The Chicago Bears want to move out of downtown Chicago and head for the burbs. Leaving the lakefront and their home since 1971, which is Soldier Field. The Bears want to purchase Arlington Racetrack and build a brand new state-of-the-art stadium on the grounds. Arlington Race track is in its last year of horse racing. The suburb of Arlington is North of the city of Chicago. The town of Arlington has made it clear they want the land to either stay a horse racing venue, a casino, or football stadium. That’s where the Bears come into play. The Bears have made a proposal for the land so you are thinking a slam dunk. The problem is the Bears would have to break their lease at Soldier Field, which has about another ten years on that deal. The Mayor of Chicago could be a problem with the idea of the Bears playing their home games in the burbs and not by the lake front. Is the interest in Arlington from the Bears a ploy to get what they want from the city of Chicago? Can you renovate a stadium once again that already had a makeover in 2002? Sounds to me like the old saying, putting lipstick on a pig. Could a move to Arlington get the state of Illinois the Superbowl?

Originally Soldier Field was called Municipal Grant Park when it first opened in 1924. Then the name changed in 1925 to Soldier Field as a memorial for troops who died in combat. I would say I’m a purist and love the old time history, especially in Soldier field which has lots of football history. From hosting the 29th annual Army Navy game as well as Notre Dame playing a season by the lake. Besides college football, Soldier field was also the host to the Prep bowl. For decades hosting the best public high school football team meeting the best Catholic high school football team. Every year both teams squared off in a big game for all the marbles. Once upon a time ago, Chicago had two NFL teams as the Cardinals played at Soldier Field one season. Cardinals played most of their years at Comiskey Park when they were in Chicago back then. Then all those other football leagues that did not last very long. The WFL in the 1970’s had the Chicago Fire and a name change at some point to the Chicago Winds. The Fire seems like a popular choice in Chicago, besides the WFL they had same nickname in the AFA. The soccer team presently is the Chicago Fire who have recently moved back to Soldier Field as they abandoned a newer stadium in Bridgeview, built for them. During the 1980’s, the Chicago Blitz of the USFL. The first XFL league, we had the Chicago Enforcers. Let’s not forget the Chicago Owls of the CFL. The Bears have the richest history in Soldier Field, especially that awesome 1985 team that won Chicago’s only Superbowl. Then the 2006 team that made it to the big game only to lose to Peyton Manning and the Colts. Love the history of that old building with greats like Walter Payton running for pay dirt. Great defenses. Still no quarterback.

Some reasons why the Bears should leave down town Chicago. One big reason is the invasion of the rats. Not talking about Chicago politicians either. Lots of big rats have taken over the streets of downtown Chicago. Since the Covid shut down, many businesses have functioned with their people at home. So why waste money on office space as downtown has become a ghost town? The rat problem is out of control. Then many of the people that walk the streets are homeless and some of them are just crazy. I hate making fun of the homeless, but it looks like the walking dead. One of them killed a young lady from the state of Maryland who was in town visiting weeks ago as she was stabbed multiple times. Let’s continue to talk about all the crime. Carjackings that turn very violent. With all those riots which led to looting in 2020, no one feels safe down there as businesses had fled to reopen in safer areas like the burbs. If I was the Bears, these are big time reasons where I say, “See you, it’s been nice.” With relocation to Arlington, you’re not going to have to deal with the downtown madness.

The problem with Soldier Field is during the renovation in 2002, is they had to rip out many seats. Soldier Field is a landmark and it should be, with the architecture of those pillars surrounding the stadium making it look Greek or Roman like. The renovation gutted out everything inside the stadium leaving those pillars and the walls of Soldier field. Then they looked like they parked the mother ship from another planet on top of the old war memorial. Soldier Field became the stadium that holds the least amount of fans across the entire NFL. The NFL and the Bears included, are all about the almighty dollar. A new state of the art facility could have many more seats and of course private skyboxes.

I feel if the Bears did leave Soldier Field they would have to build a stadium with a retractable roof. I would be crying in my beer every Sunday if I had to watch them play in a dome like the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings. Leaving Green Bay the only manly team left in the division. With a retractable roof, Chicago can still play in Bear weather.

Then the Bears can closed the roof to lure the Superbowl to Chicago. Plus, then you have have other venues in the stadium such as concerts. We come back to the Mayor of Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot. All that money the city would be losing & then seeing the Bears make out like bandits living it up in the burbs. The Mayor should be concerned with Chicago turning into Detroit; that should be her first concern. Losing the Bears to the burbs should be the least of her concerns. She may be too busy changing the name of Lake Shore Drive.

I do not like change. Da Coach, Mike Ditka, raved that the Bears should stay at Soldier Field. Yes, it would be nice if Arlington race track would remain for horse-racing and the Bears could stay put on the lakefront. The Bears are like the United Nations in the Chicago sports landscape. Wherever they play, fans will come. I weighed the pros and the cons of this idea of the Bears mixing it up in Arlington. This move to Arlington, if it happens, could put the Bears back on the map and bring them into the modern world away from Bedrock. Arlington has so much land you can have a race track with a football stadium, which would be the best scenario. Bears could even add their headquarters and they still have plenty of parking for fans. Being a fan, Arlington would be much easier to get to, than Soldier Field. Much easier to park and tailgate. It beats trying to maneuver downtown, even on a Sunday. Most of the Bears fan base has to be adult men from all the surrounding burbs. These are the majority of season ticket holders. Then all the other NFL teams that have stadiums in the burbs, it seems to work for them. Can you picture in 5 seasons a brand new state of the art stadium for the Monsters of the Midway? Can you picture Justin Fields with 5 seasons under his belt? Could the Bears have their cake and eat it too. Justin Fields leading the Bears to the next Superbowl the year they play in the mother-ship of all stadiums. Minus the actual mother-ship parked on top of the stadium. Soldier Field would still have the soccer team, the Fire. Maybe Mayor Lori Lightfoot can get on board with a new XFL team from the Rock’s revival in 2022. I say let the Bears move to on up to those deluxe apartments in the burbs. Because beans don’t burn on the grill.

SEMI FINALS (ROUND 3 PREDICTIONS)

OUR RECORD 0-2

Islanders versus Golden Knights was a pipe dream. My thoughts were taking one upset in the semi finals and one favorite. Which did happen, with the Canadians and the Lightning now meeting up. My theory was correct, but the teams were just wrong.

2021 OVERALL NHL PLAYOFF RECORD

(7-7)

The pressure will be on to make the right prediction for the Stanley cup so we don’t go under 500.

MONTREAL CANADIANS VERSUS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

CUPS WON

CANADIANS (24) LIGHTNING (2)

LAST TIME EACH TEAM MADE IT TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL:

CANADIANS (1993) LIGHTNING (LAST YEAR)

You can say this year’s Stanley Cup, played by Montreal Canadians versus the Tampa Bay Lightning is a match up of David versus Goliath. The Lightning would be David, who won it last season and are looking to be the first team to win back to back championships since the Pittsburgh Penguins did it in 2016 & 2017. The Canadians are the underdog of the tournament and would be the Goliath, looking to go down as one of the best Cinderella stories in NHL history. Canadians historically have been the New York Yankees in the NHL. However this season, the Canadians are playing the underdog role of a team that got into the tournament on last day of regular season.

GOALIES

I think when it comes to teams that reached the Stanley Cup, it’s because they have great goalies. Both the Canadians and the Lightning have terrific net minders.

Carey Price has been talked about a lot with the success the Canadians have been having in the playoffs. Price has been brilliant. The Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been amazing himself and doing it relatively quietly. Vasilevskiy has 4 shutouts in the playoffs in the net. Carey Price has a .928 save percentage and is allowing only 2.18 goals per game in post season which are very good numbers. I think both goalies will stand tall for their team in this series. Neither one will lose it for their team.

In hockey, it’s all about putting the puck in the net. Someone has to score a goal or more in a game to get their team over the top. Lightning have multiple snipers who can get the puck in the net. The lightning are stacked with weapons of mass destruction. The Canadians are very deep in the forward position. Especially with youngsters, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, for the Canadians. Can their speed counterattack versus the Lightning, let’s say Braoyden Point?

Cole Caufield reminds me of young Patrick Kane. The rookie Caufield has brought plenty of energy to the post-season along with 4 goals of his own. Brayden Point has 14 goals in 19 post-season games. Can the Canadians stop Point? Can the Lightning simmer down the rookie, Caufield?

PREDICTION: LIGHTNING IN 6 GAMES

The Lightning has far too much fire power for the Canadians to handle. I know I have picked against the Canadians every time, and they have made me look stupid each round. Many times Cinderella teams fizzle out in the championships in all sports. I’m banking on that to happen this finals as well. I like that the Lightning can score from many different players. Tampa Bay has 7 guys with at least 4 goals in the post-season. The Lightning are averaging 3.22 goals a game this post-season which is better than their regular season number as a team. The experience from last post-season for the Lightning will also play a factor. Especially goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning as he’s been here done that. The inexperience for the Canadians will also haunt them especially if they find themselves down by two games in the series. They might not find a way to work their way back into the series. Watch the Lightning get the two game advantage in the series very quickly.

Round three headline: David versus Goliath. Will Young blood prevail? The champs are still hanging around like a booger on a nose hair.

RECORD FOR ROUND TWO PREDICTIONS (1-3)

Round 2 blew up in our faces with all our bad picks. Only one that we got correct was Islanders beating the Bruins. I think we just became fans of the game, as we hoped the Hurricanes would sweep away the Lightning. How could these Canadians keep defying the odds as they sent the Jets to the bone yard?

Then the Golden Knights who did not shock us. Just thought it was the Avalanche’s turn. In the first round we had a 6-2 record.

AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF 2021 NHL PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS, WE ARE (7-5)

THE SEMI FINALS ROUND THREE PREDICTIONS:

Which player will be the next Ned Braden seducing Lord Stanley’s cup?

MONTREAL CANADIANS VERSUS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Montreal has won 24 cups as an original six member of the NH.L

Vegas will be seeking their second Stanley Cup appearance in just their 4th season in history.

The Golden Knights are that nasty Russian Olympic team in the early 1980’s having that dominating line up they called the Red Army. The Canadians have played the underdog role the entire playoffs as they were the last team to qualify for the tournament. Can the Canadians be the USA team in the 1980’s and take down the Red Army as one of hockey’s biggest upsets?

NET MINDERS

PRICE VERSUS FLEURY

Both Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury have been awesome this post season.

STATS THIS POST SEASON

Carey Price RECORD (8-3) 1.97 GAA, 935 SAVE %, 1 SHUT OUT

Marc-Andre Fleury RECORD (8-4) 1.91 GAA, .925 SAVE %, 1 SHUT OUT

Love to see either one of these teams to advance to the Stanley Cup championship. I love the Underdog story of the Canadians even though historically they are the big bad wolf of the NHL. Love to see Golden Knights prevail and land their first cup. I think the net minders are the determining factor of this series. I’d like Carey Price to help his team win two games in this best out of seven series. I think this is the year Marc-Andre Fleury shows he has been there and done this. Make Vegas wonder why they wasted their time trading for veteran and talented back up this year, Robin Lehner.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights in six

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VERSUS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

New York Islanders have won 4 cups and are seeking their fifth.

Tampa Bay Lightning looking to repeat as champions, as they have won 2 cups looking for their third.

This is a rematch from last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs where Tampa Bay ousted New York in six games. Tampa Bay I picked last series versus the Hurricanes as the Champs showed me they have not slowed down with a few injuries. New York Islanders have been my best pick so far during these playoffs. To me this is a series of Offense and Defense. Lightning are loaded with an arsenal of weapons that can shoot the puck in the net.

STAT: GOALS LIGHTING SCORED COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE ISLANDERS’ HEALTH

TOP GOAL SCORERS: Nikita Kucherov (5), Alex Killorn (6), Steven Stamkos (5), Brayden Point (9)

When it comes to push and shove, I always like defense to prevail over high powered offenses. This is where Barry Trotz, Islander, defensive comes into play. Islanders can grind it out with almost anybody. In the first round, the Islanders kept the Penguins at bay with their lethal offense. Probably the best unit in the tournament. Plus this will be the second series where both the Lightning and Islanders square off. I usually don’t like picking New York City teams in anything. I feel the Islanders are not exactly the Big Apple’s favorite sports team. Maybe Tom Brady has ruined the city of Tampa Bay for me. Islanders will dispatch last year’s champs and end this Tampa Domination.

PREDICTION: Islanders in Seven

The Chicago Bears quarterbacks, since the 1940’s, are something out of Stonehenge. It’s best to describe the list of failures. Many were opposed to General Manager of the Chicago Bears, Ryan Pace, getting another crack at trying to rectify his mistake at the quarterback position. Ryan Pace, the man that sold the prized cow for some lousy beans to the 49ers in 2017, which resulted in a Mitch Trubisky. I was thinking the Bears would go conservative in the draft this year and get somebody to keep Andy Dalton upright. That did not happen as Ryan Pace moved up nine spots in the draft and landed Ohio State stud quarterback Justin Fields as suddenly the Chicago football team has risen and come back off life support. I was eager to pull the plug on Head Coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace. Suddenly a Chicago football buzz has been created around the Chicago-land area in the midst of some pretty good baseball on both sides of town. Even the baseball teams had shirts of Justin Fields made with their team logo on it and his name on the back. The Bears are the United Nations in this town that can bring a White Sox fan and Cubs fan together with a temporary truce to watch the Monsters of the Midway perform in the fall. Let’s face it, Chicago is starved for someone that can play the quarterback position because it seems like it has never been down in people’s lifetimes. My problem is this sounds like exactly the same plot in 2017 when the Bears signed Mike Glennon as a free agent quarterback and suddenly drafted another quarterback. We know how that ended. This year the Bears signed Andy Dalton as their free agent quarterback & then suddenly drafted a Justin Fields. Will the Bears turn this talented kid into stone?

The first thing I thought about was the failures of all the Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL. Dwayne Haskins and Cardale Jones were the first names to come to mind. Haskins now will be with his second team after failing in Washington. Jones will be remembered more for his XFL days than his NFL cup of coffee. The Bears have gone down the Ohio State road before, in search of a guy to play behind center. Remember Craig Krenzel? Krenzel was a genius off the field as he went to medical school. On the field, Krenzel did not fair too well. Then there’s the replacement for Jim McMahon. Mike Tomczak had a long career in the NFL, but he was just an average player who could get you some wins but more losses. The track record does not look good for Justin Fields. Will history repeat itself? Bad quarterback play by the Bears has repeated itself for decades. The 1940’s when Sid Luckman played as still the guy talked about as the franchise best in Bears history.

Justin Fields is a different animal than all the names of former Ohio State rejects. Fields can throw the long ball. Fields can use his legs to escape the pocket at any sign of trouble. Fields seems to have the pocket presence to only run when he has to with great speed. The duel threat quarterback these days are the hybrid in the NFL. Guys like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes. Fields started his collegiate career in Georgia and then transferred to Ohio State. Fields played two full seasons for a big school in a big conference, the Big Ten. One trend different from Fields than Trubisky is seasoning in College. Trubisky played in one season at North Carolina while Fields has played two full seasons with playoffs. In two full seasons, Fields has thrown 63 touchdown passes & only 9 interceptions. That earned Fields two Big Ten Offense Player of the Year awards as he had 20-2 record behind center for the Buckeyes. Fields led the Buckeyes also to two Big Ten championships. Let’s not forget it was Justin Fields who threw six touchdown passes for 385 yards versus Clemson in the semi-finals. It was a win over (guess who) Trevor Lawrence, the number one pick in the 2021 draft. Seems like the Bears should have used this kind of thought process in 2017 when they drafted Trubisky. Instead, they would have taken Deshaun Watson who had these types of number like Justin Fields. Only problem is Watson has some issues with the massage therapists these days as he looking for the extra special treatments these gals don’t do, and who are not hookers.

Everyone will throw their two cents into the conversation on how to insert Justin Fields into the QB One slot. In 2017, Mitch Trubisky was thrown into the wolves when Mike Glennon was unproductive and very bad behind center. Patrick Mahomes played one game the entire season his first year as he learned from veteran Alex Smith and played the meaningless last game of the season that year for the Chiefs. If Justin Fields plays well in Pre-season and outshines the competition, do you do what Seattle did? The Seahawks inserted Russell Wilson in the starting role day one and have not looked back since. I like that fact that Fields has a Andy Dalton and a Nick Foles which makes this an intriguing quarterback room that can help the rookie. This all looks great but this is the Chicago Bears we are talking about. The looks of a house of cards they have, in which one puff of wind will blow their season away or turn anybody they draft into stone. Bears did address their line after the Justin Fields pick. The Bears did not sign any free agent veteran offensive linemen. Will these rookies be able to anchor the line in day one of the 2021 season? Then having Matt Nagy back, who to me, still has not proven he is this offensive guru. How many times does Nagy’s play calling mean abandoning the run. Now I would think this pick of Justin Fields is Matt Nagy’s guy, and that he had enough influence on Ryan Pace to land him. Can Nagy develop Justin Fields and make him a top tier quarterback in the NFL for years to come? It was Matt Nagy whose play-calling did not always match up with Mitch Trubisky’s strengths. Trubisky played better when the game plan was tailored to his strengths. Some experts think Justin Fields may be the best quarterback out of this year’s draft. Trevor Lawrence, in Jacksonville, was the cream of the crop, most people think. Then BYU’s Zach Wilson was the second quarterback chosen by the New York Jets. BYU has done better with quarterbacks in the NFL than Ohio State as Steve Young is Exhibit A. History can change. The Cubs finally beat the curse of the billy goat. Justin Fields has two challenges ahead of him. Giving the Bears a star quarterback and curing the Ohio State reputation of bad quarterbacking after they move on from the Buckeyes. The porch light is on for the Bears, the question is just will anybody be home when the season gets started. If no one is home, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace will be chased down by a mob of people with torches and pitchforks and not be heard again in the NFL.

We are throwing on the Captain’s sweater for our round two predictions.

ROUND ONE RESULTS (6-2 RECORD)

“Those damn Canadian teams screwed us in round one, Eh.”

The Montreal Canadians won with the big upset over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Had Edmonton Oilers winning but glad to see the Winnipeg Jets prevail.

ROUND TWO PREDICTIONS

Round two we are supporting the old school logos. For the Vegas Golden Knights, we are going with the old IHL Vegas Thunder team. Some team’s logos never changed so we went with their regular style. It seems like if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

BOSTON BRUINS VERSUS NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The battle of New York versus Boston results in an instant ESPN chubby. This series should be the scrappiest of them all. The Bruins are the hottest team in the NHL. Bruins beat up an already bruised up Capital team in the first round. The sexy pick was Penguins all day long over the Islanders in round one. Islanders, a team that grinds you out on every shot, can wear a teams out. The Islanders under head coach Barry Trotz, have proven his teams can go deep in post-season as they stopped a great Pittsburgh offense in round one. Maybe the best scoring team in the playoffs. Bruins have a great top line, one of the best defense-men in the game and one of best goalies that make up their recipe for winning this season. Like Han Solo would say…

I substituted Han Solo in for Barry Trotz as for the Islanders, once again, the odds are stacked not in their favor. Hot goal tenders can steal a series in the playoffs. Islanders’ IIya Sorokin will repeat his performance he had in round 1 and bring his net presence of excellence to get his team past the Bruins.

PREDICTION: ISLANDERS IN SEVEN

CAROLINA HURRICANES VERSUS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The champs won the battle of Florida as the Panthers gave the Lightning a battle. The Predators gave the Hurricanes a battle in round one as well. The Hurricanes learned to score very quickly in the over-time period, which was the recipe of dispatching those beasts from Nashville. These are two teams that are similar looking mirror-wise. The Lightning have the post-season experience after winning the entire thing last year. The Hurricanes are a team on the rise and a very talented squad. Lightning will have their work cut out for them in this series because they face a tough net-minder in Alex Nedelijkovic, for the Hurricanes. Lightning have some injuries and some guys returning from injuries which could weaken their chances to repeat. Mirror, Mirror on the wall…

I feel dark clouds and strong winds in the forecast for Florida as they will be hit hard by another Hurricane, this one Carolina.

PREDICTION: HURRICANES IN SIX

COLORADO AVALANCHE VERSUS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Avalanche has the rest from dispatching the Blues very quickly in round one. The Golden Knights were taken all the way to the brink on the rink by the Wild to game seven. The Golden Knights have a solid 1-2 punch in the net. Avalanche has that stellar defense that could give all the Golden Knight lines fits through this round two battle. Look for the Nathan MacKinnon line of the Avalanche to continue to put up goals like they did in the St. Louis series. I like some key goals in this series off Avalanche’s Brandon Sadd can’t not forget his playoff experience from the Blackhawk days.

I think the Avalanche has the better team because they are loaded in scoring and defense. The Golden Knights goalies will not be able to control the snow pile in front of the net in a best out of seven series. It’s the Avalanche’s time.

PREDICTION: AVALANCHE IN SIX

WINNIPEG JETS VERSUS MONTREAL CANADIANS

Both these Canadian teams surprised me in round one. Montreal especially are like the Cinderella team taking the Leafs all the way to game seven to advance to the second round of Lord Stanley’s playoffs. The Jets went in cruise control over the Oilers. The Oilers had the Jets’ number in regular season. The post-season, the Oilers have been quickly dispatched in the last two seasons. Last year, the Oilers lost to the Black Hawks who only made the playoffs because of the pandemic. If the Canadians can beat the Jets in round two, and the Avalanche beat the Golden Knights. Then the championship could be called the Patrick Roy series, since the former goalie played and did well for both franchises. Anything could happen in an all Canada team series. I like what Neal Pionk did in the series versus the Oilers for the Jets.

Neal Pionk contained superstar Connor McDavid in that first round action. I think Pionk could be used to shut down who ever is the hottest puck handler for the Canadians this upcoming series. Jets are well-rested. Canadians I think will have used up all their energy taking the Leafs down & going the distance as well. I think it was more a Toronto meltdown than Montreal being the better team in that round one series. Looking at Toronto’s history in round one is Exhibit A. It should be easy pickings for the Jets in round two.

PREDICTION: JETS IN FIVE

EAST

#1. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VERSUS #4. NEW YORK ISLANDERS

This series offers one of the best offenses in the game from the Penguins versus one of the best defenses on the ice. The Islanders I will throw out there. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has a grinding style of play that could wear out the Penguins superstars. Penguins I always pick, but every year they are a disappointment with their early exits. Islanders meanwhile you think they will be quickly eliminated but always find a way to get deep in the playoffs. Fool me once, fool me a dozen times… I’m Going New York in this one. Besides good defenses prevail mostly over good offenses in sports.

PREDICTION: ISLANDERS IN SIX

#2.WASHINGTON CAPITALS VERSUS #3.BOSTON BRUINS

The Capitals biggest question is the goalie. Capitals are banged up as well. The Bruins finished the season off strong. Bruins have played well since acquiring Taylor Hall from Buffalo. Boston now has more than one line on this team that can do Van-damage, unlike last year’s team.

PREDICTION: BRUINS IN FIVE

#1.CAROLINA HURRICANES VERSUS #4.NASHVILLE PREDATORS

I like the Hurricanes winning the entire thing this post-season. The Hurricanes have the best power play and penalty kill of any team in the post season.

The Predators will not survive the hurricane that Carolina has to offer. Predators lack scoring. Look for the Nashville team to be extinct after this series. Straight to the tar pits for them.

PREDICTION: HURRICANES SWEEP

#2.FLORIDA PANTHERS VERSUS #3. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The battle of Florida seriously in hockey. I think of Florida rivalries and I think of College football in the sunshine state. This might be the best series in the first round of the playoffs. I would like to see a Joel Quenneville team go deep into the playoffs.

The former Blackhawk coach has the Panthers playing some inspired hockey this season. The champs are too much to handle for this Panther team. The Lightning experience is the X-factor in this one. It will go the distance in this Rocky Balboa Vs. Apollo Creed fight.

PREDICTION: LIGHTNING IN SEVEN

WEST

#1.TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VERSUS #4. MONTREAL CANADIANS

The Canadians picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue.

Canadians are backing into the playoffs playing terrible hockey. Look for the Maple Leafs finally getting to the next round for the first time since 2004.

PREDICTION MAPLE LEAFS IN FIVE

#2.EDMONTON OILERS VERSUS #3.WINNIPEG JETS

The Jets can’t stop Oilers Superstar Connor McDavid and it is the key to the series and the Edmonton dismantling the Jets. McDavid averaged 2.4 points per game off the Jets this season. The Oilers match up well versus the Jets unlike last year when the Blackhawks upset Edmonton in a short series.

PREDICTION: OILERS IN FIVE

#1.COLORADO AVALANCHE VERSUS #4. ST.LOUIS BLUES

Avalanche have 22 home wins compared to the Blues’ 12 home wins. Avalanche should easily put St. Louis down in this series. The Avalanche has too many weapons and too much fire power. The fat lady has already sung and it was not the Blues.

PREDICTION: AVALANCHE SWEEP

#2.VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VERSUS #3.MINNESOTA WILD

I think the Wild will make this an interesting series while the Golden Knights figure out who will be their goalie. The one that will be the brick wall of stopping the most shots by Minnesota. The Golden Knights have the best goalie tandem in Robin Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury. Golden Knights are built to go deep in the playoffs. Wild have shown they played better this season than last year. Golden Knights at the end will prevail.

PREDICTION: GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN SIX

Last season, the Buffalo Bills showed you they are a complete team. Definitely a team on the rise as they made it all the way to the AFC championship. It was a championship they could not get to with Patrick Mahomes, as the Chiefs picked the Bills defense apart that night. They were getting huge plays gashing the Bills defense as they sent the Bills home from the post-season. If the Bills did win versus the Chiefs that night and went to the Superbowl, would Buffalo be able to prevail over their arch-nemesis Tom Brady and his Buccaneers in a home game at their own park? The sting of those 4 Superbowl losses in a row still haunt the Bills faithful as a Brady-led team beating you on the biggest stage would be horrific. Circling the wagons and never coming back. Sure if the Bills beat the Chiefs and then sliced the head off Tom Brady in the Superbowl, folk songs would be sung in Western New York for decades. It would be the Marvel comic hero, the Punisher’s, story of the ultimate revenge. How do the Bills get their team that much better to get over the bumps in the road like the Chiefs. Plus, get stronger on both sides of the ball when it comes time for the beheading of Tom Brady. The Bills would get the job done right and bring number 12 to the town square and throw dildos at him. Then his lifeless body would be launched on the table slamming event at the grand tailgate extravaganza. General Manager Brandon Beane did not do anything circus-like in the draft that would splash in the headlines. The Bills GM enforced the lines of defense on both sides of the ball addressing the offensive and defensive lines.

Last season, the Buffalo Bills defense was not that same unit from 2019 where they swarmed after the guy with the ball. Out of the gates, the Bills defense stumbled while the offense picked up the slack of their play. The Bills were missing pieces, free agents they had to let go. The GM, Brandon Beane, wanted to build up the team’s offense, which he did. The Bills were one of the top-scoring teams in the league as Josh Allen behind center took a major step with his game. Bills lost a huge cog in the middle of the defensive line with Star Lotulelei opting out for Covid-19 reasons. Trent Murphy, who played well in 2019, had a down year like some guys they brought in as replacements. The Bills Defensive Coordinator, Leslie Frazier, and Head Coach, Sean McDermott, were able to steer the ship in the right direction. Their defense got healthy and played better from the midway point of the season and all the way through the playoffs except the game versus the Chiefs. The Bills’ first two picks they went for living on the edge rushers to have something wrong in the world today for the Patrick Mahomes types of the league.

I think of the show, Bounty Hunters, and for the Bills their first two picks are quarterback hunters. The 30th overall pick in the first round, the Bills take edge-rusher Gregory Rousseau out of Miami University in Florida. Rousseau opted out and decided not to play in 2020 due to the Coronavirus. In 2019, Rousseau chased down the opposing quarterback like a bounty hunter as he had 15.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 19.5 tackles for losses. A great year… but is Rousseau a one year wonder? In 2018, he played in only two games as he suffered a serious ankle injury. You would think the ankle after two years, one year of playing and the other sitting out, that should not be a issue. In the second round, the Bills selected another edge rusher Carlos Basham Jr. out of Wake Forest University. He’s nicknamed Boogie.

Carlo’s Basham Jr. can demolish quarterbacks. I like this pick because he has played all 4 seasons at Wake Forest to improve his craft. Basham Jr. could have went into the NFL draft after his Junior season, but stayed. Basham Jr. was very impressive in the Senior Bowl that raised his stock. Basham Jr. has the size, the quickness, and athletic ability to cut the mustard in the NFL. Basham Jr. is guy who fought his way onto the field and when he finally made it, he got better and better. His big year was his junior year in 2019, as he racked up ten quarterback kills. Basham Jr. tallied up 19.5 sacks in his Wake Forest career with 35.5 tackles for loss. Will any of these guys be the next Bruce Smith? They have raw talent both of them. Plus being around guys like Ed Oliver, Jerry Hughes, and AJ Espenesa should help make these guys better.

Last season, I loved how the Buffalo Bills protected their guy Josh Allen. During the regular season game late in the year playing the 49ers in Arizona, how San Francisco could not touch Allen or even get near him. Resulted in Allen just picking apart the San Francisco defense. This year I’d love to see the offensive line get more push on the opposing defenses to open up bigger holes for the running game. One thing I believe is moving into the future you don’t want Josh Allen as your top rusher in some of these games. Sure I love how Allen can use his legs and is tough as nails plowing through people at times. In round three, “Spencer for Hire,” is an offensive tackle out of Northern Iowa, Spencer Brown. Brown is a massive specimen at 6’8″ 311 pounds. He’s a big boy and plays right tackle. Brown is a guy that had to work hard to get up to the level he did as he never had any big offers to play college football. Brown has an explosiveness off the ball and plays with anger-tude. In round 5, the Bills land another O-line man in Tommy Doyle. This time out of the other Miami, Miami pf Ohio. Doyle grew up on the Ice in Minnesota. Can ice skates help you play better football? Doyle can keep his footwork to keep the defender square up and away from the quarterback. Doyle may need some seasoning but could be a nice addition down the road with some good coaching. Then round seven got Jack Anderson out of Texas Tech. Another 300 pounder who could be a project, but a guy that shows up to work no matter what. Played through injuries and became a permanent fixture in the red Texas Tech uniform. Another guy with the right seasoning and coaching, who may be a nice piece down the road. I like the idea behind what Buffalo is doing, growing some of these young guys. The organization is getting them developed for the future to jump in when the veteran guys holding the line now are ready to hang up the spikes. Or just flat out can not do it any more as football is a grind on the body.

Buffalo added some more defense in later rounds. In the 6th round, they grabbed a safety out of the University of Pittsburgh, in Damar Hamlin. Then the guy with the best last name in the draft, a corner-back out of the University of Wisconsin, Rachard Wildgoose,.

Hope this guy sticks on the Bills roster just because of the cool last name. Bills have a great secondary now so if these guys soak in all the knowledge from veterans like Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer, maybe one or both of these guys could be a gem in the late rounds. Bills added a receiver out of Houston University in Marquez Stevenson, a speedster. Could be a nice specialist of the special teams or put him on the go route and watch Josh Allen hit him in stride with the bomb. Overall, the Bills did a nice job strengthening the trenches on both sides of the balls. Kill the quarterback “cough cough” Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Protect Josh Allen. Maybe the extras pan out as well. I have a feeling some of these guys can help you next season. This roster today I feel even better about than I felt before the draft. I think the Bills mafia will be just as excited when they are watching the contributions on the field live, especially with stadiums being able to have more fans in attendance next season.

When I heard the news that Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay, it was pure delightful news. As a Bears fan, I’m used to getting steamrolled by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers every season, twice a year. Sure the Bears had some fluke wins over the Packers when Rodgers is behind center. Five fluke wins over Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers still has the upper hand beating the Bears 21 times, 22 if you count the NFC Championship. Before Aaron Rogers, dealing with all those years when the Packers dominated the Bears when Brett Favre ran the show. The same quarterback that was playing at a top level tier when the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers and eventually forced Favre out of Green Bay. Last season, the Packers used their number one pick on a quarterback and drafted Jordan Love out of Utah State. Aaron Rodgers’ response was to have a MVP regular season only to be knocked out of the playoffs by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Then the news came out on draft night that Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay for good. Rodgers even has a list of teams he would love to play for. Rodgers wants the Packers to fire their General Manager Brian Gutekunst and then perhaps he would return. If Rodgers’ demands are not met, he’d rather retire than suit up as a cheese-head this coming season.

I love how suddenly the NFL quarterbacks in the league are trying to be like Lebron James and all these NBA players, who pick their new surroundings when things go bad. Russell Wilson had a list that had the Bears on it. Not sure what Wilson was thinking picking a place where quarterbacks go to die. Then before Wilson, Deshaun Watson wanted out of Houston. Several lawsuits and women coming out of the woodwork saying Watson was a dirty dog. It means he still is leashed to the fire hydrant in Houston. Once upon a time ago, a quarterback named Carson Palmer wanted out of Cincinnati. Palmer would eventually get his way but had to sit out for a entire season. Can Rodgers sit out for an entire season and come back at 38 years old? Rodgers has the same agent that Carson Palmer used. The Bengals eventually decided to trade Palmer to the Raiders. Would Green Bay change their mind if Rodgers did not play in the 2021 season? Everyone saw Tom Brady leave New England and lead the Buccaneers to a Superbowl win in his first season. Do the 49ers, Raiders, or the Broncos have a chance if Aaron Rodgers is behind center? Those are the teams the cry baby has on his list. Patrick Mahomes is still a young man in the AFC West. Mahomes has not reached his potential yet. The 49ers, who were riddled with injuries last season, if healthy could be that team of 2019 that made it to the Superbowl and lost to the Chiefs. The Rams, Seahawks, and the Cardinals make that a very tough division in which nothing would be handed to the 49ers if they were even led by Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers made it all the way to the NFC Championship versus the 49ers in the 2019th season when San Francisco would move on to the Superbowl to face Kansas City. Many thought the following year the Packers would seek some weapons in the draft or free agency for Aaron Rodgers to use. Rodgers has always made receivers around him better. Some guys no one has ever heard of become household names because Rodgers puts it right in their hands in tight windows where they are the only one who can catch it. Green Bay chose a quarterback as this move by the GM was the writing on the wall. Rodgers would run amuck through the competition and become MVP of the league in the Stephen King horror story of 2020. If Aaron Rodgers gets his way and is traded, no MVP ever in the NFL has been traded after winning that award a year before. Some players have retired and walked off into the sunset after winning a MVP. Rodgers could walk away too and seek fortunes by hosting the game show Jeopardy and hocking insurance for State farm as he’s been doing. Rodgers has a Superbowl in his credits. Cry me a Rodgers wants to do what Tom Brady did. Except Brady was a free man while Rodgers is in the middle of a big contract with the Packers.

This is an old west shoot out at the Coo-Coo-Corall at high noon between Aaron Rogers and the Packers brass. Who will flinch first? Packers brass have gone to meet with Rodgers this off-season more than once to try to repair this riff between player and management. Even Head Coach Matt LaFleur went west to calm the storm between the quarterback and everyone’s favorite people in the world, management. The Packers still knew the situation was in hot water but in the first round went with a corner-back in the 2021 draft instead of maybe starting to mending fences getting Rodgers some weapons of mass destruction at his disposal. Rodgers’ thought process must of been that’s a giant F-You from the GM of the Packers. This soap opera is bad for the game of football as we do not like to go down the NBA road. It is weird that management never gets Rodgers the big name receiver in free agency. Why do they not draft a top rated receiver in the draft. Having Devante Adams on one side and a stud on the other side is just common sense. Aaron Rodgers is a weird dude in this as well. You were once Jordan Love, moron. Rodgers is a guy that disowned his family. Rodgers broke up with race car driver Danica Patrick. Nobody would kick her out of bed for eating crackers. After that break up Rodgers is suddenly engaged to actress Shailene Woodley.

I have to give Danica Patrick the edge over Shailene Woodley for two reasons. First, she’s better looking and second, Danica is a Chicago Bears fan. If Aaron Rodgers leaves the game of football this way and does not get what he wants, he will walk out the door as the biggest wuss in sports history. Why don’t you show Jordan Love and the Packers you are better than him by keeping him on the bench? Besides… whatever happened to training your own replacement at the job? I hope the Packers stand their ground. Hope they are not right about Jordan Love because that’s all we need. Another decade of quarterback domination adding another name on Mars Cheese Castle like the Presidents sculptured on Mt. Rushmore. It’s Wisconsin and some strange things occur in the dairy state. I’d be happy to see the turd Rogers out of the NFC North but gone baby gone. Where do I sign? I will say Bon voyage to Aaron Rodgers with a hit that tells the way I feel about this cry baby.

The only good play that Shea McClellin made in a Bears uniform as he drove Aaron Rodgers into the ground. Now Brett Farve could feel that old time love he used to have to himself from the Green Bay faithful before the Packers gave him a little brother named Aaron.

In the movie Slap Shot, Dave “the Killer” Carlson was a scrappy player for the Charlestown Chiefs. The Blackhawks had their own “Killer” version for years in Andrew Shaw. An underdog that was told he was too short to play with the big dogs on the ice. However, this underdog shone and played out of his mind, and his 5′ 11″ frame, at 182 lbs. Shaw challenged the tough guys on the ice, just like Killer Carlson for the Chiefs in the Federal league. Shaw was like David versus Goliath on Ice, if the icecapades had that type of theatre. Shaw was a grinder and brought lots of energy to the rink each night. Shaw was the guy that could be a pest. He would get in the opponent’s head as he did all the little things on the ice, the grunt work, especially around the net. Like Dennis Rodman with the Bulls or AJ Pierzynski with the White Sox. That’s who I compare Andrew Shaw to in other sports. Shaw plays each game in overdrive where there is no switch to slow him down except multiple concussions adding up. His mind still had enough sense to finally hang up the skates for good. Ten years in the league, and Andrew Shaw says his good byes to the sport he grew up on in his home country of Canada. Probably his first Christmas gift from Santa Clause was a hockey stick while his baby teeth blossomed some day to be knocked out by some other Canadian tyke.

Andrew Shaw was drafted in the 5th round of the 2011 NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, which was the 139th overall pick that year. Shaw played for Blackhawks 7 seasons out of the 10 he played. Shaw was traded to the Montreal Canadiens where he played three seasons. The Blackhawks ended up getting Shaw back with another trade that brought good ole 65 back to the Blackhawks. Shaw in ten years has tallied up 116 career goals in regular season with 131 assists for 247 points. Seven seasons in Chicago the numbers Shaw put up was 75 goals, 76 assists that totals 151 points. In the three seasons in Montreal Shaw was productive with 41 goals 55 assists for 96 points. Shaw is also credited with over thousand hits in his ten seasons on the ice working the trenches of the net. In post-season, Shaw tallied 16 goals with 19 assists for 35 points. Shaw was a part of two Stanley Cup winners with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. Plus all the small things Shaw did that don’t show up on the stat sheet each night. Pretty good stats for an underdog.

After 500 games in regular season and add post-season games as well, concussions added up and eventually would be what wiped out Andrew Shaw’s hockey career. A career that ends at 29 years old. The writing was on the wall when two seasons ago he missed the final 12 games of regular season for the Canadiens due to the concussion. Last season Shaw missed 44 games for the Blackhawks. Same thing… concussions. After 14 games this season with 2 goals & 2 assists which totals to 4 points on February 11th, Shaw was in concussion protocol. Eventually placed on long term reserve which basically ends your season. Playing the game bigger than what you actually are, can create havoc on the body. The hits you dish out most likely you get back in some way down at the other end of the ice. Being like a vulture and pecking your way around the crease of the goal night after night to find the loose puck. This means the opponents are not giving you a high five in the scrum around the net. Unfortunately, they call it dirty work for that reason, trying to slap the puck in the net in the middle of mosh pit type of work place.

The goal Andrew Shaw head butted in the net versus the Ducks in the 2015 Western Conference finals, in game two, was my favorite memory of 65. The goal was disallowed though, but watching it over and over was priceless.

Way to bring soccer to the ice. Shaw played hard all the time and rose to the occasion in the Stanley Cup finals in 2015. He had a three game streak with a point in each contest, which was a goal and two assists. The first player Shaw told he was hanging up the skates for good, was Brent Seabrook who retired weeks ago from a long list of nagging injuries he suffered over the years. Let’s not forget goalie Corey Crawford walking away from the New Jersey Devils contract he signed in the off-season. Crawford never played one game with the Devils. Crawford dealt with multiple concussions over the last few years and seemed to spend more time off the ice than on.. With Crawford, Seabrook, and now Shaw, those are three cogs that made the Blackhawk dynasty wheels roll over the opponent for years. Shaw was a guy well liked by all his teammates and the entire Blackhawk organization. Because he was a Killer Carlson who took his game to another level and play out of his body size. Shaw, like Killer, had the heart of the lion and treated everyone close to him like family which in sports is a recipe for success. Sometimes the success does not last that long. Ten years is impressive. Andrew Shaw is one of my favorite Blackhawks from that 3 cup dynasty. Shaw reminds me of the Rocky movies. A guy that finally got his chance to play the game he loved and did all he could to be the best he could be. Seized the opportunity. Sounds like an Army recruiting slogan. Andrew Shaw might be the best to wear the #65 in Chicago Sports history. A guy that does not need to buy his own drink in Chicago ever for what he did for the city and the Indian head on the sweater. Shaw will be missed, but hopefully the Blackhawks can bring him back with another job as part of the organization.

The Washington Football Team is looking for a new name. Formerly called the Redskins for decades, Washington ownership lost their battle and caved in by getting rid of the old name people said was offensive to the Native Americans. Calling the Washington team racist for having Redskins as their nickname. The term Redskin has multiple meanings. In 1769, Redskins meant warriors as a way of describing some of the great Native Americans. It seems the world always has some kind of colored system, look at the Terrorist alert levels. White and black people. Then yellow for Asians. The color red was the skin color description. What about albino or Lillith from Cheers, white. Black people have their tones lighter or darker. I think originally the Redskin name was used for warriors and many Native Americans probably had no qualms about the Washington Football team. They may have even rooted for them. As we all know, history changes. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The name Redskin probably did go down dark roads of pure hate. In 2020, with the invasion of the Corona Virus. Does Corona beer have any say to use their name on a virus? Besides the virus, we had social injustice and America was stewing into a melting pot of hate. Washington Redskins were gone as the change happened, and now they are looking for a new name. Hopefully a new name that will not insult people 100 years from now. The ownership sent out a list to their season ticket holders like a survey in picking a new name for the Washington Football team. We will throw our 2 cents into the ring of this so-called list, we will chime in.

DID IT DONE IT

The Commanders, Defenders, Renegades, and Guardians were on the list. All of these are super cool names. My problem is three of these names have been used in the last few years by other football leagues. The Commanders of the AAF. The Guardians and Defenders of the XFL. The Renegades were from the USFL in the 1980’s. With the hatchet and feathers, you’re kind of going down that Indian avenue. If I was Washington, I’d think we need to go another direction. Unless Renegades mean something different like names can be thought of to mean more than one thing. Isn’t that why we are writing this? Because of the Redskins getting the scalp?

PLAY IT AGAIN IN OTHER SPORTS

The Griffins, Warriors, Royals, and Pilots have been used or are still in progress with other sports.

The Griffins are a hockey team in the AHL. Royals currently in the MLB. The Pilots are Vanilla Ice, a one-year-wonder in Seattle.

Seth Curry looking taller in the picture. You racist jackals, Curry could be a few of those guys. Maybe let’s add Jackals to the mixing pot. I think names from other sports is lame as well. I know it will be hard to find a name never used, but we will move on.

DEMON CATS

How Many cat names do we need in the NFL? Lions, Jaguars, Bengals and Panthers, OH MY! Only Demon Cats should be considered.

Teams would be scared of the Demon Cats if you throw Hilary Clinton as the logo on the side of the helmet. This name could be in the maybe pile.

Washington DC Football Club (DCFC), Washington Capital City Football Club (CCFC), Football team, First City Football Club (FCFC) and 32FC (W32)

If it’s not the Yacht club, I don’t want my team being a club.

These names are snoozers.

Ace Ventura is the Dolphins second name. Washington should pass on the Aces.

THE PRESIDENTS

Remember Nick Brophy who played for the Presidents in the movie Slap Shot?

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Washington would probably piss all over themselves if they chose Presidents. The owner Snyder would put the orange hair on Donald Trump’s face on the helmet. Not a good idea.

BELTER

What the hell is a belter? Adrian Peterson spanking his kids with a switch? Belters could be those people that live under the Capital building.

Is that the voice of Bob from Bob’s burgers in the show Archer on FX? Archer would have the golden Arches sponsored all over their uniform.

Ronald McDonald’s actions seem like they might get the team in trouble.

OLD MAN IN THE SEA

The Anchors and the Beacons make me think of Seattle, Washington instead of Washington DC.

PIC ANCHOR STEAM BREWING

Great beer from Anchor Steam Brewing, which is located on the West Coast in San Francisco.

SWIFTS

Not to Swift of a move by the GM of the Washington Swifts, the headline could read. The fighter Swifters sweep their way through the Cowboys. DEFINITE NO.

OTHERS IN MY NO PILE

Bridgade, Icons, Majors, Ambassadors, Armada and Rubies

Wayfayer is a traveler. Or is it the sunglasses company that made some nice shades for the Blues Brothers?

PIGS

Razorbacks: I think of the University of Arkansas.

I do like the direction of the hog. The Washington fans call themselves the hogs because of some of those great beasty offensive lines the team had during the Joe Gibbs years.

Wild Hogs or Red Hogs I put in my like pile.

RED DAWN

Redtails and Red wolves are interesting names.

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Redtails has an interesting history about the all black fighter squadron. The logo with the plane I would take over the pilot. The Pilot has darker skin which with the Redskins, we do not want to go down the same road again. Especially since with one wrong word, YOU’RE FIRED!!!

Redwolves you can make a nice helmet logo. Redtails and Redwolves I like as well.

RIDERS

Riders on the storm is a great Doors song I recall when I think of Riders. Riders can mean horseback or motorcycles.

Does Washington go down the same path and be mistaken by the motorcycle company, Indian? I like Rider because you can do some things.

The great comic of Ghost Rider. Nicolas Cage’s acting ruined the movie versions.

RISING

Washington Rising could be interesting. The sun rises like the Tampa Bay Rays. That’s boring.

Zartan, Destro, Cobra Commander sign me up.

We have dissected the Washington covert list like cutting up an earthworm in grammar school for science class. That is humane and might have to be taken out of the classes from those ticking tocks of the youth gone wild. We have some good choices. Probably we could brainstorm many more and come up with something better than what they have on their list. I’m sure the owner, Dan Snyder of the Washington team, will screw it up somehow. Thank God, I’m not a fan of the Washington team.