With week one over in season two of the USFL, we have some interesting things occur. The Maulers are swinging the hammer. The Panthers are getting the Love. We have hammered out the details in week two of the 2023 USFL power rankings.

#8. HOUSTON GAMBLERS (0-1) SAME SPOT LAST WEEK

The Gamblers may be the worst football team in the town of Houston. Houston has three football teams in three different leagues.

The Gamblers thought they had a quarterback with the late emergence of Kenji Bahar who had a few starts under his belt last season. Houston fans would rather have Bengi over Kengi looking at his first week performance of the 2023 season.

Bahar only managed 96 yards through the air with three turnovers as Gamblers looked like the worst team in the week in the first game of the season. Bright side is Houston running back, T.J Pledger, had two rushing touchdowns with 41 yards on the ground.

#7. PITTSBURGH MAULERS (0-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Maulers looked better than last season as they debuted their new uniforms black and gold colors. Once again, the Maulers offense is MIA as they could not generate any points. The Maulers did score, but the points came from special teams and the defense. The Maulers defense looks legit.

Former number one pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Rueben Foster, played his first football game since 2019 & immediately made an impact on that Maulers defense with 9 tackles and forced a fumble against the Breakers. Defensive lineman Olive Sagapoly had two sacks. If the Maulers can generate any kind of offense, this team could win some close games. Head coach Ray Horton has these Maulers playing better from the eye test than what Kirby Jackson did last year which was junior varsity like.

#6. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Memphis Showboats did show me some good stuff in their first game since the original league in the 1980’s. The Showboats are last year’s Tampa Bay Bandits. One new face that should be talked about is running back Alex Collins who could be one of the best backs in the USFL this season. The former Seahawk and Raven of the NFL showed some nice moves while breaking some tackles and getting some tough yards in his first game for the Showboats.

Collins looks bad ass with long dreadlocks coming out of the helmet with the tinted visor. Collins scored a rushing touchdown and had 14 carries for 61 yards. Memphis quarterback play has potential. The Showboat defense has a wicked pass rush as they can get to the opposing quarterback as they sacked Stars Case Cookus 5 times. The Showboats have potential and could be motor boating all the way to the playoffs.

#5. NEW JERSEY GENERALS (0-1) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Generals start the season again versus the Stallions who were last year’s champions in Birmingham. The story of the game is the Generals coughed up the ball twice and the Stallions cashed in on both turnovers with 14 points. The Generals only mustered up 10 points all in the second quarter. The Generals once again throw out dueling quarterbacks that may not be quite in synch yet as last year it worked well for this team.

Dakota Prukop threw the ball well for the Generals going 13-17 for 146 yards in his first game in the USFL. Then last year duel threat DeAndre Johnson only went 4-13 for 29 yards but had 45 yards using his legs. Generals lost their first game last year & then won 9 straight.

#4. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (1-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Breakers have their own version of Ryan Fitzpatrick and the beard. McLeod-Bethel Thompson back in the states in his first ever game in the USFL, a two time champion in the CFL, leads his new team down the field under two minutes and throws his first touchdown pass. The touchdown pass to Anthony Jones seals the deal for the New Orleans as it breaks the 15-15 tie and gets the Breakers in the win column. Bethel Thompson looked good and may be one of the best quarterbacks in the USFL. The Breakers moved the ball the entire game settling for field goals. Maulers defense played well. You have to believe the field goals will start to turn into more touchdowns. The Breakers defense did not allow any points from the Mauler offense.

#3. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-0) MOVED UP 4 SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

I’m showing the Love for the Panthers who get out of the gate with an impressive victory. You have to love Josh Love who had a career day behind center for the Panthers.

Love completed 90.5% of his passes by completing 19-21 for 216 yards with three touchdown passes. You have to take the hot tub time machine back to the 1980’s when Greg Landry played for the Chicago Blitz.

Love had a better day at the office than Landry as Panthers all around look solid in their first week of the season as they scored the most points over the weekend with 29.

#2. PHILADELPHIA STARS (1-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stars have the best quarterback in the USFL with Case Cookus. Cookus who had the Stars in last year’s championship but was knocked out of the game with a broken leg. Cookus had the Stars winning that championship game versus the Stallions. After he left, the Stallions ended up prevailing. Cookus is back and healthy and showed us in week one he still has the touch going 20-19 for 212 yards with two touchdown passes in the win over Memphis. Chris Rowland gaining big yards in the return game even caught a touchdown pass from Cookus.

Rowland is one of the elite play makers in the USFL and in due time will be scooped up by an NFL team. The Stars offense is going to be tops in the league. Can the defense catch up? The Stars defense can force turnovers, but teams still can score points off them. We will see if the offense carries this Philadelphia team the entire season.

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (1-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

I have to give the Stallions the number one spot until some team is capable of knocking them off their top perch. The Stallions start out of the gates strong on both sides of the ball. The defense recovered two fumbles in last year’s rematch in the first ever game of the USFL reboot between the Stallions and Generals. Stallions cashed the turnovers in for points. The Birmingham defense only gave up ten points and shut out the Generals in the second half of the game. The Stallions did lose their number one starting quarterback, J’Mar Smith, who will miss the entire season. The Stallions star defender Scooby Wright left the game with an injury but is expected to return. The Stallions did not miss a beat with back up quarterback Alex McGough playing a solid second half.

McGough can use his legs as he is a duel threat quarterback who had a 29 yard rushing touchdown to help the Stallions defend their first title offense. McGough was originally the starter for the Stallions last season until Smith played better. The Stallions just signed Kyle Sloter who played for the Breakers last year and led them to the playoffs. However Sloter went to the XFL, did not play well, and was cut by the Arlington Renegades.

The Chicago Blackhawks as an organization has been sinking slowly for years. It seems like the Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup Championship in 2015 was played lights years ago, even though it has been 8 years. It was the Blackhawks dynasty with that dynamic duo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane that took Chicago hockey out of the dark times as they collected three championships. How quickly Blackhawks management and ownership dug the grave of that great run in Chicago sports since the Michael Jordan and the Bulls era in the 1990’s. The 2022-23 NHL season ended with another bad season for the Blackhawks as they missed the playoffs once again. As the ship has been sinking all those years, like something out of the tar pits in prehistorical times, he was the last player off the ship from that dynasty, Captain Serious. At the age of 34 years old, Toews plays his last game ever in an Indian head sweater in front of the Blackhawks faithful at the United center in the last game of the regular season.

In 2006, the Blackhawks drafted Jonathan Toews in the first round with the third pick overall in the NHL draft. In Toews’ rookie season, he came on like gang busters with 24 goals dishing out 30 assists in the first NHL season in the 2007-08 season. A Captain was born with his leadership skills along with his play on the ice. Toews played 15 seasons with the Blackhawks as he was an instant asset to the roster for the reward of playing bad hockey for decades. Finally the front office picked the right players in the draft to build a core. Toews did his part playing in over 1,000 regular season games & not counting all the contests he played in the post-seasons when the team went deep almost every year. Toews would score 372 regular season goals while dishing over 511 assists for a grand total of 883 points all in a Blackhawks uniform, the only team he has ever played for. Health issues have derailed Toews over the last few seasons. Toews would miss the 2020-21 season dealing with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome dealing with long term symptoms of the Covid-19 virus. This season, Toews would only play in 52 games for the Blackhawks as he scored 15 goals with 16 assists for only 31 points. In the 2021-22 season, Toews would play in 71 games and his numbers tell the tale of the tape scoring 12 goals with 25 assists for 37 points. Suddenly the Captain is like a sports car with lots of mileage suffering from rust throughout the body that once upon a time ago was a smooth shiny ride on the ice.

The Captain will be the last link of that Blackhawks dynasty who played his final game versus the Philadelphia Flyers, the first victim in that Stanley Cup championship run. Jonathan Toews has played out his 2014, 84 million dollar contract extension with the full no-trade clause. The Blackhawks General Manager, Kyle Davidson, said the Blackhawks had no plans of re-signing their Captain so Toews scoring a goal in his final game made his last game special to him and the sold out crowd. Who knows if they will ever see a dynasty like this again from the Blackhawks being played in their own backyard. Living in the Chicago area all my life, you can’t trust any of the sports teams building a dynasty. The Blackhawks would end up losing to the Flyers 5-4 in overtime. The Toews break away in overtime was unfortunately stopped by the Flyers goalie. A winning goal by the Captain would have brought down the Mad House on Madison. Toews could have skated off into the sunset on a goal like that. That did not stop the crowd from chanting Johnny and giving him a standing ovation after the game. The Blackhawks are quietly pushing the Captain off their boat so we do not know what the future is of Jonathan Toews. Will he retire and hang up the skates for good? Will he find another team and wear someone else’s hockey sweater and just not look the same like a Michael Jordan wearing a Washington Wizards jersey? We know Toews will have his number 19 retired by the organization & maybe they’ll throw in the usual Chicago statue. The NHL hockey hall of fame should be on the horizon for the Captain. The Blackhawks should have found a way to build around Toews and Patrick Kane. The organization failed as they traded Kane to the Rangers and could have gotten more if they would have dealt their superstar years ago. Toews would have gotten something back years ago. Trade clauses handcuffed the franchise as the Blackhawks were stupid to give them in the first place while not surrounding these guys with talent to start another playoff run. Kane is playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs as Toews scored his last goal on the last game of the regular season wearing the Blackhawks sweater. Kane did not get that send off. I understand you can’t bring back the Captain during a rebuild. Toews may come back as some sort of ambassador to the organization as the Blackhawks try to make up for something as they alienated their players at the end of their days in Chicago. Jonathan Toews will give us Blackhawks fans great memories of the three Stanley Cups he helped us win. In Chicago how these things end and how the organization does things, it just pisses you off from head to toes. You know dark days will return. You know when the team gets good again, however long that takes, they will do the same stupid things they did with this dynasty. It’s the Chicago way. Jonathan Toews will go down as one of the best Captains in Blackhawks history and he earned it.

Last season the USFL did something other Spring football leagues could not. Finish a season and have a championship. The USFL did that done that. Now the USFL will be doing something that no Spring league has done in 40 years. Coming back for year two. Last time, the original USFL did it. The USFL will return with 8 teams and have 4 hub cities playing home games instead of all the games last year centralized in Birmingham. As always, we roll out the power rankings of the USFL and try to see if anything we write sticks.

#8. HOUSTON GAMBLERS: Last Season (3-7)

Last season the Gamblers lost a few games having a lead in the 4th quarter, but they just could not close out these contests. It seems like the entire Gambler defense is playing all over the XFL. The defense this season has 14 new players which could be asking a lot from that side of the ball. The Gamblers have a new head coach in Curtis Johnson, former Sean Payton disciple during the Saints days.

Johnson replaces Kevin Sumlin. The Gamblers offense was average last season while their defense was talented. The Gamblers may be a work in progress and we take a wait and see approach to see if they climb the ladder of the USFL power rankings.

#.7. MICHIGAN PANTHERS:Last Season (2-8)

Panthers have a new head coach in Mike Nolan as Jeff Fisher is out. The Panthers will have a home field advantage as they are one of the hub cities so they will play their home games in Detroit at Ford Field. Panthers have a great running game and Reggie Corbin returns to run the rock who had 500 yards on the ground last year for Michigan, the former Fighting Illini running back.

Can Carson Strong be the man behind center for the Panthers? Will the Panthers choose Josh Love who bounced around the USFL last season?

#6. PITTSBURGH MAULERS: Last season (1-9)

I’m swinging for the fences on this number six ranking for the Maulers. New color scheme, new coach, different results?

Black and Gold which are Pittsburgh’s color scheme to their entire sports landscape. Kirby Wilson, last year’s head coach, was by far the worst and may go down in USFL history as the bottom of the sludge pond hire. It is Ray Horton former NFL player and coach and has ties to the Steelers. This team will be swinging the hammer this season.

#5. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS: Last Season they were the Tampa Bay Bandits (4-6)

The USFL is bringing back the Showboats and Memphis is a hub city. The Bandits will transform into the Showboats and Tampa Bay may be back in the future when the league expands. It’s the same team with a different wrapper. The Show Boats lost their starting quarterback from last season to the XFL, Jordan Ta’amu to the DC defenders. Todd Haley is still the head coach which in my opinion not good for Elvis town. The Show Boats are going with local flavor and not a BBQ joint.

Let’s hope Haley does not ruin the local kid, Brady White, from Memphis University. Brady is a very successful quarterback name though.

#4. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS: Last season (6-4) Loss in first round of the playoffs

The Breakers lost their starting quarterback, Kyle Sloter, to the XFL which may be a good thing because he did bad and eventually was cut by the Arlington Renegades.

The Breakers have brought in two time Canadian Champion of the CFL, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, to be the man behind the center. The Breakers have a new head coach in John DeFilippo who was the Eagles quarterbacks coach when they won the Superbowl. Breakers defense which was solid last season has stayed intact. The Breakers could break out and be even better in year two with some changes.

#3. NEW JERSEY GENERALS: Last season (9-1) Last season, the Generals lost their first game to the Stallions & then won nine straight to get knocked off in the first round of the playoffs by the Stars. The Generals had dueling quarterbacks last season and they were very successful at using them. De’Andre Johnson may have to be the man behind center who is a duel-threat quarterback & most of the time more successful with his legs than his arm. Luis Perez left for the XFL. The Generals also have a former NFL quarterback in Kyle Lauletta who did not really do well last year in Pittsburgh uniform.

The Generals have the best head coach in the league in Mike Riley and you know he figures it out. The Generals Offensive player of the year, running back Darius Victor, is back so New Jersey may rely heavily on their explosive running game.

#2. PHILADELPHIA STARS: Last season (6-4) Loss in the Championship

The Stars coming in have the best quarterback in the USFL with Case Cookus. The Stars averaged 26.2 points per game with Cookus behind center and as a starter, Case went 6-3.

If Cookus does not break his leg in the first ever USFL reboot championship, the Stars could have won the title game. The Stars did knock off a very talented Generals team to get into the championship. Cookus will have his running back, Matt Coburn, back and one of his targets throwing the ball to Jordan Suell.

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS: Last season (9-1) Won Championship

I have the Stallions number 1 as they won the entire enchilada last season. Some other team will need to knock the Stallions off their perch if they want to be number 1 in the power rankings. The Stallions will be targeted being the team to beat or a measuring stick on how you stand. They have their starting quarterback, J’Mar Smith, back behind center and experience matters. The Stallions roster is still intact without any major losses. Last season, Stallions built up a following as they were the only hub city that featured all regular season games. This year the USFL has 4 hub cities, which once again includes Birmingham.

The XFL playoff picture is becoming much clearer after week 8.

The Defenders rebound and mount a Sea Dragon on their wall. Two overtime thrillers which resemble a hockey shootout overtime. How is AJ McCarron for week 9? The Guardians are back to Guardian-like as we have another week of the XFL power rankings to get through. I do hope you enjoy.

#8. ORLANDO GUARDIANS (1-7) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Guardians are back to their normal spot at the bottom of the barrel of the XFL power rankings. How does a team that beats the number one Defenders lay such a clunker the following week against not a very good Renegade team? TURNOVERS!!! Five of them.

Did Guardians quarterback Quentin Dormady forget to make his weekly payment with the devil? Dormady plays the game of his entire life versus the Defenders & then gift wraps a victory for the Renegades last week. It’s a shame too if Dormady cut half of those mistakes last week, Orlando would have won that game.

#7. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (2-6) SAME SPOT LAST WEEK

When the kicker is the offensive force on your team, you have major problems.

John Parker Romo’s leg did his job hitting a 49 yard field goal with one second left on the clock to send the game into overtime last weekend versus the Roughnecks. Romo also hit a 41 yard field goal earlier in the contest. It was a game the Brahmas needed to keep alive for the second playoff spot in the division. In the second OT of the weekend, the Roughnecks sweep the two game series and with the Renegades winning, the Brahmas season is on life support.

With two weeks remaining in regular season, it’s time to call it and pull the plug on Hines Ward and his Brahmas team. The San Antonio fans can come by the Alamo dome and watch offenses score points in the XFL Championship by two other teams if they forgot how it’s done.

#6. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (4-4) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

I don’t think it was the presence of Luis Perez starting for his new team that broke the Renegades losing streak. You can say the Renegades defense had something to do with it forcing 5 turnovers.

De’Vante Bausby’s 48 yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown was the third defensive score for the Renegades defense this season. That ties the Defenders defense for most in the XFL. The Renegades only scored 18 points which one was a defensive score. Perez played the part of any other Renegade quarterbacks with a dormant offense, but he did not make any mistakes like other Arlington QB’s. You could say Guardians quarterback Quentin Dormady gift wrapped this victory for the Renegades. Maybe Dormady threw the game as he was accused of selling his play book to the enemy. The conspiracy theories are even in the XFL.

#5. VEGAS VIPERS (2-6) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Vipers took the Battlehawks to the first ever overtime game in the XFL this season. The Vipers were snake bitten by a St. Louis Battlehawk fake punt that led to a 64 yard touchdown earlier in the game. Could that play have been the difference for the Vipers in winning the game in regulation if they prevented that special team mishap?

The Vipers even knocked out the Battlehawks star quarterback, AJ McCarron. Jalan McClendon in his second start of the year did not make any mistakes but did not have a huge game only throwing for 159 yards with one touchdown pass. The overtime in the XFL is compared to a shootout in hockey. You have to convert extra point conversions best out of 3. Overtime did not roll snake eyes for the Vipers.

#4. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (5-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Houston realized they had to play the second half of the season. Maybe the Roughnecks were content on winning the first half of the season like in the XFL reboot of 2020 when they only played half of the season. Roughnecks broke a three game losing streak after starting off perfect 4-0. The Roughnecks had their starting quarterback Brandon Silvers back behind center as he missed last week. The Roughnecks only scored 17 points and needed overtime to beat the Brahmas. The Roughnecks needed defense to win this game as the big fellow Trevon Mason defensive line was able to intercept a Brahma pass that set up a Houston score.

Houston was able to win the shoot out hockey overtime in the XFL and with the win, clinch a playoff spot and now they can eyeball the division title this weekend.

#3. SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (5-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Like the blink of your eye, the Sea Dragons winning streak comes to an end losing another close contest to the Defenders. The Sea Dragons could be in trouble as St. Louis won last week and moved to 6-2. The Defenders improved to 7-1 with the win and the sweep over the Sea Dragons. Only two spots in the division make the playoffs and Seattle is now outside the box looking in with two weeks left.

Seattle is in must win mode versus the Battlehawks this weekend. In the shootout versus the Defenders, Ben DiNucci becomes the first quarterback in the XFL this season to pass for over 2,000 yards.

#2. DC DEFENDERS (7-1) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Defenders have swept the Sea Dragons and the BattleHawks this season as they own a set of tie breakers versus two key division rivals. The Defenders bounce back quickly after being upset by the hapless Guardian team from last week winning a shoot out versus the Sea Dragons. Jordan Ta’amu threw 4 touchdown passes as he came up big versus a Sea Dragon defense that plays big in big moments. Ta’amu now has ten touchdown passes this season with only one interception which is very impressive.

Ta’amu is playing his best football as the team is on the verge of the post-season. What about the Defenders defense? Any concern the last two weeks that Greg Williams’ unit has giving up over 30 points per game. Williams may have resort back to his old play book from New Orleans and bring back bounty gate the last two weeks of the season.

#1. ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (6-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The concern in St. Louis is on the health of their starting quarterback, AJ McCarron, who left last week’s game with an injury. This week the Battlehawks have a big game versus the Sea Dragons which could decide the playoff spot in the division. The Defenders would have the tiebreakers over both the Battlehawks and Sea Dragons as each team were swept by DC. It took a fake punt by the Battlehawks to help send the game into overtime versus the Vipers last week. It was the first overtime game of the season in the XFL which had two of them in one weekend.

Can back up quarterback Nick “the Dick” Tiano save the Battlehawks if McCarron is out this weekend and beyond?

Tiano helped the Battlehawks prevail in overtime over the Vipers at home. Tiano’s numbers are no foot long as he went 19-34 for 194 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. McCarron is the Battlehawks best choice if they want to make the post season and win.

I have always wondered if being a back up quarterback in the NFL is a sweet deal. Some franchises, the back up QB is the most popular guy on the team. Usually that means the starter is not doing well. Guys like Jordan Love for the Packers, a first round draft pick, will finally get his chance if the Packers can successfully move Aaron Rodgers. What about veterans who were once upon a time starters in the league that melt away on some bench with clip board waiting for some injury to occur instead of a mop up role? Some quarterbacks are meant to be back ups and some can make that gig like they are specialists to be called upon duty to come in after an injury or steer the ship for a few games & then go back to holding the clip board. What about aging quarterbacks that want one more act in their book of life? With Spring leagues like the XFL or the USFL, you think you get more guys taking their talents to these Spring leagues. One quarterback did give up that nice cushy office job in the quarterback room to take less money to play in the XFL. Former Bengals & Raiders quarterback A.J McCarron is playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL so his kids will get to see him play on the gridiron. I think for McCarron and surprised by others playing the game again as a starter is an itch that you can finally be scratch. McCarron gave up more money in the NFL to play in the XFL.

A.J McCarron now is 32 years old and has played in the NFL for six seasons. McCarron was a hot commodity his rookie season as he saw action for the injured Andy Dalton. In seven games in 2015 in which three of them were starts, McCarron threw for 854 yards with 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. McCarron won 2 of the three starts he had in his rookie campaign. After 2015, his next start came with Houston in 2019 after three years in Cincinnati and one season in Oakland. McCarron’s NFL career he has played in only 17 games and is 2-2 in just 4 starts as he threw all six touchdown passes his first season. The last two seasons McCarron has not played as his last action came in a Texans uniform in 2020 where he made 1 pass attempt and completed it for 20 yards. Before signing with the Battlehawks of the XFL, an NFL team had offered McCarron more money to be a back up quarterback.

When the original USFL started in the 1980’s, they found ways to pay young players big money especially at the quarterback position. Guys like Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Doug Williams, and Doug Flutie flourished in the USFL before ending up in the NFL. Back then the NFL lost back up quarterbacks that went on and did well in the USFL like A.J McCarron is having a very good season in St. Louis. The Philadelphia Stars were the New England Patriots of the USFL as they had Chuck Fusina, a long time veteran of the NFL leading the team. The Fusina Stars won two championships as they made it there all three seasons. Chuck Stoudt, former Pittsburgh Steeler, threw for over 6,000 yards for the Birmingham Stallions back in the 1980’s USFL. Stoudt threw 60 touchdown passes and had 14 rushing touchdowns. Brian Sipe, a long time Cleveland Brown in the NFL, played two seasons in the USFL with New Jersey Generals and Jacksonville Bulls and threw 21 touchdown passes while racking up over 3,000 passing yards. These guys wanted to step on the field and play the game of football, not watch from the sideline and fetch the coaching staff coffee.

How many NFL quarterbacks are like Chase Daniel? Daniel has played for 13 years in the NFL and has made 41 million dollars as back up and started only 5 games.

When the Bears had Jonathan Quinn as their back up quarterback, he was stealing money & such a fraud. Quinn never played in Kansas City but knew the system though. Years on the bench until he was thrown to the wolves when the Bears needed him to play for QB 1 who went down with an injury. Horrific. But they are millionaires. Some of these quarterbacks should use the XFL or USFL just to get back to the NFL. Cam soft Newton says no way 30 current NFL starters could be better than him. What has Cam Newton done in the last few years besides throw interceptions. Then Colin Kapernick is another fraud living the life as an activist but the far fetched fish story tales of how he was one best quarterbacks in the NFL and one point and the league took it away. Then quit blaming your adopted parents for the hand you’ve been dealt and prove you’re that quarterback that you never were. These Spring leagues discover guys like P.J Walker, former Roughneck of the XFL reboot in 2020. The Spring leagues are good for developing younger talent not drafted. Playing for the love of the game. Playing for your kids. That’s what it’s all about. How about playing for yourself? A.J McCarron is having fun. His family is loving watching him play again. I know it’s tough giving up millions of dollars. To be in the game again is something better than money. Playing the game is why you became a professional.

The 2023 March Madness NCAA basketball tournament was one of the most exciting ones I ever witnessed. Coming in to the tournament, no team was clearly favorite to win the entire thing. This year’s tournament had upsets and the Cinderella stories were all over the tournament map including a 16th seed knocking off a number 1 seed. Schools no one has ever heard of and small potato basketball universities created some much needed noise. Many of the Big Bad Wolf basketball universities as we’ve seen that done that were eliminated, which happens to most of them rather quickly. The final four had three teams making it there for the first time in their school history. In the end, the University of Connecticut prevails with another championship. A University that is big time basketball program ruins the end of this Hollywood thriller of a movie with a bad ending as the Huskies blow out the Aztecs in the championship.

Before the tournament even gets started, everyone is looking for that awesome Cinderella story. Everyone loves to see the underdog take down a big fish. The very first round had the debut of Kennesaw State University in the March Madness tournament which would have been a nice story of the school’s first ever game knocking down a big school. The Owls were quickly dispatched by Xavier University. Then Texas Southern ties a record with Coppin State and Liberty with their first round lost. Texas Southern now is tied for most tournament losses all-time with 20. The first round had its fairy tales as the Fairleigh Dickinson FDU became the second 16th seed to knock out a number one seed in NCAA history. FDU was the shortest team in the tournament and they took down the University of Purdue’s Giant in the middle cutting his bean stalk down with a weed wacker.

It’s the third year in a row that a 15th seed beat a number two seed. Those Ivy league smarties, Princeton University, pick up their first tournament win since 1988 beating the number two Arizona Wild Cats. Arizona became the first University to lose to a number 15th seed twice as Santa Clara Broncos did them in 1993. The last time Furman University was in the dance was 1980 in which they were number 13th seed and they beat the number 4 Virginia. Remember the University of Virginia was derailed in the first round by a number 16th seed and made history for UMBC, being the first team to ever accomplish that.

The former Ghostbuster, Bill Murray, was seen in every game the University of Connecticut played because his son, Luke Murray, is the assistant coach for the Huskies. We know Bill Murray is a super fan when it comes to sports as the poor bastard roots for the Chicago Cubs. Hollywood actors, when you hear their true life story, just wants to make you vomit.

TROPHY KILLS

This March Madness was really exciting because the big bad bullies on the court were quickly dispatched. Schools like Duke, University of Kentucky, Kansas, Gonzaga and Michigan State. Some schools like North Carolina did not make the tournament. It was great seeing the University of Arkansas take down the Kansas Jay Hawks.

In the state of Kansas, that left the other school doing better than the Jay Hawks. The Wild Cats made it to the Elite 8.

Kansas State would be eliminated by Florida Atlantic University in a close one while the entire school fell on Bill Self and his basketball program. No wonder why he missed the tournament.

HURLEY BLOOD

Dan Hurley’s older brother, Bobby Hurley, won back to back titles playing for Duke University as he made the final 4 3 times in his decorated college career. Dan Hurley played at Seton Hall University and would lose to his brother Bobby and Duke University in 1992 in the elite 8. Now both Hurley brothers are in the college game as head coaches. Dan Hurley has his first title while Bobby is out in the desert with Arizona State, who did not make this year’s tournament.

ELITE 8

It was the first time in March Madness history that no number 1 seeds made it to the Elite 8.

Many thought University of Alabama and University of Houston would be in the final 4. Both schools were ousted in the sweet 16 which even made this 2023 tournament special and busted up your brackets at the same time.

THE FINAL 4

The final four had three teams making their first ever appearance.

I think of palm trees when I think about Florida Atlantic University. The Owls beat number three seeded Kansas State to cement their selves in the final four for the first time. The Owls are the second number 9 seed to make the tournament since expanding to the 64 team format in 1985. The Owls were the first team since George Mason in 2006 picking up their first tournament win in the same season they made it to the final 4. The Owls would be eliminated by San Diego State in a classic final 4 game in the very last second of regulation.

The San Diego State Aztecs make the final four for the first time as a number 5 seed. The Aztecs beat Creighton University with a questionable foul call by the referee at the end in the elite 8. The Aztecs would then proceed to beat FAU with a last second shot and make it all the way to the championship to be destroyed by the Huskies. The Aztecs are still holding on to their Indian name. I’m sure some people will try to pressure the university to change their nickname. They may have already tried. That can be a debate for another time & another place. It’s a very cool logo the Aztecs have.

The Miami Hurricanes surprised me that their University never made it to the final 4.

The Hurricanes are known more for their football program as they were the cons in their rival with Notre Dame back in the late 1980’s. The Hurricanes made a huge comeback to beat number two seeded Texas University to get their spot in the final 4. The Huskies were too much for them as they were dispatched by UCONN in a blow out.

University of Connecticut with their 5th national championship as they beat up on the Aztec in the final game of the tournament. The Huskies beat up on the Hurricanes to get to the final.

Like every March Madness tournament, the ending always stings unless you have the team that wins it in your brackets or pools. If you’re not winning money on the team that wins it, then you’re going against the big time basketball programs unless you went to the school or have family there. Then you have the music chairs when it comes to coaching. The slime ball Rick Pitino leaves Iona University who he got to the big dance for St. John’s University. Then the FDU head coach, Tobin Anderson, quickly jumps ship to take the Iona job Pitino left.

Once again the smaller schools are just a stepping stone for the bigger schools. Once again, the Big Bad Wolf prevails over the smaller school in the National championship.

The 2023 tournament looked very promising most of the way. The ending is once again the same old song and dance.

TEAMS ON THE RISE

BATTLE HAWKS & SEA DRAGONS

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

Louie Perez new sheriff in Arlington

Who took Paul Bunyan’s ax? The Guardian Auto Re-builders pull off the biggest upset of the year.

Week 8 we are remodeling the entire house of power rankings.

It will look beautiful and ugly, but it’s week 8 XFL power rankings.

#8. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-4) DROPPED 2 SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

Bob Stoops’ team has stooped to a new level of the power rankings as Arlington has played poorly for weeks. The defense was the team’s staple, but teams are getting points off the Renegades defense as Seattle had 21 points in the first half last Friday. It’s the Renegades offense that’s been dormant most of the year as the team desperately is clinging to hopes that Luis Perez saves the day for this Arlington team. They hope to grab that number two playoff spot as it’s anyone’s to land. even the Guardians now have a chance. Stoops has seen just a Plitt stain behind center as the Renegades had had no answer. Drew Plitt is horrible. Kyle Sloter was just hype as he was cut. Can Perez be the fish that saved Pittsburgh for the Renegades?

I know the Renegades have won more games than the Vipers and Guardians. The Guardians offense is dealing it right now as the Renegades just look for some kind of savior.

#7. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (2-5) DROPPED 2 SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Brahmas found some points from their special teams but still lost last Sunday in the X-Steeler bowl. Fred Brown has the first XFL kick off return touchdown of the season. The Brahmas offense looked good on the first drive inserting quarterback Kurt Benkert behind center who had his first touch down pass. The Brahmas defense came in allowing the fewest points in the league. The Brahmas defense is the number 1 scoring defense in the league. They also have racked up the most tackles for loss as a unit. Drew Beesley was able to record a few sacks last week versus the Vipers. The Vipers inserted their new guy behind center and were able to generate 26 points off the Brahma defense that did not look as sharp as they have been.

#6. ORLANDO GUARDIANS (1-6) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

I did not think the Guardians were going to get off the snide. What a way to get your first win beating the top team in the league the DC Defenders. How many times have you seen a winless team beating a undefeated team? That has to be worth at least two spots in the power rankings. The Guardians offense has been rocking the last few weeks because they have found their quarterback Quinten Dormady, who lit up the Defenders with his arm and legs as he was involved in all of the scoring last week in the upset.

Dormady had three rushing touchdowns while throwing 3 touchdown passes. Dormady’s day was electric by going 27-34 for 328 yards with three touchdown strikes dropping dimes out there in the aerial game. In 4 games, Dormady has 969 passing yards with 6 touchdown passes & only two interceptions. Orlando is alive and well to snag that number two spot in that division of all Texas teams that all are riding the struggle bus.

#5. VEGAS VIPERS (2-5) MOVED UP 2 SPOTS

Looks like the Vipers found their quarterback.

The Vipers traded the King of the Spring Fling, Luis Perez, to the Renegades. The Vipers also have Brett Hundley, who has NFL experience. Door number three suddenly looks like the better option.

In Jalen McClendon’s first start as a Viper, he threw two touchdown passes with 264 passing yards and leads the team to their second victory of the year beating up on the Brahmas.

Look at the Viper running back, Rod Smith, flying over the Brahmas defender like Superman. It’s too bad the Vipers are not in the other division with all those crappy Texas teams or they would be making a run for a playoff spot. Instead to hurtle the Battlehawks, Sea Dragons, or the Defenders is a tall task.

#4. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (4-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Houston has a big problem as they have now lost three games in a row after jumping out to a 4-0 start. I have them in the same spot because they lost to a very good St. Louis team last week. The Roughnecks were playing without their number one quarterback, Brandon Silvers, who did not play versus St. Louis due to injury. Back up quarterback Cole McDonald did not do very well in his first start.

McDonald completed 15 passes out of 32 attempts at just over 100 yards with 106. McDonald threw a touchdown pass and had 1 of his passes picked off as well. McDonald has been used in extra point situations this year as Silvers has been the starter the entire year. If the Roughnecks don’t get Silvers back, this team could be on the biggest slide in the game of Chutes and ladders because their division is suddenly wide open for both spots.

#3. DC DEFENDERS (6-1) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

When you get beat by a team with no wins, you better believe you will drop in the power rankings. The Defenders were the big dog of the XFL in this go around. Losing to the Guardians is like the Washington Generals beating the Harlem Globe Trotters.

It would have been the bet of the year to go Guardians. Like when Krusty the Clown bet on the Generals to beat the Harlem Globe Trotters, thinking they were due. The Defenders defense could not stop the Guardians quarterback’s big day. Quentin Dormady had three touchdown passes and three rushing. The Defenders offense kept up with the Guardians in this shoot out. The DC comeback came up short with a 63 yard field goal miss at the end.

Another unsung hero for the Defenders, Chris Blair, had a big game with 139 receiving yards. Lucky Jackson added another receiving touchdown. Maybe the Defenders need a scare like this to refocus and get back on track. The Defenders will need to rebound quickly because the Battle Hawks and Sea Dragons are not going away.

#2. SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (5-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Sea Dragons now have the longest winning streak in the XFL as they won 5 straight. After losing their first two games of the season in close contests, the Seattle monster is out of the water.

Ben DiNucci played for the Dallas Cowboys and still lives in the area had a nice game coming back to Texas as he beat the Renegades. DiNucci still leads the league in touchdown passes had 1 as he passed for another 266 yards which he leads the XFL with 1,771 passing yards.

Josh Gordon has been quiet the last few weeks. Gordon caught 3 balls for 43 yards and had the touchdown pass of DiNucci going up in the air, snatching the ball, and coming down with a defender draped on him while still getting the leg down in the end zone. Gordon now has 23 catches for 340 with 4 receiving touchdowns for the season.

#1. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (5-2) MOVING UP ONE SPOT

In football, the kicker of the year should be awarded the Leg Lamp trophy as this one is not the Christmas Story one but could be made with beer. St. Louis kicker Donald Hageman, is living the high life this year in the XFL. Hageman has two game ending winning field goals this season.

Now Hageman has the longest field goals in XFL history as he drilled a 59 yarder. The Battlehawks looked great once again as A.J McCarron had another big game with three touchdown passes as the Battlehawks beat up on the Roughnecks. McCarron’s second game in a row he did not throw an interception. Battlehawks receiver Darrius Shepard had a nice day with 7 catches for 70 yards with one touchdown catch. Can the Battlehawks hold on to the number one spot in the power rankings the rest of the way with 3 weeks remaining?

The Chicago Bears has been a revolving door for quarterbacks. Not just decades trying to find their next franchise quarterback that goes back to the 1940’s, when Sid Luckman was behind center. If you’re a back-up quarterback and want to actually play, the Bears are the team to sign with. Most years if you’re any quarterback, signing with the Bears was a suicide mission. Bad coaching. An offensive line that gave up for more tricks than a whorehouse giving away free ice cream. The Bears believe they finally have their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. Fields has shown flashes of brilliance on the field, but you still have questions on his development as the team’s face of the franchise for the next ten years. Fields is a duel-threat that relies more heavily on the run than the pass because of the horrific O-line he has dealt with. Running quarterbacks have injuries and Fields in two seasons has missed some games. The Bears think they may have upgraded their backup quarterback from at least last year, which is not that hard with the signing of P.J Walker. He came out of the XFL reboot in 2020 and has been the back up for the Panthers the last three seasons.

P.J Walker was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an un-drafted free agent in 2017. Walker never took a snap for the Colts and improved his craft with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020. The XFL reboot only lasted 5 weeks as the league was shut down from the pandemic and the league cancelled the remainder of the season. In those 5 weeks, Walker had the Roughnecks perfect 5-0 as the starter behind center. Walker by far was the best quarterback in the XFL, in which he led the league in passing. The Carolina Panthers signed Walker in 2020 as he made the team and played well as the backup quarterback, as he even started one game and won it. Last year, Walker filled in for Sam Darnold and made 5 starts, & won 2 of them as he completed 59.4% of his passes for 731 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. In three seasons, Walker has made 7 starts in which he has 4-3 record. At 28 years old with 3 seasons behind center in the NFL all with the Panthers Walker has played in 15 games and has 1.461 passing yards with 5 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Last year, the Bears had two veteran quarterbacks in Trevor Siemian and Nathan Peterman. Peterman is a train wreck that I can’t believe is still in the league playing quarterback – a guy that should be washing cars or playing in the XFL or USFL to prove his worth. Last year for the Bears, Peterman started 1 game and completed 56% of his passes for 139 yards with 1 touchdown pass and he only threw one interception in a Chicago loss. Peterman started his career with the Bills & threw 5 interceptions in one game versus the Chargers. Peterman is all-time 1-4 as a starter and has 4 touchdown passes with 13 interceptions. Now Trevor Siemian had a good season filling in at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in 2021 when he threw 11 touchdowns with 3 interceptions but lost all 4 starts. Last year in one start, Siemian did better than Peterman as he completed 57.7% of his passes with 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception. Siemian was a failed draft pick for the Broncos and has a career record behind center in six seasons in the NFL of 13-17 with 42 touchdown passes and 28 interceptions.

P.J Walker gets a two year deal to back up Justin Fields. The pro of this signing is Walker played with D.J Moore in Carolina, who then was the Panthers leading receiver for the last few years. Moore came to Chicago in a trade that involved the Bears’ first round draft pick several weeks ago. Walker and Trevor Siemian have numbers that are similar behind center. The Bears will be going younger with Walker and not electing to re-sign Siemian. Walker has more mobility than Siemian even though the Bears have improved their offensive line this off-season and fans hope they get additional help through the draft. Walker can throw the ball down the field and hit guys in stride instead of living off the short passing game. Walker can make mistakes but is not scared to hit the big play. With Fields’ injury history, which could be just because of the bad offensive line he has played behind since arriving from Ohio State. I like Walker filling in a few games feeling confident that he could win a few of those contests if Fields gets an injury. We have heard from the Bears brass about the great work ethic Justin fields has and how hard he works to improve his own game. It can’t hurt to have a guy like Walker who has come from a galaxy far far away to just be in the NFL. Not everyone can play quarterback in a Spring football league & then start a game in the NFL and win. Walker combined for the Roughnecks and Panthers in 2020 during a pandemic was 6-0 as a starting quarterback in two leagues. Both Fields and Walker could improve each other’s games with the way they prepare and how they elevate their own game. I like the quarterback room. I would still like to see the Bears draft another quarterback later in this April’s draft. A rookie quarterback could really Walk the Field with the knowledge they can soak in with these two.

Will any of the XFL fan bases ever be be compared to the Charlestown Chiefs boosters following their team on the road? Maybe in the playoffs Battlehawk fans will travel in bus loads to another team’s stadium. Speaking of the Battlehawks they are on the rise in this week’s version of the XFL power Rankings. Can the Beer Snake of DC travel with the team on the road? The Bookends of the power rankings remain the same DC on top of the mountain and you know who is at the bottom of the barrel. I will not take the rest of the surprises away from you as we roll out week 7 of the XFL still going from worst to first.

#8. ORLANDO GUARDIANS (0-6) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Guardians record stays perfect through the first 6 weeks of the XFL season. Actually in the loss, the Guardians played better than the Vipers (another bad team in the league if that is any bright spot.) The Guardians have a former Bear calling the offensive plays for them. Shane Matthews was one of the better Bears options at the quarterback position over several decades since the 1940’s, which may not be saying much.

Matthews looked like he took over the offense now calling the plays as he came in as a quarterbacks coach for the Guardians. Matthews may have found a running back as Devin Darrington had a 43 yard rushing touchdown for the Guardians.

The Darrington touchdown made things close with Seattle in the third quarter. It was an Orlando home game in front of the few people that showed the Guardians call the home faithful. It’s hard to root for a bad team as the Guardians once again with multiple stupid penalties with one that wiped off a touchdown off the board.

#7. VEGAS VIPERS (1-5) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

How would the Vipers respond after getting their first victory? Not good as they laid a clunker at home only scoring 6 points off the Battlehawks defense. The Vipers offense was shut out the first three quarters of the game. Luis Perez was not King of the Spring Fling behind center. The Vipers finally got on the score board with Brett Hundley, who has been hobbled by an leg injury, replaced Perez and threw a 17 yard touchdown pass to running back John Lovett.

Lovett, Lovitz same result for the desert snakes as they were steam rolled by the Battlehawks.

#6. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Renegades failed to convert the sweep over their arch rival in back to back games versus the San Antonio Brahmas. The Renegades went back with their original starting quarterback Drew Plitt in a game where Arlington muster up 9 points. Plitt was sacked three times and is a turn over machine as he fumbled and threw an interception. Plitt has 4 interceptions in 4 games. The Renegades even tried another quarterback who has thrown 5 passes and completed one of those. The Renegades cut Kyle Sloter who was one of the better quarterbacks in the USFL last spring. Could Sloter find another job back in the USFL which will be starting up in the next two weeks. The Renegades, desperate for someone behind center, made a trade with the Vipers and land the King of the Spring Fling.

Luis Perez is heading to Arlington. Another city & another Spring jersey Perez can add to his football closet.

#5. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (2-4) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

San Antonio’s season remains alive with a win over the Renegades last week. If Renegades would have swept the Brahmas, Hines Ward and this San Antonio team would have slim chances to get to the post-season. The Brahmas play the Vipers this weekend and have a chance to establish a winning streak as they have never won more than one game in a row. Brahmas offense has been in a major slump since that victory against the very bad Guardian team. Brahmas only scored 15 points in the win last week. Which the defense, the bright spot for the Brahmas, forced a fumble as Linebacker Jordan Williams scooped up the ball and ran it in for a score.

Williams is number two in the XFL in tackles made. How can Hines Ward get his dormant offense awakened? Perhaps he has to suit up.

Ward can be the very first player coach of the XFL.

#4. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (4-2) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Roughnecks season has suddenly gone Ivan Drago.

The Roughnecks were 4-0 and in cruise control. Then Seattle landed that punch that caused that oil gasket to erupt like Rocky Balboa getting that first punch to make Drago bleed. It went down hill from there. The Roughnecks in the first ever Monday night game of the XFL versus the Defenders now take another loss in back to back weeks. The Roughnecks put up a good fight against the Defenders but unlike Wade Phillip’s teams were called for 12 penalties. Max Borghi had a pair of rushing touchdowns to give him 4 for the year. Back up quarterback out of Hawaii University, Cole McDonald, had an 85 yard pass strike to wide receiver Deontay Burnett.

The Defenders were too much for the Roughnecks to handle. Not a very easy task as the Roughnecks will square off against a talented St. Louis team.

#3. SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (4-2) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

I know the Sea Dragons have won 4 games in a row. Last week the Guardians, XFL’s worst team, hung with this Seattle team most of the game. The way St. Louis played, they dominated a bad team in the Vipers. It starts with Seattle’s quarterback Ben DiNucci who went 18-35 which is right around 50% completion of his passes. DiNucci for the season so far has completed 64.2 % of his passes. DiNucci is the top quarterback in the XFL but still makes too many mistakes as the interceptions is catching up to his touchdown passes. The Sea Dragons could have just fell victim too, even though they still won playing to the competition. The Guardians probably do make a nice sparring partner when they appear on the schedule. The Sea Dragons special teams may be one of the best units in the league.

Two weeks in a row the Sea Dragons special teams have blocked punts. Last week versus the Guardians the punt set up a much needed score for the Sea Dragons which Alijah Holder got the credit for, getting behind enemy lines.

#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (4-2) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Battlehawks after losing to the Defenders for the second time this season, and at home, took a road trip to Vegas. The Battlehawks have done great as road warriors this season as they made snake meat out of the Vipers.

Do you know what Battlehawks eat? Snakes on the barbie. The Battlehawks defense shut down Luis Perez and the Vipers offense for the first three quarters of the game. The Battlehawks had 4 sacks and six tackles for a loss as the blue, white, and silver swarmed the men in black.

Defensive back Lavert Hill had a big day versus the Vipers with two interceptions. A.J McCarron did his thing with 235 passing yards. Darius Sheperd was part of the McCarron’s thing as the wide receiver had two touchdown catches and hauled in a 2 point conversion pass. Could third time be the charm for the Battlehawks if they met the Defenders in the playoffs?

#1. DC DEFENDERS (6-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Defenders are holding the number one spot like the Pope at the Vatican. The Defenders gave the Roughnecks their second consecutive loss and remain undefeated this season in the XFL. The Defenders are the only undefeated team in the XFL. It seems like the Defenders have a new unsung hero every week. Who is Lucky Jackson? Any dog named Lucky is a three legged dog.

Lucky Jackson had a monster day under the lights on Monday night with 5 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown pass. One of the Defenders dueling quarterbacks had his best game of the season. Jordan Ta’amu was dealing completing 19-31 through the air with two touchdown tosses one to Lucky for a total of 245 passing yards. The Defenders put 37 points on the board against one of the better defensive units in the league that Houston brings to the table. The Defenders run game wore out the Roughnecks as the offense converted 27 first downs the most in one game by any team in the XFL. I don’t know what team can beat the Defenders. This weekend it could be a blood bath as the Defenders playing a Guardian squad that have the perfect record too but going the wrong way.

Since Aaron Rodgers and his former tight end Robert Tonyan will most likely never play together on the same team, it’s nice to get a parting gift on the way out of Green Bay. Rogers is helping Tonyan go home and play for the team he grew up watching as Aaron owns the Chicago Bears and set him up with a one year deal. Tonyan, a local Chicago guy growing up in McHenry, Illinois, is another free agent the Bears are bringing home. Suddenly the Bears roster is piling up with guys that have roots in the Windy City. Signing Tonyan gives the Bears another weapon for their quarterback, Justin Fields. Tonyan, a bigger target, could be very valuable in the red zone. Tonyan also reunites with his former coach in Green Bay: Luke Getsy, the Bears offensive coordinator.

Robert Tonyan is 28 years old and was another undrafted free agent coming out of Indiana State University. After 5 seasons at Indiana State, Tonyan was number two all-time in receiving stats behind only Sam Logan with 150 receptions and 2,047 yards. He also set the record for most touchdowns in one season at Indiana State with ten. In 2017, Tonyan signed with the Detroit Lions & became only the tenth player ever at Indiana State to make it to the NFL. Tonyan would never see the field in Detroit as the furthest he came was the practice squad. In 2018, Tonyan moved on from the Lions to the Packers and actually got on the field. It was not until Tonyan’s third season in 2020, when he became your fantasy pick up after catching 52 balls for 586 yards for 11 touchdowns. In 2018-19, Tonyan only had 14 catches for 177 yards with two touchdowns. In 2021, Tonyan would only play in 8 games for the Packers as he tore his ACL and was out the rest of the season. Tonyan would only catch 18 balls for 204 yards with two touchdowns in those 8 games he did play. Last year, Tonyan rebounded and caught 52 passes for 470 yards with 2 touchdown grabs.

Robert Tonyan reminds me of the former Bear they over paid for a few seasons back, Jimmy Grahamcracker. Tonyan is a 6’5″ target with great hands but can’t shake or break a tackler for extra yards. Tonyan does not do run blocking or pass very good, just like the graham cracker dust. Tonyan is not breaking the bank like Graham and is younger than him. With Tonyan on the field at the same time as Cole Kmet, an emerging talent at the tight end position who had a break out season last year, could make the Bears offense very interesting. Tonyan can catch the ball. If you can get the ball near him he has gobbled up 80% of his passes. Tonyan could be targeted on third down plays and the red zone could be a valuable piece to this Bears offense who suddenly have bullets in the chamber. With Tonyan on board now, the Bears have Kmet, Jack Sanborn, and T.J Edwards: all guys who grew up around Chicago rooting for the Bears when they were younger. I think having Luke Getsy on the coaching staff and calling the offensive plays knowing Tonyan could only benefit both parties. This is a low budget move by the Bears and only a one year deal so if it goes bad, the team can cut ties with the former Packer. I think Tonyan can help Justin Fields’ short passing game with his good hands. Fields has not established that he can beat a team with the short passing game. Tonyan can be used on deeper routes as we’ve seen him do with Aaron Rogers before. I like having depth on the roster as well just in case Kmet does get injured & misses some time. At least you have another guy that can catch the ball at that position.