped the Bears win their only Superbowl. I also loved Erik Kramer and Jim Miller. All three guys did well, but there has not been a franchise quarterback behind center for a decade behind center. Then a Superbowl winning quarterback named Russell Wilson has the Bears on a short list of teams he’d like to be traded to. Former Bear, Muhsin Muhammad, once said Chicago is where wide receivers come to die. I wonder why he would say something like that? I wonder why Russell Wilson would come to the Bears to get extra steps in being chased all over the field from that shaky offensive line? The Saints, Cowboys, and Raiders are also on Russell Wilson’s short list of places he/d like to be traded to. All four destinations have an Offensive mind as their head coach. What would it take to make a deal like this happen?

The Chicago Bears could have drafted Russell Wilson in 2012. Another swing and another whiff by the Bears brass over the years. Instead, Seattle scooped up Russell Wilson in the third round with the number 75 pick. In 9 seasons in the NFL, Wilson has not missed one game. In 9 seasons, Wilson has been selected to nine Pro-bowls and has led the Seahawks to two Superbowls, winning one of them. If Seattle would have ran Mashawn Lynch on the goal line in that Superbowl loss instead of passing it, they would have won that one. They could have ran it twice. Wilson has a 98-45-1 record in regular season stats during his nine years in the NFL. Wilson’s stats are very impressive as well, as he passed for 33,936 yards with 267 touch down passes with a 65% completion percentage. Wilson has been to 16 playoff games where he has a 9-7 record as he tossed 25 touch down passes in 16 post season games. How many decades would it take the Bears to play in 16 post-season games? With Wilson, which I love about him, you’re never out of games with him behind center. Wilson has 24 comebacks with 31 game-winning drives.

All the teams that Wilson wants to play for, have answers at their starting quarterback position except the Bears. If a trade would occur, Seattle could get a quarterback that is a good option from all the teams except the Bears unless Nick Foles does it for you. Raiders have Derek Carr. The Cowboys have Dak Prescott, if both the Cowboys and Presott representatives can agree on some kind of deal. The New Orleans Saints have Drew Brees, however he may retire. Taysom Hill has the running skills like Russell Wilson, but Hill and Wilson don’t equal each other out in total talent. Jameis Winston is a free agent, so Seahawks could sign him without a trade. One idea would have Seattle and Houston swap starting quarterbacks. Both quarterbacks have problems with the front office on their team. Wilson goes to the Texans and Deshaun Watson heads to Seattle, which could satisfy both parties of disgruntled quarterbacks. However, Wilson has a no-trade clause. The Texans are not on his list. If I was a quarterback, I would pick the Saints first because Sean Payton is the mastermind of offense, out of all four choices. Jon Gruden and Vegas would be the second choice. Chucky Jon Gruden knows offense and has a Superbowl under his belt. The Cowboys’ Jerry Jones would bother me. The Bears have no clue and even as a last resort, if they were the last team on Earth I would still have doubts.

Seattle and Russell Wilson have a rocky relationship. Wilson has not demanded a trade. I can see Wilson, Seattle ownership, and the snake Pete Carol, iron out their differences. I know head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are on thin ice with their jobs. The Bears owner should step in and tell his stooges to do whatever it takes to land Russell Wilson. At the age of 33, Wilson could play another 7 years easily. Look at Tom Brady playing in his 40’s at a high level. Even if Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are not around to see Wilson lead the Bears to the Superbowl. This deal bringing in Wilson would be much different than the year they traded for the Jag Bag Jay Cutler. Cutler still has a cult following from the Bears faithful. Which some Bears fans thought process meant that they are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Wilson’s leading skills are off the chart. I’d compare him to Yankee great Derek Jeter. Both Jeter and Wilson at their sports, get the job done even if it does not look pretty at times. Russell Wilson does all the little things right. Plus, Wilson has a solid arm with escapability from a closing pocket, that can make plays on the run. I would hope the Bears would fix their offensive line and surround him with playmakers if they got Wilson. Bears should throw every asset they have that includes the kitchen sink to get a Russell Wilson who would be a franchise changer. Even if Matt Nagy has to be Pete Carol’s butler, make it happen. After you land Wilson, then find another offensive mind coach and another GM to replace the stooges. With Russell Wilson on board, you can get smarter people to help you. I know its only a pipe dream as I wake up tomorrow and see Nick Foles is still our quarterback. Oh, the humanity!!!

The Pittsburgh Steelers should move on without their big clock that seems like a landmark behind center. Big Ben Roethlisberger has had that landmark status the last 17 seasons in Pittsburgh as a fixture behind center that is unable to move or bring in the wrecking ball. The Steelers are in much need of a wrecking ball behind center, like many teams in the NFL. Bringing back Big Ben does not make sense financially as he will cost 41 million dollars of the upcoming salary cap this season. The owner of the Steelers, Art Rooney, does not like changes as head coaches who have Pope-like status when it comes to their jobs. Rooney already said Roethlisberger will return as starting quarterback for the Steelers next season. The Steelers will restructure Big Ben’s contract. Will the Steelers have enough to keep JuJu Smith-Schuster, one of the Steelers big play makers? What about left over money in the cap to keep that defense intact? What about adding some depth to that defense that lost pieces and eventually imploded? The biggest glaring question to me is the eye test. Can Big Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball downfield? The deep ball of Big Ben has disappeared. How long will it take opposing defenses to catch on to the Steeler’s lack of running game and the short passes?

Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben was a monster of a specimen at 6’5″ and 240 pounds, bigger than half of the defensive players and the size of some of the offensive linemen. Big Ben’s book jacket says it all. Big Ben has won 2 out of 3 Superbowls that he has guided his team to. Everyone remembers the catch of Santonio Holmes to end the Cardinals dreams that season. Big Ben came in firing on all cylinders day one as he was the Offensive rookie of the year as opposing players hung on him trying to bring him down only to see Roethlisberger zip the ball into an open receiver. Big Ben as starting quarterback never had a losing season with him under center the entire season. That includes 11 playoff appearances, 8 division titles amounting up to 13 winning seasons. Big Ben has won 169 games adding up both post and regular season together. His winning percentage of 67% is better than many hall of fame quarterbacks. This list features John Elway, Dan Marino, Steve Young, and Troy Aikman with a few others. Roethlisberger stands at 7th all-time in passing yards and 8th in touchdown passes.

The Steelers did well last year because Big Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out early in the season of 2019 and Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs. The Steelers had an easier schedule not making the post season in 2019. Last year, Big Ben Roethlisberger had the Steelers at 11-0. They were the last unbeaten team and at the time, the number 1 seed in the AFC. The Steelers destroyed the Browns early on who could not beat a winning team until late in the season. The Steelers beat the Ravens twice at the time when Baltimore was not hot yet and still in a deep funk from the last post season. The Steelers exploited the Titans bad defense and held on to the lead barely in that one. Those 4 wins, 2 versus Ravens, Browns and Titans were teams with a winning record. The other 7 wins came from bad teams the Steelers were playing teams from the dreaded NFC East. Then after 11-0, the Steelers lost 4 out of 5 games to end the season and they looked like a completely different team. If you count the playoffs, the Steelers lost the last 5 out of six games and that was a major tailspin.

Teams figured out Ben Roethlisberger could not throw a deep ball. Teams figured out he could not throw the ball down the field and relied on short passing only. Defenses like Washington and Buffalo made Big Ben age another ten seasons. Roethlisberger looked bad against a bad defense in the Steelers/Bengals rematch during which the Bumbles prevailed. Take away the running game and Steelers had problems. Then the defense which played so well started breaking down. Every game meant another piece of the Steel Curtain was done for the season. It became the Shower Curtain defense. Big Ben used to stand in the pocket with five guys draped on him and still got rid of the ball. At the end of the season, it was London Bridge’s falling down as the Big Ben clock came tumbling down as time caught up to the future hall of fame quarterback who will be a for sure first ballot in Canton.

I can see why the Steelers want to give Big Ben Roethlisberger one more go at this. The Steelers are loyal, maybe too loyal. Because this loyalty might hurt the overall team. Even if Big Ben gave me a restructured deal where he’s slashing all the prices and everything must go, the team will not win the Superbowl with him behind center. It’s that simple. The Steelers need JuJu Smith- Schuster together with the young rookie star from Notre Dame, Chase Claypool. James Washington and even though Diaontae Johnson had the case of the dropped balls these guys are a excellent receiving core. If you traded for Deshaun Watson with this same core and same defense, I think you can say Steelers’ odds have just jumped. Ryan Fitzpatrick I think would be a better option than holding on to an aging quarterback that needs a new arm. Only way Big Ben would come back is to be my bridge quarterback to groom some young guy picked up in the draft. This team can win now.

By getting rid of Big Ben Roethlisberger and cutting ties completely, the team could make moves to improve a roster that has a lot of good pieces in place. Get a better runner back than a James Connor. Steelers somehow find these play makers all the time. They may find another back, deep in the upcoming draft. If the Steelers signed Ryan Fitzpatrick or traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, or even gave Sam Darnold a shot and pried him away from the Jets. Darnold, Dwayne Haskins and Mason Rudolph make a pretty good quarterback room. Matt Ryan would be expensive, but a better choice than Big Ben if he was available by the Falcons. The question with Ryan is can you retain your own free agents and what will that cost you. Obviously, Deshaun Watson or a Russell Wilson would be better than Big Ben, but you may lose guys in the process with a huge contract to pay these guys and top picks. A cheaper option like Jimmy Garoppolo or Sam Darnold could let you sign a JJ Watt and have a Watt family reunion on the roster. Find a cheaper option but a better quarterback than Big Ben, draft a quarterback, and keep the wheels on this Pittsburgh bus moving forward. Then flattening out versus a bad Bengals franchise who could be on the up rise. The faster the team moves on from Roethlisberger, the quicker they can compete. Lamar Jackson Ravens, Baker Mayfield Browns, and Joe Burrow of the Bengals in your division have cemented their signal caller for years to come while you’re riding a bull that has been castrated and needs to be sent up to your Aunt’s farm to find some serenity.

Many people have jumped on Carson Wentz for not taking very well to being demoted during the season. Then to still be grim as he saw the writing on the walls with the play of Jalen Hurts. Look what happened this season when the Packers drafted a quarterback in the first round. This did not make Aaron Rodgers happy as he played Punisher-like and had revenge on his mind to show up the Packers front office. Wentz could have done the same thing as the Eagles, when they drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round. It’s training your replacement at work. The needs the Eagles had before the season, you’d think the team would have drafted a play maker or someone to protect the quarterback in the second round. In Green Bay, Rodgers at-least had the protection on the O-Line. In Philadelphia, Wentz is not mobile and could only do so much with a line pretty much was a band aid soaking up blood and barely sticking on for support. Jalen Hurts can escape the pocket and make plays while on the move was his recipe for success. Knowing all the facts in a team in total disarray, the Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. Eagles get a a 3rd round pick this year. Plus the Eagles get a second rounder in 2022 which could be a first rounder depends on what Carson Wentz does on the field this upcoming season. Was this enough the Eagles got back for a guy they picked number 2 overall in 2016?

What happened to the Bears? The Carson Wentz sweepstakes seem to be between two teams, the Bears and the Colts. The Bears were trying hard to get Matthew Stafford from the Lions. The Bears may be rumored to be after every quarterback available this off season. I’m sure the Bears kicked the tires on Carson Wentz rumor had the Bears had a better deal on the table for the Eagles which might be heard said. The link the Bears had with Carson Wentz was quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo who was a former coach in Philadelphia and familiar with the Eagle quarterback as he coached him and is on Matt Nagy’s staff. Carson Wentz came out and said he did not want to play for the Bears. Why would he is the question. The Bears are a team in disarray just like the Philadelphia Eagles. The coaching staff and the GM are on thin ice like Philadelphia staff coming into this season. Plus the Bears Offensive line is nothing to write home to mom about. Plus the lack of play makers. Not sure if Bears were serious about Wentz or what he said killed the deal between Chicago and Philadelphia. Many fans in Chicago are happy not to have Wentz. Chicago fans probably would want Deshaun Watson and may settle for another episode of Nick Foles. Ir I have a suspicion Sam Darnold from the Jets, which would be the Bears’ way of bringing in another Mitch Trubisky type.

I like this move by the Indianapolis Colts coming away with Carson Wentz. The Colts did not over pay for Wentz which you know the Eagles at first wanted all of King Tut’s riches for their guy. The Colts were a playoff team last year and lost in Buffalo in the first round. The Colts needed a quarterback because Phillip Rivers retired. Wentz will have a great offensive line protecting him in Indianapolis. Maybe the best of his entire career. Plus the Colts have a strong running game that features a few running backs which we know a running game can take pressure off the quarterback. Plus the Colts had one of the best defenses in the league which will help if Wentz makes a mistake during a game it will not haunt him every time. Then the reunion with head Frank Reich will make this thing work. When Frank Reich was coaching in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz was a pretty good quarterback. Two seasons with Frank Reich guiding Wentz was 18-11 as a starter. The Superbowl year for the Eagles it was Carson Wentz led the Eagles to a 11-2 record before he was injured. Wentz had a 61.5% completion percentage and threw for 7,078 yards with 49 Touchdown passes compared to only 21 Interceptions. Carson Wentz had to deal with the crazy fans in Philadelphia that burned his jersey for a bad season. Philadelphia is a big market. Chicago would have been a big market especially after what Mitch Trubisky went through. Indianapolis is a small market that Carson Wentz should thrive in because he was drafted out of a small college, North Dakota University home of the Bison. Look at Josh Allen out of Wyoming University, a small town school and how he is loved and is playing well in Buffalo. In all sports, sometimes it’s the system and location for that person’s personality to get the best out of them.

Last year Carson Wentz played in 12 games and was 3-8-1 as the starter. Wentz had a career low completion percentage at 57.4% as he threw for 2,620 yards while throwing 16 touchdown passes and had 15 interceptions. Lifetime the 28 year old quarterback has a record of 35-32-1 with a 62.7% completion percentage in 5 seasons. Wentz has thrown for 16,811 yards with 113 touchdown passes and 50 interceptions.Wentz has 9 comebacks with 10 game winning drives. Nick Foles came in and had a lucky horseshoe up his rear in 2017 to lead the Eagles to their first Superbowl win of all-time. If Wentz did not go 11-2 that year I could not see Nick Foles from the start of any season guiding a team to the playoffs and beyond. Wentz has a quality arm. He has had some injuries. I have to go back to the Colts’ strong running game and Offensive line is the combo to keep Wentz up right and let him do his thing back there. Wentz was drafted number two overall for a reason. Wentz has shown some flashes of a very good quarterback in his 5 seasons in the NFL. I give the Colts a grade of an A in this one. I give the Eagles right now a grade of B- that could go higher if they get that pick in 2022 to go from a second to a first rounder. The Bears I give a F, because they are the fools in this one. Not from not getting Carson Wentz. As fans in the league and experts see, the Chicago Bears are a hot mess. Now you have a starting quarterback in the league commenting on their situation. The Bears have that drunken vision and blurry eye sight, that they think is hot and the best only to wake up with a doosey in the morning wondering what the hell happened.

Back to the Eagles. If Carson Wentz plays 75% of the plays this season in Indianapolis, that second round pick in 2022 could turn into a first round pick. Another scenario is if the Colts make the playoffs and Wentz plays 70% of the snaps, then the Eagles would get the Colts first rounder in 2022. Philadelphia is handcuffed by the cap and the team from the Superbowl has seen way better days. The Eagles need to blow it all up and give the keys to Jalen Hurts, building a team around his talents. The Eagles have a new voice as head coach. Even if Wentz does really well in Indianapolis, the Eagles had to move on from him and that is what they are doing. This is the only way.

I’m not sure the Chicago Blackhawks will be able to surround Patrick Kane with enough talent for another Stanley Cup run. So far the Blackhawks have a 8-5-4 record after 13 games which is good for 20 points in the standings. This is without the Captain Jonathan Toews who is still out and has not played one game this season for the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks came in with major questions at goalie. It started ugly, but the goalie situation has improved. On the ice, the Blackhawks have a younger cast skating. The front office is still in denial that they are in a rebuild.

Not sure the Blackhawks can stay in the playoff hunt the rest of the year since it’s still relatively early in the season. Even if the Blackhawks get in the playoffs, how far can they go? I always thought the Blackhawks could surround Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews with enough talent like the Penguins have done over and over with Sidney Crosby. It’s great seeing the Blackhawks playing well as a team. I thought going in it would be more like watching some youngsters reach the next level and Patrick Kane reach a new milestone. If the Blackhawks do falter, we could tune in still to see Patrick Kane reach new levels on the Blackhawks’ all-time lists and the league’s all-time lists.

This is Patrick Kane’s 14th year in the league. Besides the three Stanley Cups Kane has helped the team get, Kane could eventually be the best Blackhawk of all-time. Last season Patrick Kane reached the 600 plateau in assists. Plus, Kane reached 1,000 points last season. Kane needs 4 more goals to reach the 400 plateau as he comes in with 396. If Kane scores 11 more goals, he would move past Steve Larmer for third all-time in Blackhawks history.

After Steve Larmer, Patrick Kane will have some ice to cross with Stan Mikita with 541 Blackhawks goals for second. If Patrick Kane stays in Chicago his entire career, could he eventually pass the legend Bobby Hull for number one in the franchise in goals? Hull has 604. Kane all-time coming in stands a number 100 in goals all-time in the NHL. Kane should reach the 402 mark with six more tallies this season as he could pass three guys with his 403rd goal. Shane Doan, Paul Kariya, and John Ogrodrick have 402 goals. If Patrick Kane notches 14 more goals, he would tie Ray Bourgue at 91 all-time with 410 goals.

Staying healthy in any game is half the battle, especially during a pandemic. Patrick Kane needs 10 more games to skate to reach 1,000 lifetime. If Kane laces up the skates 19 times this season, he would pass up the great Bob Murray for 6th all-time in games played for the Blackhawks. Murray has played 1,008 games wearing the Indian sweater.

Patrick Kane has 648 assists lifetime. Kane needs two more dishes and he would have 650 which would tie Brett Hull for number 66 all-time in the NHL.

Patrick Kane has tallied up 1,044 points in his career which is number 74 all-time. Two more points would tie Henri Richard with 1,046. Eight points and Kane would tie Denis Potvin who stands with 1,052 points.

MADE IN AMERICA

Patrick Kane was born in Buffalo, New York. Kane’s 396 goals right now are good for number ten all-time in America born players in goals scored in the NHL. If Kane tallies 11 more goals this season, he will be in the single digits, pass up John LeClair, and take over the number nine spot. Brett Hull has 741 goals so Kane has some work to do if he wants the number one slot. Former Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick is number 4 on that list with 513. Roenick played 8 seasons with the Blackhawks and 12 seasons with a few other teams.

One last stat Patrick Kane can reach this season is over-time goals. Kane has nine of those. One more, and Patrick Kane has reached double digits. Captain Jonathan Toews has 15 over-time goals. Kane getting six? Can Kaner surpass the Captain and get six to get the equalizer with his long time teammate?

Eddie LeBec is no longer in the league, so it is official goalie hunting season for Patrick Kane especially in OT.

For the Chicago Bears, their priority number one is the search for a quarterback. In Star Trek, the search for Spock was concluded in under two hours at the movie theater. The Bears have not found a franchise quarterback since the 1940’s when Sid Luckman was behind center. Many have that nauseous feeling in the pits of their stomach thinking about how badly the Bears brass will screw this up once again. Could the Bears do well with Nick Foles? If you gave Nick Foles some offensive line help and add a another play maker to the mix, the offense may become average/middle of the pack. With an average offense you need a really good defense. I can see the Bears fixing the defense faster than the offense. How do you get that defense back to how it was in 2018? A crazy idea is adding JJ Watt to the mix.

JJ Watt recently parted ways with the Houston Texans, and as they say, it was mutual. Watt has been the face of the franchise in Houston since he arrived in 2011 when he drafted number 11 overall. Since his arrival Watt has been a 3 time defensive player of the year making 5 Pro-bowls. Watt has 101 career sacks and a million batted down balls from one of the most productive Defensive ends in the game over the last ten seasons. Nicknamed JJ Swat for knocking down balls like the great Dikembe Mutumbo blocking shots in the NBA.

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The nickname JJ Swat could be a reference for him going through doors which would be the offensive linemen. And then chasing down the suspect, which would be the quarterback. Last season, the 31 year old Watt finished with 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception for a score.

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Bears wasted money on Robert Quinn last year as he was MIA the entire season. Quinn was on the field as you could see him, but he was not there as opposing offenses made him the invisible man. Quinn would have to go. Trade him to an Irish pub for a pint of Guinness. Even though I highly doubt Robert Quinn is even Irish, but he has to go whatever way possible. Then the Bears should sign JJ Watt. Imagine JJ Watt on one side with Khalil Mack on the other side. SCARY!!! Then in the middle of that defensive line you have the push from Akiem Hicks. Plus the Bears would get another piece back on that defensive line, Eddie Goldman, who opted out for the season due to the virus. Then you have Roquan Smith, a young stud, at the linebacker position. The secondary features Jaylon Johnson, Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller. The best thing so far this off-season to happen to the Bears is defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano walking away. The Bears promoted Sean Desai and if he has at least one brain cell working, he would know the Bears did not have that pressure on the quarterback the last two seasons like they did in 2018. If you’re an opposing offensive line, who the hell do you double team with JJ Watt? Pressure would collapse the pocket from all directions with a talented secondary blanketing the receivers.

Instead of wasting your draft capital on someone else’s junk at quarterback. Instead of overpaying for a quarterback which has set us back already with Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles. By the way, it is important to note we haven’t gotten back what we have paid for these two guys. The Bears are in “win now” mode. Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are at the end of their rope with two years left on their contracts. I don’t see them fixing the quarterback position unless they mortgage the defense and continue throwing away draft capital. If these two dumb-dumbs want to win now, they need that defense to rise up again like in 2018. My list of demands. The Bears should dump Robert Quinn and then sign JJ Watt. Then they fix the offensive line. Use the number one pick on the best tackle. David Montgomery is a nice back. Darnell Mooney is a nice receiver. Kole Kmet makes a nice tight end. The Bears should draft a quarterback at some point in the next draft. They can draft another playmaker. Add some decent receivers in the free agent market. I like A Mack Truck and a JJ Swat charging right at Aaron Rodgers. So much that it gives me goosebumps. JJ Watt us a Wisconsin native so he can deal in Chicago’s cold weather. Watt would add another leader and voice on the field. A great defense and a healthy Nick Foles in the playoffs with good protection is the recipe that makes the most sense to me.

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The San Jose Sharks legend, Patrick Marleau, is sneaking up on a legendary stat of a legend in the NHL world. At 41 years young, Patrick Marleau this week just passed up Jaromir Jagr for third all-time in games played with now 1,735. Marleau needs 21 games to tie another hockey legend, Mark Messier for second all-time in games played in the NHL. Both Jagr and Messier are two of the greatest players in NHL history. In a young hockey season, only about ten games in, could Marleau be number one in games played by the end of this season all-time in the NHL? If Patrick Marleau stays healthy, he could skate in 33 more games and break the original MR. Hockey, Gordie Howe’s, record of 1,767 games. Would this stat cement Patrick Marleau’s legacy in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Patrick Marleau was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Marleau was drafted number two overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL draft. Since then he has played 23 seasons in the NHL with 3 teams. Marleau will always be a Shark wearing the teal colors in everyone’s mind. Marleau played two seasons in Toronto and then returned to San Jose. The Sharks traded Marleau to the Pittsburgh Penguins to give him a shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Penguins were dispatched quickly and Marleau has returned home for his third stint with the Sharks, with whom he spent 19 seasons. Marleau could be compared to some of the best Iron men greats in hockey and other sports like Cal Ripken Jr. in baseball and Brett Farve in football. Marleau has played in all 82 regular season games nine times which has been the set amount for decades until the pandemic or the strike seasons before the virus.

Besides just skating on the ice and showing up to play. Marleau has racked up 562 goals in his career which is good for 25th all-time ever in the NHL. Marleau has earned over thousand points also in his career with a grand total of 1,190. Let’s not forget dishing out 628 assists. Marleau is the Sharks all-time goal scorer with 518 tallies. Plus Marleau leads the Sharks all-time in points with 1,102. Marleau is second all-time with assists as he only trails his former, and pretty much life time, teammate Joe Thornton. Marleau also has 195 post season games under his belt. Marleau has tallied 127 points in the post season which is nothing to sneeze at. Marleau has found the net 72 times while dishing out 55 assists and coming up big in the post season for San Jose. In his third stint with the San Jose Sharks this season, Marleau has skated mostly with the 4th line and has two assists so far this season. Marleau can still help this team on the ice but he is also a guy that help groom some of the younger guys at the same time.

Marleau for sure should be a first ballot Hall of Famer when his career is done. Being number 1 in games played in a full contact sport is a huge accomplishment. Plus, tallying up over 500 goals and 600 assists with over one thousand points are very good numbers. Marleau also holds the record for the most regular season games along with post-season games without a Stanley Cup championship. Marleau only made it to the Stanley Cup finals once, in 2016, when the San Jose Sharks were beat by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marleau can be compared to Karl Malone of the NBA, another great in his sport without winning the entire thing. Marleau has worn the C on his jersey many of the years he skated as the team’s Captain, as he was born a leader. Throw in two gold metals skating with Canada in the Winter Olympics, Marleau helping his country prevail in some epic show downs. Marleau was a part of some awesome Sharks teams which came close but no cigar. At the end of a great career, whenever that is, Marleau will be standing tall and be in the same conversation as Hockey great Gordie Howe. That will be Howe is skates out for a Shark legend in my book.