Teams That Must Apologize For Passing On Tom Brady Last Offseason

The year is 2041, and 63-year-old Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders just defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Championship game. This marks Brady’s 50th playoff win and 15th Super Bowl appearance.

The more things change, the more things stay the same as Brady will once again play in the Super Bowl after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship 31-26. Brady finished the game 20/36 for 286 yards for 3 TDs and 3 INTs. Brady almost handed the Packers the game with three INTs in the second half, but the 43-year-old weathered the storm and helped a Tampa franchise reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2002.

The Bucs do not reach the Super Bowl without Brady. That is a fact. If Jameis Winston or any other free-agent quarterback signed with the Bucs this past offseason, they would struggle to make the playoffs. Brady changed the culture on day 1.

It’s also fair to say that Brady played for a team with elite receivers and stacked front-7, something that wasn’t present towards the end of his tenure in New England. Brady needed the Bucs just as much the Bucs needed Brady. It was a perfect relationship that could end with a Super Bowl victory.

Brady’s success brings me back to last offseason when eight teams were supposedly interested in the free agent’s services. However, only two teams made real offers, the Bucs and Chargers.

Hindsight is 20/20, but due to his success, many of those interested teams look silly for not courting Brady’s services. Maybe those teams listened to Max Kellerman, who in 2016, proclaimed that Brady would “fall off a cliff.” Meanwhile, Brady threw for 40 TDs this past season and will play in his third Super Bowl since that comment.

It’s fair to say Brady wasn’t going to settle for just any team. If it wasn’t the perfect situation, he wasn’t going to sign. However, think about how many teams would have been better off signing Brady last offseason. Why weren’t teams with quarterback issues lining up to talk with the six-time Super Bowl winner? For some teams, it’s time to apologize.

Teams That Must Apologize For Passing On Tom Brady Last Offseason

New England Patriots – Uh, ya think? The Patriots let Brady walk without a true succession plan. Cam Newton was good for two games and Jared Stidham looked awful. It’s back to the drawing board for Bill Belichick.

Indianapolis Colts – Imagine sitting down at a meeting with your front office and saying, “We’re choosing Philip Rivers over Tom Brady.” Try saying that with a straight face. Although Deflategate could have complicated matters, the Colts still had the right infrastructure for Brady to succeed. The fact the Colts looked at Brady and passed on him in favor of Rivers is a punhsiable offense.

Las Vegas Raiders – Would you rather have Brady or a platoon of Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota? The Raiders missed the playoffs, but they did beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Some could make the argument that’s bigger than a Super Bowl win.

Tennessee Titans – Ryan Tannehill proved his critics wrong with a stellar year at quarterback. Tannehill led the Titans to an NFC South Title and home playoff game. However, the Titans’ offense was nowhere to be found in their 20-13 loss to the Ravens in the Wild Card Round. Tannehill finished 18/26 for 165 yards, 1 TD and 1 costly INT. With AJ Brown, Corey Davis, Derrick Henry, I’d put money on Brady beating the Ravens with that roster.

Chicago Bears – I have an unhealthy obsession with Mitchell Trubisky. I really like the kid and think he can find success in the right system, but the Bears should have moved on from Trubisky in favor of a run at Brady. Instead, they chose to trade for Nick Foles, who threw for 10 TDs and 8 INTs. Poor Chicago fans.

San Francisco 49ers – At least the 49ers considered this option. Instead, they chose the other former Patriots’ QB, Jimmy Garoppolo, who most likely won’t be on the roster in 2021-2022.

Denver Broncos – Drew Lock?

Once again, Brady was not going to sign some of these teams. The fact remains that more teams should have made serious offers to Brady. In the end, Brady came out on top while everyone else goes back to the drawing board. It’s a tale as old as time.

Which teams should have signed Tom Brady last offseason? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning Will Win The Match: Champions for Charity

Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning Will Win The Match: Champions for Charity

The Match: Champions for Charity will give sports fans everywhere a chance to watch some of their favorite athletes compete for $10 million in COVID-19 relief.

Sports fans will be able to watch a competitive golf match on Sunday. Two of these competitors are synonymous with the golf world: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The other two, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, are known for their rivalry on the gridiron. The hope for fans is that these two rivalries that defined their respective sports can lead to an entertaining and highly competitive golf match.

Woods and Mickelson had their first one-on-one competition in November, which Mickelson won in a playoff. However, this competition will obviously have a different setup. Mickelson and Brady will team up against Woods and Manning.

Brady and Manning Competing Indirectly Against Each Other Once Again

Brady and Manning had their battles on the gridiron but were never directly competing against each other necessarily. Even if it was lip service, Peyton Manning has always said it was the Colts or Broncos against the Patriots. The games would play out as the team against the team.

Peyton Manning’s teams were able to win three AFC Championships against Brady’s teams. However, Brady’s teams have a better overall record against Manning’s teams. During an interview previewing The Match: Champions for Charity, Peyton Manning did point out how he and Tiger Woods have combined for 17 championships, compared to the 11 combined between Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson.

A Clutch Moment Or Two May Decide The Match: Champions for Charity

These athletes also have all had their clutch moments within their sports. There are many that have stood out to me. For Phil Mickelson, it was his Sunday at Muirfield in 2013 to win his first Claret Jug. Tiger Woods’ Masters’ win last year was the climax of one of the most unlikely comeback stories you might see. For Tom Brady, it was many of his crazy playoff wins. Super Bowl 51 will stand out as a game where he made timely throws to keep his team in the game. Peyton Manning and the Colts’ comeback in the 2006 AFC Championship against Brady’s Patriots will always stand out to me as the defining moment of his career.

This golf match will be decided by a clutch moment. Fans know that every person participating has the ability to upstage their opponent. It will just be a matter of who rises to the occasion.

Manning and Brady’s Battles On The Gridiron Have Always Been Team Battles Decided By Teammates

Manning and Brady have had their battles through the years, but the games between them were always team games. In 2009, when the Patriots were seemingly a lock to hand the Colts their first loss of the season, Bill Belichick decided to go for it on 4th-and-2. When Brady and the Patriots came back from down 24-0 to beat the Broncos, it was the miscommunication between Denver’s Tony Carter and Wes Welker’s that came to define that game. That is why my prediction is that the actions of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will define this match.

Expect Woods and Mickelson To Determine Strategy In The Match: Champions for Charity

The focus of The Match: Champions for Charity is about two rivalries combining to bring a super-rivalry golf match. However, Woods and Mickelson will not beat the other individual. Brady and Manning will not beat each other as individuals also.

For the first nine holes of the match, the better score for each team will be recorded. Therefore, if Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have better rounds than Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, their scores will get recorded for their whole team. For the second half of the match, teammates will alternate shots, which means that strategy will be key. It may be fair to assume that Woods and Mickelson will take the lead on the strategy end of things.

Prediction For The Match: Champions for Charity

The team of Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will win The Match: Champions for Charity because it is at The Medalist, which is Tiger Woods’ home golf course. Mickelson and Brady will keep this competitive to the point it may require a playoff, but Woods knows his course better than anyone. Regardless of who wins, however, sports fans will be entertained on Sunday.

7 Players Who Bombed the NFL Scouting Combine But Turned Into an All-Pro

NFL Scouting Combine 2019

Fans love the NFL Scouting Combine even more than the coaches, general managers, and scouts since it has been televised. It gives every fan access to the exact same measurable stats for each player as NFL franchises. Thus, fans begin to get a glimpse into how difficult it is to pick great players in the […]

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Why Do Fans Wait Until Great Athletes Retire to Openly Appreciate Their Greatness?

great athletes kobe lebron brady not appreciated

Avid football fans tuned in to watch the NFL’s most exciting event, Super Bowl LIII. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in a “defensive showdown”. It was the Patriots third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. It was also the franchises ninth Super Bowl appearance with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady at the helm. Given that Brady was successful in his ninth Super Bowl appearance, the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate has been embedded in almost every conversation. The ultimate question is – does this Super Bowl win solidify Tom Brady’s position as the GOAT?

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While the GOAT debate can be fun, it can also be pretty contentious. The contentious nature of the debate can deflect from the true greatness that sports fans are witnessing at the moment. The debate can cause sports fans to completely miss what it is happening because fans are focused on finding flaws in great players’ performances to justify who they think should be regarded as the GOAT. Accordingly, fans have a tendency to snub athletes during their careers who are later regarded as greats. Why do sports fans wait until the end of an athlete’s career to show their true appreciation?

The Black Mamba – An NBA Legend

One of the best examples of fans failing to show true appreciation until the athlete retires can be seen in former Los Angeles Laker, Kobe Bryant. Bryant is without question one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Bryant’s greatness cannot be disputed. After all, he scored 81 points in one game in his prime. Bryant then showed everyone how to retire when he scored 60 points in his final game. However, Bryant did not receive all of his deserved accolades until he retired. For years Kobe Bryant was one of the most hated athletes in sports. People thought he was arrogant, not a team player, and completely self-interested.

However, when he announced his retirement those sentiments changed. Instead, people said he was confident, made his teammates better, and led his teammates to several victories and NBA Championships. Everyone was ready to embrace the “Mamba Mentality.” Why did fans wait until Bryant’s retirement to show true appreciation for his performance in the NBA?

Maybe it is the old adage of not truly being able to appreciate something until it is gone. Once an athlete retires, fans are left wishing they could re-live the athlete’s greatest moments. The failure to truly appreciate Bryant while he was playing robbed the sports world of the opportunity to truly bask in his greatness. It seems that the sports world may be on the same track in regards to LeBron James and Tom Brady.

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Fans are Failing to Acknowledge LeBron James’ and Tom Brady’s Greatness While They are Playing

LeBron James is undisputedly one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. However, when he is talked about that fact seems to get lost. Fans often focus on the fact that he is 3-9 in the NBA Finals. However, when he retires the story will likely be re-framed to reflect the fact that James appeared in 8 consecutive NBA finals. Most recently, everyone talks of the fact that the Cavaliers were swept in the 2018 NBA Finals. Again when James retires the story will most likely reflect the fact that James took what was probably the most unlikely team ever to the NBA Finals.

Similarly, Tom Brady is and has been one of the most hated players in the NFL. Tom Brady’s ability to get his team to multiple playoffs, AFC Championships, and Super Bowls is truly remarkable. However, some sports critics find ways to poke holes in his performances. To be fair, in light of Spygate and Deflategate some of his criticism is earned. Critics use those instances to take away from his greatness. In spite of how some sports fans feel about those controversies, Brady’s innate ability to constantly have his team in a position to advance to the Super Bowl is nothing short of amazing. When Brady retires the talk will not be of Spygate and Deflategate, it will be about how Brady managed to advance to 9 Super Bowls.

If Fans Are Not Careful Other Great Moments are Going to Pass Them By

Sports fans should learn to appreciate James, Brady, and other greats while they are still playing. Fans should learn to stop looking at every player’s performance for what it is not and start to appreciate it for it is. In most cases, the players are doing something that has not been before and will probably never be done again. Just simply witnessing the longevity of James’ and Brady’s careers is remarkable.

The fact that James and Brady have been able to stay at the top of their games this late in their careers is remarkable as well. Their greatness should be admired now, not after they retire. If fans do not learn to stop being so critical, other great moments are going to pass them by. If fans are not careful, they will be left to wish they could re-live James’ and Brady’s and other players’ greatest moments.

Leave a comment with who do you believe are the most under appreciated athletes of all time?


Who Is The Greatest Athlete Of Your Lifetime?

greatest athlete Brady Jordan LeBron Serena

Tom Brady won his record sixth Super Bowl, which is the most of any player in NFL history. Brady passed linebacker Charles Haley, who won five Super Bowls during his tenures with the 49ers and Cowboys. But is he the greatest athlete of your lifetime and generation? Do Serena Williams, Tom Brady, LeBron, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Johnson, and Michael Phelps make your list?

Brady stands alone on the mountain as winningest NFL quarterback to ever play the game. Over the years, as the wins, records, and Super Bowls began to accumulate, Brady has started to earn the nickname of the “Goat,” which stands for greatest of all-time. For what it’s worth, I do believe Brady is the greatest of all-time in football, but I understand there are many sides to the argument. I did not see Jim Brown play and many believe he is the greatest football player of all-time. I also did not see Joe Montana play in the NFL and many also believe he is the greatest quarterback of all-time. These are all fair points.

However, I’m going to specify the question. Who is the greatest athlete of your lifetime? The answers will all differ depending on what year you were born, but I believe it’s a fair way of determining “Goat-status.” These are the athletes you have watched the most during your time on Earth so it will be easier to narrow down finalists for your selection as opposed to encompassing the entire history of sports.

I was born in 1993 and I have narrowed my list down to four athletes. You can call it my Mount Rushmore of “Greatest Athletes of my Lifetime.” Here are selections (in no particular order).

Tom Brady

Tom Brady / Getty

Am I a prisoner of the moment for including Brady on this list? Absolutely not. Brady has earned the right to be called one of the greatest athletes of all-time. Brady has 207 wins and 60 losses in the regular season, which is a .775 winning percentage. The next closest percentage is Brett Favre at .618. Brady completely separates himself from the pack due to his postseason dominance. Brady has an unprecedented 30 wins in the postseason. Joe Montana is second with 16. Brady is the Goat quarterback in my book.

LeBron James

LeBron James Injury Lakers
LeBron James / Via USA Today Sports

“You bro. Who is the Goat, Michael or LeBron?” Every time I hear this question, I want to gauge my eyes out. It’s unfair to both players because LeBron James is still playing. When his career is over, then start the debate. Anyways, LeBron is currently the greatest living and breathing basketball player on the planet. LeBron is a 3x NBA champion with 3x Finals MVP in nine appearances (eight straight trips to the finals and counting). The 15x All-star and 12x All-NBA First Team player is fifth all-time in scoring with 32,008 points. LeBron easily cements his place on my Mount Rushmore.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams / AP Photo

If I had to describe Serena Williams in one word, I would use “dominant.” Serena has dominated her competition ever since she turned pro as a 14-year-old in 1995. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, which is most in the Open Era and second on the all-time list behind Margaret Court. Between singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, Williams has won 39 major titles, which is second in the Open Era. Williams has been the world’s No.1 ranked player eight times and has been the No.1 ranked player for 319 weeks total. Perhaps the word “dominant” is undervaluing Serena’s legacy. Serena is a Goat in my eyes.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps / Getty

Unlike the three previous athletes, Michael Phelps might have the best case for Goat-status. Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all-time, having won a total of 28 medals in both individual and team events. Now you might think to yourself that because of Phelps’s silver and bronze medal totals, that is the reason why he has the most medals. If that was your belief, you would be wrong. Phelps has 23 gold medals, which is obviously first on the list. The second most decorated athlete in the Olympics is Larisa Latynina, a Russian gymnast, who accumulated 18 total medals. Phelps has more gold medals than any other Olympian’s total amount of medals. Phelps rarely lost in the Olympics and when he did, he’d usually walk away with a silver or bronze. Don’t expect any athlete to break Phelps’s record any time soon.

After laying out all of their cases, who is the greatest athlete of my lifetime?

I may need some more time to think…

Let me know who your greatest athlete selection is in the comments below!

*Disclaimer: I’m not selecting Michael Jordan because I was too young to watch and appreciate his greatness. Michael walked away from the game twice: once when I was five-years-old and then when I was ten-years-old. I simply did not see him play enough even though he is one of the greatest athletes of all-time.

The NFL Needs to Mirror College Football’s Overtime Rules

nfl Overtime Rules college football

On Sunday, football fans witnessed one of the most exciting NFL Championship Sundays ever. Both the NFC Championship game and the AFC Championship game went into overtime. There is nothing better than watching two teams fight it out so effectively that the game ends in a tie and is forced into overtime. Overtime is almost like a second game where both teams get an equal shot at becoming the victor. However, that is not exactly true for NFL overtimes.

A Coin Toss Decided the Outcomes of Both Championships

To no one’s surprise, the teams that won the two coin tosses won the games. The implementation of the “sudden death” rule on Sunday left many fans upset that each game was essentially decided by a coin toss. The games were decided by a coin toss as it was an almost certainty that the team that won the toss would take possession, score first, and win. Both teams did exactly that.

Although some may argue that the NFC Championship game was decided by a blown call at the end of the fourth quarter, the game still went into overtime.  The team that won the toss, the Los Angeles Rams, won the game without the New Orleans Saints ever getting an opportunity to score. In the AFC Championship game the team that won the toss, the New England Patriots, won the game without the Kansas City Chiefs ever getting an opportunity to score.  Accordingly, fans were upset that the NFC and AFC Championship games were essentially decided by a coin toss.

The NFL Needs to Change This, Especially for Championship Games

The NFL needs to change this. This is especially true as it pertains to championship games. The team that does not take possession at kickoff (usually the team who loses the toss) is essentially at an unfair disadvantage. Some may argue that there is no disadvantage because the defense should be able to hold off the opposing offense. This is a fair argument. However, it would be better if both teams were guaranteed a chance to perform on both offense and defense. Such a change would ultimately make the game more competitive. It would force both teams to prove they deserve to win offensively and defensively.

The NFL Needs to Adopt Some Variation of College Football’s Overtime Rules

The college football overtime rules are much better than the NFL’s. The NFL can certainly learn from college football in this area. Like the NFL, overtime in college starts with a coin toss.  Where it differs is in the fact that both teams are guaranteed a possession.  This means that both teams will have the opportunity to play both offense and defense. This is better because it forces both teams to earn the win on both ends of the field.  

If the team that gets the ball first scores, they must defend it and hold off the other team’s offense. The college overtime period starts at the 25-yard line.[i] If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime period it keeps going until a team wins.[ii] However, once the game reaches a third overtime period, the teams may no longer kick after a touchdown and are forced to attempt a two-point conversion.[iii] This goes on until a team wins.

Some may argue that this type of overtime makes for a long game.  That is true, a game could be extremely long if both teams keep scoring.  However, that is an extremely rare occurrence. Even with that possibility, the NFL needs to consider some variation of college football’s overtime rules.  Allowing who gets to advance to the Super Bowl to be determined by a coin toss is simply unacceptable.

[i] Chris Chavez, How Does College Football Overtime Work? Rule, NFL Differences Explained, Sports Illustrated (Aug. 14, 2017), https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/college-football-overtime-rules-explained.

[ii] Id.

[iii] Id.

Michael Jordan vs LeBron James Teaser Commercial: Who Would Win?

Michael Jordan

On Sunday, basketball aficionados got a rare treat.  His Airness himself, Michael Jordan, graced the airwaves of millions of Americans during Sunday Night Football. He appeared in a short commercial spoof addressing the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate. Jordan shocked the sports world by simply acknowledging that there was a debate.  Fans were in awe when he stated that the debate involved two players who wore the same the numbers. Jaws dropped when he suggested that the players face each other to settle the debate.

True basketball fans immediately gushed at Jordan seemingly addressing the GOAT debate between him and LeBron James, who both donned the number 23. Not only did he address it, he seemingly suggested that the two compete to determine who was the best.   For a brief second, avid basketball fans alike were overwhelmed with excitement at the mere thought of His Airness squaring off against King James.  Then reality hit when the commercial revealed its true purpose, the promotion of this seasons biggest Sunday Night Football game. The showdown between the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady and the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rogers who both wear the number 12 will take place this Sunday. While the GOAT debate between Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers is a worthy one, the focus here is on the greatest showdown basketball fans will never get to see.

LeBron James or Michael Jordan

LeBron James emerged on the NBA scene in 2003 at only 18 years old. He immediately became a dominant force in the NBA.  Many have speculated where he would fall in the line of NBA greatness.  Would LeBron James overthrow Michael Jordan as the Greatest Player of All Time?  The jury is still out on this issue, namely because James is still playing and has given no indication that he intends to stop anytime soon.  In fact, James signed a 4-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers to start his 16th season in the NBA.

However, the fact that James is still writing his NBA story does not stop basketball fans from debating who is better between him and Jordan. How do the two compare?  This is a simple, quick comparison that is sufficient for fantasizing about a game between King James and His Airness, not a full detailed stat for stat comparison.

In one corner, there is LeBron James who opted out of college and went straight to the NBA draft.  James was the number one pick in the first round of the draft. In the other corner, there is Michael Jordan an NCAA Champion and number three draft pick in the first round. King James has been to the last eight NBA finals and has won three.  His Airness made six NBA Finals appearances and won all six times.  James has three NBA Finals MVP awards to Jordans six. Additionally, James has four league MVP awards to Jordan’s five.  However, a showdown between two of the greatest to ever touch a basketball would put all of these stats comparisons to rest.

What would a Game Between King James and His Airness Look Like?

Although King James replied via Twitter that he was ready for a face-off, basketball fans will unfortunately never get to see such a show.

However, that unfortunate reality does not stop one from dreaming about what such a showdown would look like. Would the LeBron James who scored 51 points in the 2018 NBA finals show up to face the Michael Jordan who scored 63 points in a playoff game against the Boston Celtics? A game between James and Jordan would certainly be one for the record books.  The game would be riddled with first place slam dunk contest quality dunks.  It may even resemble some components of an NBA All-Star Weekend three-point contest (although Jordan may have a slight advantage from that aspect). The game would surely be a close one, with both players putting on a clinic riddled with crossovers and other spectacular moves that would be discussed for generations.

However, the looming question is who would emerge as the victor?  The outcome of the game would likely come down to the last play. Would His Airness pull up and clinch the game-winning shot as he did in game six against the Utah Jazz? Or would King James come from behind with the block as he did in game seven against the Golden State Warriors?  Unfortunately, the basketball world will never know, but what fun it is to imagine.

Five Up Five Down: The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL Teams Week Seven

NFL Teams Week Seven

Five Up Five Down

Five Up Five Down: The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL Teams Week Seven is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league.   Week seven is hours away from kicking off in the Mile High City. What did we learn from Week 6? Tom Brady has nimble feet, Aaron Rodgers is the comeback kid, Todd Gurley is the best running back on the planet, and the Ravens have just sacked Marcus Mariota yet again.

5 UP:  The 5 Best NFL Teams Week Seven

1. LOS ANGELES RAMS (6-0) Last Week:  2nd

The Rams are proving to be the best team in the NFL for many reasons. One of those reasons is they find ways to win games that they don’t play in very well. One guy who was dominant was Todd Gurley, who was again the best running back on planet setting career highs (208 yards 2 TD’s 7.4 Avg.) as he ran up and all over the Denver Broncos. He covered up for Jared Goff who was sacked five times and only completed 50% of his passes and threw an ugly interception. It marks the 2nd straight week of bad play from Jared after his fantastic performance against the Vikings. Goff has still put up impressive numbers on the year (1,928 Yards 12 TD’s 5 INT 110.9 Ratings) but with Gurley running this well, his numbers might decrease anyways. The Rams WR core has been beaten up recently with Copper Kupp out this week which has not helped Jared either.

The defense has played big in moments when they’ve had to. Consistency has been an issue all year long, and Wade Phillips is working on it. The Rams will finish up a long three-game road trip in San Francisco. They are 10.5 point favorites against the (1-5) 49ers who have played better than their record would indicate. The two rivals have met 137 times with the 49ers winning 69 of those contests.

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-1) Last Week: 1st

If you could ever build a case that you’ve won after losing, the Chiefs proved that this week. Patrick Mahomes II legacy is still growing when he nearly outdueled the GOAT. He threw for 352 yards and 4 TD’s (1,865 yards 18 TD’s 4 INT’s 112.2 Rating) this kid is beyond exceptional!  Another positive for the Chiefs in the 43-40 loss was the running game appeared in the form of Kareem Hunt (10 carries 80 Yards 8 AVG). If the Chiefs can balance the attack and eat up more time on the clock, they will win more close games. They gave Tom Brady too much time to beat them on Sunday night.

A high-powered offense again picked apart the Kansas City Chiefs defense. I realize the Chiefs are usually tough on 3rd down conversions (allowed over 50% to the Pats on Sunday night) but when you give up nearly 500 yards that will end up being a losing formula. The challenges keep coming for KC who will welcome a good Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) team to town. Chiefs are 6 point favorites, but Cincy leads the all-time series 15-13. Though they moved one spot down our list of Five Up, the Chiefs proved even in a loss they are a team who will contend for the top spot thanks to the most exciting player in the NFL.

3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-1) Last Week: 4th

The Saints enjoyed the Bye Week and gained a spot in our 5 Up category thanks to a Bengals loss in Pittsburgh. This week, Drew Brees and company will have to deal with a red-hot defense that just racked up 11 sacks last week. New Orleans’ schedule is brutal coming up with three of the next four crucial games on the road against (@Ravens, @Vikings, Rams, @Bengals). We will learn a lot about the Saints Super Bowl chances in the next month. Drew Brees, when its all said and done, would like to be #1 on the top 10 quarterbacks list. Ravens have dominated the series five games to one and are two-point favorites at home.

4. CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-2) Last Week: 3rd

So the Bengals lost to the Steelers last week, what else is new? They played very well but lost on a late Antonio Brown touchdown. I am merciful; they only dropped one spot in our rankings. The defense let down the Bengals against Pittsburgh. Three Steelers had over 100 yards by run and pass, which is not a good sign for Marvin Lewis team. The Bengals have a lot of young talent and Tyler Boyd is starting to become a household name.

The offense was not without blame as well. Andy Dalton was very inconsistent and wound up with just 229 yards through the air. Joe Mixon was, in my opinion, not used enough (11 carries for 64 Yards). If the Bengals don’t want to slide out of the top five, they will need to establish the run and make Joe Mixon part of a ball attack against Kansas City this weekend.

5. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) Last Week: Unranked

Well, it was just a matter of time before the Patriots were going to climb into the rankings. It was not an easy decision because the Chargers and Ravens are not far behind the Patriots. They have some serious questions on the defensive side of the ball. If there is any coach who can get all the questions answered and the mess cleaned up, it’s Bill Belichick. Check back in November and that defense will probably be corrected as it is every year.

When you have Tom Brady as your QB, it covers up a lot of weaknesses. He has some old weapons back in Edelman and some new ones to play with in Josh Gordon. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it looks like Brady is getting even better. What’s in that TB 12? What is also very appealing for the Patriots is the fact rookie running back Sony Michel is looking like a stud. The Patriots will travel to the Windy City to challenge the Chicago Bears (3-2). An aspect to watch is how the Pats will block Khalil Mack. New England is two-point favorites for week seven and leads the all-time series between the two teams, 9-4. The Biggest game between these two, of course, was Super Bowl 20 when the Bears trounced New England 46-10.

Closing in the top 5 this week:

Baltimore Ravens (4-2), LA Chargers (4-2), Miami Dolphins (4-2)

5 DOWN: The 5 Worst NFL Teams Week Six

28. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-5) Last Week: Unranked

The start of the 2018-2019 season has not been kind to the Colts. It looks like Andrew Luck is still trying to find his consistency, but he has very little to work with offensively. Indy is 30th running the ball which puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the shoulders of the franchise Quarterback (1,792 yards, 16 TD’s 8 INTS 88,8 Rating). Luck has been under duress as well, already being sacked 19 times so far this year.

The Colts defense has not offered any big stops when the team needs it most. They give up a lot of yards on the ground and provide no pass rush to create sacks (10 as a team) and turnovers. The perfect get well card is coming to town as the equally inept Buffalo Bills (2-4) enter Lucas Oil Field. The Colts are favored by seven and a half points, but the Bills lead the series 37-31-1.

29. N.Y. GIANTS (1-5) Last Week: 29th

The Giants are a complete disaster right now as week seven begins. After playing better in Carolina, they came home in a must-win versus the Eagles and everyone other than Saqoun Barkley played horribly.  The offensive line did an excellent job run blocking, but the Eagles pushed them aside and terrorized Eli Manning all night. The Odel Beckham Jr. soap opera is another example of blaming the teams best player when he is not the issue. Eli Manning, as great as he has been in his career, looks like a washed-up gunslinger who is out of bullets. The Giants got a great player in Barkley but the decision to give Manning one more year seems like a disaster.

The defense has been equally inept. Eli Apple seems to be fighting everyone, and the tackling has been poor. Pat Shurmur has a lot of work on his hands, and one must wonder if he doesn’t hear the clock tick on his job. He deserves patience but the New York fan base has none. If the team continues to have terrible performances like against the Eagles last Thursday night, Pat might be a coordinator somewhere else soon. The Giants will be in Atlanta on Monday night. There is a chance to put up big numbers against a struggling Falcons defense. The Falcons (2-4) are four and a half favorites against the G-men at home, and the series is even at 12 games apiece.

30. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-5) Last Week: 30th

The Cards are improving in some areas, but surprisingly it was the defense that let them down in Minneapolis. Somehow the Cards let the inept running game of the Vikings get 195 yards on the ground. They did create another turnover for a score. However, giving up 27 points on the road with a rookie quarterback is a recipe for a loss. David Johnson continues to be average but one bright spot is the play of Christian Kirk who was noticeable getting open against a stingy Vikings defense (6 catches for 77 yards).

The Cardinals will be in Denver tonight to face the (2-4) Broncos. This might be the worst matchup for the Cardinals historically who have lost eight of the ten matchups with one ending in a tie. This will be another learning curve for Josh Rosen (626 Yards 55.6 % 2 TD’S) who hasn’t played that bad after relieving Sam Bradford of the starting duties.

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (1-5) Last Week: 32nd

Did the 49ers lose in heartbreak fashion on Monday night? Yes, they did. Like many teams, the failure to stop Aaron Rodgers late in a game lead to a loss at Lambeau Field. The team played hard, and a lot of positives come out of this loss, which is why they moved up the rankings. No team in the NFL has been hit with so many injuries. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan deserves credit because his team comes to compete every week.

C.J. Beathard to his credit has played well (892 yards 6 TD’s 5 INTs 87.3 Rating) since coming in for injured Jimmy Garoppolo. How long will this last, nobody knows? The issue with the 49ers is the defense. It’s frustrating because they get pressure and sacks but the secondary has been awful. Yes, this does include a past his prime Richard Sherman. Next up for the 49ers  for week seven, is the best team in football, the Los Angeles Rams (6-0). When it pours downhill, you are 1-5, the Rams are next of course.

32. OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-5) Last Week: 31st

Well, Jon Gruden said his team is not tanking. That’s great.  Gruden grinders getting up at 4 am to put together a dated offensive system. I like Coach a lot.   He is a stand-up guy, but this team is brutal and the worst in the NFL. His offensive gameplan is old, and the team is somehow worse than it was last year. Getting embarrassed across the pond in London 27-3 to a beleaguered Seahawks team is disgusting. I’ve said this all along, Derek Carr looks like a lost soul. Is he fixable? Well, that is what Jon Gruden is supposed to do. He looks like he has regressed from last year. If you listen to talk radio, the marriage of Gruden and the fans are in a state of divorce proceedings.

As far as the defense, they are minus 66 point differential – the worst in the league. It’s ugly, and the lack of depth is the fault of the entire organization. Hey, Khalil Mack says hi from Chicago. The good news for the Raiders is that they cannot lose this weekend. Oakland is enjoying a Bye week. When they get back on October 28th, the equally inept Colts will be in town. It will be a chance for the Silver and Black to get a win.

Teams that are knocking on futilities door:

Buffalo Bills (2-4), Denver Broncos (2-4), Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 8.

Why doesn’t the MLB have more super stars?

The NBA has Lebron James…The NFL has Tom Brady, but what about the MLB? Think for a second… When was the last time the MLB had what would be considered a superstar? My closest consideration would be someone like Bryce Harper. However, if I walked up to someone on the street and showed them a picture of Harper, would they know who he is? Chances are slim if you ask me.

Now begs the question of why.

  1. Let’s be real, the majority of baseball fans are older:

The average baseball fan is 53. For the most part, people at this age don’t pay attention to things like social media and advertising featuring professional athletes. People my dad’s age aren’t going to give a shit if Steph Curry designed these sneakers. He just cares that they’re comfortable and looks decent.

2. Baseball fans are INCREDIBLY traditional: 

Baseball fans are not big on change. Anything that would make you a “showoff” is frowned up. I mean for the love of all that is Holy people complain about the way baseball players WEAR THEIR PANTS! ” I think this contributes to the problem. If a player tries to show off, he’s told to tone it down.

3. They have to apologize for things like bat flips:

Now to be fair, we don’t know what they’re thinking, but when a player hits a grand slam and says he “meant no offense” that’s a problem. There are so many old men that sit there and judge someone for celebrating that players are afraid to take their moments. That’s gotta contribute to a player’s popularity. For goodness sakes, if the dude isn’t hurting anyone let him have his moment.

4. The Umpires

If you’re going to throw out an up and coming “superstar” player because he’s speaking his mind and thinks you got a call wrong, you’re going to lose viewers. Especially when to the majority of people you did get it wrong. Also when a player purposely hits another player who has superstar potential and you don’t eject him that’s a problem. How do you expect to have superstars when they’re getting hurt by other players, and nothing is done about it.

Let me make something clear; I’m not saying the MLB doesn’t have superstars. I mean look at guys like Aaron Judge, I’m just saying I think they could have a lot more.

Have your reasons the MLB lacks a superstar? Think baseball is fine and nothing needs to change and they do have a superstar? Voice off in the comments below!

2017: Ranking Every NFL Quarterback 1-32

All NFL quarterbacks are not created equal, but we must always determine who is the greatest. All season I kept hearing about this guy and that guy is an elite quarterback. I got so frustrated hearing fans having this discussion without having a clue of what the truth is that I had to provide a definite list for you guys. Since you come to me for truth and honesty, I am obligated to provide an objective and real ranking, free from bias or hate. I broke them down into multiple categories: Elites, Specials, Everybody Else’s, and Young Cats.

The definition of elite: the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons, persons of the highest class.
Before you continue, don’t bother getting upset if your quarterback isn’t on the elite list. If he is not on the Elites list, he is NOT elite. Just accept it! There are only 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Even having 5 elites is already 15% of the league. So, if your quarterback is in the 25th percentile, he’s not elite. Elite quarterbacks literally have no holes in their game, and every team without an elite would trade their quarterback for an elite.
*Transparency- I originally put my Elites out on twitter and read as if Rivers and Stafford are elite, they are not.
* I intentionally left Andrew Luck off the NFL QB rankings. He hasn’t played in over a year and only God knows when/if we will see him again.

Elites

The Elites are special and usually Hall of Fame caliber quarterbacks. These quarterbacks who give you an opportunity to win no matter how much adversity is thrown their way. They give you a chance to win with a makeshift offensive line, no running back, and no defense. These guys make improbable comebacks look routine. No lead is ever safe when you face one of the Elites. It is no coincidence that the Elites are in the playoffs nearly every year, and are usually preseason Super Bowl contenders.

If you are wondering if your quarterback should be on this list, ask yourself one simple question. Would I trade my quarterback for those guys? The answer is yes you would.
1. Aaron Rodgers– The best quarterback in the NFL. He checks every box. Every team in the NFL would trade their quarterback for him. Even the Patriots. He still has 6+ years of great football left.
2. Tom Brady– At 40, Tom Terrific is still just that, terrific. However, there had been a little decrease in his arm strength and deep play ability lately.
3. Drew Brees– Brees is part of the 70,000 passing yard club, and still lighting it up.
4. Russell Wilson– Russell was in the Specials category until this year. He single-handedly kept Seattle in playoff contention this year without a running back, offensive line, or top-flight defense.
5. Ben Roethlisberger– Just when people start questioning the two-time Super Bowl champion, he reminds doubters he is elite. He threw for 469 yards and 5 TDs in the Steelers playoff loss.

Specials

The Specials are the quarterbacks who are significantly above average but don’t quite make the Elite cut. These guys put up big numbers and win a lot of games, but occasionally leave their fan bases wishing for an Elite. They are irreplaceable because the only quarterbacks better than them are elite, and sane people realize Elites just don’t fall out of the sky.
6. Cam Newton– There are only two things keeping Cam out of the Elites category: competition percentage, and 3rd down completion percentage.

7. Phillip Rivers– Rivers is the Karl Malone and Charles Barkley of the NBA. They have no championships because of Michael Jordan.  Rivers has none because of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
8. Matt Ryan– Matty Ice is a special quarterback. To this point, he has not shown the ability to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory. Too often after losses we hear, “he played good enough to win”. Good is not good enough when better is expected.

9. Matthew Stafford– He has been much better since he stopped changing his arm motion on every throw. He simply does not have enough big games to warrant the Elites tag.
10. Kirk Cousins– The future looks very bright for Kirk Cousins. He has all the tools to be an Elite quarterback. He has to get his team into more big games to make the leap into the Elites.

11. Carson Wentz– Wentz is still a young guy and should be in the Young Cats group, but he’s been so phenomenal that he deserves it.

Everybody Else’s

The Everybody Else’s are a very unique category because overall these are solid quarterbacks. Their fan bases have a love/hate relationship with them. They love them but are often frustrated by the peaks and valleys that happen in the NFL. If these guys are surrounded by good defense and a running game they can win it all. Some of the Everybody Else’s are even Super Bowl champions or former Specials. They have fallen down the list because of age, being overrated, or poor play. The rest of them are young guys that no longer fall into the Young Cats category. It is definitely possible and likely that some of these guys may move up to Specials.

12. Alex Smith– Smith will never lose you the game, but he will occasionally win it for you. I always believe he was coached into the “game manager” role.
13. Marcus Mariota– Mariota is too old to be in the Young Cats category. He has definitely shown he has potential to be a Specials or Elites quarterback. If he gets some stability at offensive coordinator he will have an opportunity to show his true potential.

14. Derek Carr- If you owned “Derek Carr is the next best thing” stock, 2017 had to make you consider selling.

15. Joe Flacco– After 10 years in the NFL it is clear, he’s the definition of an average quarterback. I have been screaming since the 2011 season Super Bowl that Flacco wasn’t elite. He has one really good year. He has only thrown over 25 TDs once in his career, and only once under 12 interceptions.

16. Blake Bortles– Blake Bortles and Joe Flacco are the EXACT SAME GUY. The only difference is that Flacco got hot one year and won a Super Bowl. Bortles is younger and definitely has an opportunity to make a run with the Jaguars defense.

17. Jameis Winston– Again… too old to be in the Young Cats category. He has to stop turning the ball over to be a Specials quarterback.
18. Eli Manning– The window is closing on a great career. If he can land with a great defense, he might still have another Super Bowl run left in him.
19. Andy Dalton- The Red Rocket is Alex Smith “lite”.
20. Tyrod Taylor– He is the Black Alex Smith. The best way to describe Taylor is “efficient, not exceptional”. 
21. Case Keenum– Are we supposed to believe 2017 Case Keenum or 2012-16? I know his team is playing in the NFC Championship, but I have 5 seasons that say this season is an outlier.
22. Josh McCown– You have to applaud the job he did with the Jets this year. Everyone expects the Jets to go winless. McCown defied the odds. Can you believe he has been in the NFL for 15 years?

23. Jay Cutler– He was retired…If teams are going to continue to give him $10 million and not care about the results then he should take it.

Young Cats

The Young Cats are just that, Young Cats. There is not a large enough sample size to appropriately rank them with the other guys. The arrow is still up on the majority of these guys, but this is the NFL, inexperience is not a valid excuse for a lack of success for long.
1. Jared Goff– He looked like a bust as a rookie, but he rebounded with a very impressive sophomore campaign.
2. Dak Prescott– He has to be able to win games when Sean Lee and Ezekiel Elliott are out.
3. Deshaun Watson– His last 5 starts were absolutely electric. The arrow is so far up on this guy. I’m scared to put a limit on what category he can ascend to next season. However, he cannot be ranked any higher because the sample size is so small.
4. Jimmy Garoppolo– He’s 5-0 and showed flashes of promise on a bad team. He has a lot of hype surrounding him, can he live up to it.
5. Mitchell Trubisky– He didn’t look terrible. He looked like a rookie on a bad team. Maybe we will see a Jared Goff-like year two.
6. Jacoby Brissett– Talk about a guy in a difficult situation. He showed up in Indianapolis at the start of the season and was thrown to the wolves. I believe he can be a quality player if Luck doesn’t make it back.
7. DeShone Kizer– Just an awful situation. I feel bad for him because the Browns may draft a quarterback in the first round and he may never get a real opportunity to be an NFL starter.