Football

Super Bowl 56: What's at Stake?

Written February 6th, 2022


After two thrilling conference championship games and perhaps one of the best overall postseasons in recent NFL history, Super Bowl 56 is looking like a good one. With a walk-off from rookie sensation Evan McPherson, the Cincinnati Bengals knocked off Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. After overcoming a ten-point deficit, the Los Angeles Rams finished off the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship.

Besides the winner lifting the Lombardi Trophy, what else is at stake for the two teams?

The location dictates we start with the home team.

Los Angeles Rams

Searching for their first Super Bowl victory since the Greatest Show on Turf, the Rams have gone all-in. Trading three first-round picks in total for Matthew Stafford, Odell Beckham Jr., and Von Miller, they now have to wait until 2024 for their next pick in the first round. The Rams have quite literally banked their future on this season. They also look to become the second team to win the Super Bowl on their turf and the first to win both a conference championship and Super Bowl in their stadium.

Sean McVay

At 36 years old, Sean McVay is on the verge of becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history to lift the Lombardi Trophy. He is already the youngest to appear in a Super Bowl as a head coach, having coached the Rams against the Patriots in Super Bowl 53.

Cooper Kupp

Cooper Kupp, coming off a historic triple crown season, is looking to further cement his status as a top wideout threat. Catching 145 balls for 1,947 yards, Kupp proved near impossible to stop, no matter who was guarding him. There is no doubt that he will provide a challenge to the Bengals secondary.

Matthew Stafford

After finally being freed from the ball-and-chain that is the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford has his legacy on the line. Despite 12 years of playing with constantly underachieving or straight-up awful rosters, Stafford still managed to be statistically one of the better QBs of the last two decades. This postseason alone, he has three times as many postseason wins as the Lions do in 65 years. That number is more significant when you learn that he only has three career postseason wins.

Cincinnati Bengals

I’ll be honest with you. If you had told me the Cincinnati Bengals would be in the Super Bowl at the start of this season, I probably would’ve laughed at you. The Bengals are in their first Super Bowl since the 1981 season and looking to lift the Lombardi for the first time in franchise history. Zac Taylor has earned this franchise back at the popular kid’s table in the lunchroom. At 38, he would become the second-youngest coach to win the Super Bowl.

Ja’Marr Chase

Ja’Marr Chase has been electric this year. Drafted to compliment LSU teammate Joe Burrow, it is safe to say he’s fulfilled that hope, and so, so much more. Hauling in 81 balls for 1,455 yards, Chase quickly made himself the premier rookie WR in the league this year. For the fans of the one-on-one matchups, Ja’Marr Chase versus Jalen Ramsey will be akin to a religious experience.

Joe Burrow

No QB in NFL history has ever won the Heisman, a collegiate national title, and the Super Bowl in their career. Two other Joes, Namath and Montana, got the national title and Super Bowl but lacked the Heisman. Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen, and Charles Woodson are the only players to complete the trifecta. Burrow has the chance to do it all this Sunday, not to mention that he’d complete the trifecta in 26 months, suffering and recovering from a torn ACL in the midst of it.

Evan McPherson

In the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected a kicker. The only kicker of the draft. A highly unusual move, to say the least. That pick has paid dividends, though. Evan McPherson has connected on all twelve field goal attempts and his extra points this postseason. Despite being a rookie, he already has inked himself a spot in the NFL record book, currently tied with kicking GOAT Adam Vinatieri for most postseason games with 4+ field goals made. Four more field goals in the Super Bowl, and he’ll already sit atop an NFL record list.

Wrap Up

On paper, this is a thrilling matchup. In the form of the Bengals, new blood has topped the AFC. The Bengals have a chance to mark themselves as part of the NFL’s elite. The Rams have mortgaged their future for this game. It’s Super Bowl or bust for the Rams. Whoever comes out on top will certainly have earned it.


About Last Night: Packers versus 49ers Divisional Round Recap

Written January 23rd, 2022


Not going to lie; last night was rough. A night that featured championship-caliber defense ended with the Packers being eliminated. There’s a lot to unpack from the Packers’ performance, so we should get right into it.

The Good

The Defense

If any good showed up last night, it was the defense. With the return of Za’Darius Smith, Whitney Mercilus, and Jaire Alexander, the team was primed to make a splash in the postseason. Rashan Gary played as a man possessed. It showed, too, as the defense didn’t give up a single offensive touchdown. It took a quarter and a half for the 49ers to record their first first down of the game and just as long for Garoppolo to complete his first pass of the game.

The First Drive

The first drive of the game was so promising. It seemed as if the offense was clicking and that Rodgers was on a mission. Scoring what would become the only offensive touchdown of the game, it seemed the tone was set early.

The Bad

The Packers Offense

The wheels fell off after that first drive. Whatever was clicking on that drive was thrown in the trash and forgotten about. Stagnation and predictability became the theme of the offense for the remainder of the game—more on that in a bit, though.

The Ugly

Special Teams

I won’t beat around the bush. Special teams’ execution was AWFUL. Not just last night, either. The Packers ranked towards the bottom of the league all year in this category: muffed kick returns, blocked punts, and field goals. Not to mention there were only ten men on the field for the game-winning field goal.

Aaron Rodgers

Last night featured by far the worst decision-making of his career. It seemed as if he had made his decision on who to throw the ball to pregame. I know it seems shocking, but there were more receivers on the field than just Davante Adams. Don’t get me wrong, I love Adams, but there were several instances where other options were wide open.

What happened to Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis, and Josiah Deguara? Rodgers passed up a short completion to Deguara alone several times for a deep incompletion to a double-covered Adams. It seemed like he didn’t care about any other options on the field. For someone who put so much trust into Allen Lazard, he didn’t show it against the Niners.

Wrap Up

So, what happens now?

Aaron Rodgers may have just played his last game in a Packers uniform. Same with Davante Adams. The Packers are 44.8 million dollars over the salary cap, the second-highest in the league. Some tough questions are going to have to be answered. After this performance, I’m okay with Rodgers walking. I’ve been over him as a person since his “immunized” statements.

There are thirty years of uninterrupted Hall of Fame QB play and only two Super Bowls to show for it. Easily one of the greatest underachievements in sports history.

It’s time for a new era in Green Bay.

Let’s embrace it.

Packer Profiles: Rasul Douglas

Written January 12th, 2022


In Week 4, the Packers suffered possibly the most impactful injury of the season. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander injured one of his shoulders versus the Steelers. Since that game, it seemed the Packers’ secondary was doomed to be a carousel. General Manager Brian Gutekunst, however, had other plans. Rasul Douglas was activated from the Packers’ practice squad.

Like many, I was unfamiliar with Douglas’ name when it was first called on the field. That begs the question, who is Rasul Douglas, and how did he end up wearing green and gold?

College Career

Nassau Community College

Rasul Douglas started his college career at Nassau Community College in New York. Electing to redshirt the 2012 season, Douglas returned in 2013. In two seasons at NCC, he would record eighty-three tackles and eleven interceptions.

West Virginia

Following the 2014 season, Douglas transferred to West Virginia. He played in just five games his junior season, in which he recorded seven tackles, six solo tackles, and one assisted, as well as one interception and a forced fumble.

The 2016 season, however, would prove to be his breakout year.

In thirteen games, the six-foot-two cornerback recorded seventy tackles, forty-nine unassisted, twenty-one assisted, and three and a half tackles for loss. Douglas also recorded both an NCAA and Big 12 leading eight interceptions, 101 return yards on interceptions, third in the country, one pick-six, and a forced fumble. He’d also finish the year with eight passes defended, good for ninth in the Big 12.

NFL Career

Philidelphia Eagles

With the 99th pick, in the third round of the 2017 draft, the Philidelphia Eagles selected Rasul Douglas. Douglas wasn’t the only corner the Eagles selected, being picked after Sidney Jones, whom the Eagles selected in the second round. On September 17th, 2017, Rasul Douglas would make his NFL debut, in which he notched four solo tackles and a pass deflection. In his first two seasons, Douglas would record 93 combined tackles (both solo and assisted) and three interceptions, allowing an average of 8.85 yards per target in 13 games.

On September 5th, 2020, Douglas fell victim to roster cuts and was waived.

Carolina Panthers

However, the Carolina Panthers claimed him off the waiver wire the next day. Douglas started eleven games for the Panthers, in which he logged 62 combined tackles and allowed eight yards per target.

Practice Squad Journey

Following the 2020 season, Douglas was bouncing around the league

And then…

Green Bay Packers

On October 6th, 2021, the Packers snagged Douglas off the Cardinals’ practice squad. At first, it seemed to me as if he was a stop-gap solution, just until the Packers’ secondary was healthy again. He quickly changed that opinion. Two weeks after his debut, he sealed the defeat of the then last undefeated team, the Arizona Cardinals, perhaps making them rethink not signing him to the active roster.

This year, Rasul Douglas has been a monster, tied for fifth in the league in interceptions. He has become a vital part of the Packers’ defense and could be starting alongside Jaire Alexander in the divisional round. If the league had an award for the most improved player, Rasul Douglas would have my vote.

Rasul Douglas has carved out his spot in the Packers’ starting defense and has excelled since being activated. Here’s hoping the Packers sign him long-term so I can add his jersey to my collection.


Making The Case For An Expanded Playoff

Written January 3rd, 2022


Since the first iteration of the College Football Playoff, there have been calls to expand the format. Both fans and athletic directors have floated six, eight, ten, and 12 team formats. This season, I believe, has built the strongest case for expanding the playoff to at least eight teams.

As much as I love college football, the postseason is missing something. Something that its basketball counterpart has plenty of.

Chaos.


There is nothing in college sports more thrilling than a major upset. UMBC knocking off Virginia to become the first 16 seed to win in the first round of the tournament is proof of that. The College Football Playoff needs that, and it will not get that same thrill with four teams. While we did get our first Group of Five universities in the playoff this year, the way the playoff is currently set up, Cincinnati was essentially set up to fail.

The 2021 Bowl Season

As previously stated, I believe this year’s bowl season made a case for playoff expansion. The thrilling Rose Bowl shootout between sixth-ranked Ohio State and eleventh ranked Utah screamed playoff potential. The down-to-the-wire Fiesta Bowl between fifth-ranked Notre Dame and ninth-ranked Oklahoma State also made some waves.

I’d love to see Ohio State and Oklahoma State continue their seasons after spectacular games in their New Years six bowls.

The solution, in my mind, at least:

12 Team College Football Playoff

A twelve-team playoff is the Goldilocks Solution. Not too many teams, not too few. It allows the teams that had playoff-worthy performances to continue their seasons and increase the possibility of chaos on the field. It also makes the perennial contenders earn their way to the championship like Alabama and Georgia.

How would it work? Let’s break it down.

First Round:

Second Round:

Third Round:

Championship


Any bigger playoff than twelve, and issues with scheduling begin to arise. Twelve teams present the best opportunity to bring new blood to the contention landscape and truly test college football’s blue bloods. It can be done without adding any extra games and more meaning to more bowl games.

The fact of the matter is that someone will have to be left out, regardless of how many teams make the playoff. Fans will be upset regardless, sounding off about how their team was snubbed on social media.

College football needs to capture that March Madness energy for the postseason to thrive. Three games do not constitute a quality playoff. Eight and ten games might do it.

There are many proposals out there, and who knows what will happen.

Like the story of Goldilocks, twelve teams isn’t too many, nor too few.

It’s just right.

 

Bailey Zappe, King Of THE NCAA QB HILL

Written December 21st, 2021


When you think of the greatest individual seasons by a quarterback in NCAA history, Joe Burrow, Tim Tebow, Vince Young, and others probably come to mind. What if I told you that there was an active quarterback who had a season that tops them all? Not from one of the perennial championship contenders, but the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2021 Conference USA runner-up.

Bailey Zappe had the single greatest individual season and, perhaps, one of the best careers in NCAA history, and not enough people are talking about it.


Before we get into the 2021 season, let’s discuss where Zappe’s collegiate career began.

Bailey Zappe And The Houston Baptist Huskies (2017-2020)

After redshirting his freshman season at FCS (Football Championship Series) Houston Baptist, Bailey Zappe took his first snaps for the Huskies in 2018.

2018

Starting the season on its best, and perhaps, only high note, Zappe led the Huskies to the team’s only victory. Winning 49-7 over Southwest Baptist, it was only downhill from here. Houston Baptist finished 1-10. Despite being sacked 44 times on the year, Zappe threw for 2,822 yards and 23 touchdowns.

2019

A new season brought with it a clean slate, and the Huskies improved markedly from the last season. They were finishing the year 5-7, with improved offensive line play. Zappe passed for 3,811 yards and 35 touchdowns.

2020

In a COVID-19 shortened season, the Huskies went 1-3 through their only four games of the year. Based on games played alone, you’d expect Zappe to have numbers reflecting that. He didn’t. Zappe threw for 1,833 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also went toe-to-toe with Texas Tech, losing 35-33 to the Red Raiders.

As a quick note, Zappe threw for more yards in a shortened 2020 season than Houston Baptist’s 2021 starter did in 11 games, by just under 500 yards.

Following the 2020 season, Bailey Zappe entered the transfer portal, eventually deciding to head to Western Kentucky.

Bailey Zappe And The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2021)

Bailey Zappe came under center for his senior season with the Hilltoppers and led them to a 9-5 season. The Hilltoppers average margin of victory came out to just under 15 points per game throughout the 14 game season. A two-touchdown margin of victory is in part credited to the insane season Zappe had, passing for 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns, both NCAA single-season records.

Western Kentucky capped off the season with a complete demolition of Appalachian State in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, winning 59-38, featuring six touchdown passes from Bailey Zappe.

Bailey Zappe And NCAA History

So, after a brief overview of his collegiate career, where does Zappe stand in the all-time ranks of quarterbacks? Zappe now holds two slots in the record book that were deemed untouchable just a few years ago. Between his time in FCS and FBS, he threw for 14,433 yards and 135 touchdowns.

Breaking it down between the two sects of Division One football, Zappe threw for 8,466 yards at Houston Baptist and 5,967 yards at Western Kentucky. As a Huskie, he passed for 73 touchdowns. As a Hilltopper, Zappe almost matched it with 62 passing touchdowns in 2021 alone.

Looking at the statistics, it is pretty clear that Zappe should be thought of as one of the best individual players in recent NCAA history. Combined or apart, his achievements in FCS and FBS are nothing to scoff at.

Bailey Zappe joined the Hilltoppers and topped the NCAA QB hill this year in a strangely poetic way.


Lincoln Riley And The Great USCape

Written December 3rd, 2022


The college football world caught fire this week with two of the highest-profile coaches in the country changing jobs. Brian Kelly left Notre Dame after 12 years for LSU’s head coaching position. However, that is not the coach I want to focus on. Lincoln Riley seemingly decided to move to Southern California overnight, giving barely any notice to the University of Oklahoma, or did he?

Put on your finest tin foil hat because this is about to get weird:


Riley At OU

On January 2nd, 2015, Bob Stoops announced the hiring of Lincoln Riley as the new offensive coordinator. That year, Riley lead the offense to be the seventh-best in the country, and a first appearance in the College Football Playoff.

When Stoops retired in 2017, Riley was handpicked to be his successor. It seemed, for the moment, that OU was on its way to being the next big dynasty in college football. That season, with future Heisman winner Baker Mayfield, Riley and his Sooners made it to the College Football Playoff. A date with Georgia in the Rose Bowl ended in a 54-48 loss in double overtime. That would be the beginning of a disappointing 0-3 record in the playoff.

Despite the dismal playoff record, Lincoln Riley and OU proved to be the masters of the Big 12, winning four consecutive Big 12 championships from 2017-2020

Under his tenure OU had a 55-10 record, best ever winning percentage for an OU head coach. He even mentored three consecutive NFL starting quarterbacks, two of which won the Heisman.

That begs the question. What went wrong?

Sooners To The SEC

In mid-July, rumors began swirling that both Oklahoma and Texas were both considering ditching the Big 12 for the SEC. Those rumors became truth within 2 months, as the SEC welcomed them with open arms. The Big 12 began scrambling for additions. BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF being those additions. That is where I believe the wheels started turning in Lincoln Riley’s head.

Sooners In 2021

While the Sooners did not have a disappointing season by any measure, it is the first, and only time in Riley’s tenure that they did not qualify for the Big 12 Championship. In the regular season, OU went 10-2, their two losses coming at the hands of Baylor and Oklahoma State, both of whom will be competing for the conference championship and a spot in the playoff. This season was the most tumultuous QB position, with frequent swapping between Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler.

Ladies And Gentleman, The Great USCape

In his five-season stint with OU, the Sooners’ average margin of victory are as follows:

five of the Sooners’ last eight games were decided by single digits, and six of their total wins were one-score games. That is the most one-score victories for a Lincoln Riley led Sooners team. That seems to suggest somebody wasn’t entirely focused on their job. That becomes even more evident with the struggle versus noted bottom feeders Nebraska, Kansas State, and Kansas.

The drop in margin of victory this season also followed USC’s firing of Clay Helton on September 13th, five days before OU barely beat the Cornhuskers, a game in which the Sooners were favored by 22.

Per the LA Times, Riley’s representation had been in contact with USC since September, and Riley focused his recruiting on the Southern California area, on Oklahoma’s dime. I personally find it hard to believe those conversations didn’t reach Riley’s ears until 12 hours before he took the job.

With this all in consideration, OU could have absolutely started their coaching search back in September, and maybe added to their impressive five-year stretch.

The Consequences

As mentioned above, Lincoln Riley focused his recruiting on Southern California. That has already proven to have implications, as some of OU’s commitments come from the area, and may choose to follow the coach that recruited them. There was also a wave of de-commitments among recruits, causing OU to lose a string of 4 and 5 star recruits in a matter of hours.

Some may call the move to the Pac-12 cowardly, that he was afraid of the SEC. Some may call it brilliant. He may very well bring USC back to its former glory, and become king of the Pac 12 in the process.

Call me crazy, but Lincoln Riley’s 2021 season is best defined as what he became.

A Trojan Horse.


Aaron Rodgers: The NFL's Biggest Hypocrite

Written November 17th, 2021


To put it mildly, the Packers’ offseason was wild. Aaron Rodgers told the front office it was time to put up or shut up. My initial reaction was “Yeah, good for him.” The Packers front office have wasted the last decade of his career, following a single Super Bowl victory. They started making moves at his request, namely bringing Randall Cobb back. This came following his criticism of Ted Thompson (may he rest in peace), and Brian Gutekunst’s actions, specifically the release of Jake Kumerow, not even 48 hours after Rodgers sang his praises in a post-game press conference.

In an era of player empowerment, it seemed as if Rodgers was finally taking control of his career. Who can blame him for that, right? He saw a similar situation play out in his early NFL years, as he was drafted to be the successor to Brett Favre. The Packers’ fanbase found itself in what would become the early phases of a civil war, split between defending the front office, and defending 12.


I will be the first to admit I was initially Team Rodgers. As previously stated, the organization have let the majority of his career go to waste. Letting names like Micah Hyde, and Casey Hayward walk set the defense back big time. Mike McCarthy’s stale playcalling, and Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson leaving certainly didn’t help the team either. Rodgers decided this offseason was the time to demand the organization go all in.

Aaron Rodgers: All In?

With the Packers off to a hot start, it seemed as if the one-loss team had fully bought in to the “Last Dance” mentality. Then, a series of positive COVID tests hit. Wide receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard both go on the COVID list, just a week before a matchup in the desert with then-undefeated Arizona. Undeterred, the Packers went into enemy territory and came out victorius, claiming the top spot in the NFC in the process.

And then…it happened.

Aaron Rodgers tested positive.

In his first training camp press conference, Rodgers was asked if he had been vaccinated against COVID-19. To which he responded that he was “immunized”. Not vaccinated, but immunized. Looking back, it was a clear indicator of things to come. Following his placement on the COVID list, Rodgers went on Pat McAfee’s show and made some… interesting statements.

Among other things, he claimed he was “in the crosshairs of the woke liberal mob”, being unvaccinated to being an oppressed minority pre-civil rights movement, and revealed that he was consulting Joe Rogan for medical advice, who notably, is not a medical professional.

Utter Hypocrisy

Aaron Rodgers has always had that hippie vibe to him. Until now, it was most apparent in his “RELAX” interview. It used to be just a part of his personality, one that I viewed as a stabilizing force on the roster. Now it’s just distracting. There is not a doubt in my mind that his vaccination status played a major part of everything that went down this offseason.

His refusal to go all in when he DEMANDED that the Packers do the same is the worst kind of hyopcrisy. Everything he wanted the team to do now means nothing. Elite competitors go all in for their game. The reigning MVP should count himself lucky to still be in the upper echelon of quarterbacks.

A Rock And A Hard Place

As a life-long Packers fan, I find myself stuck. There is no way I am abandoning my fandom over this. There are 52 other guys on that roster busting their butts to keep this team in contention, despite the drama. This debacle very well may have sealed Rodgers’ departure after this season, regardless of how it ends. If that’s the case, I’m throwing my full support behind Jordan Love, as he is likely the future under center in Green Bay.

At the end of the day, it is ridiculous that Aaron Rodgers is unwilling to go all in. There is no defending his misleading and outright stupid statements he has made to the press. There is no doubt he is one of the best to play the game, but to me, his legacy will always end with hypocrisy.


Nebraska, From A Hawk's Eye View

Written September 19th, 2021


Disclaimer: I’m a Hawkeye fan through and through. This piece is purely an exploratory one, with no ill intent towards Nebraska football whatsoever.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, a historically dominant football program, has fallen on some hard times. That begs the question of… what happened? Since the program’s inception, it has captured 46 conference championships, 10 division championships, and five national championships. The last national title came in 1999, during Frank Solich’s time at the helm. After Osborne’s departure from the head coaching role, the Huskers have had five head coaches (six if you include Barney Cotton).


Briefly, I’d like to go over each coach’s tenure.

Frank Solich (1998-2003)

After the 1997 season came to a close, the Cornhusker program had a Tom Osborne-sized hole to fill on the sideline. Given how long he’d held the role, it was going to be a challenge, no matter who filled the role. Frank Solich came to be the next head coach of the Huskers.

One could make the argument that he fared quite well. Posting a 58-19 (33-15 Big 12) (.753) record, a national title, conference championship, and Big 12 North division championship, Solich very much left his mark on the program. In a move that shocked the football world, Solich was fired in the midst of a 9-3 season. Following his departure, Bo Pelini became the interim head coach. The Huskers would finish the season 10-3

Bill Callahan (2004-2007)

Taking the reigns for the 2004 season, Bill Callahan inherited a successful program. In his tenure, he was successful… just not to the same degree as Solich. A 27-22 tenure (15-17) (.551), Callahan did lead Nebraska to a division championship in 2006. He would be fired after a 5-7 2007 season, capped off by a 65-51 loss at Colorado, in which the Huskers gave up 34 consecutive points.

Bo Pelini (2008-2014)

In a post-Callahan program, then-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was tapped to take the helm of a teetering Husker program. Pelini’s tenure was impressive in its own right. He posted a 67-27 (38-17 Big 12/Big 10) (.713) record, spanning two conferences, as Nebraska joined the Big 10 in 2010.

The Huskers left a mark on the Big 12 on their way out, winning three consecutive Big 12 North division titles. In 2012, Pelini led Nebraska to the Big 10 Championship Game, along with capturing the Big 10 Legends title. Bo Pelini seemed to be the one destined to raise the phoenix from the ashes.

He was fired by Nebraska in November of 2014, and Barney Cotton filled in to close the season. Nebraska would finish the year 9-4.

Mike Riley (2015-2017)

Mike Riley took the wheel to start the 2015 season. Was he good? No. Was he bad? Also no. In fact, he was exceedingly average, posting a 19-19 record (12-14). He is essentially a footnote in the program’s history and viewed merely as a transition coach between Pelini and our next subject.

Scott Frost (2018-Present)

Nebraska named Scott Frost the next head coach in 2018. Frost had just come off reviving future Big 12 member Central Florida (read more here), leading the Knights to a 13-0 season and a statement victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. Naturally, the former Husker QB frequently came up in speculation for the job between seasons.

The hype was real for Frost’s homecoming, seemingly heralding the return of dominance that Nebraska fans treasure. Admittedly, I was worried but also excited for the conference as a whole. After almost a decade into its time in the Big 10, Nebraska finally had a chance to shake up the conference.

The hype surrounding Scott Frost has thawed out, at least from the outside looking in. As of writing, Frost is 14-23 (9-18) since taking the head coaching job. All of his predecessors were fired for being more successful than that, so you’d think they would stay true to that policy.

Instead, Frost was rewarded with a two-year extension, tying him to the program through 2026. Is this the result of hiring the state’s sweetheart? From my perspective, I’d definitely say so.

Nebraska’s Own Pandora’s Box

I am in no way saying that Nebraska cannot turn it around. Frost was hired, in part, for his ability to turn programs around. Since that fateful firing of Frank Solich, the Huskers have been a slowly declining program. Once a national powerhouse, the Cornhuskers are searching for ways to reclaim their identity.

The firings of Solich and Pelini were questionable at best, and self-destructive at worst. Both were on the brink of bringing the program back to the national spotlight and into contention.

To quote former athletic director Steve Pederson, “I refuse to let the program gravitate into mediocrity… We won’t surrender the Big 12 to Oklahoma and Texas”.

Ironically, they would open Pandora’s box and do just that. If there was one piece of advice I could offer, from this Hawk Eye’s view, it is this:

Stability Brings Success


Reaction: Davante Adams Traded

Written March 19th, 2022


When the news broke that the Packers had traded Davante Adams, my initial reaction was one of shock. Arguably the Packers’ best wide receiver in the last 20 years was traded for just two draft picks. Even further shock came when reports began saying he’d turned down the same monster extension that the Raiders signed him to.

The AFC West Arms Race

The AFC West has been loading up on talent this offseason. The Broncos acquired Russell Wilson, the Chargers brought in Khalil Mack, and the Chiefs have just added JuJu Smith-Schuster. Las Vegas clearly did not want to be left behind as the rest of the division charged ahead. The connection between a quarterback and a wide receiver cannot be denied, as Derek Carr and Davante Adams were college teammates at Fresno State.

The big question still remains. Why leave Green Bay?

The AFC West will be beating up on each other all season. Starstudded as it may be, there are other teams set up for success. With the return of Aaron Rodgers, few other locations are more appealing for a wide receiver, especially one of Davante Adam’s ability. I wouldn’t count Las Vegas among them. I would, however, include Kansas City and Denver in that list.

What Happened in Green Bay?

As previously stated, Adams reportedly declined the same offer from the Packers. Just a few weeks ago, Davante Adams had been franchise tagged by the organization, which would’ve netted him 20 million dollars for the 2022 season. Adams made it clear he would hold out until he had a new deal. Perhaps the Jaguars’ signing of Christian Kirk (4 years, 72 million dollars) pushed him to ask for more. Perhaps Rodgers signing of a huge extension himself when Adams had advocated for his own deal all season.

It has been reported that Rodgers was aware of the developing situation between Davante Adams and the Packers’ front office. Despite that, Rodgers returned.

The Return

In exchange for Davante Adams, the Packers received the Raiders’ 2022 first and second-round picks. So what do the Packers do with two extra draft picks? I am normally not an advocate for drafting a wide receiver in the first round, but this may be the year it is necessary. The 2022 WR class is plenty deep, with speedsters all over the board. Personally, I would advocate for either Jameson Williams or Chris Olave, should the Packers trade up, or they fall to our spots.

Other options are on the trade and free agency markets. The wide receiver core needs a veteran presence, and Jarvis Landry fits that mold perfectly. The Seahawks are also setting up shop, willing to move their wide receivers now that they’re in rebuild mode. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf would both be great fits on the Packers roster.

Happy Trails, Davante Adams

As we look to the future, I want to wrap this reaction up with a reflection on the past. Davante Adams is the best wide receiver in the league, and I’m happy he got his payday. He was the favorite target of one of the best QBs in NFL history and made so many iconic plays in green and gold.

So, for better or worse, thank you for the memories Davante. Maybe one day you will come back home to Green Bay. Until that day, I wish you nothing but the best in Las Vegas.


Packers Free Agency: Aaron Rodgers Returns!

Written March 9th, 2022

Aaron Rodgers

Finally, it seems as if the Aaron Rodgers saga has come to a close. Several reports, notably Ian Rapoport and Pat McAfee, have the four-time MVP winner signing a new four-year, two hundred million dollar extension.

Over the last 3 years, the media has created a circus out of Rodgers’ relationship with the Packers front office. From drafting Jordan Love to not consulting him on in-season roster moves, to his COVID-19 vaccination status, it has all been under the microscope.

I will be the first to acknowledge that I partook in the frenzy. Though I may not agree with him on every topic, I know that the Packers are much better with him than without him. Aaron Rodgers resigning sets the QB market for this offseason.

Davante Adams

With the extension of Aaron Rodgers, it left little doubt that Green Bay’s standout wide receiver, Davante Adams, would be next. His new extension, however, will have to wait another year. The Packers decided to use their single franchise tag on the best wide receiver in the league. Hopefully, the two sides can reach a deal, and reward him for his incredible skill set.

To do that, the Packers front office will have to play financial gymnastics to get under the cap. Green Bay is in one of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL, only behind the New Orleans Saints. I wouldn’t necessarily call Aaron Rodgers making fifty million a year cap-friendly either.

2022 Free Agents

The Packers have a total of 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason.

They are as follows;

Now, I’m not saying all 13 of these players are must-sign in my book. Of those 13, I count five that I would absolutely resign. Those five are Robert Tonyan, De’Vondre Campbell, Lucas Patrick, Tyler Lancaster, and Rasul Douglas. All of them have a huge impact on the team and deserve rewards for their efforts.

Now that the first domino has fallen, we fans can relax and look forward to the next moves made by Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the Packers’ front office. Who and what those moves may be is yet to be known.

What we do know, is that we’re guaranteed at least one more year of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. I trust the front office to make the moves that will keep the team in contention, and so should all fans.

With the front office working in tandem with Rodgers, they made some great moves, notably bringing back Randall Cobb. I expect no less from them this offseason, with wide receivers like JuJu Smith-Schuster on the market. Big things are brewing in Green Bay, and I can’t wait to see how things pan out this offseason.

For now, though, we have Aaron Rodgers back, and we are FAR better with him than without.


The Matt Flynn Game

Written February 28th, 2022


Week 17 of the 2011 NFL season will always be remembered as a legendary one for Packers fans. With the regular season winding down, the 14-1 Packers benched Aaron Rodgers to rest up for the playoffs. Green Bay’s opponent that week was the 10-6 Detroit Lions. That weekend, a quarterback wearing number ten would be under center. Not Jordan Love, but Matt Flynn.

I am particularly fond of this game because it also happened to be my very first visit to Green Bay and Lambeau Field. Few expected this game to be impactful, and nobody expected a career-defining performance to be made.

Matt Flynn: A Brief History

College

During his collegiate career at LSU, Matt Flynn played behind highly coveted prospect JaMarcus Russell. Come the 2007 season, Flynn finally got his shot as the starter. The Tigers started the year as the Associated Press’ number one and would spend the season shifting around the top five spots.

In the BCS National Championship, Flynn would lead the Tigers to a national title in a 38-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Packers selected Matt Flynn with the 209th pick, in the seventh round of the 2008 draft.

The Matt Flynn Game

As previously mentioned, the Packers were on a title defense run. Sitting at a 14-1 record, and the number one seed locked up, it would’ve been safe to take a loss in Week 17. Las Vegas had the Lions favored by a touchdown. Matt Flynn, however, had other plans. 3;3

First Quarter

The Packers won the toss and elected to receive.

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Wrap Up

31 completions on 44 attempts, six touchdowns, and 480 yards through the air with a passer rating of 136.4. One very happy young me. This was a game for the ages. For Matt Flynn, it would also give him a huge contract.

Two months after that game, Matt Flynn signed a three-year, twenty-million dollar contract (nine million guaranteed) with the Seattle Seahawks. He would find himself competing with Tavaris Jackson and Russell Wilson for the starting job.

This game has its place in my heart as one of my favorite NFL games ever, not just because it was my first game, but because of the sheer absurdity of the passing numbers.

So, Matt Flynn, if you read this, thank you for making my first visit to Lambeau a magical one!

Packers Draft: First Round Wide Receiver Not Required

Written February 22, 2022


With the Rams’ victory over the Bengals in Super Bowl 56, draft season is in full swing. One claim that seems to come around every year is that the Packers MUST draft a wide receiver in the first round. The 2022 NFL Draft marks twenty years since the last time Green Bay selected a WR in the first round. With that pick, they selected Florida State WR Javon Walker.

This frequent claim is so bizarre to me. Historically, the Packers haven’t just done well with second-round or later WR picks, they’ve excelled.

Past Draft Picks

Since the Javon Walker pick, the Packers have these notable WRs:

Just for fun, I’ll throw in a couple of pre-2002 picks

That makes 10 picks, eight of which you can consider some of the best WR picks in franchise history, and maybe even league history. Most franchises can’t even come close to drafting that consistently in their entire history, let alone one 25 year period. It’s also important to note that the Packers have had four general managers since 1992. Picking that consistently across four general managers is more than just good luck.

Packers Receiving Records

As mentioned above, Donald Driver and Davante Adams hold the majority of the Packers franchise receiving records. Adams (2nd round) and Driver (7th round) are joined by Billy Howton (2nd Round, 1956), Sterling Sharpe, who is the only first-round pick in the receiving record book, and Don Hutson, who played before the draft even existed.

Draft “What If’s”

The fact of the matter is that there will always be what if’s. What if the Packers somehow managed to convince the Vikings to give up the 22nd pick of the draft? Would they have picked Justin Jefferson? Would he have panned out the same way he has in Minnesota? I have long held Jefferson as the steal of the 2020 draft, and credit the Vikings for nailing that pick.

All picks carry risks, but none more so than those made in the first round. Yes, you could land Justin Jefferson. You could also end up with Jalen Reagor, who finished the 2021 season with 170 fewer yards than Henry Ruggs III, despite playing all 17 regular-season games.

The Packers have used their first-round picks intelligently over the last 20 years. Filling the roster’s biggest needs is the smartest use of the first round. They’ve done that well over the last two decades as well.

Wrap Up

Risk and reward. That’s the name of the game come draft time. Few front offices have drafted as well as the Packers in the last 30 years.

If there’s a point to be made here, it’s this;

Elite talent can be found anywhere, not just in the first round.


Packer Profiles: Elgton Jenkins

Written February 17th, 2022

Over the last decade, perhaps the biggest issue plaguing the Packers was the injury bug. Nowhere more than on the offensive line unit. Several of the last ten seasons have seen a patchwork offensive line doing their best to keep Aaron Rodger’s jersey clean. When the NFL draft rolled around in 2019, the Packers’ front office, led by Brian Gutekunst, looked to bolster the depth of the front unit. With the 44th pick of the draft, the Packers selected Mississippi State lineman Elgton Jenkins.

Mississippi State

Lining up for the Bulldogs from 2016 to 2018, Jenkins was part of a unit that held their own in the ever-challenging SEC. QB Nick Fitzgerald passed an average of just under 2,000 yards a season in that three-year period. In that same timeframe, Mississippi State averaged 418.9 yards per game. While not the top of the pack, so to speak, it is definitely a solid, consistent showing from year to year. Elgton Jenkins declared for the draft after the 2018 season.

NFL Combine

Measuring in at 6 feet, 4 inches, and 310 pounds, Jenkins certainly looked the part of a stalwart offensive lineman. However, when there are defensive linemen clocking 4.41-second 40-yard dashes, like Jenkins’ Bulldog teammate Montez Sweat, you can’t just be big. You also have to be quick. Jenkins recorded a 5.10-second 40-yard dash, a 4.62-second 20-yard shuttle, and a 7.77 second 3 cone drill. All fairly quick for a man of his size. Come draft night, it was exactly what got him drafted.

Career So Far

Rookie Season

At the start of his rookie year, Elgton Jenkins was listed as a backup lineman. Prior to Week 3, OL Lane Taylor suffered an injury. Jenkins made his first start and began what would be an incredible year for the rookie. Playing 571 pass-blocking snaps over the course of the season, Jenkins did not allow Rodgers to be sacked on his watch. The Pro Football Writers Association voted him onto their All-Rookie team.

2020 & 2021 Seasons

Over the course of the last two seasons, Elgton Jenkins has proven incredibly versatile, essentially becoming a plug-and-play lineman. Being able to play every position on the offensive line has its advantages. The Packers can put him in the spot he’s needed most, and still have depth enough to adequately cover the rest of the line. In 2020, Jenkins got his first career Pro Bowl nod.

In the midst of a stellar 2021 season, Jenkins tore an ACL. That injury really began to test the depth of the line, with both Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari (at the time) out for the season.

Wrap Up

Elgton Jenkins has been an incredible addition to the Packers’ offensive line. From the moment of his first start, he made an incredible impact. He has quickly made a name for himself around the league and is consistently among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive linemen in the league.

With his contract expiring after the 2022 season, his on-field performance has me wishing the Packers could have 5 of him on the roster at all times.


Green Bay Packers: Most Valuable Franchise

Written February 15th, 2022


I know what you may be thinking. “The most valuable NFL franchise is the Dallas Cowboys”. While that may be true, I’m not talking about money. Some of the greatest players in NFL history have called Green Bay home.

Since the Associated Press started voting for a league MVP in 1957, the Green Bay Packers have brought home the MVP hardware a league-leading ten times.

Green Bay MVP Timeline

1961: Paul Hornung

The Golden Boy started 11 of 12 games, rushing for eight touchdowns and 597 yards on 127 carries. Hornung was called to active military service this same year. Due to a friendship between Vince Lombardi and President John F. Kennedy, Hornung was given weekend passes to play on Sundays. Notably, this included the NFL Championship versus the New York Giants.

1962: Jim Taylor

In the era where fullbacks were king of the backfield, Jim Taylor truly stood out among the rest. In the midst of an incredible stretch, Taylor rushed for 1,474 yards and 19 touchdowns on 272 carries. This was his third of five straight seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards, becoming the first player to do so.

Taylor would go on to set and currently possess the Packers franchise record of 81 career rushing touchdowns.

Ahman Green (54) and Paul Hornung (50) are the only two Packers to even come within 30 touchdowns of the mark. Aaron Jones is fourth with 41.

1966: Bart Starr

Starr led the Packers to an 11-2 record in 1966, capping the year off with a win in Super Bowl I. Passing for 2,257 yards on 251 attempts (156 completions) and 14 passing touchdowns.

Starr would go on to win the first two Super Bowl MVP awards to go along with his league MVP. On the Mount Rushmore of Green Bay Packers, you would be remiss to exclude Starr.

Green Bay would have to wait another 29 years before it’s next Most Valuable Player. He wouldn’t win just one, but would go on to win 3 consecutive MVP awards. That is a feat that had not been done and is yet to be replicated.

Prepare for a MAJOR jump in numbers. The game changed a lot in 29 years.

1995-1997: Brett Favre

1995

Favre led the Packers to an 11-5 record, passing for 4,413 yards and 38 touchdowns on 570 attempts (359 completions). In addition to winning league MVP that year, he was also named Offensive Player of the Year, First Team AP All-Pro, and a Pro Bowl selection.

1996

Likewise, 1996 was another excellent season for Favre. He passed for 3,899 yards and a career-high 39 touchdowns on 543 attempts (325 completions). Green Bay went 13-3. For the second consecutive season, he was named MVP, OPOY, First-Team All-Pro, and a Pro Bowl selection.

1997

For his third and final MVP award, Favre led the Packers to a Super Bowl championship, snapping a 30-year dry spell and forever etching himself a spot alongside Starr on Green Bay’s Mount Rushmore. He recorded 3,867 passing yards and 35 touchdowns on 513 attempts (304 completions). Yet again, he was named MVP, OPOY, First-Team All-Pro, and a Pro Bowl Selection.

2011, 2014, 2020, 2021: Aaron Rodgers

It goes without saying that Rodgers is one of, if not the greatest, quarterbacks in franchise history. His Super Bowl victory and four MVP awards have cemented his position as such. I could go on and on about his career numbers.

In his four MVP seasons, Rodgers has passed for a combined 17,438 yards and 124 touchdowns on 2,079 attempts (1,422 completions). That works out to an absolutely absurd 68.3% completion rating in his MVP years alone.

While I could lay out each season, combining his numbers demonstrates the sheer enormity of what he has been able to do over his career, not just in MVP form. In his 16 year career, Rodgers has passed for 4,000+ yards ten times.

Green Bay. Most Valuable Franchise.

Ten MVP awards. League-leading in its own right. However, if you combine it with 13 NFL championships and four Super Bowl MVP awards, you have 27 major yearly awards.

The next time someone tells you that money talks, you can tell them that trophies do too.

*all stats provided by https://www.pro-football-reference.com/

Danny Etling: Packer Profile

Written August 22nd, 2022


The preseason is that magical time of year when football season starts to ramp up. Rookies looking to prove their worth, veterans looking to make themselves known, and some trying to establish themselves in a new location. For the Packers, one name made a splash in a big way in their 20-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. That player is third-string quarterback Danny Etling.

Late in the game, Etling made the decision to keep the ball on a zone-read play, dashing 51 yards to a Lambeau Leap. At the time, Aaron Rodgers was being interviewed and had nothing but good things to say about the third-stringer.

“Just his work ethic, his approach. He’s always got his iPad on him; he’s got a couple young receivers with him and a couple young linemen working on snap counts and plays and cadences. He’s a gym rat (like Tolzien was), and that’s what you need in those (No. 3 quarterback) positions. He’s a guy who has a chance to make the team.”

While he may not be gunning for the starting job, I feel that it is important to know where he came from, and who he is as a player and a person.

Danny Etling: The College Years

2013-2014: Purdue

In 2013, Etling made his college debut with the Purdue Boilermakers. Though that season was filled with lows that come with eleven losses, Danny Etling was a bright spot for the Boilermakers. In eight games, he passed for 1,690 yards and ten touchdowns on 149 completions. That would be good for roughly 211 yards per game, and 6.3 yards per attempt.

In 2014, Etling only started 5 games, in which he threw for 800 yards and six touchdowns on 89 completions. However, the Boilermakers did improve on their previous year’s record, finishing the 2014 campaign 3-9.

2015-2017

In 2015, Etling transferred to Louisiana State University. Due to NCAA rules, he had to sit out the 2015 season.

By the time the 2016 season came to a close, it was clear Etling had been putting in work. Starting 11 games for the Tigers, he passed for 2,123 yards and 11 touchdowns on 160 completions. That translates to 193 yards per game and 7.9 yards per attempt. Etling would lead LSU to an 8-4 record, capping the season off with a Citrus Bowl victory over a Lamar Jackson-led Louisville.

In his final season, Danny Etling made 2017 his best collegiate season ever. Starting all 13 games, he led LSU to a 9-4 record, passing for 2,463 yards and 16 touchdowns along the way, averaging 189 yards per game and 9.8 yards per attempt. The Tigers would return to the Citrus Bowl but would be defeated by Notre Dame.

Danny Etling: NFL Career

With the 219th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Danny Etling. Since then, he has traveled the league.

For much of this time, Etling has been a practice squad quarterback. I know that he by far is not the biggest name out there, but when a guy like him has a moment like he did, I feel like it is definitely worth highlighting.

The preseason can be just as it can be exciting. With roster cuts coming, it is possible Danny Etling won’t be on the roster by the time the regular season kicks off. Regardless, it is fun to see those guys get moments of glory because they do so much behind the scenes that we fans don’t see.

Whatever happens, when the final roster is released, Danny Etling has a fan in me for life.



Sterling Sharpe: Canton Bound?

Written July 17th, 2022


The NFL Hall of Fame has released its list of 54 semi-finalists for the 2023 class. Among them is former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who, in my opinion, has long been snubbed from Canton. It has been nearly 30 years since his career ended, so let’s take a look back at Sharpe’s illustrious career.

The Beginning of a Sterling (Sharpe) Career

Drafted with the seventh pick of the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft, out of South Carolina, Sterling Sharpe began his career with a bang. He started what would become an incredible 112-game streak, never missing a start. In his rookie season, he nabbed 55 receptions, 791 yards, and one touchdown. It may have been his only touchdown of the 1988 season, but it wouldn’t be his last.

1989

After establishing himself in his rookie year, Sterling Sharpe began to make his presence known. He finished the season with a league-leading 90 receptions, 1,423 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Sharpe also recorded his longest career reception with a 79 yard catch-and-run touchdown from Don Majkowski. The Majik Man was in the midst of his own breakout season, completing 353 of his 599 pass attempts, 27 touchdowns, and a league-leading 4,318 passing yards.

Sterling Sharpe would be named to his first Pro Bowl team and first AP All-Pro First Team

1990-91

Over the next two seasons, Sterling Sharpe would remain a steadfast target for his QBs. in 1990, he recorded 1,105 yards, and six touchdowns on 67 receptions. He made his second Pro Bowl as well. In 1991, Sharpe would add another 961 yards and four touchdowns to his career, catching 69 passes

Sterling Sharpe: Man on a Mission (1992-1994)

The last three years of Sterling Sharpe’s career were incredible. This could be attributed the arrival of one Brett Favre from Atlanta.

1992 would see Sharpe win the league’s receiving Triple Crown (league leader in yards, receptions, and touchdowns), hauling in a dominant 1,461 yards, and 13 touchdowns on 108 receptions. Sharpe also lead the league in yards per game (YPG), averaging 90.1 YPG that season. He would later be named to his third Pro Bowl selection, and second AP All-Pro First Team.

It was the same old song and dance in 1993. Sharpe hauled in 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns on another league-leading 112 receptions. His fourth Pro Bowl selection, and third AP All-Pro First Team.

In 1994, Sharpe suffered what would become a career-ending neck injury, forcing him to retire at 29 years old. Despite the injury, he started all 16 games of the 1994 season, grabbing a league-leading 18 touchdowns and 1,119 yards on 94 receptions. He would later be selected to his fifth and final Pro Bowl.

The Hall of Fame Case for Sterling Sharpe

As previously mentioned, Sterling Sharpe had an amazing career.

To briefly recap his achievements:

Looking at that list, its almost mind-boggling that Sterling Sharpe isn’t already in Canton. I feel like his brother, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, puts it best. “I am the only person in the Hall of Fame that can say I was the second best player in my family.”

Sterling Sharpe’s ballot window closed in 2020, so now it is in the hands of the senior committee, who can elect three former players to the Hall of Fame. Regardless of if he gets elected or not, Sterling Sharpe had a career for the ages, and I am so thankful he did it in a Packers uniform.



The Ja’Marr Chase Conundrum

Written July 11th, 2022


“With the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Joe Burrow, quarterback, LSU”. Those words rang out nationwide from Roger Goodell’s basement, signaling a new era in Cincinnati.  Joe Burrow quickly embraced Cincinnati, and the city reciprocated. The city was abuzz with excitement for their new starting QB.

Heading into Week 11, Burrow was having a great passing season. Through the air, he recorded 2,688 yards and 264 completions on 404 attempts, good for a 65.3% completion rate.

Then, Cincy’s worst nightmare became reality. In the 3rd quarter, versus the Washington Football Team, Joe Burrow went down. An MRI revealed that he had torn both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. The Bengals would finish 4-11-1, clinching the fifth pick of the 2021 NFL Draft

As the injury happened in the pocket, speculation began to rise on whether or not the Bengals would use the fifth pick on an offensive lineman. They were spoiled for choice too. Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Alex Leatherwood were all projected first-rounders and widely considered the best linemen in the draft.

Surely, a team that had given up an astounding 48 sacks, 32 of which were Burrow, would make bolstering the offensive line their top priority, right?

Having been freed from his basement, Roger Goodell would announce the pick.

“With the 5th Pick of the 2021 NFL Draft…

The Bengals select LSU wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.” The initial reaction seemed to be something akin to “What?!”. I would be lying to you if this wasn’t my reaction as well. Cincinnati has just given up the third-most sacks in the NFL and lost their franchise QB on a pocket collapse.

The Bengals did go on to address the offensive line later in the draft, picking Jackson Carman, D’Ante Smith, and Trey Hill. All of which would have respectable rookie seasons.

Ja’Marr Chase: Electrifying Season

What can I say to express just how impressed I was at Ja’Marr Chase’s rookie season. Wow. Just Wow. 1,455 yards (fourth in NFL) and 13 (third) touchdowns on 81 receptions (20th), averaging 18 yards per reception (second). Absolutely electrifying performance out of the rookie. Linking back up with his college QB probably didn’t hurt things either.

It was clear that Burrow and Chase were on a mission to prove he was the right pick, and, with the benefit of hindsight, I fully agree. There is no way he would’ve been on the board by the time the 46th pick rolled around.

The Bengals would, as we know, go on to the Super Bowl, losing to Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The incredible run, powered by rookie kicking sensation Evan McPherson, also included somehow surviving Burrow being sacked nine times by the Titans.

Wrap Up

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals had an incredible season. I have never been happier to be proven wrong in my life. This season gave rise to a new elite duo in Cincinnati. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy to say that Ja’Marr Chase was the correct pick. The Bengals continued to bolster the offensive line in 2022, picking North Dakota State lineman Cordell Volson.

The Bengals have an incredibly bright future. As much as I love this duo, the two of them alone can’t do it all. Ja’Marr Chase got them to a Super Bowl, but an offensive line can win them one.



In Case of Pac-12 Collapse, Break Glass

Written July 6th, 2022

Pac-12 on Brink of Collapse?

With the reports of a mass exodus from the Pac-12 conference, it seems like the conference is in a state of near collapse. So, if that is the case, what does the college football landscape look like without the Pac-12? In this article, I’d like to lay out a hypothetical scenario in which this does happen. But first, some ground rules.

The Rules

So, let’s jump right in.

*quick disclaimer* I have made maps to reflect the new alignments. They’re probably not entirely geographically accurate

The Nitty Gritty

Big Ten

With already confirmed future membership from two Pac-12 teams, USC and UCLA, who else might the Big Ten absorb from the West Coast?

I believe the Big Ten may end up looking something like this:

Big Ten East:

Big Ten West

USC and UCLA were the first dominoes to fall in the Pac-12 collapse. Oregon and Washington have been linked to the Big Ten in reports as well. Of the remaining Pac-12 schools, the Ducks and Huskies fit the Big 10 the best. All four schools would land in the West division, theoretically bringing competitive balance to the Big Ten.

2025 Big 10 Map

Big 12

North Division

South Division

The Big 12 needs divisions, especially with 16 teams. BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston bring them back to the 12-team conference they once were. Adding Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah brings them to a North/South division structure, with the winner of the two dueling for the conference title.

2025 Big 12 Map

Mountain West

Mountain Division

West Division

As I stated earlier, the Mountain West becomes the 5th power conference, replacing the Pac-12. As such, they get the Big Ten and Twelve’s leftovers, gaining Stanford, Cal, Washington State, and Oregon State.

2025 Mountain West Map

Atlantic Coast Conference

Atlantic Division

Coastal Division

There’s always the possibility that Notre Dame joins the ACC as a football member.  Other than that, nothing changes for the ACC outside of adding one of the higher-up Group of 5 schools, like Coastal Carolina. The ACC, in my opinion, should be worried about keeping Clemson in place as their top school.

2025 ACC Map

 

Southeastern Conference

East Division

West Division

The addition of Texas and Oklahoma forced a bit of realignment here, moving Mississippi State to the East Division. There is no way Alabama is getting shifted east.

2025 SEC Map

Wrap up

In this scenario, the college landscape would be pretty drastically changed, as one would expect from a conference collapsing like the Pac-12. Both this hypothetical 2025 and the actual 2025 bring some pretty major realignment. For now, though, the reality is that reports are changing with every passing minute, and anything can happen. Hang on to your hats, because it can only get crazier from here.



Free Agency: Julio Jones in Green and Gold?

Written July 5th, 2022

After the Davante Adams trade, a very glaring hole appeared in the Packers’ offense. Not one that you can plug overnight either. When you lose a player as prolific as Adams, few players can patch that, even fewer can fill it. While the Packers did bring in a few wide receivers via the draft, it’s clear they need a veteran presence in the wide receiver room. So who is the odds-on favorite to be that presence?

Julio Jones

The Packers are currently the betting favorites (+325) to land the versatile wide receiver. After an elite run with the Falcons, Julio Jones found himself in Tennesee via trade. An injury-riddled 2021 season left Jones with 31 receptions and 434 receiving yards over 10 games. Coming back for the Titans’ divisional playoff game against Cincinnati, Jones had one of his best games of the year, recording 62 yards on six receptions. Tennesee released him on March 16th.

What impact could he make?

After the losses of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdez-Scantling, the Packers’ wide receiver corps was left severing lacking. Drafting Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Samori Toure helped to bolster it, but the young group needs a mentor. Julio Jones can absolutely fill this role. If he’s able to stay healthy, he could return to being the Julio Jones that the league knows, loves, and fear.

Honestly, I’m 50/50 on signing him. On one hand, as previously mentioned, he could return to form and decimate the league with Aaron Rodgers under center. On the other, he could be bitten by the injury bug that has nagged him since 2020. A short-term deal would probably be in the best interest of both sides, and the rookie wide receivers could absolutely benefit from his presence.

It’d be pretty neat to see Julio Jones in green and gold, but, given the recent injury history, would it be worth it?



Davante Adams Trade: A Blessing in Disguise?

Written July 4th, 2022

When the Packers traded Davante Adams to the Raiders, it sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. Widely considered one of the top wide receivers in the league, the thought of trading him seemed unthinkable. Even Aaron Rodgers, who called Adams the best player he has ever shared the field with, seemed to be taken aback by the news.

As Davante Adams was approaching the end of his current contract at the end of the 2021 season, rumors of a massive extension began to circulate. The numbers Adams put up with Rodgers under center put him right up there with the elite wide receivers in the league.

The question remains, can he produce those same numbers with Derek Carr? One Packers legend doesn’t believe so.

In an interview with TMZ, Brett Favre had this to say:

“No disrespect to Davante at all — zero disrespect. I do think that Davante will make Derek Carr better and, in time, they will be a dynamic duo. Now will it be the duo that Aaron and Davante had? Time will tell,” Favre told TMZ.

“I think Derek Carr’s a very good quarterback, but he’s not in Aaron’s league yet. And may never be, and that’s no disrespect either, but I do think that Davante owes a great deal of gratitude to Aaron and the Packers drafting him. That’s not to say he’s not a great player because he is a tremendous player and we’ll see that with Las Vegas. But it’s just hard to shift gears, especially from a player as prolific as Aaron Rodgers. I’d be shocked if he had the same year he’s had the previous year. That’s not to say he can’t do it, but I would be shocked.”

I agree with Favre on this one. Davante Adams definitely downgraded at the quarterback position. While he did tally nearly 5,000 yards this year, Carr also completed 14 passes to opposing defenses and was among the league’s worst under-pressure situations in I believe Adams will make Carr look a lot better than he is.

The Return

In return for Davante Adams, the Packers received the 22nd and 53rd picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 22nd pick was used to draft Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, and the 53rd pick was traded to Minnesota for the 34th, which was used to draft North Dakota State wide receiver, Christian Watson. The latter has the potential to fill Adam’s shoes in the Packers’ offense.

 

A Brief Retrospective

As much as I hate to do it, let’s quickly look back at the NFC Divisional game versus San Francisco. Things looked great on that first drive, with the Packers’ offense striking paydirt first. Then… the wheels just fell off. Rodgers got tunnel vision, throwing the ball up to a double-covered Davante Adams, despite DeGuara, Lazard, and Cobb all open for quick shallow passes throughout the game. In fact, those three ran a combined 75 routes and were only targeted three times throughout the Divisional game. Adams was targeted 11 times.

Could the Davante Adams Trade be a Blessing in Disguise?

I certainly hope so. Rodgers will have to distribute the ball more evenly, potentially making the offense more balanced. I hope it leads to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion getting much more involved in the passing game. Allen Lazard and Christian Watson will likely be the top two receivers and Robert Tonyan will be back, and hopefully fully recovered from his knee injury. However, only time will tell.

Regardless, I wish Davante Adams the best in Las Vegas and hope one day he makes his way back home.



Why Notre Dame Makes Sense for the Big 10

Written July 3rd, 2022

In a previous article, I mentioned that the Big Ten reportedly has an offer on the table for Notre Dame to join the conference. The Fighting Irish have been fiercely independent of any conference for a long time. For them to join a conference, it would likely require an offer they can’t refuse (aka a Godfather offer).

The biggest single criteria a College Football Playoff hopeful needs is a victory in their respective conference championship game. More than once, that has kept the Irish out of the playoff. Notre Dame is currently classified as “FBS-Independent”, as they are not associated with any conference in football. As a side note, other FBS-Independent schools are BYU (joining the Big 12), Army, Liberty, New Mexico State (both Conference USA bound), Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Notre Dame’s Godfather Offer

USC and UCLA will be joining the Big Ten Conference in 2024. This presents the opportunity for renewed rivalries with USC and Michigan, two of Notre Dame’s most storied rivals. The Big Ten is always in contention for the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame could provide a legitimate threat to the perennial contenders.

In addition to that, Notre Dame squaring off with USC (now under Lincoln Riley) during rivalry week can create more amazing history for the Big Ten. Giving the Fighting Irish the opportunity to duel with the Buckeyes and Wolverines for supremacy in the conference will only boost the competitiveness of the entire conference.

Notre Dame is frequently ranked in the top five in the country. Now that Marcus Freeman is at the helm, I don’t see that changing any time soon. The energy he created in that locker room to wrap up the 2021 season was awe-inspiring. The prestige that Notre Dame carries with it would boost the Big Ten’s standing to elite status in NCAA conferences.

 

How Does a Big Ten + Fighting Irish Look?

Let us fast forward to the 2024 season. USC and UCLA are officially members of the conference, and Notre Dame has joined in this hypothetical realignment. Consequently, this is what I believe the conference would look like.

Big Ten East Division

Big Ten West Division

Aligning the league this way, in theory, restores competitive balance to the conference, therefore bringing an end to the top-heaviness of the conference. Talent-wise, the East division has been far superior to the West for a long time.

Whatever happens, I look forward to the fresh competition. The Fighting Irish have the perfect opportunity to prove they’re more than a “first team out” program. In the event they take that opportunity, I will welcome them with open arms to the conference.



The Jordan Love Hate HAS to Stop

Written July 3rd, 2022

Broken Records

We all know the story at this point. The Packers traded up in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft to pick Jordan Love. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t happy. I’ve heard it so much that I’m about to rip that record off the turntable and shatter it against a wall. That decision kicked off two seasons’ worth of drama, in both the fanbase and organization.

Before I get too deep, I do acknowledge that the Packers’ front office was absolutely in the wrong for leaving Rodgers out of major personnel decisions. Letting defensive pieces like Micah Hyde walk shrank the window of contention considerably. Shortly after receiving high praise from Rodgers, the Packers waived Jake Kumerow, who went on to be a key piece in a rebuilding Buffalo offense. It is completely understandable why that would bother Rodgers.

Is Jordan Love the future?

HOWEVER, it is always in an NFL team’s best interest to secure their future. Aaron isn’t going to play forever. The Packers were in a similar position when Brett Favre was on the tail end of his Packers career, and a fairly similar situation played out. Rodgers came in and quickly took over as the starting quarterback.

On the night of the 2020 draft, the front office made the decision it believed was best for the organization at the time. They believed Jordan Love was the future. Did I necessarily agree with it? No. If he doesn’t work out in Green Bay, he doesn’t work out, and that’s okay. We’ve got four more years of Aaron Rodgers.

The hate and vitriol that has been aimed at Jordan Love since the night he was drafted, from within this fanbase, is absolutely disgusting. People calling themselves Packers fans have been actively rooting for him to fail even before he put on a Packers jersey. Those “fans” should be ashamed of themselves. Of all of the drama, this has been the most bizarre to me. You’re supposed to root for the guys in green and gold, not actively hope for their failure.

Packers fans, we have been blessed with nearly three decades of stability at the quarterback position. I have confidence that the front office will find the right guy to be his successor, and so should you.

It could always be worse. We could be Lions fans.




Baker Mayfield versus The Browns

Written July 1st, 2022

Coming into the 2021 season, Baker Mayfield was undoubtedly the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. That proved not to be the case by the end of the season.

As tensions mounted between the Houston Texans and embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, the rumor mill began to turn regarding former number one pick Baker Mayfield’s future in a Browns uniform. Those rumors, though yet to come to fruition, have picked up steam since Cleveland’s acquisition of Deshaun Watson.

Once regarded as the franchise player Cleveland desperately needed, Baker Mayfield has found himself tossed to the side like last year’s toy on Christmas morning.

In an offseason ripe with new acquisitions, I’m surprised nobody has really bitten on Mayfield yet. Seattle and Carolina have been rumored to be interested, and he could absolutely benefit from a change of scenery.

Nov 1, 2020; Baker Mayfield Vs. Las Vegas Raiders

What is in Baker Mayfield’s future?

At the time of writing, the Browns QB room is occupied by Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, and Jacoby Brissett. The Browns’ front office is currently awaiting a decision on Watson’s eligibility status due to off-field behavior. Jacoby Brissett is the assumed QB in the event Watson is suspended long-term, despite Baker Mayfield still being on the roster.

When asked about the possibility of reconciliation, Mayfield had this to say:

“No. I think for that to happen there would have to be some reaching out. But we’re ready to move on, I think, on both sides.”

It is pretty clear at this point that he wants a change of scenery, regardless of Watson’s playing status come the 2022 season. A holdout is not out of the question if Baker Mayfield is not traded before the preseason.

Baker Mayfield has played as well as anyone could ask. Especially while dealing with a coaching staff and front office that turn over at the speed of light.

Mayfield is the longest-tenured Browns QB in two decades, and Cleveland is willing to throw him aside for someone who may very well not even play this year. Whatever the result of Deshaun Watson’s disciplinary hearing, Browns fans may want to add another name to that QB jersey.



Big Ten Expansion: How Big Can You Get?

Written July 1st, 2022

We are in an era of expansion. Last summer, it was announced that the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns would be heading to the SEC. Rumors began to swirl regarding if and how the Big 12 would survive such a loss. The SEC’s move to add these schools sparked discussions of how competing conferences would counter the perennially contending conference. Would the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12 respond? That answer came on June 30th, 2022.

The Big Ten’s Addition

News broke that the University of Southern California Trojans (USC), and the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins (UCLA) were in negotiations to join the Big Ten Conference in the 2024 academic year. Both schools bring with them iconic athletic programs that bring rich history to the Big Ten. The addition of USC and UCLA will bring the Big Ten to 16 members. More importantly, it will continue the conference’s decades-long tradition of being mathematically misnamed.

Who Does the Big Ten add next?

If rumors are to be believed, Oregon and Washington, two more Pac-12 teams, have contacted the Big Ten in regards to membership. Oregon and Washington leaving would very likely lead to the collapse of the Pac-12 conference entirely.

The addition viewed as far more likely, however, is the fiercely independent Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have flirted with the idea of joining a conference full-time, but never fully committed to it. Notre Dame’s historic rivalry with USC could mean so much more in an in-conference clash. Both additions would turn up the heat on Ohio State, which has consistently been the Big Ten’s representative in the College Football Playoff.

That makes 17, so what is the harm in one more?

My pick for the 18th member for the now woefully misnamed Big Ten Conference is……

The North Dakota State Bison. Since the school ascended from Division II to the FCS, the Bison have clinched at least a share of 10 Missouri Valley titles. The powerhouse has regularly punched well above its weight class, taking down multiple Power Five conference schools along the way. Sporting a 40-3 record in the FCS playoffs, including a 22-game winning streak, the Bison are 8-1 in 9 national championship appearances. The university said it would be fielding calls from conferences following the Sooners and Longhorns move. The time seems right for them to jump up the ranks again.

With realignment in the works, it feels like anything could happen. The Big Ten won’t be the only one making major moves, and I personally don’t believe they’re done. Hold on to your hats, because this could get wild.