More than just Lebron James and Tom Brady
Hello Everyone! Welcome to Overlook Sports!
The purpose of this blog is to highlight issues in sports that may not be garnering much attention in the national spotlight, but are still news worthy and thought provoking. Sports has so much more to offer than just Lebron James and Tom Brady and we hope to showcase that to everyone; hopefully making ALL major American sports great again, not just the NFL and NBA.
Starting from the beginning of this season, nothing has been what it appeared to be. The preseason #1 showed to be far from it, as UNC is walking a razor thin line to even make the tournament. Thanks to a massive Quad-1 win last week against Virginia, they have a chance, but this season has not been kind to the team who had National Championship hopes after making it last year. In fact, the number 1 spot has been up for grabs all year, with 4 different teams holding the spot. While that may not seem like a lot, no team has been able to assert their dominance this year, with the longest time any one team held the position being 4 weeks. In total, there have been 6 changes to the first-place team and in a 17-week season, that is a lot of turnover at the top. This is not to say that these teams aren’t good, but rather they lack the dominance that sets them apart in a league of their own heading into the tournament.
In terms of being the top dog, Purdue has led the longest of any other teams this year. It may sound cliché, but Purdue just plays good all-around ball. They can play good, team offense and get stops when need be, but where they make their mark is on the glass. Thanks in large part (no pun intended) to 7’4 Zach Edey, they are grabbing 11 more rebounds a game than their opponent, leading to second chance points for themselves and limiting those points for their opponent. This margin is the highest in college basketball, a sport where controlling the glass is of the upmost importance. This is why Purdue has been the most consistent team in the country this year and is the “favorite” to win it all.
Houston, the team with the 2nd longest time at the #1 spot this year, is a master in the art of defense. The Cougars lead the country in defensive points per game, only giving up a mere 55.9 points per game. Night in and night out this team comes in knowing that if they score just 60 points, they have a good chance to win. Yes, Houston plays in the AAC where the talent level isn’t the same as the power 5 conference’s, but the tenacity in which they play with is unparalleled across the sport. The time old adage is that Defense Wins Championships; if that statement is true, then Houston should cruise to the title game.
One thing we know for certain in March Madness, is that nothing is certain. As great as the top teams have been this year, they aren’t without flaw. Purdue lacks the athleticism to run and gun with teams; if the game becomes a track meet full of fast breaks, they cannot hang. Houston lacks offensive firepower, if they run into a team that can handle their defense and get to the basket often, I’m not sure if their offense can keep up. Alabama, who hasn’t been mentioned yet, is a great team who can score at will. Their problem will be their mental fortitude and if they can handle all the attention and scrutiny the team is receiving in the wake of the capital murder investigation involving former teammate Darius Miles and current star Brandon Miller.
With the doubts at the top of the class, it is a given that this year’s tournament will be one of the most tumultuous we’ve seen in recent memory. Teams ranked 4-25 are just as good as the top of the field on any given night; each with their own strengths and weaknesses that make them unique. In a tournament where the draw is random and the time to prepare is limited, there are endless possibilities to who might be crowned NCAA champion by the time March Madness is concluded. Some of the dark horse areas to look?
The field is wide open this year and the tournament is primed. Now, all that’s left is to watch the madness unfold. In Chinese New Year, it is the Year of the Rabbit. For March Madness, it’s the Year of the DOG.
-SAINT LOUIS, MO— Technically speaking, the Cardinals are the 2nd most successful franchise in Major League Baseball history; they have 11 World Series Rings. A team rich in history, St Louis has always had their hand in the story of baseball. Bob Gibson broke down barriers and is one of the best pitchers to ever touch the mound. Mark McGwire revived baseball in the late 90’s, gluing audiences to the tv with his single season HR race. Pushing into the 2000’s, they debuted one of the greatest sluggers of all time in The Machine, Albert Pujols. In fact, since 2000, the Cardinals have finished above .500 every year except one. Wins and personal achievements are great, but championships are the expectation for the Red Birds. With over a decade since their last World Series ring, St Louis is more than hungry to bring a title back to the Gateway of the West. The journey will be daunting, but I believe this team is poised for the pennant in 2023.
For starters, this lineup is absolutely loaded. Let me break it down for you:
Paul Goldschmidt is the reigning MVP. Always a defensive cornerstone at First Base, last year Goldy decided to turn it up at the plate as well; smashing 35 HR and 115 RBI’s in the process. Not only was he electrifying, he was consistent, with a batting average of .317 and and OPS of .981. Long story short, he was a monster last year and he’ll certainly be a monster again this year
Nolan Arenado may be the greatest defensive Third Basemen to ever live, and that’s not an exaggeration. You would have to go back an entire decade to find the last time someone other than Arenado won the Gold Glove for Third Base. In fact, you’d have to look back another 6 seasons if you wanted to find a better defender period; he’s won the Platinum Glove for best defender in the league each year since then. Also a 5x Silver Slugger winner (best hitter at 3B), Arenado is no slouch at the plate. The presence of Arenado and Goldschmidt makes the rest of the team better, as their veteran presence and game-breaking talent are unmatched across the league.
The addition of Willson Contreras this off-season is massive for the Cardinals. To replace a hall of fame catcher like Yadier Molina is a tall task, but Contreras is more than capable of filling his shoes. Most catchers’ numbers won’t be eye popping, but Willson’s OPS and OPS+ are far above the league average for the position. More importantly, he’s a captain behind the plate; guiding his pitchers in and out of stormy situations night in and night out. His ability to frame pitches and block the ball will be massive for the young pitchers hurling in St. Louis.
We can’t forget about the rising stars either. Tyler O’Neil is going to be a PROBLEM this season if he can stay healthy. Health has always been an issue for O’Neil, but with a flashy glove (Golden Glove winner OF) and some serious pop in the bat, he’s prepared to be a major key to the Cardinals success this season. In the same breath, Tommy Edman is no slouch either. Gifted with blinding speed and stout defense (Golden Glove winner 2B), Edman is a crucial part of the story if St Louis wants to see success this year. Edman stole 32 bases for the Cards last season, this year we might see 40.
As you can see, the lineup is certainly full of defensive studs who can also make a difference at the plate. The real question for the St Louis Cardinals this year comes from the pitching staff. Will Miles Mikolas and Matthew Liberatore finally turn the page and become aces this year? We’ve seen flashes of it, but the consistency of these 2 needs to be present if this clubhouse looks to make a deep run at the Fall Classic. In the same light, will the bullpen be the anchor they need to? They certainly have the talent: Ryan Helsley, Giovanni Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera are more than capable of the job.
The National League is stacked with talent this year, there’s no denying that. Philadelphia is bringing everyone back from last seasons spectacular run AND they added Trea Turner. The Dodgers are the Dodgers. And the New York Mets have 2 of the best pitchers to ever play the game in their starting rotation. Even with all of this talent standing in the way, I believe the Cardinals have the firepower needed to rise above it all. The bats are primed, the gloves are oiled and the mindset is right. This season, baseball will reign supreme in the Midwest; this season, the St Louis Cardinals will win their first World Series title since 2011.
-THE BRONX, NY—The New York Yankees head into the 2023 season with the same mentality as they have every season; this is the year we take it all the way to the top. From an outside perspective, its easy to laugh off the notion, as they have floundered year in and year out. Suffering an awful ending to what “should have” been a promising season. Since their last World Series win in 2009, the Yankees have managed to fumble the bag more times than they’d like to remember. 10 postseason appearances, 5 ALCS losses; the clutch is broken on the Yankees and they are hoping that they’ve gotten the right fix in this offseason.
So, what’s the solution? What did the mechanic Brian Cashman do to bring a solution to the Yankees’ brokenness? The fix comes in the form of 2x All-Star Carlos Rodon. More importantly, the Carlos Rodon who has finished in the top 5 for Cy Young voting in each of the last 2 seasons. Armed with a blinding fastball and a vicious slider, Rodon, especially throwing from the left side of the mound, has become one of the league’s best strikeout artists. In fact, he had the highest K/9 (12) of any Major League starter last year.
While the Yankees offense has certainly been hit or miss in seasons past, the inconsistencies in their starting rotation have been a major Achilles heel for the Pinstripes. Last year it was Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes then _________. The Yankees struggled to find consistency in their 3-5 pitchers. They acquired Frankie Montas via trade, but with a bad shoulder injury, he was more of a liability than an asset for New York. Jameson Taillon launched intro the stratosphere the 1st half of the season, only to tragically fall down to earth in the 2nd half. Luis Severino was good, but injuries held him out for nearly two months of the season. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt tried to fill the gaps but the bad always weighed out more than the good from those two. With the addition of Rodon, New York has a stable of workhorse pitchers that they can rely on night in and night out. In a best of seven series, that’s a serious ringer to have on your side. Whether it be throwing on short rest, or needing just one good bullpen game, the Yankees starting trio will be a menacing presence for the hitters who oppose them, especially in the postseason where it matters most.
I don’t want to understate how good this three-headed monster will be for the Yankees. Rarely do you see a team rollout pitchers 1-3 and all of them are Cy Young contenders. Cole and Rodon finished 1st and 3rd respectively for strikeouts last year in the Majors. Nasty Nestor himself was among the best in the American League in ERA+ and WHIP. These pitchers are going to make the scoreboard keeper at Yankee Stadium find a new hobby, as there will be a lot of “0’s” being put on the board. Each of these pitchers has a different style of throwing as well that will mess up the timing and rhythm of opposing teams. Going from a flame throwing RHP (Cole) to a finesse throwing LHP (Cortes) and then getting a combo of both with nasty breaking pitches from Rodon. This variation in style will force teams to bring their “A” game every day, and in a 162-game schedule, that’s a lot to ask for. Simply stated, the New York Yankees will overpower a lot of teams they face this year.
The addition of Rodon may only be one player, but he is the key the Yankees need to finally make it over the hump in the 2023 season and beyond. Does New York still have other question marks in their lineup and on the field? Absolutely. However, I believe the consistency of the pitching staff will provide the front office a great opportunity to address the rest of their lineup. Instead of worrying about fixing their rotation, they can focus on upgrading other positions, mainly LF and SS. When it’s all said and done, I see this trio of pitchers going down as one of the best rotations to ever exist; and the main catalyst for the World Series rings to come.
Tom Brady should be the undisputed, greatest of all time player in NFL history. People can argue his talent isn’t the best, but at the end of the day, the goal in playing any game is to win. All Tom Brady did was win; as an individual and as a leader of his team. Just take a moment to regale in the accolades of the 23-year NFL Veteran:
The man is an absolute legend. For over 20 years, he made a habit of crushing the hopes and dreams of every fan base in the NFL. Every year it seemed as almost a foregone conclusion: if we want to win the Super Bowl, we will have to beat Tom Brady. As time moved on, the amount of legendary events involving TB12 kept adding up. Whether it be a moment ending in epic success like the 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl 51, or a historical moment where the Eagles won the Super Bowl for the first time as a franchise; the “Tuck” rule, Malcom Butler on the goal line, GRONK. So many iconic points in NFL history and Brady was at the center of them all. There is no denying that the story of football cannot be told without Brady.
It is a bittersweet moment, seeing the figurehead of a generation in the NFL call it a career. With all of the new and budding talent arising in league, it was only a matter of time until the old guard decided to call it a career. Seeing Mahomes, Burrow, Allen and so many other young quarterbacks putting the game on their shoulders, it is obvious that the game will be as exciting as it ever has been moving forward. Brady paved the way for this new generation of football and THAT may be the greatest mark he leaves on the game. Todays’ NFL has become a QB driven league; everyone is in search for the one who will be the constant catalyst for their team’s success. Everyone is looking for their Tom Brady.
So as the sunrises on this new era of NFL football, so does the sun set on what has been an amazing career for the greatest of all time. Thank you, Tom. Thank you for being the common denominator in most fan bases despair every season. More importantly, thank you for being the common denominator in making the game we all love, the best in the world.
Good vs Evil. It’s a tale as old as time. The contrast in what is right and wrong has been the centerpiece for infamous art, literature and films throughout time. In sports, it’s typically the difference between teams/players who draft and build their team, in comparison to teams who just pay for their rosters. The best example that can be seen is the New York Yankees. For decades, George Steinbrenner would outbid anyone to get the guys he wanted, and the result? 5 World Series victories and building a dynasty dubbed “The Evil Empire”. The success of the team, combined with their methods to get to that point, is what earned them this status. The Yankees haven’t won the World Series in over a decade so their empire is fading away, but a new one is being built right across town in Queens, NY: home of the New York Mets.
Steve Cohen is the closest we’ll ever get to another George Steinbrenner. He wants to see his team win and will open up his wallet to make it happen. Late last night, Cohen put his final stamp on a wild spending spree in the offseason with the 12 year, $315 million signing of Carlos Correa. After the Correa signing, Cohen has invested over $800 million in the future of his team among 8 players. Not to mention the contracts they have on the books from signing Francisco Lindor and Max Scherzer the past 2 off-season’s. In total, the Mets payroll will be $384 million, easily exceeding the largest luxury tax threshold of $100 million for anything over $293 million spent.
So, what exactly does this mean? Steve Cohen will pay $484 Million this season in an attempt to win a World Series. When asked for his thoughts on the amount of money he would now have to pay in luxury tax , Cohen said “What the heck’s the difference? If you’re going to make the move, make the move”.
To describe Cohen as “All-In” would be an understatement. This type of aggressive ownership is great for baseball. In the 90’s when the Yankees dynasty was humming, there were few brands more recognizable than the Bronx Bombers. In turn (among other factors), Major League Baseball soared out of a dead era and began one of their most popular ones. I see the same thing happening here with the New York Mets. The talent compiled with this spending is extremely impressive, let me just highlight their roster.
This roster is immensely talented; what I highlighted is just scratching the surface on what makes up a World Series caliber team. In 2023 and beyond, look for the New York Mets to become the new villain of Major League Baseball; becoming a team that does whatever it takes to win and makes no apologies about it.
“Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck” – Don Shula
The position that wins super bowls, the position that determines whether a GM and Coach are considered successful; this is the way of the Quarterback. In times of trouble, the QB of your team is your lighthouse; someone who navigates the darkness, even through the most difficult of circumstances. Since the QB is most important, they should be priority 1 when it comes to an NFL franchise, right? In the words of Lee Corso, not so Fast my Friend!
This NFL season seems to be an episode of the Twilight Zone. Aaron Rodgers is about to be benched for Jordan Love, Geno Smith ‘Space-Jammed’ Russell Wilson’s abilities and Tom Brady is no longer winning his battle w/ Time. Nothing in the NFL makes sense anymore, but this isn’t just a random, one-off event. Instead, we are witnessing the changing of the guard. In a league dominated by QB play, more and more teams are looking to find their next star to elevate them to new heights. Those in need have turn to two places; either veterans in free agency or young QB’s in the draft. The old veterans that have been bouncing around the league never get better than they were at their previous stop, showing ok talent but nothing great (i.e. Andy Dalton, Carson Wentz and Mitch Trubisky). Even in the NFL draft, some of the top draft picks are also struggling to step up to that next level (i.e. Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, Daniel Jones). So many swings and misses, yet teams continue to search day and night for the next “stud” QB. What if you didn’t need a superstar at QB like today’s modern NFL says? What if all the team needed was a good locker room fit, a QB who could rally the team and “be the glue”?
First take a look at the New York Jets. They drafted Zach Wilson and he has been less than impressive in his 2 seasons with the team so far. In fact, Zach Wilson ranks dead last among qualified starters in passing yards and touchdowns this season. The Jets as a whole on the other hand, are playing very well; ranking 5th in Points allowed/ per game and 3rd in yards allowed per game. The offense wasn’t cutting it with Wilson so they turned to Mike White. In 3 starts, White has 1 less TD pass (3) than Zach Wilson has (4) in 7 starts this year. In that same amount of time, Mike White has only 300 less passing yards than Wilson. While the team may not have a better win percentage with White, he’s shown he can handle himself well in tough situations, keeping the game within 1 score against 2 of the top teams in the NFL the last 2 weeks (Vikings and Bills). Another key change with White under center is the team chemistry. Guy’s are getting off the team plane wearing “Mike F’n White” shirts and publicly encouraging their QB, a feat rarely seen with Wilson under center. Even disgruntled wideout Elijah Moore has calmed down and begun to produce for the Jets. With a new energy in the locker room, the Jets are looking to capitalize and make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 with Mike White at the helm.
Skip across the country and you’ll find another team in a very similar boat. The only difference between the 49ers and Jets is that the QB position was stable BEFORE Brock Purdy arrived. Asking Purdy to elevate the 49ers would be tough however as they’re currently 8th in PPG and 9th in YPG. That being said, Purdy has not let the offense skip a beat in the absence of Jimmy Garoppolo, scoring 33 points against the Dolphins and 35 against the Buccaneers. Purdy has proven that he can play just as well as the other QB’s in the room, and at a much cheaper price tag. If the 49ers were to move forward with Purdy (and Trey Lance once he returns), they would have an extra 15-30 million to go and get more firepower, or allocate that towards an extension for a player who is crucial to their success.
Mike White and Brock Purdy have shown that it doesn’t take a “generational talent” at QB to fix a team’s offense. White is a 5th rounder from Western Kentucky who was cut by the Cowboys before ending up in NY. Purdy was dubbed “Mr Irrelevant” in this year’s draft, being taken with the last pick. This isn’t to say don’t go after the stud QB’s who can win games by themselves; Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert are among those talents who are helping their teams in major ways and all the credit to them. I’m just saying in today’s NFL, it’s not the only way to find success. NFL Teams who need a QB always seem to stretch for one in the NFL draft, we see it every year. Whether it be a decent performance in their bowl game or at the combine, 1 or 2 guys always seem to shoot past their true grade and a team will draft them based off their “ceiling”. In the same note, certain players will fall in the draft because their ceiling is limited, most of the time due to their age (staying through their senior year). White and Purdy both stayed through their senior year and their draft status took a hit because of it, despite great performances in college; Mike White had the 4th most passing yards of any QB his senior year and Purdy in his had the 5th best completion percentage.
Success at the college level should be a leading indicator of a QB’s potential. Skills are great, but when under pressure, how do they react? Moving forward, NFL teams should be more cautious in regards to the QB position, because as time goes on the gap between Good and Great college quarterbacks is going to keep getting narrower. Instead of tossing a large portion of salary at a QB who is just ok, spend that money on PROVEN assets at other positions and take a risk on someone who was good in college. If it doesn’t work out? Just try again next year, there is always a magnitude of QB’s entering the draft Although they might not meet the same “ceiling” that these other players might have, we’ve seen that at the NFL level, they’re just as capable of winning games. And may we NEVER forget that:
I’M COMING. Deion Sanders only needed 2 words to get into the minds of the student athletes at the University of Colorado. By now, most have seen the video of Deion with his players at their first team meeting. Among the headlines was him saying “I’m bringing my own luggage…and its Louis too.”, a statement many found to be appalling and the only thing they wanted to take away from his speech. Did he tell those kids, point blank, that transfers would be coming in to take their job? Absolutely. At the end of the day, a coach’s job is to make his team better; often times this is done with tough decisions like who to keep on the team vs who not to. Colorado went 1-11 this year, obviously something needs to change. First it was the coaching staff, now it’s the players. Deion wasn’t doing this to discourage his guys, or tear them down in anyway. In reality, moments after the headline-grabbing statements were made, he gave them a call to action. He asked them who was going to prove him wrong, who has what it takes to stay and help turn this program around. Competition breeds passion, and passion is the key success. Deion knows this; not only as a player back in the day, but as a coach now. Deion is about to make a BIG statement at Colorado; He’s coming.
Deion Sanders is a coach that all players want to play for. Put aside his place in the NFL HOF, the energy that Deion brings with him every day is electric. When he gives a team speech and ends it with “Now play my music” you always see the whole team room go ballistic. This isn’t an act for the camera, but how his players truly feel about him. In today’s landscape of college football, you can only go so far with X’s and O’s. Just look across the country at programs that have been dead for seemingly forever, now beginning to find their footing again because of a coach who wears his heart on his sleeve; coaches that are passionate about the game and their players.
Take the University of South Carolina for example. The Gamecocks are not even a top 5 brand in the SEC, let alone the biggest brand in their own state. Year after year, they faced mediocrity, finishing most seasons right around .500 or below. After nearly a decade of recycling old head coaches who continuously proved unable to build a program, the university took a step in a different direction, hiring Shane Beamer from Oklahoma. As a first-time head coach, Beamer brought new life and energy into a locker room which was in desperate need of it; this translated to wins. In his first season, he took the Gamecocks to the Duke Mayo bowl. They won, and he took a victory bath with a Gatorade bucket full of mayonnaise. Beamer makes sure his guys always remember you have to have fun. This year, his team has kept having fun. In doing so, they knocked off 2, Top 10 teams to close out the season and finish with an 8-4 record; their best since 2017.
While it’s a common oversight, football, especially at the college level, is about having fun. When the team is having fun and has good chemistry, that always translates into success on the field. Coach’s charisma and swagger are infectious, always carrying positivity where he goes. He speaks the truth which can hurt sometimes, but with that also comes respect from his players. With that respect, his players buy into his vision; combine a well-executed vision and a fun program together, success will follow.
In regards to recruiting, Deion’s social media presence is something that few coaches have really begun to tap into. He literally tweets “Who wants to Change the game with me?” and he has kids dropping their highlight reels directly to him. At this point, Prime is using his platform to have kids reach out to HIM to play, not the other way around. In doing so, he’s recruiting players he knows are passionate about playing for him and his program. These are the types of players he knows he can succeed with because he knows they are willing to buy into his vision. Obviously, Deion is still doing normal recruiting visits as well as this new method. In terms of face to face recruiting, there might not be anyone better than him; lest we forget he convinced the #1 recruit in the country to play at a Non D1 school in Jackson, MS. By expanding his reach, he’s recruiting players he may have never had the chance to otherwise.
The final ingredient Coach Prime’s secret sauce is his relatability. Football teams are one big family. Even in the 1 year I played in high school, we would break down a practice by saying “Family Team on 3”. When your coach cares and makes you a priority, it makes you want to play for them. In addition, Deion knows the feelings that all his recruits/ players have; wanting to become somebody and give back to the people who helped them the most. When you can empathize and relate with people, a powerful connection is established that is hard to emulate in any other way.
When it’s all said and done, look for Deion to build a lasting legacy at the University of Colorado. The culture that he brings with him will spread like wild fire and before long, the entire school will be buzzing. You mix his personality and abilities with the NIL potential in Boulder (but mainly Denver), the sky is the limit. 2023 begins the reign of Coach Prime and the return of the Rumblin’ Ralphie.
Just one year ago, people were wondering what type of contract extension Baker Mayfield would get. Mayfield, a fiery competitor, played through a separated shoulder for the majority of the season which impacted his effectiveness at QB. Even still, Baker managed to finish with 17 TD passes [1](more than Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa). As the offseason approached, the Cleveland Browns decided to go full Cleveland Browns mode and move on from the QB who brought them their first playoff win in 20+ years. While we could go into all the details of why this was an ill-advised decision **cough Deshaun Watson is a scumbag cough**, it’s in the past and it cannot be changed.
In a whirlwind of an offseason, Baker was traded to the Carolina Panthers on July 6th. In 2021, the Panthers total offense was ranked 30th out of 32 NFL teams; 29th in PPG and total passing yards[2]. What does this mean exactly? This team STUNK in 2021 and made ZERO moves in the offseason to get any better. Carolina was hoping for Baker to be a magic ‘cure-all’ solution to their offensive woes and he could not be. While his teammates bought into Mayfield Mania, voting him a captain after being on the team for just 2 months, his on the field performance invoked mixed emotions. He struggled to hit his receivers at the apex of their routes, a common theme for QB/WR duos playing together for the first time. As the weeks went by his reads got better, as his yards per game increased in each of his first 3 starts; a sign of him feeling more comfortable and throwing downfield more despite poor offensive line play which saw him get sacked on average 3 times a game. Then came the ankle injury which forced him to miss 4 games, and by the time he was healthy again, the Panthers had descended into more turmoil after firing their HC Matt Rhule. Baker was never given his starting role back, albeit for a fill in role in the 2nd half against the Bengals which he EXCELLED (155 Yds, 2 TD’s, Passer Rating: 126) and 1 game against the Ravens in which Carolina couldn’t get going in any aspect.
After FOUR (4) Starts, Carolina decided Baker wasn’t their guy and granted his release from the team. Now he winds up with a fresh start in Los Angeles with the Rams. This situation is perfect for Baker Mayfield and the Rams. For Baker, he gets a chance to prove that he is a starting QB in this league moving forward. Situationally, there isn’t a much better place for him to go to in the NFL. Matthew Stafford is aging and his recent neck/spinal cord injuries seem to be a bigger cause for concern than initially thought. Also, his elbow is toasted and he needs to have Tommy John surgery whether he wants to admit it or not. Mix his injury with the fact that the Rams don’t have a first-round pick, Baker seems to be the best-case scenario moving forward.
For fun, let’s recap why Baker Mayfield is “washed” in the eyes of the media:
In 2020 (his last fully healthy season) he had a QB:INT ratio of 3:1, won 11 games and advanced the Browns to the Divisional round of the playoffs. Why are we writing this guy off again?
Is it because of recency bias? We see all his commercials and think “his stats don’t match up to his endorsement deals, so clearly he’s regressing.”
Is it the injuries? Injuries are bad luck; you see it all across the NFL in different positions. Before the season, ‘experts’ were clamoring that CMC and Saquon Barkley were only a shell of their former selves; no longer elite talents. This year, they are both in the top 5 of total yardage amongst RB’s[3], a far cry from them not being ‘Elite’. I understand that RB is different than QB, but I see the same thing happening for Baker Mayfield next.
Should the Rams decide to bring Baker Mayfield on for more than the immediate future, he will be surrounded by one of the best WR’s in football in Cooper Kupp and a play calling mastermind in Sean McVay at HC. Baker has always played his best with a chip on his shoulder; from winning the Heisman as a walk on, to leading a dysfunctional franchise to their first playoff win in 25 years. He has proven he can overcome incredible odds; it just takes a little bit of time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are successful players; Look for Baker Mayfield to rebound in 2023 and recapture his place as a starting QB moving forward in the NFL.
[1] https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/passing/2021/REG/all/passingtouchdowns/DESC
[2]https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/season/2021/seasontype/2/table/passing/sort/totalPointsPerGame/dir/desc
[3] https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/nfl-most-total-yards-by-a-rb-2022
July has been such an amazing month. We celebrated our nation’s independence, saw the U.S. women win the world cup, Stranger Things season 3 came out (Heyoooo) and we even got to witness one of the most exciting Home Run Derby’s in MLB history. It has been quite a month for entertainment and it’s only going to get better as the NFL training camps start getting underway in less than a week. Though there won’t be a meaningful game for another month and a half, football fans can rejoice as their favorite teams and players hit the field, creating hype for themselves and their teams. Training camp is a time where position battles are won and lost, dreams become reality for some and turn into heartbreak for others. As it has been in years past, rookies and free agents will battle in an attempt to crack the depth chart during training camp and be crowned the starter come week 1 of the NFL season. In this article, we’ll be looking at 3 rookies to keep an eye on during training camp/preseason who can have a huge impact on their franchise’s going forward.
1.) Darrel Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams
This dude can absolutely fly. In his Junior year at Memphis, Henderson wracked up 1900 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing in just 13 games, a truly mesmerizing statistic. Clearly he can move, but he was drafted in the 3rd round of this years draft to be the backup to Todd Gurley, arguably best RB in the NFL. However, Gurley’s knees weren’t doing him any favors at the end of last season, as he missed the last 2 games entirely and had a very limited role in the playoffs. I suspect that his issues will progressively get worse since Gurley tore his left ACL in 2014 and it has been reported that he’s dealing with arthritis in that knee. It’s very possible that his days as a bruising, downhill runner are coming to an end, paving the way for Henderson to get some serious action. In the Rams high octane offense, Henderson’s speed would make him a valuable asset in stretching the field, handcuffing the defense as to what they can do. With the ability to cut hard around the edge and dance his way through holes, Henderson’s lightning fast feet make him a hard target to read for defenders. Last season, Todd Gurley had 315 total touches for the Rams. Give that workload to Henderson, who average 8.9 YPC last season, and it’s hard to imagine him not being able to create some magic. Injuries are a terrible thing, but if Gurley can’t go, expect BIG things from Darrell Henderson this season.
2.) Drew Lock, QB, Denver Broncos
John Elway’s time as GM in Denver can be boiled down to 1 word: Mediocre. Coming into his 9th season, Elway has taken shots and missed on some awful Quarterbacks (Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian). To add to the misery, he went out and traded for Joe Flacco this offseason, a QB who has one of the worst TD/INT ratios in the league over the past 4 seasons. John Elway should be fired, no doubt, but his saving grace might be in the form of a 6’4, 230 lb Quarterback from the University of Missouri. Drew Lock is one of my favorite QB’s in this whole class and could easily be the guy in Denver for a long time. The kid has an absolute rocket where his arm should be, which will only be enhanced when throwing through the thin air in Denver. In his 3 years as a starter at Mizzou, Lock managed to throw for nearly 11,000 yards, 95 touchdowns and only 31 interceptions, an impressive number if you consider how elite the defenses are in the SEC. On top of his arm talent, Lock’s decision making is what makes him the second best QB of this 2019 class. 95 TD’s to 31 INT’s is an incredible ratio, a ratio that was only bested by 5 Quarterbacks in the whole NFL last year, all of whom are either the current MVP or won MVP in the past. With an incredible arm, great decision making, and even decent mobility, Drew Lock is poised to make a huge splash in the NFL. Mix that with a GM who needs to regain the admiration of his fan base or it’s his own head, and I’ll say that Drew Lock will be leading the Denver Broncos come week 5, their Bye week in week 10 at the latest.
3.) DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Everyone has seen the photos; 6’3, 233 lb and only 1.6% body fat is an absolute SPECIMEN of a human being. Combine that with his 4.33 40 yard dash and his 40 inch vertical, the thought alone of guarding Metcalf is daunting. A lot of people have complained about his potential route running, saying he can’t cut fast enough, and that it will be hard for him to get separation because he can’t change his speed/direction on a dime. In my opinion, all of these concerns are ill-founded because he won’t be doing much of that as an outside receiver. With Doug Baldwin retiring this off-season, Seattle really needs someone to step up and be the #1 option for Russell Wilson to throw to this year. In his brief stint at Ole Miss, Metcalf averaged over 18 YPC and was able to go up and get the ball out of the air with ease over big SEC DB’s. Metcalf’s physical abilities give him all the upside in the world with Russell Wilson at the helm, a QB with expert precision and place the ball in a spot only Metcalf can get to it; it’s tough to take the ball from a guy who can pinpoint the ball at 12.5 feet in the air. His repertoire is building with Wilson as well. Training camp may not have started yet but at rookie mini-camp and OTA’s, Wilson and Metcalf have been working together tirelessly to put together this offense. The ‘injury prone’ label is one that shouldn’t warrant much consideration either, as the 2 he suffered were vastly different and unrelated( Foot 2017, Neck 2018). DK Metcalf has an extraordinary opportunity this season in Seattle and I believe he’ll take full advantage, embarking on a career that will see him become the next Calvin Johnson.
This training camp and NFL season will be full of new-comers who shock the world and show how talented they truly are, whether they’ve been hyped up or unheard of. The Kyler Murray’s of the world will always be examined, but hidden gems are found constantly, sparking hope for other players who know they just need a chance. While the guys mentioned in this article were drafted, it doesn’t guarantee them success in the league, not by a longshot. They’re going to have to show grit, tenacity, and poise among other things if they’re going to thrive in this league. When they show up and showcase everything the have to offer this training camp, there will be no doubt but to look at them and say “A Star is Born”.
Moonshots, Dingers, Oppo-Tacos, and Piss Missiles. It seems like these would be really bad answers given in Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL, but they actually describe what you can see this evening in the MLB Home Run Derby. The heaviest hitters in baseball take center stage in Cleveland tonight (8 PM on ESPN) and oh what a show it will be. If you have nothing going on , I encourage you to watch and enjoy one of the most exhilarating events in all of sports.
Over the years, baseball has lost it’s luster, there’s no denying it. The length of the season, dominance of big markets, and lack of star players has decimated the amount of fans for America’s pastime. However, in recent years, baseball has been making a comeback. Extremely talented prospects are finally in the Majors after perfecting their game in the minors and they’re wreaking havoc. Tonight in Cleveland, the players of the future are grabbing a bat and seeing who has the biggest swing of them all. If you’ve complained about not knowing anyone in baseball, tonight you’ll have the chance to meet a lot of incredible young talent. Among the contestants in tonight’s derby, we’ll see an MVP contender and 4 faces of the franchise, plus an appearance from the hometown hero Carlos Santana which should add a little extra drama. It’s bound to be a wild night in Cleveland, so sit back, relax, and get your peanuts & cracker-jacks.
The biggest name fans should get accustomed to is Alex Bregman (25), 3rd baseman for the Houston Astros. Bregman has 23 HR’s this season, which gives him decent credibility to be in the Derby. While tonight he will showcase how much pop he has, Bregman is so much more than that. He’s helped lead the Astros to the 2nd most wins in the league before the All-Star break and is looking to bring them their 2nd World Series ring in 3 years this season. He is also in the running for Golden Glove at 3rd base, the honor given to the best defensive player at a specific position. A tenacious player and fun-spirited teammate, Bregman is an MVP candidate with his bat and his glove, making him a player you should really get to know.
Also in tonight’s derby, we have 4 players that are on the precipice of becoming the face of their franchise. Vladimir Guerrero Jr (Blue Jays), Pete Alonso (Mets), Josh Bell (Pirates), and Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves) are all the future of their franchises. Guerrero Jr is the youngest of the bunch (20) but his potential may be the highest. With a powerful bat and the responsibility of carrying on the lineage of his father, Vladdy Jr. sends towering shots to the bleachers and beyond with ease. He only has 8 HR’s this season but don’t let that fool you; he was called up a month into the season and he’s still acclimating to the speed of the Major League game. Not to mention, Vladdy Jr has the chance to make him and his dad the first father/son combo to both win a home run derby; craziness.
Acuna (21 HR), Bell (27 HR), and Alonso (30 HR) have all settled in with their clubs and have proven to be reliable options at the plate for their teams when need be. Bell and Alonso are not only exceptional power hitters, they’re extremely valuable to their teams with run support. Bell has a whopping 84 RBI’s heading into the break while Alonso has an impressive 64 RBI’s; they can rake. These guys are going to be in the league for a long time too, as Acuna is 21, Alonso is 24, and Bell is 26. Chase Utley retired last year at the age of 39, so these guys definitely have a lot left to put out on the diamond. These are some of the best and brightest baseball has to offer and we need to take notice now before its too late.
Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa and so many more are iconic all because of the Home Run ball. The players in tonight’s Home Run Derby have the same iconic potential, and the easiest way to prove it is to see for yourself. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the excitement of fellow teammates makes the Home Run Derby a special event and one not to miss; there’s nothing quite like it. Baseball isn’t dead, not by a longshot… except for the baseball’s that are going to be murdered via longshot tonight… bad joke, but I digress. Tonight some of the best players in the game are going to put on a show, and with them at the forefront of the sport, baseball will once again return to America’s Favorite Pastime.
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